The Apple Mac Mini with M1 chip shares a similar look with the older Mac Minis. However, it offers fewer connectivity options. Compared to the 2018 Mini (which had 4 Thunderbolt ports), the new variant has only 2 Thunderbolt ports, and you can’t swap the SSD or add more RAM. That’s where the best docking stations for the Apple Mac Mini M1 can be helpful.
Hagibis Type-C Docking Station
Hagibis Type-C Docking Station
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The Hagibis USB Type-C docking station is an affordable dock for the Mac Mini M1 if you are looking for a couple of extra ports. The highlight of this device is its compact shape and the front-facing ports, making it easy to connect peripherals and accessories.
The Hagibis docking station includes a 2.5-inch SATA interface, two USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports each, and slots for Micro SD and SD cards. The SATA interface supports up to 5TB drives. The file transfer speeds are decent. The dock works if you plan to transfer stuff occasionally and don’t care much about the speeds.
What We Like
- Compact design
- Offers front-facing ports
What We Don’t Like
- Average file transfer speeds
Agptek USB-C Docking Station & Stand for Mac Mini
Agptek USB-C Docking Station & Stand for Mac Mini
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The Agptek USB-C docking station is a small and affordable dock that lets you extend the use of the Mac Mini. One of the advantages of this dock is that the USB Type-C port supports secondary monitors, and you can run up to 4K displays on this one. However, it would be best to use the Thunderbolt or the HDMI ports on the Mac Mini.
While the company claims that the dock can support up to 5GB, check the size and dimensions of your drive before hitting the buy button. Another thing to note before buying is that the dock has a slippery and shiny surface. While it’s great to look at, it does increase the chance of slippage.
What We Like
- Small and affordable
- Supports secondary monitors
What We Don’t Like
- Slippery and shiny surface
Satechi USB Type-C Aluminum Stand & Hub
Satechi Type-C Aluminum Stand & Hub
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Satechi is known for its quality accessories, and the dock for the Mac Mini M1 is no different. It packs a few important features. For one, the dock has a slight indentation that allows your Mini and the dock to stack up properly. At the same time, the Satechi dock packs an audio jack, which is missing in all the docks above.
The best part of this dock is the design. Apart from the indentation, the air vents keep the Mini cool. Plus, the LED indicator aligns with the light of the Mac Mini and helps to give it a uniform look. Apart from the audio jack, there are three USB Type-A ports, a single USB Type-C port, and slots for a Micro SD card and an SD card. There’s a dedicated cavity for a hard drive. However, if you have high-speed cards like CF and XQD cards, you may want to use a USB Type-C card reader to make the most of them.
What We Like
- Packs an audio jack
- Impressive design
What We Don’t Like
- Slightly expensive
READYXIO Mac Mini Docking Stand
READYXIO Mac Mini Docking Stand
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This vertical docking station from READXIO has three USB-A ports, a headphone jack, a USB-C port, a micro SD card slot, and a standard SD card slot. Additionally, you’re also getting a phone holder, which you can use to rest your phone in the horizontal orientation. Good for consuming media on your desk. It is slightly more expensive compared to some other run-of-the-mill docks. But you’re paying for the design and unique form factor.
What We Like
- Vertical stand
- Houses a phone holder
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
OWC Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock
OWC Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock
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The OWC Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock is a good pick because it brings the Thunderbolt advantage. The OWC Thunderbolt 3 Mini makes for a good buy if you switch between using the Thunderbolt port on the dock and the Mac Mini.
While the dock already has two HDMI ports. You will not find much use for them if you use the dock primarily for your Mac Mini. However, if you can’t compromise on speed and want a third Thunderbolt port (apart from the usual USB ports), then the OWC Thunderbolt dock is worth buying. Alternatively, you can also check out the Belkin Thunderbolt Mini dock. It shares a similar design with the OWC dock, although the build quality is better in this one.
Buy Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Mini
What We Like
- Offers a Thunderbolt port
- Sturdy design
What We Don’t Like
- Does compromise on speed
You can connect up to two external displays to your M1 Mac Mini. You can use the built-in HDMI port to connect one display and a dock to connect the other one.
All the docks mentioned on this list obtain power from the Mac Mini and don’t need any external power source.
