CalDigit TS4 vs Anker 568 vs Dell WD22TB4 — Best Thunderbolt 4 Docks Compared (2026)

If you own a Thunderbolt 4 laptop — whether it’s a MacBook Pro, Dell XPS, or Framework — you’re looking at three docks that keep coming up in every forum: the CalDigit TS4, the Anker 568, and the Dell WD22TB4. They all promise the same thing: expand your single TB4 port into a working desk setup. But there are real differences in ports, charging, build quality, and value. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you which one actually deserves your money.

Quick Verdict

CalDigit TS4 — if you demand maximum ports, reliability, and don’t mind paying for it. The gold standard for power users and people who need to run everything at once.

Anker 568 — the sensible choice. You get 13 ports, 100W charging, and a rock-solid feature set at under £200. Best value for most people.

Dell WD22TB4 — only if you’re running a fleet of Dell Latitude or Precision laptops. Tied to Dell’s ecosystem and rarely discounted.

Full Specifications Comparison

CalDigit TS4 — Maximum Ports and Reliability

The CalDigit TS4 is the dock you buy when you need everything connected. Eighteen ports, zero compromise. Four high-speed USB-A ports, two full-featured USB-C ports (one with 60W power), dual HDMI and dual DisplayPort, SD card reader, audio jack, 2.5Gbps ethernet, and 98W charging that can power most 14-inch laptops. It’s also built like a tank — heavy aluminium chassis, minimal cable clutter, a reputation for reliability that spans five years.

The tradeoff is price and footprint. At £300+, it costs 50% more than the Anker, and it’s noticeably heavier and thicker. It’ll take up real estate on your desk. But if you’re a professional running multiple monitors, external storage, peripherals, and a fast internet connection all at once, this dock does not cut corners. Three hours in and you’re still at 100% because the charging just works. Firmware updates arrive regularly. If something fails, CalDigit’s warranty and support are industry-leading.

Best for: Photography/video editing, graphic design, developers, anyone with 4+ monitors or a demanding mixed-device household.

Pros

• 18 ports — most you’ll find in a single dock
• Dual HDMI + dual DisplayPort — more display flexibility than competitors
• SD card reader — video editors and photographers will love this
• Audio jack — headphone/speaker output built in
• 2 years warranty and excellent customer support
• Proven reliability — used on hundreds of thousands of desks globally
• 60W USB-C downstream charging for secondary devices

Cons

• £300+ is pricey — double the Anker’s cost
• Bulky — weighs 730g, not portable
• 98W charging — not enough for 16-inch MacBook Pro under load (you’ll use the laptop charger instead)
• Overkill for simple desk setups with 1–2 monitors

Where to Buy

Buy CalDigit TS4 on Amazon UK

Anker 568 — Best Value

The Anker 568 is proof that you don’t need to spend £300 to get a serious dock. Thirteen ports, 100W charging, and a price tag under £200. You lose the SD card reader, the second HDMI, and the audio jack — but those are nice-to-haves, not deal-breakers. The 568 gives you what matters: three USB-A ports at full 10Gbps speed, dual USB-C downstream, one HDMI, 2.5Gbps ethernet, and enough juice to fast-charge any laptop up to 100W.

Build quality is solid — anodised aluminium, good cable routing, no obvious cost-cutting in the design. Anker’s track record with power delivery is excellent; the 568 uses the same charging circuits as their premium power stations. Thermal design is passive (no fan), so it runs silent. You will find the 568 cheaper during sales — regular price is around £200, but Amazon UK often discounts it to £160–180.

Best for: Most people. Students, freelancers, office workers, anyone who wants a reliable dock without breaking the bank.

Pros

• Best value — £179–220 vs £300+ for CalDigit
• 100W charging — enough for any 13- or 14-inch laptop, even under load
• Compact and lightweight — 380g, easily portable
• Passive cooling — silent operation, no fan noise
• Three fast USB-A ports + dual downstream USB-C
• 2.5Gbps ethernet — solid for office networks
• Reliable brand history — Anker rarely has warranty issues

Cons

• Only one HDMI — if you need dual 4K displays, you’ll need adapters
• No DisplayPort — limited to HDMI output only
• No SD card reader — deal-breaker for photographers
• No audio jack — you’ll use USB or Bluetooth for speakers/headphones
• 18-month warranty (vs CalDigit’s 2 years)

Where to Buy

Buy Anker 568 on Amazon UK

Dell WD22TB4 — For Dell Ecosystem

The Dell WD22TB4 is Dell’s answer to the aftermarket dock market, and it’s a solid piece of kit — but it’s not for everyone. Designed specifically for Dell Latitude and Precision laptops, it offers 130W charging (overkill for most devices, but perfect for power-hungry mobile workstations), dual 4K display support, and a clean industrial design that matches Dell’s laptop aesthetics.

Eleven ports is fewer than the Anker, but it covers the essentials: two USB-A, two USB-C, one HDMI, one DisplayPort, ethernet, and 130W charging. The dock is rock-solid — IT departments love it because it’s certified to work with Dell’s fleet and there’s no compatibility guessing. But here’s the catch: it’s priced like a premium product (£199–240) and rarely discounted below retail. If you’re a Dell XPS owner, the Anker 568 is cheaper and has more ports. If you’re managing a corporate fleet of Dell Latitudes, this dock makes sense.

Best for: Dell IT departments, Precision workstation owners, corporate environments.

Pros

• 130W charging — designed for power-hungry Precision workstations
• Purpose-built for Dell ecosystem — certified and tested with Latitude/Precision
• Dual 4K display support via HDMI + DisplayPort
• Clean industrial design — matches Dell laptop aesthetic
• 2.5Gbps ethernet
• Reliable — low failure rate in corporate deployments

Cons

• Only 11 ports — fewer than Anker and CalDigit
• Price not competitive — costs same as Anker but has fewer ports
• Only two USB-A ports — limiting if you have legacy peripherals
• No SD card reader
• Vendor lock-in — you’re paying a premium for Dell branding
• Rarely discounted — retail price sticks year-round

Where to Buy

Buy Dell WD22TB4 on Amazon UK

Display Output — Which Dock Supports Your Monitor Setup?

All three docks support dual 4K displays at 60Hz, but the way they do it differs significantly.

CalDigit TS4: Two native HDMI 2.0 ports plus two DisplayPort connections via Thunderbolt daisy-chaining. This is the most flexible — you can run dual HDMI monitors, or mix DisplayPort + HDMI, or even drive one 6K display if your laptop supports it. Maximum flexibility.

Anker 568: One HDMI 2.0 and no DisplayPort. To drive dual 4K displays, you’ll need to use one HDMI (4K) plus a USB-C adapter with DP Alt Mode (4K via the second USB-C port). It works, but requires an extra adapter.

Dell WD22TB4: One HDMI 2.0 and one native DisplayPort. This is the sweet spot — one native HDMI, one native DP. Dual 4K@60Hz without extra adapters. Not as flexible as CalDigit, but cleaner than Anker’s adapter situation.

Verdict: If you’re running dual 4K monitors, CalDigit or Dell are better choices than Anker (which requires an adapter). If you only need one monitor, all three are fine.

Who Should Buy Which?

CalDigit TS4 — For Power Users

Buy the CalDigit if you own a MacBook Pro or high-end portable workstation, use 4+ external devices simultaneously, work with video or photography, or demand maximum future-proofing. The SD card reader alone justifies the premium if you edit photos or video. Yes, it costs more, but it’s the only dock in this comparison with dual HDMI and dual DisplayPort, dual downstream USB-C, and an SD reader. If your desk setup is complex, CalDigit doesn’t force compromises.

Anker 568 — For Most People

The Anker 568 is the sensible default. It covers every essential: fast USB ports, display output, ethernet, solid charging, and a price tag that won’t hurt. If you’re a remote worker, student, or anyone who values flexibility and portability, get the Anker. It’s the dock equivalent of picking the Toyota instead of the Mercedes — you’re not losing anything important, you’re just not paying for features you don’t need.

Dell WD22TB4 — For Dell Ecosystem

If you’re an IT manager responsible for 50+ Dell Latitude or Precision laptops, the WD22TB4 is the official choice — it’ll work flawlessly with your fleet and you won’t field support calls. If you’re a solo Dell XPS owner, you’re better off with the Anker 568 (cheaper, more ports, only a tiny bit less charging power).

Other Notable Thunderbolt 4 Docks

The market doesn’t end with these three. If none of them fit your needs, here are alternatives worth considering:

Kensington SD5700T — 14 ports, strong display flexibility (dual HDMI + DP), 65W charging. Built for a corporate audience. Around £220. Good middle ground between Anker and CalDigit.

OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock — 15 ports, dual HDMI + dual DP, excellent build, macOS-focused. At £299, it’s CalDigit-priced but slightly fewer ports. Popular with Mac studios.

Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Dock — 8 ports, minimal design, 100W charging, very compact. Around £200. No USB-A ports (everything is USB-C), so it’s a niche choice for USB-C-only workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any of these docks with older Thunderbolt 3 laptops?

Technically, yes — Thunderbolt 4 is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3. However, you won’t get full performance; a TB3 laptop will cap out at 40Gbps (same as TB4, so no real loss), but the dock will operate in TB3 mode. All three docks work fine with TB3 MacBook Pros and Dell XPS models from 2018–2020. Just don’t expect any benefit over a TB3 dock.

Which dock charges the fastest?

The Anker 568 and Dell WD22TB4 both deliver 100W+ charging, so they’re roughly equivalent. The Dell’s 130W is overkill for most laptops unless you own a 17-inch Precision workstation. The CalDigit’s 98W is enough for most laptops during normal use, but you might see slower charging on high-end 16-inch MacBook Pros under heavy load. For 13- and 14-inch laptops, all three are fast enough.

Do these docks require separate power supplies?

Yes, all three require an external power adapter. The Anker and CalDigit use USB-C power delivery (adapter included). The Dell uses a proprietary connector. None of them power themselves via Thunderbolt alone — they all need mains power.

Is the CalDigit TS4 really worth double the price of the Anker 568?

Only if you need the extra features: dual HDMI + dual DP, SD card reader, audio jack, and 98W charging. If you’re happy with single HDMI output and 100W charging, the Anker saves you £100–150 and is nearly identical in reliability. The CalDigit is for specialists (video editors, photographers); the Anker is for everyone else.

Can I daisy-chain these docks or use two at once?

Yes, all three support Thunderbolt daisy-chaining — you can technically plug a second Thunderbolt device (external SSD, another dock, etc.) into the dock’s Thunderbolt upstream port and both will work. But practically, nobody does this with docks. You’d just buy the bigger dock. Daisy-chaining is useful for external SSDs or audio interfaces, not additional docks.

Which dock is most future-proof?

The CalDigit TS4, because it has native dual DisplayPort and dual HDMI, plus an SD card reader. If monitor technology evolves, you have more flexibility. But honestly, all three will remain useful for 3–5 years. Thunderbolt 4 is the current standard and won’t be superseded anytime soon.

Recommended Products

These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon UK where you can check current prices and availability.

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