Apple's MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lack the ports needed for a desktop setup, mainly relying on Thunderbolt ports, available in Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 versions. Offices often use older ports like HDMI and USB 3.0, as well as SD card readers and Ethernet for wired connections. A docking station provides a solution without the need for adapters. This guide covers the best MacBook docking stations and can help you find the right fit for your laptop. 

1. MacBook Docking Stations: Belkin Thunderbolt 3

Belkin's Thunderbolt 3 Dock Mini HD and is a small docking station (0.8 by 5.1 by 3.1 inches) with a 6.8-inch cable. It has a USB 3.0 Type-A port, a USB 2.0 port, a gigabit Ethernet port, and two HDMI ports that support 4K resolution at 60Hz. (Note that M1-based MacBooks can only connect to one external monitor through the Thunderbolt 3 port.)

The dock is encased in sturdy aluminum and comes with a two-year warranty. It's lightweight at just 6.3 ounces, so it won't add much weight to your bag, similar to a wireless mouse.

2. MacBook Docking Stations: Corsair TBT200 Thunderbolt 4

Consider the Corsair TBT200 for a faster 2.5Gbps network connection. It features four Thunderbolt 4 ports, including one for the host and three for devices. With Corsair's Thunderbolt Dock Utility, you can eject all drives at once. It includes USB-C to HDMI and USB-C to DisplayPort adapters for dual 4K monitors. The front panel offers an SD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack, and two 10Gbps USB ports. At the back, there are two more USB-A ports, the Ethernet port, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a Kensington security lock slot. The aluminum dock can charge your MacBook with up to 96 watts of power.

3. MacBook Docking Stations: Dockcase Smart Hub 7-in-1

Consider the Dockcase Smart Hub for maximizing your USB Type-C port. It converts one USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 or higher port into three 5Gbps USB-A 3.0 ports, one USB-C charging port, an HDMI 2.0 port supporting a 4K monitor at 60Hz, and slots for SD and microSD cards. It also features a 1.3-inch color LCD screen displaying port status, connected device types, and chip temperature.

For more connections, explore Dockcase's flagship model, the 10-in-1 Explorer Edition. It offers HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for dual 4K monitors at 60Hz, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and high-speed 10Gbps USB-A and USB-C ports. It's also compatible with gaming devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.

4. MacBook Docking Stations: J5Create M.2 NVMe USB-C Gen 2 

J5Create's JCD552 M.2 NVMe USB-C Gen 2 Docking Station, offers a unique way to expand your MacBook's storage. This compact gray and black aluminum dock, measuring 1 by 12.5 by 3.1 inches, accommodates an NVMe or SATA M.2 solid-state drive (up to size 2280; not included). It connects to your laptop using two USB-C cables and supports 100 watts of Power Delivery pass-through.

The docking station provides 4K DisplayPort and HDMI video outputs, a gigabit Ethernet port, slots for SD and microSD cards, and three USB Type-A ports (one at 5Gbps and two at 10Gbps) in addition to the M.2 SSD slot. It also includes a security cable lock slot to prevent theft.

5. MacBook Docking Stations: Kensington SD2500T Thunderbolt 3 Dual 4K

Kensington has introduced a sleek Thunderbolt 3 dock called the SD2500T Thunderbolt 3 Dual 4K Hybrid Nano Dock. This dock is compatible with both MacBooks and Windows laptops. It offers one USB-C port, two DisplayPorts, three USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a gigabit Ethernet jack, a 3.5mm audio jack, an SD card reader, and a microSD card reader. The included power adapter supports 60-watt power delivery.

6. MacBook Docking Stations: OWC Thunderbolt 3

The OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a handy docking station that transforms a single Thunderbolt 3 port into a desktop setup. It offers one USB 3.1 Type-A port, one USB 2.0 Type-A port, two HDMI ports for 4K displays, and a gigabit Ethernet port. This compact aluminum dock measures 0.7 by 4.9 by 2.6 inches. It also comes with OWC's Dock Ejector software, which safely disconnects external drives and ensures all data is saved before disconnecting.

7. MacBook Docking Stations: Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Dock

Boost your M1 or M2 MacBook's connectivity with Satechi's Thunderbolt 4 Dock. This desk accessory, measuring 1.2 by 7.7 by 3.1 inches, offers three Thunderbolt 4 ports with 15-watt charging capability each. The host cable provides a robust 96 watts of charging to your notebook. Additionally, it includes three USB 3.2 Type-A ports with speeds of 10Gbps.

The Satechi dock also comes with a gigabit Ethernet port, an SD card reader, and a legacy USB 2.0 port. You'll also find a 3.5mm audio jack. Despite its features, it's lightweight, weighing just under a pound. Plus, it supports dual 4K monitors with a refresh rate of 60Hz.

8. MacBook Docking Stations: Plugable USB-C Quad HDMI 

The Plugable USB-C Quad HDMI Docking Station delivers on its promise with four HDMI ports. Using DisplayLink technology, it supports multiple screens with resolutions up to 1,920 by 1,080 pixels at 60Hz. However, keep in mind that MacBooks don't support DisplayPort Alt Mode Multi-Stream Transport, so the fourth display can only mirror the others.

At the back of the device, you'll find the four HDMI ports, along with four 5Gbps USB 3.0 ports and a gigabit Ethernet port. The dock connects to your laptop via USB-C 3.2, offering 96-watt charging capability. On the front, there are audio-in and -out jacks, an SD card reader, and a 5Gbps USB-C port with 20-watt charging for phones or other devices.

9. MacBook Docking Stations: VisionTek VT7400 Triple Display 4K USB-C