CalDigit Docking Stations 2026 — Brand Overview, Products & Buying Guide

CalDigit: The Gold Standard in Thunderbolt Docking

CalDigit has built a reputation that few peripheral companies can match. Founded in 2005 in Placentia, California, CalDigit started as a storage solutions company making RAID arrays and external drives for creative professionals. Over the years, the company pivoted to Thunderbolt connectivity products, and that decision has paid off. Today, CalDigit is widely recognized as the maker of the best Thunderbolt docking stations on the market, with a particular emphasis on Apple ecosystem compatibility that has earned them a devoted following among Mac users.

What sets CalDigit apart from larger competitors like Dell or Anker is focus. CalDigit does not try to be everything to everyone. They do not make budget USB-C hubs, cheap adapters, or disposable accessories. Instead, they concentrate on a small number of premium products and execute them exceptionally well. The CalDigit TS4, their current flagship, exemplifies this philosophy: 18 ports, Thunderbolt 4, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, UHS-II card readers, 98W Power Delivery, and a machined aluminum enclosure that doubles as a passive heatsink. It is, by virtually every metric, the most complete docking station available.

CalDigit’s engineering team is based in California, and the company maintains a close relationship with Apple’s hardware teams. This matters because it translates into day-one firmware compatibility with every new Mac release. When Apple launched the M3 series MacBook Pro, CalDigit users did not have to wait weeks or months for a firmware update; support was ready from day one. This consistent, proactive compatibility work is something enterprise-focused brands like Dell and Lenovo simply do not prioritize for Mac users.

CalDigit Product Lineup

CalDigit’s docking station range is deliberately narrow compared to brands like Anker or Dell, but each product serves a distinct purpose.

Thunderbolt 4 Docks

The CalDigit TS4 (Thunderbolt Station 4) is the crown jewel of the lineup and our highest-rated docking station with a score of 9.2 out of 10. At $379.99 MSRP, it features 18 ports including three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports, five USB-A 3.2 ports, three USB-C 3.2 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, UHS-II SD and microSD card readers, and three separate audio jacks. It delivers 98W of Power Delivery to your laptop, enough to charge even a 16-inch MacBook Pro during normal use. The TS4 supports dual 4K@60Hz displays natively on Mac (requires M1 Pro/Max or later) and Windows.

Prior to the TS4, CalDigit offered the TS3 Plus (Thunderbolt Station 3 Plus), which was a popular choice during the Thunderbolt 3 era. The TS3 Plus has since been discontinued but remains available on the secondary market. It offered 15 ports, 87W PD, 1 Gigabit Ethernet, and UHS-I card readers. While still functional, the TS4 is a significant upgrade in every area.

USB-C Hubs and Mini Docks

CalDigit also produces smaller USB-C products for users who need portability or do not have Thunderbolt ports. The CalDigit USB-C SOHO Dock and various CalDigit USB-C hubs offer a compact form factor with fewer ports and lower price points. These products maintain CalDigit’s build quality standards (aluminum construction, reliable connections) but obviously cannot match the bandwidth and port count of a full Thunderbolt dock.

Thunderbolt 5 (Upcoming)

CalDigit has announced plans for Thunderbolt 5 products, which will take advantage of the 80 Gbps (and up to 120 Gbps with bandwidth boost) specification. For users considering a CalDigit purchase today, the TS4 remains the right buy. Thunderbolt 5 docks from any manufacturer are not expected to reach mainstream pricing until late 2026 at the earliest, and Thunderbolt 4 will remain fully supported for years to come.

Who Is CalDigit For?

CalDigit docks are not for everyone, and CalDigit would be the first to admit it. Their products are premium-priced and aimed at users who demand the best.

Mac power users are CalDigit’s core audience. If you own a MacBook Pro with M1 Pro/Max or later and want the most reliable, feature-rich docking experience available, the CalDigit TS4 is the default recommendation. The day-one firmware updates, native macOS compatibility (no drivers ever), and the sheer port count make it the dock that Mac-focused reviewers, YouTubers, and professionals reach for first.

Creative professionals (photographers, videographers, music producers, and graphic designers) benefit greatly from the TS4’s UHS-II card readers (312 MB/s), three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports for daisy-chaining high-speed storage, and the 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet for fast network transfers. If your workflow involves moving large files between devices, the CalDigit TS4 eliminates bottlenecks that cheaper docks introduce.

Windows power users and developers who want a rock-solid, driver-free docking experience will also find CalDigit compelling. The TS4 works identically on Windows and Mac: no drivers, no software, just plug in and go.

Budget-conscious buyers should look elsewhere. If you need a basic USB-C hub for under $100, brands like Anker serve that market far better. CalDigit’s products start well above $100, and the value proposition only makes sense if you actually need the premium features.

Our CalDigit Dock Reviews

We have reviewed the following CalDigit docking stations on our site:

• CalDigit TS4 Review - Score: 9.2/10. Our highest-rated dock and the best Thunderbolt 4 docking station you can buy. 18 ports, 98W PD, dual 4K, 2.5GbE, UHS-II readers. Best Overall and Editor’s Choice.

The TS4 earned our “Best Overall” and “Editor’s Choice” badges, the only dock on our site to hold both distinctions. Our analysis found it excels in every major category: port count, build quality, Mac compatibility, charging power, and long-term firmware support.

If you are deciding between the CalDigit TS4 and another dock, our docking station buying guide breaks down what to look for and how to match a dock to your specific needs. We also have a detailed USB-C vs Thunderbolt docking station comparison that explains why Thunderbolt docks like the TS4 outperform USB-C alternatives.

CalDigit vs Competitors

CalDigit vs Dell

Dell makes excellent enterprise docks. The Dell WD22TB4 is a strong Thunderbolt 4 option if you are in a Dell laptop ecosystem. Dell’s 130W ExpressCharge for Dell laptops is unmatched, and the 3-year warranty is the longest in the category. However, Dell docks have fewer ports than the CalDigit TS4, lack features like card readers and audio jacks, and do not officially support macOS. CalDigit wins on port count, Mac compatibility, and overall feature set. Dell wins on enterprise management tools and Dell-specific charging.

CalDigit vs Anker

Anker dominates the budget and mid-range dock market. The Anker 575 at $249.99 offers 13 ports and triple display on Windows, impressive for the price. But it uses USB-C, not Thunderbolt, which means lower bandwidth, no native multi-display on Mac, and no daisy-chaining. The CalDigit TS4 costs $130 more but delivers Thunderbolt 4, more ports, faster networking, faster card readers, and full Mac multi-monitor support. If budget is your primary concern, Anker is the better choice. If performance and Mac compatibility matter, CalDigit is worth the premium.

CalDigit vs OWC

OWC (Other World Computing) is CalDigit’s closest competitor in the Mac-focused Thunderbolt dock space. OWC’s Thunderbolt 4 Dock offers a solid feature set at a lower price point than the TS4, and OWC has decades of Mac ecosystem experience. The TS4 wins on port count (18 vs 11) and networking (2.5GbE vs 1GbE), but OWC’s dock is a worthy alternative if you do not need the absolute maximum number of ports.

CalDigit vs Plugable and Kensington

Plugable and Kensington both offer competent Thunderbolt 4 docks that compete with the TS4 on paper. In practice, CalDigit’s firmware update cadence for Mac and overall build quality give it an edge. These brands are worth considering if the TS4 is out of stock or out of budget, but CalDigit remains the benchmark.

The Bottom Line

CalDigit has earned its reputation through consistent execution. They make a small number of products, build them with premium materials, and support them with timely firmware updates. The CalDigit TS4 is not just the best CalDigit dock. It is, based on our research and analysis, the best docking station available in 2026.

If you are a Thunderbolt laptop owner who wants the most complete, reliable docking experience, start with the CalDigit TS4. Read our full review for a detailed breakdown of every port, spec, and use case.

For users who do not need Thunderbolt-level connectivity, our buying guide can help you find the right dock at the right price, whether that is a CalDigit, an Anker, a Dell, or something else entirely.

CalDigit Docking Stations

#1

C CalDigit

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station

CalDigit

9.2 Outstanding

Connection Thunderbolt 4

Displays Up to 2

Power 98W PD

Driver Native

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