If you use a good docking station, your laptop can become a powerful device full of ports. Well, this article from MiniTool Partition Wizard recommends the 4 best Thunderbolt 4 docks. With them, you can run your computer smoothly and efficiently.
In recent years, cable connection technology has evolved rapidly, and manufacturers have been designing more streamlined laptops. Therefore, they usually have fewer ports. Therefore, a Thunderbolt 4 dock is now a must-have device. Not only do they offer fast transfer speeds and charging over a single cable, but you can also connect multiple high-resolution displays.
The best Thunderbolt 4 docks feature multiple ports for quick connection and use. Here we list the 4 best Thunderbolt 4 docks. Just keep reading.
# 1. Caldigit Thunderbolt Station 4 (TS4)
–Image from https://www.bhphotovideo.com/
The CalDigit TS4 has the most ports of any Thunderbolt 4 dock on the market today. A total of 18 ports are spread across the front and rear of the dock, with the host Thunderbolt 4 port and two additional downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back. One of these is for a native DisplayPort 1.4 connection.
The dock can use both UHS-II SD and microSD card readers. The dock supports dual 4K displays with a refresh rate of 60Hz each, or an 8K display with a refresh rate of 60Hz. When connected to a host laptop, the dock can deliver up to 98W of power.
Its pros:
- 18 high-end ports
- 5Gb Ethernet
- 230W power
- Dedicated DisplayPort
- Flexible design
Its cons:
- DisplayPort means only two downstream TB4 ports
# 2. Caldigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub
–Image from https://www.bhphotovideo.com/
The Caldigit Element Hub is another great dock from CalDigit. It has high-performance accessories that can handle everything from an eGPU to a RAID storage setup to multiple high-resolution monitors.
The Caldigit Element hub can handle up to dual 4K displays at 60Hz, a single 8K display at 30Hz, or 5K Thunderbolt displays at 60Hz in extended or mirrored mode. If you’re connected to high-speed external storage, expect read speeds of up to 3,000MB/s.
As long as you’re not looking for a variety of ports and want to add USB-A and Thunderbolt 4, this is a great dock that’s not as expensive as many other options. And it’s also a great option if you’re short on desk space.
Its pros:
- Four Thunderbolt 4 ports
- Four Fast USB-A ports
- 150W power supply
- More affordable
Its cons:
- No ethernet
- No SD card reader
- A larger AC adapter makes it difficult to carry
# 3. Kensington SD5700T
–Image from https://www.bhphotovideo.com/
The Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 dock is another great option if you have enough room on your desk. It’s a little bigger than the Element hub, but it adds a better port mix. While it doesn’t have as many ports as our top pick, it doesn’t cost as much. If you need Ethernet, a UHS-II SD card reader, or a 3.5mm audio jack, this dock is a solid choice.
The SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 can charge laptops at up to 90W (for PCs with dedicated GPUs that need more power) and supports a single 8K display at 30Hz or dual 4K displays at 60Hz.
There’s also the SD5750T, which is designed for the latest Surface PCs, including the Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio. It’s one of the best Thunderbolt 4 docks if you’ve bought Microsoft’s latest offering.
Its pros:
- Up to 90W host charging power
- Includes SD card reader and Ethernet
- 11 fast ports
- 180W power supply
Its cons:
- Costs more than other options
- Take up more desktop space
# 4. OWC Thunderbolt Hub
–Image from https://www.bhphotovideo.com/
The OWC Thunderbolt Hub’s Thunderbolt 4 dock is nearly identical to Kensington’s SD5700T in many ways, including port selection, port layout, and lock slot. One notable difference, however, is price.
Its pros:
- Cheaper than other docks
- Up to 90W host charging
It cons:
- Short warranty
What is the best Thunderbolt 4 dock on your list? You can share your idea with us in the following comment zone.