Funviralpark Small docks like Plugable’s 7-in-1 are compact and affordable docking solutions.
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A small USB-C dock is essential. Because you can extend the capabilities of the latest laptops without spending hundreds of dollars. Here are some of the best at low cost.
Larger Thunderbolt docks cost over $300 depending on the brand, with the average model well over $200. Due to the high cost, users who are not traveling or looking for bulky products will love how affordable, compact and functional these small USB-C docks are.
These select few docks prove that not all small docks fall short. Instead, they match many larger docks, offering great performance at an affordable price.
Here are some of our favorites for travel and desk use.
OWC USB-C Travel Dock E
Starting our best USB-C small dock list is the OWC USB-C Travel Dock E. This palm-sized dock has an aluminum case that matches the elegant look of your MacBook Pro.
OWC’s Travel Dock E is a compact and affordable mini dock solution.
The OWC Travel Dock E features USB-C passthrough up to 100W, so you can power your laptop without sacrificing accessory functionality. Travel Dock E also has two USB-A ports in addition to one USB-C port.
Photo and video editors will love the SD card reader with transfer speeds up to 312MB/s. The single HDMI port has he 4K capability with a 60 Hz refresh rate for high quality video or gaming graphics.
Completing the Travel Dock E’s ports is a standard Gigabit Ethernet port for high-speed internet connectivity. The package is $65 and sits in the middle of the pack.
Genkiko Bardock
The Genki Covert Dock is popular with Nintendo Switch gamers due to its USB-C to HDMI display options, offering many alternatives to traditional console docks.
The Genki Covert Dock is small but powerful, a gamer’s delight.
The Genki Covert Dock is a stealth dock and charger that only has 3 ports, but proves it can handle a wide range of small devices. Extremely compact, 22% smaller than the original Nintendo Switch charger.
Covert Dock’s three ports are an HDMI display port, a standard USB-A port, and a USB-C port with a 30W gallium nitride supercharger for fast charging.
Genki’s Covert Dock comes in standard or global versions and comes with a power adapter that fits plugs in over 150 countries. The Global Edition costs $75, just $5 more than the standard version, so it makes sense to upgrade.
Pluggable 7-in-1 USB-C hub
Plugable’s 7-in-1 USB-C hub proves that USB-C is the right bridge to the Thunderbolt platform. Its universal compatibility makes it a must-have for working professionals who switch between laptop operating systems.
Plugable’s 7-in-1 is a capable bridge between USB-C and Thunderbolt.
As the name suggests, Plugable’s 7-in-1 USB-C hub has 7 ports with 87W passthrough capability. What sets it apart from other small docks is its 3 USB-A ports, more than the competition, each supporting data transfer speeds of up to 5 GB/s.
Another great feature of 7-in-1 hubs is the simultaneous ports feature. While other smaller docks can only use one port at a time, Plugable’s solution allows access to multiple ports at once.
Multiple available ports come in handy with a 4K HDMI video output port supporting refresh rates up to 30Hz. Its compact size is another great selling point, but at $30, the Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C Hub sells itself.
IOGear Dock Pro 6-in-1 4K Dock Stand
IOGear sells a unique small dock that holds your laptop and folds into a compact package for easy portability.
IOGear’s Dock Stand is a unique small docking solution that holds your MacBook.
The IOGear Dock Pro 6-in-1 4K Dock Stand is a sturdy platform with a built-in 6-port dock. Supports 2 USB-A ports and 2 USB-C ports with transfer speeds up to 5GB/s. After powering the dock, the 100W pass-through power drops to 88W for the remaining accessories.
IOGear’s dock stand is adjustable with 5 locking gears from 15 degrees to 36 degrees to help you find the perfect viewing angle. Plus, the cable wrapping system hides the cords when the dock is not in use.
The dock also supports a 4K HDMI port with 30Hz refresh rate and a Gigabit Ethernet port for high-speed internet. IOGear’s Dock Stand is a little more expensive at $60, but with so many features, we think it’s worth it.
Kensington G1000P USB-C Mini Dock
Sleek compactness is the perfect word to describe this palm-sized mini dock from Kensington. The G1000P mini dock supports universal compatibility, including Chromebooks, making it an attractive option for multi-device users.
Kensington’s G1000P is a portable powerhouse.
The G1000P USB-C Mini Dock puts 5 ports to good use with 2 USB-A ports and 1 USB-C port supporting 85W pass-through power. An optional adapter can increase the power through to 100W.
In addition to the Gigabit Ethernet port, the Kensington Mini Dock supports 4K HDMI displays with refresh rates up to 60Hz. Kensington sells his G1000P for his $80, which is a little pricey, but you really pay for the name.
Targus USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Docking Station
Hardcore video editors and gamers tend to shy away from small docks due to lack of HDMI support. Targus breaks that trend with its dual HDMI 4K docking station.
Targus’ Dual HDMI 4K mini dock offers multi-display support.
Targus’ USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Docking Station has 8 ports to power even the most extreme users. Dual HDMI 4K refers to twin display ports supporting 60Hz refresh rates instead of the standard single port.
Supports pass-through power up to 100W and 92W once the dock is powered on, enough for accessories. It also features two USB-A ports, one he serves as a 1.5A fast charging outlet.
Not content with two display ports to make the dock a powerhouse, Targus added SD and MicroSD card slots for video editors. All other features mask the USB-C and Gigabit Ethernet ports that complete the function.
The Targus Docking Station is the most expensive, retailing at $105, but its packed feature set rivals more extensive docking solutions.
Kensington SD1600P USB-C Mobile Dock
Kensington’s second product, the SD1600P USB-C mobile dock, features a unique video output configuration with one 4K HMDI port and one VGA Full HD port.
A VGA display port sets the SD1600P apart from the competition.
The SD1600P also provides users with two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. It can be disconnected from your computer and act as a low-power USB charging station, so you can throw away your extra charger.
USB-C allows 60W pass-through charging. 60W is enough for most demands, but not enough for a MacBook Pro 16″ or equivalent. And like other mini docks, the SD1600P supports Gigabit Ethernet cables.
Kensington made the SD1600P compact and easy to carry with an 8-inch hidden cable system that makes managing the package easy. The SD1600P is $105 more expensive than his G1000P, but the VGA port and cable management features make it worth the extra price.
