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If you are wondering what a docking station for a laptop actually does, the basic idea is simple: it turns one laptop connection into the connections you would normally expect from a desktop computer.
Your monitor, keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, webcam, storage, speakers and laptop power can stay connected to the dock. When you sit down to work, you connect one USB-C or Thunderbolt cable to the laptop and the rest of the workstation comes online.
That does not mean everyone with a laptop needs one.
You probably need a docking station if you regularly connect several devices, want a one-cable desk setup, need Ethernet or extra ports, or need help running multiple external monitors.
If you only connect one monitor and a couple of USB devices, a direct monitor cable or inexpensive USB-C hub may be all you need.
A docking station is a good example of something that can be essential in one home office and completely unnecessary in another. For the same decision across the rest of the setup, see my Home Office Essentials guide.
What Does a Docking Station Do?
A docking station connects to your laptop through USB-C, USB4, or Thunderbolt and provides additional connections for the rest of your desk.
Depending on the dock, that can include:
- HDMI and DisplayPort for external monitors;
- USB-A and USB-C ports;
- Gigabit or faster Ethernet;
- SD and microSD card readers;
- headphone and microphone connections;
- laptop charging through USB-C Power Delivery.
The practical benefit is less about the number of ports and more about turning a portable laptop into a desktop workstation with one connection.
Leave everything connected to the dock. Connect the laptop when you sit down. Disconnect one cable when you leave.
Do You Need a Docking Station?
| Your Setup | Do You Need a Dock? |
|---|---|
| One monitor + laptop charger | Probably not |
| One monitor + several USB devices + Ethernet | Maybe |
| Laptop moves on and off the desk regularly | Probably yes |
| Multiple monitors | Often useful |
| Not enough ports on laptop | Yes |
| Want one-cable charging + peripherals | Yes |
| Desktop computer that stays at the desk | Usually no |
You Probably Need a Docking Station If…
You Plug In Several Cables Every Time You Sit Down
This is probably the best reason to buy one.
If you currently connect the laptop charger, monitor, keyboard, mouse, Ethernet and another USB device individually every time you return to the desk, a dock reduces that routine to one cable.
It is especially useful if you take the laptop to meetings, move around the house or regularly work away from your main desk.
Your Laptop Does Not Have Enough Ports
Modern laptops increasingly trade ports for thinner designs.
If you have two USB-C ports but need HDMI, Ethernet, USB-A, storage, a webcam and charging at the same time, adapters can pile up quickly.
A docking station moves that entire collection of connections away from the laptop and gives everything a permanent place on the desk.
You Want Multiple External Monitors
This is where docking stations get more complicated.
A dock having two or three monitor ports does not automatically mean your laptop can extend the desktop independently across all of them.
The number of external displays your laptop can drive natively depends on its graphics hardware, USB-C or Thunderbolt implementation, operating system, resolution and refresh rate.
Some laptops can natively run several external displays through a compatible dock. Others cannot.
If your laptop’s native display support is the limitation, a DisplayLink docking station may be able to add additional displays using a software-based display system.
Before buying a dock primarily for multiple monitors, check your exact laptop’s external-display specifications first.
For the complete two-screen setup, see the Dual Monitor Setup for Work.
You Probably Do Not Need a Docking Station If…
You Only Use One External Monitor
If your laptop already has HDMI or USB-C video output, one monitor can often connect directly.
You may end up with only two cables attached to the laptop: monitor and power.
I would not spend $150 or $200 on a docking station simply to replace two perfectly manageable cables with one.
If you need help with the connection itself, see How to Connect a Monitor to a Laptop.
Your Laptop Stays on the Desk
If the computer almost never leaves the workstation, having four cables permanently connected may not actually create a problem.
A dock can still make the setup cleaner, but you are paying mostly for convenience.
You Just Need More USB Ports
If your only problem is that you need another USB port for a keyboard, mouse, flash drive or receiver, buy a USB hub instead.
You do not need a full docking station to solve a $20 problem.
Docking Station vs USB Hub: What’s the Difference?
The line between USB hubs and docking stations has become blurrier, but their typical jobs are still different.
| Feature | USB Hub | Docking Station |
|---|---|---|
| Add USB ports | Yes | Yes |
| External monitors | Sometimes | Usually |
| Ethernet | Sometimes | Usually |
| Laptop charging | Sometimes | Common |
| SD card reader | Sometimes | Common |
| Built for permanent desk setup | Not necessarily | Yes |
| Typical use | Add a few connections | Run the workstation through one laptop cable |
If you need two more USB ports, get a hub.
If you want the monitor, Ethernet, peripherals and charging to connect through one laptop cable, that is where a docking station starts making sense.
USB-C Dock vs Thunderbolt Dock
You do not automatically need Thunderbolt just because it is the more expensive standard.
A good USB-C dock can handle normal home-office needs including monitors, Ethernet, storage, USB devices and laptop charging.
Thunderbolt becomes more useful when you need greater bandwidth, faster storage, higher-end display configurations or other Thunderbolt devices.
The important part is compatibility. A USB-C-shaped connector does not tell you everything the port supports.
Check your laptop specifications for:
- DisplayPort Alt Mode;
- USB Power Delivery;
- USB4;
- Thunderbolt 3, 4 or 5;
- maximum supported external displays.
What Is DisplayLink?
DisplayLink is a software-based display technology used by some docking stations to drive additional external monitors through USB.
It is particularly useful when the laptop cannot natively drive as many independent external displays as you want.
That does not mean everyone with multiple monitors needs DisplayLink.
If your laptop already supports the number of external displays you want through its native graphics hardware, I would generally use that native capability first.
DisplayLink makes the most sense when it solves an actual compatibility limitation.
It also requires software. Depending on the operating system and application, there can be additional limitations compared with a normal native display connection.
Do MacBooks Need DisplayLink?
Not automatically.
This is one area where old advice is especially easy to get wrong because Apple’s external-display support has changed across MacBook generations.
The number of external displays supported natively depends on the exact MacBook model, Apple chip, resolution and refresh rate.
Some current MacBooks can natively run multiple external displays. Older or lower-spec models may have tighter limits.
Check Apple’s specifications for your exact Mac before buying a dock.
If the Mac already natively supports the displays you need, you may not need DisplayLink at all.
If you need more independent external displays than your particular Mac supports natively, a compatible DisplayLink dock such as the TobenONE below is one possible solution.
The Two Docking Stations I Recommend
I would not turn this into a list of ten docks just to create more choices.
These two cover the two setups I care about most:
- Anker Nano 13-in-1: standard one-cable workstation for a compatible laptop using native display support.
- TobenONE DisplayLink: multi-monitor setup when DisplayLink is specifically useful.
Best for Most Compatible Windows Laptop Setups: Anker Nano 13-in-1
The Anker Nano Docking Station 13-in-1 is the one I would start with for a normal Windows laptop workstation when the laptop already supports the monitors you intend to use.
The main docking module includes:
- two HDMI outputs;
- one DisplayPort output;
- Gigabit Ethernet;
- USB-A and USB-C data ports;
- 3.5 mm audio;
- up to 100W laptop charging.
It also has a removable mini hub with additional USB, HDMI and card-reader connections, which makes the design more flexible if you occasionally need ports away from the main desk.
The big thing to understand is that this is not a DisplayLink dock.
On Windows, how many independent external displays you can run still depends on what the laptop itself supports.
On macOS, Anker states that multiple external displays connected through this particular dock mirror the same external image rather than operating as separate extended desktops.
So I would buy the Anker for its ports, charging, cleaner laptop connection and native monitor support — not as a workaround for a laptop that cannot natively drive your desired multi-monitor setup.
Best for: Compatible Windows laptops, one-cable desk setups, one monitor or native multi-monitor configurations.
Skip it if: Your main reason for buying a dock is to overcome your laptop’s native external-display limit.
Best for DisplayLink Multi-Monitor Setups: TobenONE
The TobenONE DisplayLink Docking Station is the option I recommend when running multiple independent external monitors is the main reason you need a dock and your computer’s native display support is not enough.
It uses DisplayLink technology and includes a large selection of display and peripheral connections, including multiple HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet and audio.
The included 120W power adapter provides up to approximately 100W of laptop charging.
The biggest difference from the Anker is that the TobenONE’s additional display capability depends on the DisplayLink driver.
That makes it useful for Windows and Mac setups where DisplayLink is needed to add independent displays beyond what the computer can otherwise provide.
There is a tradeoff: DisplayLink is another software layer. On macOS it requires screen-recording permission to create the additional displays, and some protected streaming content may not work normally through DisplayLink-driven screens.
I would therefore buy this specifically because you need the DisplayLink capability, not simply because it has more monitor connectors.
Best for: Multi-monitor workstations, compatible MacBooks with limited native display support, and Windows laptops that need additional independent screens.
Skip it if: Your laptop already supports all the external displays you need natively and a simpler USB-C dock can do the job.
Anker Nano vs TobenONE: Which One Should You Buy?
| Feature | Anker Nano 13-in-1 | TobenONE DisplayLink |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Standard laptop workstation | DisplayLink multi-monitor setup |
| DisplayLink | No | Yes |
| Driver Required for Extra Displays | No | Yes |
| Laptop Charging | Up to 100W | Up to about 100W |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes |
| Best for Mac Multi-Monitor | No — multiple dock outputs mirror in macOS | Better choice when DisplayLink is needed |
| Best Reason to Buy | Ports + one-cable convenience | Additional independent displays |
My decision is simple:
- If your laptop already supports the monitors you want, buy the Anker Nano.
- If you specifically need DisplayLink to run additional independent monitors, buy the TobenONE.
How Much Should You Spend on a Docking Station?
I would not choose a dock based on price alone.
The cheapest device that physically has enough ports can still be the wrong dock if it cannot provide enough charging power or does not support your monitor configuration.
Instead, work backward from four requirements:
- How many external monitors do you need?
- What resolution and refresh rate do they use?
- How much charging power does the laptop require?
- Which USB, Ethernet, storage and audio connections do you actually use?
Then buy the least complicated dock that satisfies all four.
What to Check Before Buying Any Laptop Dock
1. USB-C Does Not Always Mean the Same Thing
Two USB-C ports can look identical while supporting very different features.
Check whether your laptop’s port supports video output, Power Delivery, USB4 or Thunderbolt as required by the dock.
2. Check Native Monitor Support
Look up the maximum number of external displays supported by your exact laptop model.
Do this before assuming the number of HDMI ports on a docking station tells you how many independent screens you can use.
3. Check Power Delivery
If you want the dock to replace the laptop charger, compare its USB-C Power Delivery output with the wattage your laptop expects.
A lower-powered dock may still charge the laptop but can produce a slow-charging warning or fail to keep up under heavy load.
4. Check Resolution and Refresh Rate
“Supports three monitors” is not enough information.
Check the actual supported resolution and refresh rate for the exact combination of monitor outputs you plan to use.
5. Check the Operating System
Windows and macOS can behave differently with the same docking station.
That is particularly important with multi-monitor docks, DisplayLink and docks that rely on technologies such as DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport.
How Hard Is a Docking Station to Set Up?
A standard USB-C dock is usually straightforward:
- Connect the dock to power if it has an external power supply.
- Connect your monitors and peripherals to the dock.
- Connect the dock’s host cable to the laptop.
- Configure your displays in Windows or macOS.
A DisplayLink dock adds one important step: install the required DisplayLink software before expecting the additional displays to work correctly.
For the complete process and troubleshooting steps, see How to Set Up a Docking Station.
Is a Docking Station Worth It?
A docking station is worth it when it removes friction from something you do every day.
If connecting the laptop means plugging in five cables every morning, a dock fixes that.
If you cannot connect the monitors and peripherals you need because the laptop has too few ports, a dock fixes that.
If you need a DisplayLink solution for additional independent displays, the right dock can fix that too.
If none of those problems exist, there is nothing wrong with skipping the dock completely.
Good home office gear should solve problems. It should not create another category of equipment you feel obligated to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a docking station for a laptop?
A laptop docking station connects several desk devices through one laptop connection. A typical dock can add monitor outputs, USB ports, Ethernet, audio, storage connections and USB-C charging, allowing the laptop to function more like a desktop computer when it is at your desk.
What does a docking station do?
A docking station expands the laptop’s connectivity and can provide monitor connections, USB ports, wired networking, audio and charging through one USB-C, USB4 or Thunderbolt connection.
Do I need a docking station for my laptop?
You probably need one if you connect several devices whenever you sit down, regularly move the laptop away from the desk, have run out of ports, or need a specific multi-monitor solution. If you only use one monitor and a few peripherals, you may not need one.
Do I need a docking station for one monitor?
Usually not. Most compatible laptops can connect one external monitor directly through HDMI, USB-C, Thunderbolt or DisplayPort. A dock is useful when you also want charging, Ethernet and several peripherals through the same laptop cable.
What’s the difference between a docking station and a USB hub?
A USB hub primarily adds more ports. A docking station is generally designed to serve as the central connection point for a full workstation, often adding displays, Ethernet, charging, storage and peripheral connections.
Does a docking station let you use multiple monitors?
It can, but the number of independent displays depends on the dock and the laptop. Native USB-C and Thunderbolt docks remain limited by the computer’s supported display configuration. DisplayLink docks can provide additional software-driven displays in compatible setups.
Do all USB-C laptops work with docking stations?
No. USB-C describes the connector, not every feature the port supports. Check whether your laptop provides the video output, data bandwidth and Power Delivery required by the specific dock.
Do MacBooks need DisplayLink for two monitors?
Not necessarily. Current MacBook models differ in how many external displays they support natively. Check Apple’s specifications for your exact Mac. DisplayLink becomes useful when you need more independent external displays than that particular Mac supports natively.
Final Verdict
If you are trying to decide whether you need a docking station, ignore the number of ports for a moment and look at how you actually use the laptop.
If it stays on the desk with one monitor and a couple of cables, you probably do not need a dock.
If you regularly move the laptop, connect several peripherals, want Ethernet and charging through one cable, or need a specific multi-monitor solution, a docking station can make the workstation substantially easier to use.
For a compatible laptop that already supports the monitors you need, I would choose the Anker Nano 13-in-1.
If DisplayLink is specifically needed to add independent external monitors, I would choose the TobenONE DisplayLink Docking Station.
Related Laptop & Monitor Guides
- How to Set Up a Docking Station — installation and troubleshooting once you have the dock.
- How to Connect a Monitor to a Laptop — HDMI, USB-C, DisplayPort and direct monitor connections.
- Dual Monitor Setup for Work — connect, arrange and configure two screens.
- Best Monitors for Home Office — current monitor recommendations for work.
- Best Monitor Arm for Home Office — improve positioning once the monitors are connected.
- Desk Cable Management — clean up the final workstation after everything is working.