Listen to the verdict
Need dual 4K monitors and a permanent desk setup? CalDigit TS4. Need a single monitor and portability? Anker Hub.
These aren't really competitors — they solve different problems. The TS4 is a desk-dock for a daily-driver setup with multiple displays, ethernet, and laptop charging. The Anker Hub is a travel-and-occasional-use dongle. You'll probably end up owning both eventually: the dock at your desk, the hub in your laptop bag.
€59 · Compact USB-C dongle, single 4K monitor + 85W PD passthrough
Check Anker Hub on Amazon →Both clips below are the manufacturers’ own product videos — marketing by the two parties this page compares, not independent evidence. The verdict here is ours.
Official CalDigit
Official CalDigit TS4 setup walkthrough: 18 ports, 98W charging, Thunderbolt 4 daisy chain.
Official Anker
Anker's official explanation of when a hub is enough and when you need a dock.
| Metric | CalDigit TS4 | Anker Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) | USB-C 3.2 (10Gbps) |
| External displays | 2x 4K @ 60Hz, or 1x 8K @ 30Hz | 1x 4K @ 30Hz, or 1080p @ 60Hz |
| Laptop charging | 98W (handles MBP 16) | 85W passthrough |
| Total ports | 18 | 7 |
| Ethernet | 2.5 GbE | None on this variant |
| SD card reader | SD UHS-II + microSD UHS-II | SD UHS-I only |
| Portability | Desktop only (240x83x100mm) | Pocketable (110g) |
| Driver / setup | Plug-and-play (TB4 cert required) | Plug-and-play (any USB-C) |
| Price | €399 | €59 |
If you work from a desk every day and have a dual-monitor setup (two 4K displays, or a 4K plus a 1080p), the TS4 is the right tool. With Thunderbolt 4 bandwidth (40Gbps), you can drive both displays at native resolution while simultaneously charging your laptop, plugging in 5+ USB-A devices, an ethernet cable, and an external SSD — without any throughput dropping. A €59 USB-C hub physically cannot do this; the bandwidth ceiling is too low.
The other underrated feature: 98W laptop charging. The TS4 charges a MacBook Pro 16 while doing everything else. Anker hubs cap at 85W passthrough and that's only when the hub itself isn't drawing power for USB and display.
If you have one external monitor, a USB-A peripheral or two, and you want to charge your laptop — the Anker Hub does all of that for €59 and weighs 110g. It fits in your laptop bag pocket. You can hot-swap between coffee shops, client offices, and your desk without unplugging anything from a dock.
It's also the right answer for laptops that don't have Thunderbolt 4. Most sub-€1000 Windows laptops, older MacBooks, and budget Chromebooks have USB-C but not TB4. The TS4 doesn't work on those at all; the Anker Hub works on everything.
| If you... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Run dual external monitors daily | CalDigit TS4 |
| Have a single external monitor | Anker Hub |
| Use wired ethernet | CalDigit TS4 |
| Travel with your laptop weekly | Anker Hub |
| Have a Thunderbolt 4 MacBook or PC | CalDigit TS4 |
| Have a USB-C-only laptop (no TB4) | Anker Hub |
| Charge a MacBook Pro 14/16 from the dock | CalDigit TS4 (98W) |
| Need an SD UHS-II card reader for photography | CalDigit TS4 |
| Budget <€100 | Anker Hub |
| Want one dock to last 5+ years | CalDigit TS4 (5-yr warranty) |
If you have a permanent desk setup with dual displays, ethernet, and a Thunderbolt 4 laptop, buy the CalDigit TS4. It's the single best Thunderbolt dock on the market and the €399 amortises over the 5-7 years you'll use it.
If you have a simpler setup — one monitor, occasional travel, or a non-Thunderbolt laptop — the Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub at €59 is everything you need. Many readers end up owning both: the TS4 at the desk, the Anker Hub in the bag.
Read our full reviews: CalDigit TS4 review · Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub review
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