So if you're going to be plugging and unplugging your Chromebook from your dock regularly, consider investing in some speakers, so you don't have to set the audio back to the internal speaker every time. When you plug in anything to your Chromebook with a 3.5mm jack - either a headphone jack or an audio combo jack - Chrome OS will automatically route audio to that port regardless of if headphones or speakers are plugged into that port. A note about Chromebooks and headphone jacks Anker, Aukey, and Uni make good hubs, and Uni even has one with a four-foot cord so you can keep it further from your Chromebook. Then again, if all of these seem like overkill because you just wanted a dock to plug in a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, consider downsizing to a compact USB-C hub instead. Kensington also includes DisplayPort in addition to its HDMI port. Both come with ports for USB-C peripherals and a charge-only USB-C port for topping off your phone or power bank. If you have USB-C flash drives, keyboards, or other accessories you want to use with a Chromebook docking station, you'll need to step up to the Baseus 16-in-1 USB-C Dock or the Kensington SD2000P. It covers the basic port bases without overcomplicating things or cluttering your desk with an oversized eyesore.
For these reasons, the Plugable USB Mini Docking Station is a great hub to pair with the best Chromebooks. Instead, focus on the spacing between ports, the number of USB ports, and the price. When deciding how many ports a Chromebook docking station needs, keep in mind that you don't need to go overboard with the ports - most docking stations can only output one Chromebook screen and most Chromebooks have built-in card readers. USB-C docking stations come in all shapes and sizes - especially once we get into the wonderful world of Thunderbolt docks meant for Macs - but unfortunately, since most docking stations are built for Mac/PC, Chromebook compatibility can be hit or miss. The best Chromebook docking stations balance ports and portability You get three USB-A ports, HDMI and DisplayPort options, an audio combo jack, Ethernet, and 60W Power Delivery charging for your Chromebook Anker makes a wide variety of docking stations, and this new nine-port model looks perfect for Chromebooks.