120Gb/s Thunderbolt™ 5 & USB4® 80Gb/s Connectivity

A note about Apple M4 Multiple Display Compatibility with Thunderbolt 5 Docks/Hubs

9 Ports

4x Thunderbolt 5 | USB4 v2

3x USB-A 10Gb/s

2x USB-C 10Gb/s

3 Displays

90W Charging

Get to Know the Element 5 Hub

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An image of the CalDigit Element 5 Hub on a desk with other accessories around it.

Your Thunderbolt™ 5 Connectivity. Sorted.

The Most Compact Thunderbolt 5 Hub

The CalDigit Element 5 Hub (E5) is a truly unique device. It features more ports than any other Thunderbolt hub. It does this while also maintaining the exact same compact size as the previous Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub. With a wide selection of powerful ports, it is an ideal solution for expanding workflows, while taking up minimal desk space.

Even though the device is compact, it includes features found in high-end docks, such as 90W of consistent host charging, up to 120Gb/s connectivity, and support for up to 3 displays on supported Windows Thunderbolt 5 PCs.

Connect what you need, when you need.

An image of a desk with dual monitors, a MacBook Pro, and the CalDigit Element 5 Hub.

Not Your Average Hub

Traditional USB hubs are mostly equipped with low performing ports, or ports with insufficient power delivery in order to keep your devices charged.

The Element 5 Hub allows you to have both great performance, and consistent power, thanks to the up to 120Gb/s throughput of Thunderbolt 5.

Total Compatibility

When you have such a powerful hub you also need the flexibility to use it with any device.

The Element 5 Hub is compatible with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 Macs, USB4, USB4 v2, and USB-C devices.

This also includes USB-C or Thunderbolt iPads, iPhones, Windows tablets and more*.

*The Element 5 Hub does not support Thunderbolt 3 Windows PCs. Users on Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB-C host computers, tablets, or phones will see reduced functionality.
An image showing the Thunderbolt ports on the side of the CalDigit Element 5 Hub.

Thunderbolt 5​

The benefit of a Thunderbolt 5 hub is that you can connect many types of devices to it.

The Element 5 Hub features 3 downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports that can connect to monitors, fast external storage, and more.

The 15W performance of the downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports means you can charge and power devices much faster than USB hubs.

Define Your Connectivity​

The simplicity of the Element 5 Hub’s four Thunderbolt 5 ports allows you to create the hub that you want. Don’t be confined by pre-built hubs. Use the Thunderbolt 5 ports to connect what you want.

Need to connect multiple SSDs, SD card readers, RAID storage, triple 4K monitors? No problem.

The Element 5 Hub is a blank canvas ready to be populated with the devices you need.

An image of the CalDigit Element 5 Hub with 2x SSDs placed on top of it.

Faster than Your Average Hub

The Thunderbolt 5 ports on the Element 5 Hub provide up to 6,200MB/s performance for your external storage devices, which is double that of Thunderbolt 4, and much higher than typical USB hubs. 

Element 5 Hub (Thunderbolt 5) USB-C 5Gb/s Hub (USB-A)

Max. External Storage Performance

Up to 6,200MB/s*

350MB/s (Typical performance)

Performance Difference

17x Faster

17x Slower

*Thunderbolt SSDs are only compatible with Thunderbolt & USB4 host computers. The actual performance may be slightly slower due to latency and protocol overhead.

Versatile USB Ports

The versatility of having both USB-C and USB-A ports offers great convenience. All of the USB ports on the Element 5 Hub offer 10Gb/s performance, and 7.5W of power.

This is an ideal option for connecting high performance USB-C SSDs to the hub. Don’t forget that you can also connect USB-C devices to the Thunderbolt 5 ports.

An image of two CalDigit Element 5 Hubs stacked on top of each other on a desk.

3 Monitors on Windows

Thunderbolt 5 allows for 3 external monitors to be connected to a Windows host computer that supports it, and the fact that the Element 5 Hub has 3 downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports makes it ideal for users that intend on connecting 3 displays*.

*Triple displays requires a compatible Thunderbolt 5 Windows PC. M4 Apple Macs do not support triple displays via a single Thunderbolt 5 host connection. Thunderbolt 4 Windows or Mac host computers do not support triple displays.

Bandwidth Boost

When you connect bandwidth intensive monitors to the Element 5 Hub it will enable Bandwidth Boost in order to priorotize displays, and provide up to 120Gb/s performance. This will then keep 40Gb/s for the rest of the dock.

The great thing about this is that it will allow for higher refresh rate displays to be connected to the device, as well as three 4K 60Hz displays on Windows Thunderbolt 5 PCs.

A graphic showing the Thunderbolt Bandwidth Boost of the TS5 Plus.

Single, Dual, or Triple Displays

Whether you need a high-resolution display, a high-refresh rate display, or up to 3 external displays, the Element 5 Hub has you covered.

Single Monitor

If you’re looking to add a single monitor to the Element 5 Hub you can connect it to one of the spare Thunderbolt 5 ports. If you wish to connect an HDMI monitor you can use a USB-C to HDMI Adapter ***.

Dual Monitors

Triple Monitors

CalDigit Element 5 Hub Monitor Resolution Chart
* Dual 5K monitors must be Thunderbolt 4 or Apple Studio Displays. Dual LG UltraFine 5K monitors are not supported. 6K monitors can be a Thunderbolt 4 monitor or an Apple Pro Display XDR. DSC (Display Stream Compression) support is required for 6K and 8K resolutions.
 
** Higher refresh-rates (above 60Hz) may require DSC (Display Stream Compression) support on the monitors and host GPU. The bit/color depth may vary in order to support higher refresh-rates.
 
*** Some M3 MacBooks such as the MacBook Air can support dual external monitors up to 5K and 6K when the laptop lid is closed (clamshell mode).
 
**** Currently M1/2/3/4 Macs can only support up to HDMI 2.0b over its Thunderbolt ports. As such, resolutions will be limited to 4K 60Hz when using an HDMI adapter. If a higher refresh-rate is required, please use a USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to DisplayPort or DisplayPort to DisplayPort connection. For more information about a Mac’s external display support please visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/101571 and https://www.caldigit.com/macbook-multiple-monitor-support-with-caldigit-thunderbolt-docks/
 
***** Results may vary due to OS updates. For external display compatibility over a single Thunderbolt connection on different Windows computers, please refer to the manufacturer’s website.
An image of a MacBook Pro with an Element 5 Hub on either side showing the reversible design of the hub.

Reversible Design

A great function of the Element 5 Hub’s design is that it is reversible allowing you to be able to use it on either side of your laptop. This allows users to have more flexibility and freedom when designing their specific set-up.

An image of the Element 5 Hub connected to an iPad which is connected to an external display.

iPads, iPhones & Windows Tablets

Not only is the Element 5 Hub compatible with laptops, it can be used with Thunderbolt or USB-C tablets and phones. This includes iPads and iPhones.

You are no longer limited to connecting a single device to your table or phone’s Type-C port. The Element 5 Hub will add up to 8 devices for next-level connectivity.

*Functionality will be reduced when using the Element 5 Hub on phones or tablets.

90W - Enough Power to Fast Charge your Apple Devices

Traditional USB hubs cannot compete with the Element 5 Hub’s power delivery. This is thanks to the included power supply which provides a “sustained” 90W of power delivery at all times to the host device.

USB hubs that claim up to 100W power delivery often reduce the actual power delivery based on how many USB devices are connected to it. Rest assured that this does not happen with the Element 5 Hub because of the included 180W power supply.

90W - Enough Power to Fast Charge All of Your Apple Devices
Apple Device Fast Charging

13" MacBook Air (M1)

48W

13" MacBook Pro (M2)

60W

15" MacBook Air (M2)

70W

13" MacBook Air (M3)

72W

14" MacBook Pro (M4)

90W

iPad Pro (M4)

45W

iPhone 16 Pro Max

45W

Vision Pro Battery

65W

Docking Station Utility

Adding multiple devices to your hub is great but it can be a nuisance having to manually eject every storage device safely.

To solve this problem we have created a macOS Utility Software that allows users to quickly and safely eject all of their storage devices with one click.

An image showing the CalDigit Docking Station Utility for macOS.

Your Ultimate Charging Hub

An image showing the charging capabilities of the CalDigit Element 5 Hub.
  1. Apple Watch
  2. AirPods
  3. iPhone 16
  4. iPhone 16 Pro
  5. Magic Mouse (USB-C)
  6. MagSafe Charger
  7. iPad Pro
  8. AirPods Max
  9. MacBook Pro

A Powerful Offline Charging Station

The Element 5 Hub can even work for you when it’s not connected to your computer. Keep your USB-A or USB-C devices connected to the Element 5 Hub and it will continue to charge them. All 9 ports on the Element 5 Hub can be used at the same time for offline charging.

42% Smaller Power Supply

The Element 5 Hub’s power supply is 42% smaller than the previous generation, and also 30W more powerful.

This makes it even more convenient when travelling with the Element 5 Hub.

A graphic showing the size difference between the CalDigit Element 5 power supply and the Element 4 power supply.

Apple SuperDrive

Many docks and hubs are not compatible with the Apple SuperDrive since it requires extra power from the connected USB port. In fact Apple recommends to connect it directly to a computer. CalDigit has solved this problem by creating a driver that will allow the SuperDrive to work through the Element 5 Hub. 

Premium Features

An infographic showing all of the features of the CalDigit Element 5 Hub.
An image indicating what ports the CalDigit Element 5 Hub has.
A graphic showing what is included in the packaging of the CalDigit Element 5 Hub.

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 above
  • Windows 11 or above
  • 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″       (70 mm)
  • 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
Element 5 Hub (Thunderbolt 5) Element Hub (Thunderbolt 4)

Max. Performance

120Gb/s

40Gb/s

No. Ports

9

8

Host Charging

90W

60W

Max. PCI Express Bandwidth

64Gb/s

32Gb/s

Three 4K 60Hz Displays (On Supported Thunderbolt 5 Windows PCs)

X

Dual 4K 240Hz Displays

X

Dual 6K 60Hz Displays

10Gb/s USB-A

3x

4x

10Gb/s USB-C

2x

0x

Supports USB 20Gb/s Data Path (On Supported Thunderbolt 5 Windows PCs)

X

DisplayPort Version

2.1

1.4

Power Supply

180W (Compact Design)

150W (Larger Design)

Price

$299.99 $249.95

$249.99 $179.99

Do Apple M4 Macs with Thunderbolt 5 support 3 Displays?

Apple M4 Macs with Thunderbolt 5 ports do not natively support 3 external displays via a dock or hub over one Thunderbolt 5 connection. The maximum number of displays they support is 2.

This is the case with any Thunderbolt 5 dock or hub.

For more information about how many monitors can be connected to a Mac, please visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/101571 and https://www.caldigit.com/macbook-multiple-monitor-support-with-caldigit-thunderbolt-docks/

Does the Element 5 Hub work on a Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 computer?

Yes, the Element 5 Hub works on Thunderbolt 4 Macs, Thunderbolt 4 PCs, and Thunderbolt 3 Intel Macs. It however does not support Thunderbolt 3 Windows PCs.

Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 are both 40Gb/s, and the Element 5 Hub works great on both. However, to get the maximum performance and features out of the Element 5 Hub it should be used with a Thunderbolt 5 or USB4 v2 computer.

For Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 Windows PCs, please check with your manufacturer to see how many displays your PC supports from a single Thunderbolt connection, including if charging has been restricted via the Thunderbolt ports.

On macOS, to take advantage of the full Thunderbolt 5 bandwidth and features of the Element 5 Hub, an M4 Pro or Max Mac is required. Users on Apple Silicon Thunderbolt 4 Macs (M1-M3 and M4 base) will see reduced functionality. The maximum number of displays that can be connected on macOS via a single Thunderbolt connection is 2, even on an M4 Max, as long as your particular Mac supports 2 displays.

Does the Element 5 Hub work on a Mac featuring the M1-M3, M1-M4 Pro, M1-M4 Max, M1-M4 Max, and M1-M2 Ultra?

Yes, the Element 5 Hub is the perfect companion for the above Apple Silicon Macs.

Base M1-M3 Macs only support a single display through the Thunderbolt connection.

Pro, Max, M4 base, and Ultra Mac users can connect dual displays to the Element 5 Hub.

Three displays are not supported through a dock or hub on M4 Thunderbolt 5 Macs via a single Thunderbolt 5 connection.

Can I use the Element 5 Hub with a Mac mini or iMac since they have their own power supplies?

Yes, the Element 5 Hub is a great option for Mac mini and iMac users to expand their connectivity.
When connected to the Mac mini or iMac, the Element 5 Hub will not supply any power to the computer.

Can I use the Element 5 Hub with another CalDigit dock like the TS4, and does it matter where in the chain I add it?

Yes, the Element 5 Hub can be daisy-chained to the TS4, or any dual port Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 device such as the TS4. You can either have it first or second in the chain. We would recommend to have the TS4 directly connected to the laptop since it provides higher laptop charging.

If you plan to use your own laptop charger, we suggest you connect the Element 5 Hub to your computer first then daisy-chain it to other devices from the Element 5 Hub.

Does the Element 5 Hub use Dynamic Charging or feature Full Consistent Charging?

Unlike the majority of hubs or docks on the market that feature Dynamic Charging which decrease the charging performance when USB devices are connected to the hub, the Element 5 Hub features Full Consistent charging and will always provide 90W of power to the host computer.

I have a laptop with over 90W charging. Will the Element 5 Hub charge my laptop?

Since the Element 5 Hub is a compact hub rather than a larger dock, heat management is of paramount importance.
90W is the optimum power delivery for hub of this size in order to provide enough power and keep the device at the perfect temperature.

If your laptop is above 90W the Element Hub will still charge your laptop at a slower speed.
If you are using CPU or GPU intensive applications we recommend that you connect the laptop’s charger to your laptop.

If you require a device with faster laptop charging, CalDigit offers full size docks with 98W charging.

Can I use the Element 5 Hub without a power supply?

No, the Element 5 Hub requires a power supply in order to operate.

The host Thunderbolt 5 connection provides 90W of power, the remaining Thunderbolt ports each provide up to 15W of power, and the USB ports provide up to 7.5W of power. To provide this much power the Element 5 Hub requires a power supply. However, the power supply that is included is very compact, making it ideal for travelling with.

If I am charging my laptop can I still charge USB devices?

Yes, the Element 5 Hub can charge your laptop at the same time as charging USB devices.

How do I connect a monitor to the Element 5 Hub?

If your monitor is Thunderbolt or USB-C it can connect directly to the spare Thunderbolt 5 ports on the Element 5 Hub.

If you want to connect an HDMI or DisplayPort monitor you can purchase a USB-C to HDMI, or USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter, and connect it to the spare Thunderbolt ports.

What devices can I connect to the Thunderbolt ports on the Element 5 Hub?

You can connect any Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 5, USB4, USB4 v2, or USB-C devices to the Thunderbolt ports on the Element 5 Hub.

This includes, but is not limited to, external storage, eGPUs, docks, monitors, 10G Ethernet adapter, USB-C to SD card readers, and USB-C to ethernet adapters.

You can also daisy chain multiple Element 5 Hubs together.

Element 5 Hub

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