For laptop power users, a secret weapon has always been USB docks—an incredibly powerful, plug-and-play way to transform your laptop into the nerve center of a workstation. There’s no shortage of brands competing in the USB dock market, but there are few as reliable as Belkin, so when the Belkin Universal USB-C 11-in-1 Pro Dock came up for review, I had to give it a shot.
We all have weird obsessions (right?), and one of mine is trying to optimize my workstations to be as capable and minimalist as possible. The goal is to eliminate visual clutter and make moving my laptop between desks as frictionless as possible without losing functionality. And I’ve tried a seemingly endless number of docks over the years to find the perfect setup.
When I first read the Belkin Universal USB-C 11-in-1 Pro Dock specifications, I was intrigued. When I saw the $149.99 price tag, I was skeptical. But after spending a few weeks with it, I’m impressed. It has a unique wedge-shaped design that won’t be perfect for every setup, but the solid build quality, lightning-fast transfer speeds, and ability to run three monitors plus your laptop screen make it a compelling option, especially for the price.
The Belkin Universal USB-C 11-in-1 Pro Dock is the upgraded version of the Belkin USB-C 11-in-1 Multiport Dock, the key upgrades being transfer speeds that have increased from 5 Gbps to 10 Gbps, a full suite of USB 3.2 ports, 2.5 Gbps ethernet speed (improved from 1 Gbps), a longer connection cable, and a Kensington Security Slot which allows the device to be secured in place with a cable lock.
“Ultimately, the Belkin Universal USB-C 11-in-1 Pro Dock is an impressive device.”
Unsurprisingly, the Belkin Universal USB-C 11-in-1 Pro Dock comes equipped with 11 ports, but if you include the Kensington Security Slot, that number jumps to 12-in-one. The first set of ports is the stacked SD and MicroSD 3.0 card readers, followed by two USB-A 3.2 ports, a USB-C 3.2 1.5A port, and a USB-C 3.2 PD 100W port.
PD stands for USB Power Delivery. Connecting this port to a PD charger supplies 100W of power to the dock, which takes 15W and sends the remaining 85W through the USB-C tether to charge your device. Of course, this only works for devices that can run off 85W of power. For an ultrabook like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i that uses a 65W power supply, 100W PD is perfect; for a 230W power hog like my Lenovo Legion 5, not so much.
Beside the PD port is a 13.7-inch tethered USB-C cable, which is the only connection you’ll need (other than a power supply if you’re over 85W) to plug into your workstation. 13.7 inches is still pretty limited, but it is a vast improvement over the punishingly short 6.4-inch cable of the Belkin USB-C 11-in-1 Multiport Dock.
To the right of the USB-C tether are two HDMI ports; the first supports 4K at 60Hz, and the second 4K at 30Hz. The final display option, and my personal nemesis, is a 1080p VGA port. Yes, in 2025, we’re still getting VGA ports. It’s understandable why VGA is still a staple on USB-C docks; outputting a third 4K signal over HDMI requires more power and resources than an average laptop can produce. But I’d argue that having a dock that supports only two displays and includes more modern connections like DisplayPort would solve more problems than a third HD monitor.
Finally, to the right of the display connections are a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and a combination 3.5mm audio jack. It’s important to note that if powered speakers are plugged into the dock without an active PD connection or tethered device, there will be feedback.
The dock is a metal-cased wedge that’s meant to double as a laptop stand. The innovative design is another upgrade over the Belkin USB-C 11-in-1 Multiport Dock. Where the original had a flat grade that was mostly flush with the bottom of the laptop, the Pro has a sharper angle that only connects with the laptop’s surface along a thin rubberized strip. The sharper slope leaves more space for airflow between the dock and the device.
“Unsurprisingly, the Belkin Universal USB-C 11-in-1 Pro Dock comes equipped with 11 ports, but if you include the Kensington Security Slot, that number jumps to 12-in-one.”
As well-designed as the updated wedge shape is, it’s also what makes it a niche solution. I like to set my laptop on a monitor shelf next to a full display or run it with a closed lid tucked under the shelf. The wedge shape makes balancing the laptop on a shelf impossible and sitting under the shelf impractical, in no small part because all the connections are on the back of the dock, meaning you’ll likely have to rotate the entire setup to access the USB ports or, god forbid, if you want to use the SD card reader without fruitlessly jamming the card into the back of the device for a few mintues.
There are a limited number of spaces where a wedge-shaped dock with rear-facing ports would be the best choice, which is why the majority of docks are offset designs that are meant to sit beside your equipment, similar to a traditional USB hub. Most home setups I’ve seen are built around a desk pushed against a wall, which makes offset docks like the OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock or the Kensington SD4880P more practical choices.
The wedge form factor and rear-facing ports would work best in open-concept offices or when placed on podiums and lecterns. With this in mind, the “Pro” designation of the Belkin Universal USB-C 11-in-1 Pro Dock becomes more fitting, and the VGA port and Kensington Security Slot start to make more sense. The stand functionality, compatibility with antiquated technology, and ability to chain it to an A/V cart are perfect for a device meant to live in board rooms and lecture halls, where it can accommodate even the most ancient laptops and projectors.
Ultimately, the Belkin Universal USB-C 11-in-1 Pro Dock is an impressive device. Its full suite of USB 3.2 ports, triple monitor support, 10 Gbps transfer speeds, and robust, compact design make it a steal at $149.99, so long as you have the right space to set it up. It’s certainly suitable for home use, but its solid construction, metal casing, and Security features make it ideal for more public settings like schools and offices.
- SILICON MOTION TECHNOLOGY: Featuring the latest SIMO technology, this dock adds more power and productivity in your setup by allowing for more monitor support.
- 11-IN-1 DOCK: Various ports include key ports that newer laptops no longer support: 2 HDMI, 1VGA, 2 USB-A, 2.5 GbE, Audio in/Out (TRSS), 1 USB-C PD, 1 USB-C, SD 4.0, and microSD 3.0. The dock also doubles as a laptop stand with centered connection cable.
