List of Top 10 Laptop Docking Station | 2020
Laptop Docking Station-Which Docking Station to Buy in 2020
The laptop docking station is slowly becoming the top wanted laptop accessory. With each new update, the laptop manufacturers are reducing the number of peripheral ports on their devices. Many new devices now come with only one external port, that too a USB C port.
This new development in the world of computers is reducing the compatibility and connectivity of these devices. One device that can convert your laptop’s single USB port into multiple ports is indispensable in this situation. And that one device is the docking station.
A laptop docking station has the capability to convert a simple laptop into a heavy-duty desktop computer. It occupies just one port on your laptop. And in turn, it gives you multiple ports to connect extra monitors, keyboard and mouse, audio input, and output devices. It even allows for an ethernet cable for enhanced networking.
List of Top 10 Docking Stations to buy in 2020
Here is a list of top 10 laptop docking stations, in no particular order. Depending upon its specifications, what might be number 1 for one user could be number 10 for another.
1. Icy Box Thunderbolt 3 Type C Docking Station
The Red Dot Design Award winner-Icy Box Thunderbolt 3 type C docking station comes in an Aluminium-Polycarbonate casing. Therefore, it is known for its sleek and elegant design. Priced at $289.99, this laptop docking station has HDMI, DisplayPort, and a mini DisplayPort and supports up to 4k resolution.
It offers enhanced compatibility with its 2 USB 3.1 Type-C ports and 4 USB 3.0 Type-A ports. It comes with an SD card reader and a 3.5mm audio input/output jack. And allows high-speed internet connectivity with a gigabit ethernet cable port.
2. CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock
With a price tag of around $249.99, CalDigit’s TS3 Thunderbolt 3 laptop docking station has the capability of enhancing your laptop’s connectivity like no other docking station. With its 15 peripheral ports, this laptop docking station will convert your laptop into a high-powered workstation in no time.
Thanks to its Display Port 1.2, TS3 Plus can support up to a clear 5k resolution. It has 2 USB 3.1 type-C ports and no less than 5 USB 3.1 Type-A ports. With its USB C ports, it can charge laptops with its 87 W mighty power transmission. It comes with an integrated SD card reader. And jacks for headphones and microphone. Furthermore, it allows high-speed internet with its gigabit ethernet port.
3. Startech Thunderbolt 3 Dual 4K Dock
Startech's Thunderbolt 3 docking station is perfect for people who are looking for enhanced compatibility. With its 2 Thunderbolt 3 USB C ports, 1 USB 3.0 type C port, and two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, it allows you to connect with a wide range of devices. Out of its two Type-A USB ports, one is for data transfer, while the second one is for charging devices.
Priced at $192.99, it has 1 DisplayPort and provides lightning speed for data transmission at 40 Gbps owing to the 2 Thunderbolt 3 USB C ports. It requires no driver installation and is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS.
4. Kensington USB 3.0 Docking Station
With 35 years of experience, Kensington is one of the most trusted and popular brands for laptop docking stations. Sitting at $129.99, Kensington’s USB 3.0 docking station is compatible with Windows and Mac OS. With its 4 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 3.0 ports, this laptop docking station is perfect for people looking for an increased number of ports.
It allows up to 5 Gbps data transfer speeds. And has 1 HDMI and 1 DVI-I port capable of supporting DVI-I to VGA. This version of Kensington’s docking station has two 3.5 mm jacks for connecting headphones and microphone and comes with a 2-years official warranty.
5. Wavlink USB C Dual 4K Docking Station
A little on the expensive side with a price tag of $269.99, Wavlink’s USB C dual 4k docking station has 2 DisplayPorts and 2 HDMI ports. Its DisplayPorts support up to 4k resolution and 5k resolution when only when DisplayPort is in use.
It has 2 USB C ports and 4 USB 3.0 Type-A ports. And is capable of charging laptops with its 60 W upstream power transmission. With jacks for audio input and output, it is compatible with Windows and Mac OS. It comes with an RJ-45 gigabit ethernet cable port to allow a high-speed internet connection.
6. J5 create JUD 500 USB 3.0 Ultra Station
The J5’s create JUD 500 is a little different in shape than all of its peers. It is a sleek looking thin bar coming at a comparably affordable price of $99.99. It allows enhanced file and peripheral sharing between devices with its “wormhole” feature.
With its 2 USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 ports, this laptop docking station is perfect for people looking for affordability and a dock that fits their simple requirements. It has two video input connectors, a VGA interface, and an HDMI interface. JUD 500 also allows an internet connection with an ethernet cable port.
7. Kensington Thunderbolt 3 SD5300T Docking Station
Two of Kensington’s docking stations have made our list of best laptop docking stations because of their popularity.
The Kensington Thunderbolt 3 SD5300 T comes at $209.99 and supports dual 4k resolution. It can support up to 5k resolution when only one monitor is in use. This laptop docking station is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS. You can mount it on your desk or wall behind your computer owing to its compatibility with VESA mount features.
It has 2 thunderbolts, 3 Type-C ports, and 5 USB 3.1 Type-A ports with one Type-C port supporting up to 60 W of power transmission for charging laptops and one USB 3.1 type-A supporting fast charging for charging mobile phones.
This docking station from Kensington is known for its plug-and-play feature as it requires no driver installation before first-time use and comes with a 3-year official warranty.
8. Targus Universal 4k Laptop Docking Station
If you are looking for a docking station capable of increasing the number of ports on your laptop, you might want to consider Targus’s universal 4k laptop docking station. This docking station's price is $249.65 and has 6 USB 3.0 ports, out of which one is capable of prompt charging.
It has DVI-I, DVI-D, and DisplayPort connections for audio/video interface and supports up to 4k resolution on a single screen and high-definition resolution on 2 different screens. Furthermore, it is compatible with a wide variety of devices, so with Targus’s docking station, you won’t have to get a new docking station whenever you get a new laptop or monitor.
9. Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Mini Docking Station
The Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Docking station is, as its name suggests, smaller in size. This feature makes it easier to carry it around with your laptop. Priced at $139.99, it is affordable as well as travel-friendly.
Belkin’s Thunderbolt 3 has 2 HDMI ports that allow up to a 4k resolution output. With its 1 USB 3.0 port and 1 USB 2.0 port, you can use it with your Windows or Mac OS laptops. It offers its user an option to use high-speed internet with its single gigabit ethernet cable port.
It's perfect for plugging out and storing in a bag as you travel while also catching-up with its compeers in terms of specifications.
10. Plugable USB C Triple Display Dock
Plugable’s USB C triple display Dock sports 3 audio/video interfaces with a VGA and 2 HDMI ports and allows up to 4k resolution output on a single monitor.
It offers enhanced connectivity with 1 USB 3.0 Type-C port and 4 USB-3.0 Type-A ports. Plugable’s triple display docking station is capable of 65 W power transmission through its USB 3.0 type-C port and can charge your laptop while in use.
This docking station, available at Walmart for $178, has two jacks allowing for microphone and headphones connection and comes with an ethernet cable port to allow for high-speed internet connectivity.
Final Word on Laptop Docking Station
Laptop Docking Station is gradually becoming an essential laptop accessory. With more and more people buying newer versions of laptops. And newer versions of laptops having fewer peripheral ports, the demand for Laptop Docking stations are set to increase.
We have assembled a list of the top 10 docking stations for you to buy in 2020, but the list is in no particular order. As we believe, with its specifications, one docking station can be your number one option but not as good of an option for someone else with different requirements.
For instance, CalDigits TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 docking station with its 15 ports is perfect for people looking for enhanced compatibility and connectivity. And Belkin’s Thunderbolt 3 mini docking station with its compactness is recommended for people who travel often and have to carry their docking stations with them.
In addition to the best docking stations, SZ LangPai also offers USB C Hubs, Mobile and PC accessories, etc. For more information, contact us today.
