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Best Steam Deck dock – top USB-C hub options

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Jan
09
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The best Steam Deck dock can transform the handheld into a hybrid gaming PC, whether you’re looking for a desktop replacement, a console alternative, or just a fancy way to charge your device in style. Valve’s official accessory is finally available after a lengthy wait, but its price point is a tough swallow when there are plenty of USB-C hubs out there that play nice with the portable powerhouse.

Whether you’re looking to create a Steam Deck TV experience or you require a dinky desktop replacement, the best Steam Deck dock could transform how you use the portable device. Arming the handheld with a keyboard and mouse essentially enables it to fill in as an entry-level gaming PC, and connecting it to an external monitor allows its 1080p abilities to flourish.

There’s a variety of dock options on the market, but it’s important to pick one that best suits the device. Some options out there are designed with laptops in mind, meaning they won’t necessarily deliver power to the handheld or include support for its 45W charger. Most don’t include the stand, either, leaving your Steam Deck lying on your gaming desk face up rather than propped up and pointing at you.

You can now buy Valve’s own docking station without any waiting time, but it’s quite a bit pricier than the alternatives we list here. Valve could potentially make it cheaper with a little adjustment, but third-party USB-C hubs from JSAUX, Anker, Lenovo, and Belkin might even be better, let alone cheaper.

Here are the best Steam Deck docks:

Best Steam Deck dock: Jsaux docking station with Valve's machine balanced on top of it

1. Jsaux Steam Deck dock

The best Steam Deck dock is the Jsaux Steam Deck dock.
Expect to pay $39.99 USD / £39.99 GBP.

Jsaux Steam Deck dock
USB ports  2
Power Delivery 100W
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet Yes

Pros

  • Designed with Steam Deck in mind
  • 4K 60fps
  • 100W Power Delivery

Cons

  • Would benefit from extra USB ports
  • Questionable Ethernet placement

Few Deck docks actually cradle Valve’s baby gaming PC, which is where Jsaux’s flattering imitation of the official version shines. Its solid metal construction and gunmetal finish help provide a premium feel, and it’ll blend in perfectly with minimalist desk setups.

It might essentially mimic Valve’s official Steam Deck dock, but we are quite impressed with the company getting its foot in the door ahead of Valve  – not to mention it commands a much lower asking price.

Equipped with HDMI, two USB A ports, and Ethernet, the Jsaux dock makes transforming the handheld into a gaming PC easy. 100W power delivery also means keeping the portable powerhouse charged while providing your gaming keyboard and external SSD with juice.

Check out our Jsuax Steam Deck dock review for our impressions, verdict, and score.

 

Steam Deck dock: Anker USB-C hub on white backdrop

2. Anker USB-C hub

The best cheap Steam Deck dock is the Anker USB-C Hub
Expect to pay £129.99 USD / £119 GBP.

 Anker USB C Hub specs
USB ports  3
Power Delivery 100W
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet No

Pros

  • Three USB ports
  • 100W power delivery

Cons

  • Design hinders cable management
  • No Ethernet

Anker’s USB-C Hub is cheap, but it holds up against the top Steam Deck docks on the market. This option crams two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, and an SD card slot into a wallet-sized device, and it even includes Power Delivery 3.0 support.

Sadly, the Anker USB-C hub lacks Ethernet, so you’ll have to make do with Steam Deck Wi-Fi. Not exactly a deal breaker, but if you rely on wires to get online, you may have to come up with a workaround.

Despite its size, Anker’s ant-sized solution boasts power delivery, and it’ll provide 100W to connected devices. Just like Jsuax’s dock, you’ll have to either use the power adapter included with the Deck or buy another, providing you don’t already have one stowed away.

Valve’s official version costs a lot more than this cheap and cheerful alternative, and Anker’s hub will play nice with other USB-C devices. That said, its dongle design might bother enthusiasts that prioritise desk cable management, especially since its short USB-C cables make it harder to tuck away out of sight.

Top view of Jsuax Steam Deck dock with M.2 cover in view

3. Jsaux M.2 Steam Deck dock

The best SSD Steam Deck dock is the Jsaux M.2 Steam Deck dock
Expect to pay $129.99 USD / £119 GBP.

Jsaux M.2 Steam Deck dock
USB ports  2
Power Delivery 100W
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet Yes

Pros

  • Pricey compared to basic model
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • Impressive SSD abilities

Cons

  • Ethernet port is still on the side
  • SSD support isn’t plug-and-play

The Jsaux M.2 dock is a souped-up version of the company’s original accessory, as it boasts built-in NVMe SSD support. While you’ll need to pay substantially more for the new dock’s solid-state superpowers, this heavy hitter hub actually only costs $40 USB more than the official Valve version.

Sure, you could just either buy the best Steam Deck SD card or pair the portable with an external drive, but Jsaux’s all-in-one solution helps the handheld feel like a proper desktop PC. Being able to access up to 4TB of storage by simply plugging in the dock is an undeniable boon, and it’ll save you from endlessly deleting and redownloading Steam games.

Of course, the Jsaux isn’t just a best external SSD contender, as it provides the portable with 4K HDMI output, Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, and two USB ports. Admittedly, an extra USB port would go a long way, but that’s forgivable this time around given the dock’s built-in SSD slot.

The Jsaux M.2 dock won’t be to everyone’s tastes, especially if you’re just looking to hook up to the best gaming monitor. However, if you’re looking to transform the Steam Deck into a cheap gaming PC, this SSD docking station should do the trick.

Check out our Jsaux M.2 Steam Deck dock review for our full verdict and score.

Best Steam Deck dock: Belkin USB-C hub against a white background4. Belkin USB-C hub

The best versatile Steam Deck dock is the Belkin USB-C Hub
Expect to pay $96.99 USD / £99 GPB.

Belkin USB C Hub specs
USB ports  3
Power Delivery 100W
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet Yes

Pros

  • Nice wedge shape to place Deck
  • Expansive IO

Cons

  • Quite large
  • Built with laptops in mind

Belkin’s USB-C Hub is clearly built with laptops in mind, but its wedge-shaped design could cater to Steam Deck desk setups. Placing the chonky handheld on the dock’s rubberised surface simulates the look of an official product while somewhat concealing any connected cables.

Speaking of connectivity, Belkin’s angular dock features packs an impressive array of ports, including three USB-A connections, HDMI, Displayport 1.2, and support for both MicroSD and full-sized SD cards.

You could argue that while Belkin’s bruiser of a hub caters more to laptops, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. After all, you might want to invest in the best gaming laptop down the line and integrate it with your desktop setup.

Admittedly, if you’re just looking to enjoy some Steam Deck games at your desk, this hub is overkill, but it could still help you squeeze every drop of functionality out of your new handheld PC.

Steam Deck dock: Anker USB C hub adapter on white backdrop

5. Anker USB-C Hub Adapter

The best Steam Deck dock for travel is the Anker USB-C Hub Adapter.
Expect to pay $59.99 USD / £50 GBP.

Anker USB C hub adapter specs
USB ports  3
Power Delivery 65W
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet Yes

Pros

  • Extremely compacted
  • Includes three USB ports

Cons

  • Power delivery capped at 65W
  • Inputs not on one side (looks messy)

Anker’s USB-C Hub Adapter blurs the line between dongle and dock, but its compact size doesn’t completely compromise its functionality.

It might take up as much room as a chocolate bar, but it boasts three USB 3.0 ports paired with HDMI, and Ethernet, providing you with everything you need to use the Steam Deck with other devices. The dinky dongle even features Power Delivery, so you won’t have to rely on the Steam Deck’s built-in battery.

the biggest drawback with Anker’s tiny hub is connectivity, as it trades all but one full-sized USB for USB-C. This won’t be a problem for everyone, especially if you’ve already switched to the new port, but having to fetch adapters for older peripherals is potentially too much of a faff.

You’re going to want to use Anker’s travel-sized hub with a cradle, unless you’re planning to use it like a chonky controller that connects to your TV.  Naturally, this will means parting with even more hard-earned pennies, but it’ll help improve your experience tenfold while venturing away from your gaming PC setup. 

Steam, Deck dock: Invzi USB C dock on white backdrop

6. Invzi Docking Station

The best discrete Steam Deck dock is the Invzi Docking Station
Expect to pay $139.99 USD / £121 GBP.

Anker USB C hub adapter specs
USB ports  3
Power Delivery 100w x 2, 30w x 1
HDMI ports 1
Ethernet Yes

Pros

  • Conceals cables away from desk
  • Extra USB-C power delivery ports

Cons

  • Need to be plugged into an outlet
  • Expensive

Docking stations usually sit proudly on top of your workspace, and they traditionally cradle your connected device. However, the Invzi Docking Station deliberately stays away from your desk setup by plugging straight into a wall power socket.

Aesthetically, this hub looks almost like a big phone charger, but it’s actually equipped with HDMI, Ethernet, and three power delivery USB-C ports. Again, keeping the dock away from your desk will ultimately help you manage cables, especially if you’ve already got a rig living on your surface.

Invzi’s Steam Deck compatible dock plug thing only comes with one USB A port, so you’ll need to use an additional hub if you want to hook up your keyboard and mouse. While this would usually hamper desk cable management, the fact that this device is effectively a wall plug means you can confine it to the realm under your desk, something that should prevent any spaghetti monsters from reaching your surface.

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