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Belkin Connect Pro TB4 vs Kensington SD5780T Comparison 2026
By Adrian Cel| Specification | Belkin Connect Pro TB4 | Kensington SD5780T |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Connection | Thunderbolt 4 | Thunderbolt 4 |
| Max Data Rate | 40 Gbps | 40 Gbps |
| Max Displays | 3 | 2 |
| Driver | Native | Native |
| USB Ports | 5 | 6 |
| Video Ports | 3 | 1 |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes |
| Card Reader | Yes | Yes |
| Power Delivery | 90W | 96W |
| Power Input | DC-barrel | DC-barrel |
| MSRP | $399.99 | $399.99 |
Belkin Connect Pro TB4 vs Kensington SD5780T at a glance
The Belkin Connect Pro TB4 and Kensington SD5780T are similarly priced Thunderbolt 4 docks with direct HDMI outputs, charging over one host cable, an SD card reader, Ethernet, and a three-year-or-less warranty. They are not interchangeable, though.
Belkin’s INC006 puts two HDMI 2.0 ports on the back and is aimed squarely at a Windows desk with ordinary HDMI displays. Kensington’s SD5780T uses one HDMI 2.1 port plus two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports. That layout is more flexible for a mixed setup with a display, a Thunderbolt drive, and faster network storage.
Short verdict: The Kensington SD5780T wins. Its 8.0/10 review score exceeds the Belkin’s 6.5/10, and its 2.5GbE, 96W charging, two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, UHS-II reader, and three-year warranty give it a better foundation for both Mac and Windows workstations. Choose the Belkin if a Windows laptop and two direct HDMI 2.0 connections matter more than the faster network port and extra downstream Thunderbolt connection.
Quick specs
| Feature | Belkin Connect Pro TB4 | Kensington SD5780T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $399.99 | $399.99 |
| Review score | 6.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| Host connection | Thunderbolt 4, 40 Gbps | Thunderbolt 4, 40 Gbps |
| Included host cable | 0.8m | 1m |
| Laptop charging | Up to 90W | Up to 96W |
| Maximum displays | 3 | 2 |
| Direct video ports | 2x HDMI 2.0 | 1x HDMI 2.1 |
| Downstream Thunderbolt ports | 1 | 2 |
| Ethernet | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps / 2.5 Gbps |
| Card reader | SD 3.0 / UHS-I | UHS-II SD 4.0 |
| Audio | 3.5mm combo jack | 3.5mm combo jack |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 years |
| Drivers required | No | No |
Displays and Mac compatibility
The two docks diverge most clearly in display connections. Belkin provides two HDMI 2.0 ports. On a Windows Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 PC that supports MST, those ports can run dual 4K at 60Hz. A compatible host can also use the downstream Thunderbolt 4 port alongside the HDMI outputs for three 4K displays at 60Hz. For a Windows setup with two HDMI monitors already on the desk, that is a convenient arrangement.
macOS does not support MST. On a Mac, the Belkin’s two HDMI ports mirror rather than extend the desktop. The dock can still drive two extended displays on compatible M1 Pro, M1 Max, or later Macs by using one HDMI port and the downstream Thunderbolt 4 port. Base M1 MacBooks are limited to one external monitor by the laptop hardware.
Kensington takes a different route. The SD5780T has one HDMI 2.1 output that supports a single 4K display at up to 120Hz, plus two 40 Gbps downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports. A compatible MacBook with a Pro or Max chip can use HDMI and one downstream Thunderbolt port for dual 4K at 60Hz. The product data also lists dual 6K at 60Hz for compatible MacBook Pro systems with DSC 1.2 and DP 1.4 HBR3 support. Like the Belkin, it cannot overcome the one-external-display limit of base M1, M2, or M3 MacBooks.
Display winner: Kensington SD5780T for Mac and mixed peripheral setups. The Belkin is easier for a Windows user with two HDMI monitors. Kensington is less restrictive once a second display or Thunderbolt accessory needs to share the dock.
Ports and expansion
The Belkin lists 12 ports, one more than Kensington’s 11. Its practical advantage is the pair of built-in HDMI 2.0 outputs. It also has one downstream Thunderbolt 4 connection, a USB-C 3.1 port with 20W Power Delivery, two USB-A 3.1 ports, two USB-A 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, an SD reader, and combo audio.
The SD5780T has two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-C 4.0 ports with 15W Power Delivery, four USB-A 3.2 ports, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, UHS-II SD, and combo audio. It loses the second built-in HDMI port but adds an extra downstream Thunderbolt connection. That makes a difference when a display and a Thunderbolt SSD both need native high-speed ports.
For media work, Kensington’s reader is the better fit. The SD5780T uses a UHS-II SD 4.0 card reader, while Belkin’s reader is SD 3.0 / UHS-I. Neither dock includes a microSD slot.
Ports winner: Kensington SD5780T. Belkin’s two direct HDMI connections are useful, but Kensington offers faster card-reader hardware and one additional downstream Thunderbolt 4 port.
Charging and networking
Both docks use an external power supply and charge the laptop through the host connection. Belkin provides up to 90W, which its product review describes as suitable for most 13 to 16-inch laptops. Kensington provides up to 96W. Six watts is a small gap, so this should not decide the purchase on its own, but Kensington has the higher listed limit.
The larger network difference is clear. Belkin has a 1 Gbps Ethernet port. Kensington supports 1 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps Ethernet. For internet access below 1 Gbps, both are sufficient. A 2.5GbE network can help when copying files to a NAS or another local machine, provided the router, switch, and other device also support that speed.
Charging and networking winner: Kensington SD5780T. It supplies 96W instead of 90W and supports 2.5GbE instead of stopping at Gigabit Ethernet.
Warranty and business features
Belkin covers the Connect Pro TB4 with a two-year limited warranty. Kensington supplies a three-year limited warranty, along with two Kensington lock slots, TAA compliance, and optional DockWorks software for MAC address passthrough and automatic WiFi management. These details matter in an office where docks stay on assigned desks or are deployed by IT.
The Belkin also has optional dock utility software for network security management. Its 120W power supply, aluminum chassis, and USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 backward compatibility make it a respectable Windows-focused dock. The product data flags HDMI signal loss after sleep and wake as a reported macOS issue, however, and the dual-HDMI MST limitation makes its intended use case narrower.
Business features winner: Kensington SD5780T. Its extra year of coverage, lock slots, TAA status, and DockWorks features create a stronger case for managed workspaces.
Verdict: Kensington SD5780T wins
The Kensington SD5780T is the better overall Thunderbolt 4 dock in this comparison. The 2.5GbE port, 96W charging, HDMI 2.1 output, two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, UHS-II reader, and three-year warranty all come directly from its product specification. Its 8.0/10 score also gives it a clear editorial lead over the Belkin Connect Pro TB4’s 6.5/10.
The Belkin remains a sensible option for a Windows workstation that needs two direct HDMI 2.0 ports and does not need 2.5GbE or a second downstream Thunderbolt port. Its three-display capability is useful when the host system supports it. Mac buyers should pay closer attention to the display wiring because the two Belkin HDMI ports cannot provide an extended dual-monitor desktop on macOS.
Choose the Belkin Connect Pro TB4 if:
- Your Windows setup uses two HDMI 2.0 monitors and supports MST.
- You want a direct path to three 4K displays at 60Hz on a compatible host.
- One downstream Thunderbolt 4 port and Gigabit Ethernet cover your peripherals.
- You find it at its listed $299.99 Belkin store price and the feature mix fits your desk.
Choose the Kensington SD5780T if:
- You need 2.5GbE for a compatible local network.
- You want two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports for a display and high-speed accessories.
- You use a MacBook with a Pro or Max chip and want HDMI plus Thunderbolt display options.
- You work with UHS-II SD media.
- A three-year warranty, lock slots, TAA compliance, or DockWorks management features are useful.
Read the individual Belkin Connect Pro TB4 review and Kensington SD5780T review for the full product details.