Choosing between the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock (18 ports) and the Anker Prime Docking Station (14-in-1, 160W) is a protocol fork, not a twin Thunderbolt shootout. One is a native Thunderbolt 4 dock with 40Gb/s host link and dual high-res display headroom. The other is a USB-C PD docking station built around high multi-device wattage, dual HDMI, and a street price closer to $100 to $150 than $300 to $400. Specs and prices below come from manufacturer sheets and current Amazon listings, not a lab shootout.
This page is a different decision than the live CalDigit TS4 vs Plugable TBT4-UD5 pair (two Thunderbolt 4 docks) and from the broader USB-C hub vs docking station explainer. For a TS4-only deep dive, see the CalDigit TS4 review. For the Anker alone, see the Anker Prime dock review. For more Thunderbolt shortlists, see Best Thunderbolt 4 docks and Best Thunderbolt cables 2026.
| Attribute | CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock (18 ports) | Anker Prime Docking Station (14-in-1, 160W) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1 | 4.4 |
| Price | $200-$500 | $100-$200 |
| Host connection | Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 40Gb/s, works with M4 TB4/TB5 ports | Not listed |
| Ports | 18: 3x TB4, 3x USB-C 10Gb/s, 5x USB-A 10Gb/s, 2.5GbE LAN, SD + microSD, audio | Not listed |
| Power delivery | 98W to host | Not listed |
| Max video output | Single 8K@30Hz or dual 6K@60Hz (M4 Pro/Max) | 2x HDMI (dual 2K@60Hz on DP 1.4 hosts) |
| Included cable | 0.8m certified Thunderbolt 4 cable | USB-C, 3.3 ft, 100W/10Gbps |
| Total charging output | Not listed | 160W (3x USB-C up to 100W each + 1x USB-A 12W) |
| Data speed | Not listed | Up to 10 Gbps |
| Total ports | Not listed | 14 |
| Ethernet | Not listed | Gigabit |
| Status display | Not listed | Real-time smart interface (per-port wattage / data speed) |
| Buy | Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
Quick verdict
Most people should buy the Anker Prime 14-in-1 160W. It ships dual HDMI, a smart power display, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 160W total charging pool at roughly one-third the CalDigit street price. Pick the CalDigit TS4 when native Thunderbolt 4 bandwidth, dual high-res DisplayPort/Thunderbolt video, 2.5GbE, and 18 ports matter more than HDMI convenience and sticker price.
Price and value
Winner: Anker Prime 14-in-1 160W. Recent Amazon prices sit in the $100 to $150 range for the Anker and $300 to $400 for the TS4. For a Windows dual-HDMI desk or a Mac that only needs one external display plus lots of device charging, Anker closes the job without Thunderbolt money. Pay the CalDigit premium when you need TB4 device lanes, dual high-res on a capable host, and 2.5GbE in one chassis.
Host link: Thunderbolt 4 vs USB-C
Winner: CalDigit TS4. The TS4 is a Thunderbolt 4 dock: 40Gb/s host uplink, Intel-certified TB4 path, and downstream Thunderbolt ports for chaining SSDs and other TB devices. The Anker is a USB-C docking station (not Thunderbolt). Listing copy points at a 10Gb/s USB-C data class with an included 3.3ft 100W/10Gbps USB-C cable. Fast enough for many hubs and drives; not a substitute for TB4 storage arrays or TB peripherals. If you need Thunderbolt, start with the TS4 (or another TB4 dock in Best Thunderbolt 4 docks), not the Anker.
| Axis | CalDigit TS4 | Anker Prime 14-in-1 160W |
|---|---|---|
| Host link | Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) | USB-C (not Thunderbolt; ~10Gb/s class) |
| Ports | 18 | 14 |
| Host PD | 98W | Up to 100W on USB-C within 160W total pool |
| Displays | Dual 6K@60 / dual 4K on capable hosts (DP + TB paths; no native HDMI) | Dual HDMI (dual ~2K@60 on DP 1.4 hosts; macOS both monitors often mirror) |
| Ethernet | 2.5GbE | Gigabit |
| Card readers | SD + microSD | Check sheet (model-dependent) |
| Included cable | 0.8m TB4 | 3.3ft 100W/10Gbps USB-C |
| Typical street price | $300 to $400 | $100 to $150 |
| Best fit | Native TB4 + dual high-res | HDMI + multi-device watts + value |
Host power delivery and multi-device charging
Winner: Anker on total multi-device wattage; tie-ish on laptop-only PD. CalDigit rates 98W to the host over Thunderbolt. Anker advertises a 160W total charging budget across the dock (three USB-C ports up to 100W plus USB-A at 12W), with a smart power display that shows how the pool is split. For a laptop plus phones and tablets parked on the same dock, Anker's wattage story is the clearer paper win. For a single high-draw laptop that only needs ~100W host PD, both clear the usual ultrabook / 14-inch creator bar. Keep the OEM charger nearby for 16-inch workstations under peak CPU+GPU load either way.
Dual-display reality (M-series vs Windows)
Winner: CalDigit for dual high-res on capable hosts; Anker for simple dual HDMI when the host allows it. The TS4 leans on DisplayPort plus Thunderbolt video paths and can push dual 6K@60 (or dual 4K / 8K30 depending on host and cable). It has no native HDMI, so HDMI-only panels need an adapter. The Anker puts two HDMI ports on the chassis. Maker guidance for the Anker class is roughly dual 2K@60 on DisplayPort 1.4 hosts; on many Macs both external monitors may mirror rather than extend as two independent desktops.
Neither dock overrides silicon limits. Base M1 and M2 MacBooks drive one native external display over Thunderbolt/USB-C, and base M3 MacBooks drive a second only with the lid closed. A second independent panel on those chips needs DisplayLink or a different approach, not a second HDMI cable into a USB-C dock. Windows laptops with stronger MST/USB4 display budgets are where Anker's dual HDMI and TS4's dual high-res claims both get a fairer test.
Ports, Ethernet, and desk layout
Winner: CalDigit TS4. Eighteen ports including downstream Thunderbolt 4, dense USB-A/C mix, 2.5GbE, SD and microSD, and audio beat Anker's fourteen-port USB-C dock with Gigabit Ethernet on paper. Anker still covers the common desk (dual HDMI, USB-C/A, Ethernet, power display) without the TS4 footprint or price. On multi-gig ISP plans or a 2.5GbE NAS uplink, CalDigit avoids a USB Ethernet dongle. On ordinary home fiber under 1Gbps, Anker's Gigabit is enough.
Who should buy which
Buy the Anker Prime 14-in-1 160W if you want dual HDMI, high multi-device charging with a power display, Gigabit Ethernet, and a roughly $100 to $150 USB-C dock, and you accept ~2K dual-display limits (plus macOS mirror caveats) instead of Thunderbolt bandwidth.
Buy the CalDigit TS4 if you need native Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s), dual high-res on a capable host, 2.5GbE, downstream TB ports, and the densest single-cable port set. It is the forever-desk pick when budget is secondary.
Skip both if you only need one 1080p screen and a few USB ports for under $80 (start with a simple hub), or if you specifically need two Thunderbolt 4 docks compared head-to-head (see TS4 vs Plugable instead).
Bottom line
CalDigit TS4 and Anker Prime 14-in-1 160W solve different desks. Anker is the overall pick for most buyers: dual HDMI, 160W multi-device charging, and far better value as a USB-C PD dock. CalDigit wins when native Thunderbolt 4, dual high-res video, and 2.5GbE are non-negotiable. Specs here are from maker sheets and Amazon listings, not a lab shootout. Confirm your laptop's display and PD limits, then View on Amazon for the Anker or the TS4 before you order.
For protocol basics, see Thunderbolt. For hub versus dock framing, see USB-C hub vs docking station. For more TB4 options, see Best Thunderbolt 4 docks.
