If you work on music or audio long enough eventually you’ll realize that there aren’t simply enough ports to connect everything you need. So in this article, we look into some of the best docking station for dual monitors and other useful peripherals.
Quick answer:
Mokin Dual Monitor Docking Station – best low cost option, with thunderbolt, multiple connectors, and card reader.
Tobenone USB C Docking Station – best for MacBook Pro/Air, can extend to 3 monitors, and high speed data transfers
WAVLINK USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station – best for any brand of laptop, includes thunderbolt, ethernet, and super fast data transfers
If the above mentioned selections that we think are the best don’t seem right for you, no worries! Down below we have a few more options we’ve compiled and reviewed from our research and experience.
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Top 10 Best Docking Station for Dual Monitors
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Mokin Dual Monitor Docking Station
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Lenovo USA ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock
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WAVLINK USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station
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Tobenone USB C Docking Station
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4URPC Dual Monitor Docking Station
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StarTech Dual 4K Monitor Mini Thunderbolt 3 Dock with HDMI
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iVANKY Macbook Pro Docking Station
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Cable Matters Dual Monitor USB C Hub
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StarTech Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station
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Tobenone Thunderbolt 3 Dual Monitor Docking Station
Best Docking Station for Dual Monitors Reviews
Mokin Dual Monitor Docking Station
Pros
- Dual HDMI
- Compatible with all Thunderbolt 3 devices
Cons
- None that we know of
See price @ Amazon
Mokin Dual Monitor Docking Station is an 8 in 1 USB-C adapter that features 4K HDMI ports, 3 USB 3.0 connectors, and a card reader.
Best features and specs
This dock station can host 2 4K displays with a refresh rate of 30 Hz both in Extended or Mirror mode. But unfortunately, on Apple macOS, it can only work in Mirror mode.
User impressions
Users say that Mokin Dual Monitor Docking Station is much friendlier for the budget than other options on the market. Users note that this dock sometimes requires a bit more power, so you’ll need a more powerful charger to use with it.
What we think
Mokin Dual Monitor Docking Station station will be a very helpful companion to any Windows user. But it’s also rather clear that iOS users couldn’t enjoy the full set of features of this device.
Bottomline
Mokin Dual Monitor Docking Station is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very powerful and versatile docking station that can easily host 2 4K displays and provides you with a card reader.
Lenovo USA ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Pros
- Thunderbolt 3
- Great port selection
Cons
- Cable is rather flimsy
- A bit pricey
See price @ Amazon
Lenovo USA ThinkPad offers you 2 HDMI and 2 display ports, 5 USB 3.1 connectors, USB-C, and a 2nd generation Thunderbolt 3 port.
Best features and specs
Apart from very fast USB connectivity and an abundance of video ports, this dock station also offers you a 3.5 mm audio connector, universal Ethernet port, and 135-watt power adaptor.
User impressions
Users like Lenovo USA ThinkPad for being a perfect dock with a reliable TB3 connection. If you have a macOS, you won’t be able to get 4k at 60 Hz using HDMI ports, you have to use USB-C to HDMI cable to connect it through the TB3 port in the front panel. Otherwise, you’ll be left with a maximum of 4k at 30 Hz.
What we think
Since it was made by Lenovo, quality is really out of the question. But what is actually questionable is the compatibility with Apple iOS devices.
Bottomline
Lenovo USA ThinkPad is a great choice for someone who is looking for an extremely powerful and reliably built device with 4 different video ports, audio output, and the ability to hook up an Ethernet cable.
WAVLINK USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station
Pros
- USB 3.0 ports
- Lightweight and compact design
- Resolution up to 5K
Cons
- No support for Linux
See price @ Amazon
WAVLINK offers you 2 HDMI ports with 2 4K display ports, 6 high-speed USB 3.0 connectors, and full compatibility with Windows OS devices.
Best features and specs
Although macOS users can connect only 1 display, on Windows in Dual mode, you can connect 2 displays with up 5K resolutions and a 60 Hz refresh rate.
User impressions
Users say that WAVLINK works seamlessly with dual monitors and has enough USBs to handle all of the peripherals.
What we think
Although the support for iOS is rather limited, Linux or Unix users cannot use this device at all. And what is more surprising, Microsoft Surface isn’t supported also.
Bottomline
WAVLINK USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station is a great choice for someone who is looking for a low-profile Thunderbolt 3 docking station that lets you connect displays with a refresh rate sufficient not only for work but for gaming also.
Tobenone USB C Docking Station
Pros
- Supports up to three displays
- 60W power delivery for charging
- 13 ports of connectivity
- Comes with a vertical stand
Cons
- Difficult to set up displays
See price @ Amazon
Tobenone USB C is a 13-in-1 docking station that features 1 4K HDMI and 1 2K HDMI ports, a Mini Display Port, 5 USB 3.0 connectors, SD card reader, and audio interface.
Best features and specs
Installing provided DisplayLink driver will give you compatibility with any Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C device whether its operating system would be iOS or Windows.
User impressions
Users like Tobenone USB C for being easy to set up after reading the manual. It runs 2 monitors without any issues, giving sharp and clear images without any digital noise.
What we think
Despite that, you’ll have to read the manual very thoroughly to do this, you have the ability to connect 3 different video displays either at 4K 30 Hz refresh rate or Full-HD 60 Hz.
Bottomline
Tobenone USB C is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very versatile and fast docking station with very extended compatibility, a fast USB connection, and multiple video outputs.
4URPC Dual Monitor Docking Station
Pros
- 15 ports
- 2 HDMI ports
- 60-watt power input
Cons
- Works only with USB C ports
See price @ Amazon
4URPC is a 15-in-1 USB-C docking station with 2 HDMI ports, a VGA port, 6 USB 3.0 ports, and audio input and output.
Best features and specs
Linux users would be very happy to know that this device has Linux support starting from the 2.6.14 Version. And the addition of an SD/TF card reader is also a nice touch.
User impressions
Users say that when plugging in, you need to pay attention to choosing host 2 port, not 1 as it doesn’t support all functions with a single USB-C cable connection.
What we think
It’s good to know that this device delivers 100 Watts of power because you’re going to need it if you try to occupy all the ports at once.
Bottomline
4URPC is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very versatile and capable docking station that supports almost any imaginable operating system and has an additional VGA port.
StarTech Dual 4K Monitor Mini Thunderbolt 3 Dock with HDMI
Pros
- Has 4 ports
- Runs dual 4K at 60Hz smoothly
Cons
- Is a bit pricey
See price @ Amazon
StarTech Dual 4K Monitor Mini Thunderbolt 3 can very easily run 2 4K monitors at a 60 Hz fresh rate and doesn’t require an external power supply.
Best features and specs
It’s a very compact and minimalistic video display docking station with the addition of 1 USB 3.0 and 1 USB 2.0 ports and an Ethernet connector.
User impressions
Users are quite impressed with StarTech Dual 4K Monitor Mini Thunderbolt 3 as it has a really outstanding build quality and is capable of handling perfectly dual displays at 4K 60 Hz in native mode.
What we think
Although it doesn’t offer you a lot of very fast connectivity, still running 2 4K displays at that fresh rate is very competitive even for very serious gaming.
Bottomline
StarTech Dual 4K Monitor Mini Thunderbolt 3 is a great choice for someone who is looking for a simple and minimalistic docking station that can run 2 4k monitors without any additional power.
iVANKY Macbook Pro Docking Station
Pros
- HDMI ports connect two external displays simultaneously
- 180W ensure safe and stable performance
- MicroSD (TF) slots can read data and transfer files with a speed of 104 MB/s
Cons
- USB-C ports may not support the audio
See price @ Amazon
iVANKY is a 12-in-1 docking station that offers you 2 HDMI 2.0 cords, 6 USB 3.0 connectors, SD and micro SD card reader, 3.5 mm audio jack, and gigabit Ethernet port.
Best features and specs
This device runs 2 4K displays at 60 Hz and any MacBook Pro laptop. But note that MacBook Air models run only 1 display at 60 Hz and the other only on 30 Hz. And M1 MacBooks can have only 1 external monitor.
User impressions
Users like iVANKY because it provides power directly instead of having your gadget hooked up to a MacBook charger as a passthrough and it will power other devices as well.
What we think
Although this docking station was designed specifically for iOS users, it can actually also run on Windows devices without any problems.
Bottomline
iVANKY is a great choice for someone who is looking for a docking station fully compatible with iOS that can easily run 3 4k displays.
Cable Matters Dual Monitor USB C Hub
Pros
- Full-sized DisplayPort
- 60 watts
Cons
- Doesn’t support multiple monitors
See price @ Amazon
Cable Matters is a very lightweight and compact docking station that features 2 HDMI ports, 3 USB 2.0 ports, and 60 watts of charging power.
Best features and specs
This docking station can run 2 4K displays at 30 Hz, but note that lower resolutions can give you up to 60 Hz of fresh rate.
User impressions
Users agree that Cable Matters has a great design in terms of cable management, top-notch build quality, and the rubber armor is a nice touch.
What we think
Although Windows, Linux, and PixelBook users can run 2 displays simultaneously, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, and Ipad Pro devices can host only display a time.
Bottomline
Cable Matters is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very simple and minimalistic docking station, that can run 2 4K displays and doesn’t distract you with additional features that you don’t need.
StarTech Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station
Pros
- 170W power adapter
- 3 years warranty
Cons
- On the pricey side
See price @ Amazon
StarTech Thunderbolt 3 delivers 85 watts of power and offers you 2 3.5 mm jacks both for input and output, dual 4K 60 Hz video ports, and 3 USB 3.0 connectors.
Best features and specs
This dock station is fully compatible with macOS and Windows devices and also has 2 USB-A ports with fast charging capabilities.
User impressions
Users are quite impressed with StarTech Thunderbolt 3 as it’s super easy to set up and runs smoothly. The only thing that users point out is that the cord to the laptop that comes attached is a bit shorter than desirable.
What we think
It’s a very durable and rather stylish device that can be a very nice accessory on your desk if you care about its aesthetics.
Bottomline
StarTech Thunderbolt 3 is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very minimalistic docking station that can host 2 4K displays and will look very nice on your desk.
Tobenone Thunderbolt 3 Dual Monitor Docking Station
Pros
- Many ports
- Full compatibility with Windows and Mac
- Thunderbolt 3 for high speed
Cons
- Non-aesthetic design
See price @ Amazon
Tobenone Thunderbolt 3 is a 16-in-1 docking station with 1 display port, 1 Thunderbolt 3 port, high-speed data transfer, S/PDIF audio output, and a microSD card reader.
Best features and specs
This docking station can easily run 1 5K monitor or 2 4K displays in Extended mode, all at 60 Hz refresh rate.
User impressions
Users like Tobenone Thunderbolt 3 for working right from the box without even installing the driver and the fact that this dock station lowers the running temperature thanks to its great heat-sink characteristics.
What we think
It’s nice that all of the Apple devices can also run 2 monitors simultaneously via display port and Thunderbolt 3 port, except for those that use the M1 chip.
Bottomline
Tobenone Thunderbolt 3 is a great choice for someone who is looking for an extremely reliable and powerful docking station that lets you run 2 4K displays at a very high performance.
Docking Station for Dual Monitors Buying Guide
In order to help you to choose a docking station that would be the best for you personally, we’ve decided to include a few key points that you may find rather insightful.
What are docking stations for dual monitors?
A docking station is an electronic device that lets you replicate a connection port on your computer in order to connect to it separate peripheral devices simultaneously. Usually, the docking station has a USB or a Thunderbolt outputs with different inputs that vary from model to model.
Why would you need docking stations for dual monitors?
At some point, you may realize that one monitor is simply not enough for efficient audio engineering. While working on a large recording session, you may consider leaving a window with your tracks on the main monitor and putting your virtual mixer on another. Or let the virtual mixer stay on the main display, but make it so that a secondary display will show you a plugin GUI if engaged.
Important features
In order to choose your docking station more efficiently, you may consider looking into operating system compatibility, the number and type of ports, and the ability to power multiple displays.
Compatibility
You have to keep in mind that some devices might be incompatible with a certain operating system and others work perfectly with any of them.
Versatility
Obviously, you’d want your docking station to be as versatile as possible and provide you with the ability to connect as many peripheral devices as possible. But at the same time, it wouldn’t be wise to pay extra for something you never use.
Ability to power multiple displays
If you have the need to connect multiple high-resolution displays, you also need to consider the ability of your docking station to provide them with a sufficient amount of electricity.
How to choose the right one for you?
In order to choose the best docking station for dual monitors, find out if it’s compatible with your OS of choice and whether it can power a high-resolution display if you already own one. If not, consider purchasing a USB display and then make a list of all the peripheral devices that you want to be connected to your docking station in order to choose the right number of ports.
