Baseus Laptop Docking Station Review
Baseus USB-C Docking Station Review: Benchmark 100W Power Delivery, dual 4K @ 60Hz HDMI video output, 5Gbps USB data throughput, and MST display limits.
Dual HDMI at 4K@120Hz on a single display, 85W pass-through charging, Gigabit Ethernet, three USB, and SD/TF card readers in a hub that weighs 5.3 ounces and fits in a jacket pocket. The Baseus 9-in-1 handles dual monitors, wired internet, peripherals, card transfers, and laptop charging from one USB-C connection. Plug a 100W charger into the hub’s PD port and 85W reaches the laptop — the hub keeps 15W for itself. No charger included, no adapter in the box. The compatibility list names iPhone 15, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, MacBook, Surface, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung Galaxy phones — anything with a full-featured USB-C port. At 5.3 ounces and 0.63 inches thick, this is a travel hub that stays in the bag and comes out at every desk.
Nine ports. Two HDMI (4K@120Hz single, mirror/extend dual). Two USB 3.0 (5 Gbps). One USB 2.0. One USB-C PD (85W to laptop from 100W charger). Gigabit Ethernet. SD/TF (104 MB/s). 5.3 oz. 5.31″ x 1.93″ x 0.63″. 1-year warranty.
Baseus Laptop Docking Station Dual Monitor 9 in 1 USB C Hub up to 4K@120Hz | 2 HDMI, 1Gbps LAN, Max 85W PD, 3 USB, SD Card Reader, USB Dock for Lenovo/Dell/HP/Surface/Steam Deck/Windows/Mac Mirror Only
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Ports | 9 |
| HDMI | 2 (single display up to 4K@120Hz) |
| USB 3.0 | 2 (5 Gbps) |
| USB 2.0 | 1 |
| USB-C PD | 85W to laptop (from 100W charger, hub uses 15W) |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 1 (1000 Mbps) |
| SD Card Reader | 1 (104 MB/s) |
| TF/MicroSD Reader | 1 (104 MB/s) |
| Charger Included | No |
| Weight | 5.3 oz / 150g |
| Dimensions | 5.31″ L x 1.93″ W x 0.63″ H |
| Compatible Devices | iPhone 15, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, MacBook, Surface, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung Galaxy |
| Manufacturer | Baseus |
| Warranty | 1 year |
4K@120Hz on a Single Display
One HDMI connected to one monitor runs at 4K@120Hz. That is sharp, smooth, and high refresh rate from a 5-ounce hub — unusual at this weight class. Connect both HDMI ports for dual monitors in mirror or extend mode, and the resolution and refresh rate drop depending on the laptop’s DP bandwidth. The title says “Dual Monitor 4K@120Hz” but that spec applies to single display use. Dual monitors share bandwidth and will not both run at 4K@120Hz simultaneously. For dual 4K@60Hz, the laptop needs DP 1.4 with enough bandwidth after the split.
85W from a Charger You Supply
The hub has no power adapter. Plug your own USB-C charger (up to 100W) into the PD port. The hub takes 15W for its operations and passes 85W to the laptop. Without a charger connected, the hub draws power from the laptop’s battery and the laptop discharges faster. For desk use, keep a charger plugged in. For quick portable use — plugging into a conference room projector for a presentation — the hub works without a charger but the laptop runs on battery.
Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and iPhone 15
The compatibility list goes beyond laptops. Steam Deck connects through USB-C to output to a TV or monitor through HDMI while charging through PD. ROG Ally does the same. iPhone 15 mirrors to an HDMI display. Samsung Galaxy phones with DeX support extend to a desktop interface on the connected monitor. For handheld gaming on a big screen with a wired connection and controller through USB, the Baseus 9-in-1 handles that setup at a weight that adds nothing noticeable to a travel bag.
Gigabit Ethernet at Travel Weight
Wired Ethernet in a 5.3-ounce hub. For hotel rooms with Ethernet jacks, conference rooms with wired drops, or home offices where Wi-Fi stutters during video calls, the Gigabit port provides 1000 Mbps stable connectivity. Most travel hubs at this weight skip Ethernet to save space. The Baseus includes it.
SD/TF at 104 MB/s
SD and TF card readers at 104 MB/s (UHS-I speed). A 32GB SD card from a camera transfers in roughly five minutes. For photographers who shoot to SD cards and need to review or transfer at a client site, the card readers handle that without carrying a separate reader. UHS-II cards are bottlenecked to UHS-I speed through this hub.
Drawbacks
| Consideration | Detail |
|---|---|
| No Charger Included | Supply your own USB-C PD charger. |
| Dual 4K@120Hz Misleading | 4K@120Hz on single display. Dual monitors share bandwidth. |
| USB 3.0 Only | 5 Gbps. No 10 Gbps ports. |
| Three USB Total | Two 3.0 and one 2.0. Full desk may need more. |
| SD/TF at UHS-I | 104 MB/s. UHS-II cards bottlenecked. |
| No Audio Jack | No 3.5mm audio output. |
Baseus Lineup Position
Baseus makes four hubs and docks: the 7-in-1 (compact travel), the 9-in-1 (this unit, dual HDMI, Ethernet, 85W, 5.3 oz), the Spacemate 11-in-1 (vertical tower, LED screen, screen-lock, 10 Gbps), and the 17-in-1 (most ports, triple 4K, detachable stand, 36W dock adapter). The 9-in-1 is the travel-weight option with dual HDMI and Ethernet — lighter than the Spacemate, fewer ports than the 17-in-1, more capable than the 7-in-1. For the Baseus Spacemate, see the Baseus Spacemate review. For the Baseus 17-in-1, see the Baseus 17-in-1 review.
Who This Hub Is For
Travelers and portable users who need dual HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, USB, card readers, and 85W pass-through at 5.3 ounces — including Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and iPhone 15 owners: The Baseus 9-in-1 provides dual monitors, wired internet, peripherals, and card transfers in a hub thin enough to forget it is in the bag. 4K@120Hz on a single monitor. Broad device compatibility. 1-year warranty.
Desk users who need more USB ports, 10 Gbps, or a dock with its own power adapter: Three USB total may not cover a full desk. No 10 Gbps. No included charger. For desk docks, see the Docking stations.
Final Verdict
The Baseus 9-in-1 puts dual HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, three USB, card readers, and 85W pass-through into 5.3 ounces. Single display hits 4K@120Hz. Dual monitors extend or mirror at shared bandwidth. Steam Deck and ROG Ally output to a TV through HDMI while charging through PD. iPhone 15 mirrors to a monitor. Photographers transfer from SD/TF at 104 MB/s. The hub works with a charger you already own and adds no meaningful weight to the bag. For the buyer who needs a dual-HDMI hub with Ethernet at travel weight, the Baseus 9-in-1 handles that with 1,471 reviews and a 4.3-star rating behind it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can both monitors run at 4K@120Hz?
No. 4K@120Hz applies to a single HDMI display. Dual monitors share bandwidth and run at lower resolution or refresh rate depending on the laptop’s DP version.
Does this include a charger?
No. Supply your own USB-C PD charger (up to 100W). The hub passes 85W to the laptop and uses 15W for itself.
Does this work with Steam Deck?
Yes. Connect through USB-C to output HDMI to a TV or monitor while charging through the PD port.
Is there an audio jack?
No. No 3.5mm audio output. Use the laptop’s headphone jack or Bluetooth audio.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I evaluate docking stations the way they actually get used — against real bandwidth budgets, power-delivery ceilings, and the OS handshakes that quietly cap what a port can do — not spec-sheet promises. Every constraint that can break a multi-display setup is disclosed before any affiliate link.
Docking Station Intelligence
The standards are confusing by design. These three panels decode what manufacturers won’t explain clearly. Applicable to every docking station.
The USB-C Confusion Matrix
The USB-C connector is the single greatest source of buyer confusion in docking stations. The physical plug looks identical whether it carries USB 2.0 at 480 Mbps or Thunderbolt 5 at 120 Gbps — a 250x difference in capability hidden behind the same shape. Manufacturers exploit this by labeling everything "USB-C compatible" without specifying which protocol runs through it. Two docks can look identical on the outside and behave completely differently once you plug them in.
The hierarchy matters because it determines everything: how many monitors your dock can drive, how fast files transfer, whether your laptop charges while docked, and whether you need third-party drivers. Here is the real capability ladder, from slowest to fastest:
The practical takeaway: if your laptop has Thunderbolt 4, buy a Thunderbolt dock. If it only has generic USB-C, verify whether it supports DisplayPort Alt Mode before buying anything with multi-monitor claims. Our buying guide walks through verification steps for every major laptop brand.
Power Delivery: What the Watts Mean
Power Delivery (PD) determines whether your docking station can charge your laptop while you work, or whether you need a separate charger cluttering your desk. The math is simple but rarely explained: your laptop draws a specific wattage under load, and the dock must match or exceed it. If the dock delivers less than your laptop needs, the battery slowly drains even while plugged in — defeating the purpose of a docking station entirely.
Check the laptop manufacturer’s recommended power supply and the dock’s rated host power. Shared charging budgets vary by dock: powering peripherals does not reduce host charging on every model. USB-C charging also depends on the laptop, cable and negotiated power profile. A lower-power supply may charge slowly or allow battery drain under load; a fixed 15–20W margin is not a universal requirement.
Check your laptop’s original charger wattage — that’s your baseline. Our FAQ covers how to find this for every major brand.
Native Display vs DisplayLink: The Hidden Factor
This is the decision most buyers don’t know they’re making. When a docking station outputs video to your monitors, it uses one of two fundamentally different methods: native (the dock passes your laptop’s GPU signal directly to the monitor) or DisplayLink (the dock compresses video over USB and a software driver renders it). The difference is invisible in marketing materials but profoundly affects your daily experience.
Native output through DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt uses the host graphics system. DisplayLink transports encoded display data over USB using compatible software. Its responsiveness and CPU/GPU load vary with the computer, software, resolution and workload; fixed latency, CPU and battery percentages are not universal specifications. Protected-video playback also depends on the display path, operating system and service. Check DisplayLink system requirements for your configuration.
DisplayLink can add displays through compatible USB connections, including USB-A, and can serve systems with limited native display outputs. Native limits depend on the exact computer and operating mode. For example, M3 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro support two external displays with the lid closed under Apple’s stated conditions. Choose the display method against your computer, software permissions and workload.
Native (Alt Mode / Thunderbolt)
DisplayLink (USB compression)
Choose a native or DisplayLink dock by checking the exact host, dock, operating system and monitor combination. Native output is often preferable for latency-sensitive workloads; DisplayLink can be useful for additional productivity displays and compatible USB-A hosts. Neither connector shape nor a generic bandwidth number proves compatibility.
COMMAND CENTERCOMMAND CENTER
Six tools that decode the confusion manufacturers create. Port protocols, power budgets, display configurations, compatibility, desk planning, and future-proofing. Full buying guide →
Port Protocol DecoderWhat does your connection type actually support? Glossary
Power Delivery CalculatorCan this dock keep your laptop charged?
Display Configuration PlannerCan your dock push enough pixels?
Laptop-to-Dock CompatibilityWill this dock work with YOUR laptop?
Desk Setup ArchitectWhat ports do you actually need?
Select everything you need to connect: