The CalDigit Element 5 Hub delivers 120Gb/s Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, compact design, and versatile ports ideal for multi-device, multi-monitor setups.
The CalDigit Element 5 Hub is a compact Thunderbolt hub that can support up to nine devices, offering a remarkable connectivity speed of 120Gb/s. As the successor to the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub, it provides enhanced connectivity options and faster data transfer speeds. Featuring various ports, this hub is an ideal solution for expanding workflows while taking up minimal desk space. It is designed to accommodate workloads that require multiple connected SSDs, SD card readers, RAID storage, and even setups with triple 4K monitors. Additionally, for more connectivity options, you can daisy-chain another CalDigit Element 5 Hub.
CalDigit Element 5 Hub Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Interface | 1 x Thunderbolt 5 Host (Up to 120Gb/s) 3 x Thunderbolt 5 (80Gb/s) 3 x USB-A (10Gb/s) 2 x USB-C (10Gb/s) 1 x DC In (20V | 9A) |
| Minimum System Requirements | macOS 15 or later Windows 11 or later iPadOS Chrome OS Thunderbolt 5 Computer Thunderbolt 4 Computer Thunderbolt 3 Mac USB-C (USB4 or USB4 v2) Computer USB-C Computer/Tablet/Phone Thunderbolt/USB4 iPad USB-C ChromeBook |
| Power Delivery | Up to 90W Host Charging Each Downstream Thunderbolt 5 / USB4 v2 Port: 15W (5V/3A) Each USB-A Port: 7.5W (5V/1.5A) Each USB-C Port: 7.5W (5V/1.5A) |
| Size & Weight | Height: 1.0″ (25.5mm) Width: 2.75″ (70mm) Length: 4.48″ (114mm) Weight: 0.44lbs (0.20kg) |
| In The Box | 1 x Element 5 Hub 1 x Thunderbolt 5 Cable (0.8m) 2 x Rubber Feet Strips 1 x Power Supply (180W) 1 x Power Cord |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
Design and Build
The CalDigit Element 5 Hub maintains the same dimensions as its predecessor, measuring 0.70″ (h) 2.75″ (w), and 4.48″ (d). Weighing just 0.44 lbs, its compact size allows it to fit comfortably on a desk. Additionally, the hub can be positioned on either side of a workstation for added convenience. To prevent it from sliding, it comes equipped with two adhesive rubber feet for stability. It also includes a Thunderbolt 5 cable for connecting to the host machine, as well as a power supply cable. The hub offers extensive connectivity options, featuring a total of nine ports: four Thunderbolt 5 ports, three USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports.
Ports
The CalDigit Element 5 Hub features three Thunderbolt 5 USB4 v2 ports, each providing 15W of power and transfer speeds ranging from 80 to 120Gb/s for connected devices, double the speed of Thunderbolt 4. The fourth Thunderbolt 5 port, located on the side, connects to the host computer and offers 90W host charging along with transfer speeds of up to 120Gb/s. With a maximum transfer rate of 6,200Mb/s, this hub is capable of supporting connected monitors and external storage devices. Additionally, it is cross-compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4, allowing it to function as a regular USB-C connection when needed.
Next are the three USB-A and two USB-C ports, which can provide individual transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s and deliver 7.5W of power. With multiple ports available, users will have plenty of connections for all their devices. The CalDigit Element 5 Hub also supports offline power charging, allowing users to keep their devices charged even when the host is powered off. A 180W/20V DC power supply unit powers this hub, ensuring optimal charging for tablets, phones, and other devices.
Monitor Compatibility
The CalDigit Element 5 Hub offers several features that vary between Windows and macOS. With Windows host machines, the hub supports connections for up to three monitors. It can deliver a stable 8K at 60Hz image for two of those monitors. This ensures that various monitor connections are compatible, providing users with high-quality images.
On macOS, the hub operates slightly differently. It supports data transfer via Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 5, but only with macOS 15 or later. When using a single monitor, it can deliver 8K resolution at 60Hz. However, if you connect two monitors, the performance drops to 6K at 60Hz.
Prioritization is a key feature of this hub. It allows for a bandwidth boost for a bandwidth-intensive monitor, providing up to 120Gb/s performance to a single display while maintaining 40Gb/s for the rest of the dock. This setup offers 50% more dynamic bandwidth than Thunderbolt 4, enabling an additional 40 Gb/s of transfer speeds when needed. Users are likely to benefit from this feature more frequently at higher refresh rates, such as 120 Hz or above. To achieve these higher refresh rates, the host GPU must support DSC (Display Stream Compression), which may slightly alter bit or color depth to accommodate the increased refresh rates.
CalDigit Hub Options
CalDigit TS5
CalDigit offers two additional Thunderbolt 5 Hub products, including the CalDigit TS5, which features fifteen ports. This hub is designed for greater versatility, providing six additional ports for more specific tasks. In addition to the Thunderbolt 5 host port and three Thunderbolt 5 ports with 80Gb/s speeds, the TS5 features two USB-A ports (one with a 10Gb/s speed and the other with a 480Mb/s speed) and one USB-C port. Both the Thunderbolt 5 and TS5 hubs share the same Ethernet capabilities and DC power ports. However, the TS5 also includes SD card readers and audio connections. Specifically, it features a built-in SD 4.0 card reader and a microSD 4.0 card reader. For those requiring audio connectivity, the TS5 offers a combo In/Out (3.5mm) port, as well as rear audio in/out ports, all of which utilize the standard 3.5mm connector.
CalDigit TS5 Plus
The CalDigit TS5 Plus is a step up from the others, providing twenty ports rather than the fifteen or nine found in the other two hubs. Most of the same ports are similar to its predecessor, the CalDigit TS5. However, with more port options and some data transfer speed upgrades, users have access to a DisplayPort 2.1, which offers more versatility than the previous single USB-C connection option. Additionally, the TS5 Plus features one more Thunderbolt 5 (80Gb/s) port, two more USB-C (10Gb/s) ports, and three more USB-A (10Gb/s) ports, providing users with a vast array of options to choose from. And, for those who need more connected devices, the 10GbE port and DC 24V are direct upgrades to the CalDigit TS5. These products from CalDigit help deliver the best experience to users seeking maximum connectivity and efficiency with this hub.
Conclusion
The CalDigit Element 5 Hub is priced at $279.95 at Amazon (affiliate link) and offers excellent value as an entry-level Thunderbolt 5 dock. Its compact and sturdy design, combined with various versatile high-performance ports, effectively addresses most everyday connectivity needs. With compatibility for modern operating systems and various monitor configurations, the Element 5 Hub is sure to remain relevant for the foreseeable future.
Its ability to deliver simultaneous charging and high data transfer rates further underscores its practicality and effectiveness. Ultimately, for users seeking simplicity, reliable performance, and the flexibility to manage multiple devices efficiently, the CalDigit Element 5 Hub is an outstanding choice, bridging the gap between affordability and premium capability.
Element 5 Hub at Amazon (affiliate link)
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