CalDigit
CalDigit TS4
$379.99
Released 2022
Best Docking Stations · head-to-head
CalDigit TS4 vs Kensington SD5700T
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Kensington SD5700T is cheaper at $269.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Kensington
Kensington SD5700T
$269.99Cheaper
Released 2021
Which is better: the CalDigit TS4 or Kensington SD5700T?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Kensington SD5700T is the cheaper at $269.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | CalDigit TS4 | Kensington SD5700T |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $379.99 | $269.99 |
| Brand | CalDigit | Kensington |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Host connection | Thunderbolt 4 | Thunderbolt 4 |
| Total ports | 18 | 11 |
| Power delivery (W) | 98 | 90 |
| Max external displays | 2 | 2 |
| Ethernet | 2.5 GbE | GbE |
| Sd card reader | Yes | Yes |
| Release | 2022 | 2021 |
Sources — CalDigit TS4: us.caldigit.com (verified 2026-06-15). Kensington SD5700T: kensington.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the CalDigit TS4 and Kensington SD5700T?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 6). Matching specs are omitted.
- Total ports: CalDigit TS4 18 vs Kensington SD5700T 11
- Power delivery (W): CalDigit TS4 98 vs Kensington SD5700T 90
- Ethernet: CalDigit TS4 2.5 GbE vs Kensington SD5700T GbE
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
CalDigit TS4
Two whitelisted hands-on testers — The Verge and TechRadar — rate the CalDigit TS4 the best Thunderbolt 4 dock available (The Verge calls it the "king of Thunderbolt docks," TechRadar the "gold standard"), praising its 18 ports, build quality and 98W charging. Both flag the steep ~$380 price and lack of a dedicated HDMI port. The Verge scored it 8/10; TechRadar gave a full 5 stars / Editor's Choice. No RTINGS, PCMag or Notebookcheck TS4 review was included; other coverage was non-whitelisted. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Best-in-class connectivity — 18 ports spanning Thunderbolt 4, USB-C/USB-A, DisplayPort, Ethernet and SD/microSD; Sturdy metal build with reliable, plug-and-forget everyday operation; 98W laptop charging plus offline/passthrough charging of accessories when the host is unplugged.
Flagged: High price (~$380), among the most expensive Thunderbolt 4 docks; No dedicated HDMI port — video out is DisplayPort or USB-C/Thunderbolt only; Physically bulky and not very portable; The Verge notes a large 230W external power brick.
Kensington SD5700T
Only one whitelisted source, PCWorld, covers the SD5700T, and it is an adapted re-publish of Simon Jary's TechAdvisor review rather than an independent second lab test. PCWorld calls it a quality, sturdily-built Thunderbolt 4 dock with 11 ports and 90W laptop charging, but faults the lack of dedicated HDMI/DisplayPort outputs, the weak 4.5W USB-A ports, and the high price. No hands-on benchmarks were published. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Sturdy, quality build with a solid mix of legacy I/O (11 ports); 90W laptop charging, enough to charge most laptops.
Flagged: No dedicated HDMI/DisplayPort outputs; requires USB-C adapters; Weak 4.5W USB-A ports; Expensive for a Thunderbolt 4 dock.