Dell WD25 vs WD25TB4 - Dell Pro Dock Comparison 2026

Dell WD25 vs WD25TB4: same generation, different connection class

The Dell WD25 and Dell WD25TB4 belong to Dell’s 2025 Pro Dock family, but they are not two trims of the same dock. The WD25 is the mainstream USB-C model. The WD25TB4 is the Thunderbolt 4 model.

That one connection difference changes the whole buying decision. The WD25 uses USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode at 10 Gbps. It is built for ordinary office desks that need DisplayPort, HDMI, USB peripherals, Ethernet, and 100W-class charging without DisplayLink software. The WD25TB4 uses Thunderbolt 4 at 40 Gbps. It has more bandwidth, two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports in the video list, a higher display ceiling in the YAML, and Dell’s stronger charging story for compatible Dell laptops.

The short verdict: the Dell WD25TB4 wins for most buyers with a Thunderbolt laptop. It scores 7.9/10 versus 7.7/10 for the WD25, has 40 Gbps host bandwidth instead of 10 Gbps, adds downstream Thunderbolt 4 expansion, and has the stronger monitor ceiling in the product data. Choose the Dell WD25 if you want a lower-cost USB-C fleet dock and your monitor setup fits Dell’s USB-C Alt Mode limits.

If you are not sure whether your laptop should use USB-C, Thunderbolt, or DisplayLink, start with our USB-C vs Thunderbolt docking station guide. This comparison assumes you are already choosing inside Dell’s Pro Dock family.

Quick specs comparison

The actual buying decision

This is not a complicated matchup once you ignore the similar names.

The WD25 is the sensible default for mainstream Dell and mixed USB-C offices. Its product data lists USB-C at 10 Gbps, DisplayPort Alt Mode video, no DisplayLink driver, 2.5GbE, four USB-A 3.2 ports, two USB-C 3.2 entries, two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, HDMI 2.1, a USB-C display-capable output, and 100W-class charging. For a normal desk with one or two monitors, Ethernet, keyboard, mouse, webcam, and a few USB devices, that covers the basics cleanly.

The WD25TB4 is the higher-end pick because Thunderbolt gives it room the WD25 does not have. The YAML lists a 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 4 host connection, two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, a higher score, and display notes that reach higher than the WD25’s USB-C Alt Mode table. It is also documented around 130W charging for compatible Dell computers, while the WD25 tops out at 100W for Dell systems.

The WD25 wins on price. The WD25TB4 wins on capability. That is the split.

USB-C vs Thunderbolt 4

The WD25 uses USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode. That means it depends heavily on what the host laptop can send over its USB-C port. Dell’s own YAML notes tie the best WD25 display modes to DisplayPort bandwidth, Display Stream Compression, processor family, monitor EDID, and operating system behavior. The dock can list impressive maximums, but the laptop still does much of the work.

The WD25TB4 has a Thunderbolt 4 host connection at 40 Gbps. That does not remove every caveat, but it gives the dock more bandwidth and a cleaner path for demanding desk setups. The product data still warns about host platform, DSC support, cables, operating system, and monitor EDID. It also warns that Apple Silicon Macs have their own display-count limits. Still, if your laptop has Thunderbolt 4, the WD25TB4 is the more capable match.

That is why the WD25TB4 wins this section. The WD25 is good USB-C docking. The WD25TB4 is a higher-bandwidth dock for laptops that can use it.

Display support

Both docks list up to four displays, but the details are very different.

The WD25 product data lists one 6K-class mode in notes, dual 5K WUHD notes, triple WQHD-class support, and quad WQHD-class support in the best documented scenarios. That is strong for a USB-C dock, but it comes with a long conditions list. The YAML repeatedly warns that output depends on host bandwidth, Display Stream Compression, GPU path, processor family, monitor EDID, cables, and operating system behavior.

The WD25TB4 product data has the bigger ceiling. It lists single 8K-class 60Hz support on capable hosts, dual-display support with notes for higher Dell modes in some Pro Thunderbolt 4 configurations, triple 4K@60Hz, and four 4K@60Hz. Those are still not unconditional promises for every laptop. They are, however, a stronger set of display notes than the WD25 has.

Mac users should be careful with both. The WD25TB4 YAML says Thunderbolt works for basic dock functions, but Dell’s Apple USB-C limitations still matter: no MST extended desktop through ordinary DisplayPort and HDMI paths, no MAC address pass-through, and Apple Silicon display-count limits. The WD25 YAML is even more cautious about macOS because Dell’s WD25 user guide excerpt lists Windows, Ubuntu, RHEL, and ChromeOS more clearly than macOS.

Display winner: Dell WD25TB4. It has the stronger display ceiling in the YAML and the Thunderbolt 4 bandwidth to make demanding setups more realistic.

For broader monitor recommendations, read our best docking stations for dual monitors guide.

Ports and expansion

The two docks share a lot of the same ordinary office ports. Both list two DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, one HDMI 2.1 output, one USB-C output with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode, four USB-A 3.2 ports, RJ45 with 1 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps speeds, no audio jack, and no card reader.

That shared layout is good. Dell clearly designed both around business desks rather than creator desks. You get modern monitor connectors and faster-than-Gigabit Ethernet, but you do not get SD, microSD, or 3.5mm audio. If your setup needs wired speakers, a headset jack, or card imports, plan on a small USB accessory either way.

The WD25TB4 pulls ahead because it adds two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports in its video list. That matters if you use Thunderbolt storage, a Thunderbolt display path, or a Thunderbolt accessory chain. The WD25 cannot offer that because it is not a Thunderbolt dock.

The WD25 has one small desk advantage: its included cable is listed at 0.9 m, while the WD25TB4 lists 0.83 m. That is not enough to swing the matchup, but on a crowded desk, a little extra cable reach can help.

Port winner: Dell WD25TB4. The shared Dell Pro Dock layout is close, but downstream Thunderbolt 4 expansion gives the TB4 model the edge.

Charging

Charging depends on which laptop you use.

The WD25 product data lists up to 100W host charging for Dell systems and notes 96W for non-Dell systems. That is enough for many Dell Pro, Latitude, XPS, and mainstream USB-C laptops, but the YAML warns that high-power mobile workstations may still need more. It also lists the dock with a 130W power adapter.

The WD25TB4 has the stronger Dell charging story. Its introduction, pros, compatibility notes, and FAQ describe up to 130W charging for compatible Dell laptops and up to 96W for non-Dell systems. It uses a 180W external power adapter. For a compatible Dell laptop that can use Dell’s higher charging mode, that is a meaningful reason to pick the Thunderbolt dock.

For non-Dell laptops, the two are basically tied in the YAML at 96W. If you use a MacBook, ThinkPad, HP, Framework, or another standard USB-C laptop, do not read the WD25TB4’s 130W figure as a universal USB-C Power Delivery promise.

Charging winner: Dell WD25TB4 for compatible Dell laptops. Tie for non-Dell systems at 96W.

Compatibility and setup risk

Both docks avoid DisplayLink, which is good if you do not want software video drivers. Both list driver type as None. Both also need the host laptop to cooperate.

The WD25 needs a USB-C host with DisplayPort Alt Mode. A data-only USB-C port will not drive monitors through it. Its known incompatibilities call out reduced display support on Qualcomm systems, Linux setups where the built-in panel remains active, and high-power workstations that need more than 100W.

The WD25TB4 needs Thunderbolt for the full experience. A non-Thunderbolt USB-C laptop may get basic dock functions only if it supports the right USB-C display mode, but it will not turn the dock into a full 40 Gbps Thunderbolt setup. The YAML also calls out lower charging on non-Dell laptops and Mac display-count limits.

For managed Dell Windows desks, the WD25TB4 is the better long-term fit because it gives you more headroom. For mixed USB-C fleets where not every laptop has Thunderbolt, the WD25 may be easier to deploy because its whole purpose is USB-C Alt Mode docking.

Value

The WD25 has the better price. Its YAML MSRP is $239.99, compared with $299.99 for the WD25TB4. If your desk only needs native USB-C video, 2.5GbE, four USB-A ports, DisplayPort, HDMI, and 100W-class charging, paying less for the WD25 is rational.

The WD25TB4 justifies its higher price when you use the features that only the Thunderbolt model has. You are paying for 40 Gbps host bandwidth, two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, a stronger display table, a higher product score, and 130W Dell charging for compatible systems. If those matter, the $60 MSRP gap is not the part to optimize around.

The wrong move is buying the WD25TB4 for a laptop that cannot use Thunderbolt, or buying the WD25 for a demanding Thunderbolt workstation desk because it is cheaper. Match the dock to the host.

Value winner: depends on the laptop. WD25 for straightforward USB-C desks. WD25TB4 for Thunderbolt desks where the extra bandwidth and Dell charging headroom will actually be used.

Verdict: WD25TB4 wins, but WD25 still has a job

The Dell WD25TB4 is the better dock in this comparison. It has the higher score, faster host connection, stronger display notes, downstream Thunderbolt 4 expansion, and a better charging ceiling for compatible Dell laptops. If you are buying for a modern Dell laptop with Thunderbolt 4, it is the one I would choose.

The Dell WD25 is still the right dock for plenty of desks. It costs less, keeps the useful Dell Pro Dock port layout, avoids DisplayLink, includes 2.5GbE, and handles mainstream USB-C office setups well. It is not worse at being a USB-C dock. It is simply not a Thunderbolt dock.

Choose the Dell WD25 if:

• Your laptop has USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode but not Thunderbolt 4
• You want the lower $239.99 YAML MSRP
• Your desk uses one or two ordinary office monitors
• You want native driverless USB-C video without DisplayLink software
• 100W Dell charging or 96W non-Dell charging is enough
• You do not need downstream Thunderbolt accessories

Choose the Dell WD25TB4 if:

• Your laptop has Thunderbolt 4
• You want the higher 7.9/10 product score
• You need more display headroom than the WD25’s USB-C Alt Mode table
• You use Thunderbolt storage, Thunderbolt displays, or other Thunderbolt accessories
• You have a compatible Dell laptop that can use the 130W charging mode
• You want the safer long-term pick for a higher-end Dell desk

For adjacent Dell options, compare the Dell WD25Z if you need a higher-power USB-C Pro Dock, or the Dell SD25TB4 if IT needs Smart Dock management. If you are still comparing dock classes, the docking station buying guide is the next stop.