Choosing between the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock (18 ports) and the Kensington SD5780T Thunderbolt 4 Dual 4K Dock (K33040NA) is a same-protocol fork, not a USB-C-versus-TB4 mismatch. Both are native Thunderbolt 4 docks with a 40Gb/s host link, roughly 96 to 98W host Power Delivery, 2.5GbE, and dual high-res display headroom on capable hosts. The trade is CalDigit's forever-desk port count versus Kensington's native HDMI 2.1, DockWorks / TAA angle, and a lower street price. Specs and prices below come from manufacturer sheets and current Amazon listings, not a lab shootout.
This page is a different pairing than the live CalDigit TS4 vs Anker Prime 160W (TB4 versus USB-C PD) and CalDigit TS4 vs Plugable (another TB4 twin). For a TS4-only deep dive, see the CalDigit TS4 review. For a wider shortlist that includes Thunderbolt 5 options, see Best Thunderbolt 5 docks 2026 and Best Thunderbolt cables 2026.
| Attribute | CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock | Kensington SD5780T Thunderbolt 4 Dual 4K Dock (K33040NA) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1 | 3.7 |
| Price | $200-$500 | $200-$500 |
| Connection | Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) | Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) |
| Power Delivery to laptop | 98W | Not listed |
| Total ports | 18 | Not listed |
| Max video output | Dual 4K 60Hz / 8K 30Hz / dual 6K 60Hz (via DisplayPort + TB4) | Not listed |
| Ethernet | 2.5GbE | 2.5GbE |
| Cable | 0.8m TB4 certified, included | 1m TB4 included |
| Ports | Not listed | 11 (3x TB4, 4x USB-A Gen2, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE, SD, audio) |
| Host Power Delivery | Not listed | 96W USB-C PD 3.0 |
| Displays | Not listed | HDMI 2.1 + TB4; dual 4K/6K@60 on capable hosts |
| Warranty | Not listed | 3-year limited; TAA-compliant |
| Buy | Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
Quick verdict
Most people shopping these two Thunderbolt 4 docks should buy the CalDigit TS4. It is still in production, carries the better owner rating, and packs 18 ports, SD and microSD readers, 2.5GbE, and 98W host PD onto one cable. The Kensington SD5780T is cheaper and adds native HDMI 2.1, but Kensington has discontinued it, so buy it only if you find a new unit in stock and HDMI 2.1 matters more to you than ports and long-term support.
Price and value
Winner: Kensington SD5780T. Recent Amazon anchors put the SD5780T in the $250 to $300 range (about 3.7 stars across hundreds of ratings) and the TS4 in the $300 to $400 range (about 4.1 stars). Kensington's maker list price sat in the $250 to $300 range. Pay the TS4 premium for every port on the chassis, a current product, and CalDigit's long track record. Pay Kensington only when HDMI plus TB4 basics close the job and you can find new stock. Confirm live street pricing; Kensington.com marks the SD5780T discontinued even while third-party Amazon stock remains.
Host link and Thunderbolt basics
Winner: tie (both native Thunderbolt 4). Both docks advertise a 40Gb/s Thunderbolt 4 host path with downstream Thunderbolt ports for chaining SSDs and other TB devices. Kensington calls out Intel VT-d DMA protection and optional DockWorks software for connection monitoring. CalDigit ships an included 0.8m TB4 cable; Kensington includes a 1m TB4 cable. If you already know you need Thunderbolt 4, either chassis qualifies. The fork is ports, video connectors, and price, not protocol class. For hub-versus-dock framing, see USB-C hub vs docking station.
| Axis | CalDigit TS4 | Kensington SD5780T |
|---|---|---|
| Host link | Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) | Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s) |
| Ports | 18 | 11 |
| Host PD | 98W | 96W |
| Displays | Dual 6K@60 on capable hosts; DP + TB paths; no native HDMI | Dual 4K/6K@60 on capable hosts; HDMI 2.1 + Thunderbolt 4 video |
| Ethernet | 2.5GbE | 2.5GbE |
| Card readers | SD + microSD | UHS-II SD 4.0 |
| USB-A | Dense mix | 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), one front charging |
| Cable | 0.8m TB4 included | 1m TB4 included |
| Extra | Most ports on one cable | TAA-compliant; DockWorks; 3-year warranty |
| Typical street price | $300 to $400 | roughly $250 to $300 |
| Best fit | Max ports on one cable | HDMI + TB4 value |
Host power delivery
Winner: CalDigit by a hair on paper; practical tie for most ultrabooks. CalDigit rates 98W to the host. Kensington rates 96W (USB-C PD 3.0) and stresses full-powered downstream Thunderbolt behavior so other ports do not starve the laptop. Both clear the usual 14-inch creator / ultrabook bar. Keep the OEM brick nearby for 16-inch workstations under peak CPU+GPU load either way. Neither is a multi-device 160W charging pool story like some USB-C PD docks; the win here is single-cable laptop PD plus TB4 data/video.
Dual-display reality (HDMI vs DisplayPort paths)
Winner: Kensington for HDMI convenience; CalDigit for dual high-res output on capable hosts. The TS4 leans on DisplayPort plus Thunderbolt video and can push dual 6K@60 (or dual 4K / 8K30 depending on host and cable). It has no native HDMI, so HDMI-only panels need an adapter. The SD5780T puts HDMI 2.1 on the chassis alongside Thunderbolt 4 video ports and lists single 8K@60 (DSC hosts), single 4K@120, or dual 4K / 6K@60 on capable Thunderbolt 4 hosts. Base M1 and M2 MacBooks (and many USB-C Alt Mode laptops) drive one native external display, and base M3 MacBooks drive a second only with the lid closed; Pro/Max chips and base M4 or M5 chips are where dual claims get a fair test. Neither dock invents a second independent panel on a one-external silicon budget.
Ports, Ethernet, and desk layout
Winner: CalDigit TS4. Eighteen ports including downstream Thunderbolt 4, a denser USB-A/C mix, SD and microSD, audio, and 2.5GbE beat Kensington's eleven-port mix on paper. Kensington still covers the common forever desk (three Thunderbolt 4 ports, four USB-A Gen2, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE, UHS-II SD, audio combo) with a cleaner HDMI story and optional mounting / Kensington lock slots. On multi-gig ISP plans or a 2.5GbE NAS uplink, both avoid a USB Ethernet dongle. If you routinely fill every USB and card slot, CalDigit is the denser chassis.
Warranty, IT features, and availability
Winner: Kensington on warranty and IT checkboxes; CalDigit on availability and support. Kensington lists a three-year limited warranty, TAA compliance, Nano / Kensington lock slots, and DockWorks WiFi Auto-Switch plus MAC pass-through for managed desks. CalDigit remains the easier Amazon buy with a long-running TS4 listing and strong owner volume. Kensington.com currently marks the SD5780T discontinued with a replacement SKU path, so treat Amazon stock as the live buy path and confirm the K33040NA model before you order.
Who should buy which
Buy the CalDigit TS4 if you want the most complete single-cable Thunderbolt 4 chassis (18 ports, dual card readers, 98W PD) from a product that is still made and supported, and you accept DisplayPort / Thunderbolt video paths without native HDMI. That is most buyers.
Buy the Kensington SD5780T only if you find a new unit in stock, you want native HDMI 2.1 and a TAA-compliant build, and you can live with 11 ports and a discontinued product.
Skip both if you only need USB-C PD with dual HDMI under ~$150 (see TS4 vs Anker Prime 160W), or you are already shopping Thunderbolt 5 docks in Best Thunderbolt 5 docks 2026.
Bottom line
CalDigit TS4 and Kensington SD5780T are both real Thunderbolt 4 docks. The TS4 is the overall pick for most buyers in this pair: more ports, the better owner rating, and a product that is still in production. The SD5780T is a reasonable buy only when you find it new, want native HDMI 2.1, and accept a discontinued model. Specs here are from maker sheets and Amazon listings, not a lab shootout. Confirm your laptop's display and PD limits, then View on Amazon for the Kensington or the CalDigit before you order.
For protocol basics, see Thunderbolt. For more TB4 / cable options, see Best Thunderbolt cables 2026.
