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Buy a USB-C docking station

A docking station turns a single USB-C port into a complete workstation: monitor, network cable, keyboard, memory card and power supply, all via a single plug. Here you’ll find all the docks and USB-C hubs for laptops, tablets and phones, ranging from travel-sized options to a fixed dock for your desk. If you’re looking for a way to charge multiple devices at once, take a look at wireless chargers. We compare the current prices across all shops, 100% independently: use the filters for number of ports, display support and charging capacity to find the right dock straight away.

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What should you look out for when choosing a docking station?

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

Since April 2026, new laptops in the EU must be chargeable via USB-C (Dutch Government). This makes the idea of a single dock for your laptop, tablet and phone more realistic. However, this rule says nothing about video output: that is 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 isn’t a mandatory part of the USB-C standard. Laptops almost always have it, whereas phones and cheaper tablets are far from guaranteed to. So check your device’s specifications first 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 its power from your laptop. Handy when you’re on the move, but it will slowly drain your battery. A docking station has its own power supply and feeds power back, often in the range of 65 to 100 watts – enough to charge a laptop whilst you’re working. If you pay more for a dock, you’re mainly paying for that power supply and for stable support for multiple screens.

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; running two monitors simultaneously 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 sticks and printers
  • SD and microSD card reader: saves you from needing a separate card reader when taking photos or filming
  • USB-C with Power Delivery: the port through which the dock charges your laptop whilst everything remains connected

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

Connecting a phone or tablet to a monitor

A dock isn’t just for laptops. Samsung DeX uses USB-C to connect a Galaxy phone or tablet to an external screen in 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 suitable replacement for a laptop.

A dock is not a charging station

If you’re mainly looking for a fixed spot where your phone, earbuds and smartwatch can all 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 amongst the wireless chargers. If you simply want more charging ports on a single plug, have a look at chargers and fast chargers.

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