Connecting your devices to the best laptop docking station is the best way to expand your laptop’s functionality. It is also the most affordable way to get more devices connected to your laptop at the same time.
Best USB-C Docking Stations for Windows & Mac PCs: Our Top Picks
The best laptop docking stations come in handy for every laptop user, since they allow you to effectively transform your laptop into a desktop replacement device. If you own a Macbook with limited ports, you can get a docking station and connect an extra keyboard, mouse, your smartphone, Ethernet cable, and even an HDMI cable with ease.
These docking stations also work for Windows PC users and are compatible with a wide range of Windows systems. As you go shopping for the best laptop docking stations that would suit your budget, you will have to consider the features, port, compatibility, and quality it offers.
This guide on the 7 Best USB-C Docking Stations for Windows and Macbook PCs will help you in picking the right option that will give you value for your money.
1. VAVA USB-C Docking Station, 12-in-1 Type C Hub
Flaunting a highly portable size and a solid metal body, VAVA’s 12-in-1 4K Docking Station will transform your work zone by giving you extra connectivity options to hook on your external devices. This docking station is impressive in every sense and you will be glad to know that it is packed with a wide selection of ports that will expand the functionality of your laptop.
This docking station measures 9.05 inches long with an impressive design that should allow for easy placement. It is designed to be compact; however, it weighs 5.30 ounces which is a little bit heavy. On one end, you will find its USB-C cable to connect to your laptop. The other end houses an audio jack port. The main ports on this docking station are placed on its side.
The VAVA’s 12-in-1 4K Docking Station comes with all the essential ports and a bit of everything else. You can expect high-speed performance from all the connections it offers. Its RJ45 Ethernet port offers great promise with advertised speeds of up to 1,000Mbps. Not to worry, it won’t zap your data, thanks to its smart tech setup. This dock will automatically recognize your local network plan and adjust usage for your convenience.
There are two SD/TF card reader slots on this dock with data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps. Even better is the memory limit. This docking station can read SD cards of 2TB memory capacity. To connect your mouse, keyboard, SSD, USB flash drive and other peripherals, you will find two high-speed USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports.
Clear 4K UHD displays for large monitors is brought by its two HDMI ports. However, this feature is only applicable to laptops and monitors compatible with 4K at 60Hz dual HDMI.
Pros
- Long USB-C cable
- Connection options for multiple devices
- All ports are on one side
- Portable design
Cons
- Requires power adapter to function
- No pass-through power
2. WAVLINK Dual 4K USB-C Universal Laptop Docking Station
If you want extra ports for connectivity, then the WAVLINK Dual 4K USB-C Universal Laptop Docking Station would make for a great pick. However, you would have to do away with the hope of a portable device that is easy to pack. This is because of the docking station’s unusual design.
A portable and compact docking station always makes for the favorite choice but the WAVLINK Universal Laptop Docking Station comes with more connectivity ports that would require some extra space to fit in. This docking station measures 11.1 inches which is a bit more than most compact options. Luckily, it remains lightweight, weighing just 2.86 pounds. This docking station is built to be durable and sturdy so you can pick it right up and get back to work after an accidental fall.
Aside from the letdown in its design, this docking station will amaze you with connection options. This is the main reason why we added it to our list. There are six USB 3.0 ports for high-speed data transfers of up to 5Gbps. You can also connect your external devices and USB peripherals through these ports.
For your wireless keyboard and mouse receivers, this docking station offers 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity. High internet speeds are also possible through its RJ-45 Ethernet port with connection speeds of up to 1,000Mbps. Your actual speed may depend on what’s offered by your internet service provider.
The WAVLINK Dual 4K USB-C Universal Laptop Docking Station offers something big and extraordinary, though they might not scratch the surface for the average user. Heavy laptop users looking for brighter, clearer displays will find the dual DisplayPort outputs very handy. They both offer 5K (5120 x 2880 at 60Hz) resolution. The dual HDMI ports are just as useful. They offer dual video of 4K at 60Hz.
Pros
- Six USB 3.0 ports
- Blazing-fast Ethernet port
- DisplayPort compatible
- Sleek design
Cons
- No SD/TF slots
- No support for Windows 10
3. Hiearcool 11-in-1 USB-C Hub Laptop Docking Station
No bigger than your portable power bank, the Hiearcool 11-in-1 USB-C Hub Laptop Docking Station is designed to be compact, lightweight, and practically a-take-it-with-you laptop docking station. This docking station weighs just 0.035 ounces and measures 2.36 x 4.52 x 0.59 inches, but it is not the cheapest option we’ve come across. Still, it stands as one of the most affordable options for people that need to plug in a lot of devices at once.
One outstanding feature that would blow you away is the build quality of this docking station. Though cheaper and a lot smaller, it still comes with the same tough aluminum alloy design as in top models. It features a Dual-core VL817 chip that won’t drain power with quicker heat dissipation.
The 11 ports are made of connectivity options that include SD/TF card slots with speeds of up to 5Gbps. You will get a Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet port for fast internet browsing, uploading, downloading, and video streaming. High-resolution displays are brought by the two 4K HDMI ports. The HDMI ports offer HD resolutions of 3840 x 2160 at 30Hz. The VGA port isn’t very impressive, but you’ll still get clear and bright images on your display. It allows for resolutions of up to 1970 x 1080 at 60Hz.
You have two USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 for connecting your U Disk, mouse, camera, keyboard and other external devices. The USB 3.0 ports offer data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps. There is also a smart USB-C Hub with 100W excellent power delivery that shortens the charging time of your device.
Pros
- Triple display USB-C hub
- Excellent build quality
- Fast network connection
- Two USB 3.0 ports
Cons
- Power delivery is only compatible with select devices
- Heats up during heavy use
4. TOTU Upgraded Universal USB-C 4K Triple Display Docking Station
The TOTU Upgraded Universal USB-C 4K Triple Display Docking Station has one of the best designs you will ever come across. Rather than a flat power-bank-styled hub, this docking station looks more like a mini-DVD player or cable-box. This design places most of the ports at the rear with just a few at the front. This helps to prevent clutter if you connect to all the ports at once.
The build quality of this docking station is quite impressive. It is made out of tough metal that can withstand scratches and falls. On each side is a metal grille that gives the hub that premium-quality look.
The TOTU Upgraded Universal USB-C 4K Triple Display Docking Station doesn’t come with the usual VGA port option as in most hubs; instead, it replaces it with dual DisplayPort inlets. There is also a single HDMI port for you to connect to an external monitor. With these ports, you can achieve a triple-action display. The HDMI port supports up to 4K at 30Hz 3840 x 2160 resolution while the DisplayPorts give better connectivity of 4K at 60Hz.
The HDMI port and DisplayPorts are located at the rear of the hub along with other ports, including the Gigabit Ethernet with speeds of up to 1,000Mbps. You will also find a single USB 3.0 port right here. In addition, there are dual USB 2.0 ports with speeds of up to 480Mbps.
There are two extra USB 3.0 ports on the front of the hub. All three USB 3.0 ports offer transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps. Right beside them are the 3.5mm Audio and Mic inlets. After that, you’ve got the SD/TF cards slots. Both readers allow for speeds of up to 5Gbps.
Pros
- Sturdy and tough design
- Triple action display
- Features DisplayLink ports
- Easy installation
Cons
- Requires DisplayLink driver to function
- A little pricy
5. AUKEY USB-C Hub 12-in-1 Type C Docking Station
This classy AUKEY USB-C Hub 12-in-1 Type C Docking Station is the right choice for people looking for a high-end docking station with an affordable price tag. Its high-speed ports won’t disappoint and you can enjoy its high-definition display resolutions to the fullest.
With 12 ports at the ready, this docking station has just everything you would need. However, it isn’t the most compact option on the market. It weighs 6.4 ounces, which isn’t too heavy, but it isn’t light either. It measures 7.2 x 3.66 x 0.94 inches, so moving it around shouldn’t be a problem.
Its metal build features a nice gunmetal grey finish with smooth edges that feel nice to touch. To prevent skidding and movement during use, the underside of the hub is fitted with two rubber bars to prevent slipping and keep the device in place.
Aside from the heavy build, this docking station would blow your mind in other areas. Due to its small size, the ports are placed on the sides and ends of the docking station. While this would make it more convenient to get your devices all plugged in, desktop clutter could pose a small problem. On one end, there is the high-speed Gigabit Ethernet port along with a VGA port. The Ethernet port provides network speeds of 10/100/1,000Mbps.
Dual HDMI ports and the VGA ports allow for UHD 4K output and triple display. The triple display action means you can connect your laptop display to three monitors using the triple Display ports. The HDMI ports allow for resolution of up to 4K HD while you get only FHD 1080p with the VGA port.
Lastly, it has the USB Power Delivery port with support for up to 100W power delivery. This should keep your laptop fully charged, while using other functions of the docking station. It may also reduce your laptop charging time by a few minutes or by a lot.
Pros
- Triple display action
- Wide range of connection ports
- Effortless data transfer and network connection
- Stylish design
Cons
- Dongle cable is very short
- USB connection is not stable
6. RAYROW USB-C Hub, 13-in-1 Laptop Docking Station
If you’re looking to save on a laptop docking station for your Windows or Mac PC, then the RAYROW USB-C Hub, 13-in-1 Laptop Docking Station might just be the right device to add to your cart.
This device comes at an insanely affordable price; however, it has more ports than you would ever need. There are 13 ports which are a little more than what some other expensive docking stations have. The catch here is that you get a VGA port in the place of a DisplayPort.
Good build quality is a big plus in any docking station; and while this hub is economical, it doesn’t fail to impress with its premium build quality. It features a sturdy aluminum alloy shell, tough enough to withstand falls with 80% faster heat dissipation.
There are a good number of USB ports on this device. You get two USB 3.0 ports with data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps. There are three USB 2.0 ports for connecting your keyboard, mouse, and any external device.
The RAYROW USB C Hub, 13-in-1 Laptop Docking Station comes with two SD slots which is something you don’t see quite often in docking stations. There is also a single TF card slot. The station can actually read two SD cards at the same time; however, slotting your TF card and SD card at the same time is not possible.
You will also find an Ethernet port for faster internet connections and an audio port where you can plug in your audio device and listen to your favorite tunes and music. The HDMI port on this device will provide you with 4K at 30Hz while the VGA port offers just a high-definition resolution of 1080p at 60Hz.
Pros
- Affordable
- Nice build quality for the price
- Portable and compact design
- Features all necessary connection ports
Cons
- A bit heavy
- VGA port is compatible with select monitors
7. Configear 11-in-1 Aluminum Dongle Docking Station
To connect your Windows and MacBook PCs, you’ve got the Configear 11-in-1 Docking Station. This hub is built to be sturdy and tough, but still weighs just 3.04 ounces, so you shouldn’t have a problem moving it around. It measures 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches so you can pack it up and even place it in your pocket. Unfortunately, this small size has a con to it.
The docking station has ports sticking out from all sides; this would mess up your workspace if you decide to use all the ports at once. This is the only main downside to this docking station and fortunately, it isn’t a deal-breaker. The Configear 11–in-1 Docking Station features a premium build quality crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum.
You will find just about every necessary port on this hub to connect your external devices and peripherals. There are two USB 3.0 ports with support for data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps. To connect your keyboard and mouse, you’ve got two USB 2.0 ports. There are also SD and TF slots to access your SD and TF memory cards. Unlike most docking stations, this device supports two cards reading at the same time. These slots are limited to a capacity of up to 512GB with reading/write speeds of up to 104Mbs.
Blazing-fast internet connection is made possible by a 1,000Mbps Ethernet port. The HDMI port supports 4K UHD but is also compatible with 1080p. It would also work with LCD TVs. The VGA port only gives you 1080p at 60Hz. Both HDMI and VGA ports can work simultaneously.
Also, there is the 3.5mm Audio and Mic that allows for listening, recording, or talking. Lastly is the Type-C female PD port. This supports power delivery of up to 87W; however, it is limited to 60W.
Pros
- Super speed USB 3.0 ports
- Compact and lightweight
- Offers wireless connectivity
- Premium build quality
Cons
- VGA port is not great
- The dongle’s USB-C cable is very short.