Dell WD22TB4 vs Plugable TBT4-UD5

Dell WD22TB4 vs Plugable TBT4-UD5

The Dell WD22TB4 and Plugable TBT4-UD5 both turn a Thunderbolt laptop into a proper desk setup through one host cable. Each supports dual 4K displays at 60Hz on compatible computers, includes Gigabit Ethernet, connects at up to 40 Gbps, and works without a DisplayLink driver. The overlap is real, but they are aimed at different desks.

Dell built the WD22TB4 around its business laptop ecosystem. A compatible Dell laptop can receive up to 130W through ExpressCharge, and the dock has a detachable Thunderbolt module. It also carries a three-year limited warranty. Its rear panel has two DisplayPort outputs plus HDMI, which is useful in offices with a mix of monitor inputs.

The Plugable TBT4-UD5 is the less expensive, more broadly equipped option. Its two HDMI outputs, UHS-II SD and microSD readers, headset jack, 96W certified host charging, and 13-port layout suit a home or hybrid desk that has more peripherals than just displays. Its $199.95 MSRP is also far below Dell’s $319.99 MSRP.

Short verdict: The Plugable TBT4-UD5 is the better choice for most people because it offers more desk-facing connections and slightly higher standard USB-C charging at a lower MSRP. The Dell WD22TB4 makes more sense for an owner of a compatible Dell laptop who needs 130W ExpressCharge, values Dell management tools, or wants DisplayPort built into the dock.

Both are native Thunderbolt 4 docks. If you are still deciding whether that is the right connection standard, see our USB-C vs Thunderbolt docking stations guide.

Quick specs comparison

Ports and everyday connectivity

The most practical difference is what each dock lets you connect without adding adapters. Dell supplies two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs and one HDMI 2.0 output. That is a flexible video selection for a managed office where monitors may use different connectors. The WD22TB4 also has one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port, one USB-C 3.2 port, three USB-A 3.2 ports, one USB-A 2.0 port, and Gigabit Ethernet.

Plugable takes a more consumer-friendly route. The TBT4-UD5 has two HDMI 2.0 ports, so a dual HDMI monitor setup connects directly. Beyond those display ports, it has one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port, one USB-C 3.2 port, two USB-A 3.2 ports, two USB-A 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5mm combo jack, and UHS-II SD plus microSD readers.

The card readers and audio jack are not small extras if they match your routine. A photographer who regularly imports camera media can use the Plugable’s built-in readers instead of sacrificing another USB port to an external reader. A wired headset or desktop speakers connect directly to its combo jack. Dell owners who need either feature must add a USB accessory.

There is a trade-off. The Plugable has no native DisplayPort output, while Dell offers two. If your monitors have DisplayPort and you do not want to use USB-C to DisplayPort adapters on the downstream Thunderbolt port, the Dell layout is more convenient. If your monitors are HDMI models, Plugable is the simpler choice.

Ports winner: Plugable TBT4-UD5 for most desks. It includes audio and two card readers alongside a wider mix of USB ports. Dell wins only for a desk that specifically needs native DisplayPort outputs.

Display support and monitor choices

On a compatible host, both docks can run two 4K displays at 60Hz. Dell documents this through its DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 outputs. Plugable documents the same mode through its two HDMI ports. Both docks also list a single 8K display at 30Hz, but the routing differs: Dell lists that configuration via DisplayPort 1.4 on Windows, while Plugable lists it through the downstream Thunderbolt 4 port with a compatible host, display, cable, or adapter.

The connection layout changes the buying decision more than the headline resolution. The Dell is ready for DisplayPort monitors without extra hardware. It can also accommodate a mixed DisplayPort and HDMI arrangement. The Plugable is designed around HDMI at the rear, which keeps a two-monitor HDMI setup tidy. Its downstream Thunderbolt 4 port remains available for an 8K display, USB-C monitor, fast storage, or another Thunderbolt peripheral, but one port must do that work.

Neither dock uses DisplayLink to create extra displays. That means the laptop’s native display capability still controls the result. Dell says base M1, M2, and M3 MacBook Air and Pro models are limited to one external display with the WD22TB4. Plugable lists base M1 and M2 Macs as one-display systems and lists base M3 dual-display support only in clamshell mode. Plugable also identifies supported Pro and Max Apple Silicon chips, along with base M4 and M5 systems, for two displays.

For a broader shortlist, our best docking stations for dual monitors page explains which dock types suit different monitor and laptop combinations.

Display winner: Tie on capability, Dell on DisplayPort convenience, Plugable on HDMI convenience. Both reach dual 4K at 60Hz when the host supports two external displays.

Charging and laptop fit

This category has two different answers depending on the laptop badge. The WD22TB4 can supply up to 130W through Dell ExpressCharge to compatible Dell laptops. Its standard USB-C Power Delivery output for non-Dell laptops is up to 90W. The distinction matters. A buyer with a compatible Dell business laptop can get substantially more charging headroom from the Dell dock than from the Plugable.

The TBT4-UD5 lists 96W of certified host charging. That is 6W more than Dell’s standard USB-C output for a non-Dell computer. Plugable says that level suits most ultrabooks, MacBook Air models, and many 14-inch performance laptops, while larger workstation systems can still need their original charger under heavy load.

The Dell option is therefore targeted rather than universally stronger. It is the clear charging pick for the right Dell laptop. For a MacBook or a laptop from another manufacturer, Plugable’s 96W rating is the higher of the two standard USB-C figures. Both use external power supplies and both include a host cable, although Plugable’s is 1.0m instead of Dell’s 0.8m.

Power winner: Dell WD22TB4 for compatible Dell systems, Plugable TBT4-UD5 for standard USB-C charging.

Compatibility and support

Dell lists Windows 10, macOS 11 or later, ChromeOS, and most Linux distributions for the WD22TB4. Its full support and Dell Dock Manager notes apply to Windows and Dell systems. Dell says the dock works with macOS, but it does not officially support Mac users or offer Mac-specific troubleshooting through its support process. It also notes that firmware updates can be finicky on non-Dell systems.

Plugable lists Windows 10 or later and macOS 11 or later. It is a native Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 dock with no DisplayLink driver. Its notes focus on display limits by host type: Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 5, and USB4 hosts can use the two-display mode where the computer itself supports it, while Thunderbolt 3 and non-Thunderbolt USB-C hosts are limited to one external display through this dock.

Neither dock is a shortcut around a computer’s graphics limitation. That is especially important for base-chip MacBook buyers. A driver-free Thunderbolt dock avoids the software layer that comes with DisplayLink, but it also means the laptop controls how many native displays are available.

Dell’s three-year warranty is a genuine advantage for an organization standardizing on Dell hardware. Plugable gives two years of limited coverage and lists lifetime support in its product data. The better support package depends on whether your priority is the extra year of Dell coverage or a general-purpose dock with broader desk features.

Price and value

At MSRP, the difference is $120.04: Dell lists the WD22TB4 at $319.99 and Plugable lists the TBT4-UD5 at $199.95. The Dell price buys Dell-specific 130W ExpressCharge, a removable Thunderbolt host module, three built-in video outputs with two DisplayPort connections, and a three-year warranty.

The Plugable price buys direct dual HDMI, UHS-II SD and microSD readers, a combo audio jack, 96W certified standard charging, and a larger collection of peripheral ports. For somebody who would otherwise buy a card reader and USB audio adapter, the gap becomes even more meaningful. It is also the higher-scoring product in the site’s product data, at 8.2 compared with Dell’s 7.5.

Value is not just a port tally. The Dell can be worth more in a company that already deploys Dell laptops and uses Dell tools for updates and monitoring. Its 130W charging is a measurable benefit for compatible Dell hardware. Outside that environment, Plugable gives more of the accessories most home and hybrid desks need at a lower listed price.

For other premium options, compare the Dell with the CalDigit TS4 or see how Plugable’s lineup changes in our Plugable TBT4-UD5 vs TBT4-UDX1 comparison.

Verdict: Plugable TBT4-UD5 wins for most buyers

The Plugable TBT4-UD5 is the better all-round Thunderbolt 4 dock for a typical HDMI desk. It has the same 40 Gbps host connection, dual 4K at 60Hz support on compatible systems, Gigabit Ethernet, and a downstream Thunderbolt 4 port as the Dell. It then adds UHS-II SD and microSD readers, a 3.5mm combo jack, a 1.0m cable, and 96W of certified standard host charging. Its lower MSRP gives it a stronger value case as well.

The Dell WD22TB4 remains the right answer for a defined group of buyers. A compatible Dell laptop can receive up to 130W through ExpressCharge, which Plugable does not offer. Dell also provides two native DisplayPort outputs and a three-year warranty. Those are concrete advantages, not minor details, for a Dell-centered office with DisplayPort monitors.

Choose the Dell WD22TB4 if:

• You have a compatible Dell laptop and need up to 130W ExpressCharge.
• Your monitors use DisplayPort and you want two native DisplayPort connections.
• You want Dell Dock Manager support on a Dell Windows system.
• A three-year limited warranty matters more than built-in card readers and audio.

Choose the Plugable TBT4-UD5 if:

• You want dual HDMI for two 4K at 60Hz monitors on a compatible host.
• You need UHS-II SD and microSD readers or a 3.5mm combo audio jack.
• You use a non-Dell laptop and want up to 96W of standard USB-C charging.
• You want a lower MSRP without giving up Thunderbolt 4, Gigabit Ethernet, or a downstream Thunderbolt port.

Read the individual Dell WD22TB4 review and Plugable TBT4-UD5 review for the full product details. You can also return to the homepage to compare every dock in the site database.