Main trade-off
CalDigit Element 5 Hub
Missing readers, Ethernet and audio can require external accessories, and host power stops at 90W.
Head-to-head
CalDigit Element 5 vs Plugable TBT-UDT3: Both have three TB branches, Plugable adds the wired-work extras
The short answer
Both have three downstream Thunderbolt ports, while TBT-UDT3 adds Ethernet, card readers and 140W host power. Choose Element 5 when 90W, Wi-Fi and ordinary USB accessories already cover the routine. Choose Plugable when wired work, SD cards or compatible charging above 90W are real needs. Both cap each downstream TB port at 15W, so buying the larger dock does not by itself solve a higher-power portable-screen requirement.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A USB-C microphone can take the port you saved for storage
Two USB-C monitors and a Thunderbolt SSD already use the three TB branches on either dock. Add a microphone or webcam with a fixed USB-C cable and Element 5 has two ordinary C data sockets available. TBT-UDT3 does not. That device may need a compatible adapter, a replacement cable where supported, or a different connection to the laptop. A USB-A socket is useful only if the device can actually connect that way. For a call-heavy desk with newer C-shaped accessories, the smaller Element 5 can therefore avoid an extra adapter even though Plugable has more built-in functions.
What this is based on
Three TB branches are occupied by the explicit two-screen/one-drive setup. Element 5 has two additional ordinary C data sockets. TBT-UDT3 has USB-A accessory sockets only. No claim that every USB-C microphone supports an A adapter.
Main trade-off
Plugable TBT-UDT3
No ordinary USB-C data socket outside the TB ports. USB-C accessories may consume a branch intended for a screen or drive.
CalDigit Element 5 Hub
- Choose it for
- Your supported laptop fits the 90W power limit and you want two ordinary USB-C data sockets without consuming TB branches.
- Wi-Fi and an existing audio setup cover the desk, with no regular need for built-in card readers.
- Main trade-off
- Missing readers, Ethernet and audio can require external accessories, and host power stops at 90W.
Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Choose it for
- A supported laptop can use up to 140W PD 3.1 and Ethernet or UHS-II cards are part of the routine.
- Three TB branches cover the screens and drive, and your other accessories fit its USB-A sockets.
- Main trade-off
- No ordinary USB-C data socket outside the TB ports. USB-C accessories may consume a branch intended for a screen or drive.
About this comparison
Element 5 vs TBT-UDT3 for USB-C screens, camera files and a laptop shared between home and work. Compare the complete desk, including charging.
Both offer three downstream TB5 ports for the same screens-and-storage setup. The choice turns on the functions around those ports, rather than an artificial difference in the core connection count.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Three TB branches plus a fixed USB-C accessory are needed
Element 5 has separate ordinary USB-C data sockets.
- CalDigit Element 5 Hub
- Better fit
- Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Caution
Wired networking and SD imports should need no extra boxes
Plugable includes both functions.
- CalDigit Element 5 Hub
- Caution
- Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Better fit
A compatible laptop needs host charging above 90W
Plugable supports up to 140W PD 3.1.
- CalDigit Element 5 Hub
- Caution
- Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Better fit
A portable screen explicitly requires 20W from its video connection
Both downstream TB limits are 15W, so check separate power.
- CalDigit Element 5 Hub
- Caution
- Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Caution
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A USB-C microphone can take the port you saved for storage
Two USB-C monitors and a Thunderbolt SSD already use the three TB branches on either dock. Add a microphone or webcam with a fixed USB-C cable and Element 5 has two ordinary C data sockets available. TBT-UDT3 does not. That device may need a compatible adapter, a replacement cable where supported, or a different connection to the laptop. A USB-A socket is useful only if the device can actually connect that way. For a call-heavy desk with newer C-shaped accessories, the smaller Element 5 can therefore avoid an extra adapter even though Plugable has more built-in functions.
How we reached this conclusion
Three TB branches are occupied by the explicit two-screen/one-drive setup. Element 5 has two additional ordinary C data sockets. TBT-UDT3 has USB-A accessory sockets only. No claim that every USB-C microphone supports an A adapter.
140W laptop charging does not mean more power for a portable screen
A portable screen that explicitly needs 20W through its video cable exceeds the 15W downstream TB limit on both models. Plugable’s 140W headline is power for the laptop, not for that spare port. Choosing it instead of Element 5 will not remove the screen’s second power cable on that basis. Check the monitor’s exact accepted power profile and supported display mode. A screen that operates fully within 15W may work through one suitable cable, while a higher-demand mode may need separate power. This distinction matters when the purpose of the dock is to clear chargers off a small shared desk.
How we reached this conclusion
Conditional 20W accessory example versus documented 15W per TB port on both. Host maxima of 90W and 140W do not alter those downstream limits. No universal display compatibility or brightness claim.
The post-work photo import can justify the full dock
Someone using the laptop for calls during the week and SD-camera photos at the weekend may benefit from TBT-UDT3’s built-in network and card connections every few days. Element 5 requires external versions for both. Count their plugs as well as their price, especially if the same USB-C sockets are already needed for a webcam or microphone. Plugable can simplify that mixed routine if its A sockets cover the remaining accessories. If photos arrive from a phone over the network and Wi-Fi is adequate, those extras may sit unused. Choose around the actual import path rather than the label of a creative workstation.
How we reached this conclusion
Presence of Ethernet and UHS-II SD/microSD on TBT-UDT3, absence in Element 5 inventory, crossed with weekly card imports and wired calls. No assumed camera, throughput or network-reliability improvement.
Choice A
CalDigit, TBT5-ELEMENT5-US-AMZ
CalDigit Element 5 Hub
Your supported laptop fits the 90W power limit and you want two ordinary USB-C data sockets without consuming TB branches.
- Best matched use
- Your supported laptop fits the 90W power limit and you want two ordinary USB-C data sockets without consuming TB branches.
Checked facts
- TB branches: Three at up to 15W each
- Ordinary USB-C data: Two 10Gb/s sockets
- Host power: 90W
- Network and cards: No Ethernet or card reader
Choice B
Plugable, TBT-UDT3
Plugable TBT-UDT3
A supported laptop can use up to 140W PD 3.1 and Ethernet or UHS-II cards are part of the routine.
- Best matched use
- A supported laptop can use up to 140W PD 3.1 and Ethernet or UHS-II cards are part of the routine.
Checked facts
- TB branches: Three at up to 15W each
- Ordinary USB-C data: No ordinary downstream USB-C data socket
- Host power: 140W PD 3.1, up to 100W PD 3.0
- Network and cards: 2.5GbE and UHS-II SD/microSD
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | CalDigit Element 5 Hub | Plugable TBT-UDT3 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| TB branches | Three at up to 15W each | Three at up to 15W each | Accessory power is the same documented ceiling. |
| Ordinary USB-C data | Two 10Gb/s sockets | No ordinary downstream USB-C data socket | A USB-C accessory can use a scarce TB branch on Plugable. |
| Host power | 90W | 140W PD 3.1, up to 100W PD 3.0 | Laptop acceptance determines whether the extra host power helps. |
| Network and cards | No Ethernet or card reader | 2.5GbE and UHS-II SD/microSD | Plugable can replace separate accessories for those regular jobs. |
| USB-A | Three 10Gb/s | Two 10Gb/s and one 5Gb/s | Both take three A plugs, with different per-port limits. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose CalDigit Element 5 Hub
- A separate card reader or network adapter can add clutter even when the hub itself is small.
If you choose Plugable TBT-UDT3
- Each TB accessory port supplies 15W, despite the higher 140W host headline. A demanding portable screen may still need its own power.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Ordinary USB-C accessories and 90W charging cover the desk
Choose CalDigit Element 5 Hub. Element 5 keeps those C devices off the TB branches.
Network, card-reader and higher host-power needs are routine
Choose Plugable TBT-UDT3. TBT-UDT3 brings those jobs into the dock.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want the smallest useful setup, but the camera, network cable and laptop charger still need a place to go.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Both require external power. No measured speed, reliability, call quality or charging-time claim. A spare USB-C data socket is not another video output.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current docking stations comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalDigit Element 5 Hub |
|
| |
| Plugable TBT-UDT3 |
|
|
Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
CalDigit Element 5 Hub
Your supported laptop fits the 90W power limit and you want two ordinary USB-C data sockets without consuming TB branches.
Wi-Fi and an existing audio setup cover the desk, with no regular need for built-in card readers.
See price & reviews on AmazonPlugable TBT-UDT3
A supported laptop can use up to 140W PD 3.1 and Ethernet or UHS-II cards are part of the routine.
Three TB branches cover the screens and drive, and your other accessories fit its USB-A sockets.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.