Review: JSAUX docking stations are solid for gaming handhelds

I was lucky enough to purchase an OLED Steam Deck last year and I absolutely love it. There were times, though, when I wanted to put games on the TV instead of playing on the handheld or going back to my gaming PC. I just want to sit on my couch and enjoy a console experience without buying the game on a different platform and having to start all over again. Enter the JSAUX 6 in 1 docking station. JSAUX was kind enough to provide me with the standard HB0603 with the charger set (you can use the charger that comes with the device to save money) and the HB0604 which has the M. 2 with a 2TB SSD preloaded. All the following thoughts are my own though.

First let’s talk about the similarities between these two docking stations. Both the HB0603 and HB0604 are designed for portable PC gaming devices like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally (not Aya NEO) as long as they have a USB-C port. Both offer three USB-A ports, a USB-C port (likely to be the charging cable), an HDMI 2.0 port that can output 4K at 60Hz or 2K at 120Hz, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. In essence, both of these docks turn your portable devices into a battle station.

Now let’s look at the differences between HB0603 and HB0604. There are a few small differences, for example the dimensions are slightly different, the HB0604 is considerably heavier, pleasantly so, and the HB0604 accepts a 65W charger instead of a 45W charger for the HB0603. Additionally, the HB0603 offers three USB-A 3.0 ports while the HB0604 offers three USB-A 3.2 ports. The biggest difference though is that the HB0604 has a built-in M.2 slot so you can have an SSD built into the docking station.

As you can see, these two docks are incredibly similar and so this review will cover both. All ports are very useful. Not only can you connect your handheld to a larger screen, but the Ethernet port gives you a faster, more reliable Internet connection, and the USB ports let you connect your keyboard, mouse, and another wired device of your choice. While you can use Bluetooth on handhelds, the wired connection has no latency for a smoother gaming experience. In terms of utility, I think this deck is incredible.

In addition to all the ports, these docking stations have proven to be a great quality of life item for my needs. Before getting these docks, I had a hard time finding a normal home to charge my Steam Deck. Now I have a place to stay when I’m not playing and I know it’s charged. I will also say that the build quality is really good. Both the HB0603 and HB0604 are made of TPE and aluminum. They won’t crack or break at the slightest hint of trouble, which gives you some peace of mind. Plus, they look nice and elegant with a small profile. Rubber pads help keep your handheld in place without worrying about scratches or scuffs.

I’ll admit that I haven’t used the SSD included with the HB0604 extensively, but I’ve tried it out a bit. From my minimal testing, it was extremely easy to set up the Steam Deck OLED. I simply had to go into the storage settings on the Deck to format it, no big deal. There were no problems in terms of download/installation, uploading, playing, etc. of games. I just had to make sure the game was installed on the external drive rather than the internal one, but that’s not a problem and obviously, when not connected to the docking station, you can’t play a game on the external drive.

I have to admit that I feel like I would only recommend the HB0604 in certain scenarios. First, if you have a spare M.2 SSD lying around and want to expand your device’s storage, the basic HB0604 would be a solid solution and costs just $99.99 as of this writing. I would only buy the HB0604 with an SSD included if you have multiple huge games that you feel you can’t live without or if you’re looking to turn your handheld into a workstation and then can put your non-games on the external drive and let it your portable storage space for your games.

Ultimately, JSAUX has made some amazing docking stations for PC gaming handhelds. I know that not all people will want or need a docking station. If you want one, I highly recommend the HB0603. As of this writing, all of the docks are on sale, which puts them all at prices that I think are much more reasonable, like $39.99 for the HB0603. I really like having both docks, and regardless of which one you choose, I would give them the following rating: