The number of peripherals which we use these days along with our laptops is increasing. Many of us use a mouse, speaker, and various other devices along with our laptop. The problem is, if you connect every peripheral with the laptop when you place it on your desk, it can take up to 10 minutes to connect the peripherals. A much smarter way is to use the laptop docking stations. You can set up all the peripherals in the laptop docking stations only once. The next time, you place the laptop on the desk. You only have to connect the docking station with the laptop. This will allow you to save a significant amount of time. In a single go, you can connect all the peripherals to your laptop.
Moreover, the connectivity options which you get through the laptop docking stations are much higher as compared to the ports in the laptop. You can enhance the functionality of the laptop. When you look around for docking stations, you will find that it is not that easy to choose the right one. Most of them have different configurations for an offer. There are many different variables to consider. That is why you have to be smart when choosing one. Today, we will share with you some of the factors which you should consider when selecting the docking stations.
Best Laptop Docking Stations
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10. UNITEK USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station
If you are specifically looking for a docking station which can support dual monitor display, you can consider this option. It can support HDMI/DVI/VGA. You can opt for the screen extension mode or the screen with a remote as per your needs. The maximum resolution on offer in the dual display mode is 204 8 x 1152. It has an Ethernet port on offer which can support 1000 Mbps. You get a 3.5 MM audio jack as well. There are 3 USB 3.0 ports available which support 5 Gbps transfers.
You can connect multiple devices using these USB ports. They are backward compatible as well which means that you can connect devices supporting USB 2.0 and USB 1.1. With the help of an angled design, you can easily place the docking station under the laptop so that it will not occupy any extra space. It supports USB A and USB C connectivity as well. It is compatible with windows and Microsoft Surface. So, when looking for a docking station specifically for dual monitor display, you can go with this one.
- Angled design
- Compatible with Windows/Microsoft surface
- Multiple dual display modes
- Offers audio input and output
- Has an ethernet port
- Initial recognition is not that seamless
9. Plugable Dual 4K Display Docking Station
The most noticeable feature of this docking station is the slim size. The elegant and compact design makes it perfect for modern desks. When you look at the technical specifications, it offers 6 USB ports. All the USB ports support 3.0 connection which enables fast data transfer. One of the primary functions of any laptop docking station is to connect the displays. The docking station which we are discussing right now can support dual screen. It has 2 HDMI ports which can support the 4K display.
There are also two other ports which can support lower display resolutions. There is also Ethernet port to connect the docking station to the Internet. The laptop docking station is compatible with Windows 7, 8.1, and 10. The audio input and output ports complete the connectivity options. Thus, when you’re looking for an elegant laptop docking station which offers complete connectivity, you can consider this option.
- Complete connectivity
- Offers Ethernet port
- Supports 4K resolution and lower resolution
- Elegant design
- Drivers need manual installation
8. UNITEK Gold Plated Multi-in 1 Universal Docking:
There are some unique features in this docking station. The first one is that it is compatible with most of the operating systems like Windows, Google Chromebook, and Mac. As a result, you don’t need to worry about compatibility at all. When you look at the mini display port, it is gold plated. The advantage of this gold plating is that the connectivity provided is seamless. These features make it stand out as compared to others. Additionally, it allows for vertical placement. The advantage of vertical placement is that it occupies very little space on your desk. If you have a cluttered desk, it is the perfect option for you.
It supports HDMI connectivity and also has a VGA output. There are audio jacks for phone and mic; you can connect the Ethernet cable as well. You can connect plenty of peripherals using USB 2.0. When you utilize the HDMI port or the VGA port, you can opt for a dual monitor system. The unique features of this laptop docking station make it one of the best in the category.
- Supports dual monitors
- HDMI/VGA connectivity
- Offers an Ethernet port
- Audio in/output port
- USB 3.0 ports on offer
- Occupies little space
- Seamless connectivity
- Drivers might require manual updating
7. Plugable USB C Mini Laptop Docking Station:
One of the unique features of this mini docking station is that it offers 85W of power to charge your USB devices. You can connect the USB C port or the Thunderbolt 3 system to charge the devices. Additionally, you get 4K compatible HDMI output. The USB 3.0 ports facilitate high data transfer rates. The docking station is compatible with MacBook Pro, Retina MacBook, Microsoft surface, Windows. The 4 USB ports on offer support 3.0 connectivity.
The Ethernet port on offer facilitates wired connectivity. The audio input and output ports allow you to up the entertainment quotient without any problem. These features make it better than many of its peers.
- Supports 4K display
- Offers Internet connectivity
- Compatible with multiple operating systems
- USB 3.0 connectivity
- Charges devices efficiently
- Connectivity is patchy on Mac
6. WAVLINK USB 3.0 Universal Docking Station:
With dual screen support, you can use this laptop docking station for 1080p HDMI output. There is also DVI/VGA port on offer. The DVI port can support 2048 x 1152 display, and the VGA port can display 1920 x 1200 resolution. If you’re using both the display ports, each port will only support 1920 x 1200. The Ethernet port can offer connectivity up to 1000 Mbps. The Internet speed will not be slow down when you’re using this laptop docking station.
There are 6 USB ports, and out of the two are USB 3.0 ports, and the rest are USB 2.0 ports. The USB 3.0 ports can support 5 Gbps data transfers. It is compatible with Chrome OS, Mac OS, and Windows operating systems. With the dimensions of just 8.5” x 3.5” x 1”, it will not occupy significant space on your desk. The audio input and output port provide you with efficient recording capability and crystal clear sound. You can choose the laptop docking station in 3 different color options. Thus, if small size is your criteria for selecting the laptop docking station, you will love this one.
- Available in 3 different colors
- Works with a wide variety of operating systems
- Can support dual display
- Seamless Internet connectivity
- Offers 2 x USB 3.0 ports
- Windows 10 requires manual downloading of drivers
5. Kensington USB 3.0 Dual Display Docking Station:
The best thing about this docking station is that you can place it vertically. The vertical placement means that space which it will occupy on your desk is minimal. There are two variants available which are compatible with Windows docking station or the Mac OS docking station. It offers six different USB ports and an Ethernet port. There is an audio input/output connection on offer. The USB A cable is included along with the docking station which allows you to connect three different peripherals.
It can support HDMI and QHD displays. You can even connect VGA/DVI. It supports dual display capability so that you can connect additional monitors without any problem. There are 2 USB 3.0 ports on offer that can support up to 5 Gbps. Additionally, four USB 2.0 ports are suitable for connecting peripherals like keyboard, printer, or mouse. The Ethernet port can support up to 1000 Mbps. Hence, the slim design and compatibility make it a good choice.
- Windows/Mac variants available
- Has USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports
- HDMI & QHD display compatibility
- Dual display compatibility
- Ethernet port can support 1000 Mbps
- Installation is not that easy and requires a restart
4. Plugable USB-C Triple Display Docking Station:
The next station on our list is again the one which has vertical alignment. It offers USB C connectivity. One of the main advantages of this docking station is that it can support the triple display. You can connect two screens using HDMI, DVI/VGA port. You can connect the third display with the help of the gigabit Ethernet port. The HDMI port can support 4K resolution. The DVI port can support 1080p resolution. If you’re looking for a docking station which supports three displays, this is the one which you should purchase.
It utilizes USB 3.1 drivers. It is compatible with Microsoft surface and windows operating systems. The audio input and output port ensure that you can connect various audio devices easily. The USB 3.0 ports mean that whichever peripheral you connect using this port, can get high read and write rate. Thus, if you want to connect three displays, this is the laptop docking station which you can buy.
- Ethernet port available
- USB 3.0 ports on offer
- Can be placed vertically
- Offers audio in/output ports
- Compatible with Windows/surface devices
- Uses USB 3.1 drivers
- Can connect three displays
- Docking station uses laptop battery power by default
3. Anker 6 USB Ports Dual Display Universal Docking Station:
With six different USB ports, connecting the peripherals will not be a problem at all. You can utilize the HDMI and DVI port to connect multiple displays. In total, it can support up to 3 monitors. The vertical placement will not occupy a significant amount of space on your desk. If you prefer to place it horizontally, it consists of a detachable base which allows you to use it as per your requirement. It consists of a chip which can efficiently prioritize the bandwidth usage.
Even when connecting a maximum number of devices, you will get proper stability due to this chip. It is a unique feature of this laptop docking station. In addition, it offers two USB 3.0 ports and the rest of the four ports support USB 2.0. It also supports 5Gbps transfers. There is also an Ethernet port with the help of which, you can connect the third display. It offers the audio in/output so that you can get crystal-clear sound without any problem. All in all, it is versatile and easy to use docking station which utilizes bandwidth smartly.
- Supports three monitors
- Consist of a chip to utilize bandwidth efficiently
- Offers HDMI/DVI port
- Two USB 3.0 ports on offer
- Audio in/output ports
- Detachable base stand
- Third display connectivity is not seamless
2. Dell USB 3.0 Triple Display Docking Station:
The docking station which we are speaking about now has three USB 3.0 ports on offer. The other two ports are USB 2.0. It also has a headphone input port and output 3.5 MM port. Listening to the audio is not a problem when using this docking station. It is suitable for gaming applications as well. The two HDMI ports allow you to connect a couple of monitors easily. With the help of the display port, you can connect the third monitor as well.
Using the triple monitor system, you can quickly enhance your productivity and connect three monitors without any issues. It comes along with USB 3.0 cable of 2 feet which means that you can connect various peripherals. It is compatible with Mac and Windows. The salient features make it a pretty good option when looking for a USB docking station.
- 3 USB 3.0 ports on offer
- 2 USB 2.0 ports on offer
- Suitable for gaming applications
- Can connect three monitors
- Audio input & output port
- Comes along with USB 3.0 cable
- Compatible with Mac and Windows
- Mac drivers need manual downloads
1. Plugable USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station:
With that, we have reached the top of our list. The laptop docking station which we are speaking about now has two video ports. It has one HDMI port and one DVI/VGA port. In total, it has 6 USB ports on offer. Has six ports, 2 are USB 3.0 ports. They provide backward compatibility as well. The HDMI port on offer can support 2560 x 1440 display. It can support two 1080p displays as well. The Ethernet port can support up to 1000 Mbps.
It is compatible with Windows operating systems. Moreover, the USB ports feature an overcurrent protection which means that the docking station will last for a long time. The audio input/output ports ensure that you get crystal-clear audio without any problem. Furthermore, the vertical profile of this laptop docking station makes it a pretty good option when you have less space on your desk. All these features, make it the best laptop docking station.
- Total 6 USB ports on offer
- Can support HDMI display
- Can support up to 21080p displays
- Offers a 1000 Mbps Ethernet port
- Vertical placement
- Crystal-clear audio output
- Provides an audio input port
- Safety features incorporated
- Cursor movement is not responsive when multiple monitors are connected
Laptop Docking Stations Buying Guide
Things to consider while buying laptop docking stations:
- The number of devices which can be connected: You have to check the number of ports on offer. It will provide you with the gist regarding the number of devices which can be connected simultaneously. Once you find that out, it is easier for you to decide whether the docking station will be useful for you or not.
- Compatibility: The first compatibility which you need to look at is the compatibility with the operating system which you use. Once you take that off from the list, it is essential to look at the specifications of the ports. If the ports on offer are USB 3.0, you have to figure out whether your laptop can offer you USB 3.0 compatibility or not. Otherwise, there is no point in splurging money on a docking station which offers USB 3.0 rather than USB 2.0. You have to look at the port through which you can connect the additional monitors. It should have 4K compatibility. Once you look at these compatibility options, it is easier for you to figure out the most useful and efficient docking station for your laptop.
- Size of the Docking Station: Due to the ever increasing number of peripherals on our desk, the availability of space for any additional accessories is decreasing. When buying a docking station, you have to look at the size of the docking station. Ideally, it should be compact. If you can purchase one which allows vertical placement, the horizontal footprint on the desk will be on the lower side. It will allow you to accommodate the docking station quickly. That is why you have to always take into account the size of the docking station, and after that, you have to make a call.
- Aesthetics: Most of our desks are full of wires and various peripherals. Therefore, when you’re buying a docking station, it is essential to choose one which has proper aesthetics. When you select such a docking station, you can organize your desk in a much better way. It will help you increase your productivity. You have to look at the aesthetics and the ergonomics of laptop docking stations before taking a call.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you want to take your productivity to the next level, laptop docking stations are the perfect option for you. Instead of going through hundreds of different options and choosing a substandard one, it is a much better idea to go through our top 10 list. What we have listed above are the only best laptop docking stations on offer. Using the list above, you can easily pick the laptop docking station which is suitable for you.
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