Docking Station or Dock Adapter? Ultimate Guide for Switch 2, Steam Deck & ROG Ally Gamers

At some point in your life as an owner of a handheld, I'm sure you must have had the idea of turning your handheld gaming device into something a little more… “big screen” or perhaps a little more “desktop”, in which case you’ve probably caught yourself stuck trying to decide between a docking station or a dock adapter. 

But really, what even are those two and what's the difference between them? Even the names alone can be so confusing at times. So, let's break it down and talk about them both and clear the fog about both device types, and we’ll even use some real examples such as our JSAUX RGB Docking Station and the JSAUX Dock Adapter to help you figure out which is best suited for you.

First up, the docking station. A docking station in layman’s terms is basically considered “HQ” or “Home Base” for your handheld. It stays in one place, has a tonne more ports for all your needs, has a better power delivery system and overall feels like a proper hub. 

For handheld devices such as the Steam Deck or the ROG Ally, A dock such as the one we mentioned earlier (The 12-in-1 RGB Docking Station) provides you with an HDMI output, USB ports for a keyboard and mouse should you choose to plug those in, an ethernet port for a stable internet connection, and enough stability to build what is essentially a mini desktop setup. THis is the perfect choice for anyone who wants their handheld to live a double life as both a portable handheld device, or a work (battle) station- something you plug into and forget about until it’s time to game once again. 


 
Now let’s talk about dock adapters. A dock adapter is a minimalist’s dream. It does less things compared to a hub ofcourse, but it does those things extremely well and also while taking up much less space. 

For example, our JSAUX GAMING Dock Adapter is light enough to throw into a pocket, simple enough to set it all up in seconds, and is perfect for on the go moments whether you’re gaming on a hotel room TV, a friend’s living room, or even a small workspace where you just need quick HDMI out. Again as i mentioned it’s not as fully featured as a docking station, but with it’s portability unmatched, that IS the point of the dock adapter. 

Here’s a quick and useful comparison table for most folks that want all the information in a quick and neat little bundle: