Best Thunderbolt and USB-C docking stations for your MacBook 2026

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 20
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 330W max
• External displays: Up to 2x 8K at 60Hz or 1x 8K at 60Hz; 3x/4x displays using M5 Pro/Max

If you desire the ultimate in MacBook docking stations, the CalDigit TS5 Plus has just about everything you need—indeed probably more than you need. Alongside super-fast Thunderbolt 5 you get an incredible number of top-end ports including 10Gb Ethernet and an incredible 330W power supply. Only iVanky’s FusionDock Ultra and Max 2, both reviewed below, have more ports.

Somehow CalDigit has included an incredible clearly labelled 20 ports into the compact dock—all of which can be used simultaneously—including ten 10Gbps USB ports (five USB-C and five USB-A), the fastest Ethernet available, top-rated card readers and audio ports front and back. There are three 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports: one upstream to connect to your computer and two downstream for speedy data-transfer devices.

CalDigit has sacrificed a possible third downstream TB5 port for a dedicated DisplayPort in the knowledge that most dock users run at least one external display and so the extra TB5 port would be used for a monitor connection anyway. Depending on the display capabilities of your MacBook, the maximum resolution is 8K at a 60Hz refresh rate, with a possible refresh rate of 240Hz for 4K or 500Hz for 1080p HD.

Advances in the top-end M5 processors mean that a MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro or M5 Max chip can now respectively attach three or four external displays from the TS5 Plus. Standard M5, M4 Pro and M4 Max and lower are still restricted to two external displays.

The TS5 Plus is the first dock with dual 10Gbps USB controllers, one controller for the front ports and one for the ports at the back of the dock for increased USB bandwidth. Each of the USB ports offers 7.5W of power except the front-facing 36W USB-C port. The two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports also offer 36W. As it has the highest power supply of any dock tested here (330W), all can output at a maximum at the same time—something that’s not possible with most other docks.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 36W)
• Five USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Four USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 36W)
• One DisplayPort 2.1
• Ethernet (10Gb)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• Two 3.5mm In/Out audio jacks (back)
• 330W power supply

Who should buy the CalDigit TS5 Plus?

The iVanky FusionDock Ultra has more ports (26!) and can directly handle more displays, but at $499 in the US (£469 in the UK) the CalDigit TS5 Plus is significantly cheaper although notably more expensive than the Sonnet Echo 13 ($369), OWC ($329) and Plugable Thunderbolt 5 ($299) docks. Power users who want the very premium end will pay top dollar for the best, and top-end Mac professionals must chose between the TS5 Plus and the Ultra. If you can cope with a little less, consider the 15-port CalDigit TS5 reviewed below.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 26
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 240W max
• External displays: Up to 4x 6K at 60Hz or 1x 8K at 60Hz; 3x/4x displays using M5 Pro/Max

While the CalDigit TS5 Plus has just about everything you need, the iVanky FusionDock Ultra probably does have everything and a whole bunch more. It boasts a frankly ridiculous 26 ports, including six Thunderbolt 5 thanks to its dual-chip architecture. This dock is for high-end Mac professionals who need maximum connectivity, especially those running multiple high-resolution displays, fast storage and 10Gb networking all at once.

The advantage this dock has over other Thunderbolt 5 docks is its dual Thunderbolt 5 chips, making it effectively two docks in one case. Using two upstream Thunderbolt connections also provides significantly more bandwidth, avoiding the bottlenecks that often occur with single-port docks. The downside is that you must use two of your Mac’s Thunderbolt ports to use the FusionDock Ultra. If only one cable is connected, some ports on the dock will not function.

The Ultra can natively deliver up to four external displays—a feat that usually takes a docking station that requires third-party DisplayLink compression software to be installed on the Mac. While TB5 docks can run four displays when connected to a top-end M5 Max MacBook, the fourth display must be daisy-chained off the third as other docks have only three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports. The iVanky Ultra has four downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, plus dedicated DisplayPort and HDMI ports, so can handle all four displays without needing to link the last to one of the other monitors.

Not including the backwards-compatible Thunderbolt ports, the FusionDock Ultra carries a mind-boggling 12 plainer USB ports: all at 10Gbps.

As you’d expect, a Thunderbolt 5 docking station such as the FusionDock Ultra comes at a premium price point: $749/£749. The CalDigit TS5 Plus costs $499 so is significantly cheaper but lacks the dual-chip architecture that allows for the abundance of ports—not to dismiss the TS5 Plus’s 20 ports.

• Two upstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 140W)
• Four downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 45W)
• Seven USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Four USB-A ports (10Gbps)
• One DisplayPort (2.1)
• One HDMI (2.0)
• Ethernet (10Gb)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps)
• One 3.5mm combo audio In/Out jack (front)
• One 3.5mm Audio Out audio jack (back)
• One 3.5mm Audio In audio jack (back)
• One optical audio (back)
• 240W power supply

Who should buy the iVanky FusionDock Ultra?

With an unmatched number of top-end ports and dual-chip architecture, the iVanky FusionDock Ultra is a very serious contender to take the ultimate Mac dock crown. If 16 USB ports is a lot more than you think you need, the Ultra may be overkill, and at that premium price it will certainly make you double-count how many ports and high-resolution displays you really need.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 19
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 240W max
• External displays: 2x 8K at 60Hz; 3x 4K 144Hz displays (M5 Pro)

The Kensington EQ Pro for MacBook is potentially a better but than the Ugreen Maxidok 17, reviewed below, if you find it at a better price point. It features the same SSD slot and has two extra ports, although check if you need them all. Like the Ugreen there are a lot of audio ports, and the CompactFlash Card reader is a niche throwback for pro photographers. Kensington includes one more USB-A port but one fewer USB-C.

The internal SSD slot allows you to add up to 8TB of storage, which prove economical compared to Apple’s at-purchase storage pricing and (as with the Ugreen Maxidok) is more user-upgradeable than with the Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 dock, reviewed below.

Like the Sonnet dock there is no dedicated video port, giving you the flexibility of three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports. You can attach up to three external displays, although only Macs with an M5 Max chip can connect two 8K displays at 60Hz.

2.5GbE Gigabit Ethernet is included, as we’ve come to expect from high-end docking stations these days.

There are a couple of Mac-specific hot functions keys on the top of the dock that prove useful but aren’t deal breakers when choosing between this dock and the Ugreen.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 30W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Four USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• NVMe M.2 SSD slot (up to 8TB)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps)
• CompactFlash card reader
• One 3.5mm combo audio In/Out jack (front)
• One 3.5mm audio In jack (back)
• One 3.5mm audio Out jack (back)
• One TOSLINK optical audio (back)
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the Kensington EQ Pro dock?

Choosing between this dock and the Ugreen Maxidok could come down to price and port choice. Kensington offers three downstream TB5 ports compared to Ugreen’s two plus DisplayPort for connecting screens. We like the Kensington TB-only route. Both offer flexible user-chargeable storage. This dock has CompactFlash that might appeal to photographers with such cards but both have the same-speed SD card readers.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 17
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 240W max
• External displays: 2x 8K at 60Hz; 3x 4K 144Hz displays (M5 Pro)

The special feature of this Mac mini-sized Thunderbolt 5 docking station is not its three 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports but the inclusion of an internal SSD slot that allows you to add up to 8TB of storage. The Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 dock, reviewed below, also offers internal storage but with that dock the SSD is built-in (and included in the price) and is not user-upgradeable. With the Maxidok you supply your own SSD, but fear not as installation is simple.

Like the CalDigit TS5 Plus reviewed above, Ugreen sacrifices one of the possible downstream Thunderbolt ports for a dedicated DisplayPort 2.1 video port. You can attach up to three external displays, although only Macs with an M5 Max chip can connect two 8K displays at 60Hz. Lesser Macs, and that’s most of them, are restricted to two 6K/60Hz displays.

If you have the right router, you can take advantage of super-fast wired Internet access with the Maxidok’s 2.5GbE Gigabit Ethernet—2.5x faster than standard Gigabit Ethernet—which it also works on standard networks.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps/120Gbps, 140W)
• Two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, 60W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• One DisplayPort 2.1
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• SSD slot (M.2 NVme up to 8TB)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 3.5mm In audio jack (back)
• 3.5mm Out audio jack (back)
• 240W power supply

Who should buy the Ugreen Maxidok 17-in-1 dock?

If you want to add flexible user-chargeable storage to your Thunderbolt Mac plus a considerable range of extra fast ports, the Maxidok 17 offers a lot. Owners of earlier Thunderbolt Macs can future-proof their setup as TB5 is backwards compatible. You should also consider the Kensington EQ Pro, reviewed above, that is a match on the SSD slot but has a slightly different port mix that might suit you better at the right price.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 12
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 180W max
• External displays: 2x 6K at 60Hz; 3x 4K 144Hz displays (M5 Pro)

This Thunderbolt 5 docking station boasts four 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports plus the bonus of integrated internal SSD storage of up to 4TB: choose from 1TB, 2TB or 4TB. Unlike with the 17-port Ugreen Maxidok reviewed above, the Sonnet Echo 13 has its SSD built-in and included in the price rather than user installed.

That internal SSD is installed at purchase and is not user upgradeable, so pushes the price to the high-end of all the docks reviewed here. However, it’s well worth it if you can afford to pay the extra. This internal SSD is super-fast, and in our tests nearly matched the native storage in the Mac itself! Having extra storage that’s so fast will save you money on your next MacBook purchase as Apple’s SSD options cost nearly as much as buying one of these docks by itself.

Sonnet offers port flexibility by not swapping one of the Thunderbolt 5 ports for a dedicated DisplayPort or HDMI video port, as found on the CalDigit TS5 Plus reviewed above. You can attach up to two external 6K displays using either direct Thunderbolt connections to supporting monitors or adding video adapters for DisplayPort or HDMI screens.

The Echo 13’s 2.5GbE Gigabit Ethernet works on standard networks but is ready for your next upgrade.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 1x 60W, 2x 15W)
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-A port (5Gbps, 7.5W)
• Internal M.2 NVMe SSD (1TB / 2TB / 4TB)
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the Sonnet Echo 13?

This is a top-end solution for owners of Thunderbolt 5 Macs who want to add a range of extra fast ports and super-charge their storage at no extra cost, but owners of Thunderbolt 3 or 4 Macs can future-proof their purchase (as TB5 is backwards compatible with TB4 and TB3) for the same result. Sonnet offers a similar Thunderbolt 4 docking station, the Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock (see later in this list), which also offers an internal SSD, but this is optional, user-installed and not as super speedy, and so is more affordable.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Dock
• Ports: 13
• Power: 96W PD 3.0; 160W max
• External displays: 2x 4K at 60Hz

Not all Macs are yet blessed with Thunderbolt 5. The latest version is backwards compatible both ways so you can buy a Thunderbolt 5 dock for Thunderbolt 3 or 4 Macs or buy a Thunderbolt 4 dock for a Thunderbolt 5 Mac, which might save you some money if 40Gbps is way fast enough for your needs.

The Wavlink Thunderbolt 4 Triple Display Docking station is a bit of a misnomer for Mac users as it can handle only two external 4K displays in Extended Mode on Macs at 60Hz. The third display would just mirror one of the others. That’s a Mac limitation, not one by Wavlink.

That aside, the dock is a well-priced and loaded Thunderbolt 4 dock. It sacrifices two of the potential three downstream TB4 ports in favor of two HDMI 2.1 ports. Use one of these for one external display and the downstream TB4 port for the other. The spare HDMI port would host the mirrored display, or a third extended display on Windows PCs.

The USB ports are fast, as are the two card readers and the backwards-compatible 2.5Gb Ethernet. Thunderbolt 4 allows for 40Gbps data transfer to the laptop.

Power delivery to the laptop is 96W, enough for the 16-inch MacBook Pro. There’s a handy 30W USB-C charging port at the front, which also supports 10Gbps data transfer.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 96W)
• One downstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 15W)
• Two HDMI 2.1 video ports (4K at 60Hz)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 30W)
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• Two USB-A ports (5Gbps, 4.5W)
• 2.5Gb Ethernet
• UHS-II SD Card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II MicroSD Card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 160W power supply

Who should buy the Wavlink Triple Display Dock?

If you want a generous set of extra ports and to connect a couple of 4K displays, this affordable yet able Thunderbolt 4 dock is a great solution even for budget-conscious TB5 Mac users.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 11
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 180W max
• External displays: 2x 6K at 60Hz; 3x displays using M5 Pro

If you don’t need 20-26 extra ports as offered by the premium-priced Thunderbolt 5 docking stations, the Kensington SD5000T5 represents great value by keeping the number of ports to what might be the sweet spot for many users.

The dock packs four 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports, 2.5Gb Ethernet, fast card readers and a few USB ports. What sets this dock apart from other affordable TB5 docks is its front-mounted downstream TB5 port that can output 60W of power to connected devices—enough to recharge a second MacBook while your principal MacBook has access to up to 140W. The max 180W power supply means you’ll have to share nicely.

We would have preferred all the TB5 ports to be at the back, but Kensington has put two at the front, including the upstream port. It’s not a big deal, but we think keeping Thunderbolt at the rear of a dock reduces cable clutter.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• One downstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 60W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps)
• One 3.5mm combo audio In/Out jack (front)
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the Kensington EQ Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station?

Other TB5 docks might crow about their many ports or other lust-worthy benefits but if you need a dock to connect a couple of high-res screens and take advantage of Thunderbolt 5’s mega bandwidth plus new network speeds, the Kensington SD5000T5 quite likely has you covered for the basics and more.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 11
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 180W max
• External displays: 2x 6K at 60Hz; 3x displays using M5 Pro

Another great-value Thunderbolt 5 dock is Plugable’s TBT-UDT3. It has all the basics you need at top speed and an attractive price point.

It lacks the Kensington SD5000T5’s 60W port but we prefer the more compact Plugable’s neater port layout.

The three Thunderbolt 5 ports offer you flexibility between adding multiple displays or other data-intensive devices. You can attach up to two external 6K displays using one or two of the Thunderbolt ports to USB-C monitors or adding video adapters for DisplayPort or HDMI screens.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• One USB-A port (5Gbps, 7.5W)
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the Plugable Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station?

Other TB5 docks might crow about their many ports or other lust-worthy benefits but if you need a dock to connect a couple of high-res screens and take advantage of Thunderbolt 5’s mega bandwidth plus new network speeds, the Plugable TBT-UDT3 quite likely has you covered for the basics and more.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 23
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 240W max
• External displays: Up to 2x 6K at 60Hz plus 1x 4K at 60Hz

The iVanky FusionDock Max 2 can natively support three external displays even with MacBooks using chips lesser powered than the top-end M5 Pro or M5 Max. Native means without third-party software, such as DisplayLink—native video provides smoother, full-resolution lag-free video with higher refresh rates (4K at 240Hz), which makes it ideal for video editing and gaming.

While the $749 FusionDock Ultra, reviewed above, has dual Thunderbolt 5 chips, the $449 FusionDock Max 2 combines a Thunderbolt 5 controller with an additional DP-Alt chip. You

Actively cooled, the 23-port iVanky FusionDock Max 2 is built for long editing sessions and heavy workflows, and beats even the 20-port CalDigit TS5 Plus for number of ports. It could be argued that 12 USB ports is overkill, but they are there if you need them. It also has one more downstream Thunderbolt 5 port than the TS5 Plus but no dedicated DisplayPort.

The TS5 Plus is more powerful in terms of wattage and network speed but it can’t natively support three displays out of the box for professionals with M4 Max Macs demanding bandwidth and multiple-monitor support. The compromise is that you have to use two of the Mac’s Thunderbolt port to connect to the Max 2, which somewhat defeats the elegance of having a single cable connected to your Mac to connect all your devices but it’s necessary for those three native displays.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 30W)
• Four USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Three USB-A ports (5Gbps, 7.5W)
• Three USB-A ports (480Mbps, 2.5W)
• One HDMI 2.0
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps)
• One 3.5mm combo audio In/Out jack (front)
• One 3.5mm Audio Out audio jack (back)
• One optical audio
• 240W power supply

Who should buy the iVanky FusionDock Max 2?

If you need the most displays at the highest refresh rates the Fusion Dock Max 2 is an easy winner with its native support for three when matched with the top-end Macs. For three displays, you’ll need a Mac with at least a Max M-series processor: so M1/M2/M3/M4 Max. Even Pro M-series Macs are limited to dual 4K/60Hz support. The only other dock to offer native three-display support for M4 Max Macs is the FusionDock Ultra, which is quite a jump in price.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 15
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 240W max
• External displays: Up to 2x 8K at 60Hz or 1x 8K at 60Hz; 3x/4x displays using M5 Pro/Max

The CalDigit TS5 Plus is the ultimate Mac docking station but as we mentioned in its review at the top of this chart, it probably hosts more than you need and is priced accordingly.

Its maker CalDigit therefore also offers a less armed and notably more affordable TS5 model without the Plus at the end of the title. Instead of 20 ports this more compact dock has 15, which is still a lot. It has half as many 10Gbps USB ports but its three USB-C and two USB-A should be enough for most Mac mortals. Its 2.5Gb Ethernet is not as fast as the TS5 Plus’s 10GbE but is still 2.5 times as fast as mere Gigabit Ethernet.

Yet it has the same two top-rated card readers and three audio ports. Indeed it has one more downstream Thunderbolt 5 port than the TS5 Plus that ditched one for a dedicated DisplayPort. The plain TS5’s TB5 ports are rated at the standard 15W of power output compared to the TS5 Plus’s 36W Thunderbolt ports, but it does have a 20W USB-C port at the front for fast iPhone and iPad charging.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 20W)
• Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-A port (480MBps, 7.5W)
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• Two 3.5mm In/Out audio jacks (back)
• 240W power supply

Who should buy the CalDigit TS5?

If the $499 TS5 Plus is too over the top for your docking station needs and frankly a little expensive as a result, the cut-down but still impressive $399 CalDigit TS5 could be the more affordable choice that offers everything you need. The Plugable Thunderbolt 5 Dock, reviewed above, knocks off a few more ports and can push a little less power to your devices but is another $100 cheaper if you need to cut further.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Hub
• Ports: 9
• Power to laptop: 90W PD 3.0; 180W max
• External displays: 2x 6K at 60Hz; 2x 4K at 240Hz; 3x/4x displays using M5 Pro/Max

The CalDigit Thunderbolt 5 Element 5 Hub isn’t a full dock because it doesn’t feature anything other than Thunderbolt and USB ports—no Ethernet, SD card reader or audio port.

But it boasts so many top-end Thunderbolt and USB ports that you can customize it to your every desire. It has one more than its Thunderbolt 4 predecessor, the 8-port Element 4 Hub, reviewed below, and more than the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub, also reviewed below, although is priced higher as a result.

There are four TB5 ports (one upstream to your computer placed handily on the side, and three downstream to other devices), two fast 10Gbps USB-C and three 10Gbps USB-A ports.

You can use two of the three downstream TB5 ports to connect directly to USB-C- or Thunderbolt-equipped monitors or HDMI or DisplayPort screens using inexpensive adapters. It can connect to dual 6K/60Hz or dual 4K/240Hz extended displays on Macs. MacBooks boasting the latest top-end M5 Pro and M5 Max chips can respectively support up to three or four monitors.

That still leaves you a spare TB5 port and the five USB ports to add further devices, such as an adapter for Gigabit Ethernet and/or SD card reader, SSDs, memory sticks and so on as your requirements demand, so there is no port wastage.

Its 90W laptop charger is powerful enough for most MacBook charging needs (the OWC Hub boasts a 140W PD), and beats the Element 4’s rather underpowered 60W PD. Its 180W power supply is also generous for what calls itself just a hub.

It’s small enough to be portable, and its external power supply is also pretty dinky.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps/120Gbps, 90W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the CalDigit Element 5 Hub?

This is the most compact Thunderbolt 5 port replicator. As a hub it doesn’t offer the variety of port types you find on a dock but it has nine TB/USB that can (with the right adapters) handle anything you need.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 12
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 230W max
• External displays: 2x 6K at 60Hz; 3x 4K 144Hz displays (M5 Pro)

Another great-value Thunderbolt 5 docking sttaion option is from Wavlink. It boasts the essential and more: four 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports, 2.5Gb Ethernet, fast card readers and a few USB ports.

Like the other budget Thunderbolt 5 docks reviewed here, there’s no dedicated video port as Wavlink lets you chose how you want to use the three downstream TB5 ports rather than sacrifice one for a DisplayPort or HDMI.

There are four USB ports but all are legacy Type A and no USB-C, so you use the Thunderbolt ports for Type C connections. Two of the TB5 ports are at the front, and teo at the back. We’re not fans of placing the upstream port (which connects to the laptop) at the front as we think it’s messy but the other TB5 port facing you is desirable as it features 30W power out—easily enough to fast-charge an iPhone or iPad.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• One downstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 30W)
• Four USB-A ports (10Gbps)
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• UHS-II SD Card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II MicroSD Card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 230W power supply

Who should buy the Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Dock?

The Wavlink Thunderbolt 5 Dock has a generous collection of ports including four Thunderbolt ports, fast Ethernet and speedy card readers—all at a reasonable price point. The Plugable Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station and OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock, also reviewed here, are priced similarly. Both offer one fewer USB-A port, which probably won’t bother you too much, but do have the upstream port at the back. The Wavlink’s useful 30W front TB5 port is absent from the other two budget TB5 docks.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 11
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 180W max
• External displays: Up to 2x 6K at 60Hz

While the CalDigit TS5 Plus boasts 20 ports and super power output and the Sonnet Echo 13 includes an integrated SSD, this Thunderbolt 5 dock offers the basics any modern TB5 docking station should carry: four 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports, 2.5Gb Ethernet, fast card readers and a few USB ports.

There’s no dedicated video port as OWC gives you the flexibility to chose how you want to use the three downstream TB5 ports rather than sacrifice one for a DisplayPort or HDMI.

There are three USB ports but all are legacy Type A, leaving the Thunderbolt ports to be your Type C options. Thunderbolt is a very able type of USB-C but rated at just 15W for power output it’s not capable of being used to fast charge an iPhone, which Apple states requires at least 18W. Other docks include at least a 20W USB-C port for that purpose.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-A port (5Gbps, 7.5W)
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II microSD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock?

Other than the lack of fast-charging USB-C port, the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock has a useful set of ports including four Thunderbolt ports and fast Ethernet. At a reasonable price it may offer just what you need without throwing in extras you don’t require.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Hub
• Ports: 5
• Power to laptop: 140W PD 3.0; 180W max
• External displays: Up to 2x 6K at 60Hz

The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub cuts out most of the extra ports you’d expect from a full docking station, leaving just one USB-A port alongside the four Thunderbolt 45 ports.

If you don’t require wired network access via Ethernet, portable storage through SD card readers, an audio connection or a bunch of extra USB ports, a hub can cut costs while still offering all the super-fast Thunderbolt 5 ports you can squeeze into one device.

CalDigit’s Element 5 Hub, reviewed above, is closer to a full dock than this hub as it offers a generous five spare USB ports alongside the TB5, but it costs more as a result. The OWC Hub is a purer, more simple hub that is focused on Thunderbolt only—plus that one port for your memory stick or other legacy device. Such simplicity doesn’t make this hub dumb. You can customize the Thunderbolt ports with specialized adapters if you need one of the Ethernet or SD options that it lacks natively.

There are four TB5 ports: the upstream port that connects to your computer is at the back alongside two downstream ports, and one downstream port is placed at the front for easy access. You can use the two downstream TB5 ports at the back to connect directly to USB-C- or Thunderbolt-equipped monitors or HDMI or DisplayPort screens using inexpensive adapters. It can connect to dual 6K/60Hz or dual 4K/240Hz extended displays on Macs.

With its impressive 140W power delivery to the laptop, it can fast-charge even Apple’s top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro. That beats the CalDigit Hub’s 90W, which will charge the Pro but not as fast as the OWC Hub.

It is significantly less deep than the full OC Thunderbolt 5 Dock but for some reason just as long and wide, where we might have expected a more compact form.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub?

This is the most affordable entry point for Thunderbolt 5 users and people planning ahead (it’s backwards compatible). Aside from a spare USB-A port it is entirely focuseed on giving your access to three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports at the best price.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 14
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 232W max
• External displays: Up to 2x 6K at 60Hz

Apple has always been fond of a square and stylish desktop designs, from the original Macintosh through the G4 Cube and all the way to the latest M4 Mac mini. Yet, accessories such as docking stations that are meant to sit next to these Macs are usually either tall and thin or long and slim. The Anker Prime 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station looks rather like the latest Mac mini and Mac Studio with the same aluminum finish and port arrangements. It measures 4.6 x 4.6 x 3.0 inches; the M4 Mac mini, 5 x 5 x 2 inches.

While the M4 mini uses Thunderbolt 5, this compact dock is aimed more at the latest TB5-packing MacBooks, which lack as many ports and will link to the dock’s array via a single TB5 cable connection.

Anker could have included three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports but has chosen to offer a choice of dedicated video ports, either top-end HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 2.1. These are helpful if your monitors require one of these connections rather than a direct USB-C or Thunderbolt monitor connection. Dropping the potential third downstream TB5 port for dedicated video ports is convenient for some users—those with HDMI or DisplayPort monitors—but less flexible for those with USB-C or Thunderbolt monitors.

Other docks include faster UHS-II card readers that support speeds of 312MBps, so Anker has cut a corner here in comparison. That said, the card readers work well for users who just want to add inexpensive storage to their setup.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• One HDMI 2.1 port
• One DisplayPort 2.1 port
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 1x 7.5W, 2x 4.5W)
• Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, share 45W)
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• SD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)
• microSD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 232W power supply

Who should buy the Anker Prime 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock?

The Anker Prime 14-in-1 TB5 Docking Station is a powerful dock that’s built for the new class of Thunderbolt 5 Macs and will add Apple-like grace and style to your desk space. It has a wide range of well-placed fast ports. Price is at the high-end but if its looks appeal you can rest assured that the quality is high.

• Type: 10Gbps USB-C Dock
• Ports: 19
• Power: 100W PD 3.0; 150W max
• External displays: 2x 4K at 60Hz or 1x 6K at 60Hz

Another dock with an SSD enclosure is the Satechi Dual Dock Stand that doubles up as an open-MacBook stand that raises the keyboard to a more comfortable angle.

Unlike the Thunderbolt Sonnet Echo 13 or Echo 20, this is a USB-C dock with a 10Gbps rather than 40Gbps or 80Gbps bandwidth, but it’s significantly cheaper as a result, and is a very reasonably priced for a dual 4K 60Hz USB-C docking station. With one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports, you can connect up to two 4K displays in Extended mode at a decent 60Hz refresh rate. The Echo 20 has just one video port. Although that port is the superior HDMI 2.1, you have to add a second external screen via one of the Thunderbolt ports, which will require an adapter with that dock.

The SSD enclosure is the star of the show. Placed on the underside of the dock, this is easily accessed and supports both NVMe and SATA SSDs. You need to buy the SSD separately. Amazon is selling NVME SSDs for around $55 (1TB), $80 (2TB) or $300 (4TB).

One USB-C port is for passthrough PD power at up to 75W to the laptop, which is enough for all but the 16-inch MacBook Pro at full pelt. Even that model will charge fine—just slower than smaller MacBooks. Note that you will need to connect your own USB-C charger to the dock: check out our recommended MacBook chargers.

• Dual-USB-C upstream connector to laptop (10Gbps, 75W PD 3.0)
• Passthrough power 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

Who should buy the Satechi Dual Dock Stand?

If you use your MacBook’s own keyboard and desire up to two quality external displays, plus need to increase your base storage with fast SSD drives, the Satechi Dual Dock Stand is a neat, zero-footprint docking station that matches your MacBook for style and adds nine useful ports. It’s not as speedy as the Thunderbolt docks we have tested but this is an affordable and discreet dock that still offers a lot of ports and dual-display functionality.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Dock
• Ports: 19
• Power: 100W PD 3.0; 150W max
• External displays: 2x 4K at 60Hz or 1x 6K at 60Hz

Boasting an impressive 19 top-rated ports, Thunderbolt 4 certified and with an optional internal SSD storage feature, the Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt SuperDock offers remarkable value for money. It might not offer the very fastest Thunderbolt 5 hosted by its Echo 13 sibling, but it’s cheaper and in some ways more flexible.

It has the most ports and equals the fastest ports seen in the market. Its nearest competitor is the excellent CalDigit TS4, reviewed below. Sonnet clearly targeted the TS4 and the specs are remarkably similar—but the cheaper Echo 20 has a useful SSD enclosure that means you can add up to 8TB of internal storage via the dock. If you don’t need this feature and prefer DisplayPort to HDMI, or you need the most powerful ports on offer, the TS4 is still a great contender, although it costs a fair amount more.

The Satechi Dual Dock Stand, reviewed below, is an even cheaper non-Thunderbolt option if the idea of an integrated SSD enclosure is appealing.

Even if your MacBook is Thunderbolt 3, as a Thunderbolt 4 dock the Echo 20 is backwards compatible and will work with your next laptop when it’s time to upgrade. Even if your Mac does boast Thunderbolt 5, this good-value dock will work with it, just at Thunderbolt 4 speeds.

While you can use Thunderbolt ports to add external displays, Sonnet has swapped one of the downstream TB4 ports for a dedicated HDMI port. You can add up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or a single 6K screen at 60Hz. Unless your second display can connect directly with its USB-C port, you’ll need a USB-C-to-DisplayPort or HDMI adapter cable to connect to one of the downstream TB4 ports.

• One Thunderbolt 4 upstream port (40Gbps, 100W PD)
• Two Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Up to two external displays (4K at 60Hz)
• HDMI 2.1 port 
• Four USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Four 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 (front)
• Two (right and left channels) line out RCA jacks (back)
• 3.5mm microphone jack (back)
• 150W power supply

Who should buy the Sonnet Echo 20?

The newer Sonnet Echo 13, reviewed above, might have Thunderbolt 5 and a much faster internal SSD, but the Echo 20 has more ports—albeit TB4 rather than TB5—and more flexible, user-installed options for adding extra storage.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Dock
• Ports: 11
• Power: 90W PD 3.0; 180W max
• External displays: 2x 4K at 60Hz or 1x 6K at 30Hz

If you don’t need the 80Gbps data-transfer rates of Thunderbolt 5, the Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station has everything a dock should have: four TB4 ports, three fast USB-A and a slow one (that at least boasts 7.5W charging power compared to the faster USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port’s 4.5W), Gigabit Ethernet, SD Card reader, and 3.5mm audio jack.

It can supply two external 4K displays at 60Hz or one 6K monitor but at 30Hz rather than 60Hz like the CalDigit TS4, so single-screen gamers should probably look elsewhere.

At 180W, the power supply is higher than most docks tested here but not as great as found on the CalDigit TS4 or TS5 Plus. It’s essential if you are powering multiple devices connected to the dock. And the On/Off power button (rare on docks) means you can give the laptop battery’s rest when you’re away.

There are useful lights telling you when the dock is powered and when it’s connected.

Check out the latest live prices above as this dock is often on sale for less than the listed price and can represent great value for money.

• 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 (UHS-II, 312MBps)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the Kensington SD5700T?

Other docks have more ports, but this affordable Thunderbolt 4 docking station has enough for most people and is a smart choice. A variant model, the Kensington SD5780T dock (available in the US only), drops one of the three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports in favor of an HDMI 2.1 but costs an extra $50.

If the price difference isn’t great, consider the Kensington SD5000T5 reviewed above for the latest connection standard, 140W PD and bonus 60W port.

Read our full Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station review.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Hub
• Ports: 8
• Power to laptop: 60W PD 3.0; 150W max
• External displays: 2x 6K at 60Hz

Like its newer sibling, the Element 5 Hub reviewed above, the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Element Hub might not be labelled a docking station as its Thunderbolt and USB ports only, but with the right adapters it can easily be used as a mini dock—connecting monitors and other useful devices.

There are four TB4 ports and four fast 10Gbps USB-A ports. The newer Element 5 has one extra USB port, with two USB-C and three USB-A.

With video adapters, it can handle an impressive two 6K displays at 60Hz.

As a hub rather than a dock, its 60W laptop charger is a little underpowered for larger laptops, but the overall 150W power supply will help with all the hub’s ports. Owners of the larger MacBook Pro models will probably still reply on the laptop’s own charger via MagSafe.

It’s the same size as the Element 5, and so is small enough to be portable, but its chunkier external power supply will weigh down your travel bag.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 60W PD)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Four USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 150W power supply

Who should buy the CalDigit Element Hub?

More affordable but a little less powerful than the Thunderbolt 5-toting Element 5 Hub reviewed above, this mini dock has eight fast ports and can handle dual 6K displays. Its the value pick of the two CalDigit Thunderbolt mini docks and should offer all the USB ports you need in a tidy package.

Read our full Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Element Hub review.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Dock
• Ports: 16
• Power: 96W PD 3.0; 149W max
• External displays: 4x 4K at 60Hz

We rate three Thunderbolt 4 docks for people who require three or four monitors plus the high bandwidth of Thunderbolt. Using DisplayLink software, these docks enable M1/M2/M3/M4 Pro MacBook Pro and M3 MacBook Air users to connect up to four 4K displays, and even plain M1/M2/M3/Neo MacBooks will support three external displays.

The Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station and Plugable TBT-6950PD, both reviewed below, are great options but the Kensington SD5900T EQ offers greater flexibility of video ports, with three DisplayPort, two HDMI and two Thunderbolt ports toto choose from. You get to choose between DP and HDMI in each of the two video port banks and then get to use either the third DP and/or one of the front/rear downstream TB4 ports.

With this DisplayPort dock, the MacBook Neo and Macs with the base M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 chips can support three displays: two 4K/60Hz via the DP/HDMI ports and a third up to 6K/60Hz via either the third DP or TB4. Macs with a Pro or Max M-series chip get the option of a fourth display, with two 4K/60Hz via DP/HDMI plus up to two 6K/60Hz using the other ports. You can also connect four displays to Macs with the base M3 chipset, but you must keep the laptop lid closed for this to work.

The only thing that lets this dock down is its weak 149W power supply. The Staechi and Plugable rivals both have 180W power supplies.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 96W)

• Two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)

• Two HDMI ports
• Three DisplayPort
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 4.5W) on front
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 4.5W) on front
• Two USB-A ports (5Gbps, 4.5W) on rear
• 2.5Gb Ethernet 

• SD Card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps)

• MicroSD Card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps)

• 3.5mm audio jack on front
• 149W power supply

Who should buy the Kensington SD5900T EQ Thunderbolt 4 DisplayLink Dock?

This DisplayLink dock is close to perfect for non-Max M-series users who want a lot of monitors. Even Max owners can use this dock to give them four displays and leave their MacBook’s built-in ports free for other devices, as well as save money on the pricier iVanky alternative.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Dock
• Ports: 11
• Power: 96W PD 3.0; 180W max
• External displays: 4x 4K at 60Hz

This affordable Thunderbolt 4 docking station also uses DisplayLink to give the gift of three or four monitors to non-Max M-series Mac users.

Like the Plugable TBT-6950PD it offers three downstream speedy 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports—all of which can connect to an external display, although four is the maximum. Freely downloadable DisplayLink software is required to make the HDMI ports work.

It lacks spare USB-C ports but the three TB4 ports are backwards compatible, and can each offer 15W power output (although only two at one time). The two USB-A ports are fast but offer little device charging power.

The SD card reader is fast, and will accept MicroSD cards with an adapter.

The Kensington SD5900T, reviewed above, offers more video port flexibility but has a weaker 149W power supply.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 96W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Two HDMI 2.0 video ports
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo Audio jack (front)
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station?

If you want handfuls of USB ports and 2.5Gb Ethernet, there are other docks in your future, but this DisplayLink dock is a great choice for non-Max M-series users who want a lot of monitors. Even Max owners can use this dock to give them four displays and leave their MacBook’s built-in ports free for other devices, as well as save money on the pricier iVanky alternative.

Another alternative is the DisplayLink-supporting WavLink USB-C DisplayLink (DL7400) Docking Station. For the same price you get more ports, including a choice of DisplayPort or HDMI, plus faster (2.5Gb) Ethernet and a microSD card reader as well as a standard SD reader. The downside compared to the Satechi DisplayLink dock is that it’s a USB-C rather than Thunderbolt dock so has a lesser 10Gbps bandwidth compared to the Satechi’s 40Gbps.

• Type: 10Gbps USB-C Dock
• Ports: 11
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 180W max
• External displays: 5x 4K at 60Hz

Even the mighty dual-Thunderbolt-chip iVanky Fusion Dock Max, reviewed below, can handle only four external displays, and that is for Pro MacBooks only. With a simple DisplayLink installation, the Plugable UD-7400PD offers five 4K 60Hz monitors on even the M1/M2/Neo MacBooks.

Two HDMI ports and three DisplayLink-supporting USB-C ports are here for the displays. Even if you don’t need five screens as well as your MacBook’s own, this dock then offers up the USB-C ports for other duties. These can also output at a powerful 15W, enough to charge—but not fast-charge—an iPhone and support storage unpowered devices.

It’s ready for speedy 2.5GbE networks, and is backwards compatible with standard Gigabit Ethernet.

There’s no SD card reader but if you really need one you can buy an inexpensive adapter for affordable portable storage options,

• One upstream USB-C port (10Gbps, 140W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 30W)
• Three USB-C ports (10Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• One HDMI 2.1 video port
• One HDMI 2.0a video port
• Ethernet (2.5Gb)
• 3.5mm combo Audio jack (front)
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the Plugable UD-7400PD Dock?

This DisplayLink dock is unmatched in its support for five external displays for even the lowliest Mac. It’s not Thunderbolt so hardcore Mac professionals might look to the Satechi Thunderbolt DisplayLink Dock, reviewed above, for full 40Gbps bandwidth and DisplayLink support. But this dock’s 10Gbps connection will likely be fast enough for most users, although they may need a larger desk to fit all those extra monitors.

• Type: 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Dock
• Ports: 11
• Power: 140W PD 3.1; 250W max
• External displays: Up to 2x 6K at 60Hz

You probably know Razer as a brand catering to PC gamers, but in recent years, the company has branched out with more understated fare aimed towards pros and creatives. That’s the case with the Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock, and while it still retains some elements of the gamer aesthetic, it looks surprisingly at home on a Mac lover’s desk. Buy the black Chroma version for gamer-friendly customizable RGB lighting. We reviewed the Mercury model, which is a similar shade of silver to Apple’s desktop Mac range.

Every port (bar the SD card slot, which is on the right-hand side) is located on the back of the dock, giving a seamless appearance on your desk when viewed from the front. There’s not even a power indicator light. If you’re looking for something that will blend in with your existing Apple kit, Razer’s dock fits the bill. The drawback of this unobtrusive look is that you’ve got to fiddle around behind the dock every time you want to add or remove a connection.

Razer’s device has an extra party trick: a built-in M.2 SSD slot capable of handling drives up to 8TB in size. You’ll find this on the underside of the dock: lift away a hatch and you’ll see a 2280 M.2 SSD connector that’s capable of blazing PCIe Gen 4×4 speeds. That’s a great boost to Macs, where upgrading storage post-purchase is notoriously difficult (or impossible). It means there’s no need for a clunky external storage drive taking up even more space on your desk, as you can get the expansion you need integrated into the dock itself.

The inclusion of just Gigabit Ethernet is a little disappointing, as it’s not uncommon to see Thunderbolt docks pack in an ethernet jack with speeds of up to 2.5Gbps or even 10Gbps. While not everyone has access to 2.5Gb Ethernet or faster, including a port of that speed helps to add a degree of future-proofing.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 5 port (80Gbps, 140W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports (80Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps)
• Two USB-A port (10Gbps)
• Ethernet (1Gb)
• Internal M.2 NVMe SSD (unfilled)
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 250W power supply

Who should buy the Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock?

The Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock is a great option for a range of Mac users, but gamers will love the lit Chroma version. Users who are after the fastest Ethernet connections or want a dock with front-facing ports should consider other TB5 docks reviewed here.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Dock
• Ports: 21
• Power: 96W PD 3.0; 180W max
• External displays: 4x 6K at 60Hz

Packing more ports (a whopping 21 in total) than any equivalent docking station we’ve tested (although the CalDigit TS5 Plus comes close), the iVanky FusionDock Max 1’s dual Thunderbolt 4 chips mark it apart from the competition with not just more but faster connections. No other dock can match it for number of Thunderbolt ports and its ability to host multiple monitors.

Packing two Thunderbolt chips gives the FusionDock Max 1 the ability to double up on video-capable ports.

Connected to a MacBook Pro with an M1 Max, M2 Max or M3 Max processor it can handle up to four 6K displays at 60Hz using both its Thunderbolt 4 chipsets. It costs more than any other docking station but it’s a unique dual-Thunderbolt 4 system that answers the dreams of multi-screen Mac professionals. It doesn’t work with Intel Macs or even any Windows computer.

This is a dock built for the top-end MacBook Pro Max. Macs with Pro rather than Max processors can connect to two 4K displays at 60Hz. While that would lose the display benefit this is still is good choice as you could have up to four 40Gbps downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports at your disposal.

Its other ports are plenty and top-end, too. We’re not sure who needs six USB-A ports these days, but they are there and all are rated at 10Gbps. We would have preferred more USB-C than USB-A, but one of the Type C ports included boasts 30W device charging power.

On top of all that you get 2.5Gb Ethernet and two fast UHS-II SD card readers.

• Two upstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 96W)
• Four downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Two HDMI 2.0 video ports
• Six USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, one at 30W, one at 7.5W)
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II MicroSD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo Audio jack (front)
• 3.5mm Audio out jack (back)
• Optical Audio
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the iVanky FusionDock Max 1?

This super dock has more fast ports and can connect the most high-end displays than any other, including four downstream Thunderbolt ports… if you can afford it.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Dock
• Ports: 18
• Power: 98W PD 3.0; 230W max
• External displays: 2x 4K at 60Hz or 1x 6K at 60Hz

With 18 top-rated ports and Thunderbolt 4 certified, it’s difficult to look past the CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4, aka TS4—unless you desire the even more impressive TS5 or TS5 Plus, both reviewed above.

It compares well to the Sonnet Echo 20 with just one fewer port—the Echo 20’s integrated SSD enclosure. For port speeds the TS4 matches the Echo 20, and it boasts the highest power supply that we’ve seen on any dock that we’ve tested—a whopping 230W to be spread among the ports, including a front-mounted 20W USB-C that can fast-charge an iPhone and 98W laptop PD charging.

We also love this dock’s flexible vertical or horizontal format, which is a feature of all the iconic CalDigit Thunderbolt docks.

As with the Echo 20, while you can use Thunderbolt ports to add external displays. CalDigit swaps one of the downstream TB4 ports for a dedicated video port—in this case, DisplayPort. You’ll need an adapter if your monitor requires HDMI. You can add up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or a single 6K screen at 60Hz.

The TS4 also matches the Echo 20 with super-fast 2.5GbE Gigabit Ethernet–2.5x faster than standard Gigabit Ethernet.

• One Thunderbolt 4 upstream port (40Gbps, 98W PD)
• Two Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Up to two external displays (4K at 60Hz)
• DisplayPort 1.4 port 
• Five 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 front
• 3.5mm Audio In & Out ports at back
• 230W power supply

(You can still buy the original CalDigit TS3 Plus but we think it’s time to move on to at least Thunderbolt 4 or 5.)

Who should buy the CalDigit TS4?

Each of the 18 ports is super speedy, and the TS4’s 230W power supply is beaten only by its new sibling, the 330W CalDigit TS5 Plus.

Note that the model sold on the Apple Store is called the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Pro Dock. It is an Apple Store exclusive product and has a Silver color rather than the TS4’s Space Gray. Aside from its own own specific firmware, it has the same specs and is often priced more affordably.

Read our full CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 (TS4) review.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Dock
• Ports: 11
• Power: 96W PD 3.0; 180W max
• External displays: 4x 4K at 60Hz

This Thunderbolt 4 docking station is virtually identical to the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 dock reviewed above. Like that dock, it’s built for people who require three or four monitors and uses DisplayLink software to get past Apple’s multi-monitor limitations.

It has three TB4 ports and two fast USB-A ports, plus an SD card reader and Gigabit Ethernet.

There are some advantages that this Plugable TBT-6950PD dock offers over the Satechi: it comes with a 1m rather than 0.8m Thunderbolt 4 cable, features a Kensington lock slot, and boasts a two-year rather than one-year warranty.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 96W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Two HDMI 2.0 video ports
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo Audio jack (front)
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the Plugable TBT-6950PD Docking Station?

Like the Satechi four-display dock reviewed above, this DisplayLink dock is for MacBook users who yearn for a wall of screens on their desk.

• Type: 40Gbps USB4 Hub
• Ports: 7
• Power: 96W PD 3.0
• External displays: 6K at 60Hz

The majority of portable USB-C hubs are compatible with the Mac’s Thunderbolt ports, but most feature slower USB-C connections (5Gbps or 10Gbps) compared to Thunderbolt (40-80Gbps).

The Satechi Pro Hub Max, available in either Silver or Space Gray, features USB4 ports that are both compatible with Thunderbolt and can reach the same 40Gbps maximum throughput.

Connecting directly to two of the MacBook’s Thunderbolt ports, it boasts a bunch of ports that should be enough for most of us. The hub receives 40Gbps from each of the Thunderbolt ports on the Mac (so a total of 80Gbps). 40Gbps is used for the USB4 pass-through port, while the second Thunderbolt port distributes 40Gbps of bandwidth to the rest of the ports on the hub.

The USB4 port supports up to 96W charging—easily fine for a 14-inch MacBook Pro and punchy enough to keep a 16-inch Pro going and charged pretty quickly. This same USB4 port can be used to connect to an external display—up to 6K at 60Hz display output, transferring data at 40Gbps. The HDMI 2.0 port can also be used to connect a 4K 60Hz display, so you can achieve a dual 4K monitor setup on any Pro or Max MacBook.

Also onboard are a 5Gbps USB-A port and a 5Gbps USB-C port—although neither can charge connected devices. There are both SD and MicroSD card readers (UHS-I), a Gigabit Ethernet port, and 3.5mm combo audio jack port.

• One USB4 port (40Gbps, 96W PD)
• One HDMI port
• One USB-C (5Gbps) port
• One USB-A (5Gbps) port
• SD Card Reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)
• microSD 4.0 Card Reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Hybrid 3.5mm audio port

Who should buy the Satechi Pro Hub Max Adapter?

The Pro Hub Max calls itself just an adapter but this super-portable gizmo is as functional as most desktop-based docks, although it can handle just one external display.

In the same family, Satechi also offers the Pro Hub Mini (the same as the Max but without the HDMI port) and the Pro Hub Slim (which swaps the Ethernet port for an extra USB-A port, and boasts 10GBps USB-A and USB-C ports compared to the Mac and Mini’s 5Gbps). If you don’t need wired Internet access, the Pro Hub Slim edges out the Pro Hub Max. If you don’t need more than one external screen or you want to save the USB4 for passthrough charging only, consider the Pro Hub Mini or the Plugable 5-in-1 USB-C Hub reviewed below.

Note that all three requires a MacBook with two adjacent Thunderbolt ports on one side, so some older MacBook Air models might not be compatible.

A single Thunderbolt to Mac connection is available with the CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 mini Dock that offers full Thunderbolt 40Gbps bandwidth and dual-4K HDMI display support at 60Hz in a lightweight portable form. It connects to the laptop via an integrated TB3 cable, and features two HDMI ports, plus Gigabit Ethernet and two USB-A: one at 5Gbps (4.5W); one at the much slower 480Mbps (2.5W). Its downside is a lack of power supply (which it draws from the host laptop), so you’ll need to power your laptop via another port, and the USB ports certainly aren’t for fast-charging purposes. No power supply means it’s super portable but a passthrough power port would have been preferred.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Hub
• Ports: 5
• Power to laptop: 60W PD 3.0; 110W max
• External displays: 2x 6K at 60Hz

Also a hub rather than a full dock, the OWC Thunderbolt Hub doesn’t match the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 or even the TB4 Element Hub on its number of old-school USB-A ports, but it is cheaper and offers the same four Thunderbolt 4 ports—one upstream to your computer placed at the front, and three downstream to other devices at the back.

You can use two of the three downstream TB4 ports to connect directly to USB-C-equipped monitors or HDMI or DisplayPort screens using inexpensive adapters. It supports dual 6K displays at 60Hz.

As with the its rival hub, its 60W laptop charger is underpowered for larger laptops.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 60W PD)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 110W power supply

Who should buy the OWC Thunderbolt Hub?

If you want a bunch of fast Thunderbolt 4 ports and not much else, the OWC Thunderbolt Hub is a cute, affordable solution.

• Type: 10Gbps USB-C Dock
• Ports: 11
• Power: 100W PD 3.0; 180W max
• External displays: 4K at 60Hz

Why not make your MacBook even more powerful and improve your workspace and posture at the same time?

This is an able USB-C dock and good-looking monitor stand that you can place your external display on top of and desk-based gear underneath in a boost to create an ergonomic and decluttered workplace.

Your MacBook will probably best sit nearby in a closed laptop stand—see our roundup of the best MacBook stands—and connect via USB-C to the dock/stand.

The roster of ports is impressive, with four fast (10Gbps) downstream USB ports on the side (two of which can share 45W of device charging power), plus storage card readers and audio jack, as well as the upstream 100W PD USB-C port positioned underneath.

Also on the cable-management underside are the HDMI and Gigabit Ethernet ports as well as a low-powered USB-A port (most likely for a wired keyboard or mouse) and the meaty 180W power supply port.

On the top there’s a (non-magnetic) Qi wireless charger that you can rest your iPhone or AirPods case on for 7.5W charging.

• One USB-C upstream port (10Gbps, 100W PD)
• Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, shared 45W)
• One external display (4K at 60Hz)
• HDMI 2.0 port 
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, one at 7.5W)
• Qi wireless charging pad (10W max, 7.5W iPhone)
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• SD Card Reader (SD UHS-I, 104MBps)
• microSD Card Reader (SD UHS-I, 104MBps)
• 3.5mm Combo Audio In/Out port
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the Anker 675 Dock and Monitor Stand?

If you need to create a more ergonomic and tidy workspace this dual-function monitor stand and USB-C dock offers a lot, although not at the very fastest speeds you will find on the Thunderbolt docks.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 Dock
• Ports: 14
• Power: 85W PD 3.0; 180W max
• External displays: 2x 4K at 60Hz

This Titan Ridge (Thunderbolt and USB-C) docking station is bristling with 14 high-performance ports. Its compact form is neat (just like the CalDigit TS4 and TS3 Plus), and it can lie either upright or horizontal depending on your needs and preference.

There are six USB-A ports in total: four USB-A ports at 5Gbps and a further two at 10Gbps, plus one fast-charging QC 3.0 USB-A port. While the Quick Charge port’s 36W is impressive, iPhone fast-charging requires a USB-C port rather than USB-A as found here. That said, it’s still going to charge a device faster than the 4.5W or 7.5W ports found on many other docks.

On top of this is one 10Gbps USB-C port that you’ll need if you want to supplement the DisplayPort for a second external display. You’ll also get more professional-level digital audio ports, as well as the analogue 3.5mm headphone/mic jack at the front.

• One Thunderbolt 3 upstream port (40Gbps, 85W PD)
• One Thunderbolt 3 downstream port (40Gbps, 15W)
• 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
• Front-facing 3.5mm Analogue Audio In & Out port
• One Digital Optical Toslink Audio (S/PDIF) port
• One Digital Coaxial Audio (S/PDIF) port
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the HyperDrive GEN2 14-Port Dock?

This is another older dock (Thunderbolt 3) that still offers a fast route to adding multiple devices and up to two 4K screens. Its price has dropped recently so check the prices listed above and you might find a bargain.

Read our full HyperDrive GEN2 16-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock review.

• Type: 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 Dock
• Ports: 13
• Power: 90W PD 3.0; 180W max
• External displays: 2x 4K at 60Hz

This solid, good-looking dock is aimed against the mighty CalDigit TS4, with a bunch of fast ports and the same vertical or horizontal design—and sadly the same high price.

It’s a little bigger than the TS4, reviewed above, but has fewer USB ports. Both support two 4K displays at 60Hz, but the TS4 can handle a single 6K display, while the Revodok Max is limited to 4K even with just one display connected.

• One Thunderbolt 4 upstream port (40Gbps, 90W PD)
• Two Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Up to two external displays (4K at 60Hz)
• DisplayPort 1.4 port 
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Two USB-A ports (5Gbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 20W)
• 2.5GbE Gigabit Ethernet port
• SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II, 312MBps)
• microSD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II, 312MBps)
• 3.5mm Combo Audio In/Out port at front
• 180W power supply

Who should buy the Revodok Max 213?

The CalDigit TS4, reviewed above, definitely wins on ports and specs, so we’d call the Revodok over-priced. If Ugreen dropped the price this would be a compelling alternative, as it offers just about everything most users need in a robust and pleasant design.