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The Dell XPS 13 is one of the best laptops you can buy each year, and the 2022 model is no different in that regard. It does come with a brand-new design, though, and while previous models leaned heavily on USB Type-C and Thunderbolt support for ports, this year that's truer than ever. The 2022 Dell XPS 13 only has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and everything else comes via adapters or docking stations.

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. For the most part, we focused on Thunderbolt docks, since these have more impressive capabilities, but there are some great docks based on standard USB Type-C, too. Depending on your needs, you may prefer one or the other, especially because Thunderbolt docks can be quite expensive. Either way, let's dive right into our list.

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  • For some, the best match for a Dell PC is a Dell dock, and this one is actually pretty great. It has a modular design and it includes plenty of ports, including four display outputs (HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C), USB Type-A, Ethernet, and more. It's very expensive, however.
    Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4
    Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4

    The official Dell Thunderbolt 4 Dock is another very capable option, with a multitude of ports including HDMI, multiple DisplayPorts, Ethernet, and more. It also has a modular design and exclusive features like a single power button to turn on the dock and laptop. However, it's extremely expensive.

  • If you can't stomach the price of other Thunderbolt docks, this alternative gives you plenty of expansion options, including DisplayPort and daisy-chaining support, at a much lower price.
    Amazon Basics 10-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
    Amazon Basics 10-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock

    Most Thunderbolt docks tend to cost over $300, but this one from Amazon Basics bucks that trend and comes in under $250. It still has a solid supply of ports, too, including DisplayPort, Ethernet. USB Type-A, and downstream Thunderbolt.

  • The Brydge Stone C gives you a total of 12 ports for all the expansion you need. It Includes four USB Type-A ports, up to three display outputs, GIgabit Ethernet, and more, all in a sleek and modern chassis. It's very compact, but very capable, and it even supports power delivery to your laptop.
    Brydge Stone C
    Brydge Stone Pro TB4

    The Brydge Stone Pro TB4 is one of the sleekest docking stations you can get for the Dell XPS 13. It's not super expensive, either, and it has plenty of ports including Ethernet, USB Type-A, and three Thunderbolt downstream ports for monitors and other accessories.

  • The Kensington SD5600T isn't the newest dock around, but because of that, it also has a lot of ports for a reasonable price. Including two HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, multiple USB Type-A ports, and Ethernet, this is a very capable dock.
    Kensington SD5600T
    Kensington SD5600T Thunderbolt 3 dock

    The Kensington SD5600T isn't the newest dock around, but because of that, it also has a lot of ports for a reasonable price. Including two HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, multiple USB Type-A ports, and Ethernet, this is a very capable dock.

  • If you want a very compact dock and you mostly rely on Thunderbolt-based peripherals, 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.
    CalDigit Element Hub
    CalDigital Element Thunderbolt 4 Dock

    If 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.

  • This Plugable dock is special because it's the only one that can support up to three 4K displays on the 13-inch M1 and M2 MacBook Pro models, and you can choose HDMI or DisplayPort for each one. Plus, it has USB Type-A, Ethernet, and other ports.
    Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station
    Plugable USB-C 4K Triple Display Docking Station

    Thunderbolt docks are great, but you don't need them to conenct 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-A.

  • It'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 has a wireless charging pad for your phone. It's pretty expensive, but you get a few extra ports and a very unique feature set to boot.
    Dell Dual Charge Dock
    Dell Dual Charge Dock

    It'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 has a wireless charging pad for your phone. It's pretty expensive, but you get a few extra ports and a very unique feature set to boot.

  • If 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 so you can have more ports at the ready.
    Anker 341 USB-C Hub
    Anker 341 USB-C Hub

    If 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 so you can have more ports at the ready.

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 USB Type-C ports or Thunderbolt, 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 Anker 777 dock is one of the more well-rounded ones in terms of features, in addition to having a sturdy design and 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 this year's model is significantly different, 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.