Best Steam Deck dock in 2023: Top alternatives & more
Are you looking for the best dock for your Steam Deck? Check out our list of the top alternatives to Valve’s middling offering.
The Steam Deck is an exceptional handheld gaming console that delivers outstanding value for money. But it has the potential to be more than just a portable gaming device.
Adding a dock to your Deck can bring it to the big screen, add a few more ports, and create a dedicated charging station for the console. Are you already convinced or should we try harder?
While Valve offers a dock for Steam Deck, it’s far from perfect. Its hefty price tag and fewer features than competitors like JSAUX make it a less-than-ideal choice.
The top contenders for an ideal dock must be affordable, well-designed, and should offer a variety of input/output ports. Some docks feature M.2 caddies, while others have a more basic design. Let us guide you if you need help deciding which one to choose.
The best Steam Deck dock: JSAUX Docking Station
JSAUX/DexertoThe JSAUX Docking Station range currently comes in three different flavors. Our personal recommendation is HB0603, which is classed as an ‘upgrade’.
Coming in at a whopping $30 less than the official dock, and providing nearly all the same benefits, the JSAUX Docking Station is our top recommendation for those wanting to have all the bells and whistles.
It comes equipped with Ethernet, HDMI, and three USB-A 3.0 ports. The only thing it is missing is DisplayPort, but you’re more often than not going to be docking the Steam Deck into a device without it anyway.
However, if you just want a decent dock, that will support your accessories and has an HDMI port on it, you will want to seek the HB0602, which currently sits at $35.99. Its downside is losing a USB-A port, and the two on there are only USB 2.0. Ideal for accessories, but bad for external storage.
While not as fully loaded, it is on average with the prices for USB-C hubs.
The next step up would be the one that we have recently featured in a review. JSAUX has a version that supports an M.2 NVMe drive, allowing you to install games to the dock’s storage, without having to sacrifice your precious gigabytes on the Steam Deck itself.
This is a step up in price, but according to reviewer Lloyd Coombes, it’s absolutely worth it.
If you want an effective equivalent, JSAUX does now provide the HB0702, which actually has a DisplayPort on it and is in parity with what Valve offer on their hardware.
| Dock | Price |
|---|---|
| JSAUX HB0602 | $39.99 |
| JSAUX HB0603 | $49.99 |
| JSAUX HB0604 | $129.99 |
| JSAUX HB0702 | $53.99 |
JSAUX ModCase hub
An interesting development is that JSAUX now offers another USB hub. It’s a little different in that it connects to the back of the titular ModCase. This will allow you to streamline your docked experience, or be really great for emulating DS or Wii U games. Set the Steam Deck to dual monitors, and you’re good to go.
Can you use any USB-C hub on the Steam Deck?
Absolutely and we actually recommend it – if you don’t mind setting your Steam Deck down on the desk. This is often the best option, as the generic USB-C hubs will often come in handy for those on laptops, desktops, and on iPads or Android devices that need a quick HDMI port to watch a movie.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
Valve’s update to support their own dock fixed a lot of issues the USB-C port on the Steam Deck was having when sending images over to TVs. Stuck at 30Hz, it made games unplayable and navigating menus even worse. However, since that update, nearly every USB-C hub we’ve tested has worked nearly flawlessly – even on a 4K projector.
Below, you’ll find our recommended options, which will all include HDMI and Ethernet.
| USB-C Hub | Price |
|---|---|
| Utech Smart 6-in-1 | $29.99 |
| Vilcome 8-in-1 | $29.99 |
| Anker USB C Hub adapter 5 in 1 | $49.99 |
| MCY 8-in-1 | $24.99 |
| 9-in-1 USB-C adapter | $49.99 |
Best budget Steam Deck dock: Sabrent Steam Deck Dock
DexertoRecently released, the Sabrent dock takes the form of Valve’s and cuts the price down by half. It’s a solid little addition to your Steam Deck’s accessories, and one we fully recommend.
While it features fewer ports than the competition, it’s also only $29.99, rather than the full $70 you’d be paying for Valve’s. Where it lacks in ports, it makes up for with the addition of a USB-C port for adding more ports via a dongle.
You can find out more about it in our review, where it scored 4/5.
Alternative choice: NewQ Dock
NewQ is one brand, like many attaching themselves to USB-C hubs, that you’ve probably seen time and time again on Amazon. We don’t know where they came from, nor do we really want to ask the question.
What we do know is, that they are producing a fairly unique, budget option for those looking for docking options for their Steam Deck.
The NewQ version sits like a backpack on the top of the Deck, allowing you to slot in HDMI and USB into the top of it. It costs $25 and is perfect for those after a way to connect the Deck to their monitor at most.
| Dock | Price |
|---|---|
| NewQ Steam Deck Dock | $29.99 |
Here are some more guides for Steam Deck. Do not forget to check them out
Best power bank for steam deck | Steam Deck Vs Nintendo Switch | Steam Deck Vs Nintendo Switch | How to add extra storage on your Steam Deck & Dock | How to set up EmuDeck on Steam Deck | Best microSD cards for Steam Deck
If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.