When it comes to working remotely or in a shared workspace, having a reliable and efficient way to connect your laptop to multiple devices is essential. This is where a thunderbolt 3 docking station comes in handy. But with so many options available on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at what makes a good thunderbolt 3 docking station and review some of the best options out there.

First, let's talk about power. A good docking station should have a powerful enough connection to charge your laptop and any peripherals you may be using. We tested each hub's power output by connecting it to our Macbook Pro and verifying the wattage with macOS's System Report.

Another important feature is Ethernet connectivity. A wired Ethernet connection is generally faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi, making it a great option for those who need a stable internet connection. Most of the hubs we considered support gigabit speeds, which should be fast enough for most users.

HDMI ports are also a must-have for many users. These allow you to connect an external monitor to your laptop, which is perfect for presentations or working on multiple projects at once. We tested each hub's HDMI port by connecting it to a 4K Philips monitor and verifying that the expected refresh rate was available in the system settings.

USB-A ports are also important to consider, as they provide additional connectivity options for peripherals like flash drives and printers. While USB-A ports may not transfer data as quickly as USB-C or Thunderbolt connectors, their performance is still important.

We tested each hub's USB-A speed using AJA System Test with a 1 TB OWC Envoy Pro and looked for speeds in the 400 MB/s to 800 MB/s range, which should be fast enough for everyday tasks.

In addition to these essential features, some docking stations offer extra perks like power pass-through, which allows you to charge your laptop and peripherals at the same time. Others may have unique designs or additional ports like USB-C or DisplayPort.

Ultimately, choosing the right thunderbolt 3 docking station depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a reliable and efficient way to connect your laptop to multiple devices, we recommend considering the following factors: power output, Ethernet connectivity, HDMI ports, USB-A speed, and any additional features that are important to you.

Whether you're working remotely or in a shared workspace, having a good thunderbolt 3 docking station can make all the difference in productivity and efficiency. With so many options available on the market, we hope this article has helped you make an informed decision when choosing your next docking station.

Thunderbolt 3 docking station