8 Best MacBook Docking Station you Must Try in 2021

What is MacBook docking station?

MacBook docking station: Since the days of ultrabooks, that is, light and thin laptops have gained popularity; the existence of outdated ports has almost come to an end.

In professional laptops, MacBook docking station and USB-C ports are being replaced by VGA, USB-A, HDMI, and in many cases even the SD card slots have been removed.

Advancement of MacBook docking station

While the latest version of the MacBook Pro is more portable and powerful, there are people out there who want a bigger desktop system, with lots of peripherals and a large LCD display.

Well, with the advancement of Thunderbolt 3 technology, you can now enjoy both functions in one.

There are some significant differences between the Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports, even though they look the same. Thunderbolt 3 plug into a compatible port and can solve the problem by connecting USB, HDMI, etc.

In this article, we're going to provide you with a list of the 8 best thunderbolt 3 docks that work well with your MacBook Pro.

1- CalDigit TS3 Plus MacBook docking station

Our number one recommendation is the CalDigit TS3 MacBook docking station.

With this Thunderbolt 3 dock, you don't have to worry about your PSU and cable.

CalDigist delivers up to 85W of power, which is enough for most MacBook Pro models at maximum power. What's more, for downstream devices, the optional Thunderbolt 3 port delivers up to 15W of power.

The best thing about buying this Thunderbolt 3 dock is that you can get up to 15 ports to connect, including two USB-C 3.1 ports and 5 USB-A 3.1 ports.

Another cool feature of this dock is that you can now even connect a dual 4K 60Hz monitor or one 5K 60Hz display with the Displayport 1.2 port.

2- OWC MacBook docking station

OWC Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock

This is the ideal Thunderbolt 3 docking station if you are into reproductive workflows and is specially designed for this purpose.

You get multiple port options in this Thunderbolt 3 dock, including 10Gbps Ethernet connectivity, two MacBook docking station, DisplayPort 1.2 connectivity, front panel CFast, and three USB 3.1 peripheral ports.

With this device, you get up to 60W of power, which is the maximum power for a 13-inch MacBook Pro.

The best part about this device is that you can connect two 4K monitors or one 5K monitor using the DisplayPort 1.2 port.

Other cool features include fast media import at speeds up to 370 MB / s using CFast 2.0 Card Reader.

Plus, the dock's power connection design is protected so you won't have any unplugging problems.

You also get an OWC 2-year limited warranty and 24/7 customer support. ...

3- MacBook docking station Thunderbolt 3

The thunderbolt 60 docking station on this device delivers up to 3W of power.

This is the maximum power level for most 13-inch MacBook Pros. It can also be used to inflate the 15 '' version.

Also, It doesn't charge as soon as the 87W power adapter offered by Apple.

This saves space on your desk as the docking station can be used horizontally or vertically.

In addition to DisplayPort, there is also an additional Thunderbolt 3 ports at the back of the daisy chain for connecting another dock to the daisy chain.

Next to the four USB A 3.0 ports for other peripherals is a Gigabit Ethernet interface.

One MacBook docking station and headphone jack are located on the front of the device.

4- Belkin MacBook docking station Express HD Docking Station

• Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express HD Dock
• Also, Next up in line is this amazing Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock.
• Moreover, it delivers up to 85W of power with a single Thunderbolt 3 cable.
• Furthermore, enough power to charge your 15-inch MacBook Pro at full speed.
• However, it allows you to connect multiple devices to your MacBook Pro via the docking station.
• In addition, You can connect two 4k monitors or one 5k monitor with 60Hz DisplayPort.

The best part about this device is that it's ideal for the multimedia professional as it daisy-chain up to five additional thunderbolt devices via separate thunderbolt ports.

Beyond that, you also get connectivity with other ports, including two audio ports, two MacBook docking station, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

Thus, it is a versatile device providing great convenience.

5- Promise Technology MacBook docking station

Dock Promise Technology Thunderbolt 3

If you are a photographer looking for a compatible thunderbolt 3 dock, then you can never go wrong with the Promise Technology Thunderbolt 3 dock. It has a built-in SD card reader.

With this device, you can easily connect one or two 5k monitors supported by macOS and Windows 4.

In this device, you will find one HDMI 2.0 on the reader instead of the display port. Other additional ports include; two MacBook docking station, an audio in / out jack, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, three USB-A 3.0 ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

What's more, one of these ports provides up to 60W of power, which is more than enough power for your MacBook Pro.

Overall, this is a great thing for you and won't help. disappoint you.

6- Docking station Kensington SD5000T MacBook docking station

Dock Kensington SD5000T Thunderbolt 3

The Thunderbolt 3 Dock, Kensington SD5000 T is the perfect choice for any 85W MacBook Pro.

You can purchase an optional mounting plate to place the dock on the back of any VESA-compatible display to reduce clutter if you have limited desk space.

There is also a slot lock on the back to prevent port theft.

The SD5000 T is equipped with a USB-C and MacBook docking station on the front panel.

The USB-C port has a power rating of up to 15W, while the 2.1A version is easy to charge. Other additional ports include; USB-A 3.0 port, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, Gigabit Ethernet port, audio input and output ports, and DisplayPort connector.

7- StarTech.com MacBook docking station

StarTech.com Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station

StarTech is the economical option on this list if you're looking to save money.

While it doesn't compromise on quality and number of features, it lacks one feature, namely the ability to quickly charge the MackBook Pro without an additional cable or power supply, as it only delivers up to 15W of power.

Conclusion

The port connectivity it provides include; USB-A 3.0 and USB-C port. The rear panel of the device provides support for various ports; one USB-A 3.0, two MacBook docking station Gigabit Ethernet and DisplayPort.

This is the ideal lightning strike 3 docks for you if you are not working on a large scale.