MacBooks have lengthy served as desktop replacements, however counting on a laptop computer as a substitute of the complete monitor-and-keyboard setup can really feel a little bit limiting. The best MacBook equipment can enhance your work days and inventive periods alike, serving to you sit up straighter with stands and exterior inputs, or making you look higher on video calls with a webcam. We’ve examined and reviewed scores of those useful devices currently and have gathered the very best of our suggestions under.
Logitech Brio 500
Logitech
Our present favourite webcam will up the video high quality of the entire convention calls you are taking. The Logitech Brio 500 data 1080p 30fps video, and its improved mild correction will make it easier to put your greatest face ahead whatever the setting by which you’re streaming. Very like Logitech’s different webcams, the Brio 500 is a plug-and-play resolution — simply join it through one of many USB-C ports in your MacBook and begin a name. However you’ll be able to customise issues additional if you’d like utilizing the LogiTune software program, which helps you to change issues like subject of view, distinction, brightness, autofocus and extra. The Brio 500 additionally helps Logitech’s RightSight expertise, which retains you in the midst of the body even once you transfer round, just like Apple’s Heart Stage function on its iPads. Admittedly, an exterior webcam will likely be most helpful for these working with an older MacBook that also has a 720p built-in digicam, however even these with new MacBooks can get use out of the Brio 500 — and if you happen to spend most of your days on video calls, you’ll need the additional bump in high quality and superior customizations that Logitech’s accent offers. — Valentina Palladino, Senior Commerce Editor
$98 at Amazon
Yilador webcam cowl
Yilador
The built-in cameras on MacBooks could have gotten higher over the previous few years, however they nonetheless don’t embody a canopy for once you need a little bit further privateness. Webcam covers like these from Yilador are low-cost and efficient — these are tremendous skinny at 0.027 inches and cling proper over your webcam, permitting you to slip a shutter over the digicam once you’re not utilizing it. They’re simple to put in, and the adhesive is safe sufficient that the duvet received’t fall off however you too can take away the duvet and stick it onto a brand new laptop computer once you ultimately improve. The usual black possibility is nice if you’d like the duvet to mix in with the bezels surrounding your MacBook’s show, or you’ll be able to go for a enjoyable design that options pizzas, fruits or cute little characters. — V.P.
$8 at Amazon
LapGear lap desk
LapGear
For those who take your MacBook from room to room with you, you’ve most likely discovered your self working in some less-than-ergonomic positions. If you need to chill out on the sofa or your favourite armchair and nonetheless get some work carried out, a lap desk like this one from LapGear could make it extra comfy. It has sufficient floor space to suit 13- and 15-inch MacBooks, with further aspect area the place you should utilize a Bluetooth mouse alongside along with your pocket book. The raised ledge in the direction of the underside will forestall your laptop computer from sliding off, and the 2 storage wells on the prime are good locations to retailer pens, sticky notes, snacks and extra. — V.P.
$20 at Amazon
Satechi Twin Dock Stand
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
The Satechi Twin Dock Stand is our prime decide for MacBooks in our docking station information. It helps you to go from utilizing your laptop computer on the street to having a whole, peripheral-heavy arrange again at your desk utilizing a single (twin) plug. The dock matches neatly beneath your laptop and has ports for displays, Ethernet, and loads of equipment with two USB-C and two USB-C connections. It connects to the 2 USB-C inputs on a Professional or Air, which suggests it may get round a number of the multi-monitor limitations older MacBooks have. It’s not powered, which makes it extra moveable, however you’ll must both run on battery, present energy through the USB-C passthrough port or do what I do and simply use your MagSafe connector. — Amy Skorheim, Commerce Author
$150 at Amazon
Anker 555 USB-C Hub
Anker
The most recent MacBook Professionals could have a bevy of ports, however they’re the one Mac laptops which have that degree of connectivity. Anker’s 555 USB-C hub and equipment like it is going to be a necessity for anybody working with a brand new Air or an older Mac mannequin. Anker’s hub offers you eight ports: two USB-A ports, one HDMI port, SD and microSD card slots, one Ethernet jack and two USB-C ports, certainly one of which offers 100W energy to cost your MacBook. The USB-C and USB-A ports can deal with 10 Gbps file transfers and you’ll join a 4K/60Hz monitor to the HDMI slot. Anker’s accent could also be ultra-portable, but it surely has sufficient energy and flexibility to be the one laptop computer hub you want. — V.P.
$60 at Amazon
Belkin 4-Port GaN 108W BoostCharge Professional
Belkin
In our quick charger information, Apple’s included 140W energy adapter was the quickest to refill an M1 MacBook Professional, but it surely solely has a single port. As our reviewer Sam Rutherford factors out, that looks as if a missed alternative. Belkin’s four-port GaN BoostCharge Professional 108W charger offers you area for 2 USB-A and two USB-C cables and was the second quickest performer, getting the laptop computer from ten p.c to 75 p.c in about 45 minutes. The beginning worth can be about $10 cheaper than Apple’s. The BoostCharge Professional wasn’t the highest decide in our 100W-plus class as a result of it lagged when powering an Android cellphone, however if you happen to’re in search of a dependable wall charger on your MacBook, this may serve you effectively. — A.S.
$80 at Amazon
Anker 100W USB-C charging cable
Anker
It might be good if you happen to may seize a random charging cable and have it work accurately with any gadget. However not all cables are the identical: If you wish to reap the benefits of a quick charging brick or the quick-charge port of an influence financial institution, you’ll want an influence supply cable with a excessive wattage score. Anker’s USB-C to USB-C 100W cable was the conduit of alternative when Sam examined out quick chargers for our information. It’s lots lengthy at 10 ft and it’s inexpensive at $16 (and we’ve seen it go on sale for much less). Whereas it helps knowledge switch, it’s not rated for video output. For that, you’ll need a video cable or one marked as Thunderbolt 3 or 4. — A.S.
$13 at Amazon
Mophie Powerstation Professional AC
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
If you take your MacBook on the street, it’s good to have a approach to juice it again up if an outlet isn’t accessible. Mophie’s Powerstation Professional AC is an enormous, 27,000mAh energy financial institution with 20W USB-C and USB-A ports, a 60W USB-C energy supply port and a 100W AC plug. In our assessments, it recharged a 16-inch MacBook Professional from ten p.c to 75 p.c in 89 minutes — and that’s whereas utilizing WiFi, a VPN, Slack and a number of lively tabs in Chrome. The 140W energy brick that comes with that laptop computer is just too power-hungry for the 100W AC port, however plugging the USB-C finish of the MagSafe cable into the Powerstation labored nice. — A.S.
$219 at Amazon
Roost Stand
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Hunching over a MacBook all day is homicide in your again and neck, so it’s sensible to make your on a regular basis setup extra ergonomic by utilizing a stand paired with a separate keyboard and mouse. The Roost Stand adjusts to seven completely different heights and might accommodate as much as a 16-inch MacBook Professional. It folds as much as a slim stick and weighs simply over six ounces, making it not solely good on your desk, but in addition as a part of your go-everywhere digital-nomad setup. Simply be ready: once I set mine up in public, I at all times get questions from strangers. — A.S.
$90 at Amazon
Logitech Ergo mouse
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
There’s a mouse graveyard in my workplace cupboard — gadgets I’ve tried and discarded as a result of they didn’t assist with my shoulder aches. The answer was a trackball mouse and Logitech’s MX Ergo is the very best I’ve discovered. It tilts for a extra pure “handshake” grip and has a slow-mo trackball button for extra exact actions in Photoshop and different apps. The scroll wheel is speedy however exact and you’ll change between two computer systems (or one MacBook and one iPad) with the pairing button. You’ll be able to even program the varied buttons to do app-specific issues utilizing Logitech’s software program. My solely gripe is the antiquated micro-USB charging port, however the battery lasts lengthy sufficient that I solely have to make use of it as soon as each few months. It’s dear at $100, so you might desire the $70 Ergo Carry. It additionally provides a handshake grip, however with out the curler ball, and has Bluetooth or USB dongle connectivity choices. — A.S.
$82 at Amazon
Magic KeyBoard with Numeric Keypad
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
We’ve already recommended you don’t work all day immediately in your laptop computer, so alongside along with your stand and exterior mouse, you’ll want a keyboard. Apple’s personal Magic Keyboard with numeric keypad is a strong work-from-home or workplace possibility. It pairs rapidly and reliably with any MacBook, and I recognize the expanded key choice, which features a ahead delete key. Apple claims the battery lasts a few month with common use, which jives with my expertise, and you’ll recharge out of your laptop computer whilst you work (a no brainer function the Magic Mouse doesn’t have). However, if you happen to benefit from the pleasing clack of mechanical keys, think about a few of our favourite 60-percent keyboards. — A.S.
$108 at Amazon$108 at Walmart
Logitech K380
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
I’ve carried Logitech’s K380 keyboard for journey and low store sojourns for 5 years (and I’m presently typing on it). It places up with tough therapy and connects simply to a roster of machines, together with Mac, iOS, Home windows, Android and Chrome OS. It has a that important ahead delete key and three Bluetooth pairing buttons so you’ll be able to change rapidly between completely different gadgets. It takes three AAA-cell batteries, however lasts for over a yr on a set. The highest-row operate keys assist a number of Mac-specific shortcuts like quantity, mute, playback management and the “expose” operate that exhibits all of your open apps without delay. — A.S.
$33 at Amazon
Moft Sit-Stand Laptop computer Desk
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Moft’s Sit-Stand laptop computer desk is a two-pound, flat-folding amalgamation of steel boards, magnets and vegan leather-based that reconfigures right into a surprisingly sturdy prop on your MacBook. Standing mode lifts your laptop computer 10 inches so you’ll be able to stand sometimes, switching up your working place with minimal effort. Gravity alone holds your laptop computer to the stand, so possibly don’t go away it unattended, however even with energetic typing, my laptop computer remained steady and wobble-free. It folds into 4 extra positions for sitting, together with a 25-degree angle that elevates the display whereas nonetheless being comfy for typing. The 45- and 35-degree preparations get your display to eye degree, however you’ll want an exterior keyboard to sort comfortably. The 60-degree formation is just too steep for a MacBook, however will do an amazing job in case you have a pill. — A.S.
$60 at Amazon