There is no doubt that Apple’s Macbook Pro is one of the best computers one can buy. However, while everything looks amazing about Macbooks, it lacks certain ports. As a result, we need to rely on third-party solutions like Thunderbolt 3 docks.
But when it comes to buying the best Thunderbolt 3 dock for MacBook Pro, the market has a lot of options to offer. And as a buyer, it is easier to get confused with the options.
However, there is nothing to worry about as I have handpicked the 10 Best Thunderbolt 3 Dock For MacBook Pro. So you can easily choose the right option for yourself.
Contents
- 1 Best Thunderbolt 3 Dock For MacBook Pro
- 1.1 1. OWC 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock
- 1.2 2. Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock for Macbook
- 1.3 3. CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Hub
- 1.4 4. Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock for Macbook Air / Pro
- 1.5 5. Certified Cable Matters Aluminum Dock
- 1.6 6. CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 Mini Hub
- 1.7 7. Belkin Thunderbolt 3 USB Dock Pro
- 1.8 8. Brydge Stone Pro – Thunderbolt 3 USB-C Hub
- 1.9 9. StarTech.com Universal USB-C Host or Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station
- 1.10 10. WAVLINK Thunderbolt 3 Dock for MacBook Pro
- 2 What to Consider When Buying a Thunderbolt 3 Dock for MacBook Pro?
- 3 Final Words:
Best Thunderbolt 3 Dock For MacBook Pro
1. OWC 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock
First of all, I have the OWC 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock. The best part of this dock is that it features 14 ports of connectivity. It offers you USB 3.1 Gen 2 / Gen 1, Thunderbolt 3, microSD Reader, SD Reader, mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, and so on.
Along with that, it offers you multi-display support too. You can get up to 4K dual monitor support or a single 5K display support.
Moreover, it also helps you with 85W Notebook charging. This doc is capable of charging Notebook computers with up to 85W power. Plus, you are getting 2 High-Powered USB Type-A ports that deliver 5Gb/s speed and up to 7.5W power to additional devices.
In addition to that, you also get a faster-importing experience. It can transfer 312MB/s data. Also, you are getting the Hybrid Analog Audio In/Out port to connect headphones, combo headphones with mic, external speakers, and so on.
2. Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock for Macbook
Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock comes with premium ports and offers you unbeatable bandwidth. It supports dual display compatibility and offers you remarkable audio performance.
With this one, you will be getting two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and offers you support fo4 5k Display. You will also get dual display support up to 4K with a smooth frame rate of 60Hz via the Display port.
In addition to that, it also features two dedicated USB-C ports. So you can easily connect your SSD Drive, Apple SuperDrive, and other devices. Plus, there are two front USB 3.0 Port that lets you access everyday devices such as flash drives.
However, compared to the other docks, this one is quite expensive. But when it comes to performance and reliability, this is one of the best Thunderbolt 3 docks available for Macbook Pro.
3. CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Hub
CalDigit TS3 Plus is one of the best Thunderbolt 3 dock for Macbook pro that you can check out. This one offers you 15 ports of connectivity. Like, you are getting 2x Thunderbolt 3 40Gb/s, DisplayPort 1.2, 5x USB-A & 1 USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gb/s), 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen2 (10Gb/s data only), Gigabit Ethernet, UHS-II SD Card Slot (SD 4.0), Optical Audio (S/PDIF), 3.5mm Stereo Audio In and Out.
Plus, it comes in a sturdy full aluminum construction body with an integrated heat sink which will help the dock to keep itself cool. However, it does not feature a heat sink.
The dock also offers an improved 87W of charging. And capable enough to power all of your USB peripherals. Also, there is a secondary Thunderbolt 3 port that provides 15W of power for downstream devices.
You can also connect up to two 4K@60Hz displays via DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C port. Or you can connect a single 5K@60Hz display via the Thunderbolt 3 port. Also, check out Best USB-C Hub Docking Station For MacBook Pro
Plus, it comes with the latest UHS-II SD card slot that supports SD/SDHC/SDXC at up to 312 MB/s bus speed. So you will be transfer files with a 3x speed.
4. Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock for Macbook Air / Pro
You can also check out Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock. This one delivers 60W of power to compatible Thunderbolt 3 systems. Plus, offers you support for an additional display, wired gigabit Intel Ethernet, audio input/output, and USB expansion with 1x Thunderbolt 3 port (40Gbps), and 5x USB 3.0 ports (5Gbps).
Moreover, the dock also offers you a flexible connectivity option. It is capable of connecting a single display up to 4K 60Hz via the integrated DisplayPort output, or an HDMI display using the included Active DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 adapter. However, there is no support of 5K. But you will be able to connect up to 2 displays via different connectivity ports.
Overall, you are getting 2 years of warranty out of the box. Also, it is compatible with various systems and not just Macbook.
5. Certified Cable Matters Aluminum Dock
For my next pick, I have the Certified Cable Matters Aluminum Thunderbolt 3 Dock. This one is a 60W single-cable docking solution for a computer with a thunderbolt 3 port. It allows you to charge a thunderbolt 3 notebook.
Also, the dock is compatible with DUAL 4K@60Hz DISPLAYS compatible with an HDMI port and a Thunderbolt 3 port using an active USB-C to video adapter. Also, it works smoothly on both Mac and Windows systems.
Moreover, you will also be getting additional 5 USB 3.0 ports, an SD memory card slot, Gigabit Ethernet network connectivity, and a combo audio headset and microphone port. So you can connect all your devices pretty easily.
6. CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 Mini Hub
If you are looking for something affordable, then you must check out the CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock. This one is highly portable and comes with an Aluminum built.
Moreover, the dock also lets you connect up to two 4K@60Hz displays via two DisplayPorts. Plus, you will also be getting a Type-A USB port that supports 5Gb/s transfer speeds and 900mA of power, convenient for connecting your USB peripherals and storage on the go.
It also includes a gigabyte Ethernet cable. So you can connect a wired LAN cable to your dock and enjoy a stable internet connection.
7. Belkin Thunderbolt 3 USB Dock Pro
You can also check out the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro. This one is compatible with macOS and Windows USB C laptops.
It allows you to connect multiple devices to your laptop through a single dock. Like, you can easily connect monitors, hard drives, drawing tablets, mice, keyboards, the internet, and so on.
Plus, you will get an ultra-fast data transfer speed of up to 40 GBPS. Also, it lets you connect 4K HD displays @ 60Hz. Along with that, you are getting 85W upstream charging which allows you to charge your Laptop through the dock.
Also, it includes a wide range of ports like 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports, 1 USB-A 3.1 and 1 USB-C 3.1 port, 4 USB-A 3.0 port, 1 DisplayPort, 1 Gigabit Ethernet, and so on. Also, check out Best USB-C Flash Drive for MacBook Pro
8. Brydge Stone Pro – Thunderbolt 3 USB-C Hub
Next, there is the Brydge Stone Pro – Thunderbolt 3 Dock. This one also features a wide range of ports including 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports, 1 USB-A 3.1 and 1 USB-C 3.1 port, 4 USB-A 3.0 ports, 1 DisplayPort, 1 Gigabit Ethernet and others. In short, there 11 ports to connect your MacBook Pro to existing devices.
It offers you one of the simplest and most powerful ways to connect your Macbook to different devices. You can also connect dual 4K displays @ 60Hz or connect a single 5K display at 60Hz pretty easily.
Also, it offers you 87 watts of power to your MacBook, with enough additional power to charge 4 connected USB devices.
9. StarTech.com Universal USB-C Host or Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station
You can also check out StarTech.com Universal USB-C Host or Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station. This docking station works with your TB3 or USB-C (USB 3. 1 Gen 2) host laptops, tablets, and smartphones, and it is entirely easy to install.
The dock offers you dual 4k display functionality by offering dual 4K 60Hz support on Thunderbolt 3 laptops while providing either 1080p or single 4K 30Hz setup dual monitor options for USB C (10Gbps) host devices.
The dock also features all the essential ports and offers 60w power delivery. It charges your laptop w/ 60W Power Delivery.
10. WAVLINK Thunderbolt 3 Dock for MacBook Pro
In the end, I have the WAVLINK Thunderbolt 3 Dock. This one is also one of the best Thunderbolt 3 Dock For Macbook pro that comes with 12 ports of compatibility. With this one, you are getting 2x Thunderbolt 3 up to 40Gb/s, 1xDisplayport 1.2, 4x USB-A 3.0 (5Gb/s), 1xGigabit Ethernet, SD/Micro SD Card Reader and so on.
Also, it supports Dual 4K@60Hz monitors via DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 3 port. Also, you can connect a single 5k display at 60HZ when using the Thunderbolt 3 port.
It also provides a 180 Watt DC Power Supply that delivers 85W power to charge your laptop and power all of your USB peripherals. Also, you are getting an integrated SD/Micro SD Card Reader for copying any photos or movies from your media memory card backup to your laptop directly.
What to Consider When Buying a Thunderbolt 3 Dock for MacBook Pro?
Check If It Has Supportability For Your Devices:
One of the first things that you need to check is the supportability of your devices. As you don’t want a dock that doesn’t have support for all your devices. For instance, you may wish to connect an external monitor to your MacBook Pro, so a display port is a must.
You also want to connect multiple USB devices to your MacBook, so make sure you are getting a Thunderbolt 3 dock with multiple USB ports. It should also have an Ethernet port which will help you to enjoy better internet accessibility.
In short, you need to first make sure what devices you wish to connect to your MacBook Pro. Only then look for a dock with supportive ports.
Should Deliver Enough Power:
Another thing that you need to consider is that it should provide you sufficient power. According to experts’ advice, an ideal Thunderbolt 3 dock should provide 85w charging power.
As a result, you will easily be able to charge your laptop and power up all your USB peripherals. Also, it will help you to charge up multiple devices simultaneously. So you don’t have to look for a charging port.
Compact:
The Thunderbolt 3 dock should also be compact in size. A compact size helps you to travel with your dock without any issues. Luckily, most of the docks do come in a compact size. But yes, there are some models which are pretty bulky.
So if you are someone who travels a lot for business or personal needs. Then portability is definitely something you need to consider.
However, in some cases, if you go for a portable size, it may not have all the ports that you might need. So do pick something that fulfills your needs and is still portable.
Check Compatibility:
You should also keep an eye on the compatibility. Not all the thunderbolt 3 docks out there support all the MacBook Pro models. Like in case, if you have an older MacBook Pro model, then the latest generation Thunderbolt 3 docks may not support not your laptop.
Similarly, if you do have a new generation MacBook Pro like with the M1 processor. Then buy something that is compatible with your laptop to avoid any kind of connectivity issues.
So these are some of the points that you need to consider when buying a Thunderbolt 3 dock for MacBook Pro or Air.
Final Words:
So those were the 10 best Thunderbolt 3 dock for Macbook Pro in 2021. Now go ahead and check them out and see which Thunderbolt 3 Hub you like the most and is capable of handling your work. Also, if there is anything you would like to ask, then do comment below.
