The MacBook Pro has been getting better and better over the past few years, and the latest M3-powered models offer more performance and efficiency than ever before. These machines truly are the laptop dreams are made of if you want to get work done on the go. However, one thing that hasn't really changed since 2021 is the port selection, which is solid, but not ideal if you have a lot of peripherals.

That means if you want to use one of these laptops to power a desktop workstation, you're going to want a dock. To help you with that, we've rounded up some great docking stations to expand those connectivity options on the MacBook Pro (M3).

• Editor's choice

  Plugable TBT4-UDZ Quad Display Dock

  The Plugable TBT4-UDZ is easily one of the best docks you can get, and it's excellent value, too. It has four display outputs (though only two are supported at a time), five USB Type-A ports, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, SD card readers, and USB-C, all in a sleek design for a reasonable price.

  $299 at Amazon
• Premium pick

  CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

  $400 $450 Save $50

  Ports

  Three Thunderbolt 4 (one host), three USB-C, five USB-A, DP 1.4, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm combo, 3.5mm in/out, SD/microSD card reader (UHS-II)

  USB Power Delivery

  Up to 98W to host, 20W front USB-C, 7.5W USB-C, 7.5W USB-A

  Power supply included

  Yes

  Warranty

  Two years

  Max display res.

  8K@60Hz, dual 4K@60Hz

  If you have the money to spend, it's hard to do much better than the CalDigit TS4. It comes with a whopping 18 ports, including downstream Thunderbolt, super-fast Ethernet, SD card readers, USB Type-A and Type-C, and even DisplayPort. There are tons of options here for anything you need, though the price is a bit steep.

  $400 at Amazon
• Best value

  UtechSmart 12-in-1 USB-C Docking Station

  If you want a great docking station without spending over $100, this Utechsmart option is a great choice. It's affordable, yet it still gives you two HDMI outputs (plus VGA), gigabit Ethernet, and a lot of USB Type-A ports for any peripherals you might want. It also includes both full-size and microSD card readers.

  $90 at Amazon
• Triple-monitor setup

  Plugable USB-C 4K Triple Display Docking Station

  Now that the 14-inch MacBook Pro starts with a standard M3 chip, it supports only one external display in the base model. However, using the Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Display Docking Station, you can use up to three 4K displays via HDMI or DisplayPort on any Mac model. Plus, it has plenty of USB ports, an SD card reader, and gigabit Ethernet.

  $270 at Amazon
• Cleaner setup

  OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock

  Ports

  1x Thunderbolt (to host), 2x Thunderbolt downstream, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x HDMI, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, 3.5mm headphone jack, 1x SD card reader

  USB Power Delivery

  Yes, up to 90W

  Power supply included

  Yes, built-in

  Max display res.

  Up to dual 4K 60Hz

  Price

  $299

  Dimensions

  9.5x3.6x1.4 inches (241x92x36mm)

  If you enjoy having a clean setup at your desk, the OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock may just be the best option around. It has a built-in power supply so there are fewer cables to deal with. It also has a good supply of ports, with HDMI, downstream Thunderbolt, Ethernet, and USB Type-A.

  $300 at Amazon
• Affordable USB hub

  Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)

  Connection

  USB-C

  Ports

  8

  Maximum display resolution

  4K

  Want more ports on the cheap? The Anker 555 is a simple USB-C hub, but it offers plenty of connectivity for this tiny package. You ger two USB Type-A ports (and two Type-C, including one for charging), plus HDMI, Ethernet, and both full-size and microSD card readers. For $60, it's pretty great.

  $60 at Amazon
• Add some flair

  Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma

  Ports

  Four Thunderbolt 4 (one host), three USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2), Ethernet, UHS-II SD card reader, 3.5mm audio

  USB Power Delivery

  Up to 90W to host

  Power supply included

  Yes

  Warranty

  One year

  Max display res.

  Dual 4K@60Hz, 8K@30Hz

  The MacBook Pro isn't exactly flashy, so if you want to spice up your setup, the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma is perfect. Featuring fancy RGB lighting, it breathes new life into your desk, plus it has plenty of connectivity, with downstream Thunderbolt, USB Type-A, Ethernet, and an SD card reader.

  $330 at Amazon
• Tough-looking design

  Kensington SD5780T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station

  Ports

  Thunderbolt 4 (host), two Thunderbolt 4 (downstream), Four USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2), 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio, SD card reader (UHS-II)

  USB Power Delivery

  Up to 96W (host), 7.5W USB-A (front), 4.5W USB-A (rear)

  Power supply included

  Yes

  Warranty

  Three years

  Max display res.

  Dual 4K@60Hz, 8K@60Hz (DSC)

  On the other hand, if you want a more professional look, the Kensington SD5780T is for you. Featuring a tough-looking metal chassis, it offers plenty of connectivity, including four USB Type-A ports, two downstream Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, and gigabit Ethernet. It also provides up to 96W of power to charge your MacBook.

  $324 at Amazon $340 at Lenovo

Best docking stations for the MacBook Pro (M3, 2023): Bottom line

As with most laptops, the best docking stations you can get for the M3-based MacBook Pro models are Thunderbolt docks, since they provide a high-speed connection most other docks can't match. A dock like the Plugable TBT4-UDZ gives you multiple display outputs and fast USB ports, plus super-fast 2.5Gbps Ethernet, and it's excellent value for money. For the base MacBook Pro models, though, a DisplayLink dock like the Plugable USB-C 4K Triple Display Docking Station may be a better option since it actually lets you use three external displays on any MacBook model.

Of course, if you want to save some money, the UtechSmart USB-C hub is also an excellent option. It similarly uses DisplayLink to enable multiple displays, though it doesn't support 4K at 60Hz. However, for such a low price, it offers fantastic connectivity.

If you haven't yet, you can buy the MacBook Pro using the links below.