They're similar products, but they have different strengths. So, should you go with a laptop dock or a USB hub?

USB hubs and docking stations are becoming popular as many modern laptops trim the number of available ports. If you need to add more ports to your laptop or PC set up, you can use a USB hub or a docking station. While the two might seem identical, there's a difference between a USB hub and a docking station.

Let's examine the two to help you understand how they differ and, finally, to help you decide which one's better than the other.

The main difference between USB hubs and docking stations is in their capabilities. USB hubs draw power from your computer and then power the connected peripherals. USB hubs are smaller and lightweight, hence more portable, and they mainly function as port replicators.

While a USB hub can't charge your laptop, the best hubs come with a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) input port. You can connect your laptop's charger to this port and then connect to a wall outlet, allowing you to charge your laptop in what is termed as pass-through charging.

On the other hand, docking stations are more versatile, powerful, and a bit heavier. For docking stations, some are portable while others are stationary. Portable docking stations draw power from your laptop. You must hook stationary ones onto a wall outlet via an AC/DC power adapter. The advantage of stationary ones is that they can be used to charge your laptop at high speeds.

One major downside of charging your laptop via a USB hub is you won't get the full power since some of it is used to power the peripherals. And the amount of power used to power peripherals will depend on the number of connected devices. Take the Yeolibo 9-in-1 USB C Hub as an example. It has a 100W USB-C PD port but will only charge your laptop at 85W. The 15W is used to power peripherals.

Portable ones attempt to provide the best of both worlds, giving you more functionality than a typical USB hub without sacrificing portability. Generally, docking stations help you add more ports to your setup and help you get the whole desktop experience from your laptop. However, they are usually more expensive due to their power and capabilities.

Now that you know the difference between the two, which one should you buy? Well, it depends.

At times your budget may be a limiting factor, and if that's the case, a USB hub is a good starting point. But despite merely being the cheaper alternative, USB hubs are handy when you work on the go. Given their small footprint and lightweight nature, you can throw your hub in your bag, and you're good to go. Besides, you don't need a wall outlet to connect your peripherals to your laptop.

Docking stations are mainly suitable if you need more than an extensive array of ports. For example, get a docking station if you need a complete desktop-like experience and work from a fixed station. If your work requires more than a simple setup, a docking station is what you should buy. Some docks can output up to 8K resolution to a single screen or 4K@60Hz on dual monitors.

If you need three or four screens for your specific type of work, don't get a USB hub as they commonly only support dual monitors. You should also get a dock if you also need faster file transfer, charging at full speeds, and a more than 1 Gigabit Ethernet port. Here are our picks of the best laptop docking stations in case that's the route you want to go.

While your needs may vary, a USB hub is a good starting point if you're on a tight budget. Once you have more cash to splurge, consider a docking station. Remember, it doesn't have to be high-end. Portable docking stations are just as good as they are an excellent middle ground.

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Alvin Wanjala has been writing about technology for over 2 years. He writes about different facets, including but not limited to mobile, PC, and social media. Alvin loves programming and gaming during downtimes.

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