Buy a USB-C docking station

What should you look for in a docking station?

Start with your own device, not the dock. A docking station can only pass through whatever your laptop, tablet, or phone sends through that single USB-C port. Three factors determine your choice: whether your port supports video output, which ports you actually need, and how many watts the dock delivers to charge your device.

Starting in April 2026, new laptops in the EU must be chargeable via USB-C (Dutch Government). This makes having a single dock for your laptop, tablet, and phone more realistic. However, this rule doesn’t address video output—that’s a separate function of the port.

Does your USB-C port support video output?

Not every USB-C port transmits a video signal. This requires DisplayPort Alt Mode, which is not a mandatory part of the USB-C standard. Laptops almost always have it, but phones and cheaper tablets almost never do. So be sure to check your device’s specifications before buying a dock with HDMI. If it doesn’t support it, you’ll get extra USB ports and a network connection, but no second screen.

Hub or dock: the difference lies in the power supply

A USB-C hub is small, doesn’t have its own adapter, and draws power from your laptop. Handy when you’re on the go, but it will slowly drain your battery. A docking station has its own power supply and provides power back to your laptop, often in the range of 65 to 100 watts—enough to charge a laptop while you work. If you pay more for a dock, you’re mainly paying for that power supply and for stable support for multiple displays.

Which ports do you really need?

First, take stock of what’s currently on your desk, and only then make a purchase. A dock with twelve ports that you never use is more expensive without offering any real benefit.

• HDMI or DisplayPort: for an external monitor; using two monitors at the same time requires a dock that explicitly supports this
• Ethernet: a wired network connection is more stable than Wi-Fi, which is noticeable during video calls and when transferring large files
• USB-A: for older mice, keyboards, USB flash drives, and printers
• SD and microSD card reader: saves you from having to use a separate card reader when taking photos or filming
• USB-C with Power Delivery: the port that allows the dock to charge your laptop while everything remains connected

Keep in mind that all ports share the bandwidth of that single USB-C connection. So using a 4K monitor, a fast external drive, and an Ethernet cable at the same time can slow each other down. You won’t notice this during regular office work, but you will during video editing.

Phone or tablet connected to a monitor

A dock isn’t just for laptops. Samsung DeX connects a Galaxy phone or tablet via USB-C to an external display, providing a desktop-like interface, and with Android 16, Google also introduced its own desktop mode, available on the Pixel 8 and newer models. It works, but don’t count on it replacing a laptop: you’ll still be limited to mobile apps, and the user experience isn’t as polished as that of Windows or macOS. It’s fine as a secondary workstation or for a presentation; for most people, it’s not a viable replacement for a primary computer.

A dock is not a charging station

If you’re mainly looking for a fixed spot where your phone, earbuds, and watch can charge together, you don’t need a docking station. That’s a charging station or a 3-in-1 stand, and you’ll find those among the wireless chargers. If you simply want more charging ports on a single plug, check out chargers and fast chargers.