Dell WD22TB4 vs Kensington SD5700T - Thunderbolt 4 Dock Comparison 2026

Dell WD22TB4 vs Kensington SD5700T: Direct Video Outputs or Better Feature Depth?

The Dell WD22TB4 and Kensington SD5700T are both premium Thunderbolt 4 docks aimed at business and home office setups, but they solve the same problem in different ways. Dell focuses on practical desk connectivity for Dell laptop owners, with direct DisplayPort and HDMI outputs plus unmatched charging for supported Dell systems. Kensington goes broader, adding more Thunderbolt downstream flexibility, an SD card reader, a 3.5mm audio jack, built-in speakers, and ChromeOS-friendly positioning.

The short verdict: The Kensington SD5700T wins for most buyers because it has the higher score, more flexible downstream Thunderbolt connectivity, extra media and audio features, and wider cross-platform appeal. The Dell WD22TB4 is the better buy if you specifically use a Dell laptop and want its 130W ExpressCharge advantage or you need native HDMI and DisplayPort outputs with no adapters.

If you are still narrowing down the right class of dock, our docking station buying guide covers the basics.

Quick Specs Comparison

Design and Everyday Setup

These are both business-friendly docks, but the day-to-day experience is different.

Dell WD22TB4

The Dell WD22TB4 is a compact, office-first dock with a practical layout and a standout modular design. Its Thunderbolt host module is detachable, which gives Dell a potential upgrade path for future standards without replacing the entire base. The main convenience advantage is simple monitor hookup: you get two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs and one HDMI 2.0 port directly on the dock.

That makes the WD22TB4 easy to drop into a standard office setup with existing monitors. You do not need USB-C display adapters, and that reduces desk clutter.

Kensington SD5700T

The Kensington SD5700T leans more toward flexibility and extras. It has a sturdy aluminum chassis, dual Kensington lock slots, built-in speakers, and a broader set of downstream expansion options through three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports. It also adds a UHS-II SD card reader and a 3.5mm combo audio jack, both of which the Dell lacks.

The tradeoff is monitor convenience. The SD5700T has no dedicated HDMI or DisplayPort outputs, so display setup usually requires USB-C adapters or monitors that accept USB-C directly.

Design winner: Tie. The Dell is easier for standard monitor setups, while the Kensington is more versatile once connected.

Port Comparison

This is where the two docks separate clearly.

Video and Monitor Connectivity

The Dell WD22TB4 is the easier dock to live with if your monitors use standard video cables. It includes two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs and one HDMI 2.0 port, so most desks can connect displays directly.

The Kensington SD5700T takes the opposite route. It has no dedicated video outputs and instead uses its Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports for displays. That gives you flexibility, but it also means more adapters for typical HDMI or DisplayPort monitors.

USB and Expansion

The Dell WD22TB4 gives you one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port, one USB-C 3.2 port, three USB-A 3.2 ports, and one USB-A 2.0 port. That is enough for a straightforward keyboard, mouse, webcam, headset, and one high-speed accessory setup.

The Kensington SD5700T gives you three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB-A 3.2 ports, and one USB-A 2.0 port. The biggest difference is the extra Thunderbolt bandwidth and flexibility. If you use high-speed storage, daisy-chain Thunderbolt devices, or want to dedicate Thunderbolt ports to displays and accessories, the Kensington is better equipped.

Audio and Media

The Dell has no audio jack and no card reader.

The Kensington includes a 3.5mm combo audio jack and a UHS-II SD card reader rated at 312 MB/s. It also lists built-in speakers, which are uncommon on a dock and can be handy for basic calls and notifications.

Networking

Both docks top out at 1 Gigabit Ethernet, so there is no real difference here.

Port winner: Kensington SD5700T. The Dell wins specifically on built-in video outputs, but the Kensington offers more expansion depth overall thanks to three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, audio, and SD support.

Display Support

For the most common dual-monitor use case, these docks are evenly matched. Both support dual 4K@60Hz on compatible Thunderbolt hosts, and both are limited to one external display on base M1, M2, and M3 Macs because of Apple Silicon host restrictions.

The Kensington SD5700T has the stronger single-display ceiling on paper. It supports single 8K@60Hz with DSC, single 8K@30Hz without DSC, and even single 4K@120Hz through a downstream Thunderbolt 4 port. The Dell WD22TB4 reaches single 8K@30Hz and single 5K@60Hz, which is still strong but not as high.

In practice, the Dell is easier for mainstream monitor setups because of its direct HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, while the Kensington has the more capable raw spec ceiling.

Display winner: Slight edge to Kensington SD5700T. Both handle dual 4K equally well, but the Kensington has stronger high-end single-display specs.

Power Delivery

This is the Dell WD22TB4’s biggest strength.

The WD22TB4 delivers up to 130W to supported Dell laptops through Dell ExpressCharge, while non-Dell laptops get 90W through standard USB-C Power Delivery. That makes it a strong fit for Dell business notebooks that need more than standard 90W charging.

The Kensington SD5700T provides 90W of USB-C Power Delivery to the host. That is enough for many ultrabooks and 14-inch laptops, but it does not match Dell’s advantage with supported Dell systems.

Power delivery winner: Dell WD22TB4. If you own a Dell laptop, this is the clearest reason to choose it.

Compatibility and Best Fit

Both docks are native Thunderbolt solutions and require no drivers for core functionality. Both support Windows and macOS, and both are affected by the same Apple Silicon single-display limitation on base M-series Macs.

The Dell WD22TB4 is clearly more Dell-centric. Its compatibility notes explicitly call out full support on Windows, optional Dell Dock Manager, and the 130W charging advantage for Dell laptops. On macOS, it works, but Dell does not officially support Mac.

The Kensington SD5700T is the broader cross-platform pick. It supports Windows and macOS without drivers, lists ChromeOS support with official Works With Chromebook certification, and notes Linux compatibility with typical Thunderbolt 4 caveats.

Compatibility winner: Kensington SD5700T. It is the safer choice if you want a dock that is not tied to one laptop brand.

Pricing and Value

At $319.99 MSRP, the Dell WD22TB4 is cheaper than the Kensington SD5700T at $369.99 MSRP. That lower price matters, especially if all you need is a straightforward Thunderbolt 4 dock with native video outputs, Ethernet, and strong charging for a Dell laptop.

The problem is that the Kensington gives you more for the extra $50: a higher score, three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports instead of one, a 3.5mm audio jack, a UHS-II SD card reader, built-in speakers, ChromeOS certification, and dual lock slots. Both docks carry the same three-year warranty, so the Dell does not gain an edge there.

If your workflow benefits from those extras, the Kensington justifies the higher MSRP. If not, the Dell remains an efficient buy.

Value winner: Kensington SD5700T for most buyers, Dell WD22TB4 for Dell owners. The Kensington has the better overall feature set, but the Dell is easier to justify in a Dell-first office.

Verdict: Kensington SD5700T Wins Overall

This is a close comparison because both are competent Thunderbolt 4 docks with the same three-year warranty and the same dual 4K@60Hz target. But the Kensington SD5700T does more with its hardware. It scores higher, offers three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, adds SD and audio support, and works better as a brand-neutral premium dock.

The Dell WD22TB4 still has a clear role. Its direct HDMI and DisplayPort outputs are more convenient, and its 130W Dell charging is a real differentiator.

Choose the Kensington SD5700T if:

• You want the better all-around dock in this matchup
• You need three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports
• You want an SD card reader and a 3.5mm audio jack
• You use ChromeOS, macOS, or mixed-brand laptops
• You value feature depth over direct monitor outputs

Choose the Dell WD22TB4 if:

• You own a Dell laptop and want up to 130W charging
• You want native HDMI and DisplayPort outputs with no adapters
• You prefer a simpler office dock with a lower MSRP
• You work in a Dell-managed Windows environment

For the full standalone reviews, read our Dell WD22TB4 review and Kensington SD5700T review. If you are still shopping across the category, the best Thunderbolt 4 docks roundup covers the broader field.