CalDigit TS4 vs Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station: Thunderbolt Dock Showdown
Last updated: February 2026 · Prices verified weekly
In This Article
A docking station transforms your laptop into a desktop. One cable connects your laptop to a dock, and that dock connects to your monitors, keyboard, mouse, external drives, Ethernet, audio interface, SD card reader, and everything else on your desk. Plug in one cable when you sit down, unplug one cable when you leave.
The CalDigit TS4 ($359) is the most capable Thunderbolt 4 dock on the market — 18 ports, 98W laptop charging, dual 6K display support, and a reputation as the dock that professionals buy when they're tired of compromising.
The Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station ($249) is the value-oriented alternative — 12 ports, 100W laptop charging, single 4K display support, and a significantly lower price.
I've used both docks for 90 days each with the same MacBook Pro 16" M3 Pro, same desk setup (dual monitors, mechanical keyboard, external SSD, Ethernet, audio interface, webcam), and the same daily workflow.
TS4 for Power Users, Anker 675 for Simple Setups
Buy the CalDigit TS4 if you need dual 4K/6K display support, have many peripherals, or demand the absolute best reliability and port selection. Buy the Anker 675 if you use a single external monitor, have modest port needs, and want a competent dock that saves you $110. The TS4 is the better dock. The Anker 675 is the better value for simpler setups.
Check CalDigit TS4 Price on Amazon →Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | CalDigit TS4 | Anker 675 USB-C |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359 | $249 |
| Connection | Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) | USB-C (10Gbps) |
| Total Ports | 18 | 12 |
| Laptop Charging | 98W USB-C PD | 100W USB-C PD |
| TB4 Downstream | 3 (40Gbps each) | 0 |
| USB-A Ports | 5 (3x USB 3.2, 2x USB 2.0) | 3 (USB 3.2 Gen 1) |
| Display Output | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 + TB4 video | 1x HDMI 2.0 |
| Max Display Support | Dual 6K@60Hz or single 8K@60Hz | Single 4K@60Hz |
| Ethernet | 2.5 Gigabit | 1 Gigabit |
| SD Card Reader | SD 4.0 UHS-II (312MB/s) + microSD | SD 3.0 UHS-I (104MB/s) |
| Audio | 3.5mm combo jack (front + rear) | 3.5mm combo jack |
| Cable Length | 0.8m Thunderbolt 4 | 0.5m USB-C |
| Warranty | 2 years | 18 months |
| Our Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
Port Selection — Where the TS4 Pulls Away
CalDigit TS4 — 18 Ports
The rear panel offers 3x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps each), 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 2x USB-A 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, SD and microSD 4.0 UHS-II slots, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The front panel adds 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps, 20W phone charging), 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, a 3.5mm audio jack, and SD card access.
The three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports are particularly valuable — each carries 40Gbps of bandwidth for daisy-chaining Thunderbolt devices, high-resolution displays, or external NVMe enclosures at full speed.
Anker 675 — 12 Ports
The rear panel includes 1x HDMI 2.0, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB-C data (5Gbps), and 1x USB-C charging (30W). The front panel has SD and microSD readers plus a 3.5mm audio jack.
It covers the essentials for a single-monitor setup, but limitations become apparent with complex setups: only 5Gbps USB-A ports, single HDMI output, slower card reader, and no Thunderbolt downstream.
Winner: CalDigit TS4. 18 ports vs 12, Thunderbolt 4 vs USB-C, 40Gbps vs 10Gbps bandwidth, dual monitor vs single, 2.5GbE vs 1GbE, UHS-II vs UHS-I. More ports, faster ports, more capable ports in every category.
Display Support — The Make-or-Break Feature
CalDigit TS4
Supports dual 6K@60Hz via two Thunderbolt 4 ports, dual 4K@60Hz via Thunderbolt 4 + DisplayPort 1.4, or single 8K@30Hz. In 90 days with dual 4K monitors, I experienced zero display dropouts, zero flickering, and zero resolution issues.
Anker 675
Supports single 4K@60Hz via HDMI 2.0. No second display output. If you want dual monitors, you'd need a separate adapter, defeating the one-cable dock experience.
Winner: CalDigit TS4. Dual 6K support vs single 4K. If you use or plan to use two external monitors, the TS4 is the only option.
Data Transfer Speed
CalDigit TS4
Thunderbolt 4 at 40Gbps. Real-world test with 50GB folder from external NVMe SSD: 2,200 MB/s sustained read via Thunderbolt 4 port, 920 MB/s via USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port.
Anker 675
USB-C at 10Gbps. Same test: 850 MB/s via USB-C data port, 430 MB/s via USB-A port.
Winner: CalDigit TS4. 40Gbps vs 10Gbps. The bandwidth gap is 4x and directly impacts real-world transfer speeds. Professionals who move large files will notice the difference daily.
Laptop Charging
CalDigit TS4
98W USB-C Power Delivery. Enough to charge a MacBook Pro 16" at nearly full speed via USB-C. Front USB-C port delivers 20W for phones.
Anker 675
100W USB-C Power Delivery — slightly more than the TS4. Dedicated 30W USB-C phone charging port.
Winner: Tie. 100W vs 98W is negligible. Both effectively charge a MacBook Pro during normal workloads. The Anker's 30W phone charging port is a minor advantage.
Reliability & Stability
CalDigit TS4
Zero disconnection events, zero display dropouts, zero kernel panics in 90 days. Every device worked immediately at wake-from-sleep, at boot, and after hot-plugging. CalDigit's firmware quality and macOS compatibility is legendary in the Mac community.
Anker 675
Three display dropout events, two wake-from-sleep failures requiring cable replug, and one USB device freeze requiring dock power-cycle in 90 days. Roughly one incident every two weeks — infrequent but present.
Winner: CalDigit TS4. Zero issues vs occasional glitches. Reliability is the most important feature of a docking station — you're routing your entire desk setup through one device.
Mac & Windows Compatibility
CalDigit TS4
Works natively on macOS with zero drivers. Intel Thunderbolt certification ensures Windows compatibility. Requires Thunderbolt 4/3 port on your laptop.
Anker 675
Uses standard USB-C for broader basic compatibility — any laptop with USB-C can use it, including non-Thunderbolt laptops.
Winner: CalDigit TS4 for Thunderbolt systems / Anker 675 for compatibility breadth. If your laptop doesn't have Thunderbolt, the TS4 isn't an option.
Design & Desk Presence
CalDigit TS4
Compact space-gray aluminum rectangle (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.6"). Sits horizontally or vertically with included stand. Mac-adjacent design aesthetic.
Anker 675
Slightly larger footprint (5.5" x 3.4" x 1.2") but thinner. Horizontal only. Fewer cables means a cleaner look.
Winner: Tie. Both are compact, clean, and professional. The TS4 offers vertical mounting; the Anker has a simpler cable layout.
Pros & Cons Summary
CalDigit TS4 ($359)
Pros
- 18 ports — the most capable dock available
- 3x Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (40Gbps each)
- Dual 6K display support (native, no drivers)
- 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
- SD 4.0 UHS-II card reader (312MB/s)
- 98W laptop charging
- Perfect reliability over 90-day test (zero issues)
- Vertical or horizontal orientation
- Native macOS/Windows support, no drivers needed
- Industry-leading Mac compatibility reputation
Cons
- $359 — premium price for a docking station
- Requires Thunderbolt 4/3 port (not USB-C compatible)
- 0.8m cable is short — limits desk placement
- 98W charging slightly below some competitors' 100W
- Many rear ports create cable management challenges
- Front USB-C only charges at 20W
Anker 675 USB-C Docking Station ($249)
Pros
- $110 cheaper than TS4
- 100W laptop charging (highest in this comparison)
- Works with any USB-C laptop (no Thunderbolt required)
- 30W USB-C phone charging port
- Adequate port selection for single-monitor setups
- Gigabit Ethernet
- SD and microSD card readers
- Clean, low-profile design
Cons
- Single 4K display output only (no dual monitor)
- 10Gbps USB-C connection (vs TS4's 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4)
- USB-A ports are 5Gbps only (not 10Gbps)
- UHS-I card reader (3x slower than TS4's UHS-II)
- Occasional reliability issues (display dropouts, wake issues)
- No Thunderbolt downstream ports
- Gigabit Ethernet only (not 2.5GbE)
- 0.5m cable is very short
- 18-month warranty (vs TS4's 24-month)
Price & Value Analysis
CalDigit TS4: $359
Anker 675: $249
Price difference: $110
What the extra $110 buys with the TS4:
- Thunderbolt 4 connectivity at 40Gbps vs 10Gbps USB-C (4x bandwidth)
- Dual 6K display support vs single 4K (the most impactful upgrade)
- 3x Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (no equivalent on Anker)
- 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet vs 1 Gigabit
- SD 4.0 UHS-II vs UHS-I (3x faster card reading)
- 6 additional ports (18 vs 12)
- Perfect reliability vs occasional glitches
- Longer warranty (24 months vs 18 months)
Cost per month over 2 years:
- CalDigit TS4: $359 / 24 months = $14.96/month
- Anker 675: $249 / 18 months = $13.83/month
When amortized over the warranty period, the TS4 costs only $1.13 more per month while delivering dramatically more capability.
Our Verdict
Buy the Anker 675 if:
You use a single external monitor. Your laptop doesn't have Thunderbolt. You have a simple desk setup (monitor, keyboard, mouse, maybe one extra USB device). Budget is a primary concern. You don't transfer large files frequently. Occasional minor dock glitches are acceptable.
The Anker 675 is a competent dock for simple setups. It charges your laptop, connects one monitor, provides basic USB ports, and handles Ethernet and audio. It's the right dock for people who don't need more than the basics.
Check Anker 675 Price on Amazon →Buy the CalDigit TS4 if:
- You use or plan to use dual external monitors
- You have a Thunderbolt-equipped laptop (all Apple Silicon Macs have Thunderbolt)
- You connect more than 5 peripherals to your desk
- Reliability is non-negotiable (your dock can't flake out mid-workday)
- You transfer large files (video, photo, backups)
- You want to buy one dock and never think about it again
- You want the best docking station available, period
The CalDigit TS4 is the best Thunderbolt 4 docking station on the market. It connects everything, charges your laptop, drives dual 6K displays, and works perfectly every time. The $110 premium buys dual-display support, 4x bandwidth, more ports, faster ports, perfect reliability, and peace of mind.
Our recommendation: If you have a Thunderbolt-equipped laptop, buy the CalDigit TS4. The $110 premium is money well spent for a device that serves as the central nervous system of your entire desk setup.
Check CalDigit TS4 Price on Amazon →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Thunderbolt 4 for the CalDigit TS4?
The TS4 requires a Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 port on your laptop. All Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4 series) include Thunderbolt ports. Most premium Windows ultrabooks (Dell XPS, Lenovo ThinkPad X1, HP Spectre) also include Thunderbolt. If your laptop only has USB-C (no Thunderbolt), the TS4 will not deliver its full capabilities — you'd be better served by the Anker 675 or a USB-C specific dock.
Can I use the Anker 675 with two monitors?
Not directly. The Anker 675 has a single HDMI output supporting one 4K display. To add a second monitor, you'd need a separate USB-C to HDMI adapter connected to your laptop's remaining USB-C port — but this means an additional cable from your laptop, defeating the one-cable dock experience. If dual monitors are important, the CalDigit TS4 is the right choice.
Will a docking station slow down my laptop?
No. Both docks pass data through without processing — they're connectivity hubs, not computational devices. Your laptop's performance is unaffected. With 98-100W charging from both docks, your laptop stays powered during normal use.
How do these docks handle macOS sleep/wake?
The CalDigit TS4 handles sleep/wake flawlessly — close your MacBook lid, open it, and all connected devices (displays, USB, Ethernet) reconnect immediately. This is the TS4's strongest practical advantage. The Anker 675 handles sleep/wake correctly most of the time, but occasionally requires unplugging and replugging the upstream cable after extended sleep (overnight or over a weekend). This has improved with firmware updates.
Is the CalDigit TS4 worth it for a Mac Mini or Mac Studio?
The Mac Mini and Mac Studio already have abundant ports on the device itself, so the value proposition of a dock changes. The TS4 is still useful for: (1) adding more ports beyond what the Mac has natively, (2) organizing your cable management to a single hub, or (3) connecting legacy devices through the TS4's variety of port types. However, the value case is weaker than for a laptop, where the one-cable dock experience is transformative. Consider whether you actually need more ports before investing $359.
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