The 24-inch iMac M1 is one of the best Macs for those who don't work on the go. Though, just like some other recent Mac models, its port variety is quite limited. You pretty much only get Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack. This makes relying on wired accessories challenging to many users. Fortunately, you can rely on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C dongles to fully utilize the 24-inch iMac M1. To help you with the hunt, we've listed some of the best picks below.
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Editor's choice
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)
The Kensington SD5780T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station supports the newer HDMI 2.1 standard for connections to newer displays. It also has 11 ports, including an SD card slot, and can easily be mounted and locked.
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Premium pick
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 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
Thunderbolt docks don't get a lot better than the CalDigit TS4. With a total of 18 ports, including Thunderbolt downstream ports, DisplayPort, USB-C, USB-A, and super-fast 2.5Gb Ethernet, this one is something else.
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Multifunctional product
Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station
The Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station will help you better organize your workstation, as it doubles up as a stand to raise your iMac while adding more ports to it.
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DVI support
Plugable 11-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
This versatile station offers DVI, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, audio output/input ports, and more. Notably, it offers several USB-A ports, making it ideal for those with plenty of Type-A accessories.
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Essential ports
Baseus 17-in-1 Dock
This docking station provides 16 ports, including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, SD card, and much more. It certainly will take your iMac to the next level.
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Includes VGA
UtechSmart 12-in-1 USB-C Docking Station
This medium-sized docking station offers 12 ports, including ethernet, VGA, HDMI, USB Type-A and Type-C, in addition to more.
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Durable pick
CalDigit Element Hub
If you want a very compact dock and you mostly rely on Thunderbolt-based peripherals, the CalDigit Element Hub may be for you. It only has a few ports, but with three Thunderbolt downstream connections and four USB Type-A ports, it's still very capable.
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Best value
Mokin 5-in-1 USB Hub
If you want a very cheap adapter that still gives you a few options, this Mokin hub includes an HDMI port, two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and Gigabit Ethernet, all in a compact package.
Our favorite 24-inch iMac M1 docks
When deciding which one to buy, the key thing to remember is that the Apple M1 doesn't support multiple external monitors, doesn't support external GPUs, and won't make use of power delivery. That means that when selecting the dock for your iMac, all you really need is ports.
If I personally had to pick a dock for my 24-inch iMac M1, I would certainly opt for the Kensington docking station, as it offers a bit of everything, and it's manufactured by a reputable brand. Otherwise, power users will likely appreciate the CalDigit TS4, while those on a budget may want to look into the Mokin hub.
Apple iMac (2021)
- Brand
- Apple
- CPU
- 8-core
- Graphics
- 7-core, 8-core
- Memory
- 8GB, 16GB
- Storage
- 256GB, 512GB
- Ports
- 2x Thunderbolt, 3.5mm headphone jack, Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB
This 24-inch iMac is a mighty all-in-one desktop computer that comes in seven different color options. It is powered by the Apple M1 chip.