Best USB-C docks and docking stations for laptops and tablets 2023 Reviews

• USB-C and Thunderbolt laptop compatible
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• Two Thunderbolt 3 ports (40Gbps) – one to host
• 85W PD charging, plus standalone charging
• Up to two external displays (2 x 4K at 60Hz; or 1 x 5K at 60Hz)
• 1 x HDMI 2.0 port (4K at 60Hz; or 1 x 5K at 60Hz)
• 2 x USB-C ports (10Gbps) allows second 4K at 60Hz display with adapter
• 4 x USB-A ports (5Gbps)
• SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
• microSD 4.0 Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
• Gigabit Ethernet port for wired Internet access
• Front-facing 3.5mm Analogue Audio In & Out port
• 180W power supply

If you need more ports than the Caldigit USB-C HDMI or Pro Docks, Anker’s PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 3 dock offers 13.

With its Titan Ridge chipset, it is also USB-C compatible, and is a neat and compact vertical dock.

The PowerExpand Elite can connect up to three external displays on Windows laptops only as macOS doesn’t support MST (Multi-Stream Transport). This dock doesn’t work with M1/M2 Macs, but is suitable for older Intel-based Macs.

The HDMI and Thunderbolt/USB-C port would connect two displays (4K at 60Hz for Thunderbolt laptops), while the third external display would use one of the USB-C ports (4K at 30Hz). Unless your display has a USB-C connection itself, you’ll need an adapter (not included) using the Thunderbolt and USB-C connections.

One seemingly minor feature that we love is the easy-to-reach on-off switch, which will help save energy, prolong your device’s battery, and stop the dock getting too warm when left unused overnight.

Both USB-C ports are Gen. 2 at 10Gbps, where some docks boast just 5Gbps C-type ports.

Read our full Anker PowerExpand Elite Dock review.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• 85W PD charging, plus standalone charging
• USB-C to the host (5Gbps)
• 1 x HDMI 1.2 (4K at 30Hz or full HD)
• 3 x USB-A (5Gbps; one with 7.5W BC 1.2 charging)
• 1 x USB-C (for charging)
• SD Card Reader (UHS-I)
• microSD Card Reader (UHS-I)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 100W power capacity

This lightweight and compact USB-C dock undersells itself by calling itself just a hub. The Twelve South StayGo really a very capable portable dock that will fit in your pocket.

Yes, it doesn’t have its own power supply, but you can connect it to your laptop’s charger (or another) for passthrough charging at up to an impressive 85W. 

It has HDMI for connecting an external display (4K at 30Hz), three USB-A ports (one of which you can use to charge your phone), SD Card reader for adding simple and inexpensive backup storage, and Gigabit Ethernet – all the basic and more.

It even comes with its own neat, short travel USB-C cable stored for protection, and ships with a 1m USB-C cable for normal desktop use.

And it’s available in either black or white.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets
• USB-C to the host (10Gbps)
• 96W PD charging
• 3 x DisplayPort 1.2 (4K at 60Hz to USB-C and TB laptops)
• 3 x HDMI 1.2 (4K at 60Hz to USB-C and TB laptops)
• 4 x USB-A (5Gbps); 1 x USB-C (10Gbps, 20W)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 2 x 3.5mm Analog Audio In & Out
• 100W power supply

Plugable’s USB-C Triple Display 4K Docking Station (UD-ULTC4K) does what its name says it can–it is stuffed full of fancy technology that enables it to run three external displays from a USB-C laptop, with all three at full 60Hz 4K if the host laptop support DP 1.4. Although there are six display ports, you can use only three at the same time.

It uses a combination of USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode (“Alt Mode”) for the HDMI port and DisplayLink USB graphics for its two DisplayPorts. laptops with Thunderbolt/USB4 or USB-C hosts that support DP 1.4 Alternate Mode can run three 4K displays at 60Hz via either DisplayPort or HDMI. On hosts that support DP 1.2 Alternate Mode, two displays at 60Hz are possible and one at 30Hz.

This brings with it some complexity and compatibility issues on certain versions of the macOS, but with DisplayLink drivers installed, all should be well.

The four USB-A ports are generous, although limited to 5Gbps compared to the 10Gbps USB-C link to the computer.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 90W PD)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• One USB-A port (480Mbps, 7.5W)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
• Front-facing 3.5mm Analogue Audio In & Out port
• 180W power supply

The Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station gives you everything a dock should and is compatible with the latest Thunderbolt 4 connection standard, which is itself backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C–so offers the best of all worlds.

If your laptop has Thunderbolt 4 ports, it’s best to connect to a ThB4 dock such as this one.

At 180W, the power supply is the highest we’ve seen in all our hub and dock tests–great if you are powering multiple devices connected to the dock.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• 60W PD charging via 1 x USB-C port
• USB-C to the host (10Gbps)
• 2 x HDMI (4K at 60Hz)
• 2 x DisplayPort 1.4 (4K at 60Hz)
• 1 x USB-C port (10Gbps, 15W)
• 2 x USB-A port (10Gbps)
• 4 x USB-A ports (5Gbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Front-facing 3.5mm Analog Audio In & Out
• 110W power supply

Plugable’s UD-MSTHDC is a 13-port dock that is fully certified for use with Chromebook under Google’s strict Works With ChromeBook rules.

Other USB-C docks work with Chromebooks but few are certified and so many lack some functionality. To be sure, opt for a certified Chromebook docking station like this one from one of our favourite dock manufacturers.

It supports up to two 4K 60Hz via its two DisplayPort or two HDMI ports—if the laptop supports DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.0; DP 1.2 takes the refresh rate down to 30Hz. Users can use one or a mix of either display connector to add two external screens to their Chromebook.

You also get seven USB ports (one 10Gbps USB-C, two 10Gbps USB-A and four 5Gbps USB-A). The USB-C port can charge devices at a generous 15W, plenty for storage devices or just your smartphone.

The dock boasts a Gigabit Ethernet port, and can charge a laptop at up to 60W, connecting via a well-designed side-mounted 10Gbps upstream USB-C port.

if you are after an SD or MicroSD card reader, this is not the dock for you. Otherwise, it’s a great fit with Chromebooks.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets
• USB-C to the host (10Gbps)
• 85W PD charging
• 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 (4K at 60Hz to USB-C and TB laptops)
• 1 x HDMI 2.0 (4K at 60Hz to USB-C and TB laptops)
• 1 x HDMI 2.1 (8K at 30Hz or 4/5/6K at 60Hz)
• 3 x USB-A (5Gbps); 1 x USB-C (10Gbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• SD Card Reader (UHS-I)
• MicroSD Card Reader (UHS-I)
• 3.5mm Analog Audio In & Out

The Ugreen USB-C Triple Display Docking Station is another dock that supports up to three external displays—again requiring DisplayLink drivers for Macs.

This compact dock requires a USB-C charger for power as it doesn’t ship with a power supply. If you want to reach the potential 85W laptop charging Power Delivery (PD) on offer here, you need at least a 100W PD charger.

One of the HDMI ports and the DisplayPort support 4K at 60Hz (Mac and Windows) and the second HDMI can push up to 8K at 30Hz in Windows and up to 4K at 60Hz with a Mac. The HDMI 2.1 port can hit 60Hz at under 8K, for example, 4K, 5K or 6K.

There’s also front-mounted USB-C and USB-A ports that can transfer data at 10Gbps, which is speedier than on offer on many USB-C docks. At the back there are two slower but still reasonable 5Gbps USB-A ports.

A handy power button is situated at the top of this vertical docking station.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets
• USB-C to the host (10Gbps)
• 85W PD charging
• 2 x DisplayPort 1.4 (4K at 60Hz to USB-C and TB laptops)
• 1 x HDMI 2.0 (4K at 60Hz to USB-C and TB laptops)
• 3 x USB-A (10Gbps, 4.5W); 1 x USB-C (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 3.5mm Analog Audio In & Out
• 134W power supply

The Kensington SD4839P USB-C Triple Video Docking Station is blessed with a 10Gbps USB-C connection to the host computer and has three USB-A and one USB-C port also rated at that speed. It’s not Thunderbolt but it’s still speedy.

Another selling point is its three display ports—2x DisplayPort 1.4 and 1x HDMI 2.0. These allow for dual 4K displays at 60Hz—thanks to the use of HBR3 DP1.4 and DSC (display stream compression)—but are limited to 1080p HD when you use all three for a triple-display setup. If you want three 4K displays running at the same time, look to the Plugable UD-ULTC4K or Ugreen Triple Display docks reviewed here.

The 85W PD charging should be adequate for all but the most-demanding laptops, and the dock has a 134W power supply so connected devices cam also be charged via the dock (at up to 7.5W on the sole USB-C port. The USB-A ports are a little underpowered at just 4.5W.

This is an ultra-slim horizontal dock that has a small footprint and is well-priced for a triple-display docking station.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets
• USB-C to the host (5Gbps)
• 85W PD charging
• 1 x HDMI DP 1.4 (4K at 60Hz to USB-C and TB laptops)
• 1 x HDMI DP 1.2 (4K at 30Hz to USB-C and TB laptops)
• 1 x VGA (1080p HD)
• 4 x USB-A (5Gbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• SD Card Reader (UHS-I)
• MicroSD Card Reader (UHS-I)
• 3.5mm Analog Audio In & Out

The EZQuest Ultimate Plus USB-C Multimedia Hub will be useful if you own a display with a VGA port. It also boasts two HDMI ports, and supports one 4K at 60Hz and one 4K at 30Hz via HDMI. The VGA port is limited to 1080p HD.

The compact dock also features four 5Gbps USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet and card readers.

Like the Ugreen dock, it requires a USB-C charger for power and can pass through up to 85W to the connected laptop, but connects via slower 5Gbps USB-C.

• USB-C and Thunderbolt laptop compatible
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• 1 x Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C port to host
• 94W PD charging, plus standalone charging
• 2 x HDMI 2.0b ports (dual 4K at 60Hz to T3 laptops; or dual 1080p or a single 4K at 30Hz display to a USB-C laptop)
• 3 x USB 3.2 Gen. 1 Type-A ports (5Gbps)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen. 2 Type-C ports (10Gbps) port
• SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
• Gigabit Ethernet port for wired Internet access
• Front-facing 3.5mm Analogue Audio In & Out port
• 150W power supply

While it’s called a “USB-C” dock, Caldigit’s USB-C HDMI Dock is compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and 4 laptops, and any USB4-certified device.

This modern docking station uses a Thunderbolt 3 chipset called “Titan Ridge”, which allows the dock to work on both Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C. Normally USB-C laptops can’t use Thunderbolt 3 docks. T3 laptops can use USB-C docks but at a reduced bandwidth—USB-C runs at 5-10Gbps, but T3 at 40Gbps.

This flexibility means that Thunderbolt 3 laptops get to use all their bandwidth while USB-C laptop owners can use the same dock, and not have to buy a plain USB-C docking station. And since it works with USB-C, it can turn an iPad Pro or USB-C Windows tablet into a full computer experience since it can charge the tablet, connect a 4K monitor, keyboard, mouse and hard drives.

The USB-C HDMI Dock has two built-in HDMI connectors for directly adding dual 4K (at 60Hz if using a Thunderbolt 3 laptop) monitors to your laptop without the need for any USB-C Video Adapters. USB-C laptops can run dual displays at HD (1080p) or a single 4K monitor at 30Hz.

The USB-C HDMI Dock also charges at 94W, enough for most top-end laptops. Standalone charging functionality allows the dock to charge USB devices, such as a phone, tablet or smartwatch, at up to 7.5W without the laptop connected.

This is a great USB-C dock in its own right, and the T3/T4/USB4 compatibility is a future-proof and mixed-environment bonus.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• 85W PD charging via 1 x USB-C port
• USB-C to the host (10Gbps)
• 2 x HDMI (4K at 60Hz)
• DisplayPort 1.4 (4K at 60Hz)
• 2 x USB-A port (10Gbps)
• 2 x USB-A ports (480Mbps)
• SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
• microSD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• 3.5mm Analog Audio In & Out

USB-C comes in several flavours, based on speed and bandwidth: from Gen1 5Gbps standard to 10GBps Gen2.

The HyperDrive Gen2 USB-C Dock represents great value, bristling with 12 ports. You’ll need to bring your own USB-C wall charger (up to 100W), though, as there’s no power supply with this docking station.

It uses the pro-look compact metal form factor beloved of Thunderbolt 3 docks, but takes that level of multiple-port flexibility to the world of USB-C.

Two of its USB-A ports support 10Gbps bandwidth, but the other two are the far more lowly 480Mbps USB 2.0. 

Video options are plentiful (two HDMI and one DisplayPort) but Mac users should remember that over USB-C they can have just the one external display unless they download third-party DisplayLink drivers.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• 100W passthrough charging
• USB-C to the host (10Gbps)
• 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 & 1 x HDMI 2.0 (single 4K display at 60Hz; or dual 4K at 30Hz)
• 1 x USB-C (10Gbps)
• 1 x USB-A (10Gbps)
• 1 x USB-C Power Delivery
• SD Card Reader (UHS-II)
• microSD Card Reader (UHS-II)

Caldigit has done it again with its tiny SOHO (Small Office Home Office) Dock that beats other USB-C docks by supporting an external 4K display at 60Hz, rather than the lower-quality 30Hz limitation usually found with USB-C.

It achieves this by using separate lanes for both video and USB–meaning it can provide a consistent 4K 60Hz display while offering 10Gbps USB performance.

The SOHO Dock features the fastest USB ports you’ll find: both the USB-A and USB-C ports are rated at 10Gbps bandwidth, compared to many docks that have such ports at 5Gbps.

It also comes with both DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 ports for flexibility when adding an external display to your laptop.

The SOHO Dock doesn’t have many USB ports compared to the equally portable Twelve South StayGo, but if you need just one of each and speed is important to you, then it’s hard to beat.

Note that there’s no Gigabit Ethernet port for wired Internet access.

As this dock doesn’t come with its own power supply, power delivery to the laptop would be gained by attaching your wall charger to the dock, so depends on the charger’s capability.

• USB-C laptop-compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• 92W passthrough charging
• USB-C cable to the host (5Gbps)
• 1 x USB-C port (5Gbps)
• 1 x HDMI 2.0 (single 4K display at 60Hz)
• 2 x USB-A (5Gbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II)

This portable USB-C dock has six ports, and boasts at least one of everything you should need. The E stands for Ethernet – a port missing from most USB-C adapters.

It connects to the laptop by a short 15cm cable. If you need a longer cable, you’d be better off with a dock without an integrated cable. But for travel purposes, a dock with its own cable saves you from carrying an extra one around with you.

The USB-C and USB-A ports are 5Gbps; you will find 10Gbps USB and more such ports on some docks but not in this compact size.

The pass-through charging is impressive at 92W, and you have the option of using the laptop’s bus power if you don’t have a wall charger to hand or access to an outlet.

It weighs just 174g (6.1oz) and is compact enough to fit in a trouser pocket. When you’re not travelling, it is great for taking up very little desk space.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• 100W passthrough charging
• USB-C to the host (5Gbps)
• 2 x 5Gbps USB-C (one PD)
• 1 x HDMI 1.2 (single 4K display at 30Hz)
• 1 x VGA (single 1080p display; 1920×1200)
• 2 x USB-A (5Gbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• SD Card Reader (UHS-I)
• microSD Card Reader (UHS-I)
• 100W maximum power

The portable PNY All-in-One USB-C Dock is compact (12-x-7-x-1.4 cm) and super lightweight, offering connection to one external display via either HDMI or VGA.

It packs its own short, integrated USB-C cable, making it a one-stop tool for your connection requirements, and no need to bring a separate cable to connect to your laptop.

Compared to other travel docks, it’s noticeably lighter (107g vs 151g), and a little shorter but an equal amount longer.

It matches well on ports and power, although the Twelve South StayGo has one more USB-A port, and its SD and microSD cards can be read simultaneously while the PNY can read one card at a time – which will rarely be a problem for most users.

It does boast a VGA port, which might come in useful with older displays or projectors.

We do prefer the StayGo’s two included cables (although neither is integrated), as one offers a handy 1m length compared to the PNY’s fairly meagre 12cm.

That said, its extreme lightness and VGA may well tempt those who travel to multiple destinations with mixed display options.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• 100W passthrough charging via USB-C (requires wall charger)
• USB-C to the host (5Gbps)
• 1 x HDMI (single 4K display at 30Hz)
• 1 x DisplayPort (single 4K display at 30Hz)
• 1 x VGA (single 1080p HD display)
• 2 x USB-A (5Gbps)
• 1 x USB-A (480Mbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• SD Card Reader (UHS-I)
• microSD Card Reader (UHS-I)

The Lention USB-C Universal Docking Station is designed to sit under your laptop, and so take up no extra desktop space. It also has a flap that makes it easy to rest a tablet, although not at the same time as the laptop.

It has three USB-A ports – one at USB 2.0’s 480Mbps and the other two at 5Gbps USB 3.0. The spare USB-C port is for attaching a wall charger as the dock doesn’t come with its own power supply. It can’t be used to attach a different USB-C device.

What is special about this dock is its three varied video options: HDMI, DisplayPort and VGA. Windows PCs can connect to three external displays at the same time, although the resolution is then pegged back to 720p HD quality rather than 1080p or 4K, which is possible with fewer monitors attached.

Although possible on a Mac, using DisplayLink software, Lention doesn’t recommend multiple displays for Macs, and when using two simultaneously on a Mac, only a Mirrored image is possible – so we wouldn’t rate this dock for use with Macs when better docks are available.

But for Windows it is fine, as long as the computer supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• 60W PD charging
• USB-C to the host (5Gbps)
• HDMI 2.0 (4K at 30Hz, 1080p at 60Hz)
• 2 x USB-A (5Gbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Wireless phone charger
• 90W power supply

This is a small dock (11.6 x 7.2 x 3.2 cm) that has a neat trick we haven’t seen on others—it doubles up as a Qi wireless charger for your phone!

This wireless charging supports iPhones at 7.5W and Samsung phones at 9W for fast charging. And it can charge through cases up to 5mm thick.

It doesn’t have Audio In/Out but Bluetooth might suit you better than wired for sound anyway.

We found the Symbus Q to be a very stable compact docking station. It has a built-in, short cable so needs to be fairly close to your laptop.

There’s also a model (just Symbus) that doesn’t include Qi wireless charging, from Amazon.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• 85W PD charging
• USB-C to the host (10Gbps)
• HDMI (4K at 60Hz)
• 1 x USB-A (10Gbps)
• SD Card Reader (UHS-II)
• microSD Card Reader (UHS-II)

This little USB-C hub is very solidly built. Its metal exterior is ridged to keep the dock cool.

While not overloaded with ports, its six cover the essentials: HDMI for an external display, a fast 10Gbps, a solitary USB-A port for one extra device, both SD and microSD Card readers (at full speed), a 3.5mm audio slot, and USB-C for power delivery up to an impressive 100W – enough for any high-end laptop.

Most notable is the HDMI connection that can handle 4K at 60Hz, unlike most USB-C docks.

There’s no Gigabit Ethernet for wired Internet, so it’s for Wi-Fi lovers only. The one USB-A port might be seen as stingy but for a portable USB-C dock, it’s not for mass device connections.

• USB-C and USB-A laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• No PD charging
• Hybrid USB-C and USB-A to the host (5Gbps)
• 2 x HDMI 1.3 (HD at 60Hz)
• 2 x USB-A (5Gbps)
• 4 x USB-A (480MBps)
• 2 x Input and Output audio jacks

This “universal” USB docking station uses a 2-in-1 cable that means you can connect either to USB-A or USB-C systems. This makes it useful in hybrid, hot-desking office environments where older laptops (USB-A) might mingle with more modern ones (USB-C or Thunderbolt).

The Plugable UD-3900C dock features two HDMI 1.3 ports so you can connect more than one external display, although the maximum 2048-x-1152 resolution for each is not 4K.

Alongside these display connections at the back are four USB 2.0 ports (480Mbps) and Gigabit Ethernet. At the front are two faster 5Gbps USB-A ports and 3.5mm audio input and output jacks. All USB ports can charge at a rather weedy 2.5W, so this is not the dock for using to charge devices, and the 20W power supply means it won’t charge a connected laptop either, so you need a separate PD wall charger attached to your laptop at the same time.

It’s a handy docking station for hot-desking office spaces where there’s a mix of USB-A and USB-C laptops, but the low port speeds and lack of charging aren’t impressive enough specs for us to recommend this dock to users of Thunderbolt 3 or 4 laptops or USB-C-only users.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• No PD charging
• USB-C to the host (5Gbps)
• 2 x HDMI 2.0 (4K at 60Hz)
• 2 x DisplayPort 1.2 (4K at 60Hz)
• 6 x USB-A (5Gbps, 4.5W)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 2 x Input and Output audio jacks

The Plugable UD-6950H Docking Station boasts two DisplayPort and two HDMI ports, so you can connect two monitors (4K displays at 60Hz) to your laptop via this dock using either display connector.

This choice makes it suitable for hot-desking office environments where laptops might come with either connection, and saves buying adapters if you have one monitor of each type.

Other than that, it’s a fairly standard Gigabit Ethernet dock, although it does offer an impressive six USB-A ports.

The downside is that you’ll still need to power your laptop outside of the dock, as it doesn’t have any charging functionality—only a low power supply for the dock itself.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• USB-C cable to the host (10Gbps)
• No PD charging
• DisplayPort 1.2; HDMI 2.0; VGA; (4K at 30Hz, 1080p at 60Hz)
• 1 x USB-A (10GBps); 1 x USB-C (10Gbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• No power supply

Dell’s DA300 Mobile USB-C Adapter is a much dinkier dock than most of the docks reviewed here. You could simply pop it in your pocket (it weighs 80g) and use both at home and away, although one at each location, pre-connected to your other devices, would make sense.

It comes with its own USB-C cable, and can rotate, so the ports you need closest are where you want them.

There’s no power supply, so no PD charging. That means connected devices will take their power from your laptop—which can, of course, still be charged in a regular manner by its own charger.

That’s why we prefer the Twelve South StayGo as our favourite portable USB-C dock, although you’ll get higher frame rates on a 4K display with this dock.

Because it has a 10Gbps USB-C connection to the laptop, it can support 4K resolution at full 60Hz, with laptops that support DP1.3 and above with 4K displays. It will work with just about any display you are confronted with (DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C, and even ye-olde VGA) so is great in the business person’s briefcase for those tricky meeting room presentation situations.

And it’s pretty cheap, too, if you can live without it charging your laptop while in use, and you don’t need multiple external displays.

• USB-C laptop compatible (works with Thunderbolt laptops at lower bandwidth)
• Compatible with USB-C Windows tablets and USB-C iPads
• 100W PD charging via USB-C port
• USB-C to the host (5Gbps)
• HDMI (4K at 30Hz on laptops which support DisplayPort 1.4)
• 3 x USB-A (5Gbps)
• SD Card Reader (UHS-I)
• TF (microSD) Card Reader (UHS-I)

The Baseus 8-in1 USB-C HUb doesn’t call itself a dock, but does a remarkably good job as a docking station at a very affordable price.

Its feature set is comparable to a portable dock with an HDMI port for an external 4K display (at 30Hz rather than 60Hz) and Gigabit Ethernet for wired Internet access.

And you can connect your USB-C PD charger to bring up to 100W pass-through power to the host laptop so you don’t lose a valuable USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port on the laptop if you need to charge or sync. There are three USB-A ports pushing data at 5Gbps but a little underwhelming on device charging at 7.5W each. There are SD and MicroSD (TF) slots for storage cards, so you can slot in a camera card, or use the flash memory for extra laptop storage.