Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock vs Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
Which should you buy? Here's the honest call, pulled from our full The Best Laptop Docking Stations: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The CalDigit TS4 is the most capable and future-proof dock here, with an unmatched port count, top-tier charging, and rock-solid dual-display support that reviewers and owners consistently praise. The Kensington SD5700T is the smarter buy for most offices, trading a few ports and some cost for excellent stability, security mounting, and dependable dual-4K output.
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Buy itThe most complete Thunderbolt dock you can buy - 18 ports, near-100W charging, and serious dual-display muscle in one aluminum brick.
- 18 ports including three Thunderbolt 4/TB5-ready 40Gbps ports, five USB-A and three USB-C
- 98W laptop charging - independent testing notes it as the highest of any Thunderbolt 4 dock
- 2.5GbE networking plus UHS-II SD and microSD readers built in, with dual 6K/8K display support
- Flagship pricing that only pros will justify
- Owners report it runs warm under heavy load, and a few see USB-C SSDs drop after sleep
Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
Buy itA quieter, more affordable office workhorse with dual 4K output, a tank-like aluminum build, and security-lock mounting.
- 11 ports with three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports and 90W laptop charging over one cable
- Dual 4K@60Hz or single 8K@30Hz output that owners report as reliably plug-and-play
- Durable aluminum shell with two Kensington lock slots and bracket mounting for shared or secured desks
- No dedicated HDMI or DisplayPort - monitors must connect over Thunderbolt/USB-C or adapters
- Fewer ports than the TS4 and no front fast-charge USB-C for phones
Side by side
| CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock | Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Creators and professionals who want one dock to end all docks and will pay for the port count. | Office and hybrid setups that value stability, security, and a lower price over maximum port count. |
| Price tier | $$$$ · flagship | $$$ · premium |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock - The most complete Thunderbolt dock you can buy - 18 ports, near-100W charging, and serious dual-display muscle in one aluminum brick. Choose the Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station instead if office and hybrid setups that value stability, security, and a lower price over maximum port count.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Laptop Docking Stations: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).