CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock vs OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock wins — CalDigit TS4 wins for power users — 18 ports with 3 downstream TB4 connections and 2

Scores: CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock 9/10 · OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock 8/10

CalDigit TS4 wins for power users — 18 ports with 3 downstream TB4 connections and 2.5 GbE justify the $100 premium for anyone using multiple Thunderbolt peripherals. OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock is the better choice for single-monitor setups who want a compact, $249 dock that covers standard needs. Don't overpay for 3 TB4 ports if you're only connecting 1 display and a USB hub.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock lists at $349 while OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock lists at $249 — OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock undercuts CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock by $100 (40%).

Spec-by-spec comparison

	CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock	OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock
ports	18 ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4, 5x USB-A 3.2, 2.5GbE, SD, microSD, 3.5mm, DisplayPort	11 ports: 1x Thunderbolt 4, 3x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-C, 1 GbE, SD, 3.5mm, DisplayPort
power_delivery	98W host charging	90W host charging
tb4_ports	3 downstream TB4 ports (rare)	1 downstream TB4 port
displays	Dual 4K or single 8K via TB4 chain	Single 4K or single 6K via TB4 downstream
audio	3.5mm front + rear analog audio	3.5mm front analog audio
form_factor	Vertical or horizontal orientation	Compact horizontal design

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

What works

3 downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports is exceptional — most docks have 1 or 2 TB4 downstream, CalDigit gives you 3
18 total ports covers every peripheral simultaneously — no port switching or unplugging required for a full workstation
2.5 GbE Ethernet is double the speed of most competing docks' 1 GbE — meaningful for NAS transfers and video editing

What doesn't

$349 is $100 more than the OWC TB4 dock for the added ports
Vertical orientation is the default — requires a desk stand purchase for horizontal layout in tight setups
Fan-cooled design produces a faint audible fan noise audible in quiet rooms

OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock

What works

$100 less than CalDigit TS4 for users who don't need 18 ports or multiple TB4 downstream connections
Compact horizontal design sits cleanly under a monitor without requiring a separate stand
OWC's 11-port layout covers the most common peripheral needs — monitors, drives, USB-A devices, and Ethernet

What doesn't

1 GbE vs CalDigit's 2.5 GbE — only 125 MB/s max Ethernet vs 312 MB/s
Only 1 downstream TB4 port — connecting a TB4 storage device and a TB4 display simultaneously requires the single chain
90W host charging vs CalDigit's 98W — 8W less, which matters for high-performance MacBook Pro under full load

Bottom line

Our pick: CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock. It edges out the alternative on 3 downstream thunderbolt 4 ports is exceptional — most docks have 1 or 2 tb4 downstream, caldigit gives you 3. That said, OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock still wins on $100 less than caldigit ts4 for users who don't need 18 ports or multiple tb4 downstream connections — consider it if that single trade matters most for your use.

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