Best Surface Pro docks and docking stations 2024
These are the best docks for Surface Pro 9 (and earlier models) that transform your device into a desktop alternative!
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•The list in brief ↴1.Best overall2.Best for gaming3.Best port versatility4.Best for business5.Best Surface Connect dock6.Best compact dock
The best docking stations for Surface Pro devices can turn your Windows 2-in-1 into the centerpiece of a productive desktop workstation. TheSurface Pro 9features Thunderbolt 4, opening it up to the best TB4 docks on the market, including the brand-new Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock, which we think is the best docking station for Surface Pro right now.
If you’re using an older Surface Pro, you can still get some great docks that add plenty of ports. We’ve rounded up the best of the best right here for all Surface Pro models.
The quick list
Best overall
Microsoft is now shipping its latest offering in its Surface Dock portfolio. Dubbed the “Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock,” this product is now slimmer, taking up less vertical space while maintaining the same footprint.
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Best for gaming
The BenQ beCreatus Dp1310 supports up to three monitors and up to two host devices. What’s more, the press of a button lets you swap between displaying one host on all three monitors or displaying one host on two monitors and the other host on the third monitor at the same time.
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Best dock with ports
the CalDigit TS4 has a wide range of ports, it charges your Pro while you work, and it’s built to last. The ribbed aluminum chassis dispels heat, is durable, and can be used horizontally or vertically with included non-slip rubber feet.
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Best dock for business
The Kensington SD5780T is another quality Thunderbolt 4 dock that we recently reviewed. Kensington pretty much combined the SD5700T and Surface-certified SD5750T to come up with this new model, adding more charging power (up to 96W), an HDMI 2.1 port, and universal compatibility.
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Best dock with Surface Connect cable
The Surface Dock 2 doesn’t hold up well to many of the overallbest docking stationson the market, but it has one trick that Surface Pro owners might want to check out. It connects via the Surface Connect port on your PC, leaving the other ports open. If you have an older Surface Pro without USB-C, this might be your saving grace.
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Best compact dock
If you’re looking for a hub that doesn’t take up much space on your desk, theCalDigit Element Hubis a top pick. When I reviewed it I found it to be a more affordable way (at least compared to high-end TB4 docks) to expand Thunderbolt 4 and USB-A connectivity.
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Best Surface Pro dock
Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Microsoft is now shipping its latest offering in its Surface Dock portfolio. Dubbed the “Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock,” this product delivers the first major design change to the Surface Dock since the original launched in 2015. The dock itself is now slimmer, taking up less vertical space while maintaining the same footprint.
Another big change with the new Surface Dock is that it now supports Thunderbolt 4, and swaps out the magnetic Surface Connect cable in favor of the more universal USB-C plug. This means it’s only compatible with PCs that have USB-C ports, which means it’s only compatible with the Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop 3, Surface Book 2, or Surface Go 1 and up.
The Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock supports 96W passthrough charging, and can drive dual 4K monitors at 60Hz. On the front of the dock is a USB-A and USB-C port, and around the back you’ll find two more USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, an ethernet jack, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Kensington lock.
Overall, we think the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock is the best dock on the market for Surface PCs with USB-C ports, as it offers excellent versatility and expandability due to its many ports. Plus, for $299 it’s relatively affordable for a Thunderbolt 4 capable docking solution.
Best Surface Pro dock for gaming
BenQ beCreatus DP1310 Docking Station
Our expert review:
There are dozens of docking stations on the market today, but I’ve learned through myBenQ beCreatus DP1310 review, that this one truly stands out from competitors. It supports up to three monitors while also supporting up to two hosts —at the same time —all while in an attractive, slim form factor.
Why would you want this kind of setup? Well, it’s perfect for turning your work computer into a gaming station. For instance, I connected the DP1310 to my work computer via HDMI and myROG Allygaming handheld via USB-C cable. With the press of the green button, I determined whether my computer displayed on all three connected monitors or if my ROG Ally simultaneously displayed on one of the three monitors. That way, I could jump between interacting with my computer and interacting with mygaming handheld.
The DP1310 offers 4K at 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz so you can get very nice motion clarity from your host devices. As far as ports go, the backside features a USB-C In PD 100W, an HDMI 2.1 Out 1, an HDMI 2.1 In, an HDMI 2.0 Out2, a DisplayPort 1.2 Out 3, an RJ45, a USB-A 10Gbps and two USB-A 480Mbps. Meanwhile, the front offers more connections for your various accessories including a 3.5mm audio, a USB-C PD 36W and two USB-A 7.5W ports. That should be more than enough connections to get you all sorted.
Best Surface Pro dock with ports
CalDigit TS4
TheSurface Pro 8finally addedThunderbolt 4ports, opening the Surface line up to a bunch of new docks. The new ports carried over to the Surface Pro 9 as well. As it stands now, the CalDigit TS4 is a close runner up to best dock for the newer Surface Pro models. It has a wide range of ports, it charges your Pro while you work, and it’s built to last.
The ribbed aluminum chassis dispels heat, is durable, and can be used horizontally or vertically with included non-slip rubber feet. The dock can power a single 8K display at a 60Hz refresh rate, or dual 4K displays each at 60Hz.
In ourCalDigit TS4 review, we noted that the TS4’s 18 total ports offer the best connectivity of any dock currently on the market. It comes packed with three Thunderbolt 4 ports (one for the host), three USB-C (10Gbps), five USB-A (10Gbps), DisplayPort 1.4, 2.5 GbE, 3.5mm combo in/out, 3.5mm out, 3.5mm in, and UHS-II SD and microSD card readers that can be used simultaneously.
When the dock is attached to your PC, it offers up to 98W of charging power to keep your battery topped up. This dock is expensive and can be hard to find due to its popularity, but it’s one of thebest Thunderbolt 4 docks on the market and will set you up nicely for the future.
Best business Surface Pro dock
Kensington SD5780T
TheKensington SD5780Tis another quality Thunderbolt 4 dock that I recently reviewed. Kensington pretty much combined the SD5700T and Surface-certified SD5750T to come up with this new model, adding more charging power (up to 96W), an HDMI 2.1 port, and universal compatibility.
The aluminum shell gives way to plastic faceplates, and the dock works in a horizontal orientation. The build quality isn’t quite as high as our top pick due to the plastic, but it’s still a quality dock. It comes with a three-year warranty, and you can buy separate mounting accessories to get it off your desk.
The dock offers two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, four USB-A (10Gbps), 3.5mm audio, and a UHS-II SD card reader. As for charging, the dock can deliver up to 96W of power back to the host Pro 8 or Pro 9. Display support includes dual 4K at a 60Hz refresh rate.
Best Surface Pro dock with Connect
Surface Dock 2
The Surface Dock 2 doesn’t hold up well to many of the overallbest docking stationson the market, but it has one trick that Surface Pro owners might want to check out. It connects via the Surface Connect port on your PC, leaving the other ports open. If you have an older Surface Pro without USB-C, this might be your saving grace.
TheSurface Dock 2has four total USB-C ports (two in the front and two in the back), two USB-A 3.2, Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, and a lock slot for a bit of extra security. The dock’s black finish looks good on a desk, and the long cable that connects to your Surface Pro means you can position it anywhere on your desk.
Using the two USB-C ports on the back, the Surface Dock 2 can handle outputting to two external 4K monitors, creating a true workstation set up. Its biggest weak point is the price, often coming in at above $200 which we don’t think is worth it. If you can find it on sale for closer to $150, that’s a much better get.
Best compact Surface Pro dock
CalDigit Element Hub
If you’re looking for a hub that doesn’t take up much space on your desk, theCalDigit Element Hubis a top pick. When I reviewed it I found it to be a more affordable way (at least compared to high-end TB4 docks) to expand Thunderbolt 4 and USB-A connectivity.
The Element Hub has three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports as well as four USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2) ports with 10Gbps transfer speeds. If you’re working with modern accessories, that might be all the ports you need.
You still get dual 4K display support with up to a 60Hz refresh rate, and there’s up to 60W charging power to the Pro 8. The dock is very small and might look good for traveling, but note that you will have to lug around the sizable AC adapter.
Bottom line
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The best Surface Pro docks and docking stations have now moved on to Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. For the latest device, I recommend checking out the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock. It has a good selection of ports, 96W charging passthrough, and a contemporary design. The Kensington SD5780T is a great alternative if you can’t get your hands on our top pick or if you want lock slots and bracket mounting options.
For older Surface Pro models, the Surface Dock 2 can take advantage of the PC’s Surface Connect port. And if you’d like a hub that adds USB-A, Thunderbolt 4, and not much else, the CalDigit Element Hub is a more affordable alternative to the big docks in this roundup.
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Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads
