CalDigit TS4 vs Anker 778 - Thunderbolt 4 Dock Comparison 2026

CalDigit TS4 vs Anker 778: the short version

The CalDigit TS4 and Anker 778 are both premium Thunderbolt 4 docks with the same $379.99 MSRP, native 40 Gbps host connections, and enough charging power for most serious laptops. They are not trying to solve the same desk problem, though.

The TS4 is the more complete everyday dock. Its YAML gives it an 18-port layout, three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, six USB-C ports total, five USB-A ports, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, SD and microSD card readers, three audio connections, 98W laptop charging, and compatibility entries for macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, and Linux. It scores 9.2/10 in our product data.

The Anker 778 is narrower but interesting. It is built mostly around Windows multi-monitor setups, with HDMI 2.1, two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port, two 10 Gbps USB-C ports with 30W charging, four USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and 100W host charging. Its headline feature is display support: one 8K display or up to four 4K displays on capable hosts. The catch is compatibility. The YAML says it is not compatible with M1 or M2 MacBooks, is a poor fit for Mac multi-monitor desks, and requires Thunderbolt 4 rather than plain USB-C. It scores 7.8/10.

Winner: CalDigit TS4. It is the better default recommendation because it has the higher score, broader compatibility, richer port selection, faster Ethernet, card readers, audio, and three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports. The Anker 778 can still be the right pick for a Windows user who values dedicated HDMI and DisplayPort outputs more than Mac support or Thunderbolt expansion.

If you are still deciding whether Thunderbolt is the right connection type at all, start with our USB-C vs Thunderbolt docking station guide. If you already know you want Thunderbolt 4, this comparison is about which compromise fits your desk.

Quick specs comparison

Port selection: the TS4 is more complete

The port comparison is where the CalDigit TS4 pulls away. The TS4 is listed as an 18-port dock in the product data, and those ports cover more categories. It has three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, three additional USB-C 3.2 ports, five USB-A 3.2 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 output, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, three audio jacks, and both SD and microSD card readers. That matters because a real desk rarely needs only video and USB. It may also need a wired network, a card reader, headphones, a microphone, a backup SSD, a webcam, a keyboard receiver, and a phone charger.

The Anker 778 has a useful but more focused layout. Its YAML lists two USB-C 3.2 ports with 30W charging, two USB-A 3.2 ports, two USB-A 2.0 ports, one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port, HDMI 2.1, two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, and Gigabit Ethernet. That is a good Windows office layout if most of your desk revolves around monitors. The front USB-C charging ports are a real advantage over docks that only offer low power accessory ports. But the dock leaves out categories the TS4 includes: no SD reader, no microSD reader, no audio jack, and only one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port.

That last point is important. Thunderbolt docks are often bought by people who own fast external drives, capture devices, pro audio interfaces, or high-end monitors. The TS4 gives you three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, so you can attach multiple Thunderbolt devices without immediately adding another hub. The Anker gives you one. If you only need one Thunderbolt accessory, fine. If Thunderbolt expansion is part of why you are spending this much money, the TS4 is easier to live with.

Port winner: CalDigit TS4. The Anker 778 has more built-in monitor connectors, but the TS4 has the broader and more balanced port mix.

Display support: Anker wins on Windows monitor count

The Anker 778 has the stronger display spec for compatible Windows systems. Its YAML lists support for one 8K@30Hz display, dual 4K@60Hz on Windows Thunderbolt 4 laptops, and up to four 4K displays on capable hosts. It also gives you HDMI 2.1 and two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, so many monitor setups can plug in without USB-C video adapters.

The CalDigit TS4 supports a single 8K@30Hz display on Windows and dual 4K@60Hz via DisplayPort 1.4 or Thunderbolt. That is enough for most desks, and it is exactly what many MacBook Pro and Windows ultrabook users need. The limitation is that it tops out at two displays, while the Anker can go higher on the right Windows machine.

But the phrase “on the right machine” does a lot of work here. The Anker YAML says quad-display support depends on the laptop GPU and Thunderbolt implementation. It also lists Mac support as limited, says M1 and M2 MacBooks are not compatible according to Anker, and warns that Mac multi-display behavior is weaker than on Windows. The TS4 has its own Mac display caveat, since base M1, M2, and M3 MacBooks are limited to one external display. But the YAML frames that as an Apple host limitation, not a dock incompatibility, and the TS4 is listed with full native macOS support.

So the display result depends on the operating system. A Windows Thunderbolt 4 user with three or four monitors should look hard at the Anker 778. A Mac user should not treat the Anker’s four-display spec as a reason to buy it. For Mac, the TS4 is the safer dock even though it supports fewer displays on paper.

Display winner: Anker 778 for compatible Windows multi-monitor desks. CalDigit TS4 for Mac users and simpler one or two monitor setups.

For more monitor-focused options, see our guide to the best docking stations for dual monitors.

Charging and accessory power

Charging is close. The Anker 778 is rated for up to 100W host charging. The CalDigit TS4 is rated for up to 98W. A 2W difference is not enough to decide this comparison by itself. Both docks can handle most business laptops, many creator laptops, and normal 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro workloads. Neither should be treated as a substitute for a proprietary high-wattage gaming laptop charger.

Accessory charging is more interesting. The TS4’s downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports are listed with 15W power delivery, and its USB-C 3.2 plus USB-A 3.2 ports are listed with 7.5W. The Anker’s two USB-C 3.2 ports can each deliver 30W, which is genuinely useful for charging a phone, tablet, or small accessory without adding a separate wall charger. Its USB-A ports are weaker, with 4.5W on the USB-A 3.2 ports and 2.5W on the USB-A 2.0 ports.

That gives the Anker a nice front-port charging angle, while the TS4 gives you more total high-speed and Thunderbolt-capable ports. If you regularly charge an iPad or phone from the dock, the Anker’s two 30W USB-C ports are convenient. If your desk is more about data and expansion, the TS4’s extra Thunderbolt ports matter more.

Charging winner: Tie for laptop charging. Anker 778 for front USB-C accessory charging. CalDigit TS4 for Thunderbolt accessory flexibility.

Mac, Windows, and compatibility risk

Compatibility is the main reason the TS4 wins overall. The CalDigit YAML lists macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, and Linux under compatibility. It notes full native support on macOS Big Sur and later, full Windows 10 support, ChromeOS support on Thunderbolt-equipped Chromebooks, and Linux support on most distributions that support Thunderbolt 4. Its known incompatibility entry is the familiar base Apple Silicon external display limit: M1, M2, and M3 base MacBook Air or Pro models are limited to one external display. That is not unique to this dock.

The Anker 778 has a tighter support window. The YAML calls it best for Windows laptops with Thunderbolt 4. It says the dock is not compatible with M1 or M2 MacBooks according to Anker, and also lists Asus laptops with AMD CPUs as unsupported. It also says standard USB-C systems without Thunderbolt 4 should not be treated as supported. For macOS, the product data says support is limited and Mac multi-display behavior can be weak.

This does not make the Anker a bad dock. It makes it a dock you buy only after checking your laptop. If you have a Windows Thunderbolt 4 laptop that matches Anker’s requirements, the 778’s monitor layout may be exactly what you want. If you move between Mac and Windows machines, share a dock in a household, support several employee laptop models, or plan to keep the dock through multiple laptop upgrades, the TS4 is the lower-risk choice.

Compatibility winner: CalDigit TS4. The Anker 778 needs a more specific host. The TS4 has broader documented operating system support.

Networking, card readers, and audio

The CalDigit TS4 has three everyday advantages that are easy to miss in a spec sheet: faster wired networking, built-in card readers, and audio ports.

For networking, the TS4 lists RJ45 with both 1 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps speeds. The Anker 778 lists RJ45 at 1 Gbps. If your network gear is only Gigabit, both are fine. If you use a 2.5G router, NAS, or switch, the TS4 gives you more headroom without an external adapter.

For media work, the TS4 includes SD and microSD card readers at UHS-II speeds. The Anker has none. That difference matters for photographers, video shooters, drone users, and anyone who handles camera cards regularly. You can add a USB card reader to the Anker, but then you lose one of the USB ports you paid for.

For audio, the TS4 includes a combo jack, a headphone jack, and a microphone jack. The Anker has no audio port listed in the YAML. Again, you can work around that with a USB audio adapter, but the TS4 solves it in the dock.

These are not edge-case ports. They are the ports that keep a premium dock from turning into a pile of dongles. The Anker’s dedicated video outputs are useful, but the TS4 does more of the boring desk work without help.

Everyday desk winner: CalDigit TS4. Faster Ethernet, card readers, and audio make it a more complete single-cable setup.

Price and value

Both docks have the same listed MSRP: $379.99. That makes the value comparison unusually direct. You are not choosing between a premium dock and a cheaper alternative. You are choosing which $379.99 feature set makes more sense.

At that price, the CalDigit TS4 gives you a higher product score, more ports, more Thunderbolt expansion, faster Ethernet, broader compatibility, card readers, audio, a 24-month warranty, and a stronger Mac fit. The Anker 778 gives you 100W charging instead of 98W, two 30W USB-C accessory ports, dedicated HDMI 2.1 plus two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, and higher maximum display count on compatible Windows hosts. It also has an 18-month warranty in the YAML, shorter than the TS4’s 24 months.

The Anker product verdict says the 778 becomes more interesting when the price drops below about $250. That is the key. At full MSRP, it is hard to ignore what the TS4 includes for the same money. On a deep sale, the Anker’s Windows monitor focus becomes a lot more appealing. But if both are near the same price, the TS4 gives most buyers more long-term flexibility.

Value winner: CalDigit TS4 at equal pricing. Anker 778 becomes more competitive on sale for Windows-only multi-monitor desks.

Who should buy the CalDigit TS4?

Choose the CalDigit TS4 if:

• You want the better all-around dock from these two options
• You use a MacBook and want native macOS support
• You switch between Mac, Windows, ChromeOS, or Linux systems
• You need three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports
• You use Thunderbolt storage, pro accessories, or USB-C monitors
• You want 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• You need SD or microSD card readers
• You need built-in audio ports
• You want the higher product score in our data
• You are paying close to MSRP for either dock

The TS4 is especially easy to recommend for MacBook Pro users, mixed-device households, creators who use camera cards, and anyone who wants one dock that can survive several laptop upgrades. It is not perfect. The YAML lists a premium price, no HDMI output, and a short 0.8m host cable as downsides. Base Apple Silicon MacBooks are still limited to one external display. But the TS4’s weaknesses are easier to plan around than the Anker’s compatibility limits.

Who should buy the Anker 778?

Choose the Anker 778 if:

• You use a Windows laptop with Thunderbolt 4
• Your laptop and GPU can support the display setup you want
• You need HDMI 2.1 and two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs built into the dock
• You want the option of up to four 4K displays on a capable host
• You value two 30W front USB-C charging ports
• You only need one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port
• You do not need SD, microSD, or audio ports
• You find it on a meaningful sale

The Anker 778 makes the most sense as a Windows monitor dock. That is not a backhanded compliment. Some desks really do need several display outputs more than card readers or Thunderbolt daisy chaining. The mistake would be buying it as a universal premium Thunderbolt 4 dock. The YAML is clear about the caveats: limited Mac support, no M1 or M2 MacBook compatibility according to Anker, unsupported Asus AMD laptops, no plain USB-C host support, and no card readers or audio.

Verdict: CalDigit TS4 wins for most buyers

The CalDigit TS4 is the better dock in this comparison because it is stronger in more situations. It scores 9.2/10 versus 7.8/10 for the Anker 778, has more ports, gives you three downstream Thunderbolt 4 connections, includes 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, includes UHS-II SD and microSD readers, includes audio, has broader OS compatibility, and carries a longer listed warranty. At the same MSRP, that is hard to beat.

The Anker 778 is still worth considering if you have a Windows Thunderbolt 4 laptop and a monitor-heavy desk. Its HDMI 2.1 plus dual DisplayPort 1.4 layout is more convenient than the TS4’s single DisplayPort for some monitor setups, and its advertised four-display support is the one spec the TS4 cannot match. Just do not buy it for a MacBook without checking Anker’s compatibility notes first.

For most readers, the recommendation is simple: buy the CalDigit TS4 if you want the safer, more complete Thunderbolt 4 dock. Buy the Anker 778 only if its Windows multi-monitor layout solves a specific problem for your desk.

For individual reviews, see our CalDigit TS4 review and Anker 778 review. If you are comparing across the broader category, our best Thunderbolt 4 docking stations page is the next stop.