With Thunderbolt ports turning into extra frequent in laptops, a Thunderbolt dock generally is a crucial accent. Think of the Thunderbolt dock as a extra highly effective, high-speed different to a USB-C hub, including I/O growth to your laptop computer within the type of additional ports for mice, keyboards, exterior drives, SD playing cards, and, most significantly, shows. It may even cost your laptop computer and smartphone!

Simply put, laptops are slimming down. Though cheaper laptops nonetheless embrace microUSB ports, HDMI, SD card slots, and extra, premium laptops are choosing the “clean” look, and are pushing all of those legacy ports onto exterior units — the selection right here is between a USB-C hub and a Thunderbolt dock.

The distinction? Price and bandwidth. USB-C hubs are far cheaper, however they provide far much less bandwidth, too. That particularly issues the place shows are involved, but in addition exterior exhausting drives and different storage units. While a USB-C hub can assist a single 4K show, usually at an eye-wearying 30Hz refresh charge, Thunderbolt hubs can assist as much as two 4K shows at a snug 60Hz. They’re additionally more likely to future-proof your PC. You can even use Thunderbolt to enable an external GPU in your PC.

If your laptop computer features a Thunderbolt port, chances are high it helps the Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 customary, each of which give 40Gbps. Intel helped launch the updated Thunderbolt 4 specification in July 2020 as a part of its 11th-gen “Tiger Lake” Core laptops, and the specification has grow to be extra well-liked on productiveness laptops. The bandwidth behind Thunderbolt 4 is sufficient to drive these shows and shuttle information backwards and forwards between peripherals with out inflicting your show to flicker or your video stream to stutter.

What’s the distinction between Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4? The easy reply is that they’re all related. The longer reply, explaining the variations, could also be discovered inside our Thunderbolt shopping for information beneath our suggestions. If you wish to be taught extra about the advantages of a Thunderbolt dock, what to search for when shopping for one, or easy methods to know whether or not your laptop computer will assist one, look right here as effectively.

We’ve up to date our picks as of November 2021, including the newest Plugable Thunderbolt dock to our checks. More updates will probably be coming quickly.

The greatest funds Thunderbolt docks

No shock—funds normally means primary. But that’s okay! You’ll nonetheless discover a mixture of frequent ports, and normally two monitor outputs—both HDMI or ShowPort. Make certain you may have the best video cable, or be ready to purchase one. 

Also, some funds Thunderbolt hubs are bus-powered, that means that whereas they received’t require an exterior charger (which makes them extra moveable), they most likely received’t be capable to ship sufficient energy to cost a cellphone in case your laptop computer isn’t plugged in. The worth makes them value a re-examination, although.

IOgear Thunderbolt 3 Travel Dock (GTD300)

Although it’s listed as a journey dock, the IOgear GTD300 serves as an excellent common work companion. The Thunderbolt 3 dock is bus-powered, nevertheless, which implies you’ll need your laptop computer to be plugged in for greatest outcomes, although the hub itself doesn’t require its personal charger.

IOgear’s plastic dock measures simply 2.2 x 0.91 x 4.06 inches, and is among the many smallest we’ve examined, so it neatly matches right into a backpack for journey. On its underside, a inexperienced plastic shell conceals a nook to retailer the dock’s quick, 5-inch twine when not in use. 

Ports are minimal: one HDMI 2.0 port, one ShowPort 1.2 port, one 5Gbps USB-A port, and gigabit ethernet port. If you’re okay utilizing the USB port for a mouse or keyboard, quite than for high-speed exterior storage, the GTD300 will go well with you effective. (Of course, we’d have most popular a 10Gbps port, a minimum of.)

Some of Amazon’s customer reviews are barely complicated: In our expertise the ethernet port labored as anticipated, as did the USB-A port. Perhaps due to the small type issue, the GTD300 will get noticeably scorching, however not uncomfortably so in our opinion. 

Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core

Belkin’s Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core arrived in bare-bones packaging, and the product is equally unadorned: It’s a neatly designed “powered” Thunderbolt 3 journey dock.

At a virtually sq. 5.2 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches, the Thunderbolt Dock Core black doesn’t take up a lot room, and the included 8-inch Thunderbolt 3 twine supplies ample size for flexibility. Ports are adequately spaced out across the flat, black plastic dice, with HDMI 2.0 and ShowPort 1.4 ports offering a secure 4K/60Hz expertise to each of my 4K shows. There’s gigabit ethernet and a 3.5mm audio jack, however good luck telling the USB 3.1 and USB 2.0 Type A ports aside—they’re not labeled.

There’s one catch: The further USB-C port on the Dock is a vanilla USB-C port that must be linked to a 60W charger to energy the dock—which isn’t provided. That’s effective in case your laptop computer costs with a USB-C charger; if it doesn’t, you’ll want to purchase one. That means additional expense and one thing else to hold.

Save for the irritating lack of labels on the USB-A ports, the Dock Core labored as anticipated, with stable efficiency. The plastic shell by no means warmed to worrisome ranges.

OWC Thunderbolt Hub (OWCTB4HUB5P)

Other World Computing (OWC) focuses on Mac merchandise, the place Thunderbolt-powered shows are extra frequent than the Windows world. This is essential, because the comparatively tiny OWCTB4HUB5P gives only a 10Gbps USB 3.2 Type A port, a Kensington lock, and three Thunderbolt 3 ports. 

Designing a Thunderbolt 4 dock with three Thunderbolt 3 ports is sensible in case you’re straight connecting a Thunderbolt display (something that in 2021 we don’t advise doing) or a direct-attached Thunderbolt machine. You can daisy-chain as much as 5 units. But in case you had been contemplating shopping for the OWC Hub to hook up with one other Thunderbolt dock—which might drastically increase your I/O choices additional—beware. While the OWC Hub can drive two 4K shows at 60Hz, interjecting one other dock limits the output to only one, our testing and OWC assist workers confirms. 

That’s unlucky, as a result of the tiny (4.7in x 2.9in. x .7in.) metallic hub matches neatly in your desk, although with a 110W energy brick that dwarfs it. At 7.4 oz, it’s undoubtedly moveable. The Hub provides 60W to the laptop computer, and 15W to downstream units —even when the host PC is sleeping. I/O charges had been constant throughout all the ports, even whereas different ports had been energetic. OWC’s Thunderbolt Hub grew to become pretty heat whereas utilizing it, although not uncomfortably so. The Thunderbolt 4 cable size is big, at about 2.5 ft lengthy.

This is a specialised Thunderbolt design that we’d suggest most move over. But for individuals who have dedicated to a Thunderbolt future, the OWC Thunderbolt Hub makes extra sense.

The greatest full-featured Thunderbolt docks 

Most of the “full-featured” Thunderbolt docks had been initially designed for content material creators, particularly the Mac market. In this class, powered docks are the norm, delivery with the type of sizeable energy bricks usually related to gaming laptops. Unlike our funds choices, these docks are really desk-bound. 

Expect the 40Gbps bandwidth frequent to all Thunderbolt 3 docks to be shared amongst a surfeit of ports, together with a number of USB-A ports, a USB-C port or two, SD card slots, and extra. Audio jacks are frequent, and you might even discover an exterior Thunderbolt 3 port as effectively for daisy-chaining further units. All of these ports take up area, so a mannequin that may be positioned on its edge or vertically is best for cramped work surfaces.

We will be aware that Plugable’s docks, although our favourite, rapidly promote out, presumably resulting from supply-chain points. If you’re available in the market for a Thunderbolt dock, purchase it rapidly!

Plugable TBT3-UDZ Thunderbolt 3 Dock

Plugable’s TBT3-UDZ is solely among the best Thunderbolt 3 docks we’ve examined, although it’s additionally one of the crucial costly, too. With a boatload of ports, together with choices for utilizing ShowPort or HDMI for each shows, the TBT3-UDZ gives flexibility after which some. There’s even a sturdy stand to mount it vertically in your desk.

On the entrance, the TBT3-UDZ features a 10Gbps USB-C and a 10Gbps USB-A (USB 3.1) port, microSD and SD card slots, plus a headphone jack. On the rear, 5 USB-A (USB 3.0 ports) and gigabit ethernet complement a pair of ShowPort 1.4 ports and HDMI 2.0 ports.  (It’s all primarily based on Intel’s Titan Ridge chipset.) A 29-inch 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 cable connects the dock to your laptop computer, and is able to delivering 96W of energy over a 2.6-foot Thunderbolt 3 cable. Naturally, it is a powered dock, with a hefty 170W (!) charger.

Performance was wonderful, driving each 4K shows at 60Hz, and transferring our check file at near peak speeds whereas concurrently taking part in again two 4K/60Hz movies on each shows over Ethernet. The engaging gun-metal chassis by no means warmed uncomfortably, although it’s a whopping 4.1 kilos—most likely heavier than the laptops it’s driving. The additional weight, plus the chassis stand, retains the TBT3-UDZ rock-solid whereas in its vertical, space-saving orientation. It measures about 8 inches lengthy/excessive by 3.75 inches broad, and an inch thick.

A two-year guarantee overlaying restricted components and labor is included.

Plugable TBT3-UDC3 Thunderbolt 3 Dock

Plugable’s TBT3-UDC3 is a smaller, inexpensive model of the TBT3-UDZ, with much less I/O flexibility however extra focus. The dock features a pair of USB-A 5Gbps ports on the entrance for a mouse and keyboard, after which a second USB-A (10Gbps) port on the again. A pair of two 10Gbps USB-C ports sit alongside it for additional growth. There’s Gigabit Ethernet, too. Smartly, Plugable consists of one HDMI 2.0 port and a ShowPort 1.4 port for show connections, plus an HDMI-to-ShowPort dongle within the field in case you personal two HDMI shows.

A 2.6-foot Thunderbolt 3 cable provides 96W of energy to a laptop computer, which is superb.

Performance was on par with the TBT-UDC3, with little or no warmth emitted from the dock. On one event the dock stopped working, however resumed working a second time once we plugged it in every week or so later. This looks as if an in any other case wonderful dock, however we’ve barely lowered the score due to this. Plugable features a two-year guarantee in case you obtain a nasty unit.

CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 3 Plus (CalDigit TS3 Plus)

CalDigit’s Thunderbolt Station 3 Plus is likely one of the hottest Thunderbolt 3 docks out there, and it’s simple to see why: a space-saving vertical orientation, 87W charging, gobs of accessible ports, and even niceties like a S/PDIF optical connection and an exterior Thunderbolt jack for daisy-chaining units.

The TS3 Plus measures 5.15 x 3.87 x 1.57 in., and weighs 1.04 kilos. Though it lacks a supporting stand, it rested simply in a vertical place. CalDigit consists of small rubber ft for positioning the aluminum dock in an horizontal orientation.

Port choice consists of: two Thunderbolt 3 ports (one from the laptop computer, and one for an exterior connection), and a single ShowPort 1.2 port. That’s supreme for a single 4K show, however awkward for 2. The TS3 Plus consists of 1 full-sized SD (SD 4.0 UHS-II) card reader, the S/PDIF port, gigabit ethernet, and two 3.5mm audio jacks—one in, one out. Five USB Type A ports are additionally included (all 5Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 1) and two USB-C ports (one 5Gbps port, and one 10Gbps port).

To allow two 4K/60 shows, you’ll want a second USB-C dongle operating off both the Thunderbolt or USB-C dock—or a forward-looking show with a built-in Thunderbolt/USB-C connector. These are nonetheless uncommon within the Windows world.

Daisy-chaining the Thunderbolt port to allow a second monitor labored effective, although the connection dropped momentarily on each shows when taking part in again video on each shows and transferring recordsdata. Otherwise, high-bandwidth video playback went fully easily. The exterior audio jack additionally didn’t work initially, however did on a subsequent retry. CalDigit’s TS3 Plus barely warmed underneath load.

Other Thunderbolt docks we examined

Your Thunderbolt dock selections prolong far past what we’ve beneficial. Hubs combine and match completely different port varieties, and completely different type components. Pay consideration to our rankings, costs, and the quirks of every to seek out an choice that matches your particular wants. 

Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock (Dual HDMI 2.0) (TB3-MiniDock-HM)

Out of the field, the CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock (Dual HDMI 2.) appears supreme for a purpose-built, bus-powered Thunderbolt dock: quite cheap, with simply the ports you’ll want and never a lot else. 

The model we reviewed ships with gigabit ethernet, a pair of USB Type-A ports (USB 3 and USB 2) and two HDMI 2.0 ports. A shortish 5.3-inch Thunderbolt 3 cable connects the bus-powered TB3-MiniDock-HM to your laptop computer. Remember, “bus-powered” implies that you don’t want a charging brick, saving area.

Our check laptop computer started unexpectedly reporting glitches, nevertheless, together with visible errors on each shows and the shortcoming of the laptop computer to learn USB drives or hook up with a USB mouse—till we found that the facility cable had labored free. CalDigit recognized the issue as our laptop computer’s incapability to provide the requisite 15W of energy for the Mini Dock to operate appropriately. (The Mini Dock doesn’t embrace a charging port, and we’ve seen different customers complain concerning the USB-A situation.) The Mini Dock once more labored once we hooked up the laptop computer’s charger, however subsequently failed to acknowledge an exterior USB drive. It looks as if not sufficient energy is constantly passing by the USB-A ports, primarily based on our checks with a USB-C energy meter. We examined the dock on a second Thunderbolt-powered laptop computer and obtained the identical end result.

Performance-wise, the Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock carried out effectively, although with quite a few frames dropped on our two 4K/60Hz check movies. Heat was by no means a difficulty.

OWC Thunderbolt Dock (OWCTB4DOCK)

The large brother to OWC’s Thunderbolt Hub, the OWC Thunderbolt Dock supplies three Thunderbolt 3 ports for Thunderbolt units, plus three USB-A 10Gbps ports, one USB-A 2.0 charging port, an SD (UHS-II) card slot, gigabit Ethernet, and an audio jack.

Like its smaller sibling, it is a specialty dock is designed for individuals who have invested in Thunderbolt displays and different Thunderbolt units. There are not any exterior show connections moreover the Thunderbolt interface. The Dock measures 7.8in. x 2.9in. x 1.0in. and 14.1oz. The included Thunderbolt 4 cable measures about 2.5 ft. 

Like the OWC Thunderbolt Hub, the Dock helps direct connections to Thunderbolt shows and units, together with a pair of 4K/60 shows. (The Dock helps ShowPort 1.4.) If you join one other Thunderbolt dock to one of many Thunderbolt 3 outputs, nevertheless, just one 4K/60 show will probably be enabled. Directly linked, a Thunderbolt 4 drive wrote information at 1,221 MB/s and browse at 2,292 MB/s. Connected to the Dock, it wrote at 1027 MB/s  and wrote at 2210MB/s. An SD card positioned contained in the Dock learn and wrote information at speeds corresponding to an SD card slot constructed into Microsoft’s Surface Book 4 laptop computer.

OWC says that the Dock provides as much as 90W for charging the host laptop computer. OWC doesn’t outline the charging capabilities of the “charging” USB 2.0 Type A port, however we measured it at about 7W, sufficient to cost, however not fast-charge, a OnePlus smartphone. The Dock remained completely cool to the contact underneath load.

Thunderbolt dock purchaser’s information

If you’re on the fence about whether or not a Thunderbolt dock is best for you, understanding the solutions to the next questions may enable you to.

How do I do know if my laptop computer has Thunderbolt?

The quick reply: Look on the laptop computer’s printed specs to make sure. A Thunderbolt port could look indistinguishable from a USB-C port, since they each use the identical bodily USB-C connection. Put one other approach, all Thunderbolt ports are USB-C, however not all USB-C ports are Thunderbolt-equipped.

Thunderbolt ports are supposed to have a small lightning-bolt icon to determine them. But some laptop computer makers use an identical lightning-bolt icon to point {that a} USB-C port can be utilized for charging your cellphone, and not for Thunderbolt. Laptop makers generally don’t wish to litter the clear traces of their merchandise by including further logos, it appears. 

Adding to the confusion, you might also see USB-C hubs marketed as “Thunderbolt compatible.” That’s true. You can plug a Thunderbolt dock right into a non-Thunderbolt, generic USB-C port. But it will likely be restricted by the out there bandwidth that the port supplies, so it’s considerably misleading in that regard. 

How quick is Thunderbolt?

Most USB-C ports are constructed on the second-generation USB 3.1 data-transfer customary, which transfers information at 10Gbps. Most Thunderbolt 3 ports, the commonest customary, switch information at as much as 40Gbps. Thunderbolt 4 differs barely in that it helps a theoretical most of 32Gbps the place information transfers are involved, particularly for exterior storage units.

There are considerably uncommon exceptions: A brand new USB 3.2 Gen 2X2 spec can pair two 10Gbps channels collectively, creating an combination 20Gbps hub. And whereas the overwhelming majority of Thunderbolt 3-equipped laptops are designed with 4 PCIe lanes for a complete of 40Gbps, some laptops solely ship with two PCIe lanes for a complete of 20Gbps. (A Dell support page, for instance, particulars its four-lane and two-lane laptops.) Essentially, a 20Gbps connection must be sufficient for a single 4K monitor operating at 60Hz, with a bit of additional bandwidth for different information transfers amongst linked peripherals.

What’s the distinction between Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4?

The quick reply: Not that a lot, and we think about Thunderbolt 3 docks and Thunderbolt 4 docks to be functionally equal for many customers. The longer reply, which we’ll describe beneath, is that there are variations, and parsing the nuances might be complicated. Think of Thunderbolt 4 because the extra restrictive model of Thunderbolt 3, with little room for any gotchas.

Essentially, Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 permit as much as 40Gbps most bandwidth, sufficient for 2 4K/60 shows. “Up to” is the important thing phrase: Thunderbolt 3 is just required to assist a 10Gbps connection, permitting for a single exterior 4K show (a 16 Gbps PCIe connection, paired with USB3.2). Most producers transcend this, nevertheless, and our beneficial docks assist the total specification (and two 4K shows) until famous. Thunderbolt 3 additionally helps a slower (16Gbps) PCIe connection for connecting to exterior storage. Unless you’re enhancing video or utilizing an exterior GPU, this most likely received’t matter.

Thunderbolt 4 doesn’t permit for any leeway — you’re getting a full-fledged 40Gbps connection (32 Gbps PCIe + USB 3.2), no questions requested. For exterior storage, Thunderbolt 4 helps 32 Gbps of information switch — once more, this actually solely issues for video, exterior GPU connections, or presumably video games. Thunderbolt 4 helps “wake on sleep” from an exterior keyboard or mouse, which lets you faucet your exterior keyboard or wiggle your mouse to wake your PC up, which is useful. Thunderbolt 4 permits for longer cables and extra Thunderbolt ports on laptops, too.

USB4 is essentially a subset of Thunderbolt 4, primarily designed as an an I/O specification. USB4 can solely assist one show, and producers can select whether or not it helps a 20Gbps connection or a 40Gbps connection, in line with Thunderbolt dock designer Plugable. As a subset of Thunderbolt 4, a USB4 machine will run simply effective plugged right into a Thunderbolt 4 port. But a Thunderbolt 4 machine could not work as anticipated when plugged into what’s particularly a USB4 port. Don’t fear about this an excessive amount of, because it’s uncommon to see a USB4 hub. Instead, most hubs and docks are marketed as Thunderbolt 4, whereas most units (like an exterior SSD) are designed round USB4.

Note that Thunderbolt 3 and 4 require a minimum of 15W to energy units plugged into the Thunderbolt port, reminiscent of a bus-powered exhausting drive. USB4 requires simply half that.

Device maker Anker has a pleasant abstract of all the technical options related to Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4, in case you actually wish to get into the effective distinctions.

Anker

Virtually each Thunderbolt machine will ship with its personal cable. We’d suggest that you just use Thunderbolt 3 cables with Thunderbolt 3 merchandise, and Thunderbolt 4 cables with Thunderbolt 4 merchandise.

What to search for in a Thunderbolt dock

Ports, cables, peripherals: Those are the three main issues when shopping for a Thunderbolt dock. 

We’re starting to see the Thunderbolt dock market break down into a couple of other ways. First, there’s the funds versus full-featured docks we’ve highlighted above. But you additionally may even see one thing much like the previous USB hubs of previous, too: Devices that take Thunderbolt in after which present a number of USB-C (together with Thunderbolt) ports out. There are a small variety of shows with Thunderbolt inputs, which might be plugged straight into these hubs. Do you may have an present low cost USB-C dongle? You can actually plug that in right into a Thunderbolt dock and add much more I/O performance.

Basically, think about what you’ll wish to plug into the dock as a information for purchasing one. We desire units with ports inbuilt (reminiscent of HDMI, USB-A, and so forth) because the USB-C machine ecosystem continues to be in its infancy. But ask your self some questions. Do you need a primary Thunderbolt dock, with only a pair of HDMI ports for connecting two shows? Does an SD card slot matter? How many USB Type A peripherals do you propose to connect? Do you wish to use the Thunderbolt cable to cost your laptop computer, too?

Cables might be an unexpectedly essential consideration, too. Virtually each dock ships with a Thunderbolt cable. But think about the shows you personal (sometimes HDMI or ShowPort) and think about whether or not the dock will accommodate them.

Check your laptop computer’s energy provide. Does it plug into your laptop computer by way of USB-C? If so, a Thunderbolt dock will seemingly energy it. You’ll want to know how the dock provides energy, although. Check your laptop computer’s charger to learn the way a lot energy it provides, and the way a lot the dock might want to provide to exchange it. If your laptop computer or units aren’t receiving sufficient energy, you might even see a warning pop up.

A “bus-powered” dock received’t include an exterior charger within the package deal, saving some value, area, and energy considerations. A dock with “power delivery” will provide its personal energy and cost your laptop computer and/or a cellphone by way of your laptop computer’s present USB-C charger. (Chances are that it received’t supply the quick-charging capabilities premium smartphones supply, although.) The extra energy your dock provides, the larger the power to cost your laptop computer and any bus-powered units. This is a gotcha most individuals don’t take into consideration, so in case you plan to attach a number of bus-powered exhausting drives or SSDs, purchase a dock with a hefty energy provide. (USB keys, however, require tiny quantities of energy. Don’t fear about these.)

There’s yet another consideration: the size of the Thunderbolt cable between your laptop computer and the dock itself. You could have seen or heard about USB-C ports sporting out on smartphones; a free or wobbly connector on Thunderbolt docks may cause displays to unexpectedly flicker or lose connection. Consider how a lot pressure will probably be placed on a cable. A Thunderbolt dock that’s dangling from a Thunderbolt port will stress the bodily connector. You don’t need that!

If you’re a Mac person who has stumbled throughout this text, welcome. But please remember that early Apple MacBook Pros powered by Intel silicon supported as much as two 4K shows. The first MacBook Pros powered by the Apple M1 chip solely assist a single 4K show. Many Mac customers have lately left detrimental evaluations on Thunderbolt docks on purchasing websites due to this. Buy a PC!

How we examined

We’re working from the premise that you just’re shopping for a Thunderbolt dock for its distinctive capability to hook up with two 4K displays at 60Hz. Lower resolutions must be a lot simpler to run efficiently. Our first check merely linked every dock to a pair of 4K/60Hz shows, every of which may settle for ShowPort and HDMI cabling, and made certain there have been no visible artifacts at 60Hz decision.

Second, we checked to see whether or not the out there ports delivered the bandwidth we’d anticipate, connecting them to an exterior SSD and transferring a group of check recordsdata over the Thunderbolt cable and port. We additionally used AJA’s System Test instrument to double-check our numbers and check whether or not learn and write speeds had been constant. 

Finally, we spot-checked the out there energy draw of the hubs and ports with a USB energy meter, in addition to merely connecting them to bus-powered units to see if they may ship sufficient energy to permit them to function. Here, we found that one among our testing laptops didn’t provide sufficient energy operating on battery to energy a bus-powered Thunderbolt dock, so we enlisted a second, completely different laptop computer as a backup.

This story was up to date on November 4, 2021 with new info and product suggestions.