Choosing the Best Thunderbolt Docking Station for Modern Enterprise IT

Thunderbolt 2 was first introduced into Apple devices in 2013, which helped to create a new market of hardware: A docking station with Thunderbolt.

Since then, the technology has continued to improve. Thunderbolt 3 docks, Thunderbolt 4 docks, and Thunderbolt 5 docks have been introduced, offering even faster speeds and improved power delivery.

When compared to other popular connectivity options, such as USB-C, Thunderbolt excels in terms of transfer speeds and other capabilities. USB-C can transmit data at speeds up to 20Gbps, while Thunderbolt 4 lets you transfer data at up to 40Gbps.

To fully utilize Thunderbolt’s capabilities, a strong docking station is a must. To assist you in selecting one, we reviewed dozens of Thunderbolt docking stations and provided our unbiased list of the top seven Thunderbolt docking stations.

3 important considerations when selecting a Thunderbolt docking station

1. Capabilities (Connectivity, display support, power output, etc.)

Thunderbolt docks vary widely in their capabilities, and some are sorted better for specific needs. When buying a Thunderbolt docking station, consider these:

1. Port variety and quantity: Thunderbolt dock stations offer 5 to 18 ports, including Thunderbolt 3, 4, and 5 ports, HDMI, audio, SD, USB, and Ethernet ports. For future scalability, invest in a dock station with more ports than you currently need.
2. Display support: Thunderbolt 4 and 5 docks can typically support up to two 4K displays at 60Hz or a single 8K display. If you use multiple monitors for your work, prioritize Thunderbolt docks with multi-monitor support.
3. Power output: More affordable Thunderbolt docking stations offer 60W power output, while the most expensive ones have up to 140W power output. 60W is enough for most devices, but high-end laptops may require 85W or more to ensure steady charging.
4. Portability and appearance: If you travel frequently or need to carry Thunderbolt docks often, look for ones with a compact size. For example, the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub is one of the best portable options.

2. Compatibility and certification (Windows, macOS, etc.)

Some Thunderbolt docks only support Windows devices, while others support both Windows and macOS devices. 

The OS version support also differs significantly. For example, the CalDigit TS4 is compatible with Windows 10 or later and macOS 11.4 or later, but the Kensington SD500T5 is only compatible with Windows 11 and macOS 14.5 or later.

All of this information is also available on the provider’s website, and we have also listed it below in our reviews.

3. Warranty and brand reliability

Before buying your docking station, make sure that the brand is reliable and that there is at least a two-year warranty. Read customer reviews of the brand and look for the warranty on their website.

For example, CalDigit displays the warranty on all of their product pages:

Kensington three-year warranty

For your convenience, we’ve listed the warranty for all of the best Thunderbolt docking stations below.

7 best Thunderbolt docking stations in 2025

Next, let’s move into the main section of this article, which is a review of the best Thunderbolt docking stations. 

After comparing customer reviews, features, and the pricing of different docking stations, our unbiased recommendation for the seven best are:

1. CalDigit TS4 – Best overall docking station
2. Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock – Best budget docking station
3. Kensington SD5780T – Best docking station for hybrid work environments
4. Kensington SD500T5 – Best heavy-duty docking station
5. CalDigit Element 5 Hub – Best Thunderbolt 5 docking station
6. CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub – Best portable docking station
7. Anker 777 Thunderbolt – Best mid-range Thunderbolt docking station

For an in-depth review of each, keep on reading.

1. CalDigit TS4 – Best overall docking station

We chose the CalDigit TS4 as the best overall docking station for three key reasons: the strong customer reviews, the 18 ports available, and the high charging capabilities. The CalDigit TS4 is the first docking station with 2.5GbE (2.5Gb Ethernet), meaning it provides fast network speeds. Trusted review sites, like The Verge, call the CalDigit TS4 “the most well-equipped dock you can buy right now.”

CalDigit TS4 is equipped with an impressive 18 ports, which include 8x USB ports and 3x Thunderbolt 4 ports. Unlike alternatives like Anker 777 (which we’ll review later), CalDigit TS4 is compatible with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, USB4, and USB-C computers.

2. Plugable TBT4-UD5 – Best budget docking station

If you’re looking for a Thunderbolt docking station for under $200, the Plugable TBT4-UD5 is a great option. For such an affordable price ($199.95), it offers an impressive set of features, including a total of 13 ports, dual 4K 60Hz support, and up to 100W of power delivery. Sure, comparable competitors like CalDigit TS4 have a few advantages (e.g. additional USB) ports, but Plugable TBT4-UD5 is over half as expensive, which makes it great for budget-conscious IT teams.

Plugable TBT4-UD5 is fully compatible with Windows 10 or later systems, as well as macOS 11 and later.

3. Kensington SD5780T  – Best docking station for hybrid work environments

If your IT team needs hybrid support for your docking station, Kensington SD5780T is a strong option. It supports Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, and USB4 devices running on macOS (11 or later) and Windows (10 or later). To serve both PC and Mac markets, it offers a high-speed HDMI 2.1 port and three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports. 

In addition, the SD5780T comes with four USB-A ports (with one for smartphone charging). Compared to Kensington’s SD500T5 (which we’ll review next), this model has fewer ports and lower power delivery, but it’s cheaper at $299.99. 

4. Kensington SD500T5 – Best heavy-duty docking station

While being the most expensive docking station in our list, Kensington SD500T5 offers the strongest feature-set with fast data transfer (speeds up top 80Gbps), triple and dual 8K support, up to 140W of power delivery, and 11 ports, which is more than enough for most IT teams. The 11-in-1 design includes 3x Thunderbolt 5 downstream ports and 1x Thunderbolt 5 host, helping you future-proof your IT setup.

Kensington SD500T5 supports Windows 11 and macOS (14.5 or later) devices, making it slightly less compatibility than most Thunderbolt docks.

5. CalDigit Element 5 Hub – Best Thunderbolt 5 docking station

If you’re looking to invest in a strong Thunderbolt 5 docking station for your IT team, the CalDigit Element 5 Hub might be the right choice. Released just at the start of 2025, it comes with up to 120Gb/s connectivity, 4x Thunderbolt 5 ports (11 ports in total), and supports up to three displays. 

While Element 5 Hub is a Thunderbolt 5 docking station, it is compatible also with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB-C devices. For more information on the CalDigit E5’s capabilities, read this great Reddit thread, where their team highlights its key features.

6. CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub – Best portable docking station

IT teams looking for a compact, portable docking station should consider CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub. With 8 available ports (4x Thunderbolt 4, 4x USB-A), it doesn’t offer the most connectivity options but is more than enough for users who prioritize efficient power delivery in a smaller design.

CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub is backwards compatible with USB 4, USB-C, and Thunderbolt 3, which makes it suitable for multi-workflow environments. In comparison to another model, CalDigit Element 5 Hub, this model has fewer capabilities but is also $70 more affordable.

7. Anker 777 Thunderbolt – Best mid-range Thunderbolt docking station

Anker 777 Thunderbolt Docking Station offers premium features without an ultra-high price tag, which is why it’s our choice for the best mid-range Thunderbolt docking station. While Kensington SD500T5 (a comparable option) offers higher power delivery and better connectivity, Anker 777 is more affordable while still offering more than enough features for most.

Anker 777 is equipped with triple monitor (4K 30Hz) support for Windows devices, which is ideal for those using multiple monitors. It is compatible with both Windows and macOS devices, although lacks compatibility for Windows with Thunderbolt 3.

Why Thunderbolt docking stations contribute to a more reliable IT setup

As you’re looking to invest in Thunderbolt docking stations to support your IT setup, you may wonder what their benefits are.

Compared to more outdated options, like USB-C docks, Thunderbolt docking stations support higher resolutions, offer more power delivery, and have more bandwidth. Another benefit of Thunderbolt docking stations is that they are largely backwards compatible. Thus, if your computer has a USB-C port and you have a Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, or Thunderbolt 3 docks, it will work with the USB-C port.

So, as long as your IT team’s computers have ports that support Thunderbolt, we recommend investing in one of the best Thunderbolt hubs and docks, as they will help future-proof your IT setup.