Best Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 hubs and docking stations

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 100W)
• Two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One HDMI 2.1 video port
• Four USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Four USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Internal M.2 NVMe SSD slot
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 3.5mm microphone jack (back)
• Two (right and left channels) line out RCA jacks (back)
• 150W power supply

The Sonnet Echo 20 SuperDock justifies its “Super” name by having the most ports of any Thunderbolt 4 dock we’ve tested, including something missing from most others.

It matches the excellent Caldigit TS4 on port speed with 10Gbps US-A and USB-C, UHS-II SD card reader and 2.5Gb Ethernet alongside the two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports— differing mainly by its choice of the more popular HDMI video port compared to the TS4’s DisplayPort.

Where once DisplayPort 1.4 was superior to HDMI, HDMI 2.1, as seen here, is as powerful if not more so than the top DisplayPort.

What makes the Echo 20 extra special, I mean Super, is its built-in SSD enclosure that allows you to add up to 8TB of internal storage via your choice of M.2 NVMe (the SSD itself is included with the dock). If you need extra storage for your laptop, this is a great feature, and is much cheaper than configuring the laptop with such a large capacity at purchase.

Of course, the storage doesn’t move with you when you’re uncoupled from the dock, but it’s useful for off-laptop backups and archiving when the laptop’s internal storage is limited.

If you want more portable storage, you can use the SD card reader. The TS4 does win here with both SD and MicroSD readers but most MicroSD cards come with an SD adapter so the Echo 20’s lack of the smallest format matters little.

If you need to keep all your connected devices powered up at the same time as your laptop, the Echo 20’s 150W power supply should suffice but is nowhere near the TS4’s mighty 230W supply.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 98W)
• Two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One DisplayPort 1.4 video port
• Five USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 20W)
• Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD and microSD card readers (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 3.5mm Audio In and Audio Out ports (back)
• 230W power supply

For years, Caldigit ruled the Thunderbolt 3 roost with its compact but powerful Thunderbolt Station 3 Plus (TS3 Plus). Its Thunderbolt 4 successor, the Thunderbolt Station 4 (TS4) is physically and stylistically similar but boasts even more ports at even faster speeds.

All the USB (5x USB-A, 3x USB-C) and Thunderbolt ports (3x TB4) are super fast and offer impressive device charging—at the front, there’s a USB-C port with 20W power.

Caldigit has sacrificed one of the TB4 ports for a dedicated DisplayPort, which is fine if you need that video port but not as flexible as leaving three downstream TB4 ports with which you can add adapters for external displays.

Windows users with a TB4 or USB4 computer can connect a single 8K display at 60Hz, or two 4K at 60Hz; Mac users, a single 6K display at 60Hz, or 2 4K at 60Hz—Macs using an M2 Ultra chip support up to a 8K single display. Older Intel Macs and newer M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBooks can connect two 4K displays at 60Hz, although plain M1 MacBooks are sadly limited to just the one external display. Boasting version 1.4 of DisplayPort, this dock can support very high refresh rates on a single monitor: 144Hz on 4K, and 240Hz at 2560×1440-pixel resolution.

Wired Internet is 2.5 times faster than you’ll find on any other dock or hub tested here, if you have 2.5GbE (or above) compatible devices.

The 230W power supply is the most powerful of any dock we’ve tested, and the dock can charge a laptop at 98W.

The Caldigit TS4 matches the Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock for most ports at the fastest speeds. It lacks the Echo 20’s SSD enclosure but boasts the greatest power.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 60W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Four USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 150W power supply

You won’t find any more modern USB ports on a hub or docking station than you get with Caldigit’s compact and well-priced Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Element Hub, and they are all rated at top speeds.

It boasts four Thunderbolt 4 (all at 40Gbps bandwidth and 15W charging) and four USB-A 3.2 Gen.2 (10Gbps and 7.5W) ports. That’s more than any other Thunderbolt 4 hub we have seen or tested.

One of the TB4 ports is Upstream, for connection to your computer. The other three are Downstream, for connecting other devices.

Caldigit’s Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub is not a docking station by strict definition but it has so many USB ports (both Type A and Type C) that it can certainly be used as a dock if you have the right external device ports or adapters for adding external displays.

If used as a dock, the Element Hub is one of the smallest you’ll find with its own power supply

At 150W, the power supply should accommodate most of your needs, with up to 60W reserved for powering the laptop or tablet—enough for all but the biggest, meanest laptops.

• One upstream USB4 port (40Gbps, 96W)
• One downstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 15W)
• Two HDMI 2.1 video ports
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 30W)
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• Two USB-A ports (5Gbps, 4.5W)
• 2.5Gb Ethernet
• UHS-II SD Card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II MicroSD Card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 160W power supply

The well-priced Wavlink Thunderbolt 4 Triple Display Docking Station has one upstream Thunderbolt 4 port to connect to your computer, and just one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port to connect other devices, including external displays.

Two of the Thunderbolt ports have been sacrificed for dedicated HDMI 2.1 ports For Macs, the dock will support three 4K displays at 60Hz, but one of the two monitors connected via HDMI will only mirror the screen of the other while the other two will display extended screens. Windows TB4 laptops support three Extended Mode 4K 60Hz displays or one monitor at 8K 60Hz.

While it may lack many downstream Thunderbolt ports, the Wavlink dock does offer up five fast USB ports alongside the single TB4 port—two at 10Gbps and two at 5Gbps—and a front-located 10Gbps USB-C port that can output up to 30W, enough to fast-charge a phone.

Wired Internet access can be as fast as 2.5Gb Ethernet if your network is rated at this speed, but it’s backwards compatible with more standard Gigabit Ethernet.

Our sister site Macworld has a full Wavlink Thunderbolt 4 Triple Display Docking Station review.

• One upstream USB4 port (40Gbps, 100W)
• Two HDMI 2.1 video ports
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps)
• One USB-A port (5Gbps)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 20W)
• 2.5Gb Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II MicroSD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 170W power supply

Although it’s not full Thunderbolt and lacks any downstream 40Gbps ports, the Plugable US-4VPD is a great-value USB4 docking station that offers both 40Gbps upstream data and 100W power to the host, plus some seriously top-end features.

USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 are functionally equivalent, but a laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 connection probably won’t work with this dock and it’s not recommended to work with Macs. That market should look at the Thunderbolt 4 docks reviewed here or Plugable’s Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 HDMI Docking Station (TBT4-UDX1).

One market that will sit up and take notice is the gaming community, who will appreciate the opportunity to connect two external 4K displays at a speedy 120Hz refresh rate—a big step up on most other docks tested here. Alternatively, you can connect one monitor at 8K 60Hz. 3D artists and video professionals will also enjoy the higher display ratings.

That aside, the US-4VPD is a tempting offer, with 2.5Gb Ethernet future-proofing for fast wired network access as it becomes more mainstream.

We would have preferred to swap one of the USB-A ports for a second USB-C, but appreciate the powerful 20W charging capability of that USB-C—enough to fast-charge a phone or other smaller device.

The SD and MicroSD card readers are also top-spec, and the 170W power supply is impressive.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 90W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• One USB-A port (480MBps, 7.5W)
• Gigabit Ethernet 
• UHS-II SD Card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 180W power supply

As you’d expect from Kensington, the SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station is a quality build with everything a dock should have: four TB4 ports, three fast USB-A and one slow one (that at least boasts 7.5W charging power compared to the faster USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports’ 4.5W), Gigabit Ethernet, SD Card reader, and audio jack.

At 180W, the power supply is great if you are powering multiple devices connected to the dock. Only the Caldigit TS4 has a more impressive power supply.

There are useful lights telling you when the dock is powered and when it’s connected, and we like the On/Off button, too.

We think paying a little extra for this dock is worthwhile, especially when you factor in the three-year warranty.

In the US there is another variant model, the Kensington SD5780T dock, that drops one of the three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports in favor of an HDMI 2.1 port. Power via the host Thunderbolt 4 port also slightly increases, from 90W to 96W, but it’s also $50 more expensive.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 96W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet 
• UHS-II SD Card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 180W power supply

This dock relies on you installing DisplayLink software to take advantage of its multiple display options. This is especially valuable for Mac users, and particularly those with a plain M1, M2 or M3 processor, which usually restricts such MacBooks to just one external display. With DisplayLink, this dock gives M1 and M2 MacBook Air users access to three displays (one 6K at 60Hz via one of the Thunderbolt ports, and two 4K at 60Hz via the two HDMI ports).

It offers three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports and two DisplayLink-enabled HDMI 2,0 ports. Only one other dock offers that many Thunderbolt ports and more than one video port, and that’s the mighty dual-chip iVanky FusionDock Max 1, reviewed below, that will set you back $500/£500.

Its ports are topped out with GigabIt Ethernet, fast SD Card reader, two speedy USB-A, and an audio jack.

As such the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station offers great value for money for Mac users in search of multiple external displays. Even owners of M1/M2/M3 Pro MacBook Pros benefit from three instead of their usual two supported displays.

It represents good value for owners of Thunderbolt 4 Windows laptops, too, although such people should also consider the company’s Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock, reviewed below. That model is more expensive but it doesn’t require DisplayLink software to run four displays on compatible Windows PCs, offers a choice of dedicated video ports, and boasts faster Ethernet (if your network supports it).

However, the DisplayLink Satechi dock is cheaper, also runs four 4K displays (with DisplayLink installed) and hosts three 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 ports and faster USB-A.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 96W)
• Two DisplayPort 1.4 video ports
• Two HDMI 2.1 video ports
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 5.5W)
• Two USB-A ports (5Gbps, 5.5W)
• One USB-A ports (480MBbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD and microSD card readers (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 135W power supply

This Thunderbolt 4 docking station differs from most others reviewed here in one very specific way: it lacks any downstream Thunderbolt ports. This may strike you as crazy, but there’s a very good reason for the missing TB4 ports—it’s built for multiple-screen setups using both HDMI and DisplayPort rather than Thunderbolt/USB-C monitor connections, and can handle up to four external displays (Windows only).

Windows users with Thunderbolt 4 and many USB4 laptops can connect up to four 4K (3840×2160) 60Hz displays using this dock, mixing the display connectors as they see fit.

Windows and Mac users can connect a single display at 8K (7680-x-4320) at 30Hz.

MacBook Pro (M1/M2 Pro and M1/M2 Max) users and owners of less advanced Windows laptops, on the other hand, are limited to at most two 4K 60Hz displays. And plain M1 and M2 Macs are limited to just one external display, so this is not the dock you are looking for if you own a Mac.

The Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock looks almost identical to Plugable’s TBT4-UDZ reviewed below, but its DisplayPorts are the superior 1.4 standard rather than 1.2 and HDMI 2.1 rather than 2.0.

The other 11 ports include super-fast 2.5Gb Ethernet, fast SD, audio and seven USB connectors, so it is specced out at the top end, although we would have preferred more USB-C ports than USB-A.

• Two upstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 96W)
• Four downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One HDMI 2.0 video ports
• Six USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, one at 30W and one at 7.5W)
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• UHS-II MicroSD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 3.5mm microphone jack (back)
• Optical Audio
• 180W power supply

This dock is for Mac users only and comes into its own when paired with a top-end M1/M2/M3 Max MacBook Pro. A MacBook with an M1/M2/M3 Pro can support only two monitors. You need a Max to get four external displays connected, or look to a dock that works with DisplayLink, such as the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station reviewed higher up this chart.

A Max-level MacBook twinned with this dock supports four 6K displays, and has plenty of ports left over to play with.

It has two video ports and four downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports—more than other docks that offer either three downstream TB4 ports or two downstream TB4 and a video port. The FusionDock Max 1 has so many spare Thunderbolt ports because it has dual built-in Thunderbolt 4 chips.

All this comes at a price—at $500 it’s the priciest docking station we’ve tested. If your requirements are very high, and you own a $3,000 MacBook Pro with an M1/M2/M3 Max processor., this is the ultimate Mac dock for four high-resolution external displays.

More details and a full iVanky FusionDock Max 1 review over at Macworld.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 98W)
• Two DisplayPort 1.2 video ports
• Two HDMI 2.0 video ports
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• Two USB-A ports (5Gbps, 4.5W)
• One USB-A ports (480MBbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD and microSD card readers (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 135W power supply

This Thunderbolt 4 docking station looks very similar to the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock reviewed above. Connected Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Windows laptops can be linked up to up to four external 4K displays at 60Hz.

However, the TBT4-UDZ’s DisplayPorts are 1.2 rather than 1.4, so can’t connect a single display at 5K, 6K or 8K. This dock is for multiple high-resolution displays rather than fewer super-resolution screens.

We appreciate the power button, which makes preserving the laptop’s battery life an easier task.

It’s cheaper than the Satechi—we prefer the other dock’s more impressive video port specifications, but if 4K at 60Hz is more than enough for you, then the price saving makes sense.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 60W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 110W power supply

The OWC Thunderbolt Hub delivers with an upstream Thunderbolt 4 port, three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, and an extra USB-A port thrown in for good measure.

The price is the lowest we’ve seen for one of these latest Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 hubs.

All four Thunderbolt 4 are rated at 40Gbps bandwidth and 15W charging, and one USB-A 3.2 Gen.2 (10Gbps and 7.5W) port. The TB4 ports can be used for adding SSDs and other USB-C, TB3 or TB4 devices or external displays, depending on your needs.

It has a 110W power supply, which is all you should need for the number of ports on offer, and it can charge a laptop at up to 60W.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 96W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• 150W power supply

The Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub offers the standard upstream Thunderbolt 4 port, three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a USB-A port. Where it differs from the other Thunderbolt 4 hubs reviewed here is its 96W laptop-charging, backed up with an external 150W power supply.

It is priced the same as the Caldigit Element Hub, which is still our favorite Thunderbolt 4 hub, with its four 40Gbps/18W Thunderbolt 4 and four 10Gbps/7.5W USB-A ports. However, if you own a large power-hungry laptop, the Belkin’s 96W USB PD charging will impress.

Full docking stations offer similar power, but a hub is smaller and generally cheaper if all you need is extra TB4 ports.

The 10Gbps USB-A port is fast for data transfer but offers little device-charging output—4.5W is enough for a smartwatch, headphones, keyboard or mouse but little else. The TB4 ports can be used for adding two 4K external displays at 60Hz, with one spare for SSDs and other USB-C, TB3 or TB4 devices, or an Ethernet adapter if you want to mimic a dock’s wired access suport.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 90W)
• Two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• HDMI 2.1 video port
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 10W)
• One USB-A port (480MBps, 7.5W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 15W)
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD and microSD card readers (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 120W power supply

A Thunderbolt hub supplies as many Thunderbolt ports as the connection technology allows, but only a full docking station comes with dedicated video ports, wired Internet access, card readers and more USB ports—although the Calldigit Thunderbolt Element Hub packs four TB4 and four fast USB-A ports. With the right adapters and a decent power connection, that might be all you need.

The “Go” in OWC’s Thunderbolt Go Dock signifies that this fully equipped dock is more portable than other docking stations, as it doesn’t require a cumbersome external power brick to be carried with it. Instead, it has its own 120W power supply built into its case.

This does make it reasonably hefty but still much easier to travel with, and is perfect for laptop professionals often on the move and working on location.

It’s range of ports is impressive, including super-speedy 2.5Gb Ethernet.

• One upstream USB4 port (40Gbps, 100W)
• HDMI 2.0 video port (4K at 60Hz)
• Two DisplayPort 1.4 video ports (8K at 30Hz)
• Two USB-C ports (10Gbps, 30W)
• Two USB-A ports (5Gbps)
• Two USB-A ports (480MBps)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 180W power supply

This 11-port USB4 dock is compatible with Thunderbolt computers, and is built for multiple-display solutions rather than Thunderbolt expansion as it has three video ports (two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, and a single HDMI 2.0 video port) but no downstream 40Gbps ports.

Either of the DisplayPort connections supports 8K resolutions at 30Hz. You’re probably considering this dock for a 4K display, however, and you can connect two 4K displays at 60Hz resolution to any two of the dock’s video ports. You can even connect a 4K display to each of the three ports, though only less comfortable 30Hz refresh rates are available under that scenario.

There are two front-mounted USB-C ports but at 10Gbps rather than 40Gbps. Each can power a connected device at up to 30W, enough for a large tablet and any phone. With its 180W power supply, this dock can power a laptop at 100W and two 30W devices using all its Type-C connectors.

We like the side-mounting of the upstream USB4 port, compared to some docks that insist on the upstream port being messily positioned at the front.

This is not the dock for you if you are using a Mac or want the fastest downstream data connections, but it works well for multiple displays and accessible 10GBps 30W USB-C ports.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 85W)
• Three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps)
• 100W power supply

The Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Mini Dock is similar to the other Thunderbolt 4 hubs but calls itself a “mini dock”, which is fine as all the hubs can act as docks if you have the right adapters for Ethernet and external displays.

It beats most similar Thunderbolt 4 hubs with its 85W laptop-charging power (compared to 60W elsewhere). That said, its total 100W external power supply feels a little light given the potential 67.5W power drain if all the ports required charging simultaneously.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 60W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps)
• 100W power supply

Plugable’s USB4-HUB3A calls itself a USB4 hub but, as the branding on the front suggests, is also a fully certified Thunderbolt 4 hub that is competitively priced and boasts a fast USB-A port as well as the one upstream and three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports. in that respect, it is a better solution than the company’s more expensive TBT4-HUB3C, reviewed later on.

It costs around the same as the OWC Thunderbolt Hub, reviewed above, and matches that hub on ports, with the only difference being that the OWC’s 10Gbps USB-A port can charge a device at 7.5W, while Plugable’s USB-A port is equally fast but doesn’t offer device charging. For that, OWC’s hub wins our best budget recommendation.

The USB4-HUB3A is still a fine Thunderbolt 4 hub, though, and is one of our favorites tested here. It’s noticeably slimmer than the OWC so if portability is high on your list of requirements, then this might appeal to you—although like the others it comes with a fairly hefty power supply.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 90W)
• One downstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 15W)
• Two HDMI 2.0 video ports (4K at 60Hz)
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• Two USB-A ports (480MBps, 2.5W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 18W)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (front)
• 120W power supply

The Belkin Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock is a gorgeous-looking but pricey laptop docking station, boasting 12 ports including two HDMI for Windows users to quickly add up to three external displays. Mac users, however, should stay away.

It sullies its Pro title, however, with a couple of the ports being rather average, and the power supply could do with being higher, but it is otherwise well equipped.

Belkin has included two HDMI ports as most users want to connect a couple of external displays to get past the limitations of their laptop screen space. However, that means that there is just one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port. If you want more flexibility, look for a dock with less dedicated display connections and more TB4 ports.

Windows users can add up to three displays, using the two HDMI and one Thunderbolt 4 port. The TB4 port can attach directly to a USB-C monitor or you can buy a USB-C adapter to connect to a DisplayPort or HDMI display. One 8K display can run at 30Hz, or you can have two 4K at 60Hz. Video resolution for up to three displays is dependent on your laptop’s capabilities.

The lack of port flexibility is worse for Mac users, as they can’t use both HDMI due to the way Macs handle video.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 90W)
• One downstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 20W)
• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• Two USB-A ports (480MBps, 4.5W)
• Two HDMI 2.0 ports (4K at 60Hz)
• Gigabit Ethernet 
• UHS-II SD Card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 120W power supply

The Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station is a great choice if you need to connect more than one external display to a Windows laptop—less so for Mac users.

Other Thunderbolt 4 docks we’ve tested rely solely on the TB4 ports for display connections. This means that if you want two external screens, you lose two of the three downstream TB4 ports, plus you will need HDMI or DisplayPort adapters unless the displays have a USB-C connection.

Anker’s inclusion of two HDMI ports means you don’t need any adapters to connect displays. There’s just one downstream TB4 port, but that’s all you’d have left if you connected two displays to one of the other docks or hubs.

There’s a snag for Mac users, however. They can use only one of the HDMI ports, so having two on the dock rather than another TB4 port is just a waste of space. Windows users can use both, and, indeed, the spare TB4 port to connect up to three displays.

If you aren’t planning on adding two screens, this dock is less flexible than other hubs and docks where the TB4 ports can be used for display or whatever else you desire.

The sole downstream TB4 port can also be used to connect an external monitor, so it’s possible for owners of Thunderbolt 4 Windows laptops to have as many as three displays running out of the dock: two HDMI and one TB4. Mac owners will need to add third-party DisplayLink software to achieve three displays.

If you need to power devices via the USB-A ports, look for a dock with superior charging specs as these ports are really for data only, and even then two of them are slow USB 2.0.

An extra mark for adding a power button on the front so that your laptop isn’t receiving a potential charge when it’s not needed, and keeping the dock’s temperature down at night.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 96W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps)
• 150W power supply

It’s tricky to tell some Thunderbolt 4 hubs from the next. Specifications are often identical, and so differentials come down to build quality and price.

The Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub comes from one of our favorite manufacturers and the build and design are premium. It’s slim (less deep but a little longer than the Caldigit Element Hub) and its Thunderbolt 4 ports are all present with a speedy USB-A port at the front.

It’s as slim as the Plugable USB4-HUB3A, reviewed above.

In the US only at the moment, Satechi sells the improved Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub, which has the same impressive Thunderbolt and USB specs but can now power a laptop at up to 96W.

Other countries still offer the non-Pro model, so check on the 96W PD laptop charging and 150W power supply if you want the best version. The older, non-Pro Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub can charge at 60W and has a 100W power supply. The 60W on offer will be fine for most medium-sized laptops but, if you can find the Pro version it is priced the same and more powerful.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 96W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 5.5W)
• One USB-A port (480MBps, 7.5W)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD Card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 135W power supply

The Alogic Thunderbolt 4 Blaze Docking Station is a great and affordable TB4 dock with everything you should need—except for any display adapters to use with the three downstream ports.

The three back-mounted USB-A ports are rated at 10Gbps and offer reasonable 5.5W charging, although you’ll probably use the front 7.5W USB-A port for powering your phone, but certainly not for data transfer as it’s pretty weedy at 480MBps.

Gigabit Ethernet frees you from dodgy Wi-Fi and the fast SD card reader is a great way to add inexpensive portable storage.

It’s a well built and good looking docking station.

Like most of the docks reviewed here, the upstream port is on the front, which we can’t fathom but maybe we’re alone in wanting that tidied away at the back with the power supply port.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 85W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 100W power supply

The Sonnet Echo 5 Thunderbolt 4 Hub offers impressive 85W laptop charging, which is among the highest we’ve seen with a humble dock.

Not that three downstream 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 10Gbps USB-A port (with 7.5W charging power) are all that humble.

There’s a power button at the back, which we appreciate, although we’d have preferred the upstream TB4 port to be tucked away there, too. That said, this hub is dinky so there simply isn’t the space to fit four in at the back unless maybe the power button and upstream port were swapped round.

There are two handy LEDs at the front that show when the hub is powered and when it’s connected.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 60W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• 110W power supply

Plugable’s Thunderbolt 4 Hub includes the maximum Thunderbolt 4 ports (one upstream to the computer, and three downstream for other devices) but nothing else.

Handily there’s a USB-C-to-HDMI-2.0 adapter that you can use to attach an external display. Other hubs require you to buy such an adapter. 

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 60W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• One USB-A port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 110W power supply

The Alogic Thunderbolt 4 Blaze Hub is a cut-down version of the company’s Blaze Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station.

Instead of 11 ports, the Blaze Hub has just five, but they are all state of the art, including one upstream and three downstream 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 ports and a front-mounted 10Gbps USB-A port for older devices.

Some people don’t need a full docking station and a hub such as this is cheaper and much more compact—although like most hubs it will charge a laptop at 60W, which isn’t a lot of larger laptops.

It’s one of the smarter Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 hubs in looks.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 90W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• One USB-A port (480MBps, 7.5W)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD Card reader (312MBps)
• Front-facing 3.5mm audio jack
• 135W power supply

OWC doesn’t include Thunderbolt 4 in the name of its Thunderbolt 4 Dock, which may confuse some buyers. I understand what it’s doing: it is saying this universal USB-C/Thunderbolt docking station works with TB3 and TB4 (as well as USB4 and USB-C).

It doesn’t consider swapping a TB4 port for HDMI or DisplayPort, instead allowing you to choose either a direct USB-C display—or one of the other video connections via a third-party adapter.

You can add up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or a single 5K/6K/8K monitor.

This is a well-built and sturdy docking station with all the ports you’re likely to need

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 90W)
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps)
• Three USB-A ports (10Gbps)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD Card reader (312MBps)
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 135W power supply

With its glowing underbelly, the 10-port Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma looks different to most of the docks and hubs we tested.

Razer is well-known for making tech kits popular with gamers, who like the fastest experience matched with glow-in-the-dark lighting, and this dock will fit right in with the aesthetic.

It has the same port arrangement (including Gigabit Ethernet, fast SD card reader and a bunch of USB-A ports) as many of the docks we have tested but misses a front-mounted USB-A port for phone charging.

Like many TB4 docks and hubs you will need a display adapter or two if your monitors don’t have a USB-C connector.

Razer looks at power distribution differently from other manufacturers and we still can’t quite understand how each port shares its charging capacity, but it worked well in testing.

The RGB light show will delight gamers but others might have preferred another port instead.