Plug your MacBook out and in of a multi-port docking station to swiftly add units and exterior shows to your laptop computer. We examined a bunch to seek out one of the best Thunderbolt 3 and 4 and USB-C docks accessible to homeowners of the MacBook Air and MacBook Professional.
Thunderbolt 3, 4 or USB-C
The connectors all look the identical (technically generally known as a Sort-C connector), however there are vital variations, significantly on velocity—with USB-C maxing out at 10Gbps (normally 5Gbps) in comparison with the 40Gbps of Thunderbolt 3 and 4. That additional bandwidth permits not only for sooner information switch however greater body charges to exterior shows, plus another good advantages.
Of Apple’s present laptop computer vary, the M1 and M2 MacBook Air and 13in M1 MacBook Professional function two Thunderbolt 3 (TB3) Ports, whereas the 14in and 16in M1 Professional or M1 Max MacBook Professional fashions include three Thunderbolt 4 (TB4) ports.
Apple’s older 12in MacBook options one 5Gbps Gen 1 USB-C port, whereas the later Intel MacBook Air (2018 and later) and MacBook Professional (from 2016) boast both two or 4 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 ports.
In case your MacBook is provided with Thunderbolt 4, then you definately actually can purchase a TB4 dock if you happen to want extra ports than these 14/16in laptops already possess.
Shopping for a Thunderbolt 4 dock is a smart resolution primarily based on future-proofing even for homeowners of TB3 Macs as the usual is backwards suitable with TB3 and USB-C. That mentioned, there are nonetheless some nice—and sometimes extra reasonably priced—TB3 docks accessible, and most Apple customers gained’t see a lot distinction between TB3 and TB4—the Thunderbolt 4 normal was primarily about getting Home windows laptops up to the mark, though there are technical advantages for MacBook Professional customers, equivalent to smarter daisy-chaining and sooner PCI hard-drive connections.
We’ve got included some cheaper non-Thunderbolt USB-C docks. Should you don’t require the final word bandwidth for the quickest information switch and finest display body charges or resolutions, a USB-C dock may fit your functions and prevent cash.
Add exterior shows to your MacBook
Should you use your laptop computer as your principal pc, you’d do effectively to think about attaching at the very least one bigger show to create a hybrid desktop/laptop computer setup (with a keyboard, mouse and printer all accessible through a single connection to your MacBook). You’ll be able to flip that 13in laptop computer display into an iMac-sized 27in and even bigger monitor by including an additional show—or join two massive screens to increase your display throughout your entire desk.
If you wish to join multiple exterior show to your MacBook you’ll want a Thunderbolt dock, fairly than a USB-C dock. Natively over USB-C, Macs can solely join to at least one exterior show in Prolonged mode (the place the display extends past what you may see on the laptop computer display, versus Mirrored mode that replicates precisely what you get on the laptop computer display) however you’ll get two Prolonged mode screens over a Thunderbolt connection.
Whereas Apple’s MacBooks that includes the corporate’s personal M1 or M2 Silicon chip are tremendous speedy in comparison with the fashions sporting Intel processors, early fashions include an unimaginable limitation: they don’t help multiple exterior show in Prolonged Mode even through their Thunderbolt 3 ports. Which means that when utilizing any docking station, M1 MacBook customers can not prolong their desktop over two or extra shows, and might be restricted to both twin Mirrored shows or one exterior show—though there are software program workarounds and devoted docks that can help you add multiple exterior monitor to an M1 or M2 MacBook.
Fortunately, the superior M1 Professional and M1 Max MacBook Professional fashions can help a number of shows.
Do I want a docking station?
The brand new M1 Professional/Max MacBook Professional fashions boast a wider vary of built-in ports, so lighter customers won’t want a docking station in any respect.
With three TB4 and an HDMI port, a MacBook with an M1 Max may connect with as much as 4 exterior shows with out the necessity for a dock, though such an influence consumer would probably require additional Thunderbolt ports for different units to make up for utilizing all of the laptop computer ports for a number of screens.
These MacBooks even have an SD card reader. Though that is rated as UHS-II (312MBps), Apple has pegged it again at 250MBps, so for the quickest speeds (and a microSD slot if you happen to want one), a dock will probably be a more sensible choice for memory-card use whether it is rated at UHS-II fairly than UHS-I (104MBps).
MacBooks additionally lack wired Web entry through a Gigabit Ethernet port, so if you wish to escape flaky Wi-Fi, purchase a dock with at the very least Gigabit Ethernet, though you may add a Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet adapter when you’ve got a spare TB port. Some later docks embody sooner 2.5Gb Ethernet however you’ll want a 2.5GbE router or different machine to get the profit. As Gigabit Ethernet’s velocity is 1Gbps, a less expensive 5Gbps USB-C to Ethernet adapter will work simply as effectively.
Should you simply want just a few additional ports, a USB-C hub or Thunderbolt 4 hub is likely to be your best option. Should you require a bunch of quick ports together with Gigabit Ethernet, then search for a docking station that fulfils your wants.
USB-C and Thunderbolt speeds
Thunderbolt vs USB-C dock compatibility
Plain USB-C runs at both 5Gbps or 10Gbps, whereas Thunderbolt (TB3 and TB4) hits speeds of 40Gbps. You’ll be able to hook up a Thunderbolt laptop computer to a USB-C dock however you gained’t entry the sooner speeds until you purchase a real Thunderbolt dock. (Thunderbolt 5, providing 80Gbps, gained”t be seen on a Mac till effectively into 2024.)
• USB and Thunderbolt speeds defined
Docks with a Titan Ridge or Goshen Ridge chipset will work with each Thunderbolt and USB-C laptops. Different Thunderbolt docks gained’t work with USB-C laptops, such because the 12in MacBook. With Titan Ridge and Goshen Ridge, you get all the advantages of a Thunderbolt dock, however can use it with non-Thunderbolt laptops, too.
Within the evaluation listing under, we state on the high which kind of laptop computer (USB-C or Thunderbolt) every docking station is suitable with.
Our sister web site Tech Advisor has individually examined all of the finest Thunderbolt 4 hubs and docks.
USB PD: Energy Supply to your laptop computer
Look out for a dock with USB PD. The PD stands for Energy Supply.
Charging the laptop computer: The M1 and M2 MacBook Air require a PD charger with at the very least 30W energy. You’ll want 67W for the 13-inch MacBook Professional and 14-inch MBP (with M1 Professional with 8-core CPU), 96W for 14-inch MBP (with M1 Professional with 10-core CPU or M1 Max), 96W (ideally 140W) for the 16-inch MBP. 13in MacBook Air. The older 15in MacBook Professional requires a 87W PD charger.
An 85W/96W MacBook Professional will be charged by a 30W or 60W charger, however slower than it will be with its native charger. A bigger MacBook with a heavy workload may begin fading on a decrease wattage charger and never final all day even when plugged into an influence supply.
Should you personal a bigger MacBook Professional, purchase a dock with a PD (Energy Supply) potential of at the very least 90W if you happen to can. Extra moveable hubs are normally rated at decrease energy.
Charging the docked units: Some docks don’t function an exterior energy provide however truly use your laptop computer to attract energy from. Add too many units to one among these docks and it’s possible you’ll effectively expertise energy points, as USB-C can deal with simply 7.5W bus-device energy whereas Thunderbolt can move again 15W.
Should you simply want a spare charger, we’ve examined the finest MacBook chargers for you.
Entire lotta ports
You want one (“upstream”) Thunderbolt port for connecting to and charging your laptop computer (though the 14/16in MacBooks may also energy through the MagSafe port), and certain at the very least one other (“downstream”) to connect additional units (arduous drives, exterior show, and others).
There are a lot of low-cost adapters that allow you to add extra units to a USB-C or Thunderbolt MacBook (see our roundup of the finest USB-C adapters for Macs), however for optimum flexibility take a look at these docking stations that maintain all of your additional port necessities, and can help you merely connect it to your laptop computer with only one cable whenever you get to the workplace or come dwelling.
Right here we consider Thunderbolt docks, but in addition embody cheaper USB-C docks—which Thunderbolt MacBooks can use, however at the price of diminished bandwidth and show limitations. For extra non-Thunderbolt USB-C-only docks take a look at Tech Advisor’s roundup of the finest USB-C docking stations for laptops. Tech Advisor additionally opinions all of the accessible Thunderbolt 4 docks.
Docks aren’t only for MacBooks. Mac mini (2018 and later) and iMac (2017 and later) homeowners may additionally take into account increasing their ports with a Thunderbolt docking station.
The inclusion of an SD or microSD card reader isn’t only for digital camera buffs. It’s a handy and reasonably priced approach so as to add storage to your laptop computer setup. We discovered a 512GB Samsung Evo microSD card on Amazon for round $100 within the US and below £100 within the UK. That’s a really low-cost approach of including half a terabyte of moveable storage. For extra particulars learn up on our finest microSD playing cards.
Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock – Finest Thunderbolt 4 dock for Macs
Professionals
- Thunderbolt 4
- 19 ports
- Constructed-in SSD enclosure
- 100W PD
- 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
Cons
- Solely two downstream TB4 ports
Value When Reviewed:
$299.99
Works with Thunderbolt and USB-C laptops (TB at full bandwidth)
Boasting a powerful 19 top-rated ports, Thunderbolt 4 licensed and with a bonus storage function, the Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt SuperDock affords outstanding worth for cash.
It has probably the most ports and equals the quickest ports seen available in the market. Its nearest competitor is the superb Caldigit TS4, reviewed under. Sonnet clearly focused the TS4 and the specs are remarkably comparable—however the cheaper Echo 20 has a helpful SSD enclosure meaning you may add as much as 8TB of inner storage through the dock. Should you don’t want this function and like DisplayPort to HDMI, otherwise you want probably the most highly effective ports on supply, the TS4 remains to be an excellent contender, though it prices a good quantity extra.
The Satechi Twin Dock Stand, reviewed under, is a less expensive non-Thunderbolt choice.
Even when your MacBook is Thunderbolt 3, as a Thunderbolt 4 dock the Echo 20 is backward suitable and can work together with your subsequent laptop computer when it’s time to improve.
Whereas you should use Thunderbolt ports so as to add exterior shows, Sonnet has swapped one of many downstream TB4 ports for a devoted HDMI port. You’ll be able to add as much as two 4K shows at 60Hz or a single 6K display at 60Hz—Macs packing a M2 Professional/Max/Extremely chip and at the very least macOS Monterey help as much as 8K for the only show choice. Except your second show can join straight with its USB-C port, you’ll want a USB-C-to-DisplayPort or HDMI adapter cable.
You probably have the correct router, you may make the most of super-fast wired Web entry with the Echo 20’s 2.5GbE Gigabit Ethernet–2.5x sooner than normal Gigabit Ethernet, with which it additionally works on normal networks.
- One Thunderbolt 4 upstream port (40Gbps, 100W PD)
- Two Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (40Gbps, 15W)
- As much as two exterior shows (4K at 60Hz)
- HDMI 2.1 port
- 4 USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
- 4 USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
- SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II, 312MBps)
- 2.5GbE Gigabit Ethernet port
- 3.5mm Combo Audio In/Out port (entrance)
- Two (proper and left channels) line out RCA jacks (again)
- 3.5mm microphone jack (again)
- 150W energy provide
Learn our full
Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock evaluation
Satechi Twin Dock Stand – Finest USB-C dock for Macs
Professionals
- 9 ports
- Constructed-in speedy SSD enclosure
- Zero-footprint docking station
Cons
- Not Thunderbolt
- USB ports can’t cost units
- No card reader
- Requires USB-C charger
Value When Reviewed:
$149.95
One other dock with an SSD enclosure is the Satechi Twin Dock Stand that doubles up as an open-MacBook stand that raises the keyboard to a extra snug angle..
Not like the Thunderbolt 4 Sonnet Echo 20, reviewed above, it is a USB-C dock with a 10Gbps fairly than 40Gbps bandwidth, nevertheless it’s considerably cheaper in consequence. The MSRP of the Satechi Twin Dock Stand is $150, which is a really cheap value for a twin 4K 60Hz USB-C docking station.
With one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports, you may join as much as two 4K shows in Prolonged mode at an honest 60Hz refresh price. The Echo 20 has only one video port. Though that port is the superior HDMI 2.1, it’s important to add a second exterior display through one of many Thunderbolt ports, which would require an adapter.
The SSD enclosure is the star of the present. Positioned on the underside of the dock, that is simply accessed and helps each NVMe and SATA SSDs. It is advisable to purchase the SSD individually. Amazon is promoting NVME SSDs for round $50 (1TB), $80 (2TB) or $300 (4TB).
One USB-C port is for passthrough PD energy at as much as 75W to the laptop computer, which is sufficient for all however the 16-inch MacBook Professional at full pelt. Even that mannequin will cost high-quality—simply slower than smaller MacBooks. Observe that you’ll want to attach your personal USB-C charger to the dock: take a look at our advisable MacBook chargers.
Should you use your MacBook’s personal keyboard and need as much as two high quality exterior shows, plus want to extend your base storage with quick SSD drives, the Satechi Twin Dock Stand is a neat, zero-footprint docking station that matches your MacBook for fashion and provides 9 helpful ports.
- Twin-USB-C upstream connector to laptop computer (75W PD 3.0)
- Passthrough energy USB-C port
- Two USB-C (one at 10Gbps, one at 5Gbps)
- Two USB-A (one at 10Gbps, one at 5Gbps)
- One DisplayPort 1.4
- Two HDMI 2.1 ports
- Gigabit Ethernet
Learn our full
Satechi Twin Dock Stand evaluation
CalDigit TS4 – strongest Thunderbolt 4 dock
Professionals
- Thunderbolt 4
- 18 ports
- 98W PD
- 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
- 230W energy provide
Cons
- Solely two downstream TB4 ports
- Costly
Value When Reviewed:
$399.95
Works with Thunderbolt and USB-C laptops (TB at full bandwidth)
With 18 top-rated ports and Thunderbolt 4 licensed, it’s tough to look previous the Caldigit Thunderbolt Station 4, aka TS4. Sure, it’s costly, nevertheless it’s a powerful docking sttaion.
It compares effectively to the Sonnet Echo 20 with only one fewer port—the Echo 20’s built-in SSD enclosure. For port speeds the TS4 matches the Echo 20, and it boasts the very best energy provide (a whopping 230W to be unfold among the many ports, together with a front-mounted 20W USB-C and 98W laptop computer PD charging) that we’ve seen on any dock that we’ve examined.
We additionally love this dock’s versatile vertical or horizontal format.
As with the Echo 20, whereas you should use Thunderbolt ports so as to add exterior shows, Caldigit swaps one of many downstream TB4 ports for a devoted video port—on this case, DisplayPort. You’ll want an adapter in case your monitor requires HDMI. You’ll be able to add as much as two 4K shows at 60Hz or a single 8K display at 60Hz.
The TS4 additionally matches the Echo 20 with super-fast 2.5GbE Gigabit Ethernet–2.5x sooner than normal Gigabit Ethernet.
- One Thunderbolt 4 upstream port (40Gbps, 98W PD)
- Two Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (40Gbps, 15W)
- As much as two exterior shows (4K at 60Hz)
- DisplayPort 1.4 port
- 5 USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
- One USB-C port (10Gbps, 20W)
- Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
- SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II, 312MBps)
- microSD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II, 312MBps)
- 2.5GbE Gigabit Ethernet port
- 3.5mm Combo Audio In/Out port at entrance
- 3.5mm Audio In & Out ports at again
- 230W energy provide
Learn our full Caldigit Thunderbolt Station 4 (TS4) evaluation.
Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
Professionals
- 11 quick ports
- 4x TB4
- 180W energy provide
- Energy button
Value When Reviewed:
$369.99
Works with Thunderbolt and USB-C laptops (TB at full bandwidth)
The Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station has every part a dock ought to have: 4 TB4 ports, three quick USB-A and one sluggish one (that at the very least boasts 7.5W charging energy in comparison with the sooner USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port’s 4.5W), Gigabit Ethernet, SD Card reader, and three.5mm audio jack.
At 180W, the facility provide is excessive however not as nice as discovered on the Caldigit TS4. It’s important if you’re powering a number of units related to the dock. And the On/Off energy button (uncommon on docks) means you can provide the laptop computer battery’s relaxation whenever you’re away.
There are helpful lights telling you when the dock is powered and when it’s related.
A variant mannequin, the Kensington SD5780T dock (accessible within the US solely), drops one of many three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports in favor of an HDMI 2.1 however prices an additional $50.
• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 90W PD)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• One USB-A port (480Mbps, 7.5W)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• SD Card reader (USHS-II, 312MBps)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 180W energy provide
Learn our full
Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station evaluation.
Anker 577 PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock – Finest Thunderbolt 3 dock for Intel Macs
Professionals
- 13 ports
- 85W PD
- 18W USB-C
Cons
- Thunderbolt 3 not 4
- No help for Apple Silicon (M1/M2)
Value When Reviewed:
$299.99
Works with Thunderbolt and USB-C laptops (TB at full bandwidth)
Anker’s 577 PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a superb Titan Ridge docking station for Intel-based Thunderbolt and USB-C laptops–with a lot of top-rated ports in a compact, handsome case. Sadly, it doesn’t play properly with the newer M1 and M2 MacBooks, which guidelines out all latest Macs.
It’s a critical contender for the crown of one of the best Thunderbolt 3 dock. The Caldigit TS3 Plus boasts yet one more USB-A port, however the Anker has one sooner USB-C port plus the flexibility to additionally work with non-Thunderbolt USB-C laptops.
All of the Energy Increase Elite’s ports are top-end: each USB-C ports, for instance, are Gen. 2 at 10Gbps, whereas some docks boast simply 5Gbps C-type ports.
The On/Off button on the entrance is a pleasant contact we haven’t seen on different docks, and there’s actually nothing besides value to tell apart it from the opposite advisable docking stations we have now examined. Within the battle of the Titan Ridge hybrid docks, the Anker wins on a cute compact design and amount of ports, together with two quick USB-C ports in addition to two TB3.
- One Thunderbolt 3 upstream port (40Gbps, 85W PD)
- One Thunderbolt 3 downstream port (40Gbps, 15W)
- Titan Ridge chipset (USB-C and T3)
- As much as two exterior shows (2 x 4K at 60Hz; or 1 x 5K at 60Hz)
- One HDMI 2.0 port
- Two USB-C (10Gbps) ports (one at 18W)
- 4 USB-A (5Gbps) ports (one at 7.5W)
- SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II, 312MBps)
- microSD 4.0 Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II, 312MBps)
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Hybrid 3.5mm audio port
- 180W energy provide
Learn our full
Anker PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock evaluation
CalDigit TS3 Plus – Wonderful Thunderbolt 3 dock for Macs
Professionals
- 15 ports
- 87W PD
- Digital audio
Cons
- Thunderbolt 3 not 4
- Would not work with USB-C laptops
Value When Reviewed:
$299.95
Works with Thunderbolt laptops (TB at full bandwidth)
Caldigit’s TS3 Plus is the granddaddy of Thunderbolt 3 docks. Its compact form and 15 ports made it our favourite top-end Thunderbolt 3 docking station for its sheer purposeful flexibility and energy at an excellent value.
Different docks boast sooner USB ports, however few have seven just like the TS3 Plus—besides its successor, the TS4, which makes even the TS3 Plus look underpowered. if you happen to can afford the additional, we suggest the TS4.
It’s a more sensible choice than the Anker 577 dock as it really works with all trendy Macs that use M1 or M2 chips.
The TS3 Plus exhibits its age by not having a Titan Ridge or Goshen Ridge chipset. It’s due to this fact unsuitable for non-Thunderbolt laptops—however as most MacBooks have at the very least T3, that shouldn’t matter until you’re employed in a combined Mac/Home windows surroundings.
And whereas Thunderbolt 4 is the most recent connection normal, its top-end advantages gained’t be seen by most MacBook homeowners as TB3 matches TB4 on data-transfer velocity.
So as to add the second exterior show you’ll require an HDMI or DisplayPort USB-C video adapter to run from the USB-C port until you may have a USB-C monitor. To keep away from this want for an adapter, search for a dock with two video ports.
Each related shows can run 4K shows at 60Hz. You possibly can additionally run one 5K show on the similar body price.
The TS3 Plus’s digital audio ports set it other than most different Thunderbolt docks.
It fees your laptop computer at 87W so makes it an excellent companion to Apple’s 15in or 16in MacBook Professional.
This dock is dinky so gained’t take up an excessive amount of area in your desk. Accessible in Silver and House Grey, it matches the colours of Apple’s laptops.
- One Thunderbolt 3 upstream port (40Gbps, 87W PD)
- One Thunderbolt 3 downstream port (40Gbps, 15W)
- As much as two exterior shows (4K at 60Hz)
- DisplayPort 1.2 port
- 5 USB-A ports (5Gbps, 7.5W)
- One USB-C (10Gbps) port
- One USB-C (5Gbps) port
- SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II, 312MBps)
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Entrance-facing 3.5mm Audio In & Out ports
- One Digital Optical Audio (S/PDIF) port
- 180W energy provide
Learn our full
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 3 Plus (TS3 Plus) evaluation
CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 mini Dock – Finest moveable Thunderbolt 3 dock
Professionals
- Transportable
- Twin show ports
Cons
- Thunderbolt 3 not 4
- No downstream TB3 port
- Unpowered
Value When Reviewed:
From $149.99
Works with Thunderbolt laptops (TB at full bandwidth)
The CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 mini Dock affords dual-4K HDMI show help at 60Hz in a light-weight moveable kind. It connects to the laptop computer through an built-in TB3 cable.
The Mini Dock Twin HDMI options the 2 HDMI ports, plus Gigabit Ethernet and two USB-A: one at 5Gbps (4.5W); one on the a lot slower 480Mbps (2.5W).
It runs 4K shows at 60Hz in Prolonged mode—finest for high-action motion pictures and gaming. Plainer USB-C docks can deal with two 4K shows, however solely at 30Hz, and just one Prolonged.
Its draw back is an absence of energy provide (which it attracts from the host laptop computer), so that you’ll have to energy your laptop computer through one other port, and the USB ports actually aren’t for fast-charging functions.
Transportable USB-C hubs usually boast extra ports (though simply the one exterior show choice) however lack the sooner Thunderbolt 3 connection.
- Bus-powered, so no PD charging
- Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) upstream cable
- As much as two exterior shows (4K at 60Hz)
- Two HDMI 2.0 ports (4K at 60Hz)
- Two USB-A port (5Gbps & 4.5W, one 480Mbps & 2.5W)
- Gigabit Ethernet port
Learn our full
CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 miniDock evaluation
Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Factor Hub – Finest Thunderbolt 4 hub
Professionals
- 4x TB4
- 4x 10Gbps USB-A
- 150W whole energy
- Compact
Cons
- 60W energy perhaps gentle for bigger laptops
Value When Reviewed:
$249.99
Works with Thunderbolt and USB-C laptops (TB at full bandwidth)
The Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Factor Hub isn’t a dock as a result of it doesn’t function something apart from Thunderbolt and USB ports—no Ethernet, SD card reader or audio port.
But it surely boasts so many top-end Thunderbolt and USB ports that you could customise it to your each need.
There are 4 TB4 ports (one upstream to your pc positioned handily on the aspect, and three downstream to different units) and 4 quick 10Gbps USB-A ports.
You need to use two of the three downstream TB4 ports to attach on to USB-C-equipped screens or HDMI or DisplayPort screens utilizing cheap adapters.
That also depart you a spare TB4 port and the 4 USB-A ports so as to add additional units, equivalent to an adapter for Gigabit Ethernet and/or SD card reader, SSDs, reminiscence sticks and so forth.
As a hub fairly than a dock, its 60W laptop computer charger is a bit of underpowered for bigger laptops, however the general 150W energy provide will assist with all of the hub’s ports.
It’s sufficiently small to be moveable, however don’t neglect that the exterior energy provide will overwhelm your journey bag.
• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 60W PD)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• 4 USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 150W energy provide
Learn our full
Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Factor Hub evaluation.
OWC Thunderbolt Hub – Finest finances Thunderbolt 4 hub
Professionals
- 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports
- One quick USB-A port
Cons
- 60W energy perhaps gentle for bigger laptops
Value When Reviewed:
$159
Works with Thunderbolt and USB-C laptops (TB at full bandwidth)
Additionally a hub fairly than a full dock, the OWC Thunderbolt Hub doesn’t match the Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Factor Hub on its variety of old-school USB-A ports, nevertheless it cheaper and affords the identical 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports—one upstream to your pc positioned on the entrance, and three downstream to different units on the again.
You need to use two of the three downstream TB4 ports to attach on to USB-C-equipped screens or HDMI or DisplayPort screens utilizing cheap adapters.
As with the Caldigit Factor Hub, its 60W laptop computer charger is underpowered for bigger laptops.
• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 60W PD)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 110W energy provide
Twelve South StayGo – Finest moveable USB-C dock
Professionals
- Transportable
- 85W passthrough charging
Value When Reviewed:
$99.99
Works with USB-C and Thunderbolt laptops (TB at diminished bandwidth)
It calls itself only a hub however this little light-weight field of ports has sufficient to go to battle with greater, costlier laptop computer docking stations—and is little sufficient to slot in your pocket and go travelling with you.
It boasts three USB-A ports (one with Quick Charging), USB-C ports for connecting to the laptop computer and in addition 85W of PD charging, one HDMI port, Gigabit Ethernet and SD/Micro SD card readers.
It’s USB-C fairly than Thunderbolt however will work with both kind of laptop computer connection (we examined it with a 15in MacBook Professional). After all, you’ll lose that full 40Gbps bandwidth and the choice of a second exterior show, however lighter customers won’t care, and it’s excellent for portability.
- One USB-C upstream port (5Gbps)
- One USB-C port (5Gbps) for passthrough 85W PD charging; requires charger
- One exterior show (4K at 30Hz)
- HDMI port (4K at 30Hz)
- Three USB-A ports (5Gbps; one at 7.5W)
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- SD Card Reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)
Learn our full
Twelve South StayGo USB-C Hub evaluation.
Logi Dock – USB-C dock for distant working and video calls
Professionals
- 3x USB-C, 2x USB-A ports
- 100W energy for laptop computer
- Constructed-in audio system and noise-cancelling mics
- Works with Zoom and different video apps
Cons
- Costly
- Onlt one show in Prolonged mode
Value When Reviewed:
$399
There are many docks and hubs that can help you join screens, arduous drives and different equipment to your Mac, however the Logi Dock casts its internet wider than that. It’s pretty costly, at $399/£399.99, nevertheless it’s designed to offer an all-in-one desktop system for individuals who do a number of video-conferencing when working at dwelling or within the workplace.
The compact dock (3.34-x-6.3-x-5.18 inches) will match neatly in your desk alongside your Mac’s show. The Logi Dock’s chunky energy adaptor implies that that is very a lot a dock that’s designed to remain in your desk the entire time.
There’s one USB-C upstream port that’s used to attach the Logi Dock to your Mac, and each HDMI and DisplayPort interfaces for exterior show. Considerably, you may solely join one 4K show if you happen to’re utilizing Prolonged mode, though you may join two 4K shows in Mirrored mode.
The Logi Dock can work as a speaker for voice and video calls, or you may simply hearken to some music whilst you’re working utilizing both the USB-C connection together with your Mac, or utilizing Bluetooth to hook up with your cellular units. It sounds fairly good too, with a set of 55mm stereo audio system that ship a pleasant agency bass thud on Kate Bush’s Operating Up That Hill.
You can too use Logitech’s Tune app to hyperlink the Logi Dock with conferencing apps equivalent to Microsoft Groups and Zoom, and there’s a set of buttons on the highest of the Logi Dock that can help you shortly mute the mic and switch off the digital camera.
- 1x USB-C upstream port (5Gbps, 100W)
- 2x USB-C downstream ports (5Gbps, 4.5W)
- 1 x USB-C downstream ports (5Gbps, 7.5W)
- 1x USB-A (5Gbps, 4.5W)
- 1x USB-A (5Gbps, 7.5W)
- 1x HDMI 2.0
- 1x DisplayPort 1.4
- 2x 55mm audio system (stereo)
- 6x noise-cancelling microphones
- 230W energy provide
- Licensed for Zoom, MS Groups, Google Meet
HyperDrive GEN2 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Professionals
- 14 ports
- 85W PD
- Titan Ridge
- Digital audio
Cons
- Thunderbolt 3 not 4
- Costly outdoors US
Value When Reviewed:
$349.99
Works with Thunderbolt and USB-C laptops (TB at full bandwidth)
This Titan Ridge (Thunderbolt and USB-C) docking station is bristling with 14 high-performance ports.
Its compact kind is neat (identical to the Caldigit TS4 and TS3 Plus or the Anker PowerExpand Elite), and it could actually lie both upright or horizontal relying in your wants and choice.
There are six USB-A ports in whole: 4 USB-A ports at 5Gbps and an extra two at 10Gbps, plus one fast-charging QC 3.0 USB-A port.
On high of that is one 10Gbps USB-C port that you simply’ll want if you wish to complement the DisplayPort for a second exterior show.
You’ll additionally get extra professional-level digital audio ports, in addition to the analogue 3.5mm headphone/mic jack on the entrance.
- One Thunderbolt 3 upstream port (40Gbps, 85W PD)
- One Thunderbolt 3 downstream port (40Gbps, 15W)
- Titan Ridge chipset (USB-C and TB3)
- As much as two exterior shows (4K at 60Hz)
- One DisplayPort 1.4 ports (4K at 60Hz)
- Three USB-A ports (5Gbps, 4.5W)
- Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
- One USB-A port (QC 3.0, 36W)
- One USB-C port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Entrance-facing 3.5mm Analogue Audio In & Out port
- One Digital Optical Toslink Audio (S/PDIF) port
- One Digital Coaxial Audio (S/PDIF) port
- 180W energy provide
Learn our full
HyperDrive GEN2 16-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock evaluation.
