Macworld
The Mac mini boasts fast processors, and rivals even Apple’s most pro computers despite costing significantly less. However, as great as it is, there is a problem with the Mac mini—the at-purchase storage upgrades are pricey and after you buy one, it’s nearly impossible to upgrade its internal components. However, we’re here to help.
There are two basic Mac mini models: the latest M4/M5/M6 mini (5 inches square, 2 inches deep) and older M1/M2 mini (7.7 inches square, 1.4 inches deep). Here, we have rounded up the best hardware upgrades and accessories you can buy for either the old or newer models. Most of the M1/M2 tips work with the Apple Studio, too, as that remains the same size.
Apple doesn’t let you upgrade the Mac mini with inexpensive third-party components such as RAM or internal storage, and it prices its custom-build options at the very high end of affordability. With the earlier Mac mini Apple fixed the RAM to the processor and the SSD to the logic board so they couldn’t be swapped out after you buy one. The M4/M5/M6 mini is different with a detachable SSD but swapping this out is beyond most mere mortals.
Here we look at your best Mac mini upgrade options, adding: storage, memory, screen, speakers and microphone. If you want to jump straight to the reviews:
- Hubs and docks for new Mac mini
- Hubs and docks for Mac mini M2
- Other Mac mini accessories
In our FAQ at the foot of this feature we go into more detail about the difficulties of upgrading the Mac mini’s internal components—as it is with most Macs. There are solutions that are quite messy, such as adding external storage.
Flexible but messy: A Mac mini with two external SSDs: a Plugable 1TB Thunderbolt 3 External SSD NVMe Drive and a CalDigit Tuff Nano (10Gbps USB-C). Thankfully there are less messy ways of adding fast storage to your Mac mini.Foundry
Adding external storage
The simplest way to add storage to a Mac mini is the same as any other Mac: Connect an external hard drive or SSD using one of the Thunderbolt ports on the back of the computer. Even the slowest Solid-state drives (SSD) are faster than mechanical hard disk drives (HDD), but look out for speed differences—entry-level SSDs provide speeds of around 500MBps, while more advanced models can step up to 2,000MBps or even 6,000MBps. See SSD or HDD in the FAQs.
Another way to add inexpensive portable storage is via an SD or microSD card—once the go-to storage format for camera users but also a great format for cheap and portable backup and archive storage. Sadly, the Mac mini doesn’t have a card reader slot, so you’ll need to add one, such as this UGreen USB-C SD Card Reader for $15.
But these are admittedly ugly methods. You’ll have wires hanging out of the back of your Mac mini and a desk cluttered with drives. It’s neater to keep storage hidden inside. Apple won’t let you do it, but there are some great solutions that we have tested here.
Adding Internal storage
The best option is to get more internal storage in your Mac mini, but Apple’s custom-built pricing means upgrading a 256GB model to 1TB will cost you an extra $500, and 2TB will cost $1,000, while M5 Pro options cost even more: 4TB is $1,800 and 8TB will set you back a whopping $3,800.
If you can’t swing the prices for more storage or just decide later that you need more, there are hardware solutions that connect to the mini without messing up the footprint of the small computer. We’ve tested and reviewed these Mac mini storage accessories for you. The tested Mac mini hubs feature upgradeable and inexpensive internal storage plus a range of extra ports, supporting the NVMe form factors that resemble a stick of chewing gum.
Installing SSD into Mac mini hub or dock
Below we review the best Mac mini hubs and docks. Some include a hidden SSD enclosure where you can slot your own storage card with an included screwdriver and sometimes a thermal gel pad to transfer heat away from the drive and into the metal enclosure, preventing the SSD from overheating and suffering from thermal throttling.
The Satechi CubeDock matched the latest Mac mini (M4/M5/M6) and hides its internal SSD slot under its base.Simon Jary
For the M4/M5/M6 mini, there are SSD slots in the Ugreen 11-in-1 Mac mini Dock, Satechi CubeDock, Satechi Stand & Hub, and Orico MiniLink, reviewed below. Satechi has an M2 mini version of its Stand & Hub, and you can also choose the OWC ministack STX.
Installation is simple, with everything bar the SSD board itself included (screwdriver, screws, thermal gel pads). It’s a little fiddly but nothing to be worried about—if you can use a screwdriver, you can install the SSD board yourself.
SSD types: The docks and hubs we tested all take NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) M.2 SSDs, but check on the appropriate SSD size before investing in the SSD. Some take several lengths—for example 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280—while others just fit the standard 2280. If that sounds scary, don’t worry as the 2280 is the most common SSD length.
SSD speeds: Note that the speed of the USB-C or Thunderbolt connection from the dock to the Mac mini will determine the data-transfer rate. A 10Gbps USB-C connection allows an SSD to achieve real-world transfer speeds of around 900 to 1,250 Megabytes per second (MBps). While 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 pipes have a theoretical maximum of 5,000MB/s, protocol overhead and enclosure translation typically cap your speeds at around 3,000MBps. An 80Gbps connection (such as Thunderbolt 5) supports real-world SSD speeds of up to 7,000MBps.
Upgrading the Mac mini: Adding ports and extra expansionWhile the Mac mini has plenty of ports around the back, Apple includes just two USB-C to the front of the M4/M5/M6 mini, and did not bless the M2 Mac mini with any ports at the front at all. Alongside the SSD slots, all of the hubs and docks tested and reviewed here include an array of ports, including USB-A (missing from the M4 mini) and SD/MicroSD card readers (missing from the M2 and M4/M5/M6 Mac mini).
Thunderbolt, USB-C, Ethernet and HDMI are all included in the Mac mini. Having access to more Thunderbolt or USB-C is useful, especially if powered. Some docks feature faster Ethernet.
USB-A is the legacy port missing from the Mac mini M4, used mainly for flash drives, memory sticks and older devices. This has largely been replaced with USB-C, but having at least one at your disposal can be handy.
SD card readers are also missing from the Mac mini, and are an affordable way of adding ultra-portable storage cards, which are cheaper—but slower—than SSDs. You can buy a SanDisk memory card with 512GB of storage for under $100.
Another port-adding option is to buy yourself a Thunderbolt hub, such as the 40Gbps CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub that features four 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 ports (including one side-mounted upstream to the computer), four 10Gbps USB-A ports, and a power supply. The Element 5 Hub from the same company offers four Thunderbolt 5, two 10Gbps USB-C and three 10Gbps USB-A ports. We’ve tested the best Thunderbolt hubs and docks if you want even more ports than that. Granted, they won’t be as neat as the dedicated Mac mini docks and hubs reviewed here, but there are tons of options out there.
Best Mac mini hubs and docksThe criteria we used for the products reviewed below was that they had to fit the Mac mini and connect to it without ruining the Apple aesthetic or the Mac mini’s compact footprint. We tested the following docks and hubs with the Apple Mac mini (M4/M5/M6 models).
Satechi Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock with SSD EnclosurePros
- Fits Mac mini M4/M5/M6
- Four Thunderbolt 5 ports
- Built-in NVMe SSD slot
- Two USB-C ports
- Two USB-A ports
- SD and MicroSD card readers
- 2.5Gb Ethernet
Cons
- Premium price
- Compatible with: Any Thunderbolt Mac
- Size: 4.9 x 4.9 x 2 inches (125 x 125 x 52mm)
Ports:
- 1x USB-C (10Gbps, 30W)
- 1x USB-C (10Gbps, 7.5W)
- 2x USB-A (10Gbps)
- 1x M.2 SSD enclosure (up to 8TB)
- SD card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps)
- MicroSD card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps)
- 2.5Gb Ethernet
- 3.5mm audio jack
- 180W power supply
Of all the docks that fit the Mac mini’s compact footprint, only the Satechi CubeDock can be used with any Mac—it will charge a connected 16-inch MacBook Pro at a full 140W. The likelihood, however, is that you’ll want to pair this dock with the Mac mini, as they go together so well.
As a Thunderbolt 5 docking station it works best with the 80Gbps Mac mini M4/M5 Pro but will work well with the 40Gbps mini M4. Of all the Mac mini docks we review here, it alone offers a decent charging port: a 30W USB-C that is powerful enough to fast-charge an iPhone or iPad and even keep a MacBook charged. There are a couple of USB-A ports for legacy devices such as memory sticks and flash drives. If your mini is equipped with just 1Gb Ethernet, the CubeDock offers 2.5GbE for faster networks.
The CubeDock offers 80Gbps connectivity unlike most of the 10Gbps or 40Gbps docks and hubs we tested.Simon Jary
Underneath the dock there’s a hatch that when removed reveals a slot for an SSD drive of up to 8TB. It supports 2280 and shorter 2230/2242/2260 M.2 NVMe SSD sizes (PCIe 4×4), and delivers up to 6000MBps in data transfer speed. Satechi even includes a visual SSD installation guide in the CubeDock’s packaging.
Read our full Satechi Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock with SSD Enclosure review
Ugreen Mac mini 11-in-1 Docking Station with SSD ExpansionPros
- Fits Mac mini M4/M5/M6
- Built-in NVMe SSD slot
- Two USB-C ports
- Five USB-A ports
- SD and MicroSD card readers
- Cutout for mini’s power button
Cons
- Requires USB-C wall charger
- Slow card readers
- Compatible with: Apple Mac mini M4/M5/M6
- Size: 4.9 x 4.9 x 1 inch (125 x 125 x 26mm)
Ports:
- 2x USB-C (10Gbps)
- 3x USB-A (10Gbps)
- 2x USB-A (5Gbps)
- 1x M.2 SSD enclosure (up to 8TB)
- SD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)
- MicroSD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)
There’s not as many ports here as on the CubeDock reviewed above but there’s still plenty to add to the Mac mini’s own, including two USB-C rather than just focusing on USB-A like some Mac mini hubs do. The Satechi CubeDock”s two USB-A ports should be plenty enough for most people but Ugreen includes five, which seems like overkill.
There’s an SSD slot that takes M.2 NVMe SSDs of types 2230/2242/2260/2280, with a maximum capacity of 8TB. You’re advised to connect to a wall charger to keep the SSD working to its peak performance.
The two card readers at the front of the dock support ultra-portable SD and MicroSD cards. You could just use these for backup storage, but at 104MBps UHS-I they are probably too slow to work directly from while the dock’s internal SSD supports up to 10Gbps.
Simon Jary
If you find the Mac mini’s power button tricky to reach, the dock’s clever cutout means you can turn it on without lifting it. Anti-slip silicone pads on the bottom add stability on the desk.
Read our full Ugreen Mac mini 11-in-1 Docking Station with SSD Expansion review
Orico MiniLink 40Gbps One-Stop Storage and DockPros
- Fits Mac mini M4/M5/M6
- Upstream 40Gbps USB4 port
- Two built-in NVMe SSD slots
- Three 10Gbps USB-A ports
- SD and MicroSD card readers
- 36W total power
Cons
- Noisy fan
- Placement can affect Wi-Fi performance
- Compatible with: Apple Mac mini M4/M5/M6
- Size: 4.9 x 4.9 x 1 inch (125 x 125 x 25mm)
Ports:
- 3x USB-A (10Gbps)
- 2x M.2 SSD enclosure (up ro 16TB)
- SD card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps)
- MicroSD card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps)
The Orico MiniLink gives you the requisite USB-A ports and fast card readers missing from the Mac mini. Where it differs from the other docks and hubs reviewed here is its dual SSD slots, meaning you can add up to 16TB of fast storage in the two bays.
One slot is rated at around 3000MB/s and the other around 1300MB/s because the faster slot has more USB4 bandwidth available. Start with an affordable drive today and add another later without replacing it, or dedicate one SSD to active projects and the other to backups, media libraries or archived files. 16TB of storage could set you back as much as $3,000, so you might pick this dock for the flexibility of two slots rather than the massive potential capacity.
Simon Jary
There are two basic models of MiniLink: the dual-SSD 40Gbps M47P and a 10Gbps one-slot M49P that has a couple of extra audio ports but slower card readers. Mae sure you chose the correct model because the company’s online store can be confusing as are its Amazon listings.
In testing, we did find the active cooling fan quite noisy. In a busy environment it can be ignored but if you need silence at least the MiniLink has a front-mounted power button.
Read our full Orico MiniLink 40Gbps One-Stop Storage and Dock review
Satechi Stand & Hub Mac Mini M6/M5 Pro/M4Pros
- Fits Mac mini M4/M5/M6
- Built-in NVMe SSD slot (up to 4TB)
- Three USB-A ports
- SD card reader
- Cutout for mini’s power button
- Compatible with: Apple Mac mini M4/M5/M6
- Size: 4.9 x 4.9 x 0.7 inch (125 x 125 x 17mm)
Ports:
- 2x USB-A (10Gbps)
- 1x USB-A (480Mbps)
- 1x M.2 SSD enclosure (up to 4TB)
- SD card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps)
While the other docks also mimic the length and width of the mini, this is the slimmest Mac mini hub at just 0.7 inches deep. There’s space for the SSD slot in the base, and this can handle up to 4TB, which is half the 8TB promised by the other docks but probably plenty for most users buying a 10Gbps enclosure. It’s the simplest latch of the lot with no screws required until you install the SSD card itself.
Simon Jary
Of the four ports, three are legacy USB-A where we’d have preferred a USB-C in the mix—although the Mac mini provides enough for most use cases. The single card reader is SD size, but you can add an adapter for MicroSD cards, and it’s fast at 312MBps compared to the 10MBps slots on some hubs.
There’s a neat notch that allows easier access to the Mac mini’s power button.
Read our full Satechi Stand & Hub Mac Mini M4 review
CalDigit Thunderbolt 5 Element 5 HubPros
- Four Thunderbolt 5 ports
- Two 10Gbps USB-C ports
- 150W total power
- Compact
Cons
- Sits away from Mac mini
- No extra storage capacity
- Compatible with: Any USB-C/Thunderbolt compu