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In recent years Thunderbolt has become an essential part of many laptops and PCs. Developed by Intel, the Thunderbolt protocol uses USB Type-C ports to deliver very high bandwidths — up to 40Gbps, as of Thunderbolt 4 — which can be used to connect all kinds of peripherals. Many of the best laptops you can buy today come with Thunderbolt ports, and the accessories you can use with them range from docking stations to external GPUs, which can greatly expand the capabilities of your laptop.
Being proprietary Intel technology does mean Thunderbolt isn't available on almost any AMD laptop. While the technology is royalty-free, there are costs associated with delivering such high bandwidth, plus there's a certification process that needs to be paid for, so companies often leave the feature out of cheaper laptops. You'll also find Thunderbolt support in the latest MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch, even though they don't have the Thunderbolt logo next to their ports.
But if you have a Thunderbolt port, how do you make the most of it? We're here to help, and we've rounded up a ton of the best Thunderbolt accessories you can buy that make use of this high bandwidth. As we've mentioned, there are docking stations and external GPUs, but some monitors and storage devices also use Thunderbolt. And of course, you might need Thunderbolt cables, so we have some of those as well.
Best Thunderbolt docks
Starting with some of the best and most popular Thunderbolt accessories, we have docking stations. Thunderbolt docks can be used to add more ports to your laptop, whether that's USB Type-A, display outputs, Ethernet, or even more Thunderbolt ports if you want to daisy-chain. There are lots of ports out there with different designs, ports, and prices, so here are a few great ones you can get:
Plugable 16-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
This Plugable docking station comes with a whopping 16 ports in a relatively compact design, including four display outputs, 2.5Gb Ethernet.
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
The CalDigit TS4 is one of the most expensive docks, but with multiple Thunderbolt downstream ports, USB Type-A and Type-C, DisplayPort, Ethernet, and more, it's an incredibly robust solution.
Anker 777 Thunderbolt 4 Dock Anker 777 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
The Anker 777 is a premium dock with an all-metal chassis and plenty of ports, including two HDMI outputs, USB Type-A, and Ethernet.
Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock
This sleek, yet premium-looking dock adds multiple Thunderbolt downstream ports, USB Type-A, Ethernet, and more. The white colorway may also be better for some setups.
Kensington Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
This Kensington dock has a tough-looking metal design and gives you plenty of ports including downstream Thunderbolt, USB Type-A, an SD card reader, Ethernet, and a headphone jack, plus 90W charging for your laptop.
Satechi Thunderbolt 3 Dock Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Dock
This Satechi Thunderbolt 4 dock isn't overly expensive compared to other options, but it still has a good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt downstream connections, USB Type-A, and Ethernet.
Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4 Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4
This Dell docking station is another great option featuring four display outputs, Ethernet, USB Type-A, and downstream Thunderbolt. It has a modular design that separates the power supply from the ports, which can make repairs esaier.
- Source: Anker
Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Mini Dock
If you want to add more Thunderbolt ports to your laptop, the Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 adds three of them, plus a USB Type-A port for peripherals. It supports 85W charging for your laptop.
- Source: CalDigit
CalDigit Element Hub
Another great option if your main focus is adding more Thunderbolt ports, the CalDigit Element Hub gives you three of them, plus four USB Type-A connections.
Best external GPU enclosures
One of the best (and coolest) Thunderbolt accessories is an external GPU you can connect to your laptop using a single cable. Many of us want a lightweight laptop that's easy to carry, but also want the power of a gaming PC at home, and external GPUs can let you do exactly that. While eGPUs were a thing before Thunderbolt, it's a lot easier to use them now, and there are plenty of choices for GPU enclosures depending on your taste and needs.
One thing to note here is that Apple Silicon Macs do not support external GPUs, so you won't be able to use these with those laptops. And on Intel-based MacBooks, only some AMD Radeon GPUs are supported.
Sonnet Breakaway Box 750
This Sonnet GPU enclosure comes with a stylish design that looks modern, but it has a powerful 750W PSU, capable of providing up to 475W to your GPU during peak loads (375W continuous), plus 100W to your laptop. It won't fit a GeForce RTX 3090, though.
Razer Core X Chroma Razer Core X Chroma
For fans of RGB lighting, the Razer Core X Chroma can add a sprinkle of color to your desk setup. It also has a 700W PSU with 500W of power for the GPU and 100W charging for your laptop, and support for up to 3-slot GPUs, which should accommodate most modern GPUs.
Gigabyte Aorus RTX 3080 Gaming Box Gigabyte Aorus RTX 3080 Gaming Box
Unlike most GPU enclosures, the Aorus Gaming Box comes with a GPU preinstalled, in this case, an RTX 3080. Plus, it has lots of venting and plenty of ports at the back. It can be hard to find in stock, however.
Best Thunderbolt monitors
If you want a direct connection to your monitor without any adapters, there are a few display options that support Thunderbolt connections. These are usually fairly high-end monitors, since cheaper alternatives usually come with HDMI, DisplayPort, or a standard USB Type-C connection. In addition to being high-end display, some of the best Thunderbolt monitors let you connect other accessories, serving as a sort of docking station, too. Here are some great options:
Dell UltraSharp 27 UP2720Q Dell UltraSharp UP2720Q
The Dell UltraSharp 27 4K monitor comes in a super-sharp 4K resolution, it covers 100% of Adobe RGB, and it's Calman-ready for advanced color calibration. It also offers a 1300:1 contrast ratio and it includes a hood for better visibility.
BenQ PD3220U BenQ PD3220U
If you want an ultra-sharp professional monitor, the BenQ PD3220U comes with a 4K display that covers 100% of sRGB and Rec. 709, 95% of DCI-P3, and it has a color accuracy rated at Delta E ≤ 3. it also supports Thunderbolt daisy-chaining.
Lenovo ThinkVision P27u-20
This 27-inch monitor comes with an extremely sharp 4K panel and it covers 99% of DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB. It also supports DisplayHDR 400 and features a wide range of connectivity, including an Ethernet port and a USB hub.
Samsung J791 Series Samsung J791 34-inch Ultrawide Monitor
Ultrawide monitors are great for productivity, and this one is a solid starting point. It's sharp, it has a 100Hz refresh rate, and it adds extra ports, including Thunderbolt daisy-chaining. Plus, it's relatively affordable.
LG UltraWide 38WN95C-W
If you want a gaming monitor that uses Thunderbolt, this is probably the closest you can get. It's an ultrawide display with QHD resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and NVIDIA G-Sync support. It also supports HDR 600 and covers 98% of DCI-P3.
Dell UltraSharp U4021QW
Need a lot of space and a lot of pixels? This ultra-wide Dell monitor comes in at 40 inches and it features an extra sharp 5K2K panel, giving you a ton of space to have multiple apps side by side, making multi-tasking a breeze. It comes at a cost, though.
Best Thunderbolt storage
They're not very common, but if you want super-fast external storage for your laptop, Thunderbolt SSDs are one of the best accessories you can get. There are a few options out there from different companies, and while they can be a bit pricy, you definitely get your money's worth if you care about speed. Here are some great options:
Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q
This Sabrent SSD comes in a wide range of capacities, ranging from 512GB to 8TB, though some models are unavailable. It uses Thunderbolt to deliver speeds up to 2,700MB/s, but it also works over regular USB ports at up to 900MB/s.
Fantom Drives Extreme Fantom Drives Extreme
A great alternative, this Fantom Drives SSD comes in a sleek metal chassis and capacities up to 4TB. Speeds go up to 2,800MB/s (reads) using Thunderbolt, and up to 1,050MB/s for regular USB connections.
Plugable Thunderbolt 3 SSD Plugable Thunderbolt 3 SSD
This option from Plugable has a different design with a built-in cable so you don't have to worry about losing it. This model is slightly slower, with speeds up to 2,400MB/s, and it doesn't work with non-Thunderbolt ports.
TEKQ Super Veloce SSD TEKQ Super Veloce SSD
More than just a portable SSD, this model is actually a full-blown enclosure for any SSD you want, so you can upgrade it later on, or replace the SSD if you want to sell the external drive to someone else. Speeds go up to 2,400MB/s, but it won't work unless your PC supports Thunderbolt.
SanDisk Professional PRO-G40
This professional SSD from SanDisk offers very high transfer speeds up to 2,700MB/s and it also supports regular USB connections with speeds up to 1,050MB/s. It comes in an extra durable design that resists dust, water, and up to 4000 pounds of crushing force.
LaCie Rugged SSD LaCie Rugged SSD Pro
A solid alternative to SanDisk's model, this LaCie SSD has a more rubberized design and it supports speeds up to 2,400MB/s using Thunderbolt, though it also works at slower speeds on regular USB ports.
Best Thunderbolt cables
In the midst of all these accessories, it's best not to forget they require specific Thunderbolt cables. While most will usually include those cables in the box, you might lose them or they might get damaged. If you need a replacement, here are a few options for you:
Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Cable
This Thunderbolt 4 cable not only supports 40Gbps transfer speeds, it also offers 240W charging if you have a compatible PC and charger, making it fast enough to charge even the most demanding laptops.
Maxonar Thunderbolt 4 Cable Maxonar Thunderbolt 4 Cable
For extra durability, this Maxonar cable is completely wrapped in nylon. It supports all the Thunderbolt 4 features, and it comes in lengths up to 6.6ft.
Anker Thunderbolt 4 Cable Anker Thunderbolt 4 Cable
This Anker cable gives you the full functionality of Thunderbolt 4, including 40Gbps bandwith and 100W of power. it's 2.2ft long, which is enough for most uses.
When it comes to buying any accessory, it's always up to your personal needs, so you may or may not find value in all of these categories. Either way, Thunderbolt accessories have capabilities that far exceed most USB devices, whether it's giving you ultra-fast external SSDs, allowing you to play high-end games on a lightweight laptop, or powering your whole desk setup with just one port. For all of those needs, the accessories on this list will serve you very well and you have options to choose from. It's worth noting that with the advent of USB4, many Thunderbolt capabilities are possible on laptops that don't officially support Thunderbolt, but it's always up to each manufacturer to decide how USB4 is implemented into their devices. Some features may not be available, so you'll need to look deeper into it.
If you're still looking for a laptop that can make full use of these accessories, we do have a list of the best Thunderbolt 4 laptops you can buy today. Those will all support the accessories on this list.
