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Dell WD19TBS Review 2026 - Specs, Pros & Cons

6.5 Good

The Dell WD19TBS is a Thunderbolt 3 docking station from Dell's WD19 family, released in early 2021 as a streamlined variant of the WD19TB. The "S" stands for "streamlined," which in practice means Dell removed the 3.5mm audio jack to work around chip shortages at the time. Everything else carries over from the WD19TB: dual DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, three USB-A ports, a USB-C downstream port, Gigabit Ethernet, and 130W charging for Dell laptops via ExpressCharge. Non-Dell laptops get up to 90W through standard USB-C Power Delivery. The dock connects to your laptop over Thunderbolt 3 at 40 Gbps and supports dual 4K@60Hz displays or a single 5K@60Hz. Dell no longer manufactures this model new, but it remains widely available as a renewed or refurbished unit on Amazon and eBay, often for under $120. For Dell laptop owners on a budget who do not need Thunderbolt 4, the WD19TBS still gets the job done.

Best Value (Used)

Pros & Cons

What We Like

  • 130W ExpressCharge for Dell laptops, faster than any standard USB-C PD dock
  • Excellent value on the used/renewed market at $80-120
  • Modular design with swappable Thunderbolt host module
  • Dual 4K@60Hz native display support via Thunderbolt 3
  • Compact, lightweight design at 585g (1.29 lbs) without adapter
  • 3-year warranty from Dell (when purchased new)

What Could Be Better

  • No 3.5mm audio jack (removed in the 'S' variant)

    Workaround: Use a USB audio adapter or Bluetooth headphones.

  • No SD/microSD card reader

    Workaround: Use an external USB card reader.

  • Thunderbolt 3 only, no Thunderbolt 4 certification

    Workaround: TB3 is backward compatible with most TB4 hosts, but you lose TB4 features like mandatory 2x 4K display support.

  • Non-Dell laptops limited to 90W charging
  • Fan spins up periodically and can be audible in quiet environments
  • macOS not officially supported by Dell

    Workaround: The dock works with Mac, but Dell support will not troubleshoot Mac-specific issues.

Display Support

Max Displays: 2
1 display (Single 5K@60Hz via dual DisplayPort 1.4 with HBR3 host)
5120x2880 @ 60Hz
2 displays (Dual 4K@60Hz via DP 1.4 + HDMI 2.0 (or DP + USB-C MFDP). HDMI and USB-C MFDP are toggled and cannot be used simultaneously.)
3840x2160 @ 60Hz
1 display (Single 4K@60Hz via HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.4)
3840x2160 @ 60Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

1x USB-C 3.2
1x USB-C 3.2 15W
2x USB-A 3.2
1x USB-A 3.2 5W

Video Outputs

2x DisplayPort 1.4
1x HDMI 2.0

Network

1x Ethernet (1 Gbps)

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer Dell
Model WD19TBS
Release Date 2021-02
MSRP $301.75
Connectivity
Host Connection Thunderbolt 3
Max Data Rate 40 Gbps
Driver Required No (native)
Display Output
Max Displays 2
1x Display 5120x2880 @ 60Hz (Single 5K@60Hz via dual DisplayPort 1.4 with HBR3 host)
2x Display 3840x2160 @ 60Hz (Dual 4K@60Hz via DP 1.4 + HDMI 2.0 (or DP + USB-C MFDP). HDMI and USB-C MFDP are toggled and cannot be used simultaneously.)
1x Display 3840x2160 @ 60Hz (Single 4K@60Hz via HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.4)
Ports (8+ total)
USB-C 3.2 1x
USB-C 3.2 1x (15W)
USB-A 3.2 2x
USB-A 3.2 1x (5W)
DisplayPort 1.4 2x
HDMI 2.0 1x
Ethernet (RJ45) 1x 1 Gbps
Power
Power Input DC-barrel
Laptop Charging Up to 90W

Compatibility

Windows (10+)

Full support. 130W charging available for Dell laptops. Dell Dock Manager available for firmware updates.

macOS (11.0 (Big Sur)+)

Works but not officially supported by Dell. Single display on base M1/M2/M3 Macs due to Apple Silicon limitations. Limited to 90W PD charging.

ChromeOS

Supported on Thunderbolt-equipped Chromebooks.

Linux

Works with most distributions. No Dell management tools available.

Known Issues

M1/M2/M3 base MacBook Air/Pro

Limited to single external display

Non-Dell laptops

No 130W ExpressCharge

Some Dell Comet Lake laptops

Dual 4K stuck at 30Hz

6.5 /10

Our Verdict

Good

The Dell WD19TBS is a capable Thunderbolt 3 dock that made sense at its original $300 MSRP and makes even more sense today at the $80-120 renewed prices commonly found online. For Dell laptop users, the 130W ExpressCharge is the key selling point. It charges Dell laptops faster than any standard USB-C PD dock can manage. The modular design means you can swap the Thunderbolt module if Dell releases an updated one, though at this point in the product lifecycle that is unlikely. Build quality is typical Dell enterprise: solid plastic, compact footprint, no frills. The missing audio jack is a minor annoyance, easily solved with a USB audio adapter. Fan noise, while infrequent, can be noticeable in a quiet room. If you are buying new in 2026, the newer WD22TB4 (Thunderbolt 4) is the better choice. But if you are looking for a reliable used dock for a Dell Latitude, Precision, or XPS, the WD19TBS is hard to beat at current street prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Dell WD19TBS and WD19TB?
The WD19TBS is a streamlined variant of the WD19TB. The only hardware difference is the removal of the 3.5mm audio jack. Dell made this change during the global chip shortage to keep production moving. All other ports and specifications are identical between the two models.
Does the Dell WD19TBS work with MacBook?
Yes, it works with MacBooks via Thunderbolt 3, but Dell does not officially support it. USB ports, Ethernet, single display, and 90W charging all function normally. Dual display output requires an M1 Pro/Max or later chip. Dell technical support will not help with Mac-specific problems.
How much power does the Dell WD19TBS deliver?
For Dell laptops, the WD19TBS delivers up to 130W via ExpressCharge, which can charge a Dell laptop to 80% in about an hour. Non-Dell laptops receive up to 90W via standard USB-C Power Delivery. The dock itself requires the included 180W AC adapter.
Is the Dell WD19TBS still worth buying in 2026?
If you can find one renewed for $80-120, yes. It delivers strong performance for Dell laptop users who need dual 4K and fast charging. For a new purchase, the WD22TB4 (Thunderbolt 4) is the better investment since it offers improved compatibility and longer future support.
Can the Dell WD19TBS drive two 4K monitors at 60Hz?
Yes. Connect both monitors to the two rear DisplayPort 1.4 ports for dual 4K@60Hz. Note that the HDMI port and the USB-C multifunction DisplayPort on the back are toggled, so only one of those two can be active at a time.

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