CalDigit TS4 vs Dell WD22TB4 — Thunderbolt 4 Dock Comparison 2026

CalDigit TS4 vs Dell WD22TB4: The Most Popular Thunderbolt 4 Dock Matchup

The CalDigit TS4 and Dell WD22TB4 are two of the most widely recommended Thunderbolt 4 docking stations in 2026, but they take very different approaches to desktop connectivity. The CalDigit TS4 aims to be the most complete dock on the market with 18 ports and premium build quality, while the Dell WD22TB4 focuses on enterprise reliability, modular upgradability, and unmatched charging speed for Dell laptops.

The short verdict: The CalDigit TS4 wins this matchup for most users. Its 18-port arsenal, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, UHS-II card readers, and superior Mac compatibility make it the more versatile and feature-rich option. The Dell WD22TB4 is the better choice only if you specifically own a Dell laptop and want the 130W ExpressCharge capability.

If you are still deciding which type of docking station is right for your setup, our docking station buying guide covers the fundamentals.

Quick Specs Comparison

Design and Build Quality

The CalDigit TS4 and Dell WD22TB4 look and feel like products from different worlds, reflecting their distinct target audiences.

CalDigit TS4

The TS4 features an all-aluminum enclosure that doubles as a heat sink, keeping the dock cool under load without any fans. The rectangular form factor measures roughly the size of a paperback book, and the anodized finish gives it a premium look that pairs well with Apple and high-end Windows hardware. Ports are distributed across the front and rear panels in a logical layout — frequently used ports like USB-A, the audio jack, and card readers sit up front, while video, Ethernet, and the host Thunderbolt connection are on the back. The build quality is consistently praised across user reviews, with many calling it the best-constructed dock they have owned. CalDigit includes a 0.8m Thunderbolt 4 cable in the box.

Dell WD22TB4

The Dell WD22TB4 takes a more utilitarian, enterprise-oriented approach. The chassis is primarily plastic with a compact footprint of 8.1 x 3.5 x 1.1 inches, designed to sit neatly on a corporate desk or fit into a Dell docking station stand. The dock’s standout design feature is its modular architecture — the Thunderbolt host module is detachable and can theoretically be swapped for a newer module when connectivity standards evolve (though Dell has not yet released a Thunderbolt 5 module). The build is solid and professional, but it does not exude the same premium quality as the CalDigit’s aluminum body. Dell includes a 0.8m Thunderbolt 4 cable.

Design winner: CalDigit TS4. The aluminum build is a class above the Dell’s plastic chassis, and the port layout is more thoughtfully organized for everyday use.

Port Comparison: Where the TS4 Dominates

This is where the gap between these two docks becomes stark. The CalDigit TS4’s 18 ports vs the Dell WD22TB4’s 11 ports tells most of the story, but the details matter even more.

USB Connectivity

The CalDigit TS4 provides three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (each capable of 40 Gbps data, 15W charging, and video output), three USB-C 3.2 ports (with 7.5W charging each), and five USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports (7.5W each). That is 11 USB ports total. You can connect Thunderbolt storage drives, USB peripherals, and charge mobile devices simultaneously without running out of ports.

The Dell WD22TB4 offers one Thunderbolt 4 downstream port (15W), one USB-C 3.2 port, three USB-A 3.2 ports, and one USB-A 2.0 port. That is 6 USB ports total. For a basic office setup with a keyboard, mouse, and perhaps a webcam, this is sufficient. But if you have external drives, a USB microphone, a phone to charge, and other peripherals, you will find yourself running out of ports quickly.

Video Outputs

Here the Dell actually has a slight advantage in convenience. The WD22TB4 includes two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs and one HDMI 2.0 port, giving you direct connections to nearly any monitor without adapters.

The CalDigit TS4 has one DisplayPort 1.4 output plus the ability to output video through its three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports using USB-C to HDMI or USB-C to DisplayPort adapters. Both docks support dual 4K@60Hz natively.

Networking

The CalDigit TS4 features 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, which is 2.5 times faster than standard Gigabit networking. This matters if you transfer large files on a local network, use a NAS, or have a 2.5GbE-capable router. The Dell WD22TB4 offers standard 1 Gigabit Ethernet, which is perfectly adequate for web browsing and general office use but noticeably slower for heavy LAN file transfers.

Card Readers and Audio

The CalDigit TS4 includes SD and microSD card readers running at UHS-II speeds (312 MB/s), making it an excellent choice for photographers and videographers. It also has a 3.5mm combo jack, a dedicated headphone output, and a dedicated microphone input — three separate audio connections.

The Dell WD22TB4 has no card reader and no audio jack of any kind. If you need either, you will have to add external USB accessories, further eating into the Dell’s already limited USB port count.

Port winner: CalDigit TS4, decisively. More USB ports (11 vs 6), faster Ethernet (2.5G vs 1G), card readers, and audio connections. The Dell’s only port advantage is having built-in HDMI.

Display Support

Both docks deliver the same core display capability: dual 4K@60Hz via Thunderbolt 4. Both also support a single 8K@30Hz display on Windows. On Mac, both require an M1 Pro, M1 Max, or later chip for dual external display support, as base M1/M2/M3 MacBooks are limited to one external monitor due to Apple Silicon limitations.

The Dell WD22TB4 has the slight edge in plug-and-play display connectivity since it has both DisplayPort and HDMI outputs built in. With the CalDigit TS4, you may need a USB-C to HDMI adapter if your monitor does not support DisplayPort. That said, most modern monitors support DisplayPort natively, and USB-C to HDMI adapters are inexpensive.

For more on multi-display setups, see our guide on the best docking stations for dual monitors.

Display winner: Tie. Identical capability. The Dell’s built-in HDMI is convenient, but the CalDigit’s Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports are more versatile.

Power Delivery

Power delivery is the one category where the Dell WD22TB4 has a clear, measurable advantage — but only for Dell laptop owners.

Dell WD22TB4: 130W for Dell, 90W for Everyone Else

The Dell WD22TB4 uses Dell’s proprietary ExpressCharge technology to deliver up to 130W to compatible Dell business laptops. This is the highest charging wattage available from any Thunderbolt 4 dock, and it can charge a Dell laptop to 80% in about an hour. However, non-Dell laptops receive only 90W via standard USB-C Power Delivery. The 130W feature is exclusive to Dell’s own hardware.

CalDigit TS4: 98W for Everyone

The CalDigit TS4 delivers a consistent 98W of USB-C Power Delivery to any compatible laptop. This is enough to charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro during normal use, and it handles most Windows ultrabooks and workstation laptops comfortably. There is no proprietary charging technology — every laptop gets the same 98W.

Power delivery winner: Conditional. If you have a Dell laptop, the WD22TB4’s 130W ExpressCharge is unbeatable. For everyone else, the CalDigit TS4’s 98W beats the Dell’s 90W standard PD.

Pricing and Value

At $379.99 MSRP, the CalDigit TS4 costs $60 more than the Dell WD22TB4 at $319.99. But raw price does not tell the full story.

The CalDigit TS4 gives you 18 ports for $379.99 — roughly $21 per port. The Dell WD22TB4 gives you 11 ports for $319.99 — roughly $29 per port. Factor in that the CalDigit includes 2.5GbE, UHS-II card readers, and triple audio jacks that would cost $50-80 in separate USB adapters with the Dell, and the CalDigit actually delivers better value on a per-feature basis.

The Dell WD22TB4 does include a 3-year warranty compared to CalDigit’s 2-year coverage, which is worth noting for enterprise buyers. Both docks frequently go on sale — the CalDigit TS4 regularly drops to $299-329 on Amazon, and the Dell WD22TB4 can be found for $250-280.

Also consider: if you are shopping in this price range, you may want to explore how these compare to other premium options. See our CalDigit TS4 vs OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock comparison for another perspective on the premium vs mid-range question.

Value winner: CalDigit TS4. Despite the higher sticker price, the TS4 delivers significantly more features per dollar. The Dell only wins on value if the 130W ExpressCharge and 3-year warranty are critical to your needs.

macOS and Windows Compatibility

Both docks work with macOS and Windows without requiring drivers, but there are important differences in the quality of support.

The CalDigit TS4 is widely recognized as the best dock for Mac users. CalDigit consistently ships firmware updates ahead of major Apple hardware launches, ensuring day-one compatibility with new MacBook models. The dock is natively supported on macOS Big Sur and later, and CalDigit provides a dedicated macOS firmware update utility.

The Dell WD22TB4 works with macOS, but Dell does not officially support it. This means no macOS-optimized firmware updates, no Dell technical support for Mac issues, and potential compatibility quirks that Dell will not prioritize fixing. For Windows users in a Dell ecosystem, the situation is reversed — Dell Command Update handles firmware and driver management seamlessly, and the WD22TB4 integrates with Dell’s enterprise management tools.

For a deeper understanding of the differences between USB-C and Thunderbolt connectivity, check our guide: USB-C vs Thunderbolt Docking Stations.

Compatibility winner: Depends on your OS. CalDigit TS4 for Mac users (by a wide margin). Dell WD22TB4 for Dell/Windows enterprise environments.

Verdict: CalDigit TS4 Wins for Most Users

The CalDigit TS4 is the better Thunderbolt 4 dock for the majority of buyers. It offers nearly double the port count, faster Ethernet, card readers, audio connectivity, and arguably the best build quality of any dock on the market. Its Mac compatibility is unmatched, and it works equally well on Windows.

Choose the CalDigit TS4 if:

• You want the most ports and features in a single dock
• You are a Mac user who values firmware support and native compatibility
• You need 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, SD card readers, or dedicated audio jacks
• You want a premium aluminum build that looks good on any desk
• You use a non-Dell Windows laptop

Choose the Dell WD22TB4 if:

• You own a Dell business laptop and want 130W ExpressCharge
• You work in a Dell-managed enterprise IT environment
• The modular upgrade path for future connectivity standards appeals to you
• You prioritize the 3-year warranty over feature count
• You prefer built-in HDMI output without adapters

For more details on each dock individually, read our CalDigit TS4 review and Dell WD22TB4 review. And if you are still exploring options, our homepage has the full ranking of every docking station we cover.