Connection Thunderbolt 4
Displays Up to 2
Power 98W PD
Driver Native
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Docking Station Buying Guide 2026 — How to Choose the Right Dock
By Adrian CelWhat Is a Docking Station?
A docking station connects to your laptop via a single cable (usually USB-C or Thunderbolt) and expands it with multiple ports: external displays, USB peripherals, wired Ethernet, audio, and laptop charging. One cable in, full desktop experience out.
Think of it as a bridge between your portable laptop and a full desktop setup. Instead of plugging in 5-6 cables every time you sit down, you connect one cable and everything is ready.
Step 1: Check Your Laptop’s Ports
Before looking at any dock, identify what your laptop has:
Thunderbolt 3 or 4
- Look for a lightning bolt symbol next to the USB-C port
- All MacBook Pro models since 2016 have Thunderbolt
- Many Dell XPS, Lenovo ThinkPad, and HP EliteBook models include Thunderbolt
- Best docks available: Thunderbolt 4 docks with native dual 4K, 40 Gbps bandwidth
USB-C (without Thunderbolt)
- Standard USB-C port, no lightning bolt symbol
- Most mid-range and budget laptops, Chromebooks
- Best docks available: USB-C docks, optionally with DisplayLink for multi-display
USB-A Only
- Older laptops without USB-C
- Very limited docking options; consider a USB-A hub or adapter
For a detailed comparison, read our USB-C vs Thunderbolt guide.
Step 2: Count Your Displays
How many external monitors do you need?
One Display
Any dock works. Even a basic $50 USB-C dock can drive a single 4K@60Hz monitor via DP Alt Mode. You don’t need Thunderbolt or DisplayLink.
Two Displays (Most Common)
This is where dock choice matters:
- Thunderbolt 4 docks: Native dual 4K@60Hz, no drivers. Best experience.
- DisplayLink docks: Dual (or triple) displays from any USB-C port. Requires drivers.
- Base Apple Silicon Macs: Only DisplayLink docks can do dual monitors (Apple limits base M-chips to 1 native display).
Browse dual monitor docking stations to compare options.
Three+ Displays
- DisplayLink docks: Up to 3 displays (e.g., Dell D6000)
- Thunderbolt 4 + adapter combos: Some configurations support 3 displays
- Check your GPU’s maximum display output
Step 3: Power Delivery
If you want single-cable docking (one cable for displays, data, AND charging), check the dock’s Power Delivery wattage:
| Laptop | Minimum PD Needed |
|---|---|
| MacBook Air / Ultrabook | 45-65W |
| MacBook Pro 14” | 67-70W |
| MacBook Pro 16” | 96W+ |
| Most Windows laptops | 45-65W |
| Gaming/Workstation | 100W+ |
Most Thunderbolt 4 docks deliver 90-100W, which is enough for everything except the largest gaming laptops. Budget USB-C docks may only deliver 30-60W, which means your laptop charges slowly or not at all under load.
Step 4: Ports You Need
Think about what you’ll plug into your dock:
- USB-A ports: Keyboard, mouse, webcam, USB drives
- USB-C ports: Modern peripherals, phone charging
- HDMI/DisplayPort: Monitors (check what inputs your monitors have)
- Ethernet (RJ45): Wired networking for reliability
- SD/microSD card reader: Photography workflow
- 3.5mm audio: Headphones or speakers
- Thunderbolt downstream: High-speed storage, daisy-chaining
A dock with 10-18 ports eliminates the need for any additional adapters. Count your devices and add 2-3 extra ports for future needs.
Step 5: Compare Value, Ports vs Price
A dock that seems expensive at $380 but has 18 ports is often better value than a $150 dock with only 6 ports. Count the ports you actually need, then compare prices in our comparison tool to find the best deal.
Step 6: New vs Used
Docking stations have no moving parts and hold up extremely well. A used Thunderbolt 4 dock at $200 is often better than a new budget dock at the same price. Look for:
- Amazon Renewed: Tested and cleaned, 90-day guarantee
- Amazon Warehouse: Open-box or returned items at significant discounts
- eBay: Enterprise off-lease docks (Dell, HP, Lenovo) at 40-60% off
Premium docks like the CalDigit TS4 are excellent used purchases. Check the “Used” column in our comparison tool for current prices.
Our Top Recommendations
Best Overall: CalDigit TS4
18 ports, 98W PD, dual 4K, 2.5GbE. The most complete dock available. Read review →
Best Value Thunderbolt: Dell WD22TB4
Dual 4K, 90W PD, dedicated HDMI+DP outputs. Often available refurbished at $150-200. Read review →
Best Budget: Anker 553
8-in-1 USB-C hub at ~$54. Dual HDMI, 85W pass-through, SD card reader. Great for single-display setups. Read review →
Best Multi-Display on USB-C: Dell D6000
DisplayLink-powered, triple display support from any USB-C port. Great for base Apple Silicon Macs. Read review →
Browse all docks with live prices in our comparison tool.
Recommended Docking Stations
Connection Thunderbolt 4
Displays Up to 2
Power 90W PD
Driver Native
Connection USB-C
Displays Up to 3
Power 85W PD
Driver Native
Connection USB-C
Displays Up to 3
Power 65W PD
Driver DisplayLink
Connection Thunderbolt 4
Displays Up to 4
Power 98W PD
Driver Native
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on a docking station?
Budget USB-C docks start at $30-50 for basic connectivity. Mid-range USB-C docks with DisplayLink and more ports cost $100-200. Premium Thunderbolt 4 docks range from $200-400. For most users, $150-300 gets you a dock that will last 5+ years. Check used/renewed prices, since you can often get a premium dock at mid-range prices.
Do all docking stations work with all laptops?
No. Thunderbolt docks require a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port on your laptop. USB-C docks work with any USB-C port but may have limitations on multi-display support. Always check your laptop's port type before buying. Some older docks use USB-A or proprietary connectors that only work with specific laptop brands.
Can a docking station replace a desktop computer?
A docking station doesn't replace your computer. It extends your laptop into a desktop-like experience. Connect one cable and get access to external monitors, full-size keyboard, mouse, storage, and wired networking. Many professionals use this 'desktop replacement' setup as their primary workstation.
How long do docking stations last?
A quality docking station can last 5-10 years. They have no moving parts and the Thunderbolt/USB-C standards are backward-compatible. The CalDigit TS4 from 2022 still works perfectly with 2026 laptops. This longevity makes buying a premium dock a sound investment.
What's the difference between a dock and a hub?
A hub is a simple port expander that adds a few ports but usually doesn't include charging or displays. A docking station is a full-featured device with multiple display outputs, charging, Ethernet, audio, and many USB ports. Hubs cost $20-50; docks cost $100-400. If you want a true single-cable desktop experience, you need a dock.