Bring joy to MacBook, iMac and Mac mini users with these great accessory gifts
What do you buy your favorite Mac user this holiday season? We’re going to help you select the best gifts available for users of the MacBook, iMac, and Mac mini.
If not a brand new Mac (check out our Mac Buying Guide if your budget stretches that far), then how about one of the many available Mac accessories? Throughout the year we have tested and reviewed the best Mac accessories from Apple and trusted companies, and we can recommend the best ones for the people on your list. Whether your friend or family member owns a MacBook Air or Pro, an iMac or a Mac mini, we’ve got some great Mac gift suggestions for you (and them).Mac Gift Guide: Bags and sleeves
The MacBook makes an excellent static computer, especially when hooked up to an external screen or Mac docking station, but it is of course also an excellent portable computer. MacBook owners are likely to carry their Mac laptops around with them either on a daily basis or every now and again.
We have tested the best MacBook bags and sleeves and most are available for all sizes of MacBook. Check that list to see the widest range of MacBook bags and sleeves you can select as a gift. here we’ve picked out a few of our favorites, from simple sleeves to rugged backpacks.
1. Journey NEXA 4-in-1 Laptop Sleeve – Wireless Charging MacBook sleeve
Pros
Luxury sleeve
Includes MagSafe wireless charger
Here’s a modern-looking MacBook sleeve with some very modern extras: not only will this padded vegan leather sleeve keep a MacBook safe from bumps and scrapes, it also includes two wireless chargers (one MagSafe compatible at 7.5W for your iPhone, and another 5W Qi charger for your AirPods) and can work as both a deskpad and mousepad to free your workspace of clutter.
2. Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack – Super-stylish MacBook backpack
Pros
Super stylish
Plenty of storage
Hidden iPhone and AirTag pockets
Available in Black, Navy, Air Force Blue and Obsidian Green, this 25L MacBook backpack oozes chic luxury and premium design. There’s a generous selection of storage pockets, including one for your iPhone hidden in one of the straps, and there’s even a special pocket for an Apple AirTag. The laptop section is at the back and easy to access, with easily enough space for a 16-inch MacBook Pro. For more details read a full Troubadour Apex 3.0 review at Tech Advisor.
3. Bellroy Laptop Sleeve – Premium MacBook protection sleeve
Pros
Premium feel
Magnetic closure
Available in Black, Slate, Navy, Bronze and a leather-free Saltbush., the Bellroy Laptop Sleeve is a quality protector for your precious laptop. Outside, the woven, water-resistant material is made from 100% recycled PET bottles. Inside, the quilted microfiber lining features a soft ridge that holds your laptop in place. The sleeve snaps shut with a magnetic bumper.Mac Gift Guide: MacBook power banks
You might think that power banks are just for iPhones, and we have tested the best MagSafe power banks. But there are larger-capacity power banks that carry enough charge to revitalize even a MacBook that has run out of juice.
MacBook users shouldn’t leave home without one when heading off into the wilderness, on a road trip and flying long haul.
1. HyperJuice 245W USB-C Battery Pack – MacBook power bank
Pros
Portable 27000mAh power
245W total power output
4 ports
This USB-C airline-safe battery pack has a mighty 27000mAh power pack, plus two 100W USB-C ports and two 65W USB-C Power Delivery ports. The OLED screen shows the remaining battery capacity as well as the charging usage of each port.
2. Ugreen 145W Power Bank for Laptop – MacBook power bank
Pros
Portable 25000mAh power
145W total power output
3 ports
Boasting a meaty 25000mAh battery, this air-travel-friendly laptop power bank can recharge a fading MacBook Pro back to full power and still have enough power over to fast-charge your iPhone—indeed you can charge both at the same time, along with your AirPods or Apple Watch as this MacBook power bank has three USB ports. A handy LED battery-capacity percentage indicator shows you how much power is left before you leave home.Mac Gift Guide: Docks and hubs
A docking station or hub gives your connected MacBook access to multiple ports, many of which are more powerful than the few that are built into the MacBook. Look out for fast USB ports, Ethernet for wired Internet access, video display ports, card readers and more.
For more details and options, read our Best Picks roundup of the best Mac docks and hubs. For cheaper alternatives, check out the best USB-C adapters for Mac.
1. Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock – Extra storage MacBook docking station
Pros
Thunderbolt 4
19 ports
Built-in speedy SSD enclosure
100W PD
2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
It’s certainly an expensive gift but the Sonnet Echo 20 is our favorite Thunderbolt 4 dock, boasting a ton of fast ports plus an SSD enclosure so you can add up to 8TB of inexpensive flash storage to your MacBook’s desktop setup. With two downstream TB4 ports and a dedicated HDMI 2.1 port you can add up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or a single 6K screen at 60Hz—Macs packing a M2/M3 Pro/Max/Ultra chip support up to 8K for the single display option.
2. Alogic DX3 Triple 4K Display Universal Docking Station – Add multiple displays
Pros
12 ports
100W PD
Triple 5K displays
It’s not Thunderbolt but this USB-C dock offers support for up to three 5K displays if you install DisplayLink software—even with for MacBooks with plain (non-Pro or Max) M1/M2/M3 chips. It also packs a bunch of non-display ports, such as three USB-A and a spare downstream USB-C port, plus fast SD and MicroSD card readers and Gigabit Ethernet.
3. Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub – Add eight super-fast ports
Pros
4x Thunderbolt 4 ports
4x 10Gbps USB-A ports
150W total power
You don’t need a full docking station if you add some adapters to the eight ports on this compact, powered Thunderbolt 4 hub. As well as three downstream TB4 ports, there are four fast USB-A ports. You can add Ethernet adapter and a card reader to create your own customizable and updateable dock.
Read our full Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Element Hub review.
4. Twelve South StayGo USB-C Hub – Super-portable MacBook dock
Pros
8 portable ports
It might be only USB-C rather than Thunderbolt but this hub offers a lot in a very portable form: 85W passthrough charging via USB-C, 4K HDMI Port, three USB-A ports (including one that can charge at 7.5W), Gigabit Ethernet port, and both SD and MicroSD card readers. It comes with a 1m USB-C cable plus another 5-inch travel cable that sits within the hub case. There’s a cut-down version, the StayGo Mini, that has HDMI, one USB-A port and a headphone jack that’s built for the iPad but works just as well with a MacBook.
5. Baseus 7-in-1 USB-C Hub – Great-value USB-C hub
Pros
7 ports inc 4K HDMI
100W PD
Great value
You might not need 15 or more extra ports for your MacBook, and this USB-C hub has seven that should cover most needs, including 100W passthrough power and an HDMI port that supports a 4K display at 60Hz, as well as card reader ports for inexpensive extra storage.
