Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
It ’s stick more top - end ports than any other dock we ’ve test and a built - in SSD enclosure so you’re able to add up to an extra 8 TB of storage , yet it is one of the most affordable dockage stations uncommitted .
Best Prices Today: Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock
Is it a bird ? Is it a sheet ? No it ’s SuperDock ! But what makes Sonnet ’s recent Thunderbolt 4 laptop moorage post so tops ?
The super - ness is not the 19 top - end ports , although these are sure enough impressive . It ’s not the 2.5x faster Ethernet connection . And it ’s not the back - compatible Thunderbolt 4 technology that is certify to the very modish Intel monetary standard .
What makes the Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock so super is its build - in M.2 NVMe SSD expansion slot which means you could add up to 8 TB of SSD storage to your system without connecting an external storage equipment to the dock or computer .
But first , let ’s attend at the abundance of port this sorrel boasts to relate devices at top swiftness .
Foundry
Specs and features
The Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock has a copious 19 ports . The “ 20 ” in the Echo 20 ’s name includes the king supplying port , which we do n’t commonly count in our port countdown .
The Echo 20 has more ports than we ’ve seen with any docking station . Even theCaldigit TS4 Dockhas only ( ! ) 18 , and it ’s this kind of Thunderbolt 4 docks that Sonnet is gunning for . Read our fuller roundup of our other recommendation for thebest Thunderbolt dock for Mac .
Thunderbolt 4, USB-C and USB-A ports
All the Echo 20 ’s USB ports are at least 10Gbps ( twice the bandwidth of the many docks ’ USB port wine ) . The TS4 has as many ( 8) but the Echo 20 has one more USB - vitamin C , while the TS4 has the spare USB - A. As more devices eschew Type A for Type C , we clap Sonnet for having as many USB - C as USB - A.
you could daisy - range up to six bolt devices via the two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports , although the devices touch base will be sharing the 40Gbps bandwidth upstream to the laptop .
Rather than add the maximal possible three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports , Sonnet includes two plus a high-pitched - goal HDMI 2.1 video embrasure so the user can add a direct extraneous display without the want for an adapter .
If you contrive to touch base an HDMI video display , that makes more sentience than a third Thunderbolt 4 larboard .
Adding internal storage
The Echo 20 does n’t send with an SSD , so you need to purchase one yourself . A 1 TB SSD can be found for under $ 50 , 2 TB for around $ 100 , 4 TB for $ 250 . 8 TB SSDs can cost between $ 800 and $ 1,000 .
If you were configuring a new MacBook with 8 TB of internal depot , Apple would charge you $ 2,200 , so adding it to your affiliated dockage station at half the Leontyne Price makes a lot of sense , and you could swap it out with other capacity as you hope .
It must be an M.2 NVMe SSD . With the right SSD , transfer and memory access data rates are up to 800MBps .
SSD initiation is round-eyed if you fuck how to utilize a screwdriver and do n’t have rickety hands . Unscrew the two screws securing a panel covert on the back dialog box of the sour grass . Insert the SSD and re - stop up the bottom cover charge .
However , we would have choose Sonnet to include the right screwdrivers with the dockage as what you need — a diminutive crosshead — may not be in the medium toolbox .
The Echo 20 is n’t sonorous but even with its thickset powerfulness supplying it ’s not particularly portable , so what you hive away on that SSD is n’t going with you when you disconnect the laptop computer from the dock . It ’s great for backups , archiving , and for large Indian file you do n’t need with you on the road .
There ’s also a fast SD card proofreader for more portable memory …
Portable storage
The Echo 20 feature just one South Dakota card lector for portable storage , while the TS4 has both SD and MicroSD lector .
Having both data formatting offer more flexibility , and the two slot can be used at the same prison term , so the TS4 wins if you prefer portable storage to be instal .
Most MicroSD cards come with an SD arranger so the deficiency of MicroSD does n’t cease you from select between the two store - placard formats on the Echo 20 . MicroSD cards are usually cheaper than full - size Coyote State .
Tiny memory bill of fare were once the preserve of professional exploiter such as photographers who use them to quickly remove files . However , anyone can buy a caliber 512 GB card for around $ 75/£75 , and they propose an inexpensive style of upping the storage in your laptop and are super portable , too .
The Echo 20 ’s UHS II Mount Rushmore State visiting card reader is rated fast at 312MBps — the same as the TS4 ’s .
As with other docks , if you prefer portable entrepot there are other options , too . For example , you could tot up a pocketable SSD enclosure , such asUgreen ’s M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Adapter , available for around $ 30 ( also not including the SSD itself ) .
Dock display options
you may connect an external presentation via the HDMI 2.1 porthole ( without the indigence for an adapter ) , and another covert via one of the Thunderbolt ports , or two via both the downstream Thunderbolt port wine .
Dual - display supporting intend M1 / M2 / M3 Pro , M1 / M2 / M3 Max and M1 / M2 Ultra Macs can hook up either a unmarried 4K/5K/6 K screen or two HD/4K/5K/6 K display .
A Mac with an M2 Pro / Max / Ultra chip can support up to a single 6 kelvin showing at 60Hz , or two HD/4K/5K/6 KiB exhibit ( both 4 K at 60Hz ) .
Windows PC and Chromebooks sporting Thunderbolt 4 can support up to a single 8 K display at 60Hz , or two HD/4 M video display at 60Hz .
If you install DisplayLink software package you’re able to lead two displays off connected plain M1 and M2 Macs , which otherwise are set to one exhibit . study multiple screens to M1 or M2 Macsin our tutorial and solution recommender .
An interesting divergence between the Echo 20 ( HDMI 2.1 ) and the Caldigit TS4 ( DisplayPort 1.4 ) is the option of video embrasure .
HDMI is the more popular port on displays but DisplayPort has traditionally been higher-ranking on the specs front . However , HDMI 2.1 has more than catch up with DP 1.4 so is a fine option even for high - end pros . HDMI 2.1 is a big leap up from HDMI 2.0 , which is feel on most other docking stations with a video port .
Audio ports front and back
Visuals are n’t the Echo 20 ’s only strength . There are four audio port available . At the front is a 3.5 mm combo jack for either wired earphone or a microphone , and at the back are disjoined left / correct channel RCA line - out squat that can deliver a light signaling to powered speaker or an amplifier , plus an extra 3.5 mm microphone jack .
The TS4 ’s three audio embrasure are all 3.5 mm . While there is no detectable difference in good character between RCA and 3.5 mm connectors , a lot of consumer A / V equipment still plunk for RCA connectors , which also provide a more secure connexion than 3.5 mm connectors .
Audio enthusiasts would opt a Digital Audio port to connect directly to their amplifier , speakers , or habitation theatre telephone receiver for the gamy - quality , staring audio playback . Caldigit ’s Thunderbolt 3 - basedTS3 Plus dockhas one , but the audio embrasure on the Echo 20 will be good enough for most users .
Super-fast Ethernet
Another bid for “ Super ” status is the Echo 20 ’s super - fast 2.5Gb Gigabit Ethernet , which has the potential to be 2.5 time quicker than stock Gigabit Ethernet . This again couple the wire - internet port on the TS4 .
To take advantage of the 2.5GbE speed , you want a connect gimmick — such as a router / mesh electric switch — that is 2.5GbE or above
The 2.5Gb Ethernet port wine is backwards and forwards compatible with other speed of Ethernet , so will run with a received Gigabit Ethernet connection .
Docking power
With 100W Power Delivery ( PD ) , the Echo 20 can keep even the declamatory connected laptop powered up in full use .
Each USB port on the Echo 20 has a minimal charging power of 7.5W , and the downstream TB4 larboard can offer 15W to power connected devices .
While this is telling , it ’s one arena where the Caldigit TS4 has more muscular tissue . Its 230W power provision is the most power - up dockage post we ’ve ever try out , and one of the front USB - C port can institutionalise at a generous 20W – enough , for case , for fast - charge up an iPhone via USB - C.
The Echo 20 ’s 150W power supplying should , however , be brawny enough to charge a 100W laptop computer and have enough left for a few affiliated machine .
Design
dockage place either consist horizontally , like the Echo 20 , or stand vertically , like the TS4 . Vertical docks economize desk space but horizontal docks can offer a clean look .
Personally , I prefer the vertical design , but most docks , if doing their job aright , soon combine into their desktop surround anyway .
Most dock place the upstream Thunderbolt 4 port ( to the server laptop computer ) at the front , which means a tail transmission line messing up your desk . Both the Echo 20 and TS4 handily position the upstream port at the back of the dock .
The Echo 20 is jet black , while the TS4 is alloy gray , although this is unconvincing to be a decider when prefer between these two excellent two docking place .
Sonnet
Price
The Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock price $ 299.99 , which appraise up very favourably against the Caldigit TS4 ’s $ 399.99 and other Thunderbolt 4 docks such as Kensington ’s SD5700 T ( $ 369.99 ) .
Given its top - end specs , this is easy the best - value Thunderbolt 4 dock we have tested .
observe that there ’s no SSD included with the Echo 20 so you postulate to factor in this if you want to add the interior storage , but it ’s not even an option with other dock so does n’t spoil the comparison .
Even if you do n’t need the SSD enclosure now , the Echo 20 still represents great time value for money .
U.K. buyers will alas discover the Echo 20 quite a scrap pricier ( £ 380 ) in their nation , although it ’s still a corking docking station option .
Verdict
We did n’t think that Caldigit ’s TS4 could be beaten but the Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock is a very close lucifer for the number and quality of ports but for $ 100 less .
It lacks a MicroSD card reader and does n’t put up as much multi - equipment power , but it has other benefits — most perceptibly the interior entrepot enclosure — and is specced high enough for most users .
The 19 port are all top - end — Thunderbolt 4 , 10Gbps USB - C and USB - A , 2.5Gb Ethernet , HDMI 2.1 — and the cellular inclusion of the onboard M.2 NVMe SSD one-armed bandit give the Echo 20 our crown as the unexampled Thunderbolt 4 docking station of choice .
