The best USB–C docks for MacBooks

Expand the capabilities of your machine with these docks

- JR BOOKWALTER

Two USB–C ports and a headphone jack — that’s the extent of today’s MacBook wired connectivity. Thankfully, accessory makers turned this shortcoming into an opportunity with third-party docks for connecting external monitors, USB devices, gigabit Ethernet, and more.

We tested four of the best on the market and found they had a lot in common. Aside from high–quality 4K 60Hz video — the standard for smooth motion on screens — they all provide excellent data transfer speeds. There are drawbacks though, notably the lack of dual external monitor support on M1–powered MacBooks, and AC power bricks practically as large as the dock itself. Which one is worth your time and money? Read on to find out.

OWC Thunderbolt Dock (2021 model)

$249 From Other World Computing, owcdigital.com

Features 3x Thunderbolt, 4x USB, Ethernet, SD reader

If you crave Thunderbolt 3 and future USB 4.0 compatibility look no further than OWC’s latest, which delivers a trio of such ports on the back (plus a fourth on front for connecting your Mac). Each operates as an independent daisy chain, so devices can be removed from one without affecting others, and there’s also support for bus-powered external Thunderbolt storage.

Another unique feature is the fancy backlit LED on top of the dock with the OWC logo, which glows blue when connected to a computer and white when disconnected. (The LED can be dimmed or turned off completely by inserting a paper clip into a hole on the front.) This is also the only dock in our roundup to offer Kensington security slots on one end, a nice touch.

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