10 Best MacBook Air Docking Stations in 2023

When we talk about something like a docking station for the MacBook Air, it’s hard to find a better offering than Anker’s USB C hub/docking station. It has the combination of perfect design along with all the necessary ports that you could ask for.

As the Apple MacBook Air revolutionized the concept of thin notebooks, it also evolved a great deal over the years. This also meant that the company had to make sacrifices with regard to connectivity or ports so as to keep the notebook thin.

If you bought a 13 inch MacBook Air model that was refreshed in 2018 or after, you will see that the notebook misses out on features like additional USB slots, while Apple has been kind enough to offer a headphone jack in some models. Needless to say, the lack of USB storage ports (USB 2.0 or 3.0) can be a great annoyance for the customers.

Thankfully, this is not a problem that cannot be fixed. Products known as docking stations or USB C hubs can basically add extra ports on your device by leveraging the USB C port(s) on your 13 inch MacBook Air or the MacBook Pro. As a bonus, some of the manufacturers even offer additional ports that you may not necessarily want.

Moreover, some manufacturers also offer Thunderbolt ports so as to provide an additional option to connect external displays. Though Thunderbolt has seen multiple evolutions (currently known as Thunderbolt 3), it’s worth noting that not all docks come this feature. So if you’re expecting Thunderbolt compatibility on a docking station, it’s always better to double-check.

However, no product is ever the same, which is why it’s important to pick the right dock for your 13 inch laptop. Some may not have the features you’re looking for, or may simply be inadequate for your use case.

This is why we’ve decided to talk about some of the best docking stations available today. We will cover products from a wide range of manufacturers so as to give you enough options to choose from. Even though most accessories are compatible with the MacBook Pro as well, we recommend checking closely before picking the docking station that you like.

So with this in mind, let’s check out the best docking stations that money can buy right now.

Best MacBook Air Docking Stations

---

1. Anker USB C Hub

Manufacturer of some of the best third-party accessories in the market, Anker has something for everyone. This USB C hub is neatly designed and fits perfectly well with your MacBook. What we like about this particular USB C hub is that it has ports that cover pretty much all bases. Speaking of which, this dock comes with a single Thunderbolt 3 enabled USB C port, a single USB C data transfer port, an HDMI port, two USB 3.0 ports for flash drives, and other storage devices, a microSD card slot, and an SD card slot.

Thanks to the aforementioned Thunderbolt port, users can theoretically connect two monitors using this dock at the same time. Additionally, this port can support up to 5K resolution displays, while it also aids in fast data transfer. This docking station plugs onto the two ports of your MacBook Air. Given that there’s no wiring involved here, this dock pretty much becomes a part of your MacBook when attached.

In general, it is recommended to unplug docking stations when not in use as it can be damaged during travel or while in a backpack. This is perhaps why the company offers a travel pouch for this dock, something that we seldom see from USB C docking stations. This dock station/hub is also backed by Anker’s 18-month warranty. Taking these factors into account, it’s clear that this is among the best dock you can get right now.

Buy it Now: Amazon

---

2. VAVA USB C Hub

Though this is not among the USB C docking stations that would hug your laptop completely and it has a small wire that plugs into one of the MacBook’s USB ports. In terms of available features, users get some bonus ports to pick from with this offering. To start with, this dock comes with a Gigabit Ethernet port for wired internet connectivity. This is a major feature for some users as MacBook’s no longer come with a default Gigabit Ethernet port.

Also onboard this docking station are two USB 3.0 ports, a single USB 2.0 port, one HDMI port, a microSD + SD card slot, and a USB C power delivery port for charging your laptop at up to 100W. Since this dock uses only one USB C port on your MacBook, users can keep the Thunderbolt 3 port free at all times, potentially allowing for multi-display connectivity without much effort. So the lack of a dedicated Thunderbolt port with the hub is not a concern.

The ports are neatly spaced amongst themselves which means cables won’t be tightly packed even when you’ve plugged in every port. While most of the ports can be commonly found in another dock, the presence of a Gigabit Ethernet port certainly puts this product among the best USB C docking stations out there.

Buy it Now: Amazon

---

3. Hiearcool Docking Station

This is a classy looking docking station that comes with an aluminum outer shell, providing durability and style. The manufacturer has covered all the bases here, which means you will find plenty of ports to choose from. To start with, this dock has two USB 3.0 ports for peripherals and data transfer. There are two USB C ports here with one of them being a Thunderbolt 3 slot while the other supports USB Power Delivery at 100W for fast charging your MacBook.

What’s special about this docking station is that it comes with two HDMI ports, allowing you to connect more than two external monitors to your laptop at the same time. However, while one display can provide 4K content at 60 fps, connecting a second display via the HDMI port maxes out at 4K 30 fps. The company has also added a single Gigabit Ethernet port for wired internet connection at up to 1,000 Gbps.

This docking station doesn’t require any sort of driver installation when you’re plugging it in for the first time. It is recommended to charge the MacBook using the onboard Power Delivery or PD port as using the other USB C port may cause display issues.

Buy it Now: Amazon

---

4. LIONWEI Docking Hub

If you thought a USB C docking station can only have so many ports, well, think again. This product by Lionwei comes with a whopping 12 connectors/ports, allowing you to plug in practically any external device, including hard drives, to your MacBook. What makes this particular docking station stand out is the fact that it comes with a conventional VGA display port. While modern-day monitors have completely dropped this feature, it’s good to know there’s an option available.

This dock also includes two HDMI ports, two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, microSD + SD card slots, one USB C slot with power delivery support, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which also allows you to plug in a microphone. The wide range of display connectivity options allows owners to link this with up to three monitors using mirroring or as an extension of your MacBook. There’s Thunderbolt 3 support included here as well.

Given the number of ports that this dock powers, it will take up both ports on your laptop. The manufacturer mentions that this USB hub can work with a wide range of Apple notebooks, including the MacBook Pro. In line with top brands, the company provides 18 months of warranty with this offering. Thanks to the wide range of ports available here, this certainly comes under one of the best Thunderbolt dock stations out there.

Buy it Now: Amazon

---

5. NOV8Tech USB C Hub T83

Let’s face it, most USB hubs or docking stations aren’t that appealing to look at and can take quite a bit of space. But what if there’s a USB dock that can seamlessly blend with your MacBook without leaving behind any wires externally? Well, this offering by Nov8Tech does exactly that. What’s most impressive about this particular unit is the fact that it comes in all the standard Apple colors, including Space Grey, Gold, and Silver. In line with the 13 inch MacBook design, this docking station is also made using aluminum.

Given that it plugs directly onto the two ports on your Apple laptop, it misses out on some of the ports that we may find on other offerings. However, this is a sacrifice one has to make for attractive looking USB docking stations. The manufacturer is clearly planning this to be a minimalistic kind of a dock, and it has 2 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB C ports, and an SD card + microSD card slot. There’s also an HDMI port on one end, allowing for seamless pairing with your 4K monitor or display.

One of these USB C ports also acts as a Thunderbolt 3 port, letting you use just this singular port to connect to an external monitor. Naturally, you can use the USB C and the HDMI port in tandem for a multi-display setup.

Buy it Now: Amazon

---

6. TOTU USB C Hub

This is yet another highly functional MacBook docking station that comes with every port that a user could ask for. To start with, this dock offers two HDMI ports for the ability to connect two displays at a time. Additionally, there are three USB 3.0 ports onboard for data storage devices, peripherals, and so on. Rounding off the list are microSD + SD card slots, and a solitary USB C port with power delivery support.

Though there’s no Thunderbolt 3 port here, this product makes up for it by being very slim and easy to carry. It’s also worth mentioning that this docking station will use both ports on your MacBook. This is very similar to the Anker offering that we talked about above, with the only difference being that this has more ports onboard, especially the additional HDMI port in lieu of the second USB C slot.

If you’re looking for some of the best USB C Docking Stations on a budget, this offering comes very close. Be sure to have a closer look at the product from the link below.

Buy it Now: Amazon

---

7. Saferell Docking Station

This docking hub has a wide range of features, allowing you to connect displays, as well as peripherals like a mouse and keyboard, with still some slots left for other devices. Its design is slightly different from conventional USB C hubs in that it doesn’t directly plug into the MacBook, and it has a separate wire that connects to the laptop. This can be a good or bad thing depending on what you prefer.

In terms of ports, the dock comes with 4 USB 3.0 ports, two HDMI ports, and a Type C connectors with one of them allowing Thunderbolt connectivity, allowing for maximum flexibility with regard to plugged-in devices as well as external displays. Utilizing the dual HDMI slots as well as the Thunderbolt 3/4 USB C slot for displays, you can connect up to three displays at a time.

This dock also has SD/TF card slot, and a Gigabit Ethernet port, which as we’ve said already, is not a common feature among MacBook Docking Stations. If you’re looking to completely revamp the connectivity and setup of your laptop, this is perhaps one of the best out there.

Buy it Now: Amazon

---

8. GIKERSY USB C Hub

Among the several USB C hubs that we’ve discussed in this article, this one stands out primarily for its design. Though it’s lengthier than most docs we’ll come across, it makes up for it with a thin profile, almost blending with the new MacBook design. To begin with, the company provides two HDMI slots on this docking station for multi-display connections in addition to three USB C ports.

However, the company specifies that none of the USB C ports support Thunderbolt 3 compatibility, so only the HDMI ports can be used for display mirroring or extension. There is support for USB Power Delivery, however. Further, there are 2 USB 3.0 ports for external storage devices or peripherals.

As a bonus, the maker has also added a 3.5mm headphone jack which can also take in microphones. It comes in Space Grey, though there are no other color variants on offer right now. This dock utilizes both USB C ports on your MacBook and even has a bracket beneath it to make sure it blends with your laptop’s design. While we don’t like the lack of a Thunderbolt port, the other features are well covered here.

Buy it Now: Amazon

---

9. IOGEAR Compact USB-C Docking Station

There’s no doubt that USB-C docks can be bought in several shapes and sizes. However, this is one of the most unique looking docks out there thanks to the fact that it comes with a box-like design, allowing plenty of room for ports of all shapes and sizes. To start with, this docking station has three USB C ports that allow you to connect flash drives, as well as accessories or peripherals for your laptop.

Further, there’s a single HDMI port, and a conventional VGA display slot, and a MiniDisplay port as well, giving you three separate options to connect your monitors, though HDMI is undoubtedly the better option when there’s no Thunderbolt 3 support. There’s only one USB C slot here but it supports power delivery at nearly 100W. Moving on, the company has also included a 3.5mm headphone jack and the mandatory SD card + microSD card slot combo.

There’s even a Gigabit Ethernet port here, so the company has left no stone unturned in making this one of the best USB C docks out there. This product is backed by a one-year warranty and lifetime technical support by the company. This dock is only available in White with no other color options to choose from.

Buy it Now: Amazon

---

10. Lasuney Triple Display Hub

As versatile as a USB C hub can get, this offering comes with a total of 10 additional ports, using one USB C slot on your laptop. While most offerings provide the ability to connect up to 10 devices, they usually require both ports on your laptop to fully function. Keeping this in mind, this is an excellent design choice by the manufacturer.

As for the ports here, there are a total of three USB 3.0 slots, two HDMI ports, and even a standard DisplayPort for good measure. Additionally, there’s a Gigabit Ethernet port on this hub, while the conventional set of microSD and SD card slots are also present here.

The solitary USB C slot can also provide USB power Delivery for charging up your laptop as you operate it. This may be necessary if you’re planning to plug into some of the ports as the laptop can drain significantly faster when running on battery power. Unfortunately, there’s no Thunderbolt port on this USB C dock. However, since it only requires one USB C slot from your MacBook, the existing Thunderbolt slot can be utilized by the users.

Though we would’ve loved to see more than one USB C opening, it’s good to know that the manufacturer has provided some other essential ports in abundance. We rate this among the top USB C docking stations thanks to the wide range of devices that it can support. There are no color options available here, with only a Silver version available at the time of this writing.

Buy it Now: Amazon

---