Anker Prime vs CalDigit TS4 — Best Thunderbolt 4 Dock for Laptops

If you’re serious about laptop productivity—whether you’re a designer, developer, or business professional—a Thunderbolt 4 docking station is a single-cable solution to turn your laptop into a desktop workstation. The Anker Prime and CalDigit TS4 are the market leaders, but they target different audiences. Anker offers newer design and aggressive pricing; CalDigit offers the established ecosystem and proven Mac reliability. This comparison helps you pick the dock that matches your workflow and wallet.

Quick Verdict Table

Port Comparison: CalDigit Dominates

CalDigit TS4 is a port-expansion powerhouse with 18 total ports. Anker Prime is a more streamlined dock with 11 total ports. Let’s break down what each offers:

Anker Prime (11 Ports)

• 2x USB-A 3.2 (5 Gbps)
• 1x USB-C downstream (10 Gbps)
• 1x Thunderbolt 4 downstream (for chaining docks)
• 1x 1 Gbps Ethernet
• 2x 4K Display Ports (via USB-C alt mode)
• 1x 3.5 mm audio jack (no, actually Anker Prime lacks this)
• Power delivery passthrough

CalDigit TS4 (18 Ports)

• 5x USB-A 3.2 (5 Gbps)
• 3x USB-C downstream (1x 10 Gbps, 2x 5 Gbps)
• 1x Thunderbolt 4 upstream (to laptop)
• 1x Thunderbolt 4 downstream (chaining)
• 2.5 Gbps Ethernet (upgrade from older 1 Gbps)
• SD card reader (dual, UHS-II support)
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Power delivery passthrough

If you have many peripherals—external hard drives, USB hubs, memory card readers, external DACs—CalDigit’s extra ports eliminate the need for additional USB hubs. Anker Prime forces you to choose which devices stay connected, requiring hub rotation or compromise.

Power Delivery: Identical at 96W

Both docks deliver 96W of power to your laptop via a single USB-C cable. This is more than sufficient for any laptop under 16 inches. (15-inch MacBook Pro needs 96W; 16-inch wants 140W, which neither dock provides—but both work fine at 96W, just with slower charging if you’re using the laptop simultaneously).

96W means you can charge your laptop while using the dock, which is the whole point. With Anker Prime or CalDigit, you’ll never need the laptop’s charger when docked—a genuine convenience.

Monitor Support: Monitor Your Workflow

Both docks support dual 4K displays at 60Hz or a single 8K display at 60Hz via Thunderbolt 4’s USB-C alt-mode. This translates to:

• Dual Monitor Setup: Two 4K USB-C monitors (Dell P2423DE, LG UltraFine, BenQ) at full resolution and refresh rate
• Single Display Setup: One 8K monitor (rare and expensive) or any single higher-resolution display
• Practical Reality: Most users pair with one 4K USB-C monitor (which charges the dock back via USB-C) and one HDMI monitor for legacy support

Monitor support is identical between the two docks. Your bottleneck will be your laptop’s GPU, not the dock’s bandwidth.

Ethernet: CalDigit’s Surprise Win

Anker Prime includes 1 Gbps Ethernet (adequate for web, streaming, video calls). CalDigit TS4 includes 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, which is 2.5x faster. For downloading large files or uploading video to cloud storage, 2.5 Gbps shaves meaningful time off the operation.

If you’re on a gigabit internet connection (most users), both are overkill. If you’re in a modern office with multi-gigabit infrastructure, CalDigit’s advantage is real. If you regularly transfer files locally on a 10 Gbps LAN, CalDigit wins decisively.

SD Card Reader: For Content Creators

CalDigit’s dual SD card reader (UHS-II support) is a genuine advantage for photographers, videographers, and content creators. You can offload from memory cards without an external reader. Anker Prime lacks this entirely.

If you shoot on mirrorless cameras or record on camcorders, CalDigit’s built-in reader is invaluable. For office workers, it’s irrelevant.

Real-World Setup: What Each Dock Supports

Anker Prime Typical Setup

• 1x 4K USB-C monitor (LG UltraFine 27UP550)
• 1x USB-A device (mouse dongle, printer)
• 1x USB-A device (external SSD backup)
• 1x external hard drive (via USB-C)

That’s 4 peripheral categories. If you need a 5th (MIDI keyboard, second backup drive, etc.), you need an external USB hub.

CalDigit TS4 Typical Setup

• 2x 4K USB-C monitors
• 1x USB-A hub for mouse, keyboard, printer (daisy-chained)
• 2x external USB-A hard drives (backup, media storage)
• 1x external USB-C SSD (for large project files)
• 1x SD card reader (for offloading photos)
• 1x audio interface (3.5 mm analog or USB)
• 1x Ethernet cable (to 2.5 Gbps switch)

CalDigit accommodates a complete creative workstation without needing additional hubs.

Mac vs Windows Compatibility

CalDigit TS4 and macOS

CalDigit has been a Mac staple since before USB-C even existed. Their Thunderbolt 3 docks became legendary for rock-solid macOS support. The TS4 carries that pedigree—driver support is automatic in Big Sur and newer, and CalDigit’s support forum is full of Mac users with zero issues.

Anker Prime and macOS

Anker’s newer design also works flawlessly with macOS, but it’s a newer product so there’s less historical field data. No reported compatibility issues, but CalDigit has more proven track record among Mac professionals.

Windows Compatibility

Both work identically on Windows 10 and 11. Plug in, drivers auto-install (or are already built in), and everything works. No advantage to either dock on Windows.

Real-World Performance: Speed Tests

USB-C peripheral performance is identical (both bottlenecked by USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 at 20 Gbps, which is more than enough). The only meaningful speed difference is Ethernet: CalDigit’s 2.5 Gbps vs Anker’s 1 Gbps.

Build Quality and Design

Both are premium aluminum docks with excellent build quality. Anker Prime uses a newer, slightly more compact design. CalDigit TS4 uses an established design that’s been proven over years. Neither will develop connection issues or fail prematurely. Both stay cool during operation (important for sustained high-throughput scenarios).

Aesthetically, Anker Prime looks more modern and minimalist. CalDigit TS4 looks more utilitarian but solid. Prefer whichever matches your desk aesthetic—both are professional-looking.

Warranty and Support

Anker includes a 2-year warranty with email support. CalDigit includes a 3-year warranty with dedicated phone support and a storied reputation for responsive support. If your dock fails, CalDigit is more likely to resolve it quickly (they have a long history of taking care of professionals).

Pricing Breakdown (March 2026)

Anker Prime is 30% cheaper. Whether that savings is justified depends on whether you need CalDigit’s extra 7 ports, faster Ethernet, SD card reader, and Mac reputation.

Laptop Compatibility Notes

Both docks work with any laptop featuring Thunderbolt 4 (2021 onwards for Windows; Apple M1 or later for Mac). This includes:

• Mac: MacBook Pro 14″/16″ (M1 Pro/Max or later)
• Windows: Dell XPS 13/15, ThinkPad X1, ASUS Vivobook Pro, MSI Stealth, HP Spectre
• iPad: iPad Pro with Thunderbolt 4 (2022 onwards)

If your laptop is older or lacks Thunderbolt 4, neither dock will work—you’d need a Thunderbolt 3 dock instead (CalDigit also makes the Thunderbolt 3 TS3, which is cheaper and compatible with older laptops).

Related compatibility guides:

• Laptop Docking Station Compatibility: Which Dock Works with Which Laptop
• Thunderbolt 4 Laptops 2026: Complete List of Compatible Models
• USB-C Hub vs Thunderbolt Dock: What’s the Difference?

Which Should You Buy?

Pick the Anker Prime if…

• You want to save £60–100 without sacrificing essential functionality
• Your setup needs 1–2 4K monitors and a handful of USB devices
• You’re on Windows and don’t care about SD card reading
• You value newer design and want a dock from a brand known for aggressive pricing
• You don’t regularly work with large file transfers or need 2.5 Gbps Ethernet

Pick the CalDigit TS4 if…

• You’re a Mac professional who values established compatibility and support
• You have many peripherals (printers, backup drives, external audio, SD cards) and don’t want external hubs
• You’re a content creator needing the SD card reader or faster Ethernet
• You want the longest warranty (3 years) and most responsive support
• You’re building a complete workstation and need to accommodate future expansion
• You work with high-bitrate video or large file transfers locally and want every advantage

The Honest Bottom Line

Both are excellent docks that will reliably turn your laptop into a workstation for years. The Anker Prime is the smarter buy for most users—you get 95% of the functionality at 70% of the cost. CalDigit TS4 wins if you have a complex workstation with many peripherals, shoot on cameras (SD card reader), or depend on proven Mac compatibility and support. Think of it this way: Anker Prime is a sedan (affordable, functional, reliable), CalDigit TS4 is a truck (more powerful, more cargo space, better resale value).

If your current setup fits through 11 ports, get the Anker. If you’re constantly unplugging devices or adding external hubs, the CalDigit’s £80 premium pays for itself in eliminated frustration.

Where to Buy

Looking for compatible components? Check current prices and availability:

• Browse Laptop Upgrade Components on Amazon UK
• RAM & SSD Upgrades on Amazon UK

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