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Dell Universal Dock UD22 vs Plugable UD-6950Z: Comparison
Dell Universal Dock UD22 vs Plugable UD-6950Z host power delivery compared
Host power delivery is the dividing line, Dell Universal Dock UD22 96 W against Plugable UD-6950Z 0 W. Total ports runs the same way, 10 on the Dell Universal Dock UD22 versus 12 on the Plugable UD-6950Z, another win for Plugable UD-6950Z.
Which should you buy, Dell Universal Dock UD22 or Plugable UD-6950Z?
The Dell Universal Dock UD22 suits mixed-vendor offices running Dell, Mac, and Chromebook laptops and triple-monitor productivity setups without needing Thunderbolt, though it is not built for users who specifically want Thunderbolt-level bandwidth and single-display minimalist desk setups, since it's overbuilt for that. The Plugable UD-6950Z is the one to take for older laptops with USB-A-only ports needing external displays and triple-monitor office productivity setups on a budget, though it is the wrong buy for users who prefer native video output without installing drivers and setups needing more than 60W of charging power. It is not the one for gaming or video editing, since DisplayLink introduces input lag at 30Hz. Our rating of the Dell Universal Dock UD22 (7/10): the pragmatic choice for offices mixing Dell, Mac, and Chromebook hardware on one dock standard. Our rating of the Plugable UD-6950Z (7/10): the most display-flexible DisplayLink dock here, ideal for triple-monitor setups on older hardware.
What Dell Universal Dock UD22 and Plugable UD-6950Z have in common
Everything else lines up. Ethernet, ethernet speed, thunderbolt version, bus powered and max single display refresh read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 9 further specifications as well.
Dell Universal Dock UD22 vs Plugable UD-6950Z price
Cost splits them too. Plugable UD-6950Z sits at $200, Dell Universal Dock UD22 at $220, 10% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Dell Universal Dock UD22 and Plugable UD-6950Z differ on connection type?
Yes. Connection Type reads USB-C on the Dell Universal Dock UD22 versus USB-C or USB-A on the Plugable UD-6950Z.
Is the Max Dual Display Resolution the same on the Dell Universal Dock UD22 and Plugable UD-6950Z?
It is. Both are listed at 4K, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Dell
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- Plugable
Connection Type
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2, DP 1.4 Alt Mode, non-Thunderbolt)
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- USB-C or USB-A (DisplayLink software driver)
Model Number
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Universal Dock UD22
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- UD-6950Z
Port Configuration
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 1x USB-C upstream, 4x USB-A 10Gbps, 2x USB-C 10Gbps (one with DP 1.4 Alt Mode), 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x GbE
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 1x USB upstream (USB-C and USB-A cables included), 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort 1.2 (DisplayLink), 6x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x GbE, 3.5mm headset jack
Thunderbolt Version
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- None
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- None
Max Display Support
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Quad 4K@60Hz (with DisplayLink driver); dual 4K@60Hz native
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- Dual display
Max Display Resolution
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 5K@60Hz single (DSC); 4K@60Hz multi-display
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- Dual 4K@60Hz (DisplayLink)
Host Cable Length
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 0.8 m
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 0.9 m
Total Ports
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 10-17%
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 12Best
Host Power Delivery
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 96 W
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 0 W
Ethernet
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Yes
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- Yes
External PSU Wattage
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 130 WBest
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 40 W
Bus Powered
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- No
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- No
Video Path
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Native Plus DisplayLink
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- DisplayLink
Max Displays Windows
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 4
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 2
Max Single Display Resolution
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 5K
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 4K
Max Single Display Refresh
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 60 Hz
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 60 Hz
Max Dual Display Resolution
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 4K
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 4K
Max Dual Display Refresh
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 60 Hz
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 60 Hz
HDMI Port Count
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 1
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 2
HDMI Version
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 2.0
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 2.0
DisplayPort Port Count
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 2
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 2
DisplayPort Version
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 1.2
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 1.2
Downstream Thunderbolt Port Count
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 0
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 0
USB-A Port Count
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 4
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 6
USB-C Data Port Count
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 2
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 0
Max USB Data Rate
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 10Gbps
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 5Gbps
Ethernet Speed
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 1GbE
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 1GbE
macOS Supported
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Yes
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- Yes
Windows Supported
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Yes
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- Yes
ChromeOS Supported
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Yes
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- Yes
Weight
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 416 g
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- 350 gBest
OS Compatibility
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Windows 10/11, macOS 12.2.1+, ChromeOS R100+, Ubuntu 20.04+
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- Windows 7-11, macOS 10.14+, ChromeOS 100+
Price
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- ~$220
- Plugable UD-6950Z
- ~$200
Which one should you pick?
Choose Dell Universal Dock UD22 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Plugable UD-6950Z if you want the higher total ports (12 vs 10).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Dell Universal Dock UD22 | Plugable UD-6950Z |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $220.00 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| Consumercarts listing | $200.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Dell Universal Dock UD22
7 / 10 Expert Rating
The pragmatic choice for offices mixing Dell, Mac, and Chromebook hardware on one dock standard.
Plugable UD-6950Z
7 / 10 Expert Rating
The most display-flexible DisplayLink dock here, ideal for triple-monitor setups on older hardware.