Best Docking Station for MacBook Air

USB-C and Thunderbolt docks that work with every MacBook Air model

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

The MacBook Air has limited ports (2 Thunderbolt/USB-C on most models), so a docking station makes a real difference for desk setups. The biggest thing to know: all M1, M2, M3, and M4 MacBook Air models only support one external display through native Thunderbolt or USB-C. If you need dual monitors, you will need a DisplayLink dock.

The MacBook Air also has lower power requirements (30-45W) than the MacBook Pro, so you do not need to pay extra for a high-wattage dock. A 60W dock will charge your Air at full speed. Use the table below to compare docks by price, ports, and display support.

MacBook Air Display Limitation

All M1/M2/M3/M4 MacBook Air models support one external display only through Thunderbolt or USB-C. For dual monitors, you need a DisplayLink dock (Dell D6000, Targus DOCK570). This is an Apple hardware limit that no Thunderbolt dock can bypass.

19 docks· loading prices...

CalDigit TS4
TB4 · 18p · 2d · 98W
Best OverallEditor's Choice
UGREEN Revodok Max 213
TB4 · 12p · 2d · 90W
Best Value TB4
OWC TB4 Dock
TB4 · 10p · 2d · 96W
Best Value
Plugable TBT4-UDZ
TB4 · 15p · 4d · 98W
Best for Quad Displays
Anker 575
USB-C · 12p · 3d · 85W
Best Value
Kensington SD5700T
TB4 · 10p · 2d · 90W
HP TB Dock G4
TB4 · 10p · 4d · 100W
Best for BusinessMulti-Display Champion
CalDigit TS3 Plus
TB3 · 12p · 2d · 87W
Mac Favorite
Dell WD22TB4
TB4 · 10p · 2d · 90W
Best for Dell
Satechi TB4 Slim Hub Pro
TB4 · 4p · 2d · 96W
Best Portable Hub
Lenovo TB4 Dock
TB4 · 11p · 4d · 100W
Best for EnterpriseBest for Multi-Monitor
Anker 553
USB-C · 8p · 2d · 85W
Budget Pick
Lenovo USB-C Dock
USB-C · 11p · 3d · 65W
Best for Enterprise
Belkin TB4 Core Hub
TB4 · 4p · 2d · 96W
Budget TB4 Hub
Targus DOCK570
USB-C · 15p · 4d · 100W
Best for Quad Displays
j5create JCD552
USB-C · 10p · 2d · 100W
Best with SSD Slot
Dell D6000
USB-C · 11p · 3d · 65W
Most Compatible
Dell WD19TBS
TB3 · 9p · 2d · 90W
Best Value (Used)
Plugable UD-6950Z
USB-C · 12p · 2d · 0W
Universal Compatibility

Top Picks for MacBook Air

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a MacBook Air use a docking station?
Yes. Every MacBook Air since the 2018 model has at least one Thunderbolt/USB-C port that works with docking stations. The M1 and later MacBook Air models have Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 ports, so both Thunderbolt and USB-C docks will work.
How many monitors can a MacBook Air support with a dock?
Base M1/M2/M3/M4 MacBook Air supports only one external display natively through any dock. This is an Apple Silicon hardware limitation, not a dock limitation. To connect two monitors, you need a DisplayLink dock (like the Dell D6000 or Targus DOCK570), which uses software rendering to bypass the single-display restriction.
What power delivery wattage does a MacBook Air need?
The MacBook Air charges at 30W-45W depending on the model. A dock with 60W PD or higher will charge your MacBook Air at full speed while running peripherals. Even a 30W dock will keep the battery from draining during normal use. You do not need a 96W dock for a MacBook Air.
Is a Thunderbolt dock worth it for a MacBook Air?
For single-monitor setups, yes. TB4 docks give you 40 Gbps bandwidth and plug-and-play dual 4K support (though only one display works on base M-series chips). If you just need a few extra ports, a more affordable USB-C hub or the Belkin TB4 Dock Core at $150 is a better value for the MacBook Air.