Written by Nicholas Calderone
Docks vs. Multiport Adapters: How to Choose the Right USB-C Accessory for Your MacBook Setup
TL;DR
Docking stations are powerful, permanent desktop solutions with extensive ports and higher power delivery, while multiport adapters are compact, portable hubs perfect for travel and light connectivity needs. Choose a dock if you need a stationary multi-monitor setup with maximum ports, or go with an adapter if you prioritize portability and basic connectivity on the go.
From portable hubs to powerful docking stations, learn which USB-C solution fits your workflow and why your setup matters more than ever.
It's been nearly 10 years since Apple made the monumental decision to remove all ports except USB-C/Thunderbolt ports from their laptop lineup. This marked a significant shift towards a more minimalist design and forced users to rely solely on USB-C for charging, data transfer, and video output. I remember getting a 2016 MacBook Pro with a TouchBar. It was quite a change in perspective on what my workspace should be and how to make everything work.
This design decision shaped the way that not only Apple users worked, but also the way technology worked. The move to make MacBook Pros USB-C/Thunderbolt only was a major catalyst for pushing existing companies to adapt, as well as opening the door for new ones to enter the space with USB-C hubs and high-performance Thunderbolt docks.
The term "dongle life" became popularized around this time as a tongue-in-cheek way to describe how MacBook users had to carry multiple adapters just to do what older laptops could do natively. Today, there are hundreds of docks and multiport adapters available to assist with workspace productivity, but which type of accessory is the best one for you? Well, let's look at the main differences between the two first.
What's the difference?
While docks and adapters serve the same basic purpose — to provide additional connectivity to limited host computers — they are designed with different functionality. A docking station is designed for a permanent setup, while a multiport adapter is compact and designed for travel/remote workspaces. A dock typically has its own power adapter and can provide power to a connected host device, while the adapters are bus-powered and get their power from the host device. I've seen the same type of ports available on docks and adapters, but with a multiport adapter, you have to be cautious of the power it's consuming since the power is likely being drawn from your host computer. Many different accessories may require more power than a computer can provide.
The table below shows the main features of a dock and an adapter and how they compare.
| Feature | Docking Station | Multiport Adapter |
|---|---|---|
| Port variety | Wide range of ports | Limited selection |
| Power delivery | Often higher power support | Typically up to 60—100W passthrough |
| Display support | Dual/multiple monitor support | Usually single display |
| Size and portability | Larger and desk-bound | Compact and portable |
| Price | More expensive | More affordable |
| Use case complexity | Ideal for complex setups | Great for light/basic connectivity |
Top 3 Docks for Mac Users
So, if you are working to build a permanent setup with a MacBook Pro as your flagship computer, what dock should you use? First of all, I would recommend using a Thunderbolt 4 or higher docking station. There are some remarkably good TB4 stations out there. I've noticed that Thunderbolt 5 docks are making their way to market, but TB4 docks are well-tested and still very reliable. Here are my top three selections of docking stations for a Mac setup.
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
The CalDigit TS4 is widely considered the gold standard for Mac users who need a serious expansion hub. With 18 total ports, including three Thunderbolt 4 connections, 2.5Gb Ethernet, a full-size SD card reader (UHS-II), and a generous mix of USB-A and USB-C ports, it handles just about any setup you throw at it. It delivers 98W of charging power and supports high-resolution external displays. Why I like it: This dock is not only powerful, but compact. It doesn't take up much space on a desktop and there are easy access ports on the front. It's been easy to manage the cables connected to it, but the one drawback of this docking station is that it does not have an HDMI port on it. CalDigit has released the Thunderbolt 5 version of these docks, but since I haven't personally used them, I can't make a firm recommendation on them yet.
Kensington SD5000T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Triple 4K Docking Station
The Kensington SD5000T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Triple 4K Docking Station is among the first docks built around the Thunderbolt 5 standard. It features an 11-port layout (including 4 Thunderbolt 5 ports, three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, dual SD/microSD card readers, 2.5 GbE Ethernet, and a combo audio jack) and supports up to 140 W USB-C Power Delivery to your Mac or PC.
With Thunderbolt 5's high bandwidth and Bandwidth Boost, it can drive three 4K displays at 144 Hz or dual 8K displays at 60 Hz on a compatible host system. Though early Thunderbolt 5 laptops are rare, the dock remains backwards-compatible with Thunderbolt 4, USB4, and USB-C, and offers a rugged recycled-aluminum design and plug-and-play simplicity for Mac and Windows users alike.
Why I like it: We've been using this docking station for nearly a year now to power a rather unique gaming setup. We have a RedMagic Nova Gaming Tablet and have it connected to Ethernet, keyboard, mouse, and our 45-inch LG OLED monitor specifically for gaming purposes. We tried several different dock options for this setup and the SD5000T5 was the first one to work.
It provides power to all the devices connected to it and it has advanced enough technology to help the tablet push a 1440p @ 144Hz signal to the monitor. The only complaint I have with this dock is that the host port is on the front and that makes it a bit awkward for cable management if you plan to have the dock on your desktop.
Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock
Even though Razer’s products are typically not designed to work with macOS products, their new Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma is! It combines advanced connectivity with convenient high-speed storage. Built around the Thunderbolt 5 standard, it supports data rates of up to 120 Gb/s and can drive up to three 4K displays at 144 Hz or a single 8K@60 Hz monitor, depending on the host system. Its standout feature is an integrated M.2 PCIe Gen‑4 SSD slot, allowing up to 8 TB of internal storage, effectively turning the dock into a high-performance external drive. Additionally, it delivers up to 140 W power delivery for fast laptop charging, and includes Thunderbolt Share for seamless file transfers and peripheral control between PCs.
The dock is a housed in a sleek CNC-milled aluminum chassis with customizable RGB under glow lighting — an aesthetic nod to gaming setups that can be disabled if preferred. While its pricing leans premium, it's a compelling option for users who want to blend docking and high-speed storage in one device.
Why I like it: I like the Razer Thunderbolt 5 dock because it covers the bare essentials of connectivity AND provides additional storage for the connected computer. Even though it doewsn't need the additional connection ports, I connected this dock to our Mac Studio so that it has access to that storage option. This dock is designed with style in mind. It looks sleek and practically blends into a workspace. I love the lighting effets and it's been a solid work horse when paired witha MacBook Pro (even though I made a home for it with our Mac Studio, I did test it witha Mac Book Pro.)
UPLIFT Desk Spotlight: A clutter-free workspace is a productive workspace. Whether you're setting up a permanent dock or a portable adapter, proper cable management is the key to a clean and efficient setup. Explore a wide range of cable management solutions, from trays and modesty panels to clips and ties, that will help you wrangle your cords and create the organized desk you deserve.
Top 3 Multiport Adapters for Remote Workstations
In terms of using a solid multiport adapter or hub for remote workstations, I have a few I can recommend. First, it's important to note that these are USB-C connections and not Thunderbolt. There are some Thunderbolt hubs, but they focus solely on the TB connection and not different ports like the multiport adapters do.
Twelve South StayGo USB-C Hub
The Twelve South StayGo USB-C Hub is a thoughtfully engineered expansion accessory designed for MacBooks, iMacs, and even USB-C iPads. Featuring a removable 1-meter desktop cable (plus a compact travel cord tucked inside the hub), it lets you maintain a clean and organized workspace. In a sleek aluminum body, it brings essential ports including 4K HDMI at 30 Hz, Gigabit Ethernet, three USB-A ports (one with 7.5 W fast charging), SD and micro-SD slots, and 85 W USB-C passthrough power.
Why I like it: In a word - portability. This hub is great for travel because the cable tucks away inside it and you have all the essentials built in. It doesn't support 4K@60Hz for gaming, but it hits all the high marks for standard productivity. I love that I can toss this in my tech pouch and be ready for any circumstance on the go.
Satechi USB4 Multiport w2.5 Ethernet
The Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter with 2.5G Ethernet (ST-U4MGEM) is designed for remote professionals who need next-generation connectivity in a compact package. Leveraging USB4's 40 Gbps bandwidth, it delivers 8K HDMI output (though 4K@60Hz is the practical limit under macOS), 100 W USB-C pass-through charging, and a suite of ports: 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps data, one supports charging), USB-A 3.2 (10 Gbps), 3.5 mm audio jack, and ultra-fast 2.5 Gb Ethernet, about 2.5x faster than standard gigabit connections and backwards-compatible with slower standards.
Why I like it: I've had this workhorse around for several years now and it has proven to be an incredibly reliable dock. I've used it for connecting my iPad to external devices as well as using it as a passthrough for charging my MacBook Pro. I've used this multiport adapter in place of more powerful docks — even when they were available.
EZQuest Ultimate USB-C Multimedia Hub Adapter
The EZQuest Ultimate USB-C Multimedia Hub Adapter (13-port) is an all-in-one solution for MacBook users needing robust connectivity in a single compact unit. It plugs into your Mac using a dual-USB-C cable compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and 4, and delivers comprehensive support via two HDMI outputs (4K@60 Hz), a VGA port (1080p@60 Hz), Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5 mm audio/mic combo jack, SD and microSD card readers, a USB-C data port (10 Gbps / 7.5 W), a USB-C charging port (100 W PD), two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and two USB-A 2.0 ports. That rich port mix lets some users drive up to three displays on Intel or M-series Macs (with M1/M2 limited to one external screen).
Why I like it: Even though this adapter is one of the larger ones I've used, I like using it because of the extreme power it has. Utilizing both USB-C ports gives the hub more total system resources to work with, which translates into better performance, more features, and a smoother user experience, especially on MacBooks that natively support dual-port accessories. This works really well in remote work situations — as long as you can use both ports on your MacBook Pro.
Conclusion
Docks and multiport adapters might seem interchangeable at first glance, but they serve very different purposes. Docks are built for power, permanence, and expanded capabilities. Multiport adapters are all about flexibility, portability, and simplicity. Choosing between the two depends on how and where you work most. For a desk-bound professional relying on a MacBook Pro as a primary machine, a dock can anchor a high-performance setup. For remote workers, creatives, or commuters, a solid multiport adapter can be just the right tool to bridge everything together.
Whatever your setup, one thing is clear: the future of work is modular. And whether you lean toward a full-featured Thunderbolt dock or a reliable USB-C hub, the tools now exist to make even the most minimalist MacBook into a fully connected productivity machine.
Work better. Live healthier.