OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock vs CalDigit TS5
Both docks deliver 140W and Thunderbolt 5 speeds. The OWC is smaller and $70 cheaper; the CalDigit has four more ports, including three 10Gb/s USB-C.
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Quick answer
Get the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock ($329) if you want a compact 11-port dock with three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports and 140W charging. Get the CalDigit TS5 ($399.99) if you need more ports: 15 in total, including three 10Gb/s USB-C, UHS-II card readers and three audio jacks.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock price (opens in a new tab)Check CalDigit TS5 Thunderbolt 5 Dock price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock | CalDigit TS5 Thunderbolt 5 Dock | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 | $399.99 |
| Total ports | 11 | 15 |
| Downstream Thunderbolt 5 | 3 (plus the host port) | 3 (plus the host port) |
| USB-C (non-TB) | None | 3× 10Gb/s (front port gives 20W) |
| USB-A | 2× 10Gbps, 1× 5Gbps | 1× 10Gb/s, 1× USB 2.0 |
OWC and CalDigit make two of the most-recommended Thunderbolt 5 docks for Macs. For more options, see best Thunderbolt 5 docks.
OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock vs CalDigit TS5 Thunderbolt 5 Dock: side-by-side
| OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock | CalDigit TS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 | $399.99 |
| Total ports | 11 | 15 |
| Downstream Thunderbolt 5 | 3 (plus the host port) | 3 (plus the host port) |
| USB-C (non-TB) | None | 3× 10Gb/s (front port gives 20W) |
| USB-A | 2× 10Gbps, 1× 5Gbps | 1× 10Gb/s, 1× USB 2.0 |
| Ethernet | 2.5GbE | 2.5GbE |
| Card readers | SD and microSD | SD 4.0 and microSD 4.0 (UHS-II) |
| Audio | Headphone jack | Three audio jacks |
| Laptop charging | 140W | 140W (240W power supply) |
| Mac displays | Two 6K60, two 4K144 or one 8K60 (9to5Mac) | Dual 4K 240Hz; three on M5 Pro, four on M5 Max (CalDigit) |
How much do they cost?
OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dock | $329 | 1m Thunderbolt 5 cable included (9to5Mac) |
CalDigit TS5 Thunderbolt 5 Dock plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| TS5 | $399.99 | 1-year warranty |
| TS5 Plus | $499.99 | Step-up model (Macworld) |
What are the pros and cons?
OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock: pros
- $70 cheaper
- Compact (about 18 cm wide)
- Front Thunderbolt 5 port
OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock: cons
- No plain USB-C ports
- Power LED can’t be turned off (9to5Mac)
CalDigit TS5 Thunderbolt 5 Dock: pros
- 15 ports
- UHS-II card readers
- Three 10Gb/s USB-C ports
- Silent (9to5Mac)
CalDigit TS5 Thunderbolt 5 Dock: cons
- $70 more
- 1-year warranty
Which should you choose: OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock or CalDigit TS5 Thunderbolt 5 Dock?
If your peripherals are mostly Thunderbolt or USB-A and you want a smaller box, the OWC saves $70. If you have several USB-C devices or shoot to UHS-II cards, the TS5’s extra ports are worth the money.
Choose OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock if…
- You want the smallest, cheapest option
- You mainly connect Thunderbolt devices
- You want a front Thunderbolt port
Choose CalDigit TS5 Thunderbolt 5 Dock if…
- You have several USB-C accessories
- You use UHS-II SD cards
- You want separate audio in/out jacks
Displays on a Mac
Apple limits how many displays a Mac can drive over one Thunderbolt port, so both docks are capped by the Mac more than by the dock. 9to5Mac lists two 6K60, two 4K144 or one 8K60 displays for the OWC on a Mac. CalDigit lists dual 4K 240Hz on Mac, and three or four displays on M5 Pro and M5 Max machines. If you only need one external screen, a cheaper dock may do; see best docks for MacBook Pro.
Other options
Macworld[5] points to the Plugable Thunderbolt 5 dock ($299) as the best value and the CalDigit Element 5 hub ($299) as a smaller alternative. If you want even more ports, compare CalDigit TS5 vs TS5 Plus.
Frequently asked questions
Do both docks charge a MacBook Pro at full speed?
Do I need a Thunderbolt 5 Mac?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock (owc.com)
- 9to5Mac: OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock review (9to5mac.com)
- CalDigit TS5 (us.caldigit.com)
- 9to5Mac: CalDigit TS5 review (9to5mac.com)
- Macworld: CalDigit TS5 review (macworld.com)
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