Input & Connectivity
CalDigit Element 5 Hub (Thunderbolt 5)
By Nick Miles · Updated 2026-10-03 · 5 expert sources
Pros
- +Nine ports: four Thunderbolt 5 / USB4 v2, three USB-A and two USB-C, with the USB ports at 10Gb/s (Amazon listing)
- +Adds three 10Gb/s USB-A ports to the Studio's own two 5Gb/s USB-A ports (Amazon listing, Apple specs)
- +Macworld rated it 5/5 and calls it more of a mini dock than a hub
- +Compact: Macworld and TechRadar both list its small size as a strength
- +Ships with a 180W power supply and a 0.8m Thunderbolt 5 cable (Amazon listing)
Cons
- −No HDMI or DisplayPort, so displays may need adapters (Macworld)
- −On M1 to M4 Macs, CalDigit caps macOS at two displays over one Thunderbolt connection (CalDigit FAQ)
- −No card reader or Ethernet port; AppleInsider calls it a hub with only the essentials
- −No DisplayLink support (TechRadar)
Score breakdown
- Expert consensus9.0
- Effectiveness9.0
- Build safety9.0
- Durability9.0
- Value9.0
How this score was set: it is the mean of 3 published outlet ratings on a 10-point scale (Macworld 5/5 = 10.0; TechRadar 4.5/5 = 9.0; AppleInsider 4/5 = 8.0; mean 9.0). Effectiveness, build safety, durability and value were not assessed separately, so each carries that mean and the composite equals it. Build safety is not a certified rating: we have not verified UL/ETL or equivalent certification.
What the experts say
“More of a mini dock than a hub, the CalDigit Element 5 packs nine fast ports including four of the latest 80/120Gbps Thunderbolt 5.”
“The Element 5 Thunderbolt Dock from CalDigit is a future-proof docking station that features top-of-the-line transfer speeds, excellent performance, and high-speed charging, all in a compact footprint.”
“We're big fans of the Type-C ports, so the abundance is welcomed.”