Caldigit vs HyperDrive. Ports, power, value & performance — which dock is best for your setup?
When it comes to building the perfect workstation, choosing the right docking station can make all the difference.
I’ve been using the Caldigit for almost more than one year. I bought it for $100 dollars from facebook marketplace.
Today, I got the HyperDrive GEN2 for just $20.
After testing them both, here’s how they stack up.
Ports & Connectivity
The CalDigit TS3 Plus shines with Thunderbolt 3 support, offering daisy-chaining and faster transfer speeds.
It’s loaded with 15 ports, including 5 USB-A, 2 USB-C, SD Card Reader (UHS-II), DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, and even Optical Audio.
I love that it connects with my LG monitor just using the USB-C cable and powers my macbook pro 14 inch at the same time.
The HyperDrive doesn't have this type of USB-C functionality but it does offer HDMI ports so you can have more monitors.
The HyperDrive GEN2 isn’t Thunderbolt, but it makes up for it with HDMI + DisplayPort support, more USB-A ports (including QuickCharge), 100W power delivery, and triple-display support (if your system allows it).
The HyperDrive got a lot of more ports than CalDigit.
The HyberDrive does have MicroSD and plenty of USB ports.
Initial Impressions on Thunderbolt Compatibility
The HyperDrive claims Thunderbolt support, but I never got it to work as seamlessly as the CalDigit.
Not sure why—maybe it’s a system compatibility issue—but I’ll dig deeper and update this in the full review later. Stay tuned!
Performance
The CalDigit has more stable performance, especially for macOS and Thunderbolt users.
It's ideal for creators and professionals who rely on speed, display quality, and audio outputs.
HyperDrive, while more affordable, performs solidly for everyday tasks, streaming, office work, and even light creative work—at a fraction of the price.
Value
If you’re building a Thunderbolt-based, high-performance setup and find a CalDigit for under $150—go for it.
But if you’re on a tight budget, the HyperDrive offers insane value and a surprising level of quality for just $100.
Winner for Value: HyperDrive
Winner for Performance: CalDigit
For my own personal use, I will be using more - my main hub is CalDigit that is connected with HyperDrive for additional ports that I need to expand and use.
The new CalDigit TS5 version that came out recently has more ports that I will cover once I upgrade. I still feel that CalDigit TS3 is still available for now and provides the features and functionality that you need and is available easily in the used market space.
Product Links:
Caldigit
Hyperdrive