CalDigit hub
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If you're looking for Thunderbolt 4 compatible hubs and docking stations to expand your Mac's connectivity, we've rounded up some of the best docking accessories and port extensions currently on the market.
Most modern Mac models come with at least a few USB-C or Thunderbolt 4 ports. But depending on the complexity of your setup, sometimes you might run out of ports. This is where a docking station or hub comes in handy.
While there are plenty of Thunderbolt 4 docking stations and hubs on the market, this is our pick of the best you can find.
Belkin Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Dock The Belkin Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Station is a 12-port docking station first announced in February. While the Belkin Connect Pro Dock has plenty of port options and a stylish design, it also comes with a hefty price tag of $399.
Belkin Connect Pro Dock
In terms of USB ports, the dock has two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one upstream and one downstream). ), a pair of USB-A 3.1 ports, two USB-A 2.0 ports, and one USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port with USB-C PD 3.0 support.
In addition, the Belkin Connect Pro Dock also features an SD 4.0 card slot, a Gigabit Ethernet port and an audio combo jack.
Buy at Belkin
The docking station can provide up to 90W of total power to charge connected devices. Plus, it can power one monitor up to 8K or two monitors up to 4K.
However, due to Mac limitations, Apple users cannot use both HDMI ports at the same time. If you want to use two monitors with a Mac, you will have to use one HDMI port and a Thunderbolt 4 port. This makes the second HDMI port a waste of space for Mac users.
Belkin seems to be primarily targeting office and PC users.
The Belkin Connect Pro Dock retails for $399.99.
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 (TS4)
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 is a great docking station that can meet the needs of most Mac users with 18 ports, familiar design and fast data transfer.
CalDigit TS4 Dock
On the front, you'll find a UHS-II SD4 card reader, a UHS-II SD 4 microSD card reader, an audio combo jack, a USB 3.2 port with 7.5W output, a USB-C port with 7.5W output, and a USB-C with 20W output.
On the back, you'll find even more port options, including four USB-A 3.2 ports, a USB-C port, 2 Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 port, audio in and out ports. and a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port.
Buy at B&H
In short, you won't need any additional wired connectivity with this port. It can deliver 98W of power and drive one 8K or 6K display or a pair of 6K displays.
Strong transfer rates, a neutral enough dock to look great in any configuration, and a $359.99 price tag.
We recommend TS4 for a Thunderbolt 4 dock, but you will experience slower speeds if all ports are used at the same time. If you're looking for a solid docking station with plenty of port options, then the CalDigit TS4 is a good choice.
Alogic Thunderbolt 4 Blaze Hub
Alogic Thunderbolt 4 Blaze Hub may not be a docking station. Instead, its form factor and port offering is more in line with portable USB hubs. However, it can provide dock performance for some settings.
Alogic Thunderbolt 4 Blaze Hub
Basically, the Thunderbolt 4 Blaze Hub is a stripped-down version of the company's Blaze docking station. It contains a total of five ports, which is not much compared to some of the other options on this list. However, all five ports are technological.
Buy on Amazon.
You'll find one Thunderbolt 4 upstream port with up to 60W output, three Thunderbolt 4 ports with 15W output, and one USB-A port with 7.5W output. .
There is no Ethernet port or SD card slot, which means the hub is not suitable for photographers, videographers, or anyone who needs fast wired Internet access.
However, with a slim and portable design and a price of $189.99 (sold on Amazon), it can provide enough performance for certain users.
OWC Thunderbolt Dock
port settings to machines that do not have a diverse wired connection. To this end, he delivers.
OWC Thunderbolt Dock.
On the front of the dock you'll find a 96W Thunderbolt 4 port, combo audio jack, USB-A 2.0 port and an SD 4.0 card reader.
On the back, you'll find the dock's power supply, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and three USB-A 3.0 ports with data rates up to 10Gbps.
Buy from OWC.
It can drive up to two 4K displays or one 5K, 6K or 8K display. The OWC option also supports high performance storage such as NVMe and other accessories.
The OWC Thunderbolt Dock doesn't offer the port variety or abundance of ports that some of the other docks on this list, but it costs less at $279. This can be a good option for users on a budget.
Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub
If you want to maximize the number of Thunderbolt 4 ports on a hub or docking station, the CalDigit Thunderbolt Element Hub is a great choice for most users.
CalDigit Element Hub
The accessory itself looks more like a USB hub than a docking station, but it plays a unique role among potential Mac accessories. On the front, you'll find four Thunderbolt 4 ports rated at 40Gbps and 18W. That's more ports than most other hubs on the market.
In addition to the Thunderbolt 4 ports, you'll also find four USB-A 3.2 ports. Although there are several options on the market, there is no hub with a four Thunderbolt and four USB configuration.
Buy at Amazon
You can even daisy-chain an Element hub to a CalDigit TS4 port to expand the Thunderbolt connection options available. It can drive two 4K displays at 60Hz or one 8K display. Of course, it doesn't have a DisplayPort to HDMI port, so you'll need a dongle.
The Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub is a great choice for forward-thinking users who want the maximum number of Thunderbolt 4 ports in this type of form factor. Its price is $249.99.
