Best USB-C Docking Station 2026: Thunderbolt & USB4 Picks

The CalDigit TS4 is the docking station for people who need everything. Eighteen ports cover every connectivity need: three Thunderbolt 4 ports for daisy-chaining and high-speed peripherals, five USB-A ports, DisplayPort, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, SD and microSD card readers, and both front and rear audio jacks.

Why It's Our Pick

CalDigit built this dock for professionals who can't compromise on connectivity. Video editors running external RAID arrays? The Thunderbolt ports handle it. Photographers needing fast card transfers? SD and microSD are right there. Multiple monitors? Dual 4K@60Hz via the Thunderbolt and DisplayPort outputs.

The 98W host charging keeps even power-hungry laptops topped up. And unlike some competitors, the TS4 is compatible with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, USB4, and USB-C—it'll work with virtually any modern laptop.

What We Love

• Port count: 18 ports cover every need
• Charging: 98W for laptop plus 20W USB-C for phone
• Compatibility: Works with TB3, TB4, USB4, and USB-C
• Build quality: Aluminum construction, no flex
• Reliability: CalDigit's reputation for stability

What Could Be Better

• Price is high ($399)
• Large footprint for a dock
• No HDMI (need adapter for HDMI displays)
• Overkill for basic office work

The Anker 777 delivers premium dock features—triple-monitor support (on Windows), dual HDMI ports, Thunderbolt 4 passthrough—at $100 less than the CalDigit TS4. For most users, it offers everything they need without the professional price tag.

Why It's Our Value Pick

Anker hit the sweet spot between features and price. The dual HDMI ports (both 4K@30Hz, or one 4K@60Hz) plus the Thunderbolt 4 port can drive three monitors on Windows. 90W charging handles most laptops. SD card slot, Gigabit Ethernet, and USB-A ports round out the package.

What We Love

• Triple monitors: HDMI + TB4 output on Windows
• Price: $100 less than TS4
• Charging: 90W handles most laptops
• Build: Premium aluminum construction

What Could Be Better

• Mac limited to dual displays
• HDMI capped at 4K@30Hz each
• No TB3 compatibility (TB4/USB4 only)
• Fewer USB ports than TS4

The Plugable UD-ULTC4K proves you don't need Thunderbolt for a capable dock. Using DisplayLink technology, it delivers dual 4K@60Hz displays from any USB-C port—even on laptops without Thunderbolt. At $179, it's the best budget option for multi-monitor setups.

Why It's Our Budget Pick

DisplayLink uses software processing to enable multi-monitor support where hardware can't. The result: dual 4K displays from any USB-C laptop, including budget models without dedicated display outputs. For office work, web browsing, and productivity, it's indistinguishable from native solutions.

What We Love

• Compatibility: Works with any USB-C laptop
• Price: Under $200 for dual 4K
• Charging: 60W passthrough
• Ethernet: Gigabit included

What Could Be Better

• DisplayLink uses CPU (not ideal for video editing)
• Requires driver installation
• 60W charging won't handle large laptops
• No Thunderbolt peripherals