Buying Guide
The Best Docking Stations for 4K Monitors at 60Hz
Eight docks compared on real 4K refresh rates, display count and native versus DisplayLink output.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
10 min read8 products evaluated
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"4K support" on a dock can mean 4K at 30Hz, which feels sluggish for scrolling and moving windows, or 4K at 60Hz, which is smooth for everyday work. Check the refresh rate for each output, especially if you run two 4K monitors.
Native docks, like the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and the UGREEN, output video directly; DisplayLink docks like the WAVLINKs use software, which works with more laptops but adds processor load. Your laptop's own display support limits native docks.
Our comparison is based on published specifications, not hands-on testing.
Quick Picks
Our 8 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Native 4K Dock
Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock (TBT-UDM)
A Thunderbolt 4 certified dock with 100W charging, dual 4K or single 6K output, SD and Ethernet.
Best for: Thunderbolt and recent MacBook users who want dependable dual-display docking.
Our take Check price for Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock (TBT-UDM) (opens in a new tab)
Best for Two 4K or 5K Displays via DisplayLink
WAVLINK USB C Docking Station Dual Monitor 13-in-1
A DisplayLink dock with 130W PD rating, dual 5K/4K output, 2 HDMI, 2 DisplayPort and Ethernet.
Best for: Base M-series MacBooks that need two external monitors.
Our take Check price for WAVLINK USB C Docking Station Dual Monitor 13-in-1 (opens in a new tab)
Best DisplayLink Dock
WAVLINK Pro Dual 4K@60Hz Universal Docking Station
A universal DisplayLink dock with dual 4K at 60Hz over USB-C or USB-A.
Best for: Laptops, including many base M-series Macs, that natively support only one external display.
Our take Check price for WAVLINK Pro Dual 4K@60Hz Universal Docking Station (opens in a new tab)
Best for Many Peripherals
Anker Prime Docking Station, 14-Port
A 14-port USB-C dock with 160W total output, dual 4K and 10Gbps data.
Best for: Two monitors plus many USB devices.
Our take Check price for Anker Prime Docking Station, 14-Port (opens in a new tab)
Not for Multiple 4K Screens
Plugable USB C Triple Display Docking Station
A 100W dock with three HDMI outputs: one 4K at 30Hz and two 1080p at 60Hz.
Best for: Three 1080p monitors on one dock.
Our take Check price for Plugable USB C Triple Display Docking Station (opens in a new tab)
Best Value Dual 4K@60Hz
UGREEN 10-in-1 USB C Docking Station (Revodok Pro 210)
A 10-in-1 dock with 100W, dual 4K@60Hz HDMI, Ethernet and SD/TF reader.
Best for: An everyday desk dock on a budget.
Our take Check price for UGREEN 10-in-1 USB C Docking Station (Revodok Pro 210) (opens in a new tab)
Best Travel Hub
Anker Laptop Docking Station Dual Monitor, 8-in-1
A compact 8-in-1 USB-C hub with two HDMI, Ethernet, SD and 85W passthrough, the cheapest here.
Best for: Travel, or a one-monitor desk.
Our take Check price for Anker Laptop Docking Station Dual Monitor, 8-in-1 (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact Triple-Display Dock
Anker Nano 13-in-1 Laptop Docking Station
A 13-in-1 dock with 100W, three displays and a detachable 6-in-1 travel hub.
Best for: Desk-and-travel users who want one dock for both.
Our take Check price for Anker Nano 13-in-1 Laptop Docking Station (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Native 4K Dock1 of 8
Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock (TBT-UDM) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Plugable TBT-UDM is the dock to choose if you want certified performance: it is Thunderbolt 4 certified, supports dual 4K or a single 6K display, and charges at up to 100W.
Best for
- Thunderbolt and recent MacBook users who want dependable dual-display docking.
Skip if
- Your laptop has plain USB-C; a USB-C dock like the Anker Nano costs less.
Why we like it
It has six USB ports, an SD card slot and Ethernet, needs no drivers on Mac or Windows, and Plugable lists it for M4 and M5 MacBook Air and Pro.
It was the most expensive dock here at the time of writing, and its full bandwidth needs a Thunderbolt or USB4 port on the laptop. Like every 100W dock, it won't match the charging speed of a larger laptop's higher-wattage charger.
Key dimensions & specs
- Certification: Thunderbolt 4
- Charging: up to 100W
- Displays: dual 4K or single 6K
- Ports: 6x USB, SD, Ethernet
- Setup: driverless (Mac, Windows)
Pros
- Thunderbolt 4 certified
- Driverless on Mac and Windows
- SD and Ethernet
Cons
- Most expensive here at the time of writing
- Full bandwidth needs a Thunderbolt/USB4 port
- 100W ceiling for large laptops
Best for Two 4K or 5K Displays via DisplayLink2 of 8
WAVLINK USB C Docking Station Dual Monitor 13-in-1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The WAVLINK uses DisplayLink to drive two external displays at up to 5K or 4K at 60Hz, which WAVLINK lists as working across M1 to M4 Macs and Windows.
Best for
- Base M-series MacBooks that need two external monitors.
Skip if
- Your laptop supports multiple displays natively; the Anker Nano avoids DisplayLink for less.
Why we like it
That matters because many base M-series Macs natively support only one external display.
It has a 130W PD rating, two HDMI and two DisplayPort outputs, Gigabit Ethernet, five USB ports and audio.
DisplayLink requires driver software, adds some processor load and is less suited to color-critical work or gaming. Charging to one laptop is still subject to USB PD limits.
Key dimensions & specs
- Charging: 130W PD rating
- Displays: dual 5K/4K@60Hz via DisplayLink
- Video ports: 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort
- Ethernet: Gigabit
- USB: 5 ports
Pros
- Dual displays on Macs that support only one natively
- Many video outputs
- Ethernet
Cons
- Requires DisplayLink software
- Adds processor load
- Not for color-critical work
Best DisplayLink Dock3 of 8
WAVLINK Pro Dual 4K@60Hz Universal Docking Station on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The WAVLINK Pro is the route to two 4K monitors on laptops that can't drive them natively: it uses DisplayLink to output dual 4K at 60Hz, and connects over USB-C or USB-A, so it works with older laptops too.
Best for
- Laptops, including many base M-series Macs, that natively support only one external display.
Skip if
- You want more ports and 130W; the WAVLINK 13-in-1 adds them.
Why we like it
DisplayLink requires installing driver software, adds some processor load and is less suited to gaming or color-critical work. The listing summary doesn't state charging wattage.
Key dimensions & specs
- Displays: dual 4K@60Hz via DisplayLink
- Host: USB-C or USB-A
- Driver: DisplayLink required
Pros
- Works around native display limits
- USB-A or USB-C
- Lower price than Thunderbolt docks
Cons
- Driver required
- Processor load
- Charging not stated in summary
Best for Many Peripherals4 of 8
Anker Prime Docking Station, 14-Port on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Anker Prime puts 14 ports and 160W of total output into one dock, with dual 4K display support and 10Gbps data, suited to two monitors plus drives and peripherals on one cable.
Best for
- Two monitors plus many USB devices.
Skip if
- Your laptop supports only one native display; the WAVLINK DisplayLink dock works around that.
Why we like it
The 160W is shared across devices; standard USB-C charging to one laptop is capped at 100W. Dual display depends on your laptop's support.
Key dimensions & specs
- Ports: 14
- Total output: 160W
- Displays: dual 4K
- Data: 10Gbps
Pros
- Most ports among USB-C docks here
- Power for peripherals
- Dual 4K
Cons
- Laptop charging limited by USB PD
- Not Thunderbolt
- Large
Not for Multiple 4K Screens5 of 8
Plugable USB C Triple Display Docking Station on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Plugable triple-display dock drives three monitors while keeping 100W charging, with support for Windows, macOS and ChromeOS.
Best for
- Three 1080p monitors on one dock.
Skip if
- You want 4K at 60Hz; the UGREEN or WAVLINK docks provide it.
Why we like it
Read the display split carefully: one HDMI runs 4K at 30Hz and two run 1080p at 60Hz. It has six 5Gbps USB ports.
A 4K display at 30Hz feels less smooth when moving windows or scrolling, so this suits three modest monitors better than a 4K setup. The listing doesn't mention Ethernet.
Key dimensions & specs
- Charging: 100W
- Displays: 1x 4K@30Hz + 2x 1080p@60Hz (HDMI)
- USB: 6x 5Gbps
- OS: Windows, macOS, ChromeOS
Pros
- Three displays
- ChromeOS support listed
- Six USB ports
Cons
- 4K only at 30Hz
- Two outputs limited to 1080p
- Ethernet not listed
Best Value Dual 4K@60Hz6 of 8
UGREEN 10-in-1 USB C Docking Station (Revodok Pro 210) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The UGREEN 10-in-1 covers the everyday essentials for about $40 at the time of writing: 100W charging, dual HDMI at 4K 60Hz or a single 8K 30Hz display, Gigabit Ethernet and an SD/TF card reader.
Best for
- An everyday desk dock on a budget.
Skip if
- You need three displays; the Acer 11-in-1 supports three.
Why we like it
Its USB-C and USB-A data ports run at 5Gbps.
It is not Thunderbolt certified, and dual-display output depends on your laptop supporting it over USB-C.
Key dimensions & specs
- Charging: 100W
- Displays: dual HDMI 4K@60Hz or single 8K@30Hz
- Data: 5Gbps USB-C/A
- Ethernet: Gigabit
- Card reader: SD/TF
Pros
- Low price
- Dual 4K@60Hz
- Ethernet and card reader
Cons
- Not Thunderbolt
- 5Gbps data
- Dual display depends on your laptop
Best Travel Hub7 of 8
Anker Laptop Docking Station Dual Monitor, 8-in-1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Anker 8-in-1 is a compact hub with two HDMI ports for dual 4K displays, Gigabit Ethernet, an SD reader and 85W passthrough charging.
Best for
- Travel, or a one-monitor desk.
Skip if
- You need confirmed 4K at 60Hz; the UGREEN Revodok Pro 210 lists it for less.
Why we like it
The listing summary doesn't state the 4K refresh rate; check whether it's 60Hz or 30Hz, and on a Mac, two HDMI outputs may mirror rather than extend.
Key dimensions & specs
- Ports: 8
- Video: 2x HDMI (check Mac notes)
- Ethernet: Gigabit
- Charging: 85W passthrough
- SD slot
Pros
- Lowest price here
- Compact
- Ethernet and SD
Cons
- Dual display may mirror on macOS
- 85W
- Not Thunderbolt
Best Compact Triple-Display Dock8 of 8
Anker Nano 13-in-1 Laptop Docking Station on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Anker Nano is two products in one: a desk dock supporting three displays via two HDMI and one DisplayPort, and a detachable 6-in-1 hub you can take with you.
Best for
- Desk-and-travel users who want one dock for both.
Skip if
- You never travel with a hub; the Acer 11-in-1 offers three displays for less.
Why we like it
It has a 10Gbps USB-C port, three USB-A ports, SD/TF reader, Ethernet and audio, with 100W charging.
Triple-display support depends on your laptop and operating system, and the detachable hub is one more part to keep track of.
Key dimensions & specs
- Charging: 100W
- Displays: 3 (2x HDMI + 1x DP)
- Data: 10Gbps USB-C, 3x USB-A
- Detachable 6-in-1 hub
- SD/TF, Ethernet, audio
Pros
- Detachable travel hub
- Three displays
- 10Gbps USB-C
Cons
- Triple display depends on laptop/OS
- Extra part to lose
- Not Thunderbolt
How We Chose These Docking Stations for 4K Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- 4K output
- We compared resolution and refresh per output.
- Display route
- We noted native, Thunderbolt and DisplayLink.
- Charging and ports
- We compared power and connectivity.
- Price
- We compared prices at the time of writing.
What to Look for in a Docking Station for 4K Monitors
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Confirm 4K at 60Hz
The Plugable triple dock runs only one display at 4K 30Hz; the UGREEN, WAVLINK and Plugable Thunderbolt docks list 4K at 60Hz.
Count your 4K monitors
Dual 4K@60Hz needs enough bandwidth; Thunderbolt and DisplayLink docks handle it.
Native or DisplayLink
DisplayLink works around laptop display limits with a driver.
Match charging
85W to 130W here; compare with your laptop charger.
How to Choose a Docking Station for 4K Monitors
By setup
| Setup | Consider |
|---|---|
| Thunderbolt laptop, two 4K | Plugable TBT-UDM |
| Two 4K on a budget | UGREEN Revodok Pro 210 |
| Two 4K on a base M-series Mac | WAVLINK (DisplayLink) |
| Many peripherals | Anker Prime |
| Three displays | Anker Nano |
| Travel | Anker 8-in-1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4K at 30Hz usable?
For static content, yes, but motion and scrolling feel less smooth than at 60Hz.
Can a USB-C dock run two 4K screens at 60Hz?
Some can, like the UGREEN, if your laptop supports it.
Does DisplayLink handle 4K?
The WAVLINK docks list dual 4K at 60Hz via DisplayLink.
What about 6K or 8K?
The Plugable TBT-UDM supports a single 6K display; the UGREEN a single 8K at 30Hz.
Why won't my second 4K screen work?
Your laptop may support only one external display natively; DisplayLink can work around that.
Bottom Line
For two 4K monitors at 60Hz, the UGREEN Revodok Pro 210 is the value choice on a compatible USB-C laptop, and the Plugable TBT-UDM the certified Thunderbolt option.
If your laptop supports only one native display, the WAVLINK DisplayLink docks reach two 4K screens. Avoid the Plugable triple dock for 4K work; it runs 4K only at 30Hz.