Turning your laptop into a proper workstation will take very little time; you only need an adequate docking station. With so many great ones to choose from in the online jungle, finding one that suits your personal needs is difficult.
That is why we did all the leg work for you and made a short list of several of the best docking stations you can find. We will go through each one to see what they have to offer home/office workers who need a stable work environment as well as the pros and cons of each.
So, sit back, relax, and see how these best laptop docking stations can make your life a bit easier.
Comparison Chart
Best Laptop Docking Station Reviews
Laptop Docking Station from i-macBac
If you are looking for a docking station for your laptop that comes with great features, look no further. Sort any potential chaos out with this neatly designed, compact docking station for your laptop and experience peace of mind while working.
Review
When using a laptop with full Alt mode protocol support, you will have up to three extra displays at your disposal. This means no reorganizing or re-opening tabs; everything is displayed at once, with more tabs opened all at the same time.
Furthermore, all extra monitors can be displayed at 4K resolution for better clarity which makes viewing clear resolutions even easier for you. In other words, you have up to three modes available, each with 60 Hz capability.
When transferring information, there are two gen 2 USB 3.0 ports which provide much faster transfer speeds of up to 10Gbs. All USB ports have dual power and data capability, which allows for the use of all of them to transfer data and charge devices.
With 15 different ports at your disposal, you can easily improve efficiency and user experience while increasing productivity. Having eight USB ports and a Gigabit Ethernet port on hand, there are fewer limitations to accessing connectivity.
All ports on this laptop docking station share a maximum of 65w power supply for a more stable working performance.
The overall design of this docking station is compact and durable to ensure it’s portable and lasts longer. It also comes with an extended warranty to back its top-notch quality.
When paired with a Windows 10 laptop, you must install drivers before activating the dual monitor option on this docking station. This extra step may seem insignificant, but since there are many plug-and-go devices already on the market, this minor detail may prove to be burdensome.
This docking station also does not supply any power to a laptop, so you would need to find a separate outlet. This may be problematic for those who don’t have that extra power connection available for their workstation, which means an extra cable.
Pros
- Multitude of video ports
- All connections are easily accessible
- High-speed connection options are available
- Strong and durable construction
Cons
- Requires installation of drivers for full functionality on Windows 10
- No power for your laptop from the docking station
MOKiN Laptop Docking Station
Affordability and durability, without sacrificing quality, are what you get in just one package with this laptop docking station from MOKiN. The lightweight design of this docking station makes it a great option for those who need mobility in their electronic devices.
Review
With a 100w power supply, you can charge your laptop efficiently with this docking station. It also provides ample power to all of your USB C ports to use a variety of devices.
To make it possible for instant sync, you have a USB 3.0 port at 900 Ma at your disposal. This means that you have a very fast data transfer speed of around 450Mbps for less wait times.
For peripheral devices, like a mouse and keyboard, MODKin has provided efficient USB ports to ensure faster transfer rates. This helps eliminate any lag you might have with these types of devices under normal circumstances which, of course, results in fewer frustrations.
The advanced chip design makes this laptop docking station easy to use without the need to install extra drivers. In other words, once you have connected, the plug-and-play capability will do the handshaking and pairing without delay.
There are also three display options for windows within the docking station which supports single-stream and multi-stream modes. This opens the possibility for advanced viewing options and allows for the display of multiple tabs simultaneously without issue.
It is compatible with the most popular brands of laptops, so many will benefit from the cross-compatibility of this docking station. The great speed and easy connectivity make this a great choice for commuters that need to stay on top at all times.
With that being said, there are several laptops that may experience incompatibility with MODKiN’s docking station. Before purchasing this device, it is recommended to ensure your device is supported on the docking station’s compatibility list.
Furthermore, several of the USB ports on this docking station might be problematic for some. This definitely takes away from the versatility of this laptop docking station and puts you in short supply of a much-needed feature.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Affordable price
- Great peripheral devices connection capability
- Fast and very reliable USB ports
Cons
- Cross-compatibility issues
- Data and power protocol unavailable for all USB ports
Dell D3100 Laptop Docking Station
Dell has always been a very reliable option when it comes to laptop docking stations in general, they have always instilled trust and peace of mind. They also have a wide range of docking stations for laptops available besides this entry-level option at a good price point.
Review
The design of this laptop docking station from Dell is subtle and compact to take up very little space in your work area. This also makes it an ideal option for those who need mobility and ease of travel with their whole office in tow.
When it comes to compatibility, this docking station can be used with basically all Dell laptops to increase your connectivity range. There are so many laptop models from Dell that the chances are good that you will already have compatibility, but this device can be used with most other brands, as well.
To improve your options, this station supports 4K and full HD display quality for much better viewing capability. This also means that you can connect up to three monitors to this laptop docking station to enhance your viewing experience.
What this translates to is that the device helps to increase your overall productivity while making managing more applications easier. It is also possible to spread multiple tabs from your desktop across those three extra monitors to display for greater efficiency.
With three USB 3.0 ports at your disposal, you are provided with high data transfer capabilities to save time and effort. You also have USB 2.0 for simultaneous compatibility with various devices.
Setting the docking station up for your laptop will be a breeze with the easy connectivity options available. Dell has also made charging capability available with USB ports to keep most of your external devices at full charge at all times.
A problematic area for some would be the inability to switch your laptop on from the docking station. When considering that docking stations are also intended to be convenient, many may find the need to lift the display of their laptop to start it up an issue that should have already been resolved.
Also, there are some hiccups with this laptop docking station when you add up to three displays at the same time. The noticeable flicker across the screens, along with the frustration of this problem, can be rectified by using HDMI 1.4 monitors.
Pros
- Supports high-resolution display quality
- Easy to install and set up
- Small and portable design
- Versatile docking station with great compatibility
Cons
- There is no power-on switch on the docking station
- Problems experienced with more than two displays
Plugable Universal Laptop Docking Station from Amazon Renewed
If productivity is what you need, then look no further than this laptop docking station from Plugable to keep you going. Devices provided by this company are tested to the highest standards to ensure the best products that work for you.
Review
This laptop docking station from Plugable is compatible with a wide range of laptop brands available on the market. This means that you don’t need to spend more money to have a compatible workstation that can get the job done.
Backward compatibility and plug-and-play capability make it easy to hot-swap your devices without losing your connection whenever you need to change. This is great for when you need to quickly swap out devices that are needed on the go to save time and effort.
You can also easily attach two monitors to one HDMI port for high-quality display through the docking station. It supports 2560×1440 if you use a single HDMI display or 1080p and attach two monitors to the device.
This device is compatible with all Windows and Legacy platforms to make it easy to use on most laptops out there. This is a great device to use with productivity applications and for use on the Web, for better viewing activity.
With six USB ports at your disposal, it is compatible with a wide range of external devices without hassle. You also have two USB 3.0 ports for fast data transfer you need for a wide range of applications.
The overall design makes this laptop docking station a great option for those who need to carry their office with them. It is lightweight but durable, so you don’t need to worry that it will break with the first accidental bump.
Wireless receivers for your peripheral devices may have some issues with connecting to this docking station. There may be delays during usage with this laptop docking station which can be resolved by using a USB hub directly in congruence with your laptop.
For those who have Thunderbolt 4 devices, it is recommended to look elsewhere as they are not supported on this docking station. This means that if you want to use this station, you also need to get one that supports these devices.
Pros
- Reliable power supply included
- Multitude of options for connectivity
- Decent price
- Easy to install and operate
Cons
- Not the best support for wireless receivers
- Incapable of connecting to Thunderbolt 4
Anker 575 Laptop Docking Station
Anker comes with top-notch workmanship included to make some of the most reliable laptop docking stations available on the market. They are also available in a wide range of models, making the 575 packed with many great features to make life easier.
Review
Included with this laptop docking station, you get a 3.9 feet power cable which allows further range to set your workplace up. The USB C cable is also quite long, so you can manage your space and place your devices with far less hassle.
With the 85w power supply that comes with the port, you can easily charge your laptop while it is connected to the docking station. This also applies to all smartphones that use 18w for charging with the compatible charging port available on the station.
The reliable power supply provides great support for the many different ports for stable connectivity during usage. This includes DC input with an aux port, SD and MicroSD card slots, and an Ethernet port for quick and painless connection.
Fast data transfer speeds of 10Gbps are possible with the USB C data port and half of that with the USB A port. With a wide range of connectivity ports, you have support for many different types of devices with this docking station.
The dual HDMI ports provide the option for more than one monitor at a time for wider viewing options. There is also DisplayPort, where you can add a third monitor with reasonably high video quality.
Unfortunately, this device only supports single-stream data transport mode, which means that all the monitors will display the same content. This is best used when presenting information to large groups, like in a meeting, rather than using the device in a personal workspace, like in a home office.
With the high price tag attached to this docking station, you would expect much more bang for your money. This would not be a viable option for those on a tight budget who would rather purchase a docking station at a more affordable price.
While you can add up to three monitors with this laptop docking station, there is one setback to consider. The third monitor will always have a much lower resolution, so your viewing quality is not the best.
Pros
- Easy setup
- Compatible with most Windows versions
- Fast USB transfer rate
- Charging capabilities for laptops and smartphones
Cons
- Expensive
- Lower resolution on third additional monitor
Conclusion
All of the above options are worth a look if you want a laptop docking station that won’t let you down. With that being said, there is one that’s a stand-out for us. The i-macBac laptop docking station, with many USB and fast connectivity options, is the optimal choice in this line-up. The Dell D3100 comes a close second with the high 4K resolution yet fewer connection ports. Ultimately, the choice largely depends on the needs of your workplace.