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Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station vs CalDigit TS5 Plus: Comparison
Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station vs CalDigit TS5 Plus: the host power delivery difference
Host power delivery is the dividing line, Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station 140W host charging against CalDigit TS5 Plus 140 W. Total ports runs the same way, 14 on the Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station versus 20 on the CalDigit TS5 Plus, another win for CalDigit TS5 Plus.
Which should you buy, Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station or CalDigit TS5 Plus?
The Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station suits high-power Thunderbolt setups needing 140W of laptop charging, though it is the wrong buy for anyone needing more than dual external display support. The same goes for desks with limited wall outlets that need extra AC power alongside a dock. It is not the one for buyers who already have plenty of free wall outlets and don't need the built-in AC ports. 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. Avoid it 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 Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station (8/10): A genuinely unique dual-purpose dock and charger, ideal for desks with limited wall outlets.
Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station vs CalDigit TS5 Plus price
At the last price check the Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station was $280 and the CalDigit TS5 Plus $500, a 79% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station and CalDigit TS5 Plus differ on connection type?
Yes. Connection Type reads Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 on the Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station versus Thunderbolt 5 on the CalDigit TS5 Plus.
Is the Ethernet the same on the Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station 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 Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- Anker
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- CalDigit
Connection Type
- Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 (dual-purpose charger and dock)
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Thunderbolt 5
Model Number
- Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- TS5 Plus
Port Configuration
- Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- 1x TB4 upstream, 2x built-in AC wall outlets (integrated power adapter), 4x USB-A, 3x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, SD + microSD, GbE
- 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 Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- Dual 4K
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Quad 4K
Max Display Resolution
- Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- Dual 4K@60Hz
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Single 8K (DSC); dual 6K@120Hz; quad 4K@144Hz
Total Ports
- Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- 14-30%
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- 20Best
Host Power Delivery
- Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- 140W host charging
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- 140 W
Ethernet
- Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- Yes
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Yes
Price
- Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
- ~$280
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- ~$500
Which one should you pick?
Choose Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station 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 14).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Anker Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station | CalDigit TS5 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $280.00 View on Amazon | $500.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
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 Prime 14-in-2 Docking Station
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely unique dual-purpose dock and charger, ideal for desks with limited wall outlets.
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.