10 BEST THUNDERBOLT 3 DOCK IN 2022 – Reviews & Guide
A Thunderbolt dock is a great way to expand the capabilities of your laptop or desktop PC without adding a lot of bulk. And thanks to the latest Thunderbolt 3 standard, it’s easier than ever to get fast data transfers and high-resolution video output via a single cable.
With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Thunderbolt docks on the market right now, along with their pros and cons, so you’ll know which one best suits your needs and budget.
The best Thunderbolt docks can turn your laptop or desktop into a productivity hub. Whether you have a MacBook or a PC, Thunderbolt 3 is the most powerful port you can have on a computer right now. It’s fast, versatile, and offers many times more bandwidth than USB-C.
You can connect power, high-speed data storage, multiple displays, and a lot more to just one of these amazing ports. That also means you don’t need as many cables for all your peripherals and accessories. The only downside to Thunderbolt 3 is that it’s expensive and not widely available, which is why it’s so important to find the best Thunderbolt dock for your needs.
Why is Thunderbolt 3 dock so expensive?
A few reasons. First, there’s the cost of the dock itself. If you want a good one, with ports for everything, a nice enclosure, and a brand name like CalDigit, OWC, or Belkin, you’re looking at $200 to $300. It’s not a lot of money compared to what you’ve spent on your laptop (or desktop), but it’s not cheap either.
Second is the cost of the cable itself: It’s expensive because it uses four pairs of wires instead of the usual two pairs found in most USB-C cables. Plus, the cable has to be certified so that it works properly with various devices and doesn’t cause problems.
The third is the cost to make chipsets for Thunderbolt 3 devices. As mentioned above, Intel provides Thunderbolt 3 controllers for free to its customers but in order for device manufacturers to use them, they need to pay for certification testing required by Intel and also participate in an ongoing license fee program every year.
1.Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
| Brand | Corsair |
|---|---|
| Item model number | CU-9000001-NA |
| Item Weight | 2.5 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 10 x 4.8 x 4 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 10 x 4.8 x 4 inches |
| Manufacturer | Corsair |
| ASIN | B08JHDV91C |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| Date First Available | September 22, 2020 |
The Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 SSD dock brings high-performance Thunderbolt connectivity to your laptop delivering lightning-fast transfers from an internal Solid State Drive (SSD) to external peripherals. With 85W of power delivery, you can even charge your laptop at the same time with a compatible power supply. And with one cable you get access to a wide range of connectivity options – from USB devices and external storage, to HDMI monitors and SD cards.
The Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock is compatible with all laptops and PCs with a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port. It features docking for one laptop, a pair of USB 3 ports, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports for display or additional accessory devices (up to two 4K 60Hz displays are supported).
The dock features 85W of charging power, 40Gb/s of data transfer speeds (both peripherals and video) and support for 4K displays. A hard cable channel helps keep your desk organized.
2.Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core
| Brand | Belkin |
|---|---|
| Item model number | F4U110bt |
| Item Weight | 7.8 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 1.5 x 5.2 x 6.5 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 1.5 x 5.2 x 6.5 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Manufacturer | Belkin Components |
The Thunderbolt 3 Dock with Power Delivery from Belkin features an integrated 60W power adapter, meaning you can plug your laptop into the dock to charge. The dock is also compatible with DisplayPort, letting you connect a monitor or projector.
The dock allows you to connect multiple devices to a single monitor through a single upstream port, and also features ultra-fast data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, meaning you can transfer files lightning fast. It is compatible with Mac and Windows® Thunderbolt 3 laptops (does not support USB-C output) featuring Intel’s 7th gen processors and Windows 10 RS2 or above operating systems.
The Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock connects your laptop to multiple devices and displays so that you can connect all of your peripherals seamlessly. The Thunderbolt 3 Dock lets you quickly dock, connect and transfer data, providing 40 Gbps performance.
The dock features three downstream USB-C ports, one of which offers power delivery up to 60W for fast charging your laptop, while the other two support high-resolution displays of up to 4K and 5K. This dock also features an upstream USB-C port that supports data transfer speeds of up to 20 Gbps and an HDMI cable for connecting an additional monitor or TV.
3.OWC 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock
| Product Dimensions | 9.06 x 3.5 x 0.98 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Manufacturer | OWC |
| ASIN | B07JMH6BSY |
| Item model number | OWCTB3DK14PSG |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 585 ratings 4.4 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #712 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories) #59 in Laptop Docking Stations |
The OWC 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock with Cable, compatible with Windows PC and Mac, space gray is the fastest docking solution for your notebook. The Dock offers a full complement of ports to connect demanding professional peripherals like high resolution displays, data storage via fast solid state drives (SSD), external RAID arrays and high performance sound cards. NOT for use with late 2015 MacBook Pro models.
This dock is a full-featured, bus-powered Thunderbolt 3 dock with a sleek design and all the ports you need for your notebook, monitor and other accessories. Designed to fit in your space, the OWC Thunderbolt Docking Station is compatible with Windows PC systems (Windows 8 and later) and Macs are compatible (OS X 10.11 or later). This docking station features two four-port USB 3.1 Gen 1 hub to connect flash drives, keyboards, mice or other USB peripherals – any drive connected to the front USB ports can be charged when plugged into the rear Display Port power port.
4.CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock
| Brand | CalDigit |
|---|---|
| Item model number | TBT3-MiniDock-HDMI |
| Item Weight | 7 ounces |
| Package Dimensions | 6.42 x 4.41 x 1.42 inches |
| Color | Dual HDMI 2.0, Black |
| Batteries | 1 Product Specific batteries required. |
| Manufacturer | CalDigit |
The CalDigit Mini Dock is a bus-powered dock that provides both USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports at speeds up to 5 Gbps. It also provides Gigabit Ethernet for ultrafast, low latency connectivity on any device, including the latest 4K display technologies. The Mini Dock supports all Thunderbolt 3 port devices and works with any computer with a Thunderbolt 3 port. Its ultra-portable design allows it be lightweight and easily fit into most laptop bags.
The CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock features dual HDMI 2.0 ports to support Ultra 4K 60Hz displays or TVs, plus the DisplayPort and USB-C ports support 5K 60Hz at a stunning resolution.
Store and transfer photos and video at blazing speeds of up to 40Gbps, with super fast access to files via the included ultra-fast 5GB Ethernet port. The Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock is also compatible with Thunderbolt 3 computers such as the MacBook Pro (2016), Dell XPS, Google Pixelbook, Samsung S8/S9/S10, HP Spectre x360, and more.
5.Lenovo USA ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock
| Brand | Lenovo USA |
|---|---|
| Series | GENERATION 2 THUNDERBOT DOCK WITH 135W AC AND POWER CORD |
| Item model number | 40AN0135US |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Item Weight | 2 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 8.66 x 3.15 x 1.18 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 8.66 x 3.15 x 1.18 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Power Source | 135W Slim Tip AC With 2Pin 110v Power Cord |
| Manufacturer | Lenovo |
The Lenovo USA ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2 135W (40AN0135US) Dual UHD 4K Display Capability, 2 HDMI, 2 DP, USB-C, USB 3.1, Black is a versatile docking solution that complements any compatible PC or laptop. The glossy finish enables a clean, premium look and feel. With a lot of the connectivity options available, this dock gives you the ability to connect to numerous devices without compromising on speed or performance. Featuring a built-in USB-C cable for power delivery and charging your compatible devices.
The second-generation ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2 was designed to meet the ThinkPad family’s stringent durability and usability requirements while still providing compatibility with the latest technology.
With two Thunderbolt 3 ports, you can attach two 4K displays for high-definition workflows, and plug in a single wired or wireless device, such as a mouse. The dock comes equipped with one USB-C port with Always On so that users can charge their smartphone or tablet even when they are using it with a connected display. This new docking solution also supports dual UHD 4K displays for incredible content creation and multimedia experiences.
6.Anker Docking Station
| Brand | Anker |
|---|---|
| Item model number | A8396141 |
| Item Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 4.96 x 3.5 x 1.65 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.96 x 3.5 x 1.65 inches |
| Color | Silver |
| Manufacturer | Anker |
The PowerExpand Elite is a USB-C docking station for Thunderbolt 3 laptops with 85W charging for computers and 18W charging for phones. This dock supports 4K HDMI so you can connect it to a monitor or TV, Gigabit Ethernet, SD 4.0 card reader, USB-A Gen 1 port with USB 3.0 transfer speeds (5Gbps), and two-way audio input/output so you can stream online music to your speakers or connect a microphone and use your computer’s keyboard/mouse to control your media player.
The Anker PowerExpand Elite is the only docking station to offer 13 ports allowing you to connect all of your USB-C devices. This includes 7 high-speed USB 3.0 ports and high-power USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet and SD slots. This docking station’s 18W charging can charge your laptop while also powering your monitors with 4K video capability.
The PowerExpand Elite is the best choice for a variety of users looking for advanced capabilities in a dock. Its expansion capabilities make it ideal for catering to professionals looking to expand upon their connectivity at work or home.
7.Docking Station UtechSmart
| Brand | UtechSmart |
|---|---|
| Series | UCN3270-2 |
| Item model number | UCN3270-2 |
| Operating System | MacOS 10.14 Mojave, macOS 10.15 Catalina, Chrome OS, Linux, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 |
| Item Weight | 3.99 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 5 x 2.44 x 0.67 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5 x 2.44 x 0.67 inches |
| Color | Grey |
Enjoy a new level of performance with a laptop docking station. iLeadtek’s UtechSmart docking station eliminates hassles and has everything you need to make your computer more efficient, more convenient, and more enjoyable. With three extra displays at your disposal and the ability to plug in an external hard drive and flash storage together, this advanced docking solution is ideal for data-intensive applications and lots of multitasking.
Everything you need for a faster laptop is included. And with its ultra-portable design, it’s easy to move from computer to computer or take on the road.
UtechSmart Docking Station is your docking solution of choice. The ultra-portable laptop docking station uses the new USB C port technology, which means it supports both USB C and USB 3.0 /3.1 devices. It’s designed to allow smooth connections with no extra parts needed, saving you time and money with every transaction.
8.Kensington SD2500T Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C Docking Station
| Brand | Kensington |
|---|---|
| Item model number | K36400NA |
| Item Weight | 2.51 pounds |
| Package Dimensions | 12.56 x 8.43 x 3.31 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Manufacturer | Kensington |
| ASIN | B08KQ9JQZR |
| Country of Origin | Vietnam |
The Kensington SD2500T Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C Docking Station is a sleek, high-performance docking station for Windows, MacBooks, and Surface tablets equipped with Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C. The SD2500T features Dual 4K 60W video, two high-speed Fast Ethernet networks ports, two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and HDMI video ports all in a streamlined design that fits perfectly on your desk or nightstand. This ultra-high performance dock is great to use at home or in the office and connects to your laptop via a single Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C cable.
The Kensington SD2500T Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C Docking Station lets you add dual 4K resolution external displays, charge your laptop, connect it to a high performance audio system, and transfer files fast to an external SSD. Designed to charge your MacBook using up to 120W (when paired with the included 31W USB-C Power Delivery charger), this docking station also includes a built in SD card reader so you can easily access files stored on your SD cards.
| Product Dimensions | 10.28 x 7.8 x 3.23 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 3.01 pounds |
| ASIN | B07XZ152ND |
| Customer Reviews | 3.6 out of 5 stars 23 ratings 3.6 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #112,297 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #898 in Laptop Docking Stations |
The WAVLINK Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a powerful docking station for all MacBook Pro/Air, HP, Dell, and other USB-C laptops. The thunderbolt USB-C port not only can supply power up to 85W, but also can support DP 1.2 protocol, transfer data at 40Gbps(20Gbps per channel), and can support 4K/5K or 1080P 60Hz resolution external display. Moreover, it has four USB3.0 ports that are compatible with USB2.0 devices, two GbE ports, an SD card slot, and a microphone jack that are ideal
The docking station supports up to 5 daisy-chained Thunderbolt 3 devices, providing all the connections of a full-size office computer. The docking station is a great partner for your new MacBook 2017 or another USB-C-compatible laptop. It also works with Macbook Pro 2016, iMac 2017, and other computers with Thunderbolt 3 port. The docking station provides 85W power delivery and DisplayPort support 4K 60Hz resolution.
10.Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock Gen 2
| Brand | Lenovo |
|---|---|
| Series | ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock Gen 2 |
| Item model number | 40AN0230US WORKSTAION DOCK USA 230W AC |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Item Weight | 1.2 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 3.15 x 8.66 x 1.18 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.15 x 8.66 x 1.18 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
The ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock has everything you need to turn your Thunderbolt 3-enabled laptop into a powerful desktop workstation. The Dock includes a Gigabit Ethernet port, audio output, one DisplayPort for video, two HDMI for video and audio, four USB 3. 1 Gen 2 ports, one USB-C Power Delivery port for powering the laptop, and support for multiple external monitors. With additional accessories in the box: Power cord with AC cable, DisplayPort cable, 2m HDMI cable, Thunderbolt 3 cable (USB C plug to USB A plug), and QuickStart guide.
The ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock Gen 2 from Lenovo is a product that provides an easy way to add high-speed plug-and-play connectivity to a ThinkPad device, and a great workflow experience. This small docking station has three dual-monitor ports and one USB Type-C port and its interface has been designed to enable professional usage.
The ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock gives you direct access to one computer from three separate monitors, keyboards, and mice. All of your plugs and ports are available from any device — no KVM required — so it’s easier to keep things connected and avoid the hassle of switching between devices. The dock provides up to two times faster data transfer with its dual 10 Gb/s bi-directional Thunderbolt 3 ports, while still supporting up to six devices through USB 3. 1 Gen 2.