Creatives need a lot of peripherals, and Apple's ultrathick laptops don't often have enough ports. Thankfully, the best docks for MacBook Pro can help you connect up to a dozen devices without having to constantly switch plugs. However, there are a lot of options on the market, so we've made this list to help you choose.
Leading the way is the Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5, but we've included a variety of other docks, based on our testing and experience, that are well worth considering. We compared connectivity, performance, design and cost, and included both the best Thunderbolt 4 docks and the best Thunderbolt 5 docks.
Our top three docks
The Anker Prime TB5 is our top pick overall. It comes with 14 ports, including a Thunderbolt 5 upstream port, delivering a blazing 80Gbps transfer speed.
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.
Read more below
This 6-in-1 device is great value as a travel hub. At just 80g, it's light enough to throw in any laptop bag without a second thought, yet robust enough to handle daily professional use.
Read more below
The best dock for MacBook Pro overall
Ports: The Anker Prime TB5 dock offers a comprehensive 14-port solution. The standout feature is its Thunderbolt 5 upstream port, delivering a blazing 80Gbps transfer speed and 140W of power delivery. You get two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, multiple USB options, Ethernet, and versatile video outputs including HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1.
Build and performance: The dock boasts a chunky, solid metal construction that screams premium quality. Its vertical design minimises desk footprint while providing excellent cooling through strategically placed vents. One minor niggle is the port placement – the SD card slots are awkwardly positioned on the side, and one downstream Thunderbolt port is inconveniently placed near the Ethernet socket. These are small compromises in an otherwise stellar design.
Compatibility is a bonus: while optimised for Thunderbolt 5, the dock is also compatible with Thunderbolt 4 devices, offering some flexibility for users not yet on the latest tech. Performance testing revealed minimal speed overhead: external SSDs maintained near-direct connection speeds, with read speeds around 6639 MB/s and write speeds of 4665 MB/s. Performance is particularly impressive when connecting multiple peripherals. The dock handles external drives, displays, and additional USB devices with remarkable ease. Front-facing USB-C ports offer 45W shared charging, perfect for topping up mobile devices, while the SD card readers provide a convenient 104MBps transfer speed.
Pricing: This definitely isn't a budget option. However, for professionals requiring cutting-edge connectivity, the investment feels justified. The dock effectively transforms a MacBook Pro into a full-fledged desktop replacement, with future-proof Thunderbolt 5 technology that'll serve you for years to come.
Read more: Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 Dock review
"This is a dock for the laptop power user who has the latest kit and wants to use it at the best of its capability."
The best cheap dock for MacBook Pro
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.
Read more: HP USB-C Dock G5 review.
"It's sleek, has plenty of ports, is well-built and unless you need advanced security features, it's a perfectly valid alternative to more expensive docks."
The best dock for MacBook Pro for travel
Ports: The UGREEN Revodok offers a focused 6-port solution optimised for portability. You get essential connectivity with an HDMI port supporting 4K at 60Hz, two USB-A ports, and three USB-C ports (though only one supports power delivery up to 100W). Whilst it lacks Ethernet, the port selection covers the basics most travelling professionals need.
Build and performance: The hub features a sleek aluminium casing that punches above its weight in terms of premium feel, especially considering the affordable price point. The aluminium construction aids heat dissipation when multiple devices are connected, though it can still get warm under heavy usage. A standout feature is the built-in braided USB-C cable that's physically secured to the hub, eliminating the need for separate cables and reducing the risk of losing connectivity on the road. The only minor grumble is the cable's short length, which can be limiting if your laptop is positioned vertically in a stand.
Performance testing revealed solid results across the board. The 4K HDMI output delivers crisp visuals with minimal lag, whilst the USB ports handle data transfers efficiently with 10Gbps speeds available on both USB-A and USB-C data ports. File transfers between external drives proved speedy and reliable. The hub maintains good performance even when connecting multiple peripherals simultaneously, making it a dependable choice for mobile workstations.
Pricing: This represents excellent value for money in the travel hub category. At just 80g, it's light enough to throw in any laptop bag without a second thought, yet robust enough to handle daily professional use. For those prioritising portability without sacrificing essential connectivity, the investment is well justified.
Read more: UGREEN Revodok 6-in-1 USB-C Hub review
"If you travel a lot, the lack of weight allows you to throw this hub into a work bag and forget about it."
The most future-proof dock for MacBook Pro
Ports: The Echo 13 delivers a comprehensive port selection with four Thunderbolt 5 ports, providing ultimate flexibility. The host port offers 140W power delivery, capable of fully charging top-end MacBook Pro models. With multiple downstream ports, you can connect numerous peripherals without compromise. Storage options range from 1TB to 4TB, with the SSD pre-formatted in exFAT for cross-platform compatibility. The dock offers backward compatibility with Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4, ensuring versatility across different Mac generations.
Build and performance: Constructed with a solid plastic chassis, the dock feels robust and professional. The integrated SSD is a standout feature, delivering mind-blowing transfer speeds of up to 5,822 MB/s read and 5,331 MB/s write. In real-world testing, file transfers were up to 78% faster compared to standard external SSDs, making it a game-changer for content creators and professionals.
Pricing: Starting at £400 for the 1TB model and rising to £700 for the 4TB version, this is undoubtedly a premium product. However, the integrated high-speed storage and comprehensive port selection justify the investment for professional users who demand top-tier performance.
The best dock for older MacBooks
Ports: If your MacBook was made before 2024, it won't support Thunderbolt 5. In which case, you may prefer to save some cash and instead go for the TBT200 TB4. This dock 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: At around £289 / $300, it's one of the pricier docks, and we haven't seen many discounts. However, you do get a bunch of generously long cables (USB-C, USB-C to DisplayPort and USB-C to HDMI) included. For professionals who need the speeds of Thunderbolt 4 (but not Thunderbolt 5), we think it's the best buy around right now.
Read more: Corsair TBT200 Thunderbolt 4 Dock review
"If your needs are advanced – you're working with multiple monitors, say, or you do a lot of data wrangling with large files – then there's a lot to like about the TBT200; the Rolls Royce option when it comes to docks."
Best dock for most ports
Ports: CalDigit's TS5 Plus is the most port-abundant MacBook dock we've tested to date, with an impressive 20 ports that can all be used simultaneously. This provides exceptional flexibility for connecting multiple devices whilst keeping your desk tidy with a single cable connection to your laptop.
Build and performance: The build quality is excellent, with a solid metal construction and fashionable ridged finish in Space Black. Whilst it's chunky and requires a substantial 330W power brick, the design is well thought out with accessible port placement. Our reviewer found the Thunderbolt 5 connections to be exceptionally fast, though with a slight performance overhead compared to direct connection. The dock supports dual 8K displays on macOS and three 4K 144Hz displays on Windows. The choice of DisplayPort over HDMI is a puzzling omission, but DisplayPort cables are readily available and the Thunderbolt ports can be adapted for HDMI if needed.
Pricing: This is the most expensive dock on our list at $499.99 / £469.99, reflecting its cutting-edge Thunderbolt 5 technology. The price is justified if you need the speed and extensive connectivity, but it's overkill for most users.
Read more: CalDigit TS5 Plus review
"If it has to be Thunderbolt 5, you need all those ports, and want the ability to use them all at the same time, then it might be worth the cost."
The best for connecting USB-A devices
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.
Read more: Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock review.
"Satechi crashes the dock party with a capable and easy-to-use multimedia dock. It even comes with a nifty little stand to save that extra bit of desk space."
How to choose the best MacBook Pro dock
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.
The latest MacBook Pro M4 models continue to feature Thunderbolt 4, with the base M4 chip offering three Thunderbolt 4 ports and support for up to two external displays. The M4 Pro variant maintains three Thunderbolt 4 ports but can drive up to three external monitors simultaneously. The flagship M4 Max also includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports and supports an impressive 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.
How we test the best MacBook Pro docks
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.
FAQs
Is a dock for MacBook Pro worth buying?
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.
This brilliant dock comes with 14 ports, including a Thunderbolt 5 upstream port, delivering a blazing 80Gbps transfer speed and 140W of power delivery.
Read more below
