Disclosure: WorkstationSetup has not tested either dock hands-on. This comparison uses current Anker documentation and exact current retailer records. This post contains affiliate links.
The Anker Prime TB5 and Anker Prime DL7400 both have 14 ports and up to 140W host charging, but they solve different display problems. The TB5 is a native Thunderbolt 5 dock for compatible Thunderbolt 4 and 5 computers. The DL7400 is a 10Gbps USB-C DisplayLink dock built to add independent displays even when a Mac's native external-display count is limited.
Bottom line
Choose the TB5: The Anker Prime TB5 ($399.99) is the better fit for a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 laptop when you want two downstream Thunderbolt ports, a native display path, and no DisplayLink driver.
Choose the DL7400: The Anker Prime DL7400 ($220-260) is the more practical choice when DisplayLink is the feature you need, especially for three external displays or multiple extended displays on a base M-series Mac.
Check your host first: The TB5 does not support Thunderbolt 3, ChromeOS, or Linux according to Anker. The DL7400 requires DisplayLink software for its multi-display path and can have problems with DRM-protected video on DisplayLink-driven screens.
Which Dock for Your Setup
| Your requirement | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Thunderbolt 4 or 5 laptop with high-bandwidth peripherals | Anker Prime TB5 | Two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports |
| Base M1, M2, or M3 MacBook with more than one extended external display | Anker Prime DL7400 | DisplayLink can work around the native one-display limit |
| No display driver or screen-recording permission | Anker Prime TB5 | Native Thunderbolt display path |
| Three physical display outputs on a wider range of laptops | Anker Prime DL7400 | One DisplayPort plus two HDMI outputs through DisplayLink |
| Thunderbolt storage, audio, or display daisy chains | Anker Prime TB5 | Two downstream Thunderbolt ports rather than USB-C data ports |
| An employer-managed laptop that blocks driver installation | Anker Prime TB5 | No DisplayLink installation, assuming the host is compatible |
| Thunderbolt 3, ChromeOS, or Linux host | Neither without written confirmation | Anker excludes these hosts from the TB5 list and does not list Linux for the DL7400 |
What We Verified
This is a research-backed comparison. WorkstationSetup has not connected monitors, storage, or charging equipment to either dock. Port counts, display limits, dimensions, host requirements, and charging figures come from Anker's current A83B5 and A83B3 documentation. Current price and availability come from the exact A83B5 and A83B3 retailer records shown in the product cards.
That evidence can establish what the ports are designed to do. It cannot establish long-term fan noise, sleep and wake reliability with every laptop, sustained transfer speed, or compatibility with an unlisted monitor chain. Those questions depend on the complete host, cable, display, and operating-system combination.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Anker Prime TB5 | Anker Prime DL7400 |
|---|---|---|
| Current price | $399.99 | $220-260 |
| Model | A83B5 | A83B3 |
| Host connection | Thunderbolt 5 upstream | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream |
| Maximum listed host data path | Anker lists up to 120Gbps | 10Gbps |
| Host charging | Up to 140W with compatible PD 3.1 host | Up to 140W with compatible PD 3.1 host |
| Display architecture | Native Thunderbolt and DisplayPort Alt Mode | DisplayLink |
| Physical display connections | Two downstream TB5 plus one HDMI 2.1 or DP 2.1 | One DisplayPort plus two HDMI |
| HDMI and DisplayPort together | No. Select one of the two | Yes. All three physical outputs are part of the DisplayLink design |
| Mac software requirement | No DisplayLink driver | DisplayLink Manager and screen-recording permission |
| Base M1, M2, M3 Mac external displays | One | Multiple through DisplayLink, subject to Anker's resolution table |
| Ethernet | 2.5Gbps | 2.5Gbps |
| Card readers | SD and TF, UHS-I | SD and TF |
| USB-A | Three 10Gbps ports | Two 5Gbps ports and one 480Mbps port |
| Front USB-C | Two 10Gbps ports, 45W shared, no video | Three data and charging ports, no video |
| Dimensions | 4.6 x 4.6 x 3.0 inches | 7.68 x 3.62 x 1.85 inches |
| Weight | 38 oz | 1.84 lb |
| Official host support | Windows 10 or 11, macOS 15+, TB4 or TB5 laptops | Windows 10 or 11, macOS 13.5+ |
Display Architecture Is the Real Difference
The TB5 sends display traffic through the computer's native Thunderbolt connection. It gives you two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports plus one conventional display output, but the HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 jacks are alternatives. You can use one, not both. Anker lists a single display up to 8K at 60Hz and dual 8K at 60Hz for a compatible Thunderbolt 5 Windows laptop. Actual results still depend on the host GPU, cables, and monitors.
The host remains in charge of the native display count. Anker says base M1, M2, and M3 MacBooks support one external display through this dock. M1, M2, and M3 Pro or Max systems, plus M4 systems, support two. Anker also warns that M4 Thunderbolt 5 MacBooks do not support three displays over one Thunderbolt 5 connection.
The DL7400 uses DisplayLink instead. Its chip compresses display data and moves it over the USB data connection, which lets the dock add displays beyond a computer's native limit. That is why it can be the better tool for a base M-series Mac even though its 10Gbps host data ceiling is far below the TB5's. The tradeoff is software, CPU and USB overhead, and application-specific restrictions.
Anker Prime TB5: Best for Native Thunderbolt Workflows
The TB5 is the stronger choice when the host and peripherals can use Thunderbolt. Its two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports can connect compatible displays, fast storage, or other Thunderbolt devices. The dock also includes three 10Gbps USB-A ports, two 10Gbps front USB-C ports, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, audio, and SD and TF readers.
The front USB-C ports share 45W and do not output video. For displays, use the downstream Thunderbolt ports and one of the HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 2.1 connections. Anker lists up to 140W host charging, but the laptop must support PD 3.1 to accept that amount.
The compatibility exclusions are unusually important. Anker says the TB5 is not compatible with Thunderbolt 3 laptops or monitors, ChromeOS, or Linux. A USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode but no Thunderbolt support is also not equivalent to a TB4 or TB5 host. Check the laptop manual before buying.
Price: $399.99
Anker Prime DL7400: Best for DisplayLink Flexibility
The DL7400 is the more useful dock when the display count matters more than storage bandwidth. It has one DisplayPort and two HDMI outputs, and Anker documents three external displays at up to 4K in supported configurations. The DisplayPort can reach a higher individual maximum than the triple-display configuration, so do not combine each port's headline maximum into an impossible simultaneous setup.
It also includes 2.5Gbps Ethernet, SD and TF card readers, three USB-A ports, and three front USB-C data and charging ports. The upstream connection tops out at 10Gbps. Connecting it to a Thunderbolt port does not turn it into a Thunderbolt dock or raise that data ceiling.
DisplayLink requires installation on both Windows and macOS for the multi-display features described here. On macOS, it also requires screen-recording permission. Anker warns that DRM-protected streaming services can show a black video window on DisplayLink-driven monitors. That makes the TB5's native path preferable for protected video when the host can natively drive the displays you need.
Price: $220-260
Charging and Port Tradeoffs
Both docks advertise up to 140W host charging, but neither can force a laptop to accept 140W. The host must support PD 3.1 at that input level, and the included cable must support the required power. Anker also places power-allocation conditions on both products when downstream devices are charging.
The TB5 has the clear data-expansion advantage. Its downstream Thunderbolt ports support device types the DL7400's front USB-C ports do not. The DL7400 counters with one more front USB-C charging and data port, plus a display layout that is easier to understand for a three-monitor desk: one DisplayPort and two HDMI jacks.
Physical shape may matter on a crowded desk. The TB5 is a 4.6 inch square tower that stands 3 inches tall and weighs 38 ounces. The DL7400 is longer and flatter at 7.68 by 3.62 by 1.85 inches and about 1.84 pounds. Neither is a lightweight travel dock.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the Anker Prime TB5 if:
- Your laptop has a confirmed Thunderbolt 4 or 5 port
- You want downstream Thunderbolt ports for storage, displays, or other devices
- You do not want to install DisplayLink software
- Your computer natively supports the number of external displays you plan to use
- You need the fastest host data path of these two docks
Buy the Anker Prime DL7400 if:
- A base M-series Mac needs more extended displays than it supports natively
- Three physical display outputs matter more than Thunderbolt peripheral bandwidth
- You can install DisplayLink Manager and grant the required permission
- 10Gbps host data is enough for your peripherals
- You understand the DRM-protected video limitation on DisplayLink screens
Buying Tips
- Verify the port logo and specification. USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 5 ports can look alike while supporting different features.
- Write down the exact display plan. Include resolution, refresh rate, connection type, and whether each screen must be extended rather than mirrored.
- Check company policy. Managed laptops may block DisplayLink installation or macOS screen-recording permission.
- Use certified cables. Anker recommends the included TB5 cable or another certified TB5 cable with the A83B5.
- Treat individual port maximums carefully. A port's maximum resolution does not promise that every output can run at its maximum at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Anker Prime TB5 better than the DL7400?
The TB5 is better for a compatible Thunderbolt 4 or 5 laptop that needs native displays and high-bandwidth downstream devices. The DL7400 is better when DisplayLink is necessary to add displays beyond the host's native limit. Neither is the universal winner because the display architecture is different.
Can the TB5 run three monitors from a MacBook?
Anker says M4 Thunderbolt 5 MacBooks do not support three displays over one TB5 connection. Base M1, M2, and M3 MacBooks support one external display, while Pro and Max versions of those chips and all M4 models support two. Choose the DL7400 if your Mac needs a DisplayLink workaround for a higher display count.
Does the DL7400 require DisplayLink software?
Yes. Its multi-display capability depends on DisplayLink. macOS also requires screen-recording permission for the display-casting process. If you cannot install software on the laptop, the DL7400's defining advantage is not available.
Can I use the TB5 with a Thunderbolt 3 laptop?
Anker says no. Its current compatibility notes exclude Thunderbolt 3 laptops and monitors, along with ChromeOS and Linux. Confirm the exact host port before ordering.
Which dock is better for protected streaming video?
The TB5 avoids the DL7400's DisplayLink-specific DRM limitation because it uses a native display path. Anker warns that protected video from services such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ can appear black on DisplayLink-driven screens. Host, browser, and application behavior can still vary.
Do both docks charge a laptop at 140W?
Both list up to 140W host charging. The laptop must support PD 3.1 at that input level, and connected downstream devices can affect power allocation. Check the laptop's accepted USB-C charging profile rather than assuming it will draw the full amount.
Source Notes
Specifications were checked on August 11, 2026 against Anker's current A83B5 TB5 documentation and A83B3 DL7400 documentation. Current price, stock status, exact model, and images are shown through the product links above. WorkstationSetup has not tested either dock hands-on.
Related Guides
- Anker Prime 14-Port vs DL7400: Native USB-C versus DisplayLink in Anker's other 14-port matchup
- Anker Prime 14-Port Docking Station Review: Research-backed analysis of the lower-cost model
- Multi-Monitor Desk Setup Guide: Plan screen count, placement, and cable routing before choosing a dock
- Best Monitor Arms for Desk Space: Mount the displays your dock needs to drive