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CalDigit TS4 vs Kensington SD5000T5 EQ: Comparison
CalDigit TS4 vs Kensington SD5000T5 EQ host power delivery compared
Host power delivery is where these two genuinely part company, CalDigit TS4 98 W against Kensington SD5000T5 EQ 140 W, a 30% lead for Kensington SD5000T5 EQ.
CalDigit TS4 vs Kensington SD5000T5 EQ: which one fits your build
Take the CalDigit TS4 for most WFH and professional setups wanting the safest, most broadly compatible pick without overthinking requirements. It is equally the pick for MacBook Pro M3/M4 users specifically, since most current MacBook Pro models still use Thunderbolt 4 rather than Thunderbolt 5. It is the wrong buy for buyers with Thunderbolt 5-equipped laptops wanting to use the full available bandwidth, the TS5 Plus is the right choice for that. Take the Kensington SD5000T5 EQ for high-refresh multi-monitor workstation setups and power-hungry laptops needing full-speed charging through the dock. It is not the one for simpler single-display setups where a less expensive dock covers the need just as well. Our rating of the CalDigit TS4 (9/10): best USB-C dock for most WFH setups, 98W charging, dual 4K@60Hz, 18 ports, and flawless Mac/Windows/Chrome compatibility. Our rating of the Kensington SD5000T5 EQ (9/10): the highest power delivery in our dock lineup paired with genuine triple 4K@144Hz output.
What CalDigit TS4 and Kensington SD5000T5 EQ have in common
Where they agree, they agree completely, ethernet, ethernet speed, bus powered, video path and displaylink driver required included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 9 further specifications as well.
CalDigit TS4 vs Kensington SD5000T5 EQ price
At the last price check the Kensington SD5000T5 EQ was $270 and the CalDigit TS4 $300, a 11% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the CalDigit TS4 and Kensington SD5000T5 EQ differ on connection type?
Yes. Connection Type reads Thunderbolt 4 on the CalDigit TS4 versus Thunderbolt 5 on the Kensington SD5000T5 EQ.
Is the Max Single Display Resolution the same on the CalDigit TS4 and Kensington SD5000T5 EQ?
It is. Both are listed at 8K, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- CalDigit TS4
- CalDigit
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- Kensington
Connection Type
- CalDigit TS4
- Thunderbolt 4
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- Thunderbolt 5
Host Interface
- CalDigit TS4
- Thunderbolt 4
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- Thunderbolt 5
Model Number
- CalDigit TS4
- TS4
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- SD5000T5 EQ
Port Configuration
- CalDigit TS4
- 3x TB4 40Gbps, 3x USB-C 10Gbps, 5x USB-A 10Gbps, 2.5GbE, SD/microSD UHS-II, front/rear audio
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 11-in-1: 1x TB5 host, 3x TB5 downstream (80Gbps), 3x USB-A 10Gbps, SD + microSD UHS-II, 2.5GbE, 3.5mm combo audio
Thunderbolt Version
- CalDigit TS4
- 4
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 5
Host Bandwidth
- CalDigit TS4
- 40 Gbps
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 80 GbpsBest
Max Display Support
- CalDigit TS4
- Dual 4K
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- Triple 4K@144Hz / Dual 8K@60Hz
Host Power Delivery
- CalDigit TS4
- 98 W-30%
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 140 W
Ethernet
- CalDigit TS4
- Yes
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- Yes
Bus Powered
- CalDigit TS4
- No
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- No
Video Path
- CalDigit TS4
- Thunderbolt Native
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- Thunderbolt Native
DisplayLink Driver Required
- CalDigit TS4
- No
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- No
Max Displays Windows
- CalDigit TS4
- 2
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 3
Max Single Display Resolution
- CalDigit TS4
- 8K
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 8K
Max Single Display Refresh
- CalDigit TS4
- 30 Hz
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 60 Hz
Max Dual Display Resolution
- CalDigit TS4
- 6K
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 8K
Max Dual Display Refresh
- CalDigit TS4
- 60 Hz
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 60 Hz
HDMI Port Count
- CalDigit TS4
- 0
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 0
HDMI Version
- CalDigit TS4
- None
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- None
DisplayPort Port Count
- CalDigit TS4
- 1
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 0
DisplayPort Version
- CalDigit TS4
- 1.4
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- None
Downstream Thunderbolt Port Count
- CalDigit TS4
- 2
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 3
USB-A Port Count
- CalDigit TS4
- 5
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 3
Max USB Data Rate
- CalDigit TS4
- 10Gbps
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 10Gbps
Ethernet Speed
- CalDigit TS4
- 2.5GbE
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- 2.5GbE
SD Card Slot
- CalDigit TS4
- UHS-II
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- UHS-II
microSD Card Slot
- CalDigit TS4
- UHS-II
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- UHS-II
Audio Jack Configuration
- CalDigit TS4
- Front Combo Plus Rear In And Out
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- Single Combo
macOS Supported
- CalDigit TS4
- Yes
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- Yes
Windows Supported
- CalDigit TS4
- Yes
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- Yes
Price
- CalDigit TS4
- ~$300
- Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
- $269.99 MSRP
Which one should you pick?
Choose CalDigit TS4 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Kensington SD5000T5 EQ if you want the higher host power delivery (140 W vs 98 W).
Price comparison
| Retailer | CalDigit TS4 | Kensington SD5000T5 EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $300.00 View on Amazon | $269.99 View on Amazon |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
CalDigit TS4
9 / 10 Expert Rating
Best USB-C dock for most WFH setups, 98W charging, dual 4K@60Hz, 18 ports, and flawless Mac/Windows/Chrome compatibility.
Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The highest power delivery in our dock lineup paired with genuine triple 4K@144Hz output.