HomeHardwareBest Steam Deck dock 2024

Best Steam Deck dock 2024

The greatest Steam Deck dock can rework your handheld right into a hybrid gaming PC. Valve’s official docking station isn’t the one possibility, and we’ve tried and examined an array of moveable and low-cost docks that include all the things that you must hook up a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

A dock is likely one of the greatest Steam Deck equipment you should purchase for the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED, because it provides you extra methods and locations to expertise your handheld. It’ll allow you to play the perfect Steam Deck video games on a big-screen TV, or play whereas charging contained in the greatest Steam Deck circumstances. Whether or not you’re in search of a desktop alternative, a console different, or desire a approach to cost your system in type, scroll down to seek out the perfect Steam Deck dock for you.

Why you’ll be able to belief our recommendation ✔ At , our specialists spend hours testing {hardware}, video games, and VPNs. We share sincere, unbiased opinions that will help you purchase the perfect. Discover out how we check.

Finest Steam Deck docks in 2024:

Finest Steam Deck dock general

JSAUX Steam Deck Dock specs:

USB ports 2
Energy supply 100W
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet Sure
Causes to purchase

  • Nice valve
  • 4K 60fps
  • 100W Energy Supply
Causes to keep away from

  • Would profit from further USB ports
  • Questionable Ethernet placement

Few Deck docks cradle Valve’s child gaming PC, which is the place JSAUX’s flattering imitation of the official model shines. Its stable metallic building and gunmetal end assist present a premium really feel, and it’ll mix in completely with minimalist desk setups.

Geared up with HDMI, two USB A ports, and Ethernet, the JSAUX dock makes reworking the hand-held right into a gaming PC straightforward. 100W energy supply additionally means maintaining the moveable powerhouse charged whereas offering your gaming keyboard and exterior SSD with juice.

Valve’s Steam Deck dock could wield extra ports and better specs, however we’re fairly impressed with the corporate getting its foot within the door forward of Valve – to not point out it instructions a a lot decrease asking worth.

If you happen to want one thing that’s on par with the actual deal and nonetheless prices much less, you possibly can decide as a substitute for JSAUX’s HB0702 mannequin. There’s even a bundle that features a 45W energy adapter, and it’s nonetheless cheaper than the official docking station.

Learn our JSAUX Steam Deck dock assessment.

Anker USB-C Hub

Finest low-cost Steam Deck dock

Anker USB-C Hub specs:

USB ports 3
Energy supply 100W
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet No
Causes to purchase

  • Three USB ports
  • 100W energy supply
Causes to keep away from

  • Design hinders cable administration
  • No Ethernet

Anker’s USB-C Hub is reasonable, but it surely holds up towards the highest Steam Deck docks in the marketplace. This selection crams two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, and an SD card slot right into a wallet-sized system, and it even consists of Energy Supply 3.0 assist.

Sadly, the Anker USB-C hub lacks Ethernet, so that you’ll should make do with Steam Deck Wi-Fi. Not precisely a deal breaker, however should you depend on wires to get on-line, you might have to provide you with a workaround.

Regardless of its measurement, Anker’s ant-sized resolution boasts energy supply, and it’ll present 100W to linked units. Similar to Jsuax’s dock, you’ll should both use the ability adapter included with the Deck or purchase one other, offering you don’t have already got one stowed away.

Valve’s official model prices much more than this low-cost and cheerful different, and Anker’s hub will play good with different USB-C units. That mentioned, its dongle design may trouble lovers who prioritize desk cable administration, particularly since its quick USB-C cables make it more durable to tuck away out of sight.

JSAUX M.2 Steam Deck dock specs:

USB ports 2
Energy Supply 100W
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet Sure

The JSAUX M.2 dock is a souped-up model of the corporate’s authentic accent, because it boasts built-in NVMe SSD assist. When you’ll have to pay considerably extra for the brand new dock’s solid-state superpowers, this heavy hitter hub solely prices $40 USB greater than the official Valve model.

Positive, you possibly can simply both purchase the perfect Steam Deck SD card or pair the moveable one with an exterior drive, however JSAUX’s all-in-one resolution helps the hand-held really feel like a correct desktop PC. Having the ability to entry as much as 4TB of storage by merely plugging within the dock is an plain boon, and it’ll prevent from endlessly deleting and redownloading Steam video games.

After all, the JSAUX isn’t simply the perfect exterior SSD contender, because it supplies the moveable with 4K HDMI output, Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, and two USB ports. Admittedly, an additional USB port would go a great distance, however that’s forgivable this time round given the dock’s built-in SSD slot.

The JSAUX M.2 dock received’t be to everybody’s tastes, particularly should you’re simply trying to hook as much as the perfect gaming monitor. Nevertheless, should you’re trying to rework the Steam Deck into an affordable gaming PC, this SSD docking station ought to do the trick.

Learn our JSAUX M.2 Steam Deck dock assessment.

Finest curved Steam Deck dock

Syntech 6-in-1 docking station specs:

USB ports 3 x USB-A 3.0, 1 x USB-C 3.0
Energy supply 100W
HDMI port 1
Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Causes to purchase

  • Compact curved designed
  • Fairly priced
Causes to keep away from

  • Some ports could be more durable to entry
  • Barely blocks the Steam Deck fan consumption

Want a curved Steam Deck dock to suit into a little bit nook in your gaming house? Look no additional than the Synthtech 6-in-1 Steam Deck Docking Station. An possibility that’s as compact and moveable as it’s reasonably priced.

Whereas it’ll little question be the only option for a number of setups, the curved design could be a barely double-edged sword. What we imply is that as a result of the ports are on the curved facet, a few of them are simpler to entry than they’d be on an oblong counterpart, but additionally a few of them are barely extra awkward to entry.

It additionally partially obstructs the Steam Deck’s fan consumption, however apart from that, there’s little or no to critique. It has a whole lot of ports, which makes us pleased, and basically does all the identical issues because the official Steam Deck dock, and all at about half the value. It’s onerous to say no to that.

Learn our Syntech 6-in-1 Steam Deck docking station assessment.

Belkin USB-C Hub

Finest versatile Steam Deck dock

Belkin USB-C Hub specs:

USB ports 3
Energy supply 100W
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet ports Sure
Causes to purchase

  • Good wedge form to position Deck
  • Expansive IO
Causes to keep away from

  • Fairly giant
  • Constructed with laptops in thoughts

Belkin’s USB-C Hub is constructed with laptops in thoughts, however its wedge-shaped design might cater to Steam Deck desk setups. Inserting the hand-held on the dock’s rubberized floor simulates the look of an official product whereas considerably concealing any linked cables.

Talking of connectivity, Belkin’s angular dock options a formidable array of ports, together with three USB-A connections, HDMI, Displayport 1.2, and assist for each MicroSD and full-sized SD playing cards.

You would argue that whereas Belkin’s bruiser of a hub caters extra to laptops, it’s not essentially a foul factor. In spite of everything, you may need to put money into the perfect gaming laptop computer down the road and combine it together with your desktop setup.

Admittedly, should you’re simply trying to get pleasure from some Steam Deck video games at your desk, this hub is overkill, but it surely might nonetheless show you how to squeeze each drop of performance out of your new handheld PC.

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Finest official Steam Deck dock

Valve Steam Deck Docking Station specs:

USB ports 3
Energy supply 100W
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet Sure
Causes to purchase

  • Designed with Steam Deck in thoughts
  • Higher specs than alternate options
  • SteamOS firmware updates

The Valve Steam Deck Docking Station is likely one of the priciest docks we’ve tried, but it surely’s received extra going for it than you’d assume. If you happen to’re not a fan of third-party options, the official accent will ship by way of high quality and performance, and it appears like an ideal premium match for the moveable.

In contrast to different choices on the market, the Valve Steam Deck dock is product of the identical high-quality plastic as the hand-held PC itself. It additionally cradles the newborn PC with love, as refined design parts like its lip sit flush towards the moveable’s base. That’s to not say different docks by the likes of JSAUX fail on this regard, however we’d argue that the official docking station feels tailored for Valve’s system.

As well as, you’ll have the ability to simply replace the official docking station’s firmware utilizing SteamOS, slightly than having to attach it to a Home windows PC. That boon alone makes the dock really feel extra like a pure extension of the hand-held, one thing that in the end helps it really feel extra like a hybrid on par with the Nintendo Change.

If you happen to’re hung up concerning the dock’s excessive worth, it’s value noting that the bundle consists of a further USB-C charger. Whereas there’s a Jsuax mannequin that gives an identical setup for a bit much less, the additional energy adapter will prevent from disconnecting wires if you need to go adventuring together with your Deck.

Learn our Valve Steam Deck docking Station assessment.

NewQ 5-in-1 USB C Docking Station

Finest Steam Deck dock for journey

NewQ 5-in-1 USB C Docking Station specs:

USB ports 2
Energy supply 100W
HDMI port 1
Ethernet No
Causes to purchase

  • Extraordinarily compacted
  • Respectable wattage
Causes to keep away from

  • May use extra HDMI slots
  • Inputs not on one facet (seems to be messy)

The Steam Deck has been designed for gaming on the go, however what about those that prefer to journey between completely different places, and dock the system at completely different setups? Properly, if that’s you, the NewQ 5-in-1 USB C Docking Station may be the best alternative.

It’s actually compact and simple to journey with (it’d in all probability slot in most pockets) and slightly than being a big, typical ‘dock’ it’s a kickstand, which is fairly nifty. You possibly can prop your Steam Deck up with solely the tiniest little bit of house.

Whereas a whole lot of the smaller docks restrict you to lower than 100W, NewQ manages to pack a good quantity of energy into this system. Its predominant shortcoming is all the way down to it having just one HDMI port and all of the ports being on one facet (which isn’t very tidy). General, there’s little or no to say towards this unbelievable moveable dock.

Invzi Docking Station

Finest discrete Steam Deck dock

Invzi Docking Station specs:

USB ports 3
Energy supply 100W x 2, 30W x 1
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet Sure
Causes to purchase

  • Conceals cables away from desk
  • Further USB-C energy supply ports
Causes to keep away from

  • Should be plugged into an outlet
  • Costly

Docking stations normally sit proudly on prime of your workspace, and so they historically cradle your linked system. Nevertheless, the Invzi Docking Station intentionally stays away out of your desk setup by plugging straight right into a wall energy socket.

Aesthetically, this hub seems to be virtually like an enormous cellphone charger, but it surely’s outfitted with HDMI, Ethernet, and three energy supply USB-C ports. Once more, maintaining the dock away out of your desk will in the end show you how to handle cables, particularly should you’ve already received a rig dwelling in your floor.

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Invzi’s Steam Deck appropriate dock plug factor solely comes with one USB A port, so that you’ll want to make use of a further hub if you wish to hook up your keyboard and mouse. Whereas this could normally hamper desk cable administration, the truth that this system is successfully a wall plug means you’ll be able to confine it to the realm underneath your desk, one thing that ought to forestall any spaghetti monsters from reaching your floor.

How to selected the perfect Steam Deck dock

Feeling daunted by all of the choices? Listed here are some key elements to maintain in  thoughts to assist you decide:

  • Pricing: You would go all-out and get an costly possibility, just like the official dock from Valve. Nevertheless, whereas which may provide the peace of thoughts that comes from understanding you’ve received a well-optimized little bit of {hardware} that may at all times be appropriate, it’s not going to be such a good selection for anybody on a tighter funds. Lots of the cheaper choices can do all the things the official dock can do, so we included a couple of dependable funds choices too.
  • Ports: Bought a lot of equipment that you just need to have plugged in when you have your Steam Deck docked? Look out for the variety of ports. We’ve used three as a form of middle-of-the-road benchmark right here (although we’ve included a pair with two) and whereas you’ll find choices with much more, we don’t assume many individuals are going to wish greater than 4.
  • Portability: Do you journey round quite a bit and prefer to dock your Deck wherever you go? If that’s the case, you’ll desire a small, compact dock that may simply match inside your bag. In the meantime, these with a reasonably small gaming house will need to be sure that they get one thing compact that received’t muddle it an excessive amount of. We’ve tried to incorporate a pleasant number of small however highly effective docks right here.
  • Compatibility: Clearly, Valve is aware of the Steam Deck higher than every other producer. Whereas there are various third-party docks on the market on the web, a few of them may need points with Steam Decks not becoming in correctly, blocking cooling vents, and so forth. We’ve not included something with any extreme compatibility choices, and we advise you to analysis totally earlier than contemplating any third-party choices not on this checklist. They’re cheaper, however should you’re not cautious, they’ll include a special form of price.

Any extra unanswered questions? Learn the FAQs beneath:

Are you able to dock the Steam Deck like a Nintendo Change?

Sure, you’ll be able to dock the Steam Deck, and appropriate equipment work quite a bit just like the Nintendo Change docking station. Nevertheless, slightly than utilizing a connector on the backside of a cradle, Steam Deck docks function a built-in USB C cable that gives the hand-held with energy and arms it with HDMI output and USB connectivity.

Does a Steam Deck dock enhance efficiency?

No, utilizing a docking station received’t enhance Steam Deck efficiency, because it solely supplies energy, video output, and USB connectivity. You would battle to spice up fps when utilizing a monitor or a TV, as exterior shows will use a better decision than the hand-held’s built-in display screen.

Do third-party Steam Deck docks work?

Completely. In the event that they didn’t, this could have been a reasonably quick checklist! Certainly, there are a number of third-party selections that have options not seen within the Valve mannequin. Don’t get us flawed, the official mannequin is unbelievable, however we all know there are those who shall be higher off with different choices.

Not purchased your Steam Deck but? Learn our Steam Deck costs information for data on the place to get one on the least expensive worth. Our information on the perfect microSD card for Steam Deck will even be value studying if you wish to ensure you’ve received sufficient cupboard space.

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