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OWC Thunderbolt Dock vs Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock: Comparison
OWC Thunderbolt Dock vs Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock: the host power delivery difference
On host power delivery the spread is 6%, OWC Thunderbolt Dock 96 W against Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock 90 W, so OWC Thunderbolt Dock takes it. They differ on os compatibility too, macOS 11.1+, Windows 10+ on the OWC Thunderbolt Dock versus macOS 15+, Windows 11, ChromeOS, iPadOS on the Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock.
OWC Thunderbolt Dock vs Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock: which one fits your build
The OWC Thunderbolt Dock is the one to take for photographers and videographers who import from SD cards daily, though it is the wrong buy for buyers who need microSD or built-in HDMI or DisplayPort outputs and setups requiring more than dual external displays. It also earns its place with Mac creative workstations needing dual 4K output and fast storage links. it is not built for buyers running power-hungry laptops needing charging wattage above 90W. The same goes for studio and quiet-office environments where fan noise from other docks is a real annoyance. Our rating of the OWC Thunderbolt Dock (8/10): A strong Thunderbolt 4 dock for creative professionals who need built-in card readers. Our rating of the Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock (8/10): A silent, studio-grade Thunderbolt 4 dock built by a company with a long pro-audio/video pedigree.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: ethernet, ethernet speed, connection type, host interface and thunderbolt version are identical here. They match on 19 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, OWC Thunderbolt Dock or Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock?
The OWC Thunderbolt Dock asks 7% more, $300 against $280 for the Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock.
Frequently asked questions
Do the OWC Thunderbolt Dock and Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock differ on port configuration?
Yes. Port Configuration reads 4x TB4 , 2x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x USB-A 2.0,... on the OWC Thunderbolt Dock versus 4x TB4 , 3x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x USB-A 2.0,... on the Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock.
Is the Max Display Support the same on the OWC Thunderbolt Dock and Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock?
It is. Both are listed at Dual 4K, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, OWC Thunderbolt Dock or Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock?
The OWC Thunderbolt Dock asks 7% more, $300 against $280 for the Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- OWC
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Sonnet
Connection Type
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- Thunderbolt 4
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Thunderbolt 4
Host Interface
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- Thunderbolt 4
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Thunderbolt 4
Model Number
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- Thunderbolt Dock (11-Port, OWCTB4DOCK)
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Echo 11
Port Configuration
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 4x TB4 (1 host, 3 downstream, 15W), 2x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x USB-A 2.0, SD UHS-II, GbE, 3.5mm combo audio
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 4x TB4 (1 host, 3 downstream), 3x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x USB-A 2.0, GbE, UHS-II SD card reader, 3.5mm combo audio
Thunderbolt Version
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 4
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 4
Max Display Support
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- Dual 4K
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Dual 4K
Max Display Resolution
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- Dual 4K@60Hz or single 8K@60Hz
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Dual 4K@60Hz
Total Ports
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 11
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 11
Host Power Delivery
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 96 W
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 90 W-6%
Ethernet
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- Yes
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Yes
Bus Powered
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- No
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- No
Video Path
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- Thunderbolt Native
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Thunderbolt Native
DisplayLink Driver Required
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- No
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- No
Max Displays Windows
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 2
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 2
Max Displays Mac Base
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 1
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 1
Max Displays Mac Pro Max
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 2
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 2
HDMI Port Count
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 0
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 0
HDMI Version
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- None
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- None
DisplayPort Port Count
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 0
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 0
DisplayPort Version
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- None
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- None
Downstream Thunderbolt Port Count
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 3
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 3
USB-A Port Count
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 3
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 4
Max USB Data Rate
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 10Gbps
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 10Gbps
Ethernet Speed
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- 1GbE
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 1GbE
SD Card Slot
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- UHS-II
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- UHS-II
microSD Card Slot
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- None
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- None
Audio Jack Configuration
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- Single Combo
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Single Combo
macOS Supported
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- Yes
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Yes
Windows Supported
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- Yes
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Yes
OS Compatibility
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- macOS 11.1+, Windows 10+
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- macOS 15+, Windows 11, ChromeOS, iPadOS
Price
- OWC Thunderbolt Dock
- ~$300
- Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- ~$280
Which one should you pick?
Choose OWC Thunderbolt Dock if you want the higher total ports (11 vs 11) and the higher host power delivery (96 W vs 90 W).
Choose Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | OWC Thunderbolt Dock | Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $300.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $280.00 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
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
OWC Thunderbolt Dock
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A strong Thunderbolt 4 dock for creative professionals who need built-in card readers.
Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A silent, studio-grade Thunderbolt 4 dock built by a company with a long pro-audio/video pedigree.