CalDigit TS4 vs Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub - TB4 Comparison 2026

CalDigit TS4 vs Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub

These two products target very different buyers even though both use Thunderbolt 4. The CalDigit TS4 is a premium full-size dock built to replace a pile of adapters with one box on your desk. The Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub is a compact Thunderbolt expander for people who mostly need more TB4 ports and strong laptop charging.

Short verdict: The CalDigit TS4 wins for most buyers because it delivers much more connectivity, a higher score, faster Ethernet, and built-in card readers and audio. The Belkin Core Hub only makes more sense if your setup is simple and you want the lowest-cost way to add three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports.

If you are still deciding whether you need a hub or a full dock, start with our USB-C vs Thunderbolt docking stations guide.

Quick Specs Comparison

Design and Product Type

This comparison starts with a basic truth: these are not direct equivalents.

The CalDigit TS4 is a full desktop dock with an aluminum enclosure and an emphasis on replacing separate adapters. It is built for users who want one cable for displays, storage, Ethernet, audio, card readers, and charging.

The Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub is intentionally minimalist. Its compact aluminum body focuses on one job: taking a single Thunderbolt connection and turning it into three downstream TB4 ports plus one USB-A port. It is far smaller, simpler, and cheaper.

Design winner: Tie. The better design depends on what you need. The CalDigit is better as a complete desk dock, while the Belkin is better as a compact Thunderbolt expander.

Ports and Connectivity

This is where the CalDigit TS4 pulls away quickly.

CalDigit TS4

The TS4 gives you 18 total ports. That includes:

• 3 downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports
• 3 USB-C 3.2 ports
• 5 USB-A 3.2 ports
• 1 DisplayPort 1.4
• 1 RJ45 Ethernet port with support for 1 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps
• SD and microSD UHS-II card readers
• 3 separate audio connections

That is the kind of port mix that can anchor a permanent workstation without extra dongles.

Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub

The Belkin gives you 5 total ports. In practice, the usable expansion ports are:

• 3 downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports
• 1 USB-A 3.2 port

There is no Ethernet, no audio jack, no card reader, and no built-in HDMI or DisplayPort output. If your monitor does not support USB-C input, you need adapters. If you need wired networking or SD cards, you need additional accessories.

Port winner: CalDigit TS4, easily. The Belkin matches the TS4 on downstream TB4 count, but the CalDigit adds nearly everything else a real desk setup usually needs.

Display Support

On paper, the two are closer here than you might expect.

Both products support:

• Dual 4K@60Hz
• Single 8K@30Hz on Windows
• Single 5K/6K-class support on compatible setups
• One external display only on base Apple Silicon Macs

The main difference is how you connect displays.

The CalDigit TS4 includes a DisplayPort 1.4 output and can also route video through its downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports. The Belkin hub has no dedicated video outputs, so every display connection has to use a downstream TB4 port directly or go through a USB-C video adapter.

Display winner: CalDigit TS4. Raw display capability is similar, but the TS4 is more flexible because it includes a native DisplayPort output and still leaves multiple other data ports available.

Charging and Power Delivery

This round is almost a wash.

The CalDigit TS4 provides 98W of host charging. The Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub provides 96W. Both are strong numbers for Thunderbolt 4 products and both are positioned as capable of charging larger laptops like a 16-inch MacBook Pro during normal use.

The real difference is not 98W versus 96W. It is what else you get alongside that power delivery.

Power winner: Tie. The 2W gap is too small to matter for most buyers.

Networking, Audio, and Card Readers

The Belkin hub does not compete here because it does not try to.

The CalDigit TS4 includes:

• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• SD and microSD UHS-II readers
• 3.5mm combo, headphone, and microphone jacks

The Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub includes none of those features.

If you work with wired internet, cameras, audio gear, or a mix of USB-A accessories, the gap is massive.

Winner: CalDigit TS4. This is the difference between a complete dock and a small hub.

Operating System Compatibility

Both products are straightforward here.

The CalDigit TS4 supports macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, and Linux, with no drivers required. The Belkin hub also works natively on macOS and Windows, with more limited and less official support notes for ChromeOS and Linux. Both have the usual Apple Silicon limitation where base M-series MacBooks are restricted to one external display.

The CalDigit has a slight edge in breadth because its product data explicitly calls out ChromeOS and Linux support more confidently.

Compatibility winner: CalDigit TS4. Both are easy to use, but the TS4 is the more broadly documented fit.

Price and Value

This is the Belkin’s strongest argument.

At $149.99, the Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub costs $230 less than the CalDigit TS4 at $379.99. If your only goal is to add three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports and keep strong charging, that lower price is compelling.

But if you need Ethernet, card readers, audio, multiple USB-A ports, or a dedicated display output, the Belkin stops being cheap because you start adding adapters and dongles. The CalDigit costs far more up front, but it includes almost everything already.

The Belkin also has a 3-year warranty, versus 2 years on the CalDigit.

Value winner: Depends on your setup. The Belkin is better value for minimal Thunderbolt-first setups. The CalDigit is better value for anyone who would otherwise need to buy several separate adapters.

Verdict

The CalDigit TS4 is the better product overall, and the numbers back that up. It scores 9.2/10 versus 7.2/10, offers 18 ports instead of 5, adds 2.5GbE, card readers, audio, more USB, and a native DisplayPort output, all while keeping nearly identical charging and display capability.

The Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub is still a sensible buy for a narrower audience. If you want a compact Thunderbolt hub and do not care about Ethernet, audio, or card readers, it gets the job done at less than half the price.

Choose the CalDigit TS4 if:

• You want a full docking station, not just a Thunderbolt port expander
• You need Ethernet, card readers, audio, and lots of USB ports
• You want the highest overall score and the most complete feature set
• You need a permanent desk dock for Mac or Windows

Choose the Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Core Hub if:

• You mainly need extra Thunderbolt 4 ports
• You want a much cheaper and smaller device
• Your setup already uses USB-C monitors or Thunderbolt peripherals
• You do not need Ethernet, audio, or built-in card readers

For more options in this category, see our best Thunderbolt docking stations roundup.