Buyer's Guide 2020: Mac Accessories & Gear

Macs are our main hub for work and entertainment. We need to have gear and accessories to keep them charged, protected from accidents, and have components that add the most to their value. We've put together some of our favorite Mac docks, charging ports, Mac adapters, and even a headphone stand in our 2020 Buyer's Guide for Mac accessories. You'll find items from Brydge, Avantree, Anker, and more, offering a range of sturdy, innovative, and classic products for your Mac. 

Related: Buyer's Guide 2020: Best Apple Watch Accessories 

Brydge MacBook Vertical Dock ($379.99)

This Apple laptop charger has transformed my home office. The sleek Brydge Vertical Dock allows you to neatly insert your MacBook and gain instant access to any peripherals you want to keep permanently connected. My sound system, monitor, keyboard, webcam, and hard drives are all connected to the two high-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports. When I want to work outside, I just remove my laptop from the Apple MacBook charger dock and go! Space gray finish exactly matches the MacBook and has a minimalist look that matches the Apple aesthetic. This dock saves a ton of desk space and keeps wires out of view.

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Avantree Universal Wooden Aluminum Headphone Stand ($30)

This headphone stand offers a smart way to keep your workspace clean and tidy. It’s also an effective way to protect your headphones long-term. This stand has a simple but sturdy build that grips the surface beneath it and a built-in tray for your headphones’ cable. If you’re looking for simple ways to neaten up your workspace, this classy headphone stand will make an excellent addition to your desktop.

Anker PowerExpand 7-in-2 USB-C PD Direct Adaptor ($54.99)

This MacBook Pro adaptor completely makes up for the lack of ports on the MacBook, giving you two classic USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, an HDMI port, plus an SD and Micro SD card reader. The sleek style and aluminum finish perfectly complement the look and feel of your MacBook. It’s a perfect fix for Mac connectivity, whether it’s for your home office or travel.

ViewSonic VP2785-2K Monitor ($550)

This 27-inch monitor offers a high-resolution image that meets the high demands of graphic designers and video editors. What I love most about this monitor is that it connects via USB-C and even charges my MacBook while I’m using it, eliminating the need for a power cable to my laptop. Additionally, it has a variety of extra ports that allow me to connect my keyboard and webcam without the need for extra cables and adapters. These connectivity features are a huge perk for MacBook users. Note that you will need a special USB-C cable that transmits video in order to connect via USB-C.

OWC Envoy Pro EX SSD Hard Drive ($119)

I didn’t know I could love an external hard drive this much! The OWC Envoy Pro EX is a beautiful piece of tech with a polished look and feel. Solid-state hard drives use flash-based memory, which performs faster than traditional hard drives. The casing is nearly indestructible and it’s backed by a three-year warranty. It comes in a variety of capacities, allowing you to choose the right size for you. This drive is compatible with the iPad Pro, allowing you to move and back up photos, videos, and files between your Apple devices.

RAVPower PD Pioneer GaN Charger ($55.99)

This two-port wall charger is faster than any other MacBook charger I’ve used. It can simultaneously charge my MacBook and iPad Pro faster than the Apple computer chargers included with my devices. The form factor is smaller and more portable than the one that comes with a MacBook, and, with the multiple ports, it gives you one less item to pack when traveling.

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Author Details

Nicholas Naioti's picture

Author Details

Nicholas Naioti

Nicholas Naioti is a Video Producer and Ad Specialist at iPhone Life. Nicholas has produced hundreds of video tips for iPhone Life in addition to his 9 years of experience in tech education. He is a frequent contributor to iPhone Life magazine and has been a guest on the iPhone Life Podcast. Nicholas also has a career in music and has released 8 full-length albums and composed cinematic scores for film, television, and podcasts, in addition to extensive touring. Nicholas currently resides in Kirksville, Missouri.