Apple’s MacBook Pro is arguably the best laptop for creators on the market right now. Leveraging the power of Apple Silicon, it offers performance and efficiency you just can’t get anywhere else, making it the perfect machine for demanding workloads like video editing and rendering on the go.
Since 2021, the MacBook Pro has featured a much better selection of ports compared to previous models, adding HDMI, MagSafe charging, and an SD card reader. However, you might still need more, since things like USB Type-A are still missing. Dockind stations are a great solution for this, since they can add over a dozen ports while taking aup a single port on your laptop, and they can charge it at the same time, too. We’ve picked out some of the best docking stations you cna get for the MacBook Pro below.
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Plugable USB-C 4K Triple Display Docking Station
Editor’s choice
$240 $270 Save $30
This Plugable dock is special because it’s one of the only options that can support up to three 4K displays on every MacBook Pro model. most docks can’t support that many displays, and they tend to be more expensive, which makes this the best choice if your goal is to have a multi-monitor setup.
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StarTech Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station
Premium pick
The StarTech Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display dock is one of the best THunderbolt 4 docking stations, supporting up to four 4K displays (though only two are supported on Mac). It also has a lot of high-speed ports, including 2.5Gbps Ethernet, USB Type-A, Type-A, and both full-size and microSD card readers.
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Wavlink 12-in-1 USB-C Hub
Best Value
If you just need a simple and portable hub for some extra peripherals, this Wavlink adapter should do the trick. It can charge your laptop at up to 100W and includes HDMI, USB Type-A ports, Ethernet, and SD card readers to cover most basic needs you may have, and it’s super affordable.
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VisionTek VT7400
Horizontal dock
$250 $276 Save $26
Similar to the Plugable dock, this VisionTek VT7400 dock supports up to three 4K displays regardless of the MacBook Pro model you have, plus it includes four USB Type-A ports and RJ45 Ethernet. If you prefer horizontal docking stations, this is the right fit for your setup.
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OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock
Extra compact and versatile
The OWC Thunderbolt Go dock is a unique solution in that it’s the only docking station to have a built-in power supply, making cable management far simpler. It still offers top-notch specs, including two Thunderbolt 4 portss, HDMI, and multiple USB ports, all for a reasonable price.
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Lention USB-C Docking Station
Dock and stand
This USB Type-C docking station gives you tons of ports to connect peripherals, displays, Ethernet, and SD cards. It supports 100W charging and can also serve as a riser for your laptop, so you can get better airflow or get a more comfortable angle for typing. It’s not Thunderbolt, but it’s much more affordable.
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Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma
Add some flair
$300 $330 Save $30
The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma is an excellent Thunderbolt 4 dock for the Razer Blade 14. It has RGB lighting on the side that’ll match gaming-themed setups, plus it packs 10 total ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, Ethernet, and SD card slots.
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Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
Sturdy metal design
$206 $220 Save $14
This Kensington dock gives you three USB Type-A ports, three Thunderbolt downstream ports, a headphone jack, an SD card reader, and Gigabit Ethernet. It has a sturdy-looking design, and it supports 90W power delivery to keep your laptop charged.
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Plugable USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station
Ports on the cheap
$110 $120 Save $10
To save even more money if you don’t need Thunderbolt, this USB dock from Plugable is a great alternative. It adds six USB ports, Ethernet, and display outputs at a reasonable price.
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Tobenone USB-C Docking Station
So many ports
$120 $150 Save $30
Featuring over 15 connectivity options, this dock comes with dual-monitor support, along with multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, alongside SD and microSD card slots, Ethernet, and more.
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Anker 547 7-in-2 MacBook USB Hub
Snap-on design
Unlike most USB hubs out there, this Anker option is designed to fit right on the side of the MacBook Pro. It uses two USB Type-C ports, and it fits right in with the design, so it looks like an extension of the laptop itself. It includes a few ports like USB Type-A, Type-C, HDMI, and an SD card reader.
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Plugable 5-in-1 USB-C Hub for MacBook
Compact and MagSafe compatible
This simple and compact USB-C hub snaps onto the side of a MacBook Pro and gives you five ports, including USB4 40Gbps, two USB Type-A ports, and Ethernet. Most notably, however, it also includes a cutout for the MagSafe connector, so you can still use the included charger on the latest models.
Best docks for the MacBook Pro: Which should you choose?
While the MacBook Pro has seen some design changes over the years, Apple has consistently kept the two Thunderbolt ports next to each other on the side, which means all of these docks are equally compatible with any model from 2016 onwards. The top recommendation from us is the Plugable Triple 4K Display Docking Station, and that’s mostly because, with DisplayLink technology, it’s capable of supporting up to three 4K displays on any MacBook. The models without Pro or Max chips can only support one external display normally, but this model can work around that. If you do have an Intel-based model or an M2 Max processor, though, a Thunderbolt dock like the StarTech model here is great, too. And if you want something more affordable, then a simple USB-C hub like the one from Wavlink is a great budget choice.
Looking for other accessories for your MacBook Pro? Check out our list of the best MacBook Pro cases you can buy. And if you’re looking to upgrade, you can buy one of the latest MacBook Pro models below — they’re some of the best Macs Apple makes.
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