Laptops may be more capable than ever now, but they’re also shorter on ports than ever thanks to slimmer and lighter designs.
To get the most out of your device — including connecting external displays, accessories, storage, and more — you’ll need to invest in a docking station. The go-to for many is a dock powered by Thunderbolt 4, but not every device guarantees compatibility. Now, there’s a new option that’s not only just as capable but guarantees wider device support and costs less than the competition.
The Razer USB4 Dock is a phenomenal docking station with excellent pricing, making it one of the easiest recommendations I’ll make this year. It’s sleek and beautiful, but it’s also packed with diverse ports, performs well under pressure, and even boasts a unique feature you won’t find anywhere else. There are cheaper docking stations and there are more capable docking stations, but the Razer USB4 Dock may be the absolute best to strike this sweet spot.
As someone who’s regularly using a wide array of different tech products, a docking station is a no-brainer. I spend dozens of hours a week juggling various accessories, peripherals, and devices, and can make full use of a docking station to test if it’s really up to the task.
This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by Razer. Razer had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.
Razer USB4 Dock review: Pricing and specifications
- The Razer USB4 Dock retails for $229.99.
- That’s $100 less than Razer’s Thunderbolt 4 dock.
- This dock is a great value compared to most good T4 docks.
Razer USB4 Dock
• Price: $229.99 at Amazon
• Connectivity: USB Type-C 4.0 w/ 100W Power Delivery
• Ports: Rear — 1x 180W DC power port, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x Ethernet (RJ45, Gigabit), 2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB Type-A 2.0 / Front — 1x microSD card reader (UHS-II), 1x SD card reader (UHS-II), 1x 3.5mm audio jack w/ 7.1 THX surround sound, 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ 20W Power Delivery, 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 / Side — 1x USB Type-A 2.0 for 2.4GHz wireless dongles
• Dimensions: 190 x 80 x 22mm (7.49 x 3.15 x 0.85in)
• Weight: 1.11kg (2.44lbs)
The Razer USB4 Dock is defined by its use of the USB 4.0 standard rather than the Intel-owned Thunderbolt brand built on the same platform. USB4 has a very similar list of capabilities to Thunderbolt 4 and even Thunderbolt 5, but enjoys wider device compatibility thanks to not requiring licensing from Intel (making it more common on AMD and Qualcomm-powered devices). On top of that, USB4 can use most Thunderbolt docks and accessories.
To summarize, the Razer USB4 Dock competes directly with the best Thunderbolt 4 docking stations and hubs in terms of features and performance but undercuts many of those docks in pricing because it lacks the Thunderbolt 4 brand (and stamp of quality guarantee). The Razer USB4 Dock retails for $229.99 at Amazon, which is $70-150 less than many of the most commonly recommended T4 docks. It’s also $100 less than Razer’s own Thunderbolt 4 Dock that we reviewed.
In the box, you’ll find the Razer USB4 Dock (available in black or silver), the 1m braided USB Type-C 4.0 connecting cable, and the 180W DC power cable with its beefy adapter. This dock is covered by Razer’s standard 1-year warranty.
Razer USB4 Dock review: The good
- This dock feels very premium thanks to its CNC aluminum chassis.
- There’s a great variety of ports, nicely spaced apart for easy access.
- Performance is excellent, and this dock manages to stay cool, too.
The Razer USB4 Dock is exactly what you’d expect from a high-end Razer product. CNC-milled out of aluminum and anodized in Razer’s iconic black or silver, this is a very sleek docking station. It’s quite compact at 22mm thin and not particularly heavy, but it still offers fourteen individual ports. Those ports aren’t cramped, either, with enough spacing to allow you to use them all simultaneously.
You get the master USB4 port with 100W of sustained Power Delivery (many Thunderbolt 4 docks cap at 96W), DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 ports, a total of four USB Type-A ports, two USB Type-C ports (one with independent 20W Power Delivery), a 3.5mm audio jack that supports 7.1 surround sound via THX, SD and microSD card readers, a gigabit Ethernet port, and even a dedicated USB Type-A port for a 2.4GHz wireless dongle.
All of these ports are neatly lined and snug, and build quality in general is exceptional. There’s also a convenient power button on the side next to an LED indicator, so you can quickly shut down the docking station when not in use. Power is fed into the docking station via a 180W DC brick, which is bigger than the dock itself but does give you plenty of cable length to keep it out of the way.
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In use, I never saw the Razer USB4 Dock stumble. I had multiple products (most of which I’ve reviewed) constantly connected, including the ASUS ProArt P16 (2024) laptop, Xiaomi G Pro 27i Mini LED Gaming Monitor, the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed mouse, the Razer Barracuda X Chroma headset, and the Razer Laptop Cooling Pad. In addition to those diverse peripherals, the USB4 dock still left plenty of room for USB drives, external SSDs, SD cards, and more. All that, and I could still charge my phone or another device via the 20W USB Type-C port.
No matter what I connected, though, the Razer USB4 Dock kept up. Display output was crisp, responsive, and stable, with the ProArt P16 able to take full advantage of the monitor’s 1440p, 180Hz panel with intensive gaming. I never experienced instability issues with my wireless mouse, either, a problem common with USB hubs and docks. That’s because of this dock’s unique feature: a USB Type-A port dedicated to 2.4GHz wireless dongles, which Razer specifically designed to reduce wireless interference and latency.
Using all of these connections simultaneously could make the Razer USB4 Dock warm to the touch but never close to what I’d describe as hot. Despite the compact design, this docking station does a great job with thermal management, avoiding unreliable connections over long sessions. Everything simply worked, which is exactly what you want from a docking station.
Razer USB4 Dock review: The bad
- There aren’t many cons with this docking station.
- The lack of port labels and a smudge-prone design come to mind.
- There’s also no triple-display support for those who need it.
When it came to finding flaws with the Razer USB4 Dock, I really had to nitpick. For example, the fact that this matte black chassis attracts fingerprints and smudges like all of Razer’s black aluminum products do. You probably won’t be physically touching the dock often, though, so that’s a minor concern among minor concerns.
I do wish all the ports on this docking station were clearly labeled, though. You can spot the USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports apart from their green design, and the 20W USB Type-C port is labeled, but I’m of the opinion that all ports should be distinctly marked. Not everyone is intimately familiar with the names and specs of the various ports at a glance, and it shouldn’t be necessary to go online to find that information.
While we’re nitpicking, the Razer USB4 Dock is a little more prone than I’d like to sliding or shifting around under the weight of its connected cables. Aside from making this dock heavier, though, I’m not sure what could be done here. The rubber feet on the bottom certainly seem grippy enough.
Finally, a complaint that will directly deter a select group of buyers: this docking station does not support triple displays. Neither of the USB Type-C ports support display output, meaning you’re limited to the singular DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 ports. This is a big selling point for some Thunderbolt 4 docks, so I wanted to make sure and mention that.
Razer USB4 Dock review: Also consider
Razer USB4 Dock review: Final thoughts
You should buy this if …
✅You want a highly capable USB hub for your desk
The Razer USB4 Dock is straightforward — it’s a capable, high-quality docking station meant to live on your desk and expand your USB4 or Thunderbolt-equipped device with 13 additional ports. If that’s what you need, this is an easy purchase at this price.
✅You don’t actually need Thunderbolt 4, specifically
The Thunderbolt brand is as valuable as it is because it’s USB, but with tighter standards to achieve certification. USB4 is just as capable, if more inconsistent, so most people can easily save money with the Razer USB4 Dock. Unless you need Thunderbolt for work compliance or your very specific needs, it may be better to cut costs.
You should not buy this if …
❌You need a dock that supports triple displays
The Razer USB4 Dock is great at many things, but one feature it does not boast is support for three simultaneous display outputs. Dual displays are a cinch, but those looking for a dock that can support triple screens will need to look elsewhere.
Over the last few years, Thunderbolt has become unbelievably common on modern Windows and macOS laptops thanks to the proliferation of new Intel and Apple silicon, but it’s still not everywhere. USB4 is a wider-reaching standard that still fulfills the needs of 99.9% of users, and dropping that Thunderbolt branding also drops costs to a more reasonable level.
The Razer USB4 Dock is a prime example of this. Its full retail price is lower than most great Thunderbolt 4 docks when they’re on sale, but this docking station isn’t meaningfully worse. It’s sleek, it’s premium, and it’s packed with ports and features. It’s an all-around great dock that, while lightly aimed at gamers with its 2.4GHz wireless dongle port, is an excellent choice for anyone needing to expand their device with a reliable USB hub.
The Razer USB4 Dock is now available for $229.99 at Amazon. At this price, I honestly can’t recommend many other docks to most of the people searching for one.
The Razer USB4 Dock costs $100 less and is arguably better than Razer’s Thunderbolt 4 alternative, boasting a premium build packed with diverse ports. This docking station is an unbeatable value in a saturated Thunderbolt 4 market, and it’s honestly the better choice for most people.
