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Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock vs CalDigit TS5 Plus: Comparison
Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock vs CalDigit TS5 Plus host power delivery compared
The first real difference is host power delivery: Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock 96W host charging against CalDigit TS5 Plus 140 W. Total ports runs the same way, 13 on the Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock versus 20 on the CalDigit TS5 Plus, another win for CalDigit TS5 Plus.
Which should you buy, Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock or CalDigit TS5 Plus?
Take the Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock for desk setups where space is at a premium but full Thunderbolt 4 port count still matters. The same goes for creators who want a fast card reader and 2.5GbE built into their daily dock. It is the wrong buy for buyers who prefer a flat horizontal dock they can stack a laptop on top of. Take the CalDigit TS5 Plus for power users who refuse to compromise on port count or bandwidth. It also earns its place with buyers wanting a dock they can keep for five-plus years without needing to upgrade. It is not the one for buyers on a budget or without a Thunderbolt 5-equipped laptop, the price premium doesn't pay back unless running extreme displays or workloads that need the extra bandwidth today. Our rating of the Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock (9/10): A compact, vertical Thunderbolt 4 dock that fits 13 ports and 96W charging into minimal desk space.
Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock vs CalDigit TS5 Plus price
Cost splits them too. Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock sits at $280, CalDigit TS5 Plus at $500, 79% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock and CalDigit TS5 Plus differ on connection type?
Yes. Connection Type reads Thunderbolt 4 on the Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock versus Thunderbolt 5 on the CalDigit TS5 Plus.
Is the Ethernet the same on the Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock and CalDigit TS5 Plus?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Anker
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- CalDigit
Connection Type
- Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Thunderbolt 4
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Thunderbolt 5
Model Number
- Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- PowerExpand Elite
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- TS5 Plus
Port Configuration
- Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 2x TB4 40Gbps, 3x USB-A 10Gbps, 2.5GbE, SD/microSD UHS-II, 3.5mm audio
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- 1x TB5 host, 2x TB5 downstream (80Gbps), 5x USB-C 10Gbps, 5x USB-A 10Gbps, DisplayPort 2.1, 10GbE, SD/microSD UHS-II, front/rear 3.5mm audio
Max Display Support
- Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Dual 4K
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Quad 4K
Max Display Resolution
- Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Dual 4K@60Hz or single 8K@30Hz
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Single 8K (DSC); dual 6K@120Hz; quad 4K@144Hz
Total Ports
- Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 13-35%
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- 20Best
Host Power Delivery
- Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 96W host charging
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- 140 W
Ethernet
- Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Yes
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Yes
Price
- Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- ~$280
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- ~$500
Which one should you pick?
Choose Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose CalDigit TS5 Plus if you want the higher total ports (20 vs 13).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock | CalDigit TS5 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $280.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $500.00 View on Amazon |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Anker PowerExpand Elite Thunderbolt 4 Dock
9 / 10 Expert Rating
A compact, vertical Thunderbolt 4 dock that fits 13 ports and 96W charging into minimal desk space.
CalDigit TS5 Plus
10 / 10 Expert Rating
Best overall Thunderbolt 5 dock, most ports, best charging, dual 8K@60Hz, and 10GbE for buyers who refuse to compromise.