The best Steam Deck Docks could come in really handy if you've taken the plunge on a pocket gaming PC. Unless you were one of the lucky viewers at The Game Awards back in December that got a Deck for free, chances are you don't want to burn too big a hole in your pocket. The good news is, besides the official Valve option, there are a surprising number of docks to choose from. We've listed our personal favorites below, so read on to find out.
The official Valve dock only released in late 2022, which means that third parties had plenty of time since the Steam Deck's release to bring some affordable options to market. We've included the official dock in our list below, but just be aware that it's a premium product that won't be for everyone. Keep in mind that the Steam Deck isn't the Nintendo Switch, and there are more third party alternatives at your disposal when it comes to this nifty bit of gaming hardware.
If you'd rather have one of the viable (and cheaper) third party options it's worth remembering that you'll need a USB-C docking station, not a USB-C hub, in order to turn your Steam Deck into a docked gaming PC. This is because the former allows for power delivery and charging, whereas the latter does not. In order to use your Steam Deck properly in this state, you will need a minimum of 45W power delivery through that USB-C port. Fortunately, every model in our buying guide meets this requirement, so you've got options for both budget and higher-end end in all form factors and price ranges for your consideration.
Best Steam Deck dock in 2023
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The biggest allure of the iVoler Steam Deck Dock is its design. Mimicking not only the Switch dock, but also the official Valve dock, the iVoler stand and dock holds your Steam Deck while it connects to the biggest screens in your home. Priced at only $49.99 / £39.99, it offers great value too, and also features great connectivity, including 3x USB 3.0 ports and an HDMI, along with USB-C connections for your Deck charger, and from the Deck to your dock.
It's a little cheap feeling, in terms of build quality, but when the Steam Deck is laid in it, it's rigid and stays put thanks to little rubber feet underneath. There's a little lip on the front to stop the Deck from slipping too, and although it features the iVoler logo it's discrete enough to be a classy addition to your setup.
Read more: iVoler 5in-1 Steam Deck Dock review
The Valve Steam Deck Docking Station is, simply put, the best Steam Deck dock you can buy - if you can stomach the price. There are a lot of cheaper alternatives on this list that can provide almost the same features as Valve's official option and they may be a better fit if you're not sure how much use you'll get out of connecting your Deck to the big screen.
However, you are getting the best offerings for the price with the official unit. You get three USB 3.1 ports for connecting peripherals, an HDMI 2.1 and Display Port 1.4 for your monitor / TV, and an Ethernet port to boot. Plus, it comes with another official Steam Deck charger, which definitely helps to justify the price point - as you can then leave your setup intact when you're taking your Deck on the move.
Its design is excellent for allowing your Steam Deck to be propped up while you play too, mimicking the convenience of the Nintendo Switch dock - albeit without the utter ease of compatibility when it comes to games.
Read more: Valve Steam Deck Docking Station review
For those that have a little more in their pockets to burn, the Anker 575 is a premium USB-C docking station that features all the ports and power delivery needed for your Steam Deck. Priced at $279.99 / £299.99, it's far from the cheapest option you can rig your portable PC up to, however, given that this model features everything you would typically find on rear and front I/O, the Anker justifies its asking price.
More specifically, there's 85W power delivery through USB-C, which is more than enough for stable performance from Steam Deck when docked for long periods of time. You've got 2x HDMI 2.0 ports, supporting up to 4K60, as well as DisplayPort 1.4 for as many options for hooking up to monitors / TVs as you need, too.
The Anker PowerExpand 6-in-1 keeps things simple and lightweight all in a small, slimline package for easy portability. This unit features everything you need for a Steam Deck dock setup, including 65W power delivery, Ethernet, 2x USB-A, and HDMI support, too. There's also a standalone USB-C port for data transfer as well as power delivery, too, meaning you can utilize one of the best external hard drives without having to give up that crucial slot.
Impressively enough for a USB hub of this size is that LAN port, which supports Gigabit for consistent internet connections far exceeding the stability of what WiFi can offer. This means you won't be far from a stable connection as long as you've got a lead nearby.
The biggest advantage of the Wavlink 13 in 1 Multiport USB C docking station over some others in our roundup is the inclusion of DisplayPort as well as HDMI. The former means that you can output at a maximum of 4K60, but also means that you will have far greater compatibility with monitors featuring a sharper picture quality. DisplayPort may play better with some gaming monitors in general as even an older form of the input can provide noticeable improvements over the likes of HDMI connections thanks to a far higher data bit rate.
This model also features 4x USB 3.0 ports for high-speed connections of your peripherals and any data drives that you may have to hand. Priced at $64.99 / £59.99, the Wavlink 13 in 1 Multiport is one of the more affordable options on the market and offers everything that you could need out of a Steam Deck dock ahead of the official release date.
Priced at $49.99 / £52.99, the UGreen USB C docking station features all the essential ports and video output options needed to bring the Steam Deck onto the big screen, with the one major omission being DisplayPort. Instead, you've got one HDMI 2.0 port, which will suffice for most gaming monitors with up to 4K60.
The biggest strength of the UGreen USB C docking station is the 100W power delivery which is more than enough to keep the Steam Deck juiced up for many hours without losing battery. What's more, there are 3x USB-A ports which can accommodate all your peripherals, as well as USB storage solutions, too, should you exceed the microSD capacity.
The j5create USB C Docking Station keeps things simple and straightforward with its selection of ports which are aligned in a linear fashion in a row along with the wedge-like flat design.
The sleek rubberized surface makes the j5create USB C docking station an ideal choice for propping your Steam Deck on top without fear of falling over or slipping around. Plus, with 100W power delivery, far above the minimum of 45W, you can keep gaming without having to keep an eye on your battery life.
Form factor aside, all the ports that you would hope to find for your Steam Deck are accounted for here. There are no outdated or unnecessary inputs with this device, which we would otherwise typically see with models in the $80 range. This results in a sleek hot bar of what's vital for your setup, especially the 3x USB 3.0 for all your gaming keyboard, gaming mouse, and gaming headset needs.
Best steam deck dock: FAQ
Which ports does the Steam Deck have?
The Steam Deck features a UBS C port for charging / power, as well as a 3.5mm jack, and a microSD card slot. Due to that USB C port, though, you have many options for expansion, as the above Steam Deck docks can demonstrate.
Can you dock Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck can be docked through its USB C port which is utilized by the system for charging and retaining power (keeping the unit plugged in). Because of this fact, any USB C dock with its own power supply and video out, normally above 60W, is capable of docking the handheld into a hybrid mode.
Which docks work with the Steam Deck?
Any Steam Deck dock you consider ahead of the official model's release later this year is going to need its own power (45W minimum through USB Type C), and enough ports to be able to use comfortably. Opting for a smaller hub instead of a dock may work for casting the video signal, but you may not benefit from stable performance over time. That's why in our chosen units, we've ensured that there's a suitable amount of power provided to the Steam Deck for maximum compatibility.
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