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Head-to-head · Best Thunderbolt 4 Docks

OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock vs Plugable TBT4-UD5

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Plugable TBT4-UD5 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Mainstream users who want a reliable, HDMI-equipped Thunderbolt 4 dock that covers most needs at the best price in the category. — read the strengths below before deciding.

OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Ranked #4 in Best Thunderbolt 4 Docks
OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock
3 sources$229.99as of Aug 27

The OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock is the daisy-chainer's pick: three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports and a UHS-II card reader make it a favorite for creative workflows, at a price that meaningfully undercuts the CalDigit TS4. docking-stations.info scored it 8/10 and TechRadar praised its construction and flexibility. The lack of HDMI is the main caveat, but for Thunderbolt-heavy setups it is excellent value.

Strengths
  • — Three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports for daisy-chaining drives and displays
  • — UHS-II SD card reader prized by photographers and videographers
  • — 96W host charging through a single cable
Watch-outs
  • — No HDMI port, so displays need DisplayPort or Thunderbolt
  • — Fewer total ports than the CalDigit TS4 or Plugable TBT4-UDZ
  • — USB 2.0 port is a dated inclusion among faster connections
$229.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Plugable TBT4-UD5
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Thunderbolt 4 Docks
Plugable TBT4-UD5
3 sources2 derived$200as of Aug 27

The TBT4-UD5 is the value pick in Thunderbolt 4 docking: 13 ports including dual HDMI, 100W host charging and certified 40Gb/s throughput for around $200. XDA scored it 9 out of 10. It has fewer ports than the flagship docks and no downstream Thunderbolt for daisy-chaining, but it covers a normal desk for roughly half their money.

Strengths
  • — Outstanding value, delivering most of a flagship dock's function for around $200
  • — Dual HDMI ports built in for single 8K or dual 4K displays
  • — Thunderbolt certified with reliable 40Gb/s transfer and instant wake
Watch-outs
  • — Fewer total ports than the CalDigit TS4 or Plugable TBT4-UDZ
  • — No extra downstream Thunderbolt ports for daisy-chaining drives
  • — Plastic-heavy build feels less premium than metal rivals
$200 · Buy at plugable.comFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock

Sits between the value Plugable TBT4-UD5 and the flagship CalDigit TS4: it adds three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports for daisy-chaining that the Plugable TBT4-UD5 lacks, while undercutting the TS4 on price. Like the TS4 it has no HDMI, where the Plugable TBT4-UD5 and Kensington SD5780T include it, and it carries fewer total ports than the Plugable TBT4-UDZ.

Plugable TBT4-UD5

The value alternative to the CalDigit TS4: it gives up some of the TS4's 18-port count and downstream Thunderbolt ports but adds dual HDMI the TS4 lacks, for roughly half the price. It is simpler than the Plugable TBT4-UDZ and Kensington SD5780T but covers the essentials most users need, undercutting the OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock on price too.

Specs side-by-side

SpecOWC Thunderbolt 4 DockPlugable TBT4-UD5
Ports11 total13 total
Thunderbolt3x downstream Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s)Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) host
USB3x USB-A (10Gb/s) + 1x USB 2.04x USB ports
Host Charging96W Power Delivery100W (96W certified)
NetworkingGigabit EthernetGigabit Ethernet
DisplaysSingle 8K@60Hz or dual 4KDual 4K@60Hz HDMI or single 8K
Card ReaderSD 4.0 UHS-II—
Warranty2-year limited—
Dimensions2.87"L x 7.8"W x 1.02"H8.9"L x 3.3"W x 0.9"H
Wattage9696
Certification—Thunderbolt 4 / Intel Evo certified
Compatibility—Windows and Mac
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