![]() ![]() Kensington Thunderbolt 4 Dual 4K Dock (SD5780T) review The inclusion of the SD card slot should appeal to photographers who record photo or video on those cards. Adding a second display will require the purchase of a USB-C (Thunderbolt) to HDMI cable, which will cost an additional $20 or so. The SD5780T is an ideal “starter” dock, for someone who has a laptop and a single external display and might want to add more in the future. I really like the Anker 568 as a second runner-up, with a marvelous collection of features for an affordable price. The dock will charge your smartphone, albeit with a USB-A port. Still, in my tests the dock was stable (and not all are!) with a nice port selection. The additional Thunderbolt 4 port allows you to add an additional display, but that requires the purchase of an additional cable. For those who wish to use a single 4K monitor, chances are that you’ll already own an HDMI cable. ![]() The Kensington SD578T, however, is a solid all-around Thunderbolt 4 dock in all respects. Not any more, which is why I’ve elevated the TBT3-UDZ to “best pick” status. ![]() Plugable’s TBT3-UDZ, above, is about as flexible as you can get, but the Kensington SD5780T was originally substantially cheaper. One of my testing credoes is “affordable flexibility,” and I favor a dock that will fit into your existing setup. We’d also recommend the TBT3-UDZ for those who want to save a bit of desk space, as that vertical stand can be slipped next to a display to save space. This dock works best on a desktop, as part of a permanent docking station. If you have an existing display cable to connect to a monitor or two, you have everything you need. Our best picks are designed for everyone, but this dock offers the most value of our top two recommendations. ![]() Plugable also has a reputation for bulletproof customer service, too, which goes far in helping me recommend this dock. And a vertical stand to save space? Sign me up. Powered ports to charge a smartphone? Sure. Oh, they’re HDMI? No problem - there are two ports for those, too. Put simply, the TBT3-UDZ is in a class of premium docks that don’t force you to pick a particular display cable - if you own a pair of monitors with DisplayPort cables, you can plug them right in. Plugable’s dock simply offers much more flexibility for a comparable price. But (for now, anyway), the Plugable TBT3-UDZ is just a few dollars more expensive than our runner-up pick, the Kensington SD5780T, and is far more flexible in terms of what it of what it offers. Because of the similarities between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4, there’s no harm in buying a Thunderbolt 3 dock, as the performance is the same. Plugable’s TBT3-UDZ has at various times been my best overall and runner-up, depending on price swings. My reviews of Thunderbolt docks, DisplayLink docks, and USB-C hardware are extensive, and every month I review an average of two additional docks or hubs as contenders for recommendation. I use input from PCWorld’s sister sites, Macworld’s Thunderbolt dock reviews and the Thunderbolt dock reviews compiled by TechAdvisor, to help inform my recommendations. I first began testing Thunderbolt docks in early 2021, and have reviewed over 35 Thunderbolt docks to date. Why you should trust me: PCWorld has been testing PC hardware since the 1980s, and I’ve been a technology journalist for 30 years. Our most recent review in March 2024 was the Kensington Thunderbolt 4 and USB Quad Docking Station (SD5800T), a fabulously flexible dock with a wildly varying online price that makes it either a steal or overpriced. Note that not every Thunderbolt dock we review appears on our list. Our included FAQ and buying guide helps make sense of it all, including the powerful, upcoming Thunderbolt 5. Our best USB-C hubs and dongles are covered in a separate story. We’ll close by recommending our favorite DisplayLink USB-C docks-simpler, cheaper solutions that have recently emerged. This roundup begins with the very best Thunderbolt docks, including budget options. ![]()
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