Using the best Steam Deck dock is a great way to turn the handheld gaming PC into a desktop hybrid, and it’ll give you access to all the ports you need. Just the Nintendo Switch, Valve’s portable powerhouse will happily hook up to an external monitor, mouse, keyboard, and controller, not to mention you’ll be able to charge the portable while it takes a much-deserved seat.
Before you get carried away, it’s worth noting that the Steam Deck dock won’t provide the portable with a performance boost. Instead, compatible docking stations will arm the Deck with HDMI output, USB ports, and an integrated cradle made specifically to accommodate the portable. So, while the handheld will still have a hard time competing with the best gaming PC on the market, it will be able to hook up to all the same peripherals and serve as a cheap way to play games on the big screen.
To help you get the most out of your portable pal, we’ve tested the best Steam Deck docks on the market and made a list of our favourites. Whether you’re planning on using the Deck in your living room, at your desk or in a hotel room, there are a variety of options that’ll bestow the mini rig with different capabilities. If you're looking to snag some accessories during Amazon's big upcoming sale, you'll want to check out our handy Prime Day PC deals hub, as we'll be keeping an eye on discounted docking stations and other add ons for Valve's portable powerhouse.
Best Steam Deck dock in 2023
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The biggest allure of the iVoler Steam Deck Dock is its design. Mimicking not only the Switch dock, but also the official Valve dock, the iVoler stand and dock holds your Steam Deck while it connects to the biggest screens in your home. Priced at only $49.99 / £39.99, it offers great value too, and also features great connectivity, including 3x USB 3.0 ports and an HDMI, along with USB-C connections for your Deck charger, and from the Deck to your dock.
It's a little cheap feeling, in terms of build quality, but when the Steam Deck is laid in it, it's rigid and stays put thanks to little rubber feet underneath. There's a little lip on the front to stop the Deck from slipping too, and although it features the iVoler logo it's discrete enough to be a classy addition to your setup.
Read more: iVoler 5in-1 Steam Deck Dock review
The Valve Steam Deck Docking Station is, simply put, the best Steam Deck dock you can buy - if you can stomach the price. There are a lot of cheaper alternatives on this list that can provide almost the same features as Valve's official option and they may be a better fit if you're not sure how much use you'll get out of connecting your Deck to the big screen.
However, you are getting the best offerings for the price with the official unit. You get three USB 3.1 ports for connecting peripherals, an HDMI 2.1 and Display Port 1.4 for your monitor / TV, and an Ethernet port to boot. Plus, it comes with another official Steam Deck charger, which definitely helps to justify the price point - as you can then leave your setup intact when you're taking your Deck on the move.
Its design is excellent for allowing your Steam Deck to be propped up while you play too, mimicking the convenience of the Nintendo Switch dock - albeit without the utter ease of compatibility when it comes to games.
Read more: Valve Steam Deck Docking Station review
Costing just $39.99 / £36.99, the Syntech Steam Deck Docking Station is such an affordable mimic of Valve's own dock. But, unlike the official option, Syntech's dock embraces its curves, which offers brilliant access to its trilogy of USB 3.0 ports in particular for switching in and out your various peripherals. It misses out on a Display Port, but otherwise, there's great connectivity here with those three USB 3.0 ports complemented by an ethernet, 45W power delivery (so a little on the slow side), a USB C, and HDMI 2.0 support for output at 4K/60fps.
It's a neat design too, with a discrete lip to hold your Steam Deck upright - mirroring the official dock. It's designed to keep the vents unobstructed, and is light enough that you can take it with you anywhere.
The Anker PowerExpand 6-in-1 keeps things simple and lightweight all in a small, slimline package for easy portability. This unit features everything you need for a Steam Deck dock setup, including 65W power delivery, Ethernet, 2x USB-A, and HDMI support, too. There's also a standalone USB-C port for data transfer as well as power delivery, too, meaning you can utilize one of the best external hard drives without having to give up that crucial slot.
Impressively enough for a USB hub of this size is that LAN port, which supports Gigabit for consistent internet connections far exceeding the stability of what WiFi can offer. This means you won't be far from a stable connection as long as you've got a lead nearby.
The JSAUX USB-C 6-in-1 Multifunction Adapter isn't the top Steam Deck dock on this list, but its mid-range quality is matched by a reasonable price tag. Coming in at $42.99/£47.99 (depending on where you buy it from) it's Simple enough to use and will supply the portable with 100W of juice thanks to power delivery. The dock also boasts three USB ports and Ethernet compatibility - meaning it'll happily serve as a desktop PC replacement.
That being said, there are a few design flaws in terms of versatility. For starters, the lack of Displayport may put you in a sticky situation if your display lacks HDMI, and we're not a fan of the techy red exterior worn by the variant we tested. Still, it's not completely garish, and there is a gunmetal option if you're looking to keep things subtle. You're also going to need to think about cable management if you're planning on using it in the living room, as most of the ports live around the back.
The j5create USB C Docking Station keeps things simple and straightforward with its selection of ports which are aligned in a linear fashion in a row along with the wedge-like flat design.
The sleek rubberized surface makes the j5create USB C docking station an ideal choice for propping your Steam Deck on top without fear of falling over or slipping around. Plus, with 100W power delivery, far above the minimum of 45W, you can keep gaming without having to keep an eye on your battery life.
Form factor aside, all the ports that you would hope to find for your Steam Deck are accounted for here. There are no outdated or unnecessary inputs with this device, which we would otherwise typically see with models in the $80 range. This results in a sleek hot bar of what's vital for your setup, especially the 3x USB 3.0 for all your gaming keyboard, gaming mouse, and gaming headset needs.
The biggest advantage of the Wavlink 13 in 1 Multiport USB C docking station over some others in our roundup is the inclusion of DisplayPort as well as HDMI. The former means that you can output at a maximum of 4K60, but also means that you will have far greater compatibility with monitors featuring a sharper picture quality. DisplayPort may play better with some gaming monitors in general as even an older form of the input can provide noticeable improvements over the likes of HDMI connections thanks to a far higher data bit rate.
This model also features 4x USB 3.0 ports for high-speed connections of your peripherals and any data drives that you may have to hand. Priced at $64.99 / £59.99, the Wavlink 13 in 1 Multiport is one of the more affordable options on the market and offers everything that you could need out of a Steam Deck dock ahead of the official release date.
Best steam deck dock: FAQ
Which docks work with the Steam Deck?
Any Steam Deck dock you consider ahead of the official model's release later this year is going to need its own power (45W minimum through USB Type C), and enough ports to be able to use comfortably. Opting for a smaller hub instead of a dock may work for casting the video signal, but you may not benefit from stable performance over time. That's why in our chosen units, we've ensured that there's a suitable amount of power provided to the Steam Deck for maximum compatibility.
Can you dock Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck can be docked through its USB C port which is utilized by the system for charging and retaining power (keeping the unit plugged in). Because of this fact, any USB C dock with its own power supply and video out, normally above 60W, is capable of docking the handheld into a hybrid mode.
Can you use a 3rd party dock for Steam Deck?
You can absolutely use a third-party option with Steam Deck, but not every docking station will feel like it's made with the handheld in mind. If you're fussy about materials, fit, and aesthetics, you may want to spend the extra cash on Valve's official docking station. Otherwise, there are plenty of great alternatives out there, and some of them can perform tricks the real deal can't.
Which ports does the Steam Deck have?
The Steam Deck features a UBS C port for charging / power, as well as a 3.5mm jack, and a microSD card slot. Due to that USB C port, though, you have many options for expansion, as the above Steam Deck docks can demonstrate.
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