The recently introduced Razer USB4 Dock is the manufacturer’s largest docking station and, unlike the Thunderbolt 4 dock, does without RGB lighting in favor of the price. A total of 14 ports and modern standards are available. We took a closer look at the dock in the test.
Technical data
| Model designation | USB4 dock |
| Main interface | USB Type-C (USB4) |
| USB Type-C ports | 1x USB4 upstream (40 Gbit/s) 2x USB-C 3.2 downstream (20 Gbit/s; 1x 100 watt PD; 1x 20 watt PD) 1x USB-C 3.2 (10 Gbit/s) |
| USB-A ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 (5 Gbit/s) 2x USB 2.0 type A (up to 480 Mbps) |
| Video interfaces | 1x HDMI 2.1 (maximum 4K@120 Hz) 1x DisplayPort 1.4 (maximum 4K@240 Hz) |
| Further interfaces | RJ45 (Gigabit Ethernet); 3.5 mm jack |
| Card reader | 1x UHS-II SD card reader 1x UHS-II microSD card reader |
| Power supply unit | 180 watts |
| Laptop power supply | Up to 100 watts via USB-C |
| material | Aluminum |
| Operating system compatibility | Microsoft Windows; macOS |
| Weight | 360g (docking station); 597g (power supply unit) |
| Dimensions | 190 mm x 80 mm x 21.5 mm |
| Price | € 249.99 * |
Razer USB4-Dock Review: Design and Workmanship
- Compact design
- High-quality workmanship
- Power button and status LED
With the Razer USB4-Dock, the manufacturer has created an amazingly handy docking station that nevertheless combines 14 ports. The dock is just 21.5 millimetres high and therefore fits easily on the desk, under monitor stands and much more.
This makes the docking station noticeably more compact than, for example, the Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 4 Dock Pro (our test) or the UGREEN Revodok Max 213 Thunderbolt 4 Dock (our test), which take up significantly more space on the desk and are also considerably more expensive.
The dock is therefore hardly larger than classic USB-C solutions, but is slightly heavier at around 360 grams plus an additional 597 grams for the power supply unit. This makes the dock ideal for working on the go.
The docking station is made of aluminum and feels very robust and high-quality. Our test model comes in the silver and white “Mercury” color scheme, which is currently available exclusively in the manufacturer’s store. However, the USB4 dock is also available in a classic black color scheme.
The underside of the Razer USB4-Dock is also rubberized so that the docking station does not slip on the desk. There is a power button and status LED on the right-hand side to switch the dock on. The dock is powered by a 180-watt power supply unit, which also charges notebooks with up to 100 watts.
The ports of the Razer USB4 Dock
- Many modern connections
- Image output on two monitors possible
- Two card readers
Razer has given the USB4 dock a total of 14 ports, which are cleverly distributed across the front and rear. The power supply unit and the USB4 transfer to the PC or notebook are connected via the rear, with both ports located on the right-hand edge so that the rest of the docking station can be used for other connections.
So let’s start at the back, from left to right. The following connections are available here:
- 1x USB-A 2.0 – 480 MB/s
- 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 – 5 GB/s
- 1x RJ-45 Gigabit LAN
- 1x DisplayPort 1.4 (maximum 4K@240 Hz)
- 1x HDMI 2.1 (maximum 4K@120 Hz)
Further practical connections and the SD card reader can be found on the front. Also from left to right:
- 1x UHS-II microSD card reader
- 1x UHS-II SD card reader
- 1x 3.5 mm jack
- 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 – 40 GB/s (1x with 85 watt PD; 1x with 20 watt PD)
- 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 – 10 GB/s
There is also another USB-A port on the left-hand side with a speed of 480 MB/s, which is primarily intended for 2.4 GHz wireless adapters, but also supports other USB devices. The fact that this is located on the side alone is very practical, as it reduces interference with other devices.
With the ability to operate two monitors with the docking station, the USB4 dock from Razer is well positioned. On the other hand, the selection of USB-C ports is somewhat weaker than that of many Thunderbolt 4 docks, which offer more fast ports.
Razer USB4 dock in practical test
- Plug-and-play connectivity
- Reliable and stable
- audible whirring of the power supply under load
The Razer USB4-Dock is compatible with Windows and macOS and is quickly ready for use. Plug in the power supply, connect the docking station to your PC or notebook and you’re ready to go. I find the option of switching the dock on and off at the touch of a button very convenient, with the status LED informing you of the current status.
During the test, the USB4 dock recognized all connections flawlessly and provided the maximum speeds. The connection to the monitor also worked flawlessly during my test and allowed the maximum possible 4K with 240 Hertz via DisplayPort 1.4.
All connected devices were reliably recognized. However, the included USB4 cable is a bit short with a length of one meter, so you have to operate the dock quite close to the PC or notebook.
What I noticed negatively, however, is that the power supply unit emits a constant but quiet beeping noise under load – i.e. when using multiple ports or reading/writing data via the SD card readers. This is not uncommon with docking stations, but in the case of the Razer USB4-Dock it was noticeably louder than with some of its competitors.
Speeds
- Very good speeds across the board
- Card readers with excellent reading speeds,…
- … but disappointing write rates
As already mentioned, the Razer USB4-Dock achieves very good speeds across all ports. The maximum possible transfer speed can be accessed via USB and the PowerDelivery function on the front and rear is also on par with the manufacturer’s specifications. The gaming notebook was reliably supplied with up to 100 watts of power during use.
The SD card reader and microSD card reader also score points with a very good read speed, but are a little weak in terms of write speed. My reference card PNY EliteX-PRO60 (up to 250 MB/s read; 180 MB/s write) achieves an excellent 281.86 MB/s read speed in the dock, but only a meagre 78.36 MB/s write speed.
Here, the Thunderbolt 4 docking stations we tested and mentioned above deliver better results in terms of write speed.
| Product | Sequential reading | Sequential writing |
| Razer USB4 dock | 281.86 MB/s | 78.36 MB/s |
| UGREEN Revodok Max 213 | 233.16 MB/s | 193.61 MB/s |
|
Belkin Connect TB4 Dock Pro |
290.41 MB/s | 193.64 MB/s |
Razer USB4 Dock Review: Conclusion
Compact design, diverse connection options, modern standards and impressive speeds: The Razer USB4-Dock is an excellent docking station in the modern USB4 standard, which is interesting for all Windows or Mac users who cannot or do not want to rely on Thunderbolt.
Photographers and videographers in particular will be pleased to have two SD card readers in full format and microSD format, which are impressive in terms of read speeds, but cannot access the full speed of the cards when writing.
The handy design also makes the docking station interesting for those who travel a lot and don’t want to do without a wide range of connections on the notebook. In any case, the USB4 dock offers hardly any points for criticism.
I would have liked 1-2 faster USB-C ports. Otherwise, only the audible whirring of the 180-watt power supply under load is annoying. In terms of price, the Razer USB4 dock is also well positioned and cheaper than many comparable Thunderbolt 4 solutions.
Razer USB4 Dock
Design & Workmanship
Compatibility & Connections
Performance & Stability
Value For Money
91/100
Versatile and compact USB4 docking station with modern connections and high speeds, marking a real advantage for Windows and Mac users.
