Head-to-head · Best Thunderbolt 4 Docks

Plugable TBT4-UD5 vs Plugable TBT4-UDZ

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 clear margin (4.5 vs 4.0). 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.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Thunderbolt 4 Docks

Plugable TBT4-UD5

4.5

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.com Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Thunderbolt 4 Docks

Plugable TBT4-UDZ

4.0

2 sources$290as of Aug 27

The TBT4-UDZ is the do-everything alternative: a 16-in-1 dock with HDMI, DisplayPort, multiple Thunderbolt ports and a generous USB charging spread that earned Laptop Mag's 2025 Dock of the Year. Laptop Mag said it lands just shy of a 5-star score and is one of the best docks it has tested. It is pricier and bulkier than the UD5 sibling, but for a decked-out workstation it rivals the flagships.

Strengths

— Huge 16-in-1 port selection rivaling the most loaded docks
— Both HDMI and DisplayPort outputs plus multiple Thunderbolt ports
— Many powered USB ports for charging accessories at the dock

Watch-outs

— Falls just short of a 5-star score in expert testing
— Larger footprint than slim docks like the Plugable TBT4-UD5
— Pricier than the value TBT4-UD5 sibling

$290 · Buy at plugable.com Full 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

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.

Plugable TBT4-UDZ

The maximalist value play: it nearly matches the CalDigit TS4 on port count while adding both HDMI and DisplayPort the TS4 lacks, for less money. It is more loaded than its Plugable TBT4-UD5 sibling and the OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock, and offers more total ports than the Kensington SD5780T, though it is bulkier and pricier than the UD5.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Plugable TBT4-UD5	Plugable TBT4-UDZ
Ports	13 total	16 total
Thunderbolt	Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) host	Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) host + downstream
Displays	Dual 4K@60Hz HDMI or single 8K	Dual 4K@60Hz (2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort)
Host Charging	100W (96W certified)	100W Power Delivery
USB	4x USB ports	7x USB ports
Networking	Gigabit Ethernet	2.5GbE Ethernet
Certification	Thunderbolt 4 / Intel Evo certified	—
Compatibility	Windows and Mac	Mac, Windows, USB4
Dimensions	8.9"L x 3.3"W x 0.9"H	4.1"L x 1.4"W x 7.7"H
Wattage	96	100
Card Reader	—	SD + microSD

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