If you’re constantly juggling external devices with too few USB ports on your laptop, a docking station is an absolute must-have. Whether you need additional display support, faster data transfer speeds, or just more ports for your peripherals, Plugable offers several compelling options. We tested three of their docking stations—the UD-6950PDH, the TBT4-UD5, and the high-end TBT-6950PD—to see which one is best suited for different users, and here’s what we found.
Whichever model you choose, Plugable offers solid build quality and reliable performance across the board. If you’re in the market for a docking station, these are some of the best options available today.
Best For Basic Users: A Solid Entry-Level Choice
Plugable UD-6950PDH
Best for users who need dual monitor support with DisplayLink and basic peripheral connectivity. Great for MacBook Air users and those with legacy devices.
The UD-6950PDH is the most affordable of the three tested and retails for around $200. So whilst there are some notable omissions from this dock to achieve that cheaper price point, it might not be an issue depending on your needs.
It sports a slim, durable design with a metal top and surrounds, making it feel premium despite its lower price tag.
On the front, you’ll find a power button, a headphone jack, and an SD/microSD card reader (312 MB/s and 108 MB/s read speeds, respectively). You also get three USB-A ports, all capable of 5 Gbps transfer speeds, along with a single USB-C port offering the same speed.
The standout feature is its DisplayLink support, which allows it to support dual 4K displays, via HDMI or DisplayPort, even if your laptop typically only supports one. This makes it a great choice for MacBook Air users who are usually limited by Apple’s display restrictions.
There’s also a Gigabit Ethernet port for wired eithernet, and whilst that’s certainly not as fast as more expensive docking stations, it’s certainly more than enough for most people.
However, the real achilles heel of this docking station is the USB-A and USB-C transfer speeds as they are relatively slow by today’s standards. If you frequently move large files, such as video footage or high-resolution images, the 5 Gbps speeds may feel sluggish. That said, if your primary needs involve connecting external displays and a few peripherals like a webcam or speakers, this is an excellent no-frills option.
Best For Professionals: A Faster, More Versatile Option
Plugable TBT4-UD5
Ideal for professionals who need faster data transfer speeds, Thunderbolt support, and the option for an 8K display. Better suited for users who aren’t restricted by the lack of DisplayLink support.
The TBT4-UD5 is another $200 docking station with some significant upgrades, but one notable downgrade.
The biggest upgrade on this docking station is it’s bump in data transfer speeds. Whilst the front USB-A ports remain at 5 Gbps, the rear ones have been upgraded to 10 Gbps. Additionally, a Thunderbolt-certified USB-C port offers a blazing 40 Gbps, plus 15W charging. The SD and microSD card readers have also been improved with both now supporting 312 MB/s speeds.
Higher resolutions are also supported as the TBT4-UD5 supports not only two 4K displays, but it also supports a single 8K display as well. This makes this an attractive option for those with high-end monitors. However there is a catch as, unlike the UD-6950PDH, the TBT4-UD5 does not support DisplayLink. So unless your laptop can natively support multiple monitors, this is going to be a restricting factor on getting the most out of this docking station. It’s definitely worth checking your device’s capabilities before purchasing this.
So If you have a MacBook with an M1, M2, or M3 Pro or Max chip—or any M4 model—you’ll get dual display support. However, if you have a base model M1, M2, or M3 MacBook or MacBook Air, you’ll only be able to use a single external monitor due to Apple’s hardware limitations. If you’re a Windows users though (Windows 10 or higher), you won’t face these issues.
One other downside is the plastic build. It just doesn’t feel as premium as the UD-6950PDH’s metal design. However, the faster transfer speeds make this a great middle-ground option, especially for those who need a balance between affordability and performance.
Best For Power Users: The Ultimate Dock
Plugable TBT-6950PD
The best choice for power users with support for up to four 4K displays, maximum data transfer speeds, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. It’s a power users dock only let down by it’s Gigabit Ethernet port.
For those who demand the absolute best, the TBT-6950PD is the top-tier option at $300. This docking station is noticeably heavier due to its full-metal build, which enhances durability and heat dissipation.
The key selling point of this dock is its ability to support up to four 4K displays. This is made possible through a combination of DisplayLink and Thunderbolt 4 support which gives users incredible flexibility. However, like the other docks, the number of displays you can use depends on your device. Windows users (Windows 10 and higher) benefit the most with full support for four 4K displays. Mac users with Pro or Max variants of M1, M2, or M3 chips, as well as all M4 models, can also take advantage of this. But base model MacBook and MacBook Air users will be limited to one or two external screens, depending on their specific hardware.
Connectivity is where the TBT-6950PD truly shines. On the front, you get two 10 Gbps USB-A ports, a high-speed SD card reader (312 MB/s), and a headphone jack. The back houses two HDMI ports, three Thunderbolt 4 ports (all offering 40 Gbps and 15W power), and a Gigabit Ethernet port. The Thunderbolt upstream port also delivers 96W of power, enough to keep even high-performance laptops charged.
If you frequently transfer large files, require multiple high-resolution displays, and demand the fastest possible speeds, this dock is well worth the extra $100. However, for more casual users, the additional cost may not be worth it.
