CalDigit TS4 vs HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 - Thunderbolt 4 Dock Comparison 2026

CalDigit TS4 vs HP Thunderbolt Dock G4: Which Thunderbolt 4 Dock Fits Your Desk Better?

The CalDigit TS4 and HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 are both Thunderbolt 4 docks, but they solve different problems.

The CalDigit TS4 is built as a do-everything premium dock with 18 ports, three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports, UHS-II card readers, and a strong reputation with Mac users. The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 is a more business-focused option with up to four 4K displays, 100W charging, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and HP Sure Start security.

The short verdict: The CalDigit TS4 wins for most buyers because it is more versatile, better equipped, and higher rated in our product data. The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 is the better choice only if you specifically want enterprise security features or need support for up to four 4K displays on the right Windows hardware.

If you are still deciding what class of dock you need, our USB-C vs Thunderbolt docking stations guide is a good starting point.

Quick Specs Comparison

Design and Desk Fit

CalDigit TS4

The TS4 uses an aluminum enclosure that doubles as a heat sink. It is a larger, more traditional desktop dock, but the physical design gives you a lot of connectivity on both the front and rear panels. Frequent-use ports like USB-A, card readers, and audio connections are easy to reach.

HP Thunderbolt Dock G4

The HP dock goes in the opposite direction with a compact cube design that takes up very little desk space. That smaller footprint is great for tidy office setups, but it comes with a notable downside: the host cable is non-removable.

Design winner: Depends on your priorities. The HP dock is better for minimal desk footprint. The CalDigit TS4 feels more premium and gives you a more flexible physical layout.

Ports and Expandability

This is the biggest separation between these two docks.

The CalDigit TS4 offers three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports, three USB-C 3.2 ports, five USB-A 3.2 ports, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, SD and microSD UHS-II card readers, and three separate audio connections. That makes it a much better fit for creators, developers, and anyone connecting lots of accessories.

The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 offers two USB-C 3.2 ports, four USB-A 3.2 ports, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and a more display-oriented port layout. It skips card readers and audio entirely.

Where the HP dock fights back is screen connectivity. It includes two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs and one HDMI 2.0 output, and HP rates it for up to four 4K displays with the right host. The TS4 has only one DisplayPort 1.4 output built in, though its Thunderbolt downstream ports give it more flexibility for adapters and high-speed accessories.

Port winner: CalDigit TS4. The HP dock is strong for office display setups, but the TS4 simply gives you much more I/O overall.

Display Support

This is the HP dock’s best category.

The CalDigit TS4 supports dual 4K@60Hz and a single 8K@30Hz display on Windows. For many users, that is enough.

The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 supports up to four 4K@60Hz displays when paired with a host that supports DisplayPort 1.4 and Display Stream Compression. It also handles dual 4K@60Hz in more standard setups. If your workflow depends on three or four external monitors, the HP dock has a real advantage on paper.

Mac users need to be careful here. The HP product data explicitly notes MST-related limitations on macOS, while the TS4 is positioned much more clearly as a Mac-friendly dock.

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

Display winner: HP Thunderbolt Dock G4. Up to four 4K displays is a meaningful edge for the right Windows users.

Charging and Power

The difference here is very small.

The CalDigit TS4 provides 98W of USB-C Power Delivery. The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 provides 100W. In practice, that 2W gap does not materially change the experience for most laptops.

Both docks require external power and both are strong choices for charging mainstream productivity laptops through a single cable.

Power winner: HP Thunderbolt Dock G4, narrowly. It has the higher published wattage, but this is not a decisive real-world difference.

Compatibility and Target User

The CalDigit TS4 is the broader, safer pick. Its product data emphasizes plug-and-play support across macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, and Linux, with no drivers required and especially strong Mac positioning.

The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 is more specialized. It is clearly built for Windows-heavy business deployments, with optional HP firmware tooling, HP Sure Start security, and strong multi-monitor support. At the same time, its macOS notes are more restrictive, and it lacks a few convenience features that matter outside the office, like card readers and audio.

Compatibility winner: CalDigit TS4 for mixed setups and Mac users. HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 for enterprise Windows environments.

Value

At $379.99, the CalDigit TS4 costs about $51 more than the HP dock at $329.00. That extra money buys you a much richer port selection, Thunderbolt downstream expansion, card readers, audio, and a higher overall score in our reviews.

The HP dock still has solid value if your environment will actually use its strengths, especially quad-display support and HP security features. But for general buyers, the TS4 gives you more ways to grow into the dock over time.

Value winner: CalDigit TS4. It costs more, but the extra connectivity and flexibility justify the premium.

Verdict: CalDigit TS4 Wins for Most Buyers

The CalDigit TS4 is the better all-around Thunderbolt 4 dock. It has the higher score, the wider feature set, better Mac positioning, more expansion headroom, and substantially more ports. For most home office, creative, and power-user setups, it is the easier recommendation.

The HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 is still a very good dock, just more specialized. If you need up to four 4K displays, want HP Sure Start security, or are outfitting an HP-centric Windows office, it can be the smarter pick.

Choose the CalDigit TS4 if:

• You want the most versatile premium Thunderbolt 4 dock
• You need card readers, audio, and lots of downstream expansion
• You use a Mac and want a more proven fit
• You want the higher-rated dock in our data

Choose the HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 if:

• You need up to four 4K displays on compatible Windows hardware
• You want HP Sure Start enterprise security
• You prefer a compact cube design
• You are buying primarily for office and IT-managed environments

For deeper product-by-product coverage, read our CalDigit TS4 review and HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 review.