The best docking station for MacBook Pro lets you to connect lots of devices to your Apple laptop. Because while they're lovely in many ways, the latest MacBooks are unfortunately quite limited in terms of ports.
With the right dock, though, that's no longer a problem. You just need to plug it into your MacBook's USB-C port, and you'll be able to connect everything else, including monitors, mice, external hard drives, smartphones, and headphones.
And that's not all! Some of the best docks for MacBook Pro also offer wired internet, SD card slots, and passthrough charging, so you can power up your laptop at the same time.
We list the best docks for MacBook Pro on the market today below but beware. They vary wildly in price, so we'll explain what each dock offers in terms of ports and other capabilities, and which one is likely to suit your needs the best.
Best docking station for MacBook Pro: our top picks
Best for port variety
A mid-range docking station that delivers incredible speed across the board. This docking station does it all: triple display extension, super-fast data transfer, and Ethernet support.
Best mid range
A docking station boasts impressive speed capabilities ensuring the workflow of every creative is smooth and hassle-free.
Best for file transfer
There is an abundance of Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 connectivity in this docking station, but really lacks in the area of USB-A ports.
Best for Thunderbolt
The king of all Thunderbolt docks. It handles peripheral connection, device charging, and display extension like an absolute pro.
Best money-no-object
The Corsair TBT200 Thunderbolt 4 Dock is expensive, at over $300 / £300 at the time of writing. But if you have the money to spend, it does have a lot to offer.
Best budget
The Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Dock doesn't have the video smarts of the Corsair TBY200 Thunderbolt 4 Dock, but for a much lower price, it has a pretty similar array of features.
The best dock for MacBook Pro in 2024
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.
Best for port variety
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If price is not a concern, and you would rather concentrate on getting a dock that does everything, then this is the dock for you. Benefitting from triple display capability, lightning-quick data transfer, 100W charging, and a range of other connections, this dock has it all. The only downside is the significant cost but if you can stomach that then you won’t be disappointed with the results.
This device performs well on all fronts. Data speeds of 10Gbps can be achieved through USB 3.0 and USB-C with a LAN port supporting 1000Mbps. The dock is great but in reality, it opens up a whole world of possibilities for efficient and streamlined working.
Ugreen’s docking stations devoted to display extension are really pushing the market forward. Video editors or those working on demanding design projects will find this dock to be pretty unmatched.
Read our full Ugreen 12-in1-docking station review
Best mid range
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Ugreen’s 9-in-1 docking station boasts impressive speed capabilities ensuring the workflow of every creative is smooth and hassle-free. Those large video files will transfer incredibly quickly and ensure the editing process begins as soon as possible. 4K video output at 60Hz will be a dream come true for videographers needing to edit and deliver high-resolution videos.
In terms of speed, it is quick, seriously quick. Through USB A&C, 10GB files are transferred in only 16.5 seconds. It’s not just uploads that are quick though, the ethernet port boasts 1000Mbps to keep downloads flowing. The high-speed charging capabilities mean that you’ll never be left without charge for long.
Alongside these features, the device has a great build quality with a metal case that not only feels premium next to your MacBook Pro, it also provides protection against damaging the internal parts.
Read our full Ugreen 9-in1-docking station review
Best for Thunderbolt
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
With 18 ports, you can connect pretty much anything you need to this dock. CalDigit’s TS4 Thunderbolt Station 4 is the king of all Thunderbolt docks. It handles everything you throw at it like an absolute pro including peripheral connections, device charging, and display extension like an absolute pro.
Alongside the usual set of USB ports, it also supports SD cards and Micro SD cards for creatives working with these media formats. This will please any photographers or videographers who don't have these ports on their machines or who want a more streamlined workflow compared to needing a separate reader.
The build quality is also second to none, with a solid metal case that is probably more solid than it needs to be. Dropping this unit will likely cause more damage to your floor than to the dock itself.
Read our full CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock review
Best for file transfers
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 4 docking station delivers when it comes to Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 connectivity. This is a dock that is prepped for the future, but that does mean it really lacks USB-A ports and to be specific, only has one. This won't be a problem if all your peripherals are the latest technology, but it's not so good for users with legacy devices.
That lonely USB-A port does still pack a punch, though, with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface providing a 10 Gbps transfer rate. This is ideal for anyone running an external hard drive with USB-A connectors.
The design is modern and sleek, with a robust case made of metal and plastic. The additional 96 watts for laptop charging is also a big win.
Read our full Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station (5-in-1) review
Best for charging
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Targus USB-C 4K Dual Monitor Travel Dock gives users a dual monitor setup for 4K resolution at 60Hz. This is more than enough for the majority of monitor setups.
The SD and MicroSD card slots mean this dock has photographers and videographers in mind. The inclusion allows for a streamlined workflow and desk setup with no need to purchase separate readers.
The USB-A ports only give transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps and the placement of the ports means you don't have all the ports that you want day-to-day accessible on the same side.
Read our full Targus USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Docking Station review
6. Corsair TBT200 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you have one of the latest Apple laptops, such as the Apple Macbook Air M2 (2022), the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021), the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch or the MacBook Pro 13-inch M1, you'll have Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, which allow you to transfer data at the highest current speeds. So you'll want a dock that supports Thunderbolt 4, and here's our favourite.
The Corsair TBT200 Thunderbolt 4 Dock is expensive, at over $300 / £300 at time of writing. But if you have the money to spend, it does have a lot to offer. Delivering up to 96W of power to your computer, this nifty dock includes four Thunderbolt 4 ports (one host facing, three downstream facing) for the fastest possible connections.
Alongside that, you get a USB-C port, three USB-A ports, an SD 4.0 card reader, a 3.5mm audio combo, a 2.5G Ethernet port and a Kensington slot. No, there's no HDMI slot, but the Corsair TBT200 supports video to two (4K, HDR) monitors at 60fps via two included cables: USB to HDMI and USB to DisplayPort. The all-metal design is pretty stylish too.
Yes, it's a lot of money for a dock, and overkill for most people, who may prefer one of the cheaper devices below. But if you're a content creator wanting to transfer 4K video or tons of photos quickly, or a hardcore gamer looking for smooth performance on your monitor, this Rolls Royce option may be very tempting.
See our guide to the best USB-C cables
7. Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Dock doesn't have the video smarts or included cables of the Corsair TBY200 Thunderbolt 4 Dock, number one on our list. But for a much lower price, it has a pretty similar array of features.
That includes a generous four Thunderbolt 4 ports, one of which is used as the host, with 96W Power Delivery. You also get four USB-A ports for older devices, Gigabit Ethernet, a UHS-II card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Plus it's sleek, nice looking, and easy to use: just plug and play. However note that again, there's no HDMI slot.
8. Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Here's another good option if you have one of the latest MacBooks and want to take advantage of Thunderbolt 4. With a massive 180W of power, you can charge plenty of devices simultaneously, and you get a huge range of ports to choose from, including four Thunderbolt 4 ports (one up, three down) and four USB-A ports, as well as an SD slot, Gigabit Ethernet and an audio jack. It's quite expensive at time of writing, though, so we've ranked it third for that reason.
9. Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Need an HDMI port? The Corsair TBT100 offers not just one but two. These allow you to connect two 4K monitors simultaneously, with both supporting a 60Hz refresh rate. You also get four USB ports (two USB-A and two USB-C), which should be plenty for most people's needs.
Then there's an SD card reader, a Gigabit Ethernet jack and an audio jack to boot. And to round things off nicely, it efficiently delivers up to 85W of power to your MacBook Pro. So while this is quite expensive, you do get value for money.
10. Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Need a dock that's easy to carry about and take from place to place? Then let us recommend the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core. Weighing just 220g, and measuring just 1.3.8 x 13.2 x 16.5cm, this device is beautifully compact and portable. Yet it still manages to deliver 60W of power to your MacBook Pro, as well as providing an impressive array of connectivity.
To get specific, this dock supports dual 4K 60Hz monitors, via a dedicated DisplayPort and an HDMI 2.0 port. You also get two USB-A ports (3.0 and 2.0 respectively) and one USB-C power delivery port, along with two 3.5mm audio jacks and a Gigabit Ethernet jack. Note, though, that the cable can’t be replaced, so you’ll need to take good care of it.
11. Moshi Symbus Q
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Wouldn't it be great if there was a dock for MacBook Pro that also provided wireless charging for your phone? Well, there is, and it's called the Moshi Symbus Q. With a Qi-EPP-certified wireless charging pad built in, you can stick your iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel on top and boost their battery without any need for extra leads. You won't even need to remove your phone from its case, as long as it's 5mm thick or less.
Besides that you also get one HDMI slot, which supports 4K video at 30Hz or 1080p at 60Hz, along with a Gigabit Ethernet jack, and two USB-A ports. Note, though, that you can't use this dock to power your MacBook.
12. IOGear Quantum Dual Mode Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
One of the highlights of the Iogear Thunderbolt 3 Quantum Docking Station is that it supports 5K. Alternatively, you can use it to connect two 4K monitors to your MacBook Pro at 60Hz, via its dual Display Ports.
This dock also provides you with three USB-A ports, an audio jack, and a Gigabit Ethernet jack, giving you a host of options to connect up your kit. A Thunderbolt 3 expansion port is also provided, to daisy chain up to five additional Thunderbolt 3 devices, such as a portable hard drive or an external GPU video box. And you can charge your MacBook Pro with up to 15W of power too.
13. OWC Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Another light and compact dock for MacBook Pro, the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock is a solid choice if connecting to one or two 4K monitors is a priority. Its two HDMI ports can each be linked up to a 4K display, and the dock supports HDMI precision multi-channel audio (LCPM, DTS, and Dolby Digital). It's also compatible with the HDCP 2.2 standard, making for smooth streaming of 4K content indeed.
And that's not all. You also get two USB-A ports (3.1 and 2.0), along with a Gigabit Ethernet jack. On the downside, there's no audio jack and you can't use this dock to charge your MacBook Pro.
14. StarTech.com Mini Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The lightest on our list of the best docks for MacBook Pro, the StarTech.com Mini Thunderbolt 3 Dock weighs in at just 145.15g. At just 25.4 x 12.19 x 2cm, it's pretty tiny too. And yet it stick packs in plenty of possibility for connecting devices to your MacBook Pro.
Two DisplayPort outputs allow you to connect two 4K monitors, or a single 5K display, both at 60Hz. There's also a Gigabit Ethernet jack and a USB-A (3.0) port. MacBook charging, however, is not supported, and there's no audio jack.
Read more:
The best MacBooks for photo editing
The best MacBook Air cases and sleeves
The best MacBook Pro cases
Best monitors for MacBook Pro
