Steam deck docks can turn the popular portable handheld into a hybrid gaming PC that works as an alternative to consoles or desktops. There are several options out there that have been tailor made for the Steam Deck, and they come with the ability to connect keyboards, mice, monitors, and everything else you need to create a handheld PC.
As of 2023, there are a total of 5 best Steam Deck doc options available in the market:
Jsaux Steam Deck dock
Valve Steam Deck docking station
Anker USB-C Hub
Jsaux M.2 Steam Deck Dock
Belkin USB-C Hub
Jsaux Steam Deck Dock – $29.99 USD
Unlike most other docking stations, this one is actually designed in such a way that it cradles the Steam Deck, much like the official dock by Valve. It’s the best way to keep playing the best esports games on the market. It is made of metal and finished with gunmetal, providing a premium feel that will seamlessly blend in with minimalist desktop setups.
With two USB A ports, HDMI and ethernet, the Jsaux quickly transforms the handheld into a PC. 100W of power delivery also ensures the Deck stays charged while driving keyboards and other peripherals such as SSDs. While Valve’s official dock may have more ports and higher specs, The Jsaux dock is a worthy alternative at less than half the price.
Valve Steam Deck Docking Station – $89.99 USD
The Valve Steam Deck Docking Station is one of the pricier products in this category, but you pay for what you get. This official accessory delivers quality and functionality while elevating the premium feel of the Steam Deck.
The Steam Deck Dock is made of the same material as the Deck, making it feel like a natural fit. Its design also allows the Deck to sit snugly, giving it a tailor-made feel. You can also easily upgrade the Dock’s firmware using SteamOS, eliminating the need to connect it to a Windows PC. The high price tag also entitles you to an extra USB-C charger. The Valve Steam Deck Dock comes with three USB ports, Ethernet, HDMI and 100W power delivery.
Anker USB-C Hub – $29.99 USD
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly docking option, this cheap alternative does well against the best Steam Deck docks on the market. The device is as small as a wallet and yet offers two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI and an SD card slot with a trade-off of having no Ethernet connectivity.
Despite its compact size, the Anker USB-C hub delivers 100W of power to connected devices. To power the device, you’ll have to use the power adapter included with the Deck to run the docking station.
Jsaux M.2 Steam Deck Dock – $129.99 USD
If your docking station needs to have a little extra power, The JSaux M.2 is an amped-up version of the base-level docking station, with the added bonus of 4TB storage provided via solid state drive. It also provides 4K HDMI output and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity in addition to two USD ports.
Sure, you could always plug in an SSD to the base model or pair it with an extra hard drive but the extra storage will add a layer of comfort and versatility that could justify its hefty price tag.
Belkin USB-C Hub – $96.99 USD
Despite being built for laptops, the wedge-shaped Belking USB-C hub can be used by Steam Deck setups. You could even charge the best gaming phones with this one! The rubberized surfaces on the dock make it look like it was built for the Steam Deck. The device features three USB-A ports, HDMI, Displayport 1.2 and slots for both SD and MicroSD cards.
If you use a gaming laptop in addition to your Deck, then this might be the doc for you. It offers unmatched connectivity. On the downside, it could be overkill if it’s meant to be used as just a Steam Deck dock.