A docking station turns one port on your laptop into connections for monitors, a network, and peripherals. The right choice depends on how many monitors you connect and on your computer’s connection type.

For everyday work with a single monitor

If your setup consists of a laptop, an external monitor, an Ethernet cable and a few peripherals, you don’t need a large dock. The Ugreen CM512 brings HDMI output, an Ethernet port and laptop charging together in one compact device, all through the same USB-C connection.

For a desk with two monitors

When you work with two monitors, the most important thing is for the dock to have two separate video outputs. The Ugreen CM639 has two HDMI ports and supports using two monitors simultaneously, along with Ethernet and a card reader.

For a desk with three monitors

For a larger workspace, you need three video outputs and plenty of ports for your peripherals. The Ugreen CM681 offers two HDMI ports and one DisplayPort, and supports using three monitors simultaneously.

For MacBooks with multiple displays

If you work with a Mac and want more than two displays, you need a dock that explicitly states Apple support and multiple outputs. The Baseus Spacemate 11-in-1 (Mac) supports using four displays simultaneously, with two HDMI ports and two DisplayPort ports.

For Thunderbolt 4 and work laptops

If your laptop has a Thunderbolt 4 port and you need a reliable workstation dock, a model designed for this connection is worth considering. The Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 4 connects via Thunderbolt 4 and supports using three displays simultaneously, with power delivery up to 230W.

Compare the number of displays, your laptop’s connectivity and the ports you need before choosing, so the dock meets your setup requirements.

This article was created with the help of AI and reviewed and edited by the Skroutz team.