The catch
CalDigit TS5 Plus
Its 10GbE advantage depends on the whole local network and on the Windows driver. The separate 330W adapter needs room too.
Side by side
CalDigit TS5 Plus vs Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 docks: Anker keeps power in one box, Plus suits a desk that has 10GbE ready
Quick verdict
A desk with 10GbE already in place suits the TS5 Plus, whereas the Anker keeps its power supply in the same box. A fast NAS path, UHS-II card imports or a compatible higher-power TB accessory that fixes a problem you keep running into is the case for the Plus. If 2.5GbE and UHS-I are enough, and the integrated supply tidies up your desk, the Anker is the choice. Host power is 140W on both. On Windows the Plus needs its network driver, and the Anker’s HDMI and DisplayPort are alternatives to one another and cannot be used together.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Having a big video library does not make 10GbE useful on its own
Fast NAS access can be valuable for family video and creative-work files, but big files alone do not give Plus an edge. Put the NAS behind a 2.5GbE switch and both docks hit the same 2.5Gb/s ceiling. On a 1GbE path both drop to that lower ceiling. Plus is worth a look once the faster path exists and the NAS storage can keep up with it. A Windows laptop managed by an employer adds another condition, because Plus’s Ethernet needs a driver. For the network you already have installed, Anker can be the simpler match, even in a household with a large media library. This is reasoning about the local network. It makes no promise about internet speed.
Where this comes from
In the stated switch example, min(10, 2.5)=min(2.5, 2.5)=2.5 Gb/s. Storage, protocol overhead and host throughput are not measured. Whether Windows drivers are permitted is a separate gate.
The catch
Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5
Every downstream TB port tops out at 15W, the card readers are UHS-I, and HDMI and DP cannot run at the same time.
CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Why pick it
- Your 10GbE path is complete, the NAS storage is fast enough to use it, and the Windows driver it needs is permitted.
- A compatible TB accessory draws more than 15W, or built-in UHS-II saves you from needing a separate card reader.
- The catch
- Its 10GbE advantage depends on the whole local network and on the Windows driver. The separate 330W adapter needs room too.
Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5
- Why pick it
- Your network is going to stay at 2.5GbE or below, and UHS-I cards or a reader you already own handle the camera workflow.
- The built-in power supply and a direct HDMI or DP connection both suit your desk, and a second display can go through a supported TB route.
- The catch
- Every downstream TB port tops out at 15W, the card readers are UHS-I, and HDMI and DP cannot run at the same time.
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What this page compares
TS5 Plus vs Anker A83B5 if you have a home NAS, a portable monitor and camera cards. See which of your other equipment makes the flagship upgrade worth having.
Both are premium TB5 docks that compete directly, each with 140W host power, two downstream TB branches and fixed video. The deciding line is whether the rest of your desk can make use of Plus’s stronger accessory connections.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
The NAS path is already 10GbE and installing Windows drivers is permitted
Plus is the only one that gives the dock a 10GbE link.
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Better fit
- Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5
- Not suitable
A compatible portable screen requires 20W over its video cable
Each TB port gives 36W on Plus and 15W on Anker. Check the exact PD profile.
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Better fit
- Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5
- Caution
The network is 2.5GbE and UHS-I cards are enough for the workflow
Plus’s faster network and reader interfaces go unused under those conditions.
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Good
- Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5
- Good
Getting rid of the external power brick is the main problem on the desk
Anker has the supply built in, though ventilation and fan placement still matter.
- CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Caution
- Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Having a big video library does not make 10GbE useful on its own
Fast NAS access can be valuable for family video and creative-work files, but big files alone do not give Plus an edge. Put the NAS behind a 2.5GbE switch and both docks hit the same 2.5Gb/s ceiling. On a 1GbE path both drop to that lower ceiling. Plus is worth a look once the faster path exists and the NAS storage can keep up with it. A Windows laptop managed by an employer adds another condition, because Plus’s Ethernet needs a driver. For the network you already have installed, Anker can be the simpler match, even in a household with a large media library. This is reasoning about the local network. It makes no promise about internet speed.
How we worked this out
In the stated switch example, min(10, 2.5)=min(2.5, 2.5)=2.5 Gb/s. Storage, protocol overhead and host throughput are not measured. Whether Windows drivers are permitted is a separate gate.
Laptop charging does not settle the portable-screen question
Each dock advertises 140W for the laptop, but a portable display on a downstream TB port gets a different power budget. Plus gives up to 36W per downstream port and Anker gives 15W. If a particular screen needs a compatible 20W input at the setting you choose, Plus has enough stated wattage and Anker falls short. The screen’s accepted PD profile and cable still have to match. Anker’s front USB-C charging sockets share 45W, yet they are not video outputs, so that figure cannot answer the single-cable screen question. If the display runs fully within 15W, this particular advantage for Plus disappears.
How we worked this out
A conditional 20W display requirement is checked against video-capable downstream ports at 36W and 15W. It is a necessary power threshold. It does not prove protocol compatibility or brightness. Front data-only charging is treated separately.
Which dock is better depends on the extra box you want to get rid of
If you shoot with fast UHS-II cards and have several USB-A accessories, Plus can do away with an external card reader and lessen the need for another USB hub. It does still come with a separate power adapter. Anker gets rid of the external power brick, but its UHS-I readers may leave a camera owner reaching for another reader, and its three USB-A sockets may not cover every plug you want to keep. With UHS-I cards and three or fewer A-shaped devices, Plus’s larger set of accessory connections may add little. List the extra pieces each arrangement needs. A dock that looks tidier on its own can end up needing more gear once the camera and older accessories come into the picture.
How we worked this out
The factors are built-in reader classes, five versus three USB-A sockets, and external versus integrated power. It is a conditional tally of equipment, not a blanket claim that every card or accessory needs another device.
Option A
CalDigit, TBT5-TS5Plus-US-AMZ
CalDigit TS5 Plus
Your 10GbE path is complete, the NAS storage is fast enough to use it, and the Windows driver it needs is permitted.
- Best for
- Your 10GbE path is complete, the NAS storage is fast enough to use it, and the Windows driver it needs is permitted.
Facts we checked
- Local network: 10GbE with required Windows driver
- TB branches and accessory power: Two downstream TB5, up to 36W each
- Camera cards: UHS-II SD and microSD
- Fixed screen connection: DisplayPort 2.1
Option B
Anker, A83B5
Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5
Your network is going to stay at 2.5GbE or below, and UHS-I cards or a reader you already own handle the camera workflow.
- Best for
- Your network is going to stay at 2.5GbE or below, and UHS-I cards or a reader you already own handle the camera workflow.
Facts we checked
- Local network: 2.5GbE
- TB branches and accessory power: Two downstream TB5, up to 15W each
- Camera cards: UHS-I SD and microSD
- Fixed screen connection: HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 2.1, not both together
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | CalDigit TS5 Plus | Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local network | 10GbE with required Windows driver | 2.5GbE | If the switch or NAS path is slower, the practical reason to pick the faster port goes away. |
| TB branches and accessory power | Two downstream TB5, up to 36W each | Two downstream TB5, up to 15W each | Both have the same number of branches, but the power a compatible peripheral can draw may differ. |
| Camera cards | UHS-II SD and microSD | UHS-I SD and microSD | The reader class counts together with the card and the destination storage. |
| Fixed screen connection | DisplayPort 2.1 | HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 2.1, not both together | An HDMI screen you keep may need an adapter on Plus, yet plug straight into Anker. |
| Power arrangement | Separate 330W supply | Integrated supply | Either dock can deliver up to 140W to a compatible laptop. A bigger external supply does not add host power. |
| USB-A equipment | Five 10Gb/s sockets | Three 10Gb/s sockets | Plan the screens and storage first, then count the plugs you are keeping. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With CalDigit TS5 Plus
- Replacing a switch, upgrading the NAS or changing cables can end up costing more than you expect. Leave hypothetical network gains out of the dock decision until you have planned that path.
With Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5
- A portable display that draws more power may need its own supply. If your camera workflow calls for UHS-II, an external reader is one more device.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Plus’s extra capability gets used by the surrounding network, camera or powered screen
Go with CalDigit TS5 Plus. The upgrade can clear a particular bottleneck or do away with an extra accessory.
The current network and cards do the job, and the power brick is a hassle
Go with Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5. Anker can simplify the equipment setup without an interface upgrade that would sit unused.
Decision guide
Before you buy
A dock you can keep for a long time is the aim, though paying for capabilities your network, cards and screens cannot use may leave the actual annoyance exactly where it was.
What this page can’t tell you
- No winner on file transfer, charging time, heat or noise is given here. Compatibility with your actual host, screens and peripherals still matters most. The rating of a supplied power adapter does not describe how much it draws from the wall all the time.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the docking stations we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalDigit TS5 Plus |
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| |
| Anker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
CalDigit TS5 Plus
Your 10GbE path is complete, the NAS storage is fast enough to use it, and the Windows driver it needs is permitted.
A compatible TB accessory draws more than 15W, or built-in UHS-II saves you from needing a separate card reader.
See price & reviews on AmazonAnker Prime Thunderbolt 5 A83B5
Your network is going to stay at 2.5GbE or below, and UHS-I cards or a reader you already own handle the camera workflow.
The built-in power supply and a direct HDMI or DP connection both suit your desk, and a second display can go through a supported TB route.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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