One of the biggest disadvantages of modern laptops is that they have few connectors. This is remedied by the BlitzWolf BW-TH16, which tries to stand out from the crowd with eight ports and a special display.
BlitzWolf BW-TH16 - Introduction
Portable computers have changed significantly in recent years. Manufacturers have gradually reduced the number of connectors on devices in order to make them thinner and thinner. Today, it is not uncommon for a modern notebook to have only 2-3 USB-C ports. This is an aesthetic solution, but in practice it often causes inconvenience to users, who still need multiple connection options.
Docks are the solution to this problem, which can multiply the laptop's connection options through a single USB-C port. Many manufacturers offer such devices on the market, with different levels of knowledge and in different price ranges. BlitzWolf, known primarily for its affordable but reliable accessories, has now come up with a novel approach.
In addition to the usual functions, the dock named BW-TH16 also has an information display that provides detailed information about the connected devices. This solution may seem unnecessary at first, but in practice it gives the user useful feedback about the current processes.
The product's primary target audience is home and office users who want to turn their notebook into a desktop workstation. The dock allows you to connect a monitor, keyboard, mouse and other peripherals while also charging your laptop - all via a single cable.
Unlike the usual solutions in the category, BlitzWolf equipped the device with active cooling, which is intended to ensure the removal of heat generated during high-performance charging and simultaneous data transfer. This is an important innovation, as one of the common problems of modern USB-C docks is overheating.
The BW-TH16 enters a market segment where there is a lot of competition, but the manufacturer tries to distinguish its product from its competitors with several unique solutions. It appeared on the Hungarian market in mid-2024 and is offered at a competitive price compared to docks with similar capabilities.
BlitzWolf BW-TH16 – External design and connectors
The BlitzWolf BW-TH16 has a special appearance at first glance thanks to its hexagonal design. The 82 x 72 x 22 mm compact housing is made of aluminum alloy and has a tempered glass cover on top. The use of premium materials is not only for aesthetics - the aluminum housing also helps cool the device.
A 26 x 26 millimeter LCD display is located on the upper part of the dock, which is touch sensitive. By default, the screen turns off after 30 minutes of operation, but it can be activated at any time with the touch of a finger. The display shows the status of connected devices, the data transfer rate, monitor information (resolution, image update, manufacturer) and charging performance in real time.
The connectors are located on five sides of the hexagonal housing, while the sixth side houses the ventilation openings. On one side there are two USB-C ports – one for connecting to a computer (this was solved with a 30cm cable) and the other for power supply. The latter can receive a 100-watt charge, of which it transmits 85 watts to the connected device.
On the other sides, there are two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, a USB-C 3.1 connector, and an HDMI 2.0 output. An outstanding feature of the HDMI port is that it can transmit a 4K resolution image with a 60 Hz refresh rate. The multimedia options are expanded by the SD and microSD card reader, which are capable of data transfer at a speed of 10 Gbps.
The special feature of the device is the built-in active cooling. A fan with a speed of 10.000 revolutions per minute works inside the case, which, according to the manufacturer, is sufficiently quiet. The task of the cooling system is to keep the temperature of the device below 42 degrees Celsius (with an ambient temperature of 26 degrees).
The dock is plug-and-play, which means that it does not require the installation of a separate driver. All functions of the device are automatically recognized by the operating system, so it can be used immediately. The package includes the necessary USB-C cable, which is only 30 centimeters long, so it does not always provide sufficient flexibility in placement.
The modern appearance is reinforced by the fact that the display not only provides information, but also indicates the operating status of each port with color codes. For example, in the case of USB connectors, a green color indicates when a higher speed device is connected, while a gray color shows lower speed connections.
BlitzWolf BW-TH16 - Technical parameters and features
The most important feature of the BlitzWolf BW-TH16 is the advanced USB Power Delivery (PD) support. The dock can accept 100 watts of input power, of which it transmits 85 watts to the connected device. This is enough to charge most modern laptops, although it does not reach the maximum charging speed for some high-performance notebooks.
The device offers a total of eight different connection options. In terms of USB ports, one USB-C 3.1, two USB-A 3.1 and a dedicated USB-C PD port are available. The data transfer speed can be up to 3.1 Gbps in accordance with the USB 10 standard, which in practice is more than enough to use external hard drives, pen drives or other peripherals.
In the area of video output, the dock contains an HDMI 2.0 port that can transmit a maximum 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) image with a 60 Hz refresh rate. This performance meets the requirements of modern monitors and televisions, so the device may even be suitable for media playback or games.
The memory card reader section supports two different formats. It uses the 3.0 standard for both SD and microSD (TF) cards, which allows a theoretical data transfer rate of 5 Gbps. This can be especially useful for quickly managing memory cards in cameras or mobile devices.
The built-in cooling system works with a 10.000 rpm fan. The normal operating temperature of the device is 42 degrees Celsius (with an ambient temperature of 26 degrees), which the active cooling is supposed to maintain. The basic voltage and current are 5V/330mA, which is necessary for the device's own operation.
The operating time of the display was maximized at 30 minutes in the name of energy saving. The 26 x 26 millimeter touch-sensitive panel automatically goes into sleep mode, but can be reactivated with a single touch. The display can display the type of connected monitor, the charging power, and the operating status of the USB ports.
The dock is plug-and-play, which means that it can be used immediately on both Windows and MacOS systems without installing a separate driver. A 30-centimeter, USB-C 3.1 standard cable is used for connection, which is included with the device by the manufacturer.
BlitzWolf BW-TH16 - Experience in use
After several weeks of testing, I can say that the BlitzWolf BW-TH16 dock lives up to the manufacturer's promises in most areas, although there are some features that deserve a closer look. I mainly used the device with several modern laptops equipped with USB-C ports, during various work processes. There was a cheaper small Teclast with a touch-sensitive display, but I also used my larger Xiaomi laptop.
I was also surprised, but one of the most useful features of the dock turned out to be the display. At first I saw it as an unnecessary extra, but in practice I found it extremely informative to constantly see charging performance and data transfer speeds. The display of monitor parameters proved to be particularly useful, which helped to check the correct image settings.
The charging performance of the device worked stably during the tests. I did not have the opportunity to check the ratio of the incoming wattage power to the output power. The charger I have is not 100 watts, and my notebook does not require 85 watts either, but what is certain is that charging the machine via the dock worked fine. According to the manufacturer, however, the gadget is capable of transmitting 100 watts of the input 85 watts to the laptop if needed. This performance can be enough for most notebooks. However, I must note that this does not necessarily ensure the maximum charging speed in the case of laptops with higher performance requirements, such as gamer laptops.
The arrangement and operation of the connectors proved to be very practical, although the 30-centimeter cable "sometimes" limited the placement options of the dock. In fact, it always limited it, so even though the cable seems to be of good quality, I will be forced to buy a longer one. It is not only the shortness that causes the problem, but also that it is too stiff, these two things together make it "slightly" uncomfortable to use.
The HDMI output was indeed capable of 4K 60Hz signal transmission, which I verified by testing several different monitors. The speed of the card readers was as promised, although in practice the full 10 Gbps bandwidth was rarely needed.
However, the issue of cooling can be divisive. Although the 10 rpm fan was effective in keeping the temperature below 000 degrees, the operating noise was a bit annoying for me at times. It wasn't terrible, but in a quiet environment, such as when working at night, I would have been happier if it worked silently. After reading it, I am not alone in my opinion, there was also a user opinion according to which this noise level already limits usability. Well, I feel this is a bit excessive.
The 30-minute off time of the touch-sensitive display seemed like a good compromise between energy saving and usability. The screen responded immediately to finger touches, although sometimes it took several attempts to activate. Among the displayed information, I found the color-coded indication of the speed of the USB ports particularly useful, which immediately showed when a device was not operating at maximum speed.
The plug-and-play operation turned out to be really problem-free under Windows, but I couldn't try it on MacOS, as I don't have one. The device immediately recognized all connected devices and there was no need to install separate drivers. This is a particularly useful feature in environments where the dock is frequently used with different computers.
BlitzWolf BW-TH16 - Summary
The BlitzWolf BW-TH16 is a USB-C dock that stands out from similar devices in several ways. The built-in display and the unique hexagonal design are not only a design element, but also have real practical benefits. With the help of the information panel, we can continuously monitor the operation of the device, which can be particularly useful for professional users.
The device's strengths include stable build quality, efficient charging capabilities, and versatile connection options. 4K 60Hz video output, fast USB ports and card readers all work properly. Plug-and-play compatibility ensures that the dock can be used on different systems without any problems.
The biggest reservation about the device is the noise made by the fan. Although active cooling works effectively, the noise level can be bothersome to some users, especially in quiet environments. This is especially a problem if the dock is used in a bedroom or a small office.
In terms of value for money, the BW-TH16 is a competitive offer. In the 2024 market, where docks with similar capabilities are often much more expensive, BlitzWolf's solution offers an attractive alternative to those looking for a versatile, modern dock for their laptop. The device is primarily recommended for users who value a display that provides extra information and are not bothered by the background noise created by the fan.
You can buy the product from Banggood, price a BGISSAM406 with coupon code HUF 12 here:
BlitzWolf BW-TH16 USB-C dock
Frequently Asked Questions about the BlitzWolf BW-TH16 Dock
Q: What laptops is the BlitzWolf BW-TH16 compatible with?
A: The BlitzWolf BW-TH16 is compatible with any laptop that has a full USB-C port. This usually means mid-range and high-end laptops manufactured after 2018.
Q: Is it necessary to install a driver to use BlitzWolf BW-TH16?
A: No, the device is plug-and-play, so it can be used immediately on both Windows and MacOS systems without installing separate software.
Q: How long does the BlitzWolf BW-TH16 display stay on?
A: By default, the display switches to sleep mode after 30 minutes, but it can be reactivated at any time with the touch of a finger.
Q: Is the charging power of BlitzWolf BW-TH16 enough to run a laptop?
A: The dock's 100W input and 85W output power is sufficient for most laptops, but it does not provide the maximum charging speed for some high-performance gaming or professional notebooks.
Q: What monitors can the BlitzWolf BW-TH16 be used with?
A: The HDMI 2.0 port of the dock is compatible with all modern monitors and supports 4K resolution with 60Hz refresh rate, so it works with practically any display used today.
Q: How loud is the BlitzWolf BW-TH16 fan?
A: The noise level of the 10.000 rpm fan is variable. Operating noise can be detected in a quiet environment, which can be disturbing for some users.
Q: What memory cards does the BlitzWolf BW-TH16 support?
A: The dock can handle both SD and microSD (TF) cards at the same time, both slots are USB 3.0 standard and capable of 10 Gbps data transfer.
Q: What is the size of the BlitzWolf BW-TH16?
A: The device is compact in size, exactly 82 x 72 x 22 millimeters, so it is easy to carry and does not take up much space on the table.
Q: What does the BlitzWolf BW-TH16 display show?
A: The display shows the charging performance, the operating status of the USB ports, the data of the connected monitor (resolution, image update, manufacturer), as well as data transfer rates.
Q: What cable length does the BlitzWolf BW-TH16 dock come with?
A: The package includes a 30 cm long USB-C 3.1 standard cable for connecting to a computer.
