Creatives need a lot of peripherals, but the best dock for MacBook Pro can help you get connected. There's nothing worse than playing switchboard with your peripherals, and Apple's devices are big offenders when it comes to ports. The best docks are multitasking champions, allowing you to also transfer data at high speeds.
However, there are a lot of options, so we've made this list to help you choose. Leading the way is the Corsair TBT200 TB 4, but we've included a variety of options based on our testing and experience. We compared connectivity, performance, design and cost, including the best Thunderbolt 4 docks for recent models as well as Thunderbolt 3 docks or USB-C docks for older Apple laptops or if you don't need faster speeds.
With a sleek design, four Thunderbolt 4 connectors and easy plug-in-and-go setup, this easily tops our list as the best Thunderbolt 4 dock for MacBook Pros. Read more below
There are plenty of USB-C ports on this petite, portable hub. It can connect two monitors, and it's got fast-charge ports so you can also charge your phone. Impressive for such a tiny package. Read more below
With a whopping 18 ports, this gives you a host of options for both charging and data transfer, and can output to as many as two 6K 60Hz displays or a single 1440p 240Hz display. Read more below
If you're looking for a DisplayPort USB-C dock for MacBook Pro with more power and a variety of ports, we highly rate this solid but pricey option. You get 4K HDMI, DisplayPort and 8K HDMI. Read more below
This user-friendly multimedia dock has a bunch of USB-A connections along with four monitor ports, an SD reader and a USB-C 3.2 port. It can be used flat or upright to save space. Read more below
With Thunderbolt 3, this Kensington dock is best suited to older MacBook Pros, but it can support two 4K monitors, and a plate can be bought to mount it to a VESA-compatible monitor. Read more below
✅ You want a great-looking dock: the Corsair TBT200 TB 4 is one of the sleekest, most well-designed docks we've tested.
✅ You want Thunderbolt 4: 3 downstream ports can transfer up to 40GB per second, ideal for PCI Express devices and for connecting up to two 4K monitors with HDR at 60Hz.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want an economical MacBook dock: this is a fairly pricey option, although we think the price is right for what you get. ❌ You're not bothered about Thunderbolt 4: If your setup doesn't require the speeds of Thunderbolt 4, you might be able to make do with a cheaper Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C dock.
The bottom line
🔎 Corsair TBT200 is our pick as the best dock for MacBook overall. We described it as the "Rolls Royce of docks" in our full hands-on review, praising the sleek, premium design, ease of use and array of ports. ★★★★★
Ports: Replacing the TBT100 and its slightly ageing Thunderbolt 3 connection, the TBT200 TB4 provides a formidable array of ports, including four Thunderbolt 4 (one is the host and three for downsteam use). These allow us to connect up to two 4K monitors with HDR at 60Hz. There's also USB-A, USB-C, an SD card reader and a headphone jack.
Build and performance: In our review, we noted that sleek design and a relatively light one-piece anodised aluminium construction make this feel like a premium product. There's software bundled in should you need it, but we found it good to plug in and go on both MacBooks and PCs. The dock sometimes got warm during our testing but never felt overly hot, and we never experienced any drop-off in connectivity. While the dock itself is light, the included power supply is a big lump of a thing, but the supplied cable is long. The power supply also provides 96W of passthrough charging to your laptop.
Pricing: We called this dock the Rolls Royce of docking stations in our full review, so as you might expect, the one real strike against it is the cost. At around £289 / $300, it's one of the pricier docks, and we haven't seen many discounts. However, we think it's hard to expect a lower price for what this dock provides, and we do get a bunch of generously long cables (USB-C, USB-C to DisplayPort and USB-C to HDMI) included. It's overkill if you only want to connect a couple of devices to you Mac for casual use, but for professionals who need the speeds of Thunderbolt 4, we think it's the best buy around right now.
Ports: 1 USB-C port with data and power out (15W), 1 USB-C cable to connect to host system, 4 USB 3.0 charging ports, 1 combo audio jack, 2 DisplayPort ports, 1 RJ45 port, 1 HDMI 2.0 port, 1 standard lock slot
Reasons to buy
+
Plenty of well-laid-out ports
+
Super-Speed ports included
+
Looks nice and unobtrusive
Reasons to avoid
-
Security lock is not included as standard
Buy it if
✅ Price is a priority: The HP USB-C Dock G5 offers a good array of ports for the price, but be aware that there's no Thunderbolt 4.
✅ You want a neat, compact dock: We liked the compact size and shape of this well-built dock.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want Thunderbolt 4: No Thunderbolt 4 here, so you won't be able to take advantage of those faster data transfer speeds. That makes this this a better option for those who aren't using such high amounts of data.
The bottom line
🔎 HP USB-C Dock G5 is a good value dock for MacBook Pro as long as you're not bothered about the faster transfer speeds afforded by Thunderbolt connectivity. It provides a good array of ports for the price, and the dock is well built. ★★★★½
Ports: If you're looking for a budget USB-C dock for a MacBook, we think this will have everything you need, namely, ports. There are USB-C ports on three sides for five in total. There are also HDMI and DisplayPort connections, so you can connect up to two monitors, and the fast-charge port, serving to charge a phone or peripherals. As long as you don't need advanced security features or Thunderbolt speeds, we think this is a great option as a relatively cheap dock for MacBook Pros.
Build and performance: With the stark black colour and big HP branding emblazoned on the top, we admit this isn't the best visual match for a MacBook Pro. However, we found the port locations to be comfortable to use, and we were able to use them all with no issues in our testing, both for MacBook and PC. We also found that the fast-charge port links up fuss-free with a cable attached to the front. Our one quibble was that the front cable can get in the way when not plugged in to a laptop. However, with such compact dimensions, we found the dock very neat overall, easily tucking away under a laptop stand).
Pricing: This dock is relatively cheap compared to the other options on our list. We often see it on sale at Amazon, Walmart or HP Direct for well under $150. We think it's a great option for those who don't need Thunderbolt speeds or have older MacBooks.
Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 ports, 3x 10Gb/s USB-C ports, 5x 10Gb/s USB-A ports, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x 2.5Gbps Ethernet, SD UHS-II and microSD UHS-II card slots, 1x 3.5mm audio in, 1x 3.5mm audio out, 1x 3.5mm combo audio in and out
Reasons to buy
+
18 ports
+
Stylish looks
+
Ergonomic design
+
98W power delivery
+
Charges devices independently
Reasons to avoid
-
Overkill for most people
-
Requires separate power supply
-
Big and heavy
-
Hefty power brick
-
Lacks HDMI
Buy it if
✅ You need lots of ports: With 18 ports, the CalDigit TS4 is hard to beat for the sheer number of options.
✅ You need pro performance: We tested all ports simultaneously and found this dock works like a dream.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a cheap MacBook dock: This is the most expensive MacBook dock on our list. ❌ You need HDMI: There's no HDMI port, which we thought was a shame.
The bottom line
🔎 CalDigit TS4 is our pick of as the best MacBook Pro dock for those who need a huge range of options if price is not an issue. Build quality feels premium, and it performed excellently in our hands-on tests. ★★★★★
Ports: CalDigit's TS4 is a physically rather large MacBook Dock with a massive 18 ports, providing all sorts of options and allowing us to charge multiple devices at once even when our laptop isn't connected.
Build and performance: We thought the build quality of this dock was excellent, feeling reassuringly solid. While that does mean the dock is rather big and bulky, we thought it was well designed.
We had no problem using everything at once when we put it to the test, nor did the plugs get in the way of each other. The only fault we could find is the lack of HDMI. That won't be an issue for many people today, but it's something to be aware of. We found the Thunderbolt 4 connections to be speedy and efficient, able to output up to two 6K 60Hz displays or a single 1440p 240Hz display. We think professional creatives will enjoy that flexibility when it comes to display options.
Pricing: This MacBook dock is easily the most expensive dock on this list at £399.99 / $399.99 at full price. Fortunately, there are often discounts available to reduce the outlay to an extent. Based on our own testing, we think the features and performance justify the price. We recommended it for software engineers, web developers, video producers and other professionals who need lots of connectivity options.
Ports: 1x HDMI 8K, 1x HDMI 4K, 1x DP 4K, 1x PD 3.0 100w, 1x USB A 3.2 10Gbps, 1x USB C 3.2 10Gbps, 2x USB A 3.0 5Gbps, 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x SD slot, 1x TF slot, 1x 3.5mm aux
Reasons to buy
+
Versatile and high-speed dock
+
Good at dealing with any everyday tasks
+
DisplayPorts offer good compatibility and clean monitor performance
Reasons to avoid
-
Relatively expensive
-
Not quite as plug-and-play as it looks
-
Charger sold separately
Buy it if
✅ You want lots of display options: This dock provides one 4K HDMI, one DisplayPort and an 8K HDMI.
✅ You don't mind a big, bulk device: This hefty dock takes up some space on a desk.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want Thunderbolt 4: No Thunderbolt 4, which provides faster data transfer.
❌ Price is a priority: It's not surprising considering the number of ports, but this is a pricey dock.
The bottom line
🔎 Ugreen Revodok Pro 312 is a great dock for users who want lots of display options, including 8K HDMI, and aren't bothered about Thunderbolt. It's pricey, but it performed well in our tests. ★★★★
Ports: The Ugreen USB-C triple-display docking system is another large dock with a lot of ports – 12 of them. If you want the flexibility of three display options, this has you covered with one 4K HDMI, one DisplayPort and an 8K HDMI too. There are also 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A on the front, a headphone jack and both micro and full-sized SD card slots, and, on the back, 5Gbps USB-A slots for wired keyboards and such. There's an Ethernet port too.
Build and performance: In our testing, the 8K port delivered at 30Hz as well as 1440p at 144Hz with no noticeable lag. We noted that this makes it an option for smooth video editing and gaming. We did start to notice a little lag when placing severe loads on the dock, steaming 4K on multiple monitors, for example. But overall, we found it to perform well and to be highly usable, with our only other gripe being that the USBs provide 3.7W, not enough for fast charging.
Pricing: This isn't a cheap dock, which isn't surprising considering its size and the number and type of ports provided. At around $350 / £399, it's the second most expensive option on our list after the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 18-in-1 Hub at number 2.
✅ You want lots of USB-A: USB-A account for five of the 16 ports here.
✅ You want a dock that can stand vertically: The included stand helps keep the dock out of the way.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want downstream Thunderbolt 4: Although billed as a TB4 dock, the only TB4 port is the host port.
❌ You have no need for so many ports: There's no need to splash on this if you're not going to use all those ports.
The bottom line
🔎 Satechi Thunderbolt 4 is a great-looking dock that can power a MacBook Pro and provide a wide array of additional ports. Just be aware that the host port is the only TB4. ★★★★
Ports: We found the 16-in-1 Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock to be a capable and easy-to-use multimedia dock, and it's a great option if you want a lot of USB-A ports. These account for five of the 16 total ports, with three of them providing 10Gbps data transfer and two 5Gbps. The downside for some will be that there's just the one Thunderbolt 4 port (the host port that you connect your laptop to). That means it can barely qualify as a TB4 dock, but some people will be able to overlook that as the ports will do for most freelance designers, photographers and animators.
Build and performance: We had a seamless plug-and-play experience, hitting very close to the transfer speeds claimed, which include 96W on that TB4 port, enough to power most laptops, including MacBooks. We particularly liked the array of monitor ports, with 2 DisplayPort 1.4 and 2 HDMI 2.1 connections. In terms of looks, we felt that the rounded back and front make it look less blocky than many docks, fitting in better the look of a MacBook. We thought the addition of the included stand is a nice touch, allowing the dock to be stood up vertically to save desk space. The rubber feet stick ever-so-slightly out of one side this way, but we felt it was worth it for swapping things out and keeping the dock out of the way.
Pricing: This is a little more expensive than some comparable docks, but we think it's the better buy based on our testing.
✅ You're happy with TB3: Thunderbolt is backward compatible so TB3 will still work with newer Macs.
✅ You want to mount your dock: Mounting to a monitor can save desk space, though the plate is sold separately.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want the fastest speeds possible: Newer TB4 provides faster transfer speeds than TB3.
The bottom line
🔎 Kensington SD5200T is aging now with its TB3 ports, but it's a good value option for older MacBooks or if you want a mountable dock. ★★★½
Ports: We think this dual 4K dock from Kensington is a suitable choice for older MacBook Pros as it uses Thunderbolt 3 rather than the newer, faster Thunderbolt 4 (it will still work with Thunderbolt 4 connections on newer MacBooks, as they're backwards compatible, you just won't get the extra speed). The 'Dual 4K' in the name refers to the fact that the dock allows for the attaching of two 4K monitors, both of which can be running at 60 Hz, via the Thunderbolt 3 port and DisplayPort.
Build and performance: We found that the dock delivers well on its promises in terms of transfer speeds. We also think it's a great option for those who like to keep their desk clear since a mounting plate can be bought separately to mount it to the back of a VESA-compatible monitor.
Pricing: Perhaps the best thing about this dock today is the very reasonable price. While it started at around $200 on its release, it can now be snapped up for around $130, less than half the price of some of the best Thunderbolt 4 docks we've mentioned.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Kensington SD5200T test results
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Ports
A good array of ports, as long as you don't want TB4.
★★★
Build and performance
Solid performance, and we like the mountable design.
★★★★
Price
Well priced now that discounts are widely available.
✅ You want a budget, portable dock: The biggest selling points of this dock are the low price and the compact size.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want faster speeds and more ports: This features older TB3 as the host port and has a limited number of ports on offer.
The bottom line
🔎 Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core offers great value now that there a lot of discounts around. It's only TB3 and doesn't have a huge number of ports, but it's super compact. ★★★½
Ports: This is another Thunderbolt 3 dock, but we think it's still a very worthy contender for older MacBooks, especially for user who prioritise portability. The dinky piece of kit delivers 40W of charging power, and it doesn't skimp on connectivity despite its compact size. With its assorted ports, you can attach up to two 4K monitors at 60Hz via DisplayPort and HDMI 2.0, and for other devices, there's a pair of USB-A ports and a Thunderbolt 3/USB-C port.
Build and performance: We weren't so keen on the tethered Thunderbolt 3-cable, which we feels a little fragile – and if it breaks, it's disaster: your dock's ruined. Apart from that, we found this to be a great little dock.
Pricing: We think this little TB3 dock is very well priced at the moment since it's coming in for a lot of discounts. That's due to it being fairly old now with TB3 rather than faster TB4 connectivity, but with prices as low as around $60, it could be a great buy if you don't need super fast transfer speeds.
Ports: 4 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB 2.0, 3 x USB 3.2, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio jack, SD 4.0
Reasons to buy
+
60W power delivery
+
Supports dual monitors
+
Reasonably priced
Reasons to avoid
-
Tethered Thunderbolt 3 cable
Buy it if
✅ You want extra storage: The biggest selling points of this dock are its two M.2 NVMe SSD sockets, allowing you to add up to 15TB of storage inside.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You value aesthetics: It's not exactly pretty or discrete, and if you take pride in your desk space this chunky black box with a glaring blue light might not fit the bill.
The bottom line
🔎 Sonnet Echo Dual NVMe Thunderbolt Dock is pricey and a bit unnatractive but the option to expand your storage and data transfer speeds while also increasing connectivity is a boon ★★★½
Ports: With not one, not two, not three but four Thunderbolt 4 ports, including a 90W charging port for your laptop, this is a great option for expanding connectivity. Plus, it offers a further four 10Gbps charging ports - one USB 2.0 and three USB 3.2, as well as Ethernet connectivity, a 3.5mm audio jack and an SD 4.0 port. Inside, you'll find two M.2 NVMe SSD sockets to add up to 16TB of storage inside. Annoyingly, though, there's no HDMI port if you have older peripherals.
Build and performance: It's no great beauty, and its blue light is just a little garish, so this is one you'll want to conceal somewhere if possible. It's fairly robust, but you need to unscrew seven Philips Screws to crack open the top and insert your SSD cards, which is a little amateur.
Pricing: This is a pricier option thanks to its extra features and functions, but it does stand out amongst its peers. We've not seen it discounted much, if at all, but it's still fairly new, so you might see prices drop as its hardware begins to age.
✅ You spend a lot of time on calls: Its surprisingly high-quality speaker is its main draw, especially for video or music playback
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want ports, primarily: The most valuable asset any dock can have is ports; this one has but four.
The bottom line
🔎 Microsoft Audio Dock is part USB hub, part conference speaker, although the Microsoft branding and fairly low number of ports may put off some MacBook users. It's a real bargain now, though. ★★★½
Ports: With but a meagre four ports, (HDMI, 2 x USB-C, USB-A), connectivity is not really the Microsoft Audio Dock's greatest strength. The power delivery of the passthrough port maxes out at 60W, which means more power-hungry creative tasks might overwhelm this speaker-come-dock.
Build and performance: Especially for Apple fans, its Microsoft-first branding might be offputting, but it's actually quite discrete and inobtrusive. It's rubbered, so won't slide around your desk, and it's also compatible with Teams, Google Meet and Zoom if you have business meetings to tend to, with solid onboard mics and its Omnisonic speaker has 5-watt tweeters with a 15-watt woofer - solid audio performance from this affordable speaker dock.
Pricing: At launch, the Microsoft Audio Dock was pretty pricey, but these day's it's much more affordable at £48.99/$49 - and that's before its semi-regular discounts come into play.
The best dock for MacBook Pro for you will depend on what MacBook Pro you have and what you want to do with it. If charging is a priority, look for at least 90W for charging at a decent rate. What you most need to consider, however, is what connections you want. Do you want to hook up multiple monitors? And do you need Thunderbolt 3 or 4? (or will you settle for USB-C and more compatibility)
M2 and M3 MacBook Pros have Thunderbolt 4 ports rather than Thunderbolt 3, and even if you have an earlier model, you might still want a Thunderbolt 4 dock since TB4 is backwards compatible and it will futureproof you for future years. Functionally, there's not a huge difference, but TB4 is faster and TB4 docks can have up to four, rather than two, Thunderbolt ports, including the upstream port that connects to your laptop. (The M1 13in MacBook can only connect to one external display, while the 14in and 16in can support multiple displays.)
The new MacBook Pro M3 is outfitted with two Thunderbolt ports but only supports one monitor at a time. The higher-end MacBook Pro M3 Pro sports three Thunderbolt ports and can support dual monitors. The top-of-the-line MacBook Pro M3 Max also has three Thunderbolt ports but will be able to support as many as four external displays.
If you're looking for the right display for your needs, we can help with our breakdown of the best monitors for MacBook Pro.
We MacBook Pro docks with both standardised benchmark tests and through real-work use in our reviewers own daily workflows. This allows us to give the most accurate representation of how a product will perform in real-world settings, especially for creatives who rely on multiple monitors and peripherals. In our testing, we'll exhaust every port to see a) how it'll impact a dock's overall performance and b) if you'll have to worry about wires getting tangled.
We also take into consideration the types (and quantity) of ports each dock has. Of course, everyone's needs are different and you'll ideally want to buy what you know you'll use. That's why our list includes a mix of multi-port powerhouses to totally overhaul your workstation as well as compact docks for mild upgrades.
Aesthetics are important, too. You'll likely want something that won't look out of place at your workstation but we also understand that you may need to sacrifice form for function (see: bulky power stations). If you want to save space, seek something you can mount on a wall – or find a dock with a stand to place it upright.
A MacBook Pro dock is worth it if you need more ports than your machine comes with – given how slim newer laptops can be, you usually won't get much these days. A dock will give your Apple machine much greater capability by adding ports that aren't native to it or increasing the number of ports it already has. A MacBook Pro dock will also streamline your workstation by serving as a hub for your peripherals, monitors, internet connection and even smaller devices like smartphones or tablets since you'll be able to charge them.
Why are docks for MacBook Pros so expensive?
As MacBooks become thinner, there's not a lot of room to accommodate a multitude of ports. Docking stations complement this newer, sleeker tech by offering additional ports – and the more there are, the higher the cost will be. Wattage is another factor; if a dock needs a massive power brick to operate, you're likely going to have to pay a premium for it. However, going the refurb or OEM route can help keep some extra cash in your wallet.
Can you dock a MacBook Pro to a monitor?
Yes, you can connect your MacBook Pro to either a single monitor or dual screens. However, this depends on your machine's capabilities – for example, a dock won't increase the number of screens an M1 MacBook can connect to. Apple Support has a full breakdown of monitor docking according to MacBook model and OS version.
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Jim McCauley is a writer, performer and cat-wrangler who started writing professionally way back in 1995 on PC Format magazine, and has been covering technology-related subjects ever since, whether it's hardware, software or videogames. A chance call in 2005 led to Jim taking charge of Computer Arts' website and developing an interest in the world of graphic design, and eventually led to a move over to the freshly-launched Creative Bloq in 2012. Jim now works as a freelance writer for sites including Creative Bloq, T3 and PetsRadar, specialising in design, technology, wellness and cats, while doing the occasional pantomime and street performance in Bath and designing posters for a local drama group on the side.
