JSAUX 6-in-1 Docking Station for Steam Deck (HB0603) Review

Overview

The JSAUX 6-in-1 Docking Station (HB0603) is the most popular third-party dock for the Steam Deck and other handheld gaming PCs. At under $35, it promises to turn a portable device into a full living-room or desk gaming station with HDMI output, wired internet, pass-through charging, and USB expansion — all in a package that weighs less than a can of soda.

The dock has accumulated over 4,200 Amazon ratings at 4.3 out of 5 stars and earned Amazon's Choice status, making it one of the best-selling accessories in the entire Steam Deck ecosystem. JSAUX has iterated on this design multiple times, and the current upgraded HB0603S revision addresses several early complaints about video output and build quality. The result is a focused, no-frills dock that does the three things handheld gamers actually need: display output, power delivery, and wired networking.

For Steam Deck owners who want a clean cable-to-TV setup, or for ROG Ally and Legion Go users building a desk station, the HB0603 makes a strong case. But monitor compatibility quirks and the lack of a bundled charger mean it is not entirely plug-and-play for every buyer.

Build Quality and Design

The HB0603 is constructed from a combination of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) and aluminum, giving it a firmer feel than many budget USB-C hubs. At 170 grams (approximately 6 ounces) and measuring 1.26 by 4.29 by 6.02 inches, it sits comfortably on a desk without dominating space. The base includes rubber pads that keep the dock planted during cable insertion and removal, and the overall shape is more refined than the original HB0603 revision from 2022.

The port layout is arranged on the back of the dock, which keeps cable management tidy but can make the Ethernet port feel snug. Multiple user reports note that the Gigabit Ethernet jack holds cables tightly — some owners have described it as difficult to remove an Ethernet cable without wiggling it carefully. This is a minor annoyance in daily use, but worth noting if you plan to move the dock between rooms frequently.

The dock is passively cooled with no fan, which means it operates silently. Under sustained load with a 100W charger connected, the unit can become warm to the touch, but community reports consistently describe this as within normal operating range and not a cause for concern.

The included USB-C cable is short and stiff, which some users have replaced with a more flexible right-angle cable for cleaner desk routing. The dock does not include a charger, which is a significant consideration — you will need a separate 65W to 100W USB-C PD adapter to get the most out of this dock.

Key Features

• HDMI 2.1 Output: Supports up to 4K at 120Hz, 4K at 60Hz, 1440p at 144Hz, and 1080p at up to 240Hz. This is the standout feature that separates the HB0603 from basic USB-C hubs, which typically cap out at HDMI 2.0 and lower refresh rates.
• 100W PD Pass-Through Charging: Delivers up to 100W of power delivery to keep compatible handhelds charged during long gaming sessions. The ROG Ally specifically supports 30W Turbo Mode when paired with a recommended 100W charger through this dock.
• Gigabit Ethernet: A full-speed Gigabit Ethernet port (1000 Mbps) for stable, low-latency online gaming and faster game downloads. Community feedback consistently identifies this as one of the most important features for docked gaming.
• Three USB 3.0 Ports: Enough for a controller receiver, keyboard, mouse, or external storage drive — the standard accessories for a desk or living-room gaming setup.
• Broad Handheld Compatibility: Works with Steam Deck LCD and OLED, ROG Ally, ROG Ally X, Legion Go, Legion Go S, and MSI Claw. JSAUX positions this as a cross-device dock, which adds value for households with multiple handhelds.
• Compact Form Factor: At 170 grams, the dock is light enough to pack in a gaming bag or move between rooms without effort.

Performance

The core performance of the HB0603 hinges on its video output capabilities, and this is where community sentiment is most nuanced. Reddit discussions on r/SteamDeck reveal a split experience: most users report flawless operation with consumer TVs (LG CX, LG C2, Sony projectors, and Pioneer plasmas all tested successfully at both 1080p and 4K), but a subset of users with PC monitors — particularly high-refresh gaming monitors — have encountered HDMI negotiation issues.

One extensively documented Reddit review from r/SteamDeck described the dock failing to output 4K on a Gigabyte M32U monitor, even though a simple $18 Anker USB-C adapter handled the same monitor at 4K60Hz without issue. The reviewer theorized that the dock's HDMI chip may be discarding extended EDID attributes that certain monitors require. JSAUX support responded helpfully and issued a full refund, but the underlying compatibility gap remained unresolved at the time.

The important caveat is that this is not a universal problem. The same reviewer tested the dock on multiple LG and Sony TVs with zero issues. Community consensus suggests the HB0603 works reliably with most consumer TVs and many monitors, but buyers targeting a specific high-refresh gaming monitor should verify compatibility or purchase from a retailer with a generous return policy.

For 1080p and 1440p output — the modes most Steam Deck owners actually use in game mode — the dock performs reliably. The Steam Deck's GPU is not powerful enough to drive most games at 4K with playable frame rates anyway, so the HDMI 2.1 specification is more about future-proofing and desktop use than about maximizing in-game visual quality.

Charging performance is consistently praised across reviews. With a proper 100W charger, the dock maintains charge during extended play sessions even when the handheld is running at higher performance modes. The 100W PD specification gives enough headroom for the ROG Ally's 30W Turbo Mode while still delivering charge to the battery — a combination that cheaper docks with 45W or 65W pass-through cannot reliably achieve.

Gigabit Ethernet delivers on its promise. Multiple reviewers and community members note that wired connectivity eliminates the random latency spikes and download inconsistencies that plague handheld Wi-Fi in crowded environments. For competitive online play, this alone justifies the dock's purchase price.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional value at under $35 — HDMI 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet, and 100W charging at a price that undercuts most competitors
• HDMI 2.1 with 4K@120Hz support provides genuine future-proofing for high-refresh displays
• 100W PD pass-through keeps handhelds charged during long sessions, including ROG Ally 30W Turbo Mode
• Gigabit Ethernet delivers stable, low-latency wired networking for competitive play and fast downloads
• Three USB 3.0 ports cover the standard docked accessory loadout (controller, keyboard, mouse)
• Broad compatibility across Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go, and MSI Claw families
• Compact and lightweight at 170g, easy to move between rooms or pack for travel

Cons:

• HDMI compatibility quirks with certain monitors — EDID negotiation issues can prevent 4K output on some displays, particularly high-refresh PC monitors
• Not compatible with the newer ROG Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X models, which is a dealbreaker for owners of those devices
• No charger included — requires a separate 65-100W USB-C PD adapter to unlock full performance
• Single HDMI output only, with no multi-monitor or DisplayPort support
• Ethernet port can grip cables tightly, making removal slightly cumbersome

Who Should Buy This

The JSAUX HB0603 is the default dock recommendation for most Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Legion Go owners. It is especially compelling for:

• Steam Deck owners who want a TV gaming setup. Plug the Deck into the dock, connect an HDMI cable to your TV, attach a controller, and you have a console-like experience. The Gigabit Ethernet and 100W charging mean you can play for hours without Wi-Fi anxiety or battery drain.
• Budget-conscious buyers who want premium features. At under $35, the HB0603 delivers HDMI 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet, and 100W PD charging — specifications that competitors often charge $50-80 for.
• Multi-handheld households. If your family has a Steam Deck and a ROG Ally, or a Legion Go and an MSI Claw, this dock works across all of them without needing separate accessories.
• Desk gamers who want wired connectivity. The Gigabit Ethernet port eliminates Wi-Fi variables for competitive online play, and the three USB 3.0 ports support a full keyboard-and-mouse desktop arrangement.

You should skip this dock if you own a ROG Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X (JSAUX sells a separate HB0612 model for those devices), if you need multi-monitor output, or if you are unwilling to troubleshoot potential HDMI compatibility issues with your specific monitor.

Alternatives to Consider

• Valve Steam Deck Dock ($89.99): The official dock includes a 45W charger and offers tight SteamOS integration with official firmware support. It has fewer USB ports (3x USB-A 3.1) and uses HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz max), but it guarantees compatibility with the Steam Deck and comes with a US warranty. Choose this if you want peace of mind and do not need HDMI 2.1.
• JSAUX HB0604 (approximately $49.99): The HB0604 adds a built-in M.2 SSD enclosure underneath the dock, allowing you to expand storage for the Steam Deck without using an external drive. If storage expansion is a priority and you are already considering JSAUX, the HB0604 is worth the premium.
• Anker 555 USB-C 8-in-1 Hub (approximately $40-50): A general-purpose USB-C hub with HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and USB-A ports. It lacks the gaming-specific optimizations of the HB0603 (no 100W PD, lower HDMI spec), but it works reliably with a wider range of devices and is better suited for users who want a hub that doubles between handheld gaming and laptop docking.

Verdict

The JSAUX 6-in-1 Docking Station (HB0603) earns its position as the most popular third-party Steam Deck dock by delivering the features that matter most — HDMI output, wired networking, and pass-through charging — at a price that is hard to argue with. The HDMI 2.1 specification and 100W PD charging give it genuine future-proofing, while the compact design and broad handheld compatibility make it a practical choice for nearly any docking scenario.

The monitor compatibility concerns are real but manageable. Most users will experience no issues, and JSAUX's responsive customer support mitigates the risk for those who do encounter problems. The lack of a bundled charger is a minor inconvenience, not a dealbreaker — most Steam Deck owners already own a compatible USB-C PD adapter.

For handheld gamers who want a clean, affordable way to play on a big screen, the HB0603 is the clear recommendation. It does not try to be everything to everyone, and that focused approach is exactly why it works.

Score: 8.5/10