With yesterday's release of Valve's official Steam Deck docking station, we can finally compare the specifications of the official dock against those of third-party manufacturers.
For this comparison, we have only opted for actual docks. There are many USB-C hubs on the market, like the one we use ourselves, but we feel it's an apples-to-oranges comparison.
So let's have a look at your Steam Deck dock options (you can scroll the table):
| Official Steam Deck Dock | iVoler Dock | Upgraded iVoler Dock | JSAUX HB0602 | JSAUX HB0603 | JSAUX HB0702 ⭐ | JSAUX HB0604 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB | 3x USB 3.1 Gen 1* | 3x USB 3.0 | 3x USB 3.0 | 2x USB 2.0 | 3x USB 3.0 | 3x USB 3.0 | 2x USB 3.1 |
| HDMI** | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 1.4 | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 2.0 |
| DisplayPort | DisplayPort 1.4 | NA | NA | NA | NA | DisplayPort 1.2 | NA |
| Internet | Gigabit Ethernet | NA | Gigabit Ethernet | 100mbps Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Charging | USB-C PD | USB-C PD | USB-C PD | USB-C PD | USB-C PD | USB-C PD | USB-C PD |
| Connectivity | USB-C with 90° connector | USB-C with 90° connector | USB-C with 90° connector | USB-C with 90° connector | USB-C with 90° connector | USB-C with 90° connector | USB-C with 90° connector |
| Miscellaneous | Comes with a charger | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | Slot for M.2 SSD |
| Price | $89 | $35.99 | $49.99 | $37.99 | $49.99 | $59.99 | $129.99 |
| Buy | Steam | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | JSAUX | JSAUX |
*USB 3.1 Gen 1 is the same as USB 3.0, but it has been renamed by the USB-IF.
**All docks except for the cheaper iVoler dock supports up to 4k 60hz or 1440p 120hz
As you can see, there are many choices for Steam Deck docks. They range from budget picks to special docks with custom features like the JSAUX HB0604, which includes a slot for an SSD.
Which dock is the best?
Picking a dock from this list can feel overwhelming, but we're here to help you.
Our pick: we think you will get the most value by opting for the new JSAUX HB0702. It has the best mix of connectivity at a reasonable price and is the closest to the official Steam Deck dock while being nearly $30 cheaper.
The next model up is the HB0604, thanks to its M.2 slot. We're currently working on a review of this dock. But we can already say that being able to substantially expand the Steam Deck's storage is an excellent addition, especially for games you only want to play when hooked up to a bigger screen (like Anno 1800, Civilization VI).
For a budget pick, we recommend the original iVoler dock. While it has less connectivity, it has the fastest speed in that price range.
However, the official dock is also on its way to us, so there will be a hands-on of this too. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date and not miss a post.
Kevin Wammer
Chris Brandrick
