Review of the Syntech docking station: a stylish, affordable Steam Deck port
I love all platforms, large and small, but my true love has always been PC gaming, as seen by my Steam collection. Of course, I was eager to get my hands on a Steam Deck so I could access that vast library without being restricted to my desktop. I was also excited about the prospect of being able to connect it to a TV for when I felt like relaxing.
The Steam Deck is undoubtedly one of the more reasonably priced current-generation consoles available, but it is still rather expensive, especially when Valve's Steam Deck Dock is added on. Fortunately, there are a few affordable options available, like the Syntech 6-in-1 Dock, that let you connect your Steam Deck to an HDMI, Ethernet, or other variety of connections. Is it excellent, though? Or would it be wiser to put money aside and buy the proper deck dock? Let's examine this.
The lightweight plastic Syntech 6-in-1 Dock has a rubber grip within the divet where you set your device and a non-slip rubber ring at the base of the port. It features a single USB-C cable that protrudes from the rear and hooks around to connect to your gadget. The cable's robust connection is hooked at a right angle, making it easy to slide into your Steam Deck without protruding at an unusual angle as a straight connector would.
It is presented in a tidy compact box together with a pair of orange silicone joystick covers and a brief instruction booklet. Though I don't personally like them since they're rough and uneven, which makes them difficult for me to use during extended play periods, the joystick covers are a great addition.
Other than that, there are no more cords included with the dock. You will need your own USB-C cable and charging connector to connect it to the wall or a charging station. If you want to connect HDMI and Ethernet as well, you will also need to purchase those cables. Though I'm sure most of us have enough of those cables lying around the home anyway, I personally have no issue with this; it's just something to keep in mind when making the purchase.
As one might expect, the dock has six different ports: three USB 3.0 ports for charging your device via the dock, an Ethernet port to ensure fast download speeds, and a USB-C input for connecting peripherals like controllers or wireless keyboard and mouse dongles.
With the extra benefit of being able to connect and charge peripherals, it serves as an excellent stand and charging station for your Steam Deck even when the HDMI and Ethernet ports aren't being used. When you set your Steam Deck on the dock, it feels surprisingly solid and well-made for its lightweight weight. It also stays quite stable. It's also quite stylish and tidy, which makes it the ideal tiny stand to tuck beneath your TV or monitor.
With regard to its HDMI connection, the Syntech dock functions well. Its HDMI 2.0 4K@60Hz output works well with my TV and PC monitor in terms of latency and input lag. You can play your Steam games on the big screen in no time at all after plugging it into your TV or monitor and connecting your Steam Deck. I was able to play all of my favorite games on my TV by connecting my Switch Pro controller to the Steam Deck via Bluetooth. I even plugged my controller into a connector on the dock to charge it.
The gigabit ethernet output of the dock hasn't been thoroughly tested by me, but when I connected it to my router, I noticed higher game download rates and never had any connection issues while playing online games. The ability to connect your Steam Deck to the internet is undoubtedly enticing in general, particularly if your wifi signal is spotty. This clever little device seems to have no problems meeting that need.
In addition to serving as a dock for Steam Deck, the Syntech dock may also serve as a foundation for other USB-C compatible devices, including tablets, smartphones, and Nintendo Switches. Since the wire easily hooks around and there's plenty of space to tilt your phone just perfectly without the need for pop supports or flip covers, I've found it to be a handy small stand and charging station for my phone when I want to play games or watch movies.
However, when it comes to the Nintendo Switch, it's not the most practical since the USB-C connection is located at the bottom of the device, making it unfit to sit correctly in the dock while plugged in. Although the dock isn't designed to hold the Switch, this is something to bear in mind if that's one of the reasons you're considering this dock. Other than that, it's not really a problem.
All things considered, the Syntech Steam Deck Docking Station is a useful small device that provides a less expensive option to Valve's official dock. Priced at $49.99 on Amazon US and £36.99 on Amazon UK, respectively, Compared to the Steam Deck Docking Station's fixed $89.99/£79.00, (a price that regularly decreases through coupons and promotional deals), it feels much less like a financial gut-punch after shelling out for the Steam Deck itself, even though it still has all the same inputs and outputs you need to transform your deck into a fully functional home console.
The Syntech Deck Dock is a stylish and easy way to accessorise your tech and a great low-cost addition to your setup, whether you're looking for a neat stand to show off your Steam Deck and keep its battery consistently topped up, a way to connect your Steam Deck to an ethernet for faster download speeds, or the ability to play your Steam library while lounging on the couch in front of your sofa.
Check out our list of the top portable gaming consoles if you're still looking for some portable entertainment. For even more excellent technology, check out our guides to the best Samsung phones, the best iPads, and the best tough smartphones.