The best docking station for MacBook Pro lets you to connect lots of devices to your Apple laptop. And that can be a real lifeline if your model is low on ports.
Admittedly, if you have the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro, 2024), this may not be necessary, as this model actually offers decent connectivity. But if you have say, the Apple Macbook Pro M2 (2022) which has just two Thunderbolt 4 ports and an audio jack, a dock starts to look like a very useful investment indeed.
They're very simple to use: just plug them in to a USB-C port, and you'll be able to connect a range of devices to your MacBook, including monitors, mice, external hard drives, smartphones and headphones. Some even offer wired internet, SD card slots and passthrough charging, so you can power up your laptop at the same time. Read on to discover the best docks for MacBook Pro available today.
Best docking station for MacBook Pro: our top picks
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.
Read more below
This docking station boasts impressive speed, ensuring the workflow of every creative is smooth and hassle-free. Those large video files will transfer incredibly quickly.
Read more below
The king of all Thunderbolt docking stations, this device handles peripheral connection, device charging, and display extension like an absolute pro.
Read more below
There is an abundance of Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 connectivity in this docking station, although it's not the best choice if you have a lot of USB-A devices.
Read more below
This is the most affordable dock on our list. Not only that, it gives you a dual monitor setup for 4K at 60Hz, which will be more than enough for most monitor setups.
Read more below
This premium docking station handles high-resolution display setups with ease and offers a plethora of connectivity options. Its standout feature is dual 4K or single 8K resolution support.
Read more below
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 docking station for MacBook Pro overall
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. For more details, read our full Ugreen 12-in1-docking station review.
Best docking station for MacBook Pro for value
Being careful with your cash? Then here's our top choice of mid-priced docking stations. Ugreen’s 9-in-1 device 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. For more details, read our full Ugreen 9-in1-docking station review.
Best Thunderbolt docking station for MacBook Pro
Do you prioritise fast data transfer? Then check out CalDigit’s TS4 Thunderbolt Station 4, 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. And with 18 ports, you can connect pretty much anything you need.
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. For more details, read our full CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock review.
Best value Thunderbolt docking station
Don't need all the ports of our number 3 pick? If the five ports of the Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 4 docking station is plenty for you, then you'll appreciate the lower price.
Just note that it only has one USB-A port. 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.
Overall, 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. For more details, read our full Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station (5-in-1) review.
Best cheap docking station for MacBook
The Targus USB-C 4K Dual Monitor Travel Dock is the most affordable on our list. Not only that, it 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. On the downside, 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. For more details, read our full Targus USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Docking Station review.
The best dock for 4K/8K video editing
If you require a docking station that handles high-resolution display setups with ease and offers a plethora of connectivity options, the Kensington AD2010T4 is an excellent choice. Its standout feature is dual 4K or single 8K resolution support, with Thunderbolt technology to make this lightning fast. You also get 13 well-distributed ports, and a 96W charging capability.
Reliable and efficient, this docking station is a great choice for power users like creatives and professionals working with multimedia. For more details, read our full Kensington AD2010T4 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station review.
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
