Head-to-head · Best Docking Stations

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 vs Plugable USBC-9IN1E

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

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about professionals needing extensive connectivity — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Docking Stations

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4

4.5

8 sources$379.99as of Aug 1

TechRadar's Collin Probst gave the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt Dock a full 5-star review and called it the gold standard for Thunderbolt docks. It carries 18 ports, four of them Thunderbolt 4 connections, delivers 98W of power, and the build quality feels durable enough to trust on a busy desk. The Verge's Dan Seifert called it 'nearly perfect' with the most well-equipped configuration available, though he flagged the $380 price tag as a significant drawback. Both reviewers agree on the superior port selection and performance, and both note the bulk. Power users and professionals who need maximum connectivity are the audience, not casual users or anyone shopping on portability or affordability.

Strengths

— Incredible 98W power delivery supporting fast charging for laptops and peripherals
— Fantastic port options with 18 total ports including 3x 10Gb/s USB-C, 5x 10Gb/s USB-A, and dual 6K displays support
— Extra Thunderbolt 4 ports providing high-speed data transfer and device connectivity

Watch-outs

— Costs noticeably more than most Thunderbolt 4 docks, and the two-year warranty is shorter than some rivals offer
— No HDMI output, so an HDMI display needs an adapter or a DisplayPort connection
— Bulky external power supply that reviewers flagged as a cable-management problem

$379.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #9 in Best Docking Stations

Plugable USBC-9IN1E

4.0

1 source$49.95as of Aug 1

The Plugable USBC-9IN1E is a compact nine-port hub that works the moment it is plugged in - no drivers, no vendor software, no configuration. How-To Geek scored it 8 out of 10 after running flash drives, an SD card and an audio interface off it at once without the hub losing track of any of them. It drives one 4K display at 60Hz over HDMI, passes power through to the laptop, and warms up noticeably when everything is in use. Portable workers who need one screen and a lot of ports are the fit; anyone running two monitors is not.

Strengths

— Plug-and-play - devices appear the moment it is connected, with no drivers or vendor software
— Single HDMI output drives a 4K display at 60Hz with HDR
— Passes 100W of USB-C power through to the laptop while every port stays live

Watch-outs

— Built-in USB-C cable is rather short
— Only one video output (HDMI) limits multi-monitor setups
— Hub gets warm with multiple connections

$49.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4

The CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 stands out with its 18-port configuration and 98W power delivery, making it superior to the Anker 563 10-in-1 Docking Station which only offers 100W charging and fewer ports. Unlike the UGREEN Revodok Max, it provides better overall connectivity with dual 6K display support and no HDMI limitations, though it's significantly more expensive at $399.99. Compared to the Dell WD25TB4, it offers more universal compatibility and better port variety, but lacks the modular upgrade system that Dell's dock provides.

Plugable USBC-9IN1E

The Plugable USBC-9IN1E offers a plug-and-play design and 140W pass-through charging that outperforms the Anker 555, but lacks the HDMI output and USB-A ports of the Anker 563. Unlike the CalDigit TS4, it's more compact and affordable but provides fewer ports and no 98W power delivery. Compared to the UGREEN Revodok Max, it's more affordable and easier to use, though it lacks the Thunderbolt 4 performance and vertical stand capability of the UGREEN.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4	Plugable USBC-9IN1E
Power Delivery	98W	100W
Ports	18	USB-C, USB-A, SD, microSD
Display Support	2x 6K @ 60Hz	4K@60Hz
Ethernet	2.5Gb	1 Gbps
USB Speed	3x 10Gb/s	USB 3.2 Gen 2
Thunderbolt	Thunderbolt 4	No
Weight	2.43 lb	0.29 lb
Audio	3.5mm Headphone Jack	3.5mm Combo
Dimensions	4.46"L x 1.65"W x 5.55"H	—
Wattage	230	—

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