Knowledgeable’s Ranking
Professionals
- 19 top-end ports
- Constructed-in M.2 NVMe SSD slot
- 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Devoted HDMI 2.1 port
- 100W PD
Cons
- HDMI means simply two downstream TB4 ports
- 150W energy provide
Our Verdict
It’s received extra top-end ports than some other dock we’ve examined and a built-in SSD enclosure so you’ll be able to add as much as an additional 8TB of storage, but it is without doubt one of the most inexpensive docking stations obtainable.
Is it a fowl? Is it a aircraft? No it’s SuperDock! However what makes Sonnet’s newest Thunderbolt 4 laptop computer docking station so tremendous?
The super-ness shouldn’t be the 19 top-end ports, though these are actually spectacular. It’s not the two.5x sooner Ethernet connection. And it’s not the backward-compatible Thunderbolt 4 know-how that’s licensed to the very newest Intel requirements.
What makes the Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock so tremendous is its built-in M.2 NVMe SSD slot which implies you’ll be able to add as much as 8TB of SSD storage to your system with out connecting an exterior storage machine to the dock or pc.
However first, let’s take a look at the abundance of ports this dock boasts to attach units at prime velocity.
Foundry
Specs and options
The Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock has a copious 19 ports. The “20” within the Echo 20’s title contains the ability provide port, which we don’t often rely in our port countdown.
- One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 100W)
- Two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, 15W)
- One HDMI 2.1 video port
- 4 USB-A ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
- 4 USB-C ports (10Gbps, 7.5W)
- Inside M.2 NVMe SSD slot
- 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
- UHS-II SD card reader (312MBps)
- 3.5mm combo audio jack (entrance)
- 3.5mm microphone jack (again)
- Two (proper and left channels) line out RCA jacks (again)
- 150W energy provide
The Echo 20 has extra ports than we’ve seen with any docking station. Even the Caldigit TS4 Dock has solely (!) 18, and it’s this type of Thunderbolt 4 docks that Sonnet is gunning for. Learn our fuller roundup of our different suggestions for the perfect Thunderbolt 4 docks.
Thunderbolt 4, USB-C and USB-A ports
All of the Echo 20’s USB ports are at the very least 10Gbps (twice the bandwidth of the numerous docks’ USB ports). The TS4 has as many (8) however the Echo 20 has yet one more USB-C, whereas the TS4 has the additional USB-A. As extra units eschew Sort A for Sort C, we applaud Sonnet for having as many USB-C as USB-A.
You’ll be able to daisy-chain as much as six Thunderbolt units through the 2 downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, though the units linked can be sharing the 40Gbps bandwidth upstream to the laptop computer.
Fairly than add the utmost doable three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, Sonnet contains two plus a high-end HDMI 2.1 video port so the person can add a direct exterior show with out the necessity for an adapter.
For those who plan to attach an HDMI show, that makes extra sense than a 3rd Thunderbolt 4 port.
Foundry
Including inner storage
The Echo 20 doesn’t ship with an SSD, so you’ll want to buy one your self. A 1TB SSD may be discovered for underneath $50, 2TB for round $100, 4TB for $250. 8TB SSDs can price between $800 and $1,000.
It should be an M.2 NVMe SSD. With the correct SSD, switch and entry information charges are as much as 800MBps.
Foundry
SSD set up is straightforward if you understand how to make use of a screwdriver and don’t have shaky palms. Unscrew the 2 screws securing a panel cowl on the again panel of the dock. Insert the SSD and re-secure the underside cowl.
Nevertheless, we might have most popular Sonnet to incorporate the right screwdrivers with the dock as what you want—a tiny crosshead—might not be within the common toolbox.
The Echo 20 isn’t heavy however even with its compact energy provide it’s not notably moveable, so what you retailer on that SSD isn’t going with you whenever you disconnect the laptop computer from the dock. It’s nice for backups, archiving, and for giant recordsdata you don’t want with you on the street.
There’s additionally a quick SD card reader for extra moveable storage…
Transportable storage
The Echo 20 options only one SD card reader for moveable storage, whereas the TS4 has each SD and MicroSD readers.
Having each codecs affords extra flexibility, and the 2 slots can be utilized on the similar time, so the TS4 wins in case you desire moveable storage to be put in.
Most MicroSD playing cards include an SD adapter so the shortage of MicroSD doesn’t cease you from selecting between the 2 memory-card codecs on the Echo 20. MicroSD playing cards are often cheaper than full-size SD.
Tiny reminiscence playing cards have been as soon as the protect {of professional} customers reminiscent of photographers who use them to rapidly switch recordsdata. Nevertheless, anybody can purchase a top quality 512GB card for round $75/£75, and so they provide a reasonable manner of upping the storage in your laptop computer and are tremendous moveable, too.
The Echo 20’s UHS II SD card reader is rated quick at 312MBps—the identical because the TS4’s.
As with different docks, in case you desire moveable storage there are different choices, too. For instance, you might add a pocketable SSD enclosure, reminiscent of Ugreen’s M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Adapter, obtainable for round $30 (additionally not together with the SSD itself).
Dock show choices
You’ll be able to join an exterior show through the HDMI 2.1 port (with out the necessity for an adapter), and one other display through one of many Thunderbolt ports, or two through each the downstream Thunderbolt ports.
Twin-display assist means M1/M2 Professional, M1/M2 Max and M1/M2 Extremely Macs can hook up both a single 4K/5K/6K display or two HD/4K/5K/6K shows.
A Mac with an M2 Professional/Max/Extremely chip can assist as much as a single 8K show at 60Hz, or two HD/4K/5K/6K shows (each 4K at 60Hz).
Home windows PCs and Chromebooks sporting Thunderbolt 4 can assist as much as a single 8K show at 60Hz, or two HD/4K shows at 60Hz.
An attention-grabbing distinction between the Echo 20 (HDMI 2.1) and the Caldigit TS4 (DisplayPort 1.4) is the selection of video port.
HDMI is the extra common port on shows however DisplayPort has historically been superior on the specs entrance. Nevertheless, HDMI 2.1 has greater than caught up with DP 1.4 so is a wonderful possibility even for high-end execs. HDMI 2.1 is an enormous leap up from HDMI 2.0, which is discovered on most different docking stations with a video port.
Audio ports back and front
Visuals aren’t the Echo 20’s solely power. There are 4 audio ports obtainable. On the entrance is a 3.5mm combo jack for both wired headphones or a microphone, and on the again are separate left/proper channel RCA line-out jacks that may ship a clear sign to powered audio system or an amplifier, plus an additional 3.5mm microphone jack.
The TS4’s three audio ports are all 3.5mm. Whereas there isn’t a noticeable distinction in sound high quality between RCA and three.5mm connectors, a number of client A/V tools nonetheless helps RCA connectors, which additionally present a safer connection than 3.5mm connectors.
Audio lovers would like a Digital Audio port to attach on to their amplifier, audio system, or dwelling theatre receiver for the highest-quality, pure audio playback, however the audio ports on the Echo 20 can be ok for many customers.
Tremendous-fast Ethernet
One other bid for “Tremendous” standing is the Echo 20’s super-fast 2.5Gb Gigabit Ethernet, which has the potential to be 2.5 occasions sooner than normal Gigabit Ethernet. This once more matches the wired-network port on the TS4.
To reap the benefits of the two.5GbE velocity, you want a linked machine—reminiscent of a router/community swap—that’s 2.5GbE or above
The two.5Gb Ethernet port is backwards and forwards suitable with different speeds of Ethernet, so will work with a regular Gigabit Ethernet community.
Docking energy
With 100W Energy Supply (PD), the Echo 20 can maintain even the biggest linked laptop computer powered up in full use.
Every USB port on the Echo 20 has a minimal charging energy of seven.5W, and the downstream TB4 ports can provide 15W to energy linked units.
Whereas that is spectacular, it’s one space the place the Caldigit TS4 has extra muscle. Its 230W energy provide is essentially the most powered-up docking station we’ve ever examined, and one of many entrance USB-C ports can cost at a beneficiant 20W–sufficient, for instance, for fast-charging an iPhone through USB-C.
The Echo 20’s 150W energy provide ought to, nonetheless, be highly effective sufficient to cost a 100W laptop computer and have sufficient left for just a few linked units.
Foundry
Design
Docking stations both lie horizontally, just like the Echo 20, or stand vertically, just like the TS4. Vertical docks save desk house however horizontal docks can provide a cleaner look.
Personally, I desire the vertical design, however most docks, if doing their job accurately, quickly mix into their desktop setting anyway.
Most docks place the upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (to the host laptop computer) on the entrance, which implies a trailing cable messing up your desk. Each the Echo 20 and TS4 handily place the upstream port in the back of the dock.
The Echo 20 is jet black, whereas the TS4 is steel grey, though that is unlikely to be a decider when selecting between these two wonderful two docking stations.
Sonnet
Worth
The Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock prices $299.99, which measures up very favorably towards the Caldigit TS4’s $399.99 and different Thunderbolt 4 docks reminiscent of Kensington’s SD5700T ($369.99).
Given its top-end specs, that is simply the best-value Thunderbolt 4 dock now we have examined.
Observe that there’s no SSD included with the Echo 20 so you’ll want to issue on this if you wish to add the inner storage, nevertheless it’s not even an possibility with different docks so doesn’t spoil the comparability.
Even in case you don’t want the SSD enclosure now, the Echo 20 nonetheless represents nice worth for cash.
Verdict
We didn’t assume that Caldigit’s TS4 might be crushed however the Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock is a really shut match for the quantity and high quality of ports however for $100 much less.
It lacks a MicroSD card reader and doesn’t provide as a lot multi-device energy, nevertheless it has different advantages—most noticeably the inner storage enclosure—and is specced excessive sufficient for many customers.
The 19 ports are all top-end—Thunderbolt 4, 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A, 2.5Gb Ethernet, HDMI 2.1—and the inclusion of the onboard M.2 NVMe SSD slot provides the Echo 20 our crown as the brand new Thunderbolt 4 docking station of selection.