The catch
CalDigit TS5
It has only two USB-A sockets, and one of them is USB 2.0. The USB-C-only fallback loses Ethernet, and TB3 Windows is not supported.
Side by side
CalDigit TS5 vs Plugable TBT-UDT3 docks: Ordinary USB-C stays free on TS5, UDT3 takes more USB-A plugs
Quick verdict
The TS5 keeps ordinary USB-C accessory sockets free, and the TBT-UDT3 can hold more USB-A plugs. Once two USB-C screens and a TB drive have taken all three TB branches, other USB-C devices still need somewhere to go, and that is the case for the TS5. If three USB-A plugs suit the rest of your equipment better, the UDT3 is the choice. Neither has fixed HDMI or DP outputs. Each supplies up to 15W per downstream TB port, and the UDT3 does not support Thunderbolt 3 hosts.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
With the three branches taken by screens and storage, no USB-C socket is left for the evening accessories
On either dock, two compatible USB-C monitors and a TB drive can fill all three downstream ports. TS5 still has three ordinary USB-C data sockets left for a phone, tablet or other compatible accessory, and UDT3 has none. With UDT3, an appropriate A-to-C cable, a suitable hub or a direct laptop connection may solve the problem, so treat this as a check on extra connections and not as proof that the accessory cannot work. If different devices turn up at a shared desk after work, TS5 lets the permanent screen and storage wiring stay as it is. And if those accessories already use USB-A cables, UDT3’s extra A socket may serve you better.
Where this comes from
Two display branches and one TB-only drive use up three TB ports on both docks. TS5 has three additional ordinary C sockets and UDT3 has none. Cable alternatives and device protocol are stated explicitly.
The catch
Plugable TBT-UDT3
Apart from the three downstream TB ports, it has no ordinary USB-C accessory sockets. TB3 hosts are not supported.
CalDigit TS5
- Why pick it
- All three branches go to two supported USB-C screens and a TB drive, and a phone or an ordinary USB-C accessory still needs a socket of its own.
- A supported Thunderbolt 3 Mac has to stay part of the setup. Check its native display limits and CalDigit’s current OS requirements.
- The catch
- It has only two USB-A sockets, and one of them is USB 2.0. The USB-C-only fallback loses Ethernet, and TB3 Windows is not supported.
Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Why pick it
- You want to keep three USB-A accessories plugged in, and two fast A sockets plus one 5Gb/s socket cover the connections they need.
- Your host is a supported TB5, TB4 or USB4 machine, and your plan for ordinary USB-C accessories does not need another branch.
- The catch
- Apart from the three downstream TB ports, it has no ordinary USB-C accessory sockets. TB3 hosts are not supported.
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What this page compares
TS5 vs TBT-UDT3 if you run two USB-C screens, a TB drive and everyday accessories. See what is left over once the three Thunderbolt branches are taken.
Each has three downstream TB5 branches, 140W host charging, 2.5GbE and UHS-II readers. They are close alternatives for a flexible USB-C screen setup, and the main difference is in the ordinary accessory connections.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Two USB-C screens and a TB drive take up the three branches, and there is another USB-C device still to plug in
TS5 leaves its ordinary C sockets free, whereas UDT3 needs some other suitable route.
- CalDigit TS5
- Better fit
- Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Caution
Three USB-A plugs ought to stay plugged in directly
TS5 has two A sockets and UDT3 has three.
- CalDigit TS5
- Caution
- Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Better fit
A supported TB3 Mac has to work with the dock too
TS5 works with qualifying TB3 Macs, but UDT3 excludes TB3 hosts.
- CalDigit TS5
- Better fit
- Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Not suitable
A portable display requires more than 15W over its TB cable
Each downstream TB port is capped at 15W on both docks. Look for a separate compatible way to power it.
- CalDigit TS5
- Caution
- Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
With the three branches taken by screens and storage, no USB-C socket is left for the evening accessories
On either dock, two compatible USB-C monitors and a TB drive can fill all three downstream ports. TS5 still has three ordinary USB-C data sockets left for a phone, tablet or other compatible accessory, and UDT3 has none. With UDT3, an appropriate A-to-C cable, a suitable hub or a direct laptop connection may solve the problem, so treat this as a check on extra connections and not as proof that the accessory cannot work. If different devices turn up at a shared desk after work, TS5 lets the permanent screen and storage wiring stay as it is. And if those accessories already use USB-A cables, UDT3’s extra A socket may serve you better.
How we worked this out
Two display branches and one TB-only drive use up three TB ports on both docks. TS5 has three additional ordinary C sockets and UDT3 has none. Cable alternatives and device protocol are stated explicitly.
An older webcam setup can become less convenient under the newer connector plan
Before you add any storage, a webcam, a USB microphone and a wireless keyboard receiver already add up to three USB-A plugs. UDT3 takes all three directly. TS5 has two A sockets, so one of the devices needs a different compatible cable or another way to connect. None of this means the webcam, microphone and receiver all need 10Gb/s. The receiver may be a perfect match for TS5’s USB 2.0 port. What matters is keeping your familiar devices plugged in without an extra hub. When the webcam or microphone has a replaceable USB-C cable, TS5’s ordinary C sockets can turn the inconvenience around. Check whether the cables can be replaced and whether the devices are compatible before you pick a dock on plug shape alone.
How we worked this out
Three USB-A devices, assumed explicitly, set against UDT3’s three A sockets and TS5’s two. Nothing is assumed about bandwidth or simultaneous performance for those accessory classes.
An older Mac kept on hand can count for more than the new laptop’s TB5 speed
In some households an older TB3 Mac stays around for schoolwork or personal files while a newer work laptop uses the same monitors. TS5 documents TB3 Mac support, subject to its current OS and display conditions. UDT3 excludes TB3 hosts. So if both computers have to use the dock, TS5 is the better place to start, though neither dock can make the older host a TB5 system. Verify the exact Mac and the screens you need, and do not assume every TB3 Mac handles the same arrangement. TS5 does not extend that support to TB3 Windows computers. No suitable cable gets around a host that is explicitly unsupported.
How we worked this out
TS5’s TB3 Mac support is set against UDT3’s TB3 exclusion, in a household where hosts are swapped by hand. No universal display, charging or TB5-speed promise is made for the older host.
Option A
CalDigit, TBT5-TS5-US-AMZ
CalDigit TS5
All three branches go to two supported USB-C screens and a TB drive, and a phone or an ordinary USB-C accessory still needs a socket of its own.
- Best for
- All three branches go to two supported USB-C screens and a TB drive, and a phone or an ordinary USB-C accessory still needs a socket of its own.
Facts we checked
- Downstream TB branches: Three TB5 ports, up to 15W each
- Ordinary USB-C accessories: Three separate USB-C 10Gb/s sockets
- USB-A accessories: One 10Gb/s plus one USB 2.0 socket
- Fixed HDMI or DP: None
Option B
Plugable, TBT-UDT3
Plugable TBT-UDT3
You want to keep three USB-A accessories plugged in, and two fast A sockets plus one 5Gb/s socket cover the connections they need.
- Best for
- You want to keep three USB-A accessories plugged in, and two fast A sockets plus one 5Gb/s socket cover the connections they need.
Facts we checked
- Downstream TB branches: Three TB5 ports, up to 15W each
- Ordinary USB-C accessories: USB-C accessories use the downstream TB ports
- USB-A accessories: Two 10Gb/s plus one 5Gb/s socket
- Fixed HDMI or DP: None
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | CalDigit TS5 | Plugable TBT-UDT3 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downstream TB branches | Three TB5 ports, up to 15W each | Three TB5 ports, up to 15W each | Both docks share the same basic screen-and-TB-drive topology. |
| Ordinary USB-C accessories | Three separate USB-C 10Gb/s sockets | USB-C accessories use the downstream TB ports | TS5 can save its TB branches for screens and other TB devices. |
| USB-A accessories | One 10Gb/s plus one USB 2.0 socket | Two 10Gb/s plus one 5Gb/s socket | UDT3 holds on to three A-shaped plugs without needing another hub. |
| Fixed HDMI or DP | None | None | Those monitor inputs call for compatible video adapters on either dock. |
| Older Thunderbolt Mac | TB3 Macsupported under stated OS and host limits | TB3 hosts unsupported | Another computer in the household may determine which dock you can use. |
| Host power, network and cards | Up to 140W, 2.5GbE, UHS-II | Up to 140W, 2.5GbE, UHS-II | Features both docks share are no reason to favor one unless you have a real connection need. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With CalDigit TS5
- Keeping more than two USB-A plugs takes a suitable cable change, adapter or hub. Do not buy extra bandwidth for a keyboard receiver that has no use for it.
With Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Once screens and storage occupy all three TB ports, a further USB-C device needs a suitable A-to-C cable, a hub or a connection to the host.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The real setup includes ordinary USB-C accessories or a supported older Mac
Go with CalDigit TS5. TS5 handles those conditions on top of the three-branch layout both docks share.
Three USB-A plugs you are keeping matter, and every host is supported
Go with Plugable TBT-UDT3. UDT3 has the handier arrangement of A ports.
Decision guide
Before you buy
Three flexible Thunderbolt branches are the point, so they should not get used up on the phone, webcam or older accessories that show up after the screens and storage.
What this page can’t tell you
- Neither dock wins on speed or stability. Three downstream ports are not a promise of three native external displays, and host power is separate from downstream accessory power.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the docking stations we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalDigit TS5 |
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| Plugable TBT-UDT3 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
CalDigit TS5
All three branches go to two supported USB-C screens and a TB drive, and a phone or an ordinary USB-C accessory still needs a socket of its own.
A supported Thunderbolt 3 Mac has to stay part of the setup. Check its native display limits and CalDigit’s current OS requirements.
See price & reviews on AmazonPlugable TBT-UDT3
You want to keep three USB-A accessories plugged in, and two fast A sockets plus one 5Gb/s socket cover the connections they need.
Your host is a supported TB5, TB4 or USB4 machine, and your plan for ordinary USB-C accessories does not need another branch.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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