CalDigit TS5 Plus vs Element 5 Hub: full Thunderbolt 5 dock or compact hub?
CalDigit’s two Thunderbolt 5 products compared by charging, ports, networking and host requirements.
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Swipe the table sideways to see both models.
| Spec | CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 5 Plus | CalDigit Element 5 Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop charging | Up to 140W. [1] | Up to 90W. [2] |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports. [1] | 3 downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports. [2] |
| USB data ports | 5 USB-A and 5 dedicated USB-C ports, rated up to 10Gb/s. [1] | 3 USB-A and 2 dedicated USB-C ports, rated up to 10Gb/s. [2] |
| Monitor connection | DisplayPort 2.1 plus the downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports. [1] | Through the downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports; no HDMI or DisplayPort socket. [2] |
| Network | 10 Gigabit Ethernet (Windows needs a driver). [1] | No Ethernet listed. [2] |
| Buy | Check price | Check price |
Which one should you get?
A 16-inch laptop, wired networking or a DisplayPort monitor: the TS5 Plus
It adds 140W charging, 10GbE and a DisplayPort 2.1 socket to the Thunderbolt 5 link.
A small desk or travel bag with fast SSDs and USB-C displays: the Element 5
Three Thunderbolt 5 ports and five USB ports in a compact hub, with 90W charging.
Limits of this comparison
- CalDigit excludes Thunderbolt 3 Windows PCs from both; USB4 hosts need PCIe tunneling for the TS5 Plus. A Thunderbolt 4 laptop runs either at Thunderbolt 4 speed.
- No hands-on testing. Prices and availability are not tracked.
Sources
- CalDigit — TS5 Plus interfaces, requirements and Bandwidth Boost FAQ (Global, checked 2026-10-27)
- CalDigit — Element 5 Hub interfaces, power and compatibility FAQ (Global, checked 2026-10-27)