Comparison · Monitors
Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 docks: is the upgrade worth it?
Thunderbolt 5 doubles bandwidth and adds 140W charging, which matters for multiple high-refresh monitors. On a Thunderbolt 4 laptop, you get none of it.
Eli BrooksUpdated October 28, 20266 min read
Thunderbolt 5 docks now start around $200, close to Thunderbolt 4 prices. Whether they are worth it depends on your laptop's port and how many high-refresh monitors you run.
Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4
| Thunderbolt 4 | Thunderbolt 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 40 Gbps | 80 Gbps each way; up to 120 Gbps toward displays |
| Typical dock charging | 90W to 98W | Up to 140W |
| Typical display support | One 8K or two 4K 60Hz | Two 8K 60Hz or three 4K 144Hz (host dependent) |
| Example dock | CalDigit TS4, $379.99 | CalDigit TS5 Plus, $499.99; Wavlink Thunderlight, about $200 |
Who should buy Thunderbolt 5
- Your laptop or desktop has a Thunderbolt 5 port.
- You run two or three 4K monitors at 120Hz or more.
- Your laptop ships with a charger above 100W.
- You work from fast external SSDs and want the extra data bandwidth.
Who should stay with Thunderbolt 4
- Your laptop has Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB4: a Thunderbolt 5 dock runs at those speeds.
- You use one or two 60Hz monitors.
- Your laptop charges at 100W or less.
Questions we get
Does a Thunderbolt 5 dock work with a Thunderbolt 4 laptop?
Yes. Thunderbolt 5 docks are backward compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB4 hosts, but run at the slower port's speed and features.
What does Thunderbolt 5 add for monitors?
More bandwidth: 80 Gbps each way, with a boost mode up to 120 Gbps toward displays. That lets one cable drive multiple 4K monitors at 144Hz or two 8K displays, where Thunderbolt 4 docks typically stop at two 4K 60Hz screens on many laptops.