CalDigit TS3 Plus Review: 8.8/10 - The Thunderbolt 3 Dock Benchmark
Overview
The CalDigit TS3 Plus is widely regarded as the best Thunderbolt 3 dock on the market, offering an unmatched selection of 15 ports in a compact and well-ventilated aluminum enclosure. Priced at $249, it provides 87 watts of laptop charging power, dual DisplayPort outputs for multi-monitor setups, 10 gigabit Ethernet for fast wired networking, and a UHS-II SD card slot that photographers and videographers will appreciate.
Design and Build
The TS3 Plus is built like a tank with a full aluminum chassis that doubles as a heatsink, keeping the dock cool even under sustained heavy loads. The wedge-shaped design sits unobtrusively on a desk, measuring 5.3 inches long, 3.2 inches wide, and 1.1 inches tall. The front panel offers easy-access ports including a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C 3.1 Gen 2, USB-A 3.1 Gen 1, and the SD card slot, while the rear hosts all the high-bandwidth connections.
Port Selection
The TS3 Plus offers the most comprehensive port selection of any Thunderbolt 3 dock: two Thunderbolt 3 ports (one upstream, one downstream), two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs for dual 4K 60 Hz monitors, five USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 ports, one USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port, 10 gigabit Ethernet, a UHS-II SD card reader, a digital optical audio output, and a 3.5mm analog audio output. This is enough connectivity to turn any modern laptop into a full desktop workstation.
Charging and Display
The 87 watts of power delivery is sufficient to charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro at full speed or any Thunderbolt 3 laptop at its maximum charging rate. Dual DisplayPort 1.4 outputs support two 4K displays at 60 Hz each or a single 5K display at 60 Hz. For Windows laptops, MST (Multi-Stream Transport) enables daisy-chaining additional monitors through the DisplayPort outputs.
Network and Storage
The integrated 10 gigabit Ethernet adapter provides a massive speed advantage over standard 1 gigabit connections for transferring large files on a local network. The UHS-II SD card reader supports transfer speeds up to 300 MB/s, making it a genuine productivity tool for photographers who need to offload high-resolution raw files quickly. The USB-A and USB-C ports all support USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) speeds where the connected device is capable.
Compatibility and Reliability
The TS3 Plus works flawlessly with Intel-based MacBooks, Mac mini, and Mac Studio, with solid Windows Thunderbolt 3 support as well. CalDigit has maintained excellent driver support and firmware updates over the years. The dock is known for its rock-solid stability, with no disconnect issues or sleep-wake problems that plague many other Thunderbolt docks.
Verdict
The CalDigit TS3 Plus earns an 8.8 out of 10 as the most reliable and best-equipped Thunderbolt 3 dock available. The port selection is generous, the build quality is excellent, and the charging and display capabilities meet the needs of demanding professional users. The lack of Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 support means it does not offer the same future-proofing as newer docks, and the $249 price is premium, but for sheer functionality and reliability, the TS3 Plus remains a top choice.
Where to Buy
Looking for the best deal on a CalDigit TS3 Plus? Check current prices and available listings on eBay to find new, open-box, and certified refurbished units at competitive prices.
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