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27 MacBook Accessories to Upgrade Your Desk Setup

From monitors to wireless keyboards, computer speakers to docking stations, here are the best add-ons to upgrade your workstation.

a laptop and a desktop computer on a desk Tucker Bowe

By Tucker Bowe

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If your MacBook is the basis of your home or office workstation, you’re not alone. Today’s MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros are incredibly popular and, thanks to Apple silicone, they’re more powerful and capable than they’ve been in years. That said, you can make them even better by upgrading your desk setup.

For most of us, a 14- or 16-inch screen just doesn’t cut it for long working days — so we can get an external monitor (or two). From there, we need stands to elevate our screens, adapters and docking stations to connect it all, and keyboards and mice to work more effectively. Pretty soon, your MacBook workstation is well and truly underway.

Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite accessories and peripherals to build out your MacBook workstation. Whether you’re just looking for a cheap monitor or you’re in the market for nice computer speakers, you can find the best options below.

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External Monitors

apple monitor
Apple’s Studio Display.
Tucker Bowe

Aside from your actual MacBook, the external monitor is probably the most pivotal part of your home or office workstation — it extends your computer’s screen so you can see more and be more productive. Below you’ll find our favorite monitors to pair with a Mac.

computer monitorAmazon

Best Budget Monitor

Dell 27-inch USB-C Monitor (S2723HC)

The Dell S2723HC is an affordable 27-inch HD monitor that works really well with modern MacBooks thanks to its single USB-C connection.

computer monitorAmazon

Best All-Around Monitor

Dell UltraSharp U2723QE

The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is an excellent 27-inch monitor that delivers a 4K picture and connects to (and charges) your MacBook via USB-C.

a silver apple studio display on a white backgroundApple

Best High-End Monitor

Apple Studio Display

The Studio Display is Apple’s gorgeous all-in-one 27-inch 5K monitor. It has built-in speakers, webcam and microphone and is specifically designed to work with the latest Macs.

Webcams

webcam on a computer monitor
The Logitech Brio 500.
Tucker Bowe

The majority of external monitors don’t have built-in webcams. And if you have an older laptop, its built-in webcam isn’t very good — its resolution is likely 720p or less — which is a problem given how often we’re on video calls these days. An external webcam is an easy desktop upgrade and they’re available in a wide variety of styles, abilities and prices.

webcamLogitech

Best Affordable External Webcam

Logitech Brio 300

The Brio 300 is an excellent budget-friendly webcam. It connects to your Mac via USB-C and delivers basically the same 1080p picture as the Brio 500.

webcamLogitech

Best All-Around External Webcam

Logitech Brio 500

The Brio 500 is very similar to the Brio 300, connecting to your Mac via USB-C, but it also has a built-in mic and advanced auto-tracking capabilities to keep you in frame.

Monitor Stands

macbook accessories
The Grovemade Wood Monitor Stand.
Tucker Bowe

A good monitor stand elevates your monitor’s (or iMac’s) screen so that it’s more even with your eye line. This can improve your posture and help you work more comfortably and productively. A monitor can add storage space, too, and just generally make your desktop look more organized and stylish.

computer on a stand with a keyboard and mouseAmazon

Best Budget Monitor Stand

Simple Houseware Metal Desk Monitor Stand

Simple Houseware’s monitor stand isn’t flashy, but it’s sturdy (thanks to its metal design) and has handy organizational slots.

a computer monitor and keyboardTwelve South

Best All-Around Monitor Stand

Twelve South Curve Riser

The Curve Riser is a minimalist monitor stand that’s relatively affordable. It has an all metal design and comes with a built-in storage shelf.

a computer monitor on a wooden shelfGrovemade

Best High-End Monitor Stand

Grovemade Wood Monitor Stand

This stand is a statement piece. Made of premium molded plywood, it’s available with either a walnut (shown) or maple finish.

Laptop Stands

macbook accessories
The Twelve South Curve.
Tucker Bowe

There are many kinds of laptop stands out there. If you use a monitor and monitor stand, you want a laptop stand that elevates your screen to a similar height; you’ll likely need a wireless keyboard and mouse in this setup. Other laptop stands sit on your desk and simply raise your keyboard, which alleviates pressure on your wrists as you type, enabling you to work more comfortably.

computer standSatechi

Best Budget Laptop Stand

Satechi Aluminum Laptop Stand

Satechi’s laptop stand has an minimalist design. It won’t lift your laptop off your desk, but does put it in a more ergonomic position for typing and viewing the screen.

MacBook Pro on Twelve South Curve laptop standAmazon

Best All-Around Laptop Stand

Twelve South Curve

Twelve South’s Curve elevates your laptop off the desk so that it better aligns the screen with your external monitor. Note: Apple even sells this stand to pair with its MacBooks.

grovemade wood laptop standGrovemade

Best High-End Laptop Stand

Grovemade Wood Laptop Stand

Simple, elegant and mostly wood — with a walnut or maple finish — Grovemade’s stand has a stainless steel stop that prevents your laptop from slipping.

Wireless Keyboards

macbook accessories
The Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad.
Tucker Bowe

A wireless keyboard allows you to position your MacBook (and its keyboard) farther away so that you can sit more ergonomically and work more comfortably. A lot of wireless keyboards pair well with Macs, but the below options all feel similar to Apple’s new-age Magic keyboards (not the low-travel keyboards with butterfly switches that were much maligned years ago).

keyboardLogitech

Best Budget Wireless Keyboard

Logitech K380

The Logitech K380 is a super affordable wireless keyboard that pairs well with Macs (as well as your iPad or iPhone via multi-device pairing).

keyboardLogitech

Best All-Around Wireless Keyboard

Logitech MX Keys S

The Logitech MX Keys S is a great productivity keyboard with a low profile. It feels very similar to but is considerably more affordable than Apple’s Magic Keyboards.

apple magic keyboard with touch id and numeric keypad for mac computers with apple silicon in whiteApple

Best Upgrade Wireless Keyboard

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

This Magic Keyboard has a numeric keypad and a Touch ID button, so you can unlock it without a password or PIN. Note: Touch ID only works if paired with a Mac that has Apple silicone.

Wireless Mice

macbook accessories
The Logitech Lift (for Mac).
Tucker Bowe

A wireless mouse is another essential desktop accessory since your MacBook (and its trackpad) is now likely elevated or closed. You could use Apple’s Magic Mouse, but it’s quite expensive and not nearly as ergonomic or versatile as other wireless mice out there, such as the ones below.

mouseAmazon

Best Budget Wireless Mouse

Logitech M720 Triathlon

The Logitech M720 Triathlon is an excellent affordable wireless mouse that can connect to your MacBook via Bluetooth or USB receiver.

wireless computer mouseAmazon

Best Ergonomic Mouse for Mac

Logitech Lift (for Mac)

The Lift is a small, affordable ergonomic mouse that’s super comfortable to wield and has adjustable settings that you can tweak via a companion app.

mouseLogitech

Best All-Around Wireless Mouse

Logitech MX Master 3S (for Mac)

The Logitech MX Master 3S continues to be our favorite mouse for Mac. It has two scroll wheels and customizable buttons, and it supports multi-device pairing.

USB-C Adapters and Docking Stations

macbook accessories
The Satechi Pro Hub Slim with an M2 MacBook Air.
Tucker Bowe

Your MacBook Air — and the MacBook Pro to a lesser extent — doesn’t have many ports, nor does it have much port variety. A multi-port adapter is a cheap and easy way to add extra ports (like USB-A and microSD card slots) to your laptop. A USB-C hub or docking station is often required to add even more ports and to power multiple external monitors.

tech deviceAmazon

Best Budget Adapter for MacBook

Plugable 5-in-1 USB-C Hub

This is an affordable adapter for the latest MacBooks. It adds USB-A (2x) ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5mm jack and leaves space for using your MagSafe charger.

a slim hubSatechi

Best All-Around Adapter for MacBook

Satechi Pro Hub Slim

The Satechi Pro Hub Slim adds a bunch of useful ports to your laptop, including a microSD slot, and you can get it in a finish to perfectly match your MacBook, too.

tech deviceAmazon

Best Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station

CalDigit TS3 Plus

The CalDigit TS3 Plus is a Thunderbolt 3 docking station that adds 15 total ports and supports up to two 4K displays. Apple even sells it to partner with its MacBooks.

Computer Speakers

macbook accessories
The Kanto Ora computer speakers.
Tucker Bowe

Most laptops don’t have great speakers. Neither do most external monitors (if they have speakers at all). And that’s why a solid set of computer speakers are so key. They’re easy to set up, connecting to your MacBook via 3.5mm (or USB-C), and they make everything sound much bigger and better.

presonus eris e3Amazon

Best AffordableComputer Speakers

PreSonus Eris E3

The PreSonus Eris E3.5 speakers look sharp, sound solid and cost under $100. They even have a built-in 3.5mm jack so you can connect headphones without unplugging your speakers.

audioengineAudioengine

Best All-Around Computer Speakers

Audioengine A2+ Wireless

The A2+ Wireless speakers have been among our favorites for years. They connect to your MacBook via AUX and have built-in Bluetooth for streaming. Additionally, they come in a couple different fun finishes.

speakersCrutchfield

Best Upgrade Computer Speakers

Kanto Ora

The Kanto Oras are reference quality desktop speakers with a 100-watt peak power — they get loud. They connect to your MacBook via USB-C and support up to 24-bit/96kHz lossless audio. They also have built-in Bluetooth.

Desktop Amp/DACs

wired headphones on a desk
The Audioengine D1 headphone DAC/amp.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

A desktop DAC/amp is a simple and (sometimes) affordable component that elevates the sound of your wired headphones. Your MacBook has a built-in amp/DAC, but it isn’t very good; its sound is flat, grainy and generally not very expansive. A desktop DAC/amp can effectively help your wired headphones sound more hi-fi.

ifi uno dac headphone input ampiFi Audio

Best Entry-Level Headphone DAC/Amp

iFi Uno

iFi’s Uno is a great little headphone DAC/amp with a tactile volume knob that makes a wonderful “click” sound when powered on/off.

headphone ampAudioengine

Best All-Around Headphone Amp/DAC

Audioengine D1 (2023)

Audioengine’s revamped D1 is an awesome plug-and-play desktop DAC/amp that connects to your MacBook via USB-C. Its USB-C connection allows you to use it with your iPhone 15 as well.

techAudioengine

Best High-End Headphone Amp/DAC

Audioengine N22 (2nd-Gen)

The 2023-released N22 is a headphone amp/DAC and desktop amplifier, so it allows you to turn passive bookshelf speakers into computer speakers as well.

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