The Dell XPS 13 is one of the best laptops you can buy each year, and the 2022 model is no different. It came with a brand-new design, and while previous models leaned heavily on USB Type-C and Thunderbolt support for ports, that's truer than ever here. The 2022 Dell XPS 13 only has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, going as far as ripping out the headphone jack. That means this XPS 13 is more likely than ever to require a docking station if you want to make the best of it.
And that's why we're here. If you need to add ports to your Dell XPS 13, there's no better way to do it than a docking station, and we've rounded up a few to choose from across different price points. Thunderbolt docks are the best and most popular because of their incredible capabilities, which include a whopping 40Gbps of bandwidth. However, some docking stations use standard USB-C connections to be cheaper, and there are also basic USB-C hubs if you don't need something that advanced.
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Plugable 16-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Editor's ChoiceThis Plugable docking station leverages Thunderbolt 4 to the fullest, enabling four 4K video outputs at 60Hz, in addition to having five USB Type-A ports, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, USB Type-C, SD card readers, and more. It also charges your laptop.
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Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4
Premium PickThe official Dell Thunderbolt 4 Dock is another very capable option, with a multitude of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, and more. It also has a modular design and exclusive features, like a power button to turn on the dock and laptop simultaneously.
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Anker 341 7-in-1 USB-C Hub
Best ValueIf you only need a few extra ports without too many bells and whistles, this 7-in-1 hub from Anker is a great choice. It has USB Type-A ports, HDMI, and even supports up to 85W of power delivery. It's pretty small, too, so it's easy to take with you.
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Amazon Basics 10-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Thunderbolt, but cheaperMost Thunderbolt docks tend to cost over $300, but this one from Amazon Basics bucks that trend. It still has a solid supply of ports, too, including DisplayPort, Ethernet, USB Type-A, and downstream Thunderbolt.
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Anker 778 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
Super sleekThe Anker 778 is a versatile docking station with Thunderbolt 4 support that offers a total of 12 ports, including HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, downstream Thunderbolt, and multiple USB Type-A ports. It comes wrapped in one of the sleekest design you can get, though it also comes at a cost.
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CalDigital Element Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Compact solutionIf you want a very compact dock and you mostly rely on Thunderbolt-based peripherals already, the CalDigit Element Hub may be for you. It only has a few ports, but with three Thunderbolt downstream connections and four USB Type-A ports, it's still very capable.
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Plugable USB-C 4K Triple Display Docking Station
Triple 4K displaysThunderbolt docks are great, but you don't need them to connect multiple displays to your laptop. This dock from Plugable uses a standard USB-C port and a DisplayLink chip to drive up to three 4K displays via HDMI or DisplayPort, plus it has plenty of other ports, including Ethernet and USB Type-A.
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Dell Dual Charge Dock
Dock and phone chargerIt's not for everyone, but the Dell Dual Charge Dock is an interesting product that gives you more ports for your laptop, charges it, and also includes s a wireless charging pad for your phone. It's pretty expensive, but you get a few extra ports and a unique feature set to boot.
Best docks for the Dell XPS 13 (2022): Bottom line
And those are some of the best docking stations you can buy today to complement your Dell XPS 13, whether that's the 2022 model or an older one. Indeed, these docks should all work with other laptops that have Thunderbolt ports, and some will work on almost any USB-C port, so they don't have to be exclusive to the Dell XPS 13. Which one is better really depends on your particular needs, but the Plugable 16-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 dock likely offers the best value, with tons of ports for a reasonable price.
If you haven't yet, you can buy the Dell XPS 13 below. This is one of the best Dell laptops each year, and while the 2022 model is significantly different than its predecessors, it's still great. It has high-end CPUs and a very compact design that makes it ideal for those who are always on the move, including students. However, beware that a refreshed version shouldn't be too far off.
Dell XPS 13 (2022)
The Dell XPS 13 for 2022 is thinner and lighter than ever, plus it comes in new Sky and Umber color options. It has 12th-gen Intel processors and other high-end specs, too.