Main trade-off
CalDigit TS4
98W host power and two downstream Thunderbolt ports. Two USB-C screens can occupy both unless one takes the direct DisplayPort route.
Head-to-head
CalDigit TS4 vs TS5: TS4 keeps more USB-A gear, TS5 adds a third Thunderbolt branch
The short answer
TS4 keeps more existing USB-A equipment connected, while TS5 adds a third downstream Thunderbolt port. Choose TS4 for a desk built around older USB-A accessories or a supported Thunderbolt 3 Windows laptop. Choose TS5 for two compatible USB-C screens plus a Thunderbolt drive, or a supported laptop that can use its 140W charging. TS5 has no direct DisplayPort socket, and neither dock adds a second native screen to a basic M1 or M2 Mac laptop.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Count the older accessories before replacing a working hub
A webcam, USB microphone, keyboard receiver and older external drive can make four USB-A connections before a camera cable arrives. TS4 has five fast USB-A sockets. TS5 has two A sockets, only one of them 10Gb/s, so the same desk can require adapters or another hub after the upgrade. That does not make every accessory a high-bandwidth device. A keyboard or mouse can use the USB 2.0 socket, and replaceable cables may move other devices to USB-C. TS5 makes more sense when those changes are already part of the plan. If the goal is to keep familiar equipment plugged in without extra pieces, TS4’s older layout can be the simpler purchase.
What this is based on
Four example USB-A devices compared with five TS4 sockets versus two TS5 sockets, of which one is USB 2.0. Socket accounting, not a measured bandwidth requirement for the named device types. Cable replaceability and device compatibility must be checked.
Main trade-off
CalDigit TS5
Only one fast USB-A socket plus a USB 2.0 socket, no direct DisplayPort, and no Thunderbolt 3 Windows support.
CalDigit TS4
- Choose it for
- You have several USB-A accessories or a DisplayPort monitor and want to avoid adding a hub or video adapter.
- A supported Thunderbolt 3 Windows laptop must keep using this desk. Check its exact display support and whether 98W charging is enough.
- Main trade-off
- 98W host power and two downstream Thunderbolt ports. Two USB-C screens can occupy both unless one takes the direct DisplayPort route.
CalDigit TS5
- Choose it for
- Two compatible USB-C displays and a Thunderbolt drive need three direct downstream branches. The host must support both screens.
- A supported modern laptop can use PD 3.1 charging above 98W, and your equipment fits the changed port layout.
- Main trade-off
- Only one fast USB-A socket plus a USB 2.0 socket, no direct DisplayPort, and no Thunderbolt 3 Windows support.
About this comparison
CalDigit TS4 vs TS5 for two monitors, a Thunderbolt SSD and older desk accessories. Check which upgrade removes adapters and which can add them.
These are successive CalDigit desktop docks for the same laptop, monitor and peripheral job. The newer generation changes the shape of the connections as well as their maximum speed.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Two USB-C screens and one TB drive need direct branches
TS5 has three downstream TB ports. TS4 needs a different screen route or suitable chain.
- CalDigit TS4
- Caution
- CalDigit TS5
- Better fit
Four USB-A accessories should stay connected directly
TS4 has five USB-A sockets. TS5 has two, including one USB 2.0.
- CalDigit TS4
- Better fit
- CalDigit TS5
- Caution
The work laptop is a supported TB3 Windows model
TS5 excludes TB3 Windows. TS4 still needs exact-host checks.
- CalDigit TS4
- Better fit
- CalDigit TS5
- Not suitable
A basic M1 or M2 Mac needs two native external screens
Neither native dock overrides that laptop’s one-screen native limit.
- CalDigit TS4
- Not suitable
- CalDigit TS5
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Count the older accessories before replacing a working hub
A webcam, USB microphone, keyboard receiver and older external drive can make four USB-A connections before a camera cable arrives. TS4 has five fast USB-A sockets. TS5 has two A sockets, only one of them 10Gb/s, so the same desk can require adapters or another hub after the upgrade. That does not make every accessory a high-bandwidth device. A keyboard or mouse can use the USB 2.0 socket, and replaceable cables may move other devices to USB-C. TS5 makes more sense when those changes are already part of the plan. If the goal is to keep familiar equipment plugged in without extra pieces, TS4’s older layout can be the simpler purchase.
How we reached this conclusion
Four example USB-A devices compared with five TS4 sockets versus two TS5 sockets, of which one is USB 2.0. Socket accounting, not a measured bandwidth requirement for the named device types. Cable replaceability and device compatibility must be checked.
A monitor cable can decide whether the photo drive has somewhere to go
Two USB-C monitors and a Thunderbolt SSD need three direct downstream branches. TS5 supplies all three, assuming the laptop supports those screens. TS4 supplies two, so using both for monitors leaves the drive without a direct dock connection. Before choosing TS5, inspect the monitors. If one also accepts DisplayPort, TS4 can send video through its full-size DP output and reserve a Thunderbolt port for the drive. That can preserve the existing dock plan with one different monitor cable. If both screens need their USB-C or Thunderbolt route, TS5 avoids that rearrangement. Neither arrangement guarantees the SSD’s advertised speed while displays and other devices share the host link.
How we reached this conclusion
2 display branches + 1 storage branch = 3. TS4 has 2 TB branches plus DP, TS5 has 3 TB branches. This evaluates connector occupancy, with host display support and monitor inputs held explicit.
The newer personal laptop should not strand the older work machine
A shared home desk may alternate between a new personal laptop and an employer-issued Thunderbolt 3 Windows machine. TS4 documents support for that older Windows connection. TS5 explicitly excludes it. The dock upgrade can therefore break the weekday half of a setup that works well on the new computer. TS4 is the sensible starting point if the work laptop is staying, subject to its exact display capability and charging requirement. TS5 becomes easier to justify once every intended host is supported. A USB-C-shaped socket is not enough evidence. Read the laptop specification, and keep the original charger available if the workload or charging design needs it.
How we reached this conclusion
Documented TB3 Windows support boundary crossed with manual host swapping between work and personal laptops. No claim that all early TB3 systems support two monitors or charging.
Choice A
CalDigit, TS4-US 500971
CalDigit TS4
You have several USB-A accessories or a DisplayPort monitor and want to avoid adding a hub or video adapter.
- Best matched use
- You have several USB-A accessories or a DisplayPort monitor and want to avoid adding a hub or video adapter.
Checked facts
- Older USB-A equipment: Five USB-A sockets at 10Gb/s each
- Thunderbolt branches: Two downstream TB4 ports
- DisplayPort monitor: One full-size DisplayPort 1.4 output
- Laptop charging: Up to 98W
Choice B
CalDigit, TBT5-TS5-US-AMZ
CalDigit TS5
Two compatible USB-C displays and a Thunderbolt drive need three direct downstream branches. The host must support both screens.
- Best matched use
- Two compatible USB-C displays and a Thunderbolt drive need three direct downstream branches. The host must support both screens.
Checked facts
- Older USB-A equipment: One USB-A 10Gb/s and one USB-A USB 2.0
- Thunderbolt branches: Three downstream TB5 ports
- DisplayPort monitor: No fixed DisplayPort or HDMI output
- Laptop charging: Up to 140W for compatible PD 3.1 hosts
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | CalDigit TS4 | CalDigit TS5 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older USB-A equipment | Five USB-A sockets at 10Gb/s each | One USB-A 10Gb/s and one USB-A USB 2.0 | A faster host connection can still mean fewer direct connections for the equipment already on the desk. |
| Thunderbolt branches | Two downstream TB4 ports | Three downstream TB5 ports | Two USB-C screens leave zero direct TB branches on TS4 and one on TS5. |
| DisplayPort monitor | One full-size DisplayPort 1.4 output | No fixed DisplayPort or HDMI output | TS4 can connect a DP screen without consuming a downstream TB port. |
| Laptop charging | Up to 98W | Up to 140W for compatible PD 3.1 hosts | The laptop must accept the higher power, and some workloads still need its original charger. |
| Older Windows host | Thunderbolt 3 Windows supported with host-specific limits | Thunderbolt 3 Windows unsupported | An upgrade for the personal computer can stop serving an older work laptop. |
| Wired home network | 2.5GbE requires Thunderbolt or USB4 PCIe tunneling | 2.5GbE has the same PCIe requirement | Ordinary USB-C fallback does not preserve Ethernet on either dock. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose CalDigit TS4
- A third Thunderbolt device may need a suitable chain, another host connection or a different display route. Check before buying another hub.
If you choose CalDigit TS5
- Budget compatible adapters for retained HDMI or DisplayPort screens. USB-C-only fallback loses the built-in Ethernet connection.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Existing USB-A gear or a TB3 Windows laptop must stay
Choose CalDigit TS4. TS4 preserves that connection plan with fewer changes.
Three direct TB branches or compatible 140W host power is essential
Choose CalDigit TS5. TS5 provides those features, subject to host and display support.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want one cable to the laptop, without replacing the webcam, microphone, screens and storage that already work.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No measured speed, charging-time or reliability winner. Port counts do not establish simultaneous full bandwidth. Display count depends on the host and the selected screen modes.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current docking stations comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalDigit TS4 |
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| CalDigit TS5 |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
CalDigit TS4
You have several USB-A accessories or a DisplayPort monitor and want to avoid adding a hub or video adapter.
A supported Thunderbolt 3 Windows laptop must keep using this desk. Check its exact display support and whether 98W charging is enough.
See price & reviews on AmazonCalDigit TS5
Two compatible USB-C displays and a Thunderbolt drive need three direct downstream branches. The host must support both screens.
A supported modern laptop can use PD 3.1 charging above 98W, and your equipment fits the changed port layout.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.