Are you in search of the best Thunderbolt 3 laptop? We guess you are because it’s probably what brought you here in the first place. The addition of Thunderbolt 3 port on laptops has changed everything. Although it was previously more common in PCs, now all the laptop manufacturers try to fit it on their latest lines since it’s future-proof. With thunderbolt 3, the time of bulky USB ports has gone. While reaching its third generation, it can literally replace all the other ports.

Laptops with Thunderbolt 3 not only offer faster data transferability between two devices but they are also sleek and compact. You can travel them easily without carrying a bag full of dongles. In addition, whether you want a laptop with the best design, a gaming laptop, or a 2-in-1 laptop, there is something for every one of you on our list. Also, we have considered a wide budget range and included laptops of all price range. Here is our list, the one thing that’s common among all and makes you more interested is, of course, the Thunderbolt 3 port.

Best Thunderbolt 3 Laptop 2021

1. Razer Blade Stealth 13Best Runner Up
2. Huawei MateBook X Pro – Best for Creative Professionals
3. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch – Best Powerful Macbook
4. Dell XPS 13 – Best Ultra-Portable 2021
5. ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 – Best 4K
6. AORUS 15G – Best Gaming
7. HP Spectre x360 13t – Best 2-in-1
8. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme – Best for Casual Gaming 2021
9. MSI GS65 Stealth Best Overall
10. Lenovo Yoga 920 – Best Affordable 2021
11. Acer Swift 7 – Best for Students

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Our Top 3 Picks

What is a Thunderbolt 3 Port?

Before going towards the brief reviews of our top contenders, it’s important to know why Thunderbolt 3 is so much so useful feature. Combining all the abilities of the previous version ports, Thunderbolt 3 is certainly a must-have in today’s laptops. Though physically it just looks like USB-C, it’s more compact and allows the manufacturers to fit it in slim and sleek laptops. Gamers will love this port the most because it has the capability to connect to an external graphics amplifier without any lag between the processing.

Thunderbolt 3 Vs USB Type-C

Many users confuse USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 due to the physical look but they are two different things. The main difference between the two is that Thunderbolt 3 is a connectivity standard while the USB-C relates to the shape of the port. Although USB-C devices can connect via Thunderbolt 3, however, you won’t get as power and speed as the Thunderbolt 3 devices.

There are many types and versions of a USB depending upon speed and compatibility. Speaking of the types, it has Type-A, Type-B, and Type-C and the versions include 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 Gen 1, and 3.1 gen 2. The USB-C can be connected to USB 3.1, also it has the ability of power output allowing you to charge your device through it. The Thunderbolt 3 is even better since it unites the capabilities of a USB port, DisplayPort, and power in a single connector.

If you are thinking about the speed and video display of the two ports then you will be surprised to know that the speed Thunderbolt 3 is 40Gbps. Plus, it can transfer video signals on two 4K screens seamlessly. On the other hand, a USB-C has a speed of just 10Gbps and can only display video content on one 4K screen.

Top Features of Thunderbolt 3

We have already given ou the introduction of a Thunderbolt 3 port and its comparison with USB-C. Some other notable features of a Thunderbolt 3 are as follows.

• Laptops with Thunderbolt 3 port are lightweight, slim and offer maximum portability.
• Thunderbolt 3 port is compatible with any USB cable, also any device with an old USB cable can be connected with it.
• It can charge your device with up to 100W of power.
• You can connect your Thunderbolt 3 laptop with a PC, Tv or external monitor and transfer large amounts of data in minutes.

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Best Thunderbolt 3 Laptop 2021 Reviews

1. Razer Blade Stealth 13

The Razer Blade Stealth 13 is the best ultrabook with Thunderbolt 3 and a decent choice for both work and play. The all-aluminum body and the rounded edges give it a stunning look. Weighing just 2.9 pounds and measuring 0.6 inches thin, Blade 13 quite travels friendly. Flip the laptop over and you will see a pair of rubber feet, also you will find a pair of vents for an efficient cooling system. Plus, when you lift the lid, you will love the extremely narrow bezels around the display.

Though the screen is matte and has an anti-glare coating, yet it’s lively and bright since the 13.3 inches, 4K display delivers impressive picture quality. The details are nice and the 346 nits of brightness make it agreeable for outdoor viewing. In addition, the Razer Blade 13 sports solid specs under its hood. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. Also, if you want a dedicated GPU then you can opt for the Nvidia GeForce MX150 variant.

The typing experience on Blade 13 is comfortable with the shallow yet springy keys. What makes things more pleasing is the lovely Chroma lighting. However, you should not expect per-key RGB lighting, instead, you can program it by zone. Moreover, the best Thunderbolt 3 port laptop does not offer a wide set of ports, still, a Thunderbolt 3 and a USB 3.1 ports on either side and a headphone jack on the left side are satisfactory. While lasting up to 9 hours, the Blade Stealth 13 won’t run out of juice in the middle of long working sessions.

2. Huawei MateBook X Pro

The Huawei MateBook X is a long-running laptop that comes with a beautiful display and offers fast performance. Just like the MacBook, this aluminum notebook has a premium design. You can even open its lid with a single hand, isn’t it astonishing. In contrast to Macbook, here you will see a shiny chamfered edge surrounding the keyboard. Along with this, the MateBook X is slim and portable with 0.6 inches thickness and 2.9 pounds of weight. Also, it features a fingerprint reader in the power button for speedy and secure login.

The best Thunderbolt 3 laptop 2021 sports a gorgeous, touch-sensitive display. Speaking of which, the 13.9 inches screen with the resolution of 3000 x 2000 is sufficiently bright and detailed. The panel covers 124 percent of sRGB color gamut, emits 458 nits and offers a wide viewing angle. As a result, you get a lovely and lively picture quality. Along with this, the screen accurately registers each and touch while navigating the laptop. Besides, the Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB memory, and 256GB SSD storage provide powerhouse performance.

Despite the 1.1mm shallow keys, the MateBook X keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience as they require a solid actuation force of 69 grams. Similarly, the touchpad is pretty responsive and responds accurately to operating system gestures. If you are thinking about connectivity, you will have a USB-C, an audio jack, a Thunderbolt 3 on the left side, and a USB Type-A on the right side. Whereas up to 10 hours of battery life is plentiful and truly surprising for such a slim notebook.

3. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch

The Apple MacBook Pro is a powerful laptop that features an excellent display and comes with a superb sound system. The design is similar to the older models like a large touchpad and an aluminum build quality. The only modification that you will see is that the bezels are more narrowed. weighing 4.3 pounds, though a bit heavy still the overall profile is pretty slim with 0.6 inches thickness. Happily, at the top right corner, a fingerprint reader is included for a quick and safe sign in.

The display of the MacBook Pro is larger, brighter, and extremely colorful. The 16 inches screen with the resolution of 3072 x 1920 gives you next-level picture quality. Whether you watch movies or create content, this display is simply the best. Along with the display, what makes it even admirable is the powerful internal configurations. It holds the 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, AMD Radeon Pro 5300M GPU, and 512GB SSD. On the bright side, if you are not into graphics-intensive tasks, the MacBook automatically switches to integrated GPU to save battery juice.

Apple really deserves credit for the introduction of a new keyboard on this laptop. In contrast to the older keyboards, here the keycaps are more concave which results in a much better typing experience. Plus, the 6-speakers impressive sound system is another hallmark of this Thunderbolt 3 laptop. Speaking of the Thunderbolt 3, there are four Thunderbolt 3 ports and an audio jack for secondary connections. Besides, the longer battery life of up to 11 hours is productive and plentiful.

4. Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is the best Thunderbolt 3 laptop 2021 that delivers great performance and offers longer battery life. The design is certainly appreciable because, in spite of extremely narrow bezels, Dell has placed the webcam on the top bezel. Along with this, the notebook is pretty slim and lightweight. It weighs just 2.7 pounds and measures 0.5 inches thin, thus portability is maximum. Plus, the XPS 13 comes with a fingerprint reader which is both safe and convenient.

The 13.3 inches display of the lightweight laptop is brighter and colorful. The panel emits 375 nits of brightness and covers 126% of the sRGB color gamut. While the details are surprisingly sharp with the 1920 x 1080 resolutions. More, the Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB memory, and 256GB SSD provide faster and seamless performance. Going towards the audio quality, the side-firing speakers generate loud and clear sound. The sound is loud enough to fill a large-size room without any distortion.

Despite the shallow 1mm keys, the typing on a backlit keyboard is comfortable. While typing you won’t feel bottoming out due to the solid actuation force of 63 grams. In the same manner, the touchpad is responsive and accurately responds to Windows 10 gestures. Although XPS 13 does not offer a plethora of ports, yet the ports are capable of everything. The left side houses a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports and a lock slot. Simultaneously, the right side holds a USB Type-C, a headphone jack, and a microSD card. Finally, over 12 hours of battery life for such a slim and powerful notebook is truly astonishing.

5. ASUS ZenBook Pro 15

The ZenBook Pro 15 by ASUS is a versatile laptop that masterfully combines power and unique, refined design. The laptop looks just amazing with the deep blue aluminum chassis and beveled golden edges. Measuring 0.7 inches thick and weighing 4.2 pounds, it’s comparable with other portable 15-inch systems like XPS 15 and Surface Book 2. Happily, just below the arrow keys on the right side of the keyboard deck, a fingerprint reader is included for secure and faster sign in.

The ZenBook Pro 15 isn’t the first laptop that comes with two displays. But it’s the first model that has been so successful and offers a seamless experience. The main 15.6 inches 4k display is bright, colorful and generates splendid picture quality. The reason behind such an impressive color is the ability of the panel to cover 141% of the sRGB color gamut. While the FHD Screenpad is an excellent addition for multitasking. In addition, the audio quality is just as impressive as the visuals with the Harman Kardon speakers.

Like all the other good things, the performance of Pro 15 is also top-class. Sporting an Intel Core i9 CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti GPU, 16GB memory, and 512GB SSD, the best Thunderbolt 3 laptop delivers a powerhouse performance. More, though it’s not bursting with ports, still they are more than enough for professionals. The right side is home to a pair of USB 3.1 Type-A ports, an audio jack, and a microSD card reader. While the left side features an HDMI port and a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports. On the downside, the Pro 15 can last only over 4 hours due to the two touch-sensitive displays and dedicated graphics card.

6. AORUS 15G

Are you a professional gamer and looking up for laptop that has useful number of Thunderbolt 3 ports and provides ultimate gaming performance, you are definitely at correct place. The Aorus 15G is a gaming contender on the list with amazing specifications to offer for its price. As a pro gamer, you would want different peripherals to connect in order to enjoy and enhance gaming. Similarly apart from ports, better graphics and powerful processor is required for smooth gaming.

The Aorus 15G comes with 15.6 inches of display screen with FHD (Full high definition, 1920 x 1080) resolutions. Accurate and vibrant colors is what makes the Aorus 15G’s display stand tall among other competitors. Extremely bezel less display ensures an fluid and immersive viewing experience with a 240 hertz of refresh rate. The display power is further backed by a competitive Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card.

Speaking about the power performance of Aorus 15G, it is configured with a 10th generation Intel Core i7-10875 8 core processor for efficiency performance, a fast 16GB of DDR4 RAM is there to handle intensive multitasking. Also you are getting a 512GB of SSD (Solid state drive) for file storage and faster file processing speed. RGB backlit keyboard add more aesthetics to its overall design. Input and output ports play a vital role in bringing productivity and creativity, 15G holds a USB Type-C of Thunderbolt 3 standards, 3 USB Type-A ports, Mini DisplayPort 1.4, and headphone/microphone combo jack.

7. HP Spectre x360 13t

Are you looking for the best HP Thunderbolt 3 laptop? If yes, well the HP Spectre X360 is for you. It’s almost a perfect 2-in-1 laptop with a solid performance, legendary battery life, and beautiful design. Speaking of the design, the narrow bezels and beveled edges give it a stunning look. Whereas the 360 degrees flexible and sturdy hinges allow you to use the laptop in a tent, tablet, and studio mode. On top of that, the 0.7 inches thickness and 2.7 pounds of weight make it a great notebook for traveling.

The 13.3 inches display of HP Spectre is colorful, detailed, and bright enough to use outdoor under bright conditions. With 109% of sRGB color gamut and 369 nits of brightness, you won’t have any complaints about this display. Not only the picture quality but the screen responses to touch are also praiseworthy. Furthermore, armed with the Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD, this 2-in-1 laptop provides fast and smooth performance. You won’t have any issues while multitasking or doing everyday tasks.

The Spectre’s Chiclet-style keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience. The touchpad is responsive and accurately accepts the pinch-to-zoom and two-finger scrolling gestures of the operating system. Plus, an HP Stylus Pen is included which is another perk you get with this laptop. Alongside this, you get a decent set of ports despite the slim chassis. The right side holds two Thunderbolt 3 ports while the left side features a USB Type-A and an audio jack. What’s more, the astonishing over 13 hours of battery life is more than enough for all users.

8. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme

The ThinkPad X1 1st Gen by Lenovo is a decent notebook and a great MacBook substitute. After it hit the market, Dell XPS and MacBook Pro are not the only portable 15-inch systems since it measures 0.7 inches thick and weighs 4.5 pounds. Along with portability, it offers extremely fast performance and comes with a gorgeous display. Due to this, business users and content creators find ThinkPad X1 most appealing. Plus, the right side of the keyboard deck features a fingerprint reader for quick, secure, and convenient login.

The best Thunderbolt 3 laptop sports a 15.6 inches Full HD display for amazing picture quality. The anti-glare panel is bright, sharp and makes things even cheerful for content creators and other users who hate reflections. In addition, equipped with the Intel Core i7 CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD, the performance of X1 Extreme is phenomenal. Besides, the four speakers deliver clear and ear-pleasing audio quality. Also, the sound is pretty loud and it can easily fill a medium-size room.

Thanks to the well thought out keyboard of X1, you would love typing on it. With the generous key travel and solid tactile click, typing is pure fun. Though the touchpad is a bit smaller, still it offers enough room to carry out operating system gestures effectively. Just like the keyboard and touchpad, ports for connectivity are also well-considered. The right side is decorated with a pair of USB 3.1 Type-A, an SD card slot, and a lock slot. Whereas the left side is home to an HDMI, a pair of Thunderbolt 3, an audio jack, and an RJ45 Ethernet jack. Unfortunately, up to 6 hours of battery life might not be enough for some users.

9. MSI GS65 Stealth

Do you want the best gaming laptop with Thunderbolt 3? Well, don’t worry we have included MSI GS65 Stealth in our list for gamers. It’s a gaming beast with not only graphics but a solid overall performance. The sophisticated slimmer chassis makes it one of the thinnest gaming laptop and gives it a beautiful look. While the aluminum alloy build material makes it durable as well. Weighing 4.1 pounds and measuring 0.7 inches thin, now your gaming isn’t limited to your desk with the MSI GS65.

The 15.6 inches display of Stealth offers 1920 x 1080 resolution which gives you decent details and admirable picture quality. What makes gaming even immersive is the 144Hz refresh rate and 7ms response time. This eliminates screen tearing and you get a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. On top of that, MSI has armed this Thunderbolt 3 laptop with the Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia RTX 2070 Max-Q graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. With such a powerful configuration, the performance is world-class.

Gamers will love the island-style, per-key RGB backlit keyboard with astoundingly springy keys. The keys vertical travel is satisfactorily 1.4mm and requires a solid actuation force of 77 grams. As gamers need a wide range of connectivity ports, happily the MSI Stealth sports plenty of them. The right side comes with a Thunderbolt 3, an HDMI, a Mini DisplayPort, and a USB 3.1 Type-A ports. On the left sits a separate headphone and microphone jacks, a pair of USB 3.1 Type-A ports, an Ethernet jack, and a lock slot. Though it’s a gaming laptop, yet Stealth lasts impressively up to 6 hours.

10. Lenovo Yoga 920

The Lenovo Yoga 920 is the best cheap laptop with Thunderbolt 3 and one of the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy in 2021. It delivers stunning performance, comes with a marvelous display, and offers long-lasting battery life. Whereas the attractive design makes it a truly premium convertible laptop. Talking of the design, the bezels around the screen are very slim and the all-aluminum chassis make it pretty durable. At 3.05 pounds of weight and measures 0.5 inches thin, the Yoga 920 is portable and easy to carry around. On top of that, the watch-band hinges allow you to use the laptop in the stand, tent, and tablet modes.

The 13.9 inches FHD display of the Yoga 920 delivers sharp and detailed images. At 105% sRGB color gamut and 284 nits, you get an as bright and colorful picture as one can expect from such an ultraportable laptop. Along with this, the touch-sensitive screen has its charms and the laptop includes a stylus pen for natural writing and drawing. Moreover, the Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD give you a faster, smooth, and seamless performance.

The snappy keys with a decent 1.3mm key travel and solid 68 grams of force to actuate, the Yoga’s keyboard offers a convenient typing experience. Plus, the touchpad gives you smooth and accurate navigations and responds well to operating system gestures. Besides, the ports for connectivity are satisfactory, including a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports and an audio jack on the left side. While the right side holds only a USB 3.0 port. Above all the good things, over 12 hours of battery life is an additional pleasure.

11. Acer Swift 7

The Swift 7 by Acer is an astonishingly slim and portable laptop with a decent performance, gorgeous display, and longer battery life. The bezels around the screen are almost unnoticeable, however, this leads to the omission of a webcam on the top bezel. Happily, a pop-up webcam is included which won’t disappoint you. Measuring 0.4 inches thin and weighing just 1.9 pounds, it’s the thinnest 14-inch laptop with amazing portability. While the power button also functions as a fingerprint reader for secure and convenient login.

The Swift 7’s 14 inches Full HD display is bright, sharp, and detailed. Covering 105% of the sRGB color gamut, pictures appear colorful, whereas the bezel-less screen makes things even immersive. Not only this, but the screen is also touch-capable. So, if your work demands a touchscreen, you will find it satisfactory because it accurately registers your touches. On top of that, the best Thunderbolt 3 laptop sports the Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD delivers an admirable performance.

Although the keyboard is backlit, you will bottom out due to the shallow keys. Still, the overall typing experience is agreeable as the keys are wisely clicky and well-spaced. Just like the keyboard, the touchpad has one issue of the irritatingly long surface. On the bright side, it provides smooth and precise navigations. Going towards the ports, obviously one can’t expect a wide range of ports from a laptop with an extremely slim chassis. So, is Acer Swift 7 that comes with only a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports for secondary connections. Anyway, up to 9 hours of battery life make up for all the shortcomings.

Conclusion
Everything you need to know regarding Thunderbolt 3 laptops is available on this page. We hope that you will find it helpful in choosing a suitable and versatile laptop. All the hard work is done for you by our team, you just have to keep your demands and budget in mind and pick the right laptop. We always try to add the latest products on our list and if you want to stay updated on the upcoming laptops, keep visiting. Good Luck!