Buying Guide
The Best Docking Stations for Two Laptops on One Desk
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
10 min read8 products evaluated
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If a work laptop and a personal laptop share one desk, a KVM dock lets both use the same monitors, keyboard and mouse, switching between them without replugging. The key numbers are charging per laptop (60W to 100W here), how many monitors it drives and at what resolution, and whether it accepts USB-C only or also HDMI and DisplayPort inputs.
Four products are all-in-one KVM docks. The other four are standard single-laptop docks, included for a different approach: pairing a full-featured dock with a separate KVM switch, or giving each laptop its own dock. They are marked as such.
Our comparison is based on published specifications and price position, not hands-on testing. Prices range from about $160 to $228 at the time of writing.
Quick Picks
Our 8 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
KVM Dock With MST
AV Access KVM Switch Dock 2 Monitors 2 Laptops (2 USB-C MST)
An AV Access KVM dock with two USB-C MST inputs, dual HDMI 4K and 60W per laptop.
Best for: Two ultrabooks sharing dual monitors.
Our take Check price for AV Access KVM Switch Dock 2 Monitors 2 Laptops (2 USB-C MST) (opens in a new tab)
Best KVM Dock
AV Access Docking Station KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Laptops (100W PD)
An AV Access KVM dock for two laptops with 100W to each and dual 4K monitors.
Best for: Most two-laptop desks.
Our take Check price for AV Access Docking Station KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Laptops (100W PD) (opens in a new tab)
Best for Laptop Plus Desktop
AV Access 8K KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers for Laptop & Desktop
An 8K-capable KVM for a laptop and a desktop, with Gigabit Ethernet and hotkey switching.
Best for: A work laptop and a home desktop.
Our take Check price for AV Access 8K KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers for Laptop & Desktop (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget KVM Dock
KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers Docking Station (13-in-1, 100W PD)
A 13-in-1 KVM dock with 100W, dual 4K 60Hz or single 4K 120Hz, and HDMI/DP inputs.
Best for: Budget two-machine desks, including high-refresh single monitors.
Our take Check price for KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers Docking Station (13-in-1, 100W PD) (opens in a new tab)
Single-Laptop Dock (Pair With a Switch)
Anker Prime Docking Station, 14-Port with 160W Max Output
Anker's 14-port, 160W dock, for use with a separate KVM switch.
Best for: One laptop's permanent dock in a two-laptop setup.
Our take Check price for Anker Prime Docking Station, 14-Port with 160W Max Output (opens in a new tab)
Single-Laptop Dock: Triple Display
Anker Prime Docking Station (DL7400), 14-Port Triple Display with DisplayLink
Anker's DisplayLink dock for three 4K monitors on one laptop.
Best for: A primary laptop that needs three screens.
Our take Check price for Anker Prime Docking Station (DL7400), 14-Port Triple Display with DisplayLink (opens in a new tab)
Single-Laptop Dock: Thunderbolt
Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock for M4/M5 MacBook Air & Pro
Plugable's certified Thunderbolt 4 dock for one Mac or Windows laptop.
Best for: A Mac in a Mac-plus-Windows desk.
Our take Check price for Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock for M4/M5 MacBook Air & Pro (opens in a new tab)
Single-Laptop Dock: Dell
Dell Pro Thunderbolt 4 Smart Dock SD25TB4
Dell's SD25TB4 Thunderbolt 4 smart dock with up to four displays, 130W and 2.5GbE.
Best for: A Dell work laptop alongside another machine.
Our take Check price for Dell Pro Thunderbolt 4 Smart Dock SD25TB4 (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
KVM Dock With MST1 of 8
AV Access KVM Switch Dock 2 Monitors 2 Laptops (2 USB-C MST) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This AV Access KVM dock connects two laptops through USB-C MST inputs to dual HDMI 4K monitors, sharing keyboard and mouse, with gigabit Ethernet and EDID emulation to keep displays detected when switching.
Best for
- Two ultrabooks sharing dual monitors.
Skip if
- Either laptop needs more than 60W; the 100W AV Access suits it.
Why we like it
Each laptop gets 60W, enough for many ultrabooks but not for higher-power laptops. It costs about $208 at the time of writing, more than the 100W AV Access model.
Key dimensions & specs
- Inputs: 2 x USB-C (MST)
- Outputs: 2 x HDMI 4K
- Charging: 60W per laptop
- Gigabit Ethernet, EDID emulation
Pros
- MST dual display
- EDID emulation
Cons
- 60W per laptop
- Costs more than the 100W model
Best KVM Dock2 of 8
AV Access Docking Station KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Laptops (100W PD) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 100W AV Access KVM dock is the sensible default: it shares two 4K monitors, keyboard and mouse between two laptops and supplies up to 100W to each, with gigabit Ethernet and EDID emulation.
Best for
- Most two-laptop desks.
Skip if
- You need 4K 120Hz; the 13-in-1 KVM lists it.
Why we like it
It costs about $170 at the time of writing, less than the 60W MST model.
Key dimensions & specs
- 2 laptop inputs, dual-monitor KVM
- Charging: 100W per laptop
- Gigabit Ethernet
- EDID emulation
- 4K support
Pros
- 100W per laptop
- Lower price than the MST model
Cons
- Refresh rate not stated
Best for Laptop Plus Desktop3 of 8
AV Access 8K KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers for Laptop & Desktop on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This AV Access KVM suits a laptop and a desktop tower sharing one monitor setup, keyboard and mouse, with 8K-capable signal support, Gigabit Ethernet and hotkey switching.
Best for
- A work laptop and a home desktop.
Skip if
- Both machines are laptops that need charging; the 100W AV Access suits that.
Why we like it
The listing does not state charging wattage for the laptop, and it costs about $213 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- 2-computer KVM (laptop or desktop)
- 8K-capable signal
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Hotkey switching
Pros
- Works with a desktop
- Hotkey switching
Cons
- Laptop charging not stated
Best Budget KVM Dock4 of 8
KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers Docking Station (13-in-1, 100W PD) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This 13-in-1 KVM dock is the lowest-priced all-in-one option at about $160 at the time of writing, listing 100W, dual 4K 60Hz or single 4K 120Hz output, and USB-C plus HDMI and DisplayPort inputs for mixed machines.
Best for
- Budget two-machine desks, including high-refresh single monitors.
Skip if
- You want an established brand; the AV Access models are branded.
Why we like it
The aluminum case is plug-and-play. The brand is not named in the listing.
Key dimensions & specs
- 13-in-1, aluminum
- Charging: 100W
- Dual 4K 60Hz or single 4K 120Hz
- Inputs: USB-C, HDMI, DP
Pros
- Lowest price
- 4K 120Hz option
- Flexible inputs
Cons
- Unbranded
Single-Laptop Dock (Pair With a Switch)5 of 8
Anker Prime Docking Station, 14-Port with 160W Max Output on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Anker Prime is a single-laptop dock, not a KVM: 14 ports, 160W, dual 4K and 10Gbps data.
Best for
- One laptop's permanent dock in a two-laptop setup.
Skip if
- You want one box for both laptops; choose a KVM dock.
Why we like it
It is included for setups that pair a full-featured dock with a separate KVM switch, or give one laptop its own dock.
It costs about $170 at the time of writing, before the cost of a switch.
Key dimensions & specs
- Single-host dock
- Ports: 14
- Output: 160W
- Dual 4K
- 10Gbps data
Pros
- Full port set
- High power
Cons
- Not a KVM
- Needs a separate switch for two laptops
Single-Laptop Dock: Triple Display6 of 8
Anker Prime Docking Station (DL7400), 14-Port Triple Display with DisplayLink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Anker Prime DL7400 is a single-laptop DisplayLink dock for three 4K 60Hz monitors with 140W output and a cooling fan.
Best for
- A primary laptop that needs three screens.
Skip if
- You need switching; choose a KVM dock.
Why we like it
It does not switch between laptops.
It suits a desk where the main laptop needs three monitors and a second laptop is connected separately. It costs about $228 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Single-host DisplayLink dock
- Displays: 3 x 4K 60Hz
- Output: 140W
- Cooling fan
Pros
- Three monitors
Cons
- Not a KVM
- DisplayLink driver
Single-Laptop Dock: Thunderbolt7 of 8
Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock for M4/M5 MacBook Air & Pro on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Plugable TBT-UDM is a single-laptop Thunderbolt 4 dock: driverless, 100W charging, dual 4K or single 6K, six USB ports, SD and Ethernet.
Best for
- A Mac in a Mac-plus-Windows desk.
Skip if
- You want one dock for both laptops.
Why we like it
In a two-laptop setup it can serve as one machine's dock, typically a MacBook, while the other uses its own. It is not a KVM.
Key dimensions & specs
- Single-host Thunderbolt 4
- Charging: 100W
- Dual 4K or single 6K
- USB: 6; SD; Ethernet
Pros
- Certified, driverless
Cons
- Not a KVM
Single-Laptop Dock: Dell8 of 8
Dell Pro Thunderbolt 4 Smart Dock SD25TB4 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Dell SD25TB4 is a single-laptop Thunderbolt 4 dock with up to four displays, 130W charging (full rate on Dell laptops), 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Best for
- A Dell work laptop alongside another machine.
Skip if
- You want switching in one box.
Why we like it
It suits the Dell work laptop in a two-laptop desk; it is not a KVM.
Key dimensions & specs
- Single-host Thunderbolt 4
- Up to 4 displays
- Charging: 130W (full rate on Dell)
- 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi
Pros
- Four displays
- Dell integration
Cons
- Not a KVM
- Expensive
How We Chose These Docks for Two Laptops
Each pick was assessed across 3 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Switching
- We separated KVM docks from single-laptop docks.
- Power and displays
- We recorded charging per laptop and display modes.
- Price position
- Prices change often, so we treat them as relative position.
What to Look for in a Dock for Two Laptops
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
All-in-one KVM or separate docks
A KVM dock shares monitors and peripherals in one box; separate docks plus a switch offer full specs per laptop at higher cost.
Charging per laptop
60W (AV Access MST) to 100W (AV Access 100W, 13-in-1). Match each laptop's charger.
Display output
Dual 4K is typical; the 13-in-1 adds single 4K 120Hz.
Inputs
USB-C only, or also HDMI/DP for older machines and desktops.
How to Choose a Dock for Two Laptops
By setup
| Setup | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Two laptops, most desks | AV Access 100W | 100W each |
| Budget, high refresh | 13-in-1 KVM | 4K 120Hz option |
| Laptop plus desktop | AV Access 8K | Desktop-friendly |
| Separate docks | Anker Prime, Plugable, Dell SD25TB4 | Full specs per laptop |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change frequently; these tiers reflect typical prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Products |
|---|---|
| About $160–$170 | 13-in-1 KVM, AV Access 100W, Anker Prime |
| About $200–$228 | Plugable, AV Access MST, AV Access 8K, Dell SD25TB4, Anker DL7400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a KVM dock?
A dock that lets two computers share the same monitors, keyboard and mouse, switching between them.
Will both laptops charge?
KVM docks here supply 60W or 100W to each laptop. Check against each charger.
Can I use two normal docks instead?
Yes, with a separate KVM switch or by moving cables; it costs more but gives each laptop a full-featured dock.
Bottom Line
For most two-laptop desks, the AV Access 100W KVM dock is the sensible choice, and the 13-in-1 KVM is the budget option with a 4K 120Hz mode. The AV Access 8K suits a laptop-plus-desktop pairing.
The Anker, Plugable and Dell docks are single-laptop docks, worth considering only if you prefer a full dock per machine.