Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 docks help users make the most out of their computers by utilizing external accessories and add-ons. So instead of being limited to the hardware included in your machine, you get to rely on third-party connections that cater to your workflow. And with some manufacturers further limiting the port number and variety available on their laptops, Thunderbolt docks are becoming a necessity for even more users. Considering there are plenty of excellent options out there, and to narrow down your search, we've listed below some of the best Thunderbolt docks available.
Our favorite Thunderbolt 4 and 3 docks
Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
A bit of everything
This Kensington Thunderbolt dock adds USB ports, an SD card reader, Ethernet, and Thunderbolt daisy chaining. It also delivers 90W of power to your laptop regardless of what you connect to it.
- Solid quality
- Compact build
- 11-in-1
- No HDMI or DisplayPort
Kensington is known for its device security solutions, but it also makes docks and hubs. Their latest offering is the SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station. The dock offers a total of 11 ports including an SD card reader, four Thunderbolt 4 ports, four USB-A ports (one 5V/1.5A charging port on the front, and three Gen2 10Gbps ports on the rear), a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack. The dock also supports 90W power delivery which means you can charge any Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3-enabled Windows or Mac-based notebook. You need to note there are no DisplayPort or HDMI ports on this dock, so you can only connect a monitor that supports USB-C, or you will have to add another adapter.
Belkin Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock
HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, and more
The Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Dock Pro is more expensive than most docks out there, but it does have a solid supply of ports, with two HDMI ports, Thunderbolt daisy-chaining, Ethernet, and four USB Type-A ports. Plus, it can charge your phone via USB-C and it has an SD card reader. If you have the budget, it may be a valid option.
- Premium materials
- Reputable manufacturer
- Compact design
- Relatively pricey
This premium Belkin dock supports laptops powered by both macOS and Windows. It offers 12 ports including an SD Card Reader, Audio In/Out, USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port with PD 3.0 Fast Charging, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two HDMI 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB-A 3.1 ports, and two USB-A 2.0 ports. The package also includes a 0.8-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable, allowing you to distance the dock and laptop, without needing to depend on additional extensions.
CalDigital Element Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Average price, average offerings
If you don't need a ton of ports, the CalDigit Element Hub gives you four USB Type-A connections and three Thunderbolt downstream ports, which can still connect lots of accessories. Plus, it's very compact and more affordable than most Thunderbolt docks.
- Excellent build
- Universal compatibility
- Modern design
- Limited port variety
The CalDigit Element Hub is one of the few Thunderbolt 4 docks available today that helps in expanding the number of Thunderbolt and USB Type-A ports on your laptop, Mac, or desktop PC. It's backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and USB 4, and offers support for dual-4K or a single 8K monitor and power delivery of 60W to charge various devices including laptops, smartphones, etc. It's fairly compact and suitable for users who primarily need multiple fast USB ports.
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
The ultimate Thunderbolt 4 dock
Thunderbolt docks don't get a lot better than the CalDigit TS4. With a total of 18 ports, including Thunderbolt downstream ports, DisplayPort, USB-C, USB-A, and super-fast 2.5Gb Ethernet, this one is something else. It also has a solid metal build that helps it feel premium and durable.
- 18-in-1
- Wide variety of ports
- Durable exterior
- Very pricey
This Thunderbolt 4 dock from CalDigit has 18 ports that will help you make the most out of your laptop. These include a built-in DisplayPort 1.4 connector, eight USB ports with full 10Gb/s performance, SD & microSD 4.0 UHS-II Card Readers, three Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) ports, three audio ports, 2.5GbE, and a security slot. And thanks to 98W power delivery support, you will be able to quickly charge your compatible laptop.
Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Mini Dock
Small size, large impact
This is a fairly compact Thunderbolt 4 dock from Anker that offers up to 85W Power Delivery, up to 15W charging for phones, and support for an 8K 30Hz or dual 4K 60Hz display.
- Fast charging and data transfer speeds
- Portable
- Supported on macOS and Windows
- Limited port number
Anker is a well-known and reliable brand when it comes to charging accessories and USB hubs, and that stems to Thunderbolt docks. The company offers the PowerExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Mini Dock, which, as the name suggests, is a small Thunderbolt 4 dock capable of expanding your connectivity. It features an 85W Thunderbolt 4 upstream port, three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports, and one USB-A port. The Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports support 15W Power Delivery and a single 8K monitor at 30Hz, or dual monitors up to 4K at 60Hz.
Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma
RGB lighting makes it to the dock
The Razer Thunderbolt 4 dock Chroma is a good option if you want to add a touch of RGB to your setup. It also adds a number of ports, including an SD card reader, three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports, and more.
- Fun RGB lighting
- Pass-through charging support
- Reasonably priced
- Limited port variety
A Thunderbolt dock with RGB? Why not? Razer is known for its high-quality gaming peripherals and the company has come up with its own Thunderbolt 4 dock. Apart from the swanky RGB lighting, the dock offers an SD card reader, a 3.5mm audio jack, three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports, a Thunderbolt 4 upstream port, Gigabit Ethernet, and three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports. It's nearly identical to the Kensington SD5700T; in fact, even the placement of the ports is similar. You'll just get the bonus of RGB lighting to potentially match your setup. Again, there are no DisplayPort or HDMI ports, however, you can plug dual 4K monitors using the additional Thunderbolt ports.
OWC 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Quantity, quality, and variety
This dock from OCW comes with 14 ports, including five USB-A and SD and microSD slots, allowing you to connect versatile devices and accessories to your Mac or Windows PC.
- 14-in-1
- Decent pricing
- Wide port variety
- Thunderbolt 3
This Thunderbolt 3 dock from OWC comes with 14 ports — USB 3.1 Gen 2 / Gen 1, Thunderbolt 3, microSD, SD, Mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, S/PDIF, and Combo Audio I/O. It supports up to two 4K or a single 5K display, so you can hook it up to the big screen. And thanks to multi-platform compatibility, you can use it with both Macs and Windows PCs. That's not to mention that it supports powering and charging a notebook at up to 85W.
CalDigial TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock
USB-C, Ethernet, SD cards, and more
This beast offers 15 ports, including USB-C, Ethernet, SD card, and more. It also supports two external displays, assuming your computer is compatible.
- Wide port variety
- Reputable company
- 15 ports total
- Thunderbolt 3
- Expensive for what it offers
Even though it's older than the other CalDigit on this list, the CalDigit TS3 Plus is a highly recommended Thunderbolt 3 dock, as it offers a wide range of I/O and the ability to connect not one, but two laptops at the same time. It comes with two Thunderbolt ports, five USB 3.2 Type-A, a USB 3.2 Type-C, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, DisplayPort 1.2, 3.5mm audio in, 3.5mm audio out, Gigabit Ethernet, optical audio, UHS-II SD card slot, and support for 87W Power Delivery.
Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD19TBS
For your average needs and more
The unique thing about Dell's Thunderbolt 3 dock is that it offers up to 130W of Power Delivery which means you can easily charge a laptop and still have it up and running without any issues.
- Wide port variety
- 130W power delivery
- Supports 3 displays
- Thunderbolt 3
Dell’s very own Thunderbolt dock is great for expanding your connectivity options. The dock notably doesn't come with any audio ports, nor does it have any memory card readers. At the front, there's a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, and a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port. At the back of the dock, there are two DisplayPort 1.4, one HDMI, a USB-C port with DisplayPort support, two USB Type-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and Thunderbolt 3. According to Dell, the dock offers support for up to three displays, including a single 5K and dual 4K monitors, and up to 130W power delivery.
UtechSmart Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station
A bit of everything for a low price
This 12-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 docking station provides a bit of everything to match most (or all) of your port needs on both macOS and Windows machines.
- Budget-friendly price tag
- 12-in-1
- Wide port variety
- Not the most premium out there
This 12-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 docking station from UtechSmart includes one 4K HDMI 1, one HDMI 2, one VGA, two USB 2.0, one RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000), one USB-C for Charging, one USB-C for Data Transfers, one SD/TF, and two USB 3.0 ports. It's compatible with both Macs and Windows PCs and has a reasonable price tag.
Our favorite Thunderbolt 4 and 3 docks: The bottom line
Whether your laptop or computer supports Thunderbolt 4 or the older Thunderbolt 3, there are dock options out there for you. You just have to take note of which your device supports. The Kensington SD5700T is the best overall pick for most users. Not only does it offer a rich variety of ports, but it also has a reasonable price. Of course, different users will need different port types and numbers, though
Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
This Kensington Thunderbolt dock adds USB ports, an SD card reader, Ethernet, and Thunderbolt daisy chaining. It also delivers 90W of power to your laptop regardless of what you connect to it.
However, if I were to choose one, I would go for the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock. It offers pretty much all port types you would expect from a dock, and it's manufactured by a reputable company. However, The TS4 is overkill for many users.
With more Thunderbolt 4 laptops creeping into the market, we're expecting more brands to come up with docking solutions in the coming months. Make sure you also go through our list of some of the best laptops you should buy, and if you're into gaming, here's our recommendation of the best gaming laptops.