UGREEN U716 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 docking station in test

The large UGREEN U716 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 docking station promises an all-round carefree package for anyone who wants to easily connect a laptop, Steam Deck, tablet, smartphone or other end devices and combine them with other screens or peripherals. In our test, we reveal whether this promise is actually kept and when it’s worth buying.

The technical data of the UGREEN Thunderbolt 5 U716 docking station

Model designation	U716
Main interface	USB Type-C
Card reader	1x SD card reader (compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC/micro SD/micro SDHC/micro SDXC) 1x TF card reader (compatible with micro TF)
USB-A ports	3x (up to 10 Gbps)
USB-C ports	3x (up to 10 Gbps)
Video interfaces	1x DisplayPort (maximum 8K resolution) 2x Thunderbolt 5 downstream port (supports up to 8K)
Network connection	1x Ethernet port (up to 1,000 Mbps)
Additional ports	1x NVMe M.2 (supports size 2230/2242/2260/2280) 2x headphone input (3.5 mm) 1x microphone input (3.5 mm)
Power supply unit	140 watts / 24 volts / 5.83 amps
Laptop power supply	up to 140 watts via USB-C
Material	aluminum
Operating system compatibility	Windows 10/11, macOS 15 and higher
The price	499.99 € (RRP)

The UGREEN U716 docking station in the test: workmanship and design

Even at first glance, the UGREEN U716 model makes a positive impression thanks to its impressive look with a mix of black and grey surfaces and a bronze-colored highlight on the front and both sides. This means that the square box doesn’t look like a monochrome block, but rather blends discreetly into your desk at home.

The compact concept is also reflected in the dimensions of the UGREEN U716 Thunderbolt 5 docking station in the test: At 13.2 x 13.2 x 5.5 centimeters (D x W x H) and a weight of just around 870 grams, the device also fits easily into setups that offer little space and is somewhat reminiscent of the Beelink GTi13 Ultra(see our test). Ideal for anyone who only has a small desk and still wants to use their laptop or other end devices flexibly.

The UGREEN U716 Thunderbolt 5 docking station also has a high-quality feel. The smooth surface is pleasant to the touch, and all transitions have been processed cleanly.

The well thought-out design is mainly reflected in the arrangement of all inputs and outputs: In addition to the on/off switch, the two card slots, the three USB-C ports and a headphone input can be found on the front. All other connections are located on the rear. The 17-in-1 range of uses is therefore extremely diverse, but never feels squashed or cluttered.

Comprehensive scope of delivery: What comes with the UGREEN U716 docking station?

Another plus point is for the scope of delivery, as it contains everything the docking station buyer’s heart desires. The complete package includes:

• 1x UGREEN U716 docking station
• 1x power supply unit (240 watts) + connection cable (EU, USA, UK)
• 1x Thunderbolt 5 USB-C cable
• 1x screwdriver
• 1x silicone pad

This means that the device can be set up quickly and easily and is fully ready for use within a few minutes.

Connections and other features of the UGREEN U716 docking station

The U716 model from UGREEN makes excellent use of the available space: almost all connections can be found on the front and rear. The underside is an exception, as there is enough space for an internal SSD hard drive thanks to an M.2 NVMe connection. Here is an overview of all the connection options:

• 1x Thunderbolt 5 upstream port (up to 140 watts of power)
• 2x Thunderbolt 5 downstream ports (resolution up to 8K, power up to 15 watts)
• 1x DisplayPort (DP) (resolution up to 8K)
• 1x Ethernet port (up to 2.5 Gbps)
• 1x NVMe M.2 interface
• 3x audio sockets (3.5 mm) for headphones, speakers and microphones
• 3x USB-A 3.2 ports
• 3x USB-C 3.2 ports
• 1x SD card reader
• 1x TF card reader

A practical security lock has also been integrated to ensure security – for example at the workplace. There is also an input for the 140 watt power supply unit.

If you want to use the three connection options for monitors (1x DP, 2x Thunderbolt 5 downstream ports), you should check in advance which screens are to be connected. Depending on the monitor, an additional adapter may be required to use the two Thunderbolt 5 ports. However, this is not included in the scope of delivery and must be purchased separately.

However, the UGREEN U716 Thunderbolt 5 docking station scores additional points with its generally extremely simple plug-and-play approach. All peripheral devices such as mice, keyboards, external hard drives or audio devices such as a gaming headset are immediately recognized and can be used directly.

Practical test of the UGREEN 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 docking station

In the practical test, as many devices as possible were connected to the UGREEN U716 docking station: A mechanical keyboard, a gaming mouse, an external hard disk, a microphone as well as wired headphones and an Ethernet cable. A 27-inch monitor was also connected to the UGREEN box via the DisplayPort input.

The entire setup only took a few minutes before the test with the various end devices (two laptops, smartphone, tablet, Steam Deck) could begin. Once again, the fact that the system can be used immediately and easily, even without any prior technical knowledge, was a positive feature.

The power output of the UGREEN 17-in-1 docking station, which dynamically offers up to 140 watts and was therefore even able to supply the Steam Deck with power without any problems, stood out positively. All functions were transferred directly to the connected screen, enabling gaming via mouse and keyboard.

Before buying: Check your laptop and other end devices!

It is important that interested buyers check in advance whether their own end devices that are to be connected to the UGREEN U716 Thunderbolt 5 docking station are actually compatible with the monitors. Because if you want to connect three different monitors and use them with a laptop, for example, you need a device that supports Thunderbolt 5 technology. Otherwise, Thunderbolt 4 (for two monitors) or a DP Alt Mode (for using the DP connection) are required.

In our test, a simple office laptop did not have this technology and was able to use all peripherals, but could not recognize an external monitor. However, a gaming laptop with corresponding support did not have this problem.

Both Windows and macOS users should therefore find out in advance whether their own model supports the relevant technologies. The relevant information can be found directly on the manufacturer’s website.

The same applies to users who want to connect their tablet or smartphone to external monitors via the docking station. With Samsung, it is mandatory that the Samsung DeX technology is supported by the end device. If you have an iPhone, you need at least iOS 15 or higher to be able to use the UGREEN U716 docking station optimally according to our test.

High speeds (almost) everywhere

However, there is one small point of criticism: While all cable connections (USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet) offer particularly fast transfer rates, the two slots for TF and SD cards are really slow. Of course, this could be due to the SD or TF card technology itself, but there is a stark contrast in terms of speed, especially when compared to the other connections.

One positive aspect, however, is that hardly any heat is generated, even under high load and when transferring data from an external hard disk to the laptop for long periods of time. Although the casing does get warm in some places, it never gets hot. The same also applies when gaming continuously via the Steam Deck.

UGREEN U716 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 test: Our conclusion

I am completely satisfied with the UGREEN U716 Thunderbolt 5 docking station: There are enough connection options for all needs and the device shows its strengths in our test, especially in combination with a gaming laptop or the Steam Deck. External peripherals were recognized immediately and even an external hard drive could be connected as an additional storage medium without any problems.

Added to this are a pleasant feel, a discreet yet sophisticated look and flawless workmanship. However, UGREEN pays for all of this, because with an RRP of 499.99 euros, the docking station is clearly one of the more expensive models on the market. However, anyone who has a use for the 17 different functions will be absolutely satisfied with the performance. It is important to check in advance whether your own end devices have the necessary software requirements. If this is the case, we give it a clear recommendation to buy.