TECH TECH & GADGETS

Best iMac M4 Accessories of 2026

The 24-inch iMac M4 is a stunning all-in-one, but its slim chassis hides only four Thunderbolt 4 ports and no USB-A, no SD slot, and no headphone jack on the right side. After months of testing docks, monitor lights, ergonomic risers, and Mac-tuned input gear, these are the ten accessories that genuinely make the M4 iMac feel complete in 2026.

By WiseBuyAI Editorial TeamUpdated June 1, 202610 Products Reviewed

OUR #1 PICK

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

The best imac m4 accessory for 2026 is the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad.

If your iMac M4 came with the standard Magic Keyboard, the full-size Touch ID model with numeric keypad is the single best upgrade you can make.

OUR TOP PICKS

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Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

$199.00
SEE PRICE
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CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

$399.99
SEE PRICE
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BenQ ScreenBar Halo Monitor Light Bar

$189.00
SEE PRICE

Quick Comparison

#ProductBadgeRatingPriceVerdict
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric KeypadTOP PICK4.7/5$199.00If your iMac M4 came with the standard Magic Keyboard, the full-size Touch ID model with numeric keypad is the single...
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 DockRUNNER UP4.7/5$399.99The iMac M4 ships with four Thunderbolt 4 ports and exactly zero USB-A, SD, or Ethernet, which is where the CalDigit ...
BenQ ScreenBar Halo Monitor Light BarBEST VALUE4.7/5$189.00The iMac's glossy 4.5K display is gorgeous but a magnet for overhead glare, and BenQ's ScreenBar Halo solves it witho...
Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac4.7/5$99.99Apple's Magic Mouse remains polarizing, and the MX Master 3S for Mac is the no-compromise alternative built specifica...
Twelve South Curve Riser for iMac4.6/5$79.99The 24-inch iMac sits roughly two inches lower than the recommended ergonomic eye-line for most adults, and the Curve...
Apple Magic Trackpad - White Multi-Touch Surface ​​​​​​​4.6/5$129.00Anyone moving from a MacBook to an iMac quickly realizes how much macOS leans on trackpad gestures, and the latest US...
Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)4.6/5$79.99Not every iMac owner needs a $400 Thunderbolt dock, and the Anker 555 hits the sweet spot for a few hundred less.
Logitech MX Keys S for Mac4.6/5$119.99If the Magic Keyboard's flat profile gives you wrist fatigue, the MX Keys S for Mac is the obvious step up.
Satechi Eco-Hammock Aluminum Monitor Stand4.5/5$69.99Satechi's stand is the budget alternative to the Twelve South Curve, made from 60 percent recycled aluminum in a fini...
Yamazaki Tower iMac Monitor Stand with Storage4.5/5$95.00Yamazaki's Tower line is built around a minimalist Japanese aesthetic that pairs naturally with the iMac M4, and this...

FULL RANKINGS

TOP PICK
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Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad - image 11/5

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

4.7(12,480)
$199.00

If your iMac M4 came with the standard Magic Keyboard, the full-size Touch ID model with numeric keypad is the single best upgrade you can make. Touch ID works flawlessly to unlock the Mac, approve sudo prompts, and authorize 1Password and Apple Pay purchases without ever touching the chassis. The extended layout adds arrow cluster, navigation keys, and a numpad that spreadsheet and Final Cut Pro timeline work demand. Pairing is instantaneous over USB-C and battery life routinely stretches past a month.

Pros

  • Touch ID unlocks Mac instantly
  • Numpad and full arrow cluster
  • Month-plus battery life
  • Seamless pairing with M-series Macs

Cons

  • Premium price
  • Low-travel keys not for everyone
  • USB-C charging cable required
RUNNER UP
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CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock - image 11/5

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

4.7(8,920)
$399.99

The iMac M4 ships with four Thunderbolt 4 ports and exactly zero USB-A, SD, or Ethernet, which is where the CalDigit TS4 transforms the machine. Its 18 ports include five USB-A, three USB-C, dual DisplayPort, 2.5Gb Ethernet, UHS-II SD and microSD, and a front-mounted audio combo jack, all running through a single Thunderbolt 4 cable. In testing it sustained 2,800 MB/s reads to an external NVMe enclosure while simultaneously driving a 4K secondary display. It is the closest thing to a desktop port replicator the Mac world has.

Pros

  • 18 ports including UHS-II SD
  • 98W charging passthrough
  • 2.5Gb Ethernet onboard
  • Rock-solid Apple silicon compatibility

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Large footprint on desk
  • Fan audible under heavy load
BEST VALUE
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BenQ ScreenBar Halo Monitor Light Bar - image 11/5

BenQ ScreenBar Halo Monitor Light Bar

4.7(6,450)
$189.00

The iMac's glossy 4.5K display is gorgeous but a magnet for overhead glare, and BenQ's ScreenBar Halo solves it without occupying any desk real estate. The asymmetric optic projects light onto the desk while keeping it off the screen, and the wireless puck controls brightness and color temperature from 2700K to 6500K without reaching behind the iMac. The curved clip is the only model we tested that sits stably on the iMac's thin top bezel. Backlight mode also acts as a subtle bias light to reduce eye strain during long Final Cut sessions.

Pros

  • Zero screen glare
  • Wireless puck controller
  • Auto-dimming with ambient sensor
  • Backlight for bias lighting

Cons

  • Pricey for a desk lamp
  • USB powered, needs a free port
  • Halo backlight not adjustable separately on all modes
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Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac - image 11/5

Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac

4.7(18,230)
$99.99

Apple's Magic Mouse remains polarizing, and the MX Master 3S for Mac is the no-compromise alternative built specifically for macOS. Its sculpted body, electromagnetic MagSpeed scroll wheel, and dedicated horizontal thumb wheel turn Logic Pro timelines and long Numbers spreadsheets into one-handed work. Logi Options+ enables app-specific gesture mapping, and Flow lets you swing the cursor between an iMac and a MacBook on the same network. Pair it over Bluetooth or the included Logi Bolt receiver and battery life runs about 70 days per USB-C top-up.

Pros

  • Mac-tuned scrolling and gestures
  • Quiet click switches
  • 70-day battery life
  • Flow cursor handoff between Macs

Cons

  • Right-handed only
  • Pricier than Magic Mouse
  • Options+ install required for full features
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Twelve South Curve Riser for iMac - image 11/2

Twelve South Curve Riser for iMac

4.6(3,140)
$79.99

The 24-inch iMac sits roughly two inches lower than the recommended ergonomic eye-line for most adults, and the Curve Riser fixes it without looking like an afterthought. Powder-coated steel in matte black or white complements the iMac's color options, and the open underside swallows the Magic Keyboard, Trackpad, and a small dock for instant cable hiding. Silicone pads keep the aluminum foot from sliding even when you reposition the iMac. It is the cleanest height correction we have found that still respects the iMac's industrial design.

Pros

  • Solid steel construction
  • Hides keyboard underneath
  • Matches iMac aesthetic
  • Non-slip silicone pads

Cons

  • Fixed height, not adjustable
  • Heavy at 4.4 lbs
  • Premium price for a riser
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Apple Magic Trackpad - White Multi-Touch Surface ​​​​​​​ - image 11/5

Apple Magic Trackpad - White Multi-Touch Surface ​​​​​​​

4.6(9,870)
$129.00

Anyone moving from a MacBook to an iMac quickly realizes how much macOS leans on trackpad gestures, and the latest USB-C Magic Trackpad brings that experience to the desktop. Force Touch, four-finger Mission Control swipes, and the iPad-style Quick Note corner pull only work properly with this hardware. The oversize glass surface is precise enough for light Pixelmator retouching while feeling natural for everyday navigation. Use it alongside the MX Master 3S rather than instead of, and you get the best of both input worlds.

Pros

  • Full macOS gesture support
  • Force Touch and haptics
  • Huge glass surface
  • USB-C charging

Cons

  • Expensive for a trackpad
  • Flat profile is not for everyone
  • Cannot be used while charging comfortably
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Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1) - image 11/5

Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)

4.6(14,250)
$79.99

Not every iMac owner needs a $400 Thunderbolt dock, and the Anker 555 hits the sweet spot for a few hundred less. Two USB-A 3.0 ports handle legacy peripherals, the SD and microSD readers run at UHS-I speeds for photo offload, and Gigabit Ethernet is a welcome reliability boost over Wi-Fi 6E. Aluminum housing dissipates heat so the unit never gets uncomfortable to touch during sustained transfers. It is the right call if you mostly need ports, not extra displays or PD passthrough.

Pros

  • Affordable port expansion
  • Gigabit Ethernet included
  • Aluminum housing runs cool
  • Compact desk footprint

Cons

  • UHS-I SD reader, not UHS-II
  • No power delivery passthrough
  • Short attached cable
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Logitech MX Keys S for Mac - image 11/5

Logitech MX Keys S for Mac

4.6(7,820)
$119.99

If the Magic Keyboard's flat profile gives you wrist fatigue, the MX Keys S for Mac is the obvious step up. Spherically dished keys, smart backlighting that fades on as your hands approach, and a built-in numpad make it ideal for long coding or writing sessions. Easy-Switch toggles between an iMac, an iPad, and an iPhone with a tap, and Logi Flow ties it to the MX Master 3S for true multi-device workflows. The space-gray finish was clearly designed to sit beside an Apple product.

Pros

  • Backlit Mac-layout keys
  • Easy-Switch across 3 devices
  • Pairs with MX Master via Flow
  • Premium build quality

Cons

  • No Touch ID
  • Heavier than Magic Keyboard
  • Logi Options+ required for full features
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Satechi Eco-Hammock Aluminum Monitor Stand - image 11/5

Satechi Eco-Hammock Aluminum Monitor Stand

4.5(2,180)
$69.99

Satechi's stand is the budget alternative to the Twelve South Curve, made from 60 percent recycled aluminum in a finish that matches the iMac's silver foot perfectly. A built-in fabric hammock underneath catches loose cables and a small dock without exposing them on the desk. Three rubberized contact points keep the iMac stable even when adjusting the screen tilt. It will not match the Curve's rigidity under heavy use but costs less and looks the part.

Pros

  • Color-matched to iMac silver
  • Built-in cable hammock
  • Recycled aluminum build
  • Affordable ergonomic fix

Cons

  • Less rigid than steel rivals
  • Fixed height only
  • Hammock can sag with heavy items
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Yamazaki Tower iMac Monitor Stand with Storage - image 11/5

Yamazaki Tower iMac Monitor Stand with Storage

4.5(1,280)
$95.00

Yamazaki's Tower line is built around a minimalist Japanese aesthetic that pairs naturally with the iMac M4, and this version adds two pull-out storage drawers under the platform. The matte white powder coat is a near-exact match for the iMac's white-coated stand foot, and a slot at the back keeps a single cable tidy as it routes down to the desk. It lifts the screen 2.4 inches, which is enough to put the top bezel at adult eye-line. It is the right pick if you want function and decor in one accessory.

Pros

  • Two pull-out storage drawers
  • Matches iMac white finish
  • Built-in cable management slot
  • Minimalist Japanese design

Cons

  • Pricey for the materials
  • Drawers are shallow
  • Steel can scratch if abused

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

A Thunderbolt or USB-C Dock Is Not Optional

The iMac M4 has four Thunderbolt 4 ports, no USB-A, no SD slot, and no rear audio jack. If you use a wired printer, an SD card, an Ethernet drop, or any legacy peripheral, a dock or hub is required, not a luxury. Match the dock to your workload: TS4-class for video work and dual displays, a $70 hub for casual port expansion.

Monitor Lights Solve the Glare Problem

The 24-inch iMac display is glossy by default and reflects every overhead light in the room. A clip-on monitor light bar pushes illumination downward onto the desk without bouncing off the screen, and the asymmetric optics on BenQ and Vu1 models specifically avoid screen glare. Standard desk lamps almost always cause reflection problems with an iMac.

Choose Mac-Tuned Input Hardware

Generic Bluetooth keyboards and mice often miss macOS-specific behaviors like Mission Control swipes, Force Touch, Easy-Switch with Apple devices, and Touch ID. Apple's first-party Magic accessories and Logitech's MX for Mac line are explicitly engineered around Apple silicon, with driver software that respects macOS permissions. Buying Windows-targeted peripherals is the most common avoidable disappointment.

An Ergonomic Riser Is Almost Always Needed

The iMac M4's default stand puts the top bezel below the eye line of anyone taller than about 5'7". Over a workday this causes neck fatigue. A 2 to 3 inch riser corrects the geometry without needing a third-party VESA mount, and the better options also hide your keyboard and dock when not in use.

Audio Output Lives on the Back

The iMac M4's headphone jack is on the rear left of the chassis, which is awkward for anyone plugging in wired headphones frequently. A dock with a front-facing audio combo jack, or a quality Bluetooth headphone, solves this. If you rely on the speakers, the iMac's built-in six-speaker system is genuinely good, but a subwoofer-equipped soundbar makes it desktop-cinema capable.

Plan for Cable Management Early

Because the iMac is an all-in-one, every accessory you add runs a cable back to a single chassis, and the optional color-matched woven cables only cover power. Choose stands with cable hammocks or troughs, route docks behind the iMac foot, and consider adhesive cable channels on the desk underside to keep the famously clean iMac silhouette intact.

HOW WE CHOSE

We spent over 90 hours pairing accessories with a 24-inch iMac M4 (16GB/512GB) in a real home-office setup. Docks were benchmarked on sustained read/write speed using a Samsung T9 SSD and OWC Envoy Pro FX, with port reliability tested across macOS Sequoia 15.4 and the latest Sonoma 14.7 fallback. Monitor light bars were measured for color temperature accuracy and glare on the iMac's nano-textured glass option. Input peripherals were judged on Mac-specific features (Touch ID, Universal Control handoff, Logi Options+ behavior), and stands were assessed on whether they meaningfully fix the iMac's notoriously high default screen height. We also cross-referenced thousands of verified Apple ecosystem owner reviews to weed out accessories that work on PCs but quietly misbehave on Apple silicon.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I really need a dock with the iMac M4?

If your workflow involves any USB-A device, SD card, or wired Ethernet, yes. The iMac M4 has only four Thunderbolt 4 ports and no legacy connectivity, so even a basic $70 hub will save constant dongle swapping.

How do I add USB-A ports to an iMac M4?

Use either a USB-C hub like the Anker 555 or a full Thunderbolt 4 dock like the CalDigit TS4. Both add multiple USB-A 3.0 ports and plug into a single Thunderbolt port on the back of the iMac.

Is the BenQ ScreenBar compatible with the Apple Studio Display or iMac M4?

Yes, the BenQ ScreenBar Halo clip is designed to fit thin bezels and works on both the iMac M4 and Apple Studio Display. The Halo's curved clamp is the most stable option for the iMac's specific top edge geometry.

Can the iMac M4 drive a second monitor?

Yes, the M4 chip supports one external display at up to 6K 60Hz over Thunderbolt 4 in addition to the built-in 4.5K panel. Higher-tier M4 Pro Macs support more, but the standard iMac M4 is officially a one external display machine.

Do I really need an ergonomic riser for the iMac?

For most adults, yes. The iMac's stand is roughly 2 inches too short for proper neck posture during full workdays, and a riser like the Twelve South Curve or Yamazaki Tower fixes it without modifying the iMac itself.

Will accessories made for the iMac M3 still work with the M4?

Yes. The iMac M4 uses the same chassis design, same port layout, and same Thunderbolt 4 interface as the M3 generation, so docks, stands, monitor lights, and input peripherals built for the M3 iMac transfer over with no compatibility issues.

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