Chromebooks are known for their lightweight and portable construction. While this makes them great travel companions, it introduces some hurdles when you’re using one at home. For instance, most Chromebooks don’t have a substantial array of ports, which can prove to be a major hurdle for those who wish to use several accessories. This is where a Chromebook docking station can help you out.
With a good docking solution, you can greatly expand your Chromebook’s versatility. You can use it to connect a mouse, a mechanical keyboard, external storage devices, multiple monitors, or all of them at once. On top of that, with some docking stations, you can even keep your Chromebook charged as long as it has a compatible USB Type-C port.
I use a Chromebook docking station when I’m working at my desk, as it lets me connect my monitor, keyboard, mouse, and hard drive to the Chromebook at all times. And it even goes a long way in keeping my setup clean. If you also want to enjoy all these benefits, you should invest in a quality docking station for your Chromebook. To help you with your purchase, I have curated a list of the best Chromebook docking stations that you can buy right now.
- The Tiergrade USB C Chromebook docking station is perfect for power users. It offers the widest selection of ports, including two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, two USB 3.0 Type-C ports, two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort port, an RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, 3.5mm headphone and mic jacks, a S/PDIF audio port and a USB 3.0 Type-C port with 60W power delivery. On top of that, the dock also includes a full-size SD card reader and a microSD card reader.
- The Baseus 16-in-1 Chromebook docking station is a cheaper alternative to the Tiergrade dock with a slightly different port selection. It includes three USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, two USB 3.0 Type-C ports, a USB type-C port with pass-through charging support, an RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, a 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack, a microSD card slot, and an SD card slot. For display connectivity, it features a VGA port and an HDMI port. Hpwever, it only supports screen mirroring for dual external displays.
- If you're not a power user and just need some basic connectivity options, then the Anker PowerExpand+ is a great option. It features two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a USB Type-C port for data, a USB Type-C port with pass-through charging support at up to 100W, an HDMI port, and an SD card reader. This will get the job done if you have basic needs, and is great for carrying around too. Afterall, Chromebooks are powerful mobile machines, and this product complements them.
- The Sabrent Chromebook docking station is a good choice for Chromebooks with a detachable keyboard as it features a stand that you can use to prop up your Chromebook when you're not using the included keyboard. In terms of ports, it offers two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, two USB Type-A 2.4A fast charging ports, an HDMI port, a DVI port, a USB 3.0 input, 3.5mm headphone and mic jacks, and a RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port.
- The Targus Chromebook docking station is a good 2-in-1 option that not only offer a decent selection of ports but also doubles up as an ergnomic stand. It includes 4 USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two DisplayPort ports, 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, a USB Type-C port with 60W pass-through charging support, a headphone/mic combo jack, and a RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port.
- For those who want an aesthetically pleasing docking station with a small form factor, the Plugable Mini Cube is a good choice. Despite its tiny footprint, it features a USB 3.0 Type-A port, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, an HDMI port, and an RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port. Sadly, it doesn't support pass-through charging, so you do get limited on that end.
- In case you own several USB Type-A accessories, the Kensignton Chrombook docking station is a good pick. It includes a total of six USB Type-A ports, with two USB 3.0 ports and four USB 2.0 ports. Additionally, it offers an RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, an HDMI port, a DVI port, and 3.5mm headphone and mic jacks.
Which Chromebook docking station will you pick? If you have a limited budget and/or can’t accommodate a large docking station on your desk, I’d recommend picking up the Anker PowerExpand+. It’s tiny, it offers a decent selection of ports, supports pass-through charging, and it even includes an SD card reader. Sadly, it offers only one HDMI out port.
So, if you’re planning on connecting two or more monitors to your Chromebook, I’d recommend the Targus USB-C Universal Dual Video docking station. Not only does it offer a good selection of video out ports, but it also doubles up as a Chromebook stand with its rubberized top finish. In case you have a Chromebook with a detachable keyboard, you can also consider getting the Sabrent Universal Docking Station, as it features a convenient stand that you can use to prop up your Chromebook without using its detachable keyboard cover.
Which Chromebook docking station is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below!
The post Best Docking Stations for Chromebooks you can get right now! appeared first on xda-developers.
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