Best Steam Deck Dock 2023: Our Top 6 Picks

Published:Fri, 15 Sep 2023 / Source:https://www.ign.com/articles/best-steam-deck-dock

The best Steam Deck docks are the perfect accessory for the Steam Deck, the best handheld gaming PC on the market. These docks let you enjoy the Steam Deck on a larger display and even let you connect controllers or one of the best gaming keyboards so you can get a true PC gaming experience out of Valve's little handheld. The JSAUX Docking Station is our top dock, but we’ve found great alternatives for various gaming situations, preferences, and budgets. Jump to detailed looks at the best Steam Deck docks or check the list below:

TL;DR – These are the Best Steam Deck Docks:

While the Steam Deck is powerful enough to play games like Red Dead Redemption and God of War, sometimes you may want a more immersive experience than the seven-inch screen and limited controls offer. A dock is great for hooking up peripherals, and while Steam does have an official docking station, it’s pricey. So, we rounded up the best Steam Deck docks—many are even compatible with the Asus ROG Ally.

Best Steam Deck Docks

1. JSAUX Docking Station HB0603

Best Steam Deck Dock

Our all-around favorite Steam Deck dock is the JSAUX Docking Station HB0603 thanks to its large number of ports and 100-watts of power for fast charging, all packed into a lightweight and compact design. It features three USB 2.0 ports for peripherals like a keyboard and mouse, one USB-C port for the Steam Deck itself, one 4K-capable HDMI 2.0 port to hook up to a 4K TV or gaming monitor, and one Ethernet port for an ultra-fast internet connection. The dock also serves as a sleek stand, so you can have your Steam Deck posted up next to your TV without creating additional clutter.

2. Steam Deck Docking Station

Best Official Steam Deck Dock

While there are dozens of great third-party Steam Deck Docks, perhaps you just want to get one that's made by Valve itself. After all, what better way to guarantee compatibility than get an accessory made by the same company that makes the Steam Deck?

The official Steam Deck Docking Station is no slouch, either. On the back of the box, you get a DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, 3 USB ports and an Ethernet port. This basically makes the Steam Deck into a miniature gaming laptop, ready to set up as a fully usable computing device. And the fact that it supports DisplayPort 1.4 means you don't have to worry about whether or not your gaming monitor actually has an HDMI port.

However, the official dock is a bit on the expensive side. While you can get it cheaper now, it's listed at a whopping $89. The Steam Deck itself isn't cheap so adding nearly a hundred bucks to the price tag isn't going to be easy to swallow. Still, it could be worth it if you want the peace of mind that it's going to work every time you plug in your Steam Deck.

3. iVoler Docking Station

Best Budget Steam Deck Dock

If you’re looking to save some money (and really, who isn’t these days), but don’t want to skimp on features, power, and design, then the iVoler Docking Station is our budget-friendly pick. It comes with six ports—three USB 2.0, one HDMI 2.0 for 4K TVs and monitors, and two USB-C for fast charging—which is also compatible with smartphones and tablets, so that’s a plus. Although it lacks an Ethernet port, if you have a fast home Wi-Fi router or mesh system for your Steam Deck (up to 700 Mbps), then you won’t even miss it and your wallet will thank you.

4. NewQ Steam Deck Dock

Best Portable Steam Deck Dock

As a handheld gaming console, the Steam Deck is built for portability. If you want to find the same pick-up-and-go portability in a docking station, then we recommend the NewQ Steam Deck Dock. It’s ultra compact and lightweight at just over three ounces. Meanwhile, this dock’s clever design opts for a trusty kickstand instead of a full docking station to it folds up into a small package. In fact, it’s so portable that you can carry it around in a pants’ pocket or purse.

The NewQ Steam Deck Dock also comes with the ports needed for gaming on a big screen TV or monitor, including two USB 2.0, one USB-C, and one 4K HDMI 2.0.

5. MOKiN Dual Monitor Docking Station

Best Steam Deck Dock for Dual Monitors

Want to play your Steam Deck in a big way? The MOKiN Dual Monitor Docking Station is ideal for gamers who have two different types of monitors, thanks to its built-in DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 ports—both support 4K at 60Hz (or 2K at 120Hz).

Meanwhile, this docking station also features five other ports, including three USB 2.0, one USB-C, and one Ethernet. It comes with a 100-watt fast charger, so you can get your game on and charge the Steam Deck at the same time.

6. Park Sung Docking Station

Best Steam Deck Dock for Multiple Ports

Pairing the Steam Deck with the Park Sung Docking Station makes up for the handheld’s lack of ports. This docking station is a beast with seven ports for the ultimate gaming experience. It comes with three USB 3.0 ports and two USB-C ports, perfect for hooking up four controllers for some multiplayer or split-screen gaming.

It also features one Ethernet port, and one HDMI 2.0 port for 4K gaming. In fact, since it has two USB-C ports (one for input and one for charging), it’s also compatible with Apple iPad and Apple iPhone via USB-C to Lightning. Additionally, the dock’s design doesn’t block the Steam Deck’s ventilation slots so it runs cool smoothly when connected.

7. UGREEN USB-C Hub with Ethernet Port

Best USB-C Hub for Steam Deck

For the versatile gamer, the UGREEN USB-C Hub with Ethernet Port is a great docking station for the Steam Deck, as well as a laptop or tablet. It’s designed with two USB 3.0 ports, two USB-C ports (one for input and one for charging), and HDMI 2.0 port for 4K video and gaming.

However, what really separates this one from the others on this list is it comes with two memory card readers: One for SD/TF cards and the other for microSD cards. This makes it great to play games loaded on a memory card or to give the handheld additional storage space. Alternatively, this hub is also ideal for laptops with a small number of ports like the Apple MacBook Air. It can also give all your connected devices a steadier and more reliable connection to the internet, thanks to its included Ethernet port.

What to Look for in a Steam Deck Dock

There are a lot of Steam Deck docks available. In fact, Steam makes their own docking station that's a perfect fit for the handheld. However, with dozens of top-tier docks on Amazon, you might find one that suits you better and at a lower price.

An ideal docking station should have at least one USB-C port to connect the Steam Deck itself and three USB 2.0 ports for peripherals, such as a keyboard, mouse, and gaming controller. Since you want to dock the handheld, you also want to play games on a bigger display than the one built-in—which means having peripherals that will enhance your gaming experience.

Speaking of which, an ideal dock should also have at least one HDMI 2.0 port to connect to a monitor or 4K TV. However, if your monitor supports DisplayPort 1.4 for higher bandwidth, then look for a docking station that comes with one built-in. Most docks have HDMI 2.0 support, while others come with both. It’s rare to find one that only supports DisplayPort 1.4.

Meanwhile, a power-in outlet is another thing to look for, since you don’t want to draw power from the Steam Deck while docked. A good outlet can power-on the handheld, while charging it at the same time. Now, when you take it out of the dock and put it back in handheld mode, it will have enough juice for up to eight hours of use.

Additionally, an Ethernet port is also something to consider, but not completely necessary since the Steam Deck is Wi-Fi-enabled. If you have super fast home Wi-Fi (around 700 Mbps), then you don’t really need a hardwire connection. Memory card readers are also nice docking station add-ons, but not needed since the handheld comes with one built-in.

Steam Deck Dock FAQ

Does a Steam Deck Dock Charge the Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck has a notoriously mediocre battery life. Luckily, most docks should charge your Steam Deck as you play. You just want to be sure to grab a hub that supports pass-through power via a USB-C and ensure it delivers enough power. The Steam Deck charger supports 45W, while all the docks we’ve chosen far surpass that amount. It’s also essential to have the dock plugged into a good outlet. Otherwise, the dock may end up drawing power from your Steam Deck.

Source:https://www.ign.com/articles/best-steam-deck-dock

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