Choosing one of the best MacBook Pro docking stations is an essential purchase for anyone looking to turn their Apple laptop into a real workspace juggernaut.
Even with recent I/O improvements, the general dearth of ports across the entire MacBook lineup is disappointing, especially for those whose workloads dictate the need to connect multiple devices at once. A MacBook Pro docking station takes this strain off your computer by serving as both an expansion device and a power supply. Whether it's adding more Thunderbolt 4 ports to your machine or bringing back old favorites like full-size USB-A ports, you can take the headache out of connecting the many devices we depend on every day for our work and lives. guys.
We've curated this list of the best MacBook Pro docks so you can connectlotsof devices and peripherals that need high-speed data transfer, including thebest macbooks. Each one is a winner.
Upgrade your workspace with the best docking stations
Why you can trust iMoreOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best one for you.Learn more about how we test.
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CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
18 ports including Thunderbolt 4!
The CalDigit TS4 Dock has it all. In its 18 ports, you have three Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB-C 10Gb/s ports, five USB-A 10Gb/s ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 port, a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, two slots for UHS-II cards ( in microSD sizes and sizes, 3.5mm audio input and output, plus a combo 3.5mm audio input and output on the front. 60Hz monitors. It's not cheap, but as we said in ourCalDigit TS4 ReviewIt's the best money can buy.
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Tobenone 15 in 2 USB-C Docking Station
Heavyweight
This Tobenone docking station is designed specifically for MacBook Pro. It has two HDMI ports 4K@30Hz|60Hz, four USB 3.0 ports, one USB-C PD 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports for wireless keyboard and mouse, 3.5mm audio port/microphone, SD/TF reader and a RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port. It gives the option of adding two external monitors via HDMI, allowing you to view three screens with different content at the same time. It offers super-fast data transmission and supports 100W power input. You can also boost your laptop with 87W by simply connecting your MacBook Pro's power adapter to the USB-C PD port.
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EZQuest 12-Port USB-C Media Hub Adapter with Power Delivery 3.0
Two screens and more
The 12-Port USB-C Media Hub Adapter with Power Delivery 3.0 provides up to 100 watts of power for charging and data transfer. With this dock, you get two HDMI ports for connecting one or two 4K monitors with 3840 x 2160 resolution. Other ports include four USB 3.1 Type-A ports, SDHC and microSDHC card readers, an RJ45 Ethernet port, a 3-way converter 5mm audio jack and a USB Type-C power port. It's the flagship of multiport docking stations.
Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock - Bases Thunderbolt 3 com portas HDMI
Ideal for HDMI monitors
The Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock is the best way to get the most out of the 4K HDMI monitors you have out there. You can power two of them with the included HDMI ports, and both displays can be 4K at 60Hz, giving you plenty of screen real estate. With an SD card reader, plenty of USB ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port, you'll have all the connections for the best MacBook Pro setup.
14 in 1 USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 Dock - Laptop Dock for Mac and Windows
vertical expandability
Plugable's reliable docking station provides 96 watts of charging power with six USB-A ports and one USB-C port. It also has a Thunderbolt 3 port for fast data transfer and support for 4K displays and a Gigabit Ethernet port. With the included dock adapter, you can set this docking station vertically or horizontally for maximum desktop customization.
StarTech.com Thunderbolt 3 Dock - Laptop Docking Station with Dual 4K 60Hz Displays and DisplayPort
5K support
StarTech's docking station has eight ports, including Ethernet, USB-A 2.0, microphone, headphone jack, Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort, USB-A 3.0 for fast charging, and HDMI. This dock allows you to connect one 5K display via the Thunderbolt 3 port or two 4K Ultra HD displays via the Thunderbolt 3 port and the DisplayPort port.
Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station: Portas HDMI para Mac e Windows
Economic
If you don't want to break the bank but still want something to give your MacBook Pro more options, the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Mini is great. It may not have all the ports that some larger piers have, but it has the essentials. With two HDMI ports that support 4K displays running at 60Hz, a USB 3.0 Type-A port, a USB 2.0 port, and a Gigabit Ethernet connector, you'll get even more out of one of your MacBook Pro's USB-C ports.
Anker Docking Station - 777 Thunderbolt Docking Station com 12 portas
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This docking station from Anker helps you save your valuable desk space by combining 12 ports into one compact box. Anker's dock has two HDMI ports that support 4K and 8K and 90 watts of power delivery, keeping your MacBook ready to go. Other highlights include Gigabit Ethernet, four USB-A ports, an SD card slot, and a Thunderbolt 4 port.
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iVANKY 12 in 2 docking station
Best for older MacBook Pros
iVanky 12 in 2 Docking Station supports dual external displays for older MacBook Pro (2017-2021). Note that MacBook Pros with the M1/M2 chip only support one external display. It features 96W laptop charging and 18W Power Delivery 3.0. All dock ports share a maximum power supply of 180W. It is equipped with two HDMI 2.0 ports, two USB-C ports and four USB-C ports. In 3.0, 5Gbps data transfer, SD and microSD slots, a 3.5mm audio port, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
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Which MacBook Docking Station Should You Choose?
The best MacBook Pro docking stations allow for the use of multiple displays with a charging stand, which is why they typically useThunderbolt instead of just USB-C. Differentbest usb-c hubs, Thunderbolt docks usually have a power supply that can charge your laptop and mobile devices, while providing fast data transfer and compatibility with 4K, 5K, or 8K displays.
If you want to get the most out of your new Macbook, like the latestMacBook Air com M2, then theBase CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4it is essential. With the exception of the HDMI ports, it offers multiple connectors for every conceivable physical connection to your MacBook Pro or Mac (or iPad, even!), while also offering 98W fast charging. It's expensive, but it's the best.
Belkin's Thunderbolt 3 Dock Mini may be your best choice if portability or price is a concern. This dock has two HDMI ports and two USB-A ports, plus Gigabit Ethernet, all in a small package that costs nearly half the cost of larger docks. An integrated cable lets you detach this dock and quickly tuck it in your bag for travel, so you're never without the ports you need.
If you're interested in making more improvements to your workspace or home office, also check out ourbest charging stationsybest webcams for macguides
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Gerald Lynch is iMore's Editor-in-Chief and closely monitors the site's editorial output and marketing campaigns, ensuring that iMore delivers the detailed, accurate and timely Apple content its readers have come to expect. You'll never see him without the iPad Pro and he loves gaming sessions with friends through Apple Arcade on his iPhone 14 Pro, but don't expect him to play games with you at home unless your Apple TV is connected at 4K. HDR screen and 7.1 surround sound system.
Based in London, UK, Gerald was previously editor of Gizmodo UK and executive editor of TechRadar, and has covered international trade shows including WWDC, MWC, CES and Apple's IFA. If you have an acronym and an app, you've probably been there, on the front lines, reporting on the latest technological innovations. Gerald is also a technology expert contributing to BBC Radio and has written for numerous other publications including T3 magazine, GamesRadar, Space.com, Real Homes, MacFormat, DIY music bible, Tech Digest, TopTenReviews, Mirror.co.uk, Brandish , Kotaku , Shiny Shiny and Lifehacker. Gerald is also the author of 'Get Technology: Upgrade Your Future', published by Aurum Press, and also holds a Guinness World Record in Tetris. TRUE.
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FAQs
How do I increase the number of USB-C ports on my MacBook Pro? ›
You can opt for a USB-C dock that's USB 3. x/4 only or that supports Thunderbolt 3. In either case, a dock typically adds multiple 10 Gbps or faster USB 3. x/4 jacks, HDMI, and passthrough power, freeing up the other USB-C slot on your computer.
What is the best MacBook dock display port? ›The included DisplayPort 1.4 connection is the best display link, but to add two external monitors you need to use the spare TB3 downstream port. It can handle two 4K displays at 60Hz or up to an 8K single display. There is, however, a fast USB-C port on the dock's front, as well as three varying speed USB-A ports.
Can I use any docking station for my MacBook Pro? ›The M1 Pro and M1 Max chips support two and four displays, respectively, so any dock should work for those. Aside from these docks, there are some docks that are based around using two USB-C ports on the MacBook Pro, and some even are designed to fit the laptop, which means they only work with specific models.
What is the best docking MacBook Pro M1? ›The Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station is currently our top pick as the best dock for a MacBook Pro, including the recent models with M1 processors.
What can you use if you need to increase the number of USB ports? ›A USB port hub is a small adapter that's equipped with several extra USB ports. It's an easy way to expand the number of available USB ports on your computer. USB hubs typically contain 3 to 7 extra ports.
Can I increase the power output of USB-C port? ›You can use a cable like this : The output power of a USB port on a laptop is determined by the laptop's internal hardware and cannot be easily increased.
Which MacBook port is faster? ›The Thunderbolt protocol offers even greater performance. On paper, Thunderbolt offers a 10Gbps transfer rate, compared with SuperSpeed USB's 5Gbps. Thunderbolt is 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and up to 20 times faster than USB 2.0.
Is a Thunderbolt dock better than a USB-C Dock? ›A Thunderbolt 3 cable is capable of transferring up to 40 gigabytes of data per second, which is twice the maximum data transfer speed of USB-C. However, in order to hit these data transfer speeds, you must use a Thunderbolt cable with a Thunderbolt port, and not a USB-C port.
Which USB port is faster on Mac? ›In addition to offering a symmetrical design, USB-C also offers better transfer speeds than any other USB standard that has been created yet. With the latest USB-C 3.1 Gen2x2, you can even get up to 20Gbps data transfer speeds — something that was unimaginable a few years ago.
How many USB-C ports does MacBook Pro have? ›Apple equips its Macs with Thunderbolt ports that are compatible with USB-C. The MacBook Pro comes with either two or three of these ports, depending on the model you pick. A new MacBook Air has a pair. A 24-inch iMac comes with two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports; some models also include two USB-C ports.
How do I get more ports on my MacBook? ›
A USB-C Hub for Your MacBook Is What You Need
As you have seen, even though Apple's devices are very limited in ports, you can fix it by using a USB-C hub for a MacBook. Of course, be sure to look for one with all of the necessary ports as there are USB-C hubs in all shapes and sizes.
While the M1 and M2 MacBooks natively support just one monitor, the M1 and M2 Mac Mini does natively support up to two external monitors—one via the HDMI port and a second via USB-C. But the M1 models of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lack an HDMI port and only support a single external display over Thunderbolt.
How many USB-C ports does M1 MacBook Pro have? ›Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with support for: Charging.