The best laptop docking station round-up

There are dozens of laptop docking station options available (or just “laptop docks” for short), but not all of them are created equal.

If you're in the market for one, the first thing to note is whether your laptop can support the best-case speeds and monitor-output options of a docking station. Basically, USB-C laptop docking station are widely compatible but they’re not as versatile as Thunderbolt 4 alternatives with more bandwidth, which can support faster transfer speeds and higher external monitor resolutions with faster refresh rates.

For an entry-level laptop docking station, budget for under $100 to get a decent option. Pricier future-proofed laptop docking stations can cost hundreds of dollars, including up to around $600. There are also potentially additional peripheral costs for laptop docking stations, including a keyboard, mouse, headset and monitors.

Scroll on for our pick of the best laptop docking stations in Australia.

It’s potentially confusing but the ports for USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 all look identical. Generally, these should be cross-compatible, so it makes sense that our top spot goes to one of the fastest standards around. The Plugable UD-ULTCDL-AU is a Thunderbolt 4 laptop dock with plenty to write home about. Its vertical configuration takes up minimal desk space and should tuck away nicely. There are also 13 ports to choose from, including three HDMI ports for external monitors, Ethernet for more reliable internet and a good selection of USB ports, too. This Plugable laptop docking station offers up to 100 Watts of laptop charging power, plus you can charge your smart devices with a 20W power delivery (PD) USB-C port.

For docking station alternatives, consider any of the picks below alongside the Kensington SD5780T, the pricier Plugable TBT4-UDZ or the flashier Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma.

The Selore UC0513 is proof you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg for a solid laptop docking station. For under $100, you get an eight-port laptop dock with impressive inclusions. For starters, this USB-C docking station supports up to three 4K external monitors. You can also technically connect a fourth monitor via VGA port—handy for those with older screens—but that’ll drop the four-screen resolution to 1080p across the board. Outside of display, you also get two USB-A ports, one USB-C port and a 100W USB-C PD port for charging compatible laptops. It’s not as fully featured as the other laptop docks on this page, but this Selore docking station is a solid starting point if you want to try a dock without investing hundreds.

For similarly priced alternatives, consider the Selore 14-port laptop dock, the Lionwei LIUC0228 or the even cheaper Novoo NHM8D-141F.

A lot of laptop docks are functionally similar but the Logitech Logi Dock does things a bit differently. For starters, it looks like a smart speaker. And that’s a partially accurate first-glance take. The Logi Dock has its docking station functionality on the rear: a mix of external monitors and USB ports. There’s also a Bluetooth pairing button so you can sync with your smartphone or other Bluetooth devices. The impressive part is the Logi Dock has inbuilt speakers and microphones for a better video chat experience, with dedicated dock controls for online meetings. Those speakers are designed for more than chat audio, too, which should impress if you’re someone who likes to listen to tunes that aren’t coming from tinny laptop speakers.

For USB-C docking station alternatives, consider the BenQ DP1310, the Anker 568 or the cheaper Accel Air ‎K172B-010B.

Until Thunderbolt 5 docking stations arrive, Thunderbolt 4 is the current reigning champ for the fastest speeds and best laptop dock versatility. Take the Kensington SD5700T, for instance. Get past that steep asking price and you’ll get a high-end laptop dock. There’s a good mix of ports to choose from, including support for older connectors like USB-A, an audio jack and an SD card reader. All of the speedier ports are on the back, like 10Gbps USB-A ports, gigabit Ethernet and three Thunderbolt 4 ports. Use those speedy latter ports for a single compatible 8K monitor, dual 4K screens or for extra full-throttle data transfers.

For alternatives, consider importing the Kensington SD5780T, the pricier CalDigit TS4, the Plugable TBT4-UDX1 or the last-gen Corsair TBT100.

Multiple laptop manufacturers offer docking stations but, arguably, the most popular ones come from Dell. The great news is you don’t need a Dell laptop to use the WD22TB4, even if there are some dock features relegated to Dell laptops. Our favourite part of the Dell WD22TB4 docking station is a modular design that allows for upgrades. On the all-important ports front, this Dell docking station has a couple of easy-to-access USB ports on the front and a whole lot more versatility on the back. That’s where you’ll find Ethernet, USB-A, Thunderbolt 4 and a multifunction USB-C port that can be used for transferring data or connecting a compatible monitor.

For big-name laptop brand alternatives, consider the HP 727C71AA, the Lenovo Thinkpad NAL-40B00135AU or the Microsoft Surface Dock 2.

Docking stations are potentially confusing given they connect to laptops via USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 technologies. Thankfully, those are typically cross-compatible and all have the same port. The catch, though, is your laptop has to support the speedier technologies—the reverse order of what’s listed above—to get all of the benefits.

That’s because a laptop docking station’s versatility is ultimately determined by how much bandwidth it can handle. In this context, bandwidth applies to everything the dock is offering, including monitor resolutions and refresh rates. Admittedly, there’s money to be saved if you opt for a USB-C laptop dock. But you can also future-proof your laptop dock needs with a Thunderbolt 4 port, as long as you accept that it won’t offer the fastest transfer speeds and highest external monitor resolutions via USB-C.

Think about what you want most of a docking station and compare accordingly: one or more external monitors, Ethernet, smartphone charging, and the types of USB compatibility relative to what you’re connecting. The final thing to ensure is whether a docking station is offering enough power-delivery wattage to properly power and charge your laptop.