Head-to-head · Best Docking Stations

Dell WD25TB4 Thunderbolt Dock 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

Dell WD25TB4 Thunderbolt Dock comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about Dell laptop users seeking enhanced productivity — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Docking Stations

Dell WD25TB4 Thunderbolt Dock

4.3

4 sourcesall derived$231.99as of Aug 3

Dell laptop owners are the whole audience for the WD25TB4 Thunderbolt Dock, which supports dual 4K displays, fast USB-C charging, and a modular upgrade system. Laptop Mag, reviewing the previous-generation WD22TB4, praised that dock's 'unrivaled power delivery' and 'excellent performance,' and Mini PC Reviewer highlighted its 'sturdy design' and 'seamless integration.' Compatibility is restricted to Dell devices, and reviewers noted limited USB-A ports plus occasional coil whine. Professionals who want more connectivity out of a Dell machine will benefit; anyone on another brand or needing lots of legacy ports should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Supports dual 4K displays at 60Hz for enhanced multitasking and productivity
— Fast USB-C charging with SuperBoost technology reduces downtime
— Modular design allows easy upgrades with swappable modules for future technology

Watch-outs

— Full 130W charging and Dell-specific features need a Dell laptop; other Thunderbolt 4 hosts are capped at 96W
— Only two USB-A ports available, which may be insufficient for some users
— Some users reported coil whine noise under specific conditions

$231.99 · 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 →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Dell WD25TB4 Thunderbolt Dock

The Dell WD25TB4 excels in dual 4K display support and SuperBoost charging but is limited to Dell devices, unlike the CalDigit TS4 which supports any Thunderbolt laptop. While it offers a modular design that the Anker 563 lacks, it only provides two USB-A ports compared to the Anker's more extensive port selection. The UGREEN Revodok Max surpasses it in Thunderbolt 4 performance and build quality, though the Dell dock offers better integration with Dell laptops and more reliable power delivery.

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	Dell WD25TB4 Thunderbolt Dock	Plugable USBC-9IN1E
Power Delivery	130W	100W
Ports	2	USB-C, USB-A, SD, microSD
Display Support	Dual 4K@60Hz	4K@60Hz
Ethernet	10GbE	1 Gbps
USB Speed	USB 3.2 Gen 2	USB 3.2 Gen 2
Thunderbolt	4	No
Weight	0.99 lb	0.29 lb
Audio	3.5mm Combo Jack	3.5mm Combo
Dimensions	12"L x 12"W x 3"H	—
Wattage	180 watts	—

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