CalDigit Component 5 Hub evaluate: The CalDigit Component 5 Hub provides extra Thunderbolt 5 ports to your setup
As Thunderbolt 5 units grow to be extra broadly obtainable, the CalDigit Component 5 Hub affords a compact, no-frills enlargement possibility with solely the important ports.
Thunderbolt 5 was finalized in 2024, nevertheless it wasn’t till January’s CES 2025 present that we began to see units get introduced. CalDigit, recognized for its wonderful peripherals, was fast as all the time with its Element5 Hub.
It was quickly adopted by its extra full-featured docks, however the Component 5 Hub is nice for one thing extra reasonably priced and compact. Plus, it nonetheless has eight downstream ports to make the most of.
Thunderbolt 5 has many advantages over Thunderbolt 4, together with elevated bandwidth. Based on CalDigit, the Component 5 Hub delivers peak storage efficiency of as much as 6,200MB/s, or twice as quick as its Thunderbolt 4 predecessor.
CalDigit Component 5 Hub evaluate: Design
The Component 5 Hub is actually the Component 4 Hub that got here earlier than it — Simply with Thunderbolt 5 assist as an alternative of Thunderbolt 4.
CalDigit Component 5 Hub evaluate: It is compact sufficient to suit into most desk setups and has an exterior energy provide
It is slightly skinny, with the ports unfold out amongst the back and front. The shell is extruded aluminum with a matte black PVC core across the ports.
The facility provide, a surprisingly small exterior brick, connects to the again of the hub. The upstream Thunderbolt 5 port is on the best facet, making it extra ideally located to the left of your Mac.
Presently, MacBook Professional, Mac mini, and Mac Studio all assist Thunderbolt 5. Because the MacBook Professional has two Thunderbolt ports on the left, that orientation for the upstream port might be a sensible alternative.
CalDigit does embrace rubber rails within the field, which might join on the highest or backside, making the entire thing reversible if you wish to put it on the opposite facet of your machine. You will must take care of upside-down logos, although.
CalDigit Component 5 Hub evaluate: Ports
In complete, there are eight downstream ports on the CalDigit Component 5 Hub. There are 4 on the again and 4 on the entrance.
CalDigit Component 5 Hub evaluate: The front-facing ports on the hub
On the entrance:
- USB-C (10Gb/s) 7.5W of energy
- USB-C (10Gb/s) 7.5W of energy
- USB-A (10Gb/s) 7.5W of energy
On the again:
- Thunderbolt 5 Sort-C with 15W Energy Supply
- Thunderbolt 5 Sort-C with 15W Energy Supply
- Thunderbolt 5 Sort-C with 15W Energy Supply
- USB-A (10Gb/s) 7.5W of energy
- DC Energy In 180W energy provide
The port choice right here is adequate. In the event you’re in search of something extra, that is why the bigger, extra succesful hubs exist.
You will discover issues like HDMI, Show Port, or card readers on these, which can be extra appropriate, relying in your wants. We’re huge followers of the Sort-C ports, so the abundance is welcomed.
The rear ports on the hub, together with the facility enter
Three Thunderbolt 5 ports imply you possibly can simply join extra Thunderbolt equipment. For instance, an exterior SSD, a quicker CFExpress Sort-B card reader, and an exterior show.
The upstream Thunderbolt 5 port that connects to your Mac can even ship energy if utilizing it with a conveyable Mac or iPad. It helps as much as 90W of PowerDelivery, simply shy of the 100W most the Sort-C ports are able to.
Our solely gripe can be charging pace for the downstream ports. We might have appreciated to see 15W on the front-facing USB-C ports, slightly than solely 7.5W.
The front-facing ports are those most probably for use for issues like charging a tool, be it your wi-fi mic or your iPhone, as 7.5W is unnecessarily gradual.
The entire hub has 180W of enter. We might have appreciated to see further effort put into growing that output energy by a hair so you do not have to make use of the rear ports only for quick charging.
Utilizing the hub, you possibly can join as much as three shows relying in your machine. For Mac customers, it is extra restricted, supporting solely two exterior shows by way of Thunderbolt.
CalDigit Component 5 Hub evaluate: There are 9 complete ports on the Component 5 Hub
The 2 shows may be 8K at 60Hz or 4K at as much as 480Hz. Extra shows can nonetheless be related on to the Mac, once more, relying in your mannequin.
Must you purchase the CalDigit Component 5 Hub?
There are two questions it’s a must to ask your self when contemplating the Component 5 Hub.
First is whether or not the ports meet your wants. Assuming they do, the second query is whether or not or not the hub is well-designed and performs as anticipated.
We will not reply the primary one for you, however we will help with the second. It is a superb design, distilling a hub right into a compact exterior brick in your desk.
The area grey colour matches Apple’s professional machines and is difficult to seek out fault with. Even the reversible design is appreciated.
CalDigit Component 5 Hub evaluate: It lacks a card reader and different ports, nevertheless it’s cheaper and extra compact than some other Thunderbolt 5 hub
Ports are succesful and plentiful, particularly with USB-C. All too usually, we discover hubs that prioritize too many Sort-A ports on the detriment of Sort-C.
As most of our gear is USB-C nowadays, that is the port we search for most. Although a few legacy ports are nonetheless helpful, particularly as Apple has banished them from the Mac mini.
CalDigit Component 5 Hub evaluate: Professionals
- Business-standard area grey aluminum physique
- Newest Thunderbolt 5 tech
- Loads of Sort-C ports on back and front
- Legacy Sort-A ports on entrance
- Thunderbolt 5 cable included
- Reversible design
- Stackable with a second hub
- Double the information assist over Thunderbolt 4
CalDigit Component 5 Hub evaluate: Cons
- Lacks ports of dearer hubs
- PD output could possibly be increased on some ports
- Solely twin show output for Mac
CalDigit Component 5 Hub Ranking: 4 out of 5
The place to purchase the CalDigit Component 5 Hub
You will discover the CalDigit Component 5 Hub on Amazon for $279.
