[Updated 2020/07/16 with more product info]

As a follow-up to previous USB-C articles, I’ve collected information on docking stations that can deliver the maximum 100W power to premium laptops per the USB-C specifications. In addition to the power delivery requirement, the following are minimum capabilities that most customers want in a dock:

Works with non-Thunderbolt-3 (TB3) laptops (TB3-specific docks will not yield full functionality on USB-C laptops) Includes a power supply >100W. Some power is needed to run the dock itself and power the USB ports… Two or more simultaneous and distinct monitor outputs with at least one output capable of 4K resolution DP Alt mode preferred (DisplayLink is less desirable due to 3-6 frame lag/latency) Gigabit Ethernet 3.5mm audio (4 conductor TRRS for stereo out plus mic in or 2x TRS for separate mic/headphone) Two or more full size USB 3.x ports at 5GB/s+

100W-Class USB-C Desktop Docks

HP Dock G5 ($185)

up to 100W power delivery

2 DisplayPort + 1 HDMI output DP 1.4 + DSC capable (2x 4K60 on compatible laptops)

4x USB A + 1 USB-C downstream port (15W)

Replaceable USB-C Laptop->Dock cable (screwdriver required to release cable)

Firmware upgradable

up to 100W power delivery

2 simultaneous monitor outputs (2 DisplayPort + 1 VGA output) DP 1.2 for 2x 1080p60 or 1x 4K30

3x USB A + 1 USB-C downstream port (15W)

Replaceable USB-C Laptop->Dock cable (screwdriver required to release cable)

Firmware upgradable

Modular to attach additional accessories like speakers.

Startech DK30CH2DEP (~$240)

up to 100W power delivery

3 simultaneous monitor outputs (2 DisplayPort + 1 HDMI output) 2x 4K60 via DisplayPort driven by DisplayLink chipset (not suitable for gaming) 1x 4K30 via HDMI (driven by DP Alt mode)

3x USB A + 1 USB-C downstream port (15W)

Removable USB-C Laptop->Dock cable

Firmware upgradable

Dell WD19 (with 180W power supply) (~$160)

up to 100W power delivery

2 simultaneous monitor outputs (2 DisplayPort + 1 HDMI + 1 USB-C) 2x 1080p60 or 1x 4k60 (driven by DP Alt mode)

3x USB A + 1 USB-C downstream port (15W)

Gigabit Ethernet + 3.5mm combo audio jack

Removable USB-C Laptop->Dock cable

Targus USB-C QV4K Quad 4k @60Hz (DOCK570USZ) (~$400)

up to 100W power delivery

4 simultaneous monitor outputs (4x DisplayPort + 4x HDMI) 4x 4K60 driven by DisplayLink chipset (not suitable for gaming)

4x USB A + 1 USB-C downstream port (15W)

Removable USB-C Laptop->Dock cable

Also compatible with USB 3.0 laptops without a USB-C port

Targus USB-C Universal Dual 4k @ 60Hz (DOCK190USZ) (~$220)

up to 100W power delivery

2 simultaneous monitor outputs (2x DisplayPort + 2x HDMI) 2x 4K60 driven by DisplayLink chipset (not suitable for gaming)

4x USB A + 1 USB-C downstream port (15W)

Removable USB-C Laptop->Dock cable

Also compatible with USB 3.0 laptops without a USB-C port

Baseus Triple display (~$120) Or Baseus Dual display (~$100)

up to 100W power delivery… but latest model does not ship with power supply and must be purchased separately. For full functionality the Dock requires two power supply inputs: A 12V@3A (36 watt) generic DC power supply with 5.5×2.5mm DC barrel plug to power the dock itself and the USB ports A USB-C PD charger to pass power along to the laptop. If your laptop came with a USB-C charger, you can use that. The dock will operate with less power, but without full laptop charging capabilities and may be less reliable.

and must be purchased separately. For full functionality the Dock requires power supply inputs: Display outputs depending on: Triple: 3 simultaneous HDMI (1x 4K60, 2x 4K30, or 3x 1080p) Dual: HDMI + VGA (1x 4K30 + 1x1080p)

3 USB 3.x, 2USB 2.0, 2 USB-C downstream ports USB port speeds limited to 480Mb/s when using high resolution monitors beyond 1x 4K30

Dual SD card reader (standard and micro size)

Removable vertical stand

Removable USB-C Laptop->Dock cable

100W class Docks Launching Q3 2020

Plugable TBT3-UDZ

up to 100W PD (rated for 96W to meet EU regulations)

DP 1.4 with DSC for 2x 4K60 in USB-C mode

HyperDrive Gen2 hubs (6, 12, 18-port) (via Kickstarter/IndieGogo)

up to 100W PD

DP 1.4 with DSC for 2x 4K60 in USB-C mode

80-90W class Docks

With few 100W options, some users may opt for 80-90W class docks instead:

Anker PowerExpand 85W (~200)

Lenovo Thinkpad Dock Gen2 (with 135W power supply) (~$200)

Caldigit USBCProDock-US07-SG (~$200)

SIIG JU-DK0B11-S1 DisplayLink based (~$265)

Plugable UD-CAM (~$130)

Cable Matters 201054-SIL (~$200)

USB-C Monitors with 85W+ power delivery and built-in hubs

USB-C monitors with power delivery are available, but most only deliver 45-65W. Below are several that deliver 85-90W. Note that many of the multi-port USB hubs on these monitors are limited and typically require a second cable from the PC->monitor for full functionality. Most USB ports will not function at all without this second cable.

Portable Hubs

I have yet to find a portable USB-C hub with DisplayPort which actually delivers 100W PD per USB-C spec. Any hub solely powered by generic 100W PD power supplies won’t actually deliver 100W to the laptop.

Most of these hubs violate the USB-C spec by blindly passing through the 100W USB-C PD handshake without properly “de-rating” and signaling to the laptop and the power supply how much power the dock will consume. This can lead to frequent port resets, compatibility issues with some laptops, or in the worst case, overheating/thermal shutdown on poorly designed power supplies. Learn more at NathanK’s blog.

A portable hub advertising 85W PD to a laptop when connected to a 100W power supply is more reasonable. The Startech DK30C2DAGPD with dual DisplayPort is a good candidate.

Please let me know of other good candidates in the comments.