The best Thunderbolt docks for your Mac or MacBook Pro

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in Current Mac Hardware edited July 27

Increase the number of things you can connect to your Mac by getting yourself a Thunderbolt 4 dock. These are AppleInsider's recommendations to achieve expansion nirvana.

Three sleek computer docking stations labeled Hyper, CalDigit, and Thunderbolt Go Dock against a tiled background.
An assortment of Thunderbolt docks



One of the problems when buying a MacBook is that you'll feel like there aren't enough ports for all of your hardware. The answer to that is to acquire a dock, which immediately adds a variety of ports to your computing setup.

However, not all docks are created equal. We know, because we've tested about all of them.

Many docks on the market offer USB-C connectivity. This may seem similar to Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4, especially because of the use of a USB-C Type-C connection.

The problem is that, since USB-C connections max out at 10Gb/s, you're limited in terms of how much data can go between your Mac and your peripherals. When you're plugging a USB-C hub into a Thunderbolt 4 port, you're ignoring 75% of the available bandwidth.

The end result is that you may not be able to use fast external drives, multiple displays, and other hardware simultaneously using a USB-C hub because of the limited bandwidth.

By getting a Thunderbolt 4 dock, you'll ensure that all of the 40Gb/s bandwidth is available to your hardware. That 40Gb/s is more than enough for most user's bandwidth needs.

This is especially useful in cases where you have external drives connected to the dock. The last thing you want is slow read and write speeds to the drive because other peripherals are consuming the constrained USB-C bandwidth.

What follows below are AppleInsider's recommendations for docks to use with your Mac hardware, which supports Thunderbolt and USB 4 connections.

Best Thunderbolt 4 dock for port selection - CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4



The CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4, or TS4, is a highly regarded Thunderbolt dock at AppleInsider, with it being frequently recommended as one of the best of its kind. In our CalDigit TS4 review, we gave it the highest possible score, because it's seriously that good.

Desk setup with a monitor, laptop, dock, smartphone, external drives, and vibrant screen backgrounds.
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4



There are 18 massive ports around the front and back. The front has a UHS-II SD4 card reader, a UHS-II SD 4 microSD card reader, an audio combination jack, a USB 3.2 port with 7.5W of power output, a USB-C port with 7.5W of power output, and a USB-C port with 20W.

The rear side continues with four USB-A 3.2 ports, a USB-C port, 2 downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 port, audio input and output ports, and a 2.5Gb Ethernet port.

Buy at Amazon

Along with the generous power output to the USB-A and USB-C ports, it's also great for connecting to a MacBook Pro for recharging, since it offers 98W of upstream power delivery. That 20W USB-C connection on the front is ideal for recharging your iPhone, either directly or using MagSafe (Apple's MagSafe charger is on sale at Amazon).

Add in the wide port selection with fast data transfer speeds, and the CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 is one of the most versatile and essential Mac expansion tools on the market.

The CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 is priced at $399.99 on Amazon and at B&H Photo.

Best Thunderbolt 4 dock for portability - CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub



If you're looking for a tiny Thunderbolt hub to slip into a bag with your MacBook Pro, the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub is the way forward.

A compact CalDigit hub with multiple cables connected, including USB and HDMI, lying next to a laptop on a white surface.
CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub



Its compact size makes it a no-brainer for workers on the move, with its aluminum enclosure being more than enough to handle the knocks of travel. In the AppleInsider CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub review, our team of testers gave it a 4-star rating out of 5.

Due to its size, it only handles two types of connection. Aside from the host Thunderbolt connection on one end, one side has three Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the other has four USB-A connections.

Buy at Amazon

For many people, this will be more than enough for port expansion while on the go. Even so, it's possible to use it to drive a single 8K display or two 6K displays at 60Hz, if you need

The CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub is available at B&H for $199.95 and on Amazon for $199.99.

Best Thunderbolt 4 dock for portable power users needing storage - OWC Thunderbolt Hub



Sleek and stylish, the OWC Thunderbolt Dock offers additional ports in a way that's stylish, so it doesn't become a desk eyesore. All in a package that, in our OWC Thunderbolt Hub review, is barely longer than an Apple Watch band.

Two black electronic devices with OWC logos on a wooden surface, the larger one has a cord and label with a QR code.
OWC Thunderbolt Hub



The front of the dock has a 96W Thunderbolt 4 port, a combination audio jack, a USB-A 2.0 port, and an SD 4.0 card reader. At the back are three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and three USB-A 3.0 ports with data transfer speeds of up to 10Gb per second.

Buy at OWC

It's also capable of driving two dual 4K displays or a single 5K, 6K, or 8K display. If you need to connect storage, it also has support for high-speed offerings, such as NVMe-based drives, and other accessories requiring masses of bandwidth.

The OWC Thunderbolt Dock is priced at $229.99 at OWC and on Amazon.

Surprisingly good dock intended for gamers, but great for Mac users - WD Black D50 Game Dock



The name of the WD Black D50 Game Dock won't attract Mac owners, but it is a good choice beyond being used for gaming.

As a Thunderbolt dock, it pulls double duty as it also has built-in NVMe storage. This means you don't need to have a separate NVMe drive on your desktop since it's incorporated into the dock.

Black external SSD with various ports, including Ethernet, USB, and DisplayPort, labeled WD_BLACK' and D50 GAME DOCK NVMe SSD'.
WD Black D50 Game Dock



Depending on the drive you use, you can see write and read speeds of up to 2,500MB/s and 3,000MB/s respectively. Even better, you can buy the hubs with NVMe storage already included.

Buy on Amazon

Connectivity-wise, the D50 has two Thunderbolt ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 connection, two USB-C 10Gbps ports, three USB-A 10Gbps ports, audio in and out, and Gigabit Ethernet. There's also power delivery available at up to 87 watts, so it will handle the MacBook Pro with ease.

The WD Black D50 Game Dock on its own is available for $219.99 on Amazon. However, you can also get it bundled with a 1TB or 2TB NVMe SSD for $239.99 or $335.99, which would be better picks.

Best Thunderbolt 4 dock without a power brick - OWC Thunderbolt Go



Sure, a dock can be small, but sometimes that's accompanied by a large unsightly power brick. The OWC Thunderbolt Go, as reviewed by AppleInsider, eliminates the extra element by incorporating it into its enclosure.

Rectangular Thunderbolt Go Dock with multiple ports including USB, audio, and SD card slots, in a sleek gray and black design.
OWC Thunderbolt Go



While not as small as some of the others, the OWC Thunderbolt Go has an aluminum enclosure to dissipate heat, and runs quiet without a fan.

At the end of the dock is a Thunderbolt 4 port for connecting to the Mac, which also has 90W of power delivery. At the front are a USB-C 3.2 port, a USB 2.0 port for peripherals, a combination audio port, and a memory card reader.

Buy at OWC

At the back are two more Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A 3.2 10Gbps ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port. For video, it can allow you to connect an 8K display or two 4K displays.

The OWC Thunderbolt Go dock is available directly from OWC, priced at $299.99.

Best Thunderbolt 4 dock for storage - Sonnet Echo Dual NVMe Dock



We have covered docks with storage earlier, but this is the one to get if capacity is important. As the name indicates, the Sonnet Echo Dual NVMe Dock can hold two single or double-sided M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe SSDs, up to a maximum capacity of 16TB.

What's more, these drives can be accessed as a single SSD at up to 1,500MB/s, but also as a RAID 0 set. Doing it this way, you can achieve transfer speeds of up to 3,000MB/s.

Black SonnetTech Echo Dual NVMe Thunderbolt Dock with multiple ports on the front, placed on a green cutting mat with grid lines.
Sonnet Echo Dual NVMe Dock



As discovered in the AppleInsider review, these drives can be easily accessed by removing seven Philips-head screws. Those drives can also be fitted with heatsinks, to help keep them cool and maintain speed under load.

Buy at Amazon

Alongside the storage-centric features, there is still a selection of ports available to use. Along with the Thunderbolt port to connect to the host, it has a second Thunderbolt port, two USB-C ports, and a pair of USB-A connections.

The Sonnet Echo Dual NVMe Dock is available for $249.99 from Amazon.

Best Thunderbolt 4 dock for basic portability - Hyper Thunderbolt 4 Power Hub



Another compact example of a dock, the Hyper Thunderbolt 4 Power Hub is fairly simple in its execution. For a start, it is a compact hub thanks to using an integrated Gallium Nitride power source, which also eliminates the power brick.

Our review found it to be impressively small, measuring 4.9 inches square and 1.2 inches tall. That's easily small enough to fit into a spare pocket in a bag.

Compact silver electronic device with 'Hyper' branding, featuring three USB-C ports and a connected cable, sitting on a white surface.
Hyper Thunderbolt 4 Power Hub



The hub has a total of four Thunderbolt 4 ports, with one used for the host and the others for downstream connections. Each connection can work at up to 40Gbps.

Buy at Amazon

Each port also has up to 15W of power that can be used to charge peripherals, though the host also benefits from up to 96W of power delivery. There's even support for an 8K 30Hz display or two 4K 60Hz screens.

The Hyper Thunderbolt 4 Power Hub can be acquired from Amazon, priced at $209.99, as well as from Hyper directly.



Read on AppleInsider

dewme

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 13
    HapHap Posts: 19member
    "USB-C connections max out at 10Gb/s"

    Err, what? USB-C is just a connector and it IS the connector for TB3/TB4. 

    USB-4 can run at the same speed as TB3, depending on optional implmentations, since a FULLY optioned USB-4 IS Thunderbolt 4. Now, personally, I prefer TB over USB, because you know what you're getting with TB, it's really, really hard to tell what optional features are implemented on something that says USB-4.
    edited July 27 d_2dewme
  • Reply 2 of 13
    OWC is garbage. Skip it. 
  • Reply 3 of 13
    jeffharrisjeffharris Posts: 844member
    I got the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub. It works great with my M3 MacBook Pro.
    I just wish it had more USB-C ports.

    I have a CalDigit TS3+ dock, which I've been very happy with, but decided on the Element Hub rather than getting their Thunderbolt Station 4. 
    My wife inherited the TS3+. 
    edited July 29 MikeJB
  • Reply 4 of 13
    neilmneilm Posts: 1,001member
    "There are 18 massive ports around the front and back."

    Really? Just how massive are these ports? Can you stuff multiple connectors into each one, or do you need matching giant connectors?
    Enquiring minds want to know!

    On a more serious note, I have several dozen TB docks in operation at the office, and I'm sick and tired of the low rent power bricks used by most of them. In many cases they're bigger and heavier than the dock itself, and in every case they add to the cable clutter and general desk mess. Compact and high power GaN power supply technology exists — get those power supplies inside the dock!
    jeffharris
  • Reply 5 of 13
    i’m still trying to figure out why nobody builds a simple TB / USB C hub to replace USB hubs… TB to host and then 7 or more ports  of USB 3.2 (10Gb) with a USB C connector would suit my needs just fine.

    i don’t need to run multiple monitors with it. i don’t need ethernet. i don’t need audio ports.  i don’t need SD card slots.  i don’t need to charge a laptop with it. 

    i have enough cables at this point with USB C that i don’t even need USB A support. 

    this really shouldn’t be a big ask and definitely shouldn’t he a $200+ device. 

    if anybody has seen something that resembles what i’m talking about i’d love to hear about it. so far all i’ve seen is  4 USB C ports at 10Gb… or more ports at just 5Gb and not all USB C
    jeffharris
  • Reply 6 of 13
    Fidonet127Fidonet127 Posts: 600member
    i’m still trying to figure out why nobody builds a simple TB / USB C hub to replace USB hubs… TB to host and then 7 or more ports  of USB 3.2 (10Gb) with a USB C connector would suit my needs just fine.

    i don’t need to run multiple monitors with it. i don’t need ethernet. i don’t need audio ports.  i don’t need SD card slots.  i don’t need to charge a laptop with it. 

    i have enough cables at this point with USB C that i don’t even need USB A support. 

    this really shouldn’t be a big ask and definitely shouldn’t he a $200+ device. 

    if anybody has seen something that resembles what i’m talking about i’d love to hear about it. so far all i’ve seen is  4 USB C ports at 10Gb… or more ports at just 5Gb and not all USB C
    This is what I want. Maybe a modular dock. I think some of the problem is demand, the other is what power and speed outputs should the ports be?
  • Reply 7 of 13
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,746member
    i’m still trying to figure out why nobody builds a simple TB / USB C hub to replace USB hubs… TB to host and then 7 or more ports  of USB 3.2 (10Gb) with a USB C connector would suit my needs just fine.

    i don’t need to run multiple monitors with it. i don’t need ethernet. i don’t need audio ports.  i don’t need SD card slots.  i don’t need to charge a laptop with it. 

    i have enough cables at this point with USB C that i don’t even need USB A support. 

    this really shouldn’t be a big ask and definitely shouldn’t he a $200+ device. 

    if anybody has seen something that resembles what i’m talking about i’d love to hear about it. so far all i’ve seen is  4 USB C ports at 10Gb… or more ports at just 5Gb and not all USB C
    This is what I want. Maybe a modular dock. I think some of the problem is demand, the other is what power and speed outputs should the ports be?
    I hear you. I’ve always found this product category to be so difficult to deal with because no single dock/hub has everything I need and some hubs have redundant ports and features I don’t need. The plethora of functionality associated with the USB-C connector adds a little more complexity to the mix, especially with respect to power delivery for downstream devices and the host. One thing to keep in mind Is that not every device is going to benefit from the higher speed USB versions. Don’t paint yourself into a corner by insisting on all 10 Gbps USB if your connected devices will see no benefit from it.

    I haven’t found anything yet that is my Goldilocks dock/hub - yet. I suppose there is no one-size-fits all so you have to search around and read reviews and eventually compromise on something that satisfies the most number of your needs. 
  • Reply 8 of 13
    jimh2jimh2 Posts: 665member
    i’m still trying to figure out why nobody builds a simple TB / USB C hub to replace USB hubs… TB to host and then 7 or more ports  of USB 3.2 (10Gb) with a USB C connector would suit my needs just fine.

    i don’t need to run multiple monitors with it. i don’t need ethernet. i don’t need audio ports.  i don’t need SD card slots.  i don’t need to charge a laptop with it. 

    i have enough cables at this point with USB C that i don’t even need USB A support. 

    this really shouldn’t be a big ask and definitely shouldn’t he a $200+ device. 

    if anybody has seen something that resembles what i’m talking about i’d love to hear about it. so far all i’ve seen is  4 USB C ports at 10Gb… or more ports at just 5Gb and not all USB C
    You and me both. I use Ascrono MacBook Docking Station which is pricey, but works for me as I like the ability to just push it place without touching any cables. It would be better if it had multiple ports beyond the two it provides, which for me is none since I use two external monitors.
  • Reply 9 of 13
    jeffharrisjeffharris Posts: 844member
    i’m still trying to figure out why nobody builds a simple TB / USB C hub to replace USB hubs… TB to host and then 7 or more ports  of USB 3.2 (10Gb) with a USB C connector would suit my needs just fine.

    i don’t need to run multiple monitors with it. i don’t need ethernet. i don’t need audio ports.  i don’t need SD card slots.  i don’t need to charge a laptop with it. 

    i have enough cables at this point with USB C that i don’t even need USB A support. 

    this really shouldn’t be a big ask and definitely shouldn’t he a $200+ device. 

    if anybody has seen something that resembles what i’m talking about i’d love to hear about it. so far all i’ve seen is  4 USB C ports at 10Gb… or more ports at just 5Gb and not all USB C
    I consider USB-A ports “legacy” at this point. 
    Why manufacturers continue to outnumber USB-C ports with USB-A in these docks is a complete mystery.

    The CalDigit Element Hub is pretty close to what you’re looking for, but it still has 4 USB-A ports. 
    2 would be plenty.

    ravnorodom
  • Reply 10 of 13
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,304member
    No, 4 usb-a is a good number: mouse, keyboard, camera and a spare for when a client rocks up with a usb-a stick.
  • Reply 11 of 13
    The article completely overlooked the Ivanky FusionDock Max 1. I've used the CalDigit TS 4, but I believe the Ivanky is much better, especially for 3+ External Displays on my Probook M3 Max. The only somewhat negative thing I'll say about the Ivanky is it doesn't have a DP port but has enough other ports to do a ágreat job.
  • Reply 12 of 13
    entropys said:
    No, 4 usb-a is a good number: mouse, keyboard, camera and a spare for when a client rocks up with a usb-a stick.
    Mouse plugs into the keyboard. Unless your keyboard lacks “extra” USB ports.

    With my CalDigit Element Hub, I have one USB-A Lightning cable for my iPhone and one USB-A port powering a Mojo 2 DAC for my headphones. That’s it. The other two USB-A ports are rarely used. 

    There are 2 USB-A, 2 USB-C ports and an SD card reader on my OWC RAID, so things are plugged into that, as well.
  • Reply 13 of 13
    OK, so I have question about the power supplies in many of these docks.

    My MacBook Pro M3 now uses a MagSafe connector for power. 
    That kind of renders a dock’s power supply for a computer unnecessary, right?

    That’s one reason I opted to get a CalDigit Element Hub, rather than the TS4.
    I have a TS3+ which is great! My wife has that now.

    So, is the MagSafe port also a USB-C or Thunderbolt port? 
    OK, Mr. Google just told me that MagSafe 3 (current iteration) only supports power, NOT data.

    So, apparently, having a Thunderbolt dock with a power supply to use with a MacBook Pro or Air that uses MagSafe is pointless!
    Good to know!
    edited 7:35AM
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