Amazon’s Prime Massive Deal Days this October are an ideal alternative to seek out the most effective offers on Thunderbolt docking stations and USB-C hubs, that are merely the most effective equipment to attach your laptop computer to legacy {hardware}, shows, and different computing peripherals.
Amazon’s fall model of Prime Day begins October 8. I’m already on the hunt for the perfect offers on Thunderbolt docks from producers like Anker and Belkin, in addition to USB-C hubs and dongles from a variety of suppliers. I’ll even add a DisplayLink dock deal, too.
My deal suggestions think about high picks from PCWorld’s roundups of finest Thunderbolt docks and the finest USB-C hubs. I’ve labored as a know-how reporter for 30 years and have reviewed dozens of Thunderbolt docks and hubs since 2020, which is when the WFH (work at home) motion began producing all kinds of demand for these merchandise.
Beneath you’ll discover my curated listing of the most effective Prime Massive Deal Days bargains on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs from Amazon. (I verify different retailers, too, however in docks Amazon constantly has the most effective offers on docking stations.) I’ll proceed including to it by means of October 9, when Massive Deal Days ends. You should definitely take a look at our Prime Massive Deal Days hub, the place we’ll have offers in different classes in addition to particular tales on the most popular offers, as we discover them.
Final up to date on Oct. 2, 2024, with new offers.
Greatest early Prime Massive Deal Days offers on Thunderbolt docks
- Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core, 60W charging, $68.92 (66% off at Amazon)
- Kensington SD2480T Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station, 60W charging, $60.00 (67% off at Amazon)
- Anker 577 Thunderbolt 3 13-in-1 Docking Station, 85W charging, $229.99 (24% off at Amazon)
- Kensington K37010NA Thunderbolt 3 Dock, 100W charging, $96.98 (31% off at Amazon)
- Lenovo 40AN0135US Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2, 135W charging, $182.99 (43% off at Amazon)
- Lenovo ThinkPad Common Thunderbolt 4 Dock, 100W charging, $199.00 (41% off at Amazon)
- Microsoft Floor Thunderbolt 4 Dock, 96W charging, $219.99, (27% off at Goal)
I simply can’t get stop the Belkin Dock Core, and apparently Belkin can’t both. (It at all times crops up on our offers pages!) It requires you to produce an influence brick. Mac folks hate it, but it surely’s a compact little Thunderbolt dock that delivers a ton for the cash. Right here’s my evaluation of the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core, which I awarded an Editor’s Alternative.
Kensington’s SD2480T (the “outdated model” is listed, but it surely appears to be the identical because the “new” model) is simply an older dock on sale for an ideal value. This Amazon sale stands out as the final gasp of Thunderbolt 3 {hardware}. The dock does run scorching, as many word, but it surely shouldn’t have an effect on its efficiency. Remember that you simply’ll want shows with DisplayPort adapters. Otherwise you’ll want to purchase an inexpensive DisplayPort to HDMI adapter for $20 or so.
Ditto for the Anker 577. The Anker 777 12-in-1 dock I reviewed a bit again wasn’t the quickest. Just like the Anker 577 it accommodates an additional Thunderbolt port that doubles as a show port, forcing you to purchase a dongle. However it’s on a superb sale.
The Kensington K37010NA is a stunning design — the floating aesthetic is exclusive. I haven’t reviewed this dock, however I actually like Kensington {hardware}. Once more: There’s one helpful HDMI port, but additionally one upstream Thunderbolt port. That’s not an enormous deal. On this case, I purchase an additional uni USB-C to HDMI cable for about $16. The 100W charging ought to maintain most laptops, although maybe not ones with discrete GPUs. Word the considerate 9v/2.22A (20W) USB-C charging on the entrance that ought to fast-charge a smartphone.
A few of the different docks shave a bit right here and there. The 2 Lenovos are what I’d name “normal” Thunderbolt docks. Do not forget that Thunderbolt 3 and 4 are principally an identical, so I’d lean towards the marginally cheaper TB3 dock for that cause. Microsoft’s Floor Thunderbolt 4 dock doesn’t have something significantly to advocate it, but it surely’s a good deal. For no matter cause, Amazon constantly gives the most effective offers on docking stations. However you sometimes discover offers elsewhere, like this one.
Greatest early Prime Massive Deal Days offers on USB-C hubs, dongles, and docking stations
The Targus deal is the most effective of a foul bunch. I don’t assume that the dock’s $249.99 MSRP is life like in any respect, however the discounted value feels a stable deal nonetheless. Word that the 65W energy supply is perhaps slightly low for high-end notebooks, together with gaming notebooks. Lenovo’s docking station appears like a superb deal as nicely, with two devoted show ports however what appears like a proprietary energy plug.
In any other case, I’m actually not impressed by most of the USB-C hub/dongle/docking-station offers proper now, however the Acer and Baseus offers are primary offers on primary merchandise. Plugable’s 13-in-1 docking station is designed for PCs who don’t care an excessive amount of concerning the newest and biggest: you’ll solely get 4K30 output (versus 4K60, or 60Hz) in your primary show, and as much as 1920×1200 in your further shows.
Thunderbolt dock offers FAQ
What ought to I search for when shopping for a Thunderbolt dock or USB-C hub?
Whereas Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs are sometimes seen as distinct product classes, they’ve similarities. Each make the most of a USB-C connection out of your laptop computer. Nevertheless, the excellence lies in how some laptops make use of this port: some as a normal USB-C port, whereas others channel the high-speed Thunderbolt 3 or 4 protocol by way of the USB-C connector. The usual port usually helps as much as 10Gbps of knowledge switch, which is sufficient for USB drives, exterior storage gadgets, and presumably an exterior monitor.
Thunderbolt (both Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4) permits for 40Gbps of throughput, designed for high-speed exterior SSDs and a number of shows. Our roundups of the finest USB-C hubs and the finest Thunderbolt docks clarify additional in a lot better element. Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 are shut sufficient that you may get monetary savings by shopping for the older know-how that retailers are attempting to eliminate. That’s vital! Thunderbolt 5, which is able to ship 80Gbps, simply hasn’t appeared, and that’s slightly disappointing.
If you wish to join high-speed peripherals (or only a ton of them) a Thunderbolt dock is perhaps the most effective wager — particularly a couple of show. In any other case, a USB-C hub may work simply fantastic. A Thunderbolt dock positively is a future-proofed resolution although.
USB-C hubs and dongles are comparatively low cost, hardly ever climbing over $60. Thunderbolt docks can price anyplace from $100 to $300, relying on what options the dock gives.
Often, the most effective Prime Massive Deal Days offers on USB-C hubs and dongles are on the dearer docking stations, not the $20-$50 hubs. Thunderbolt dock offers normally function older Thunderbolt 3 {hardware} which is functionally equal to the most recent gear. It’s like shopping for a automotive with 1,000 miles on it for 25% off. That’s not an ideal instance, after all, however you get the thought.
I’ve a USB-C port on my laptop computer. How do I do know what to make use of with it?
Confer with your laptop computer’s guide to establish the Thunderbolt port, which can be marked with a small lightning bolt icon. Nevertheless, this image may also point out a charging port. If unsure, a USB-C dongle or hub is universally suitable with USB-C ports.
I don’t perceive the distinction between the USB-C and Thunderbolt interfaces. How does all of it work?
USB ports have an extended historical past. USB-C, identified for its versatility, changed USB-A (the thick sq. port) resulting from its reversible connector and functionality for increased switch speeds. USB-C ports can assist 5Gbps or 10Gbps, much like normal USB-A ports. Nevertheless, some USB-C ports are linked to a Thunderbolt chip inside your laptop computer, enabling them to function at an elevated velocity of 40Gbps. Whereas the bodily look of the connector stays the identical, its performance is what units it aside.
What’s the distinction between a USB-C hub and a Thunderbolt dock?
A 10Gbps USB-C hub gives velocity and flexibility, connecting to a single 4K (or 1080p) show and providing varied ports akin to USB-A and SD card slots. Sometimes, you’ll be able to join your laptop computer’s USB-C energy cable on to the hub if wanted.
A 40Gbps Thunderbolt dock, alternatively, offers better bandwidth to assist further ports. It stands out in two primary methods: it could possibly deal with two 4K shows concurrently, and plenty of docks embody an influence provide that may cost each your laptop computer and telephone by means of the Thunderbolt cable that hyperlinks your laptop computer to the dock. We nonetheless haven’t seen 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 {hardware} but.
My laptop computer has USB4, not Thunderbolt. Can I exploit a Thunderbolt dock?
In case your laptop computer runs USB4, it received’t “perceive” Thunderbolt 3 protocols, I’m advised. However in any other case, USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 are functionally the identical. Intel refuses to certify non-Intel platforms like AMD’s Ryzen for Thunderbolt, and the brand new Copilot+ PCs from Microsoft powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chips are in the identical boat.
USB-C hubs work with principally something with a USB-C port on it. Don’t fear about these in any respect.
Is Thunderbolt 4 higher than Thunderbolt 3?
Bodily, they use the identical USB-C cable. (Properly, they’ve a special emblem — one has a “3,” and the opposite a “4.”) Functionally, they’re virtually the identical. Thunderbolt 4 was launched virtually as a patch to Thunderbolt 3, making certain that all the pieces labored correctly. They each run at 40Gbps and connect with the identical peripherals. Should you personal a laptop computer outfitted with Thunderbolt, you’ll be able to connect with each and principally your expertise would be the identical.
The kicker? Thunderbolt 3 {hardware} is older, and retailers need you to purchase the most recent gear. So so far as offers go, shopping for Thunderbolt 3 {hardware} is an actual steal.
Do I want a Thunderbolt dock if I personal a desktop PC?
Often desktops come chock filled with ports, even legacy ones like USB-A. What they don’t at all times have is a microSD and SD card slot, and a USB-C dock is perhaps a superb and low cost manner so as to add this performance.
Intel has traditionally struggled to get Thunderbolt into desktop PCs, although, so USB-C could actually be your solely possibility. There’s actually no assure {that a} desktop with have a Thunderbolt port.
A few of these docks have had unhealthy critiques on buying websites. Why?
Mac customers, am I proper? Whereas Macs adopted Thunderbolt first, a number of the Apple M1 silicon couldn’t sustain with Intel Thunderbolt controllers utilized by Home windows PCs, and the Apple MacOS expertise suffered in consequence.
If a person complains a couple of unhealthy Home windows expertise, positive, that’s price being attentive to. However a Mac person? Bah. They purchased the improper platform.
