USB-C and Thunderbolt docks are one of the few peripheral purchases that genuinely change how a laptop works. The Anker PowerExpand 13-in-1 ($109.99) is the top-rated affordable dock on Amazon and a reliable choice for most USB-C laptops. The CalDigit TS4 ($349.99) is the dock that MacBook Pro and ThinkPad power users cite on r/MacOS and r/onebag when someone asks what dock to buy with a new laptop. The $240 price gap is real, but so is the Thunderbolt 4 bandwidth difference.
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
The CalDigit TS4 is the right dock if you're using a Thunderbolt 4/5 laptop (recent MacBook Pro, Dell XPS, ThinkPad X1) and need to drive two external monitors simultaneously or have high-bandwidth storage devices. The Anker PowerExpand 13-in-1 is the right dock for USB-C laptops without Thunderbolt, or anyone who doesn't need dual-monitor or high-speed storage and wants to save $240.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Anker PowerExpand 13-in-1 USB-C Dock | CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $109.99 | $349.99 |
| Host Connection | USB-C (10 Gbps) | Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) |
| Total Ports | 13 | 18 |
| Dual 4K Monitor Support | No (single only) | Yes (native) |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE | 2.5 GbE |
| Host Charging | 100W | 98W |
| SD Card Speed | UHS-I | UHS-II |
Thunderbolt vs USB-C Bandwidth
The CalDigit TS4 uses Thunderbolt 4 — 40 Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth through the host connection. This means you can run two 4K monitors at 60 Hz simultaneously from a single cable to your laptop, charge at up to 98W, and connect Thunderbolt storage devices at their full speed. For MacBook Pro users, this is the dock that matches the laptop's full capability without compromising.
The Anker PowerExpand 13-in-1 uses USB-C with a 100W host connection. Total bandwidth through the host connection is 10 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2). This is sufficient for one external monitor at 4K/60Hz, peripheral connectivity, and charging, but it cannot drive two displays simultaneously without using a DisplayLink chip (which requires a driver and adds latency). For single-monitor setups, the bandwidth difference is invisible.
Port Count and Layout
The Anker PowerExpand 13-in-1 delivers 13 ports: HDMI 2.0 (4K/60Hz), DisplayPort 1.4 (4K/60Hz), 3x USB-A 3.0, 1x USB-A 2.0, 1x USB-C 3.0 data, 1x USB-C power delivery pass-through, SD card slot, microSD card slot, 3.5mm audio, Gigabit Ethernet. For an all-in-one desk setup with a single monitor, it covers essentially every peripheral need at once.
The CalDigit TS4 has 18 ports including 3x Thunderbolt 4 ports (one host + two downstream), 5x USB-A (2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3x USB 2.0), 1x USB-C front port, 2x DisplayPort 1.4, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, SD UHS-II card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio. The 2.5 GbE ethernet is a meaningful upgrade over the Anker's standard Gigabit, and the SD UHS-II reader is faster for professional photographers.
Charging Power
The Anker delivers up to 100W of pass-through charging to the host laptop — enough to charge a MacBook Pro 14" at full speed without a separate charger. The dock itself requires an included 150W power adapter.
The CalDigit TS4 charges the host at up to 98W. Marginally less than Anker's 100W, but imperceptibly so in practice. The TS4 includes a 230W power brick — one of the most substantial dock power supplies available, which is what enables 18 ports to run simultaneously without bandwidth throttling.
Compatibility and Reliability
The Anker PowerExpand 13-in-1 works with any USB-C laptop that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode — MacBooks, Windows laptops, Chromebooks. Plug and play, no drivers required. Users on r/onebag consistently praise the Anker as a reliable, no-fuss dock that just works.
The CalDigit TS4 requires a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 host port to unlock its full bandwidth. On USB-C-only laptops, it functions as a USB-C hub but loses the dual-monitor and high-speed features. r/MacOS users rate it as the most reliable premium dock in terms of sustained connection quality — fewer random disconnects and sleep/wake issues than competing docks.
Anker PowerExpand 13-in-1 USB-C Dock Strengths
- 13 ports cover virtually all desk peripherals at $110
- 100W host charging — charges MacBook Pro 14" fully
- Works with any USB-C laptop — broadest compatibility
- Plug and play — no drivers required
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock Strengths
- Thunderbolt 4 at 40 Gbps — drives two 4K monitors simultaneously
- 18 ports including 2.5 GbE and SD UHS-II reader
- Three downstream Thunderbolt ports for daisy-chaining
- Best-in-class sustained connection reliability on Mac
- 230W power supply handles all ports simultaneously
Anker PowerExpand 13-in-1 USB-C Dock Weaknesses
- 10 Gbps USB-C — cannot drive two displays natively
- Standard Gigabit Ethernet — slower than TS4's 2.5 GbE
- SD card reader is UHS-I — slower for professional cameras
- No Thunderbolt downstream ports
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock Weaknesses
- $349.99 — $240 more expensive than Anker
- Requires Thunderbolt 3/4 host port for full functionality
- Large power brick takes up significant outlet space
- Overkill for single-monitor setups
Best For
- a: Single-monitor desk setups on any USB-C laptop — the highest-value dock that covers all daily peripheral needs
- b: MacBook Pro or Thunderbolt laptop users who need dual monitors, high-speed storage, and maximum port reliability
FAQ
Can the CalDigit TS4 drive two monitors from a MacBook Air?
The M2 MacBook Air supports only one external display natively. Even with the TS4, you'd need to use DisplayLink software to enable the second monitor on an M2 Air. The M3 and later MacBook Air models support two displays via Thunderbolt.
Does the Anker PowerExpand work with the iPad Pro?
Yes — the iPad Pro (USB-C model) works with the Anker dock for connecting peripherals and charging. Display output to an external monitor from iPad is limited by iPadOS; the Anker handles the connection, but iPad display mode constraints apply.
Is there a middle-ground dock between these two?
The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock ($179) and the Plugable TBT4-HUB3C ($189) both offer Thunderbolt 4 at lower prices than the TS4 with fewer ports. They're worth considering if you need Thunderbolt bandwidth but don't need all 18 ports.