Our Picks for Best USB to Ethernet Adapter

By | March 14, 2023

Our Picks for Best USB to Ethernet Adapter
Using a USB to Ethernet adapter is a quick, easy way to get an internet connection or transfer files over a distance.

While most usually go the wireless route with a wireless USB dongle, a USB-to-Ethernet adapter has its place in many scenarios.

Many times Ethernet is run when wireless won’t reach, and a simple setup is needed.

Other times an Ethernet card has gone bad on a laptop or desktop, and using a converter is much more straightforward than doing a repair.

What is a USB to Ethernet Adapter?

A USB to Ethernet Adapter can extend a USB cable or connect to a router for an internet connection.

For example, if the Ethernet port on a PC is no longer working a USB to Ethernet Adapter can be used to replace it.

This makes for an easy fix, especially on a laptop that may be impossible to repair the Ethernet port.

USB Version Data Transfer Speeds

  • USB 1.0 – 1.5 Mbps
  • USB 1.1 – 12 Mbps
  • USB 2.0 – 480 Mbps
  • USB 3.0 – 5 Gbps
  • USB 3.1 -10Gbps

The USB version varies in how fast they can transfer data Mbps (Megabits per second), with some versions very fast and some slow.

USB 3.0 was released in 2008, and most computers will have USB 3.0 or higher built-in, but be sure to check.

Fast Ethernet: speeds are rated for 100Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet is rated for 1Gbps (1,000 Mbps).

A computer with at least USB 3.0 should be able to match Ethernet speeds, but anything lower will slow down data transfers.

Be sure to check the USB version on your PC to see what the speed results will be.

An adapter using USB 2.0 and lower will still work, but the speed will be slower.

Many good units are available, with some of our favorite picks below.

As always, be sure to read the reviews on Amazon, forums, here, or elsewhere to be sure a unit is a good fit for you.

*This post contains affiliate links.
Our Picks for Best USB to Ethernet Adapter

  1. UGREEN Ethernet Adapter
  2. Available Here on Amazon

    UGREEN makes many products, including a USB Ethernet Adapter.

    It is a USB 2.0 unit and has wide compatibility, including PCs, Macs, and gaming boxes.

    USB 2.0 has a transfer speed of 480 Mbps which is much higher than most standard ISP speeds.

    While USB 3.0 is faster, USB 2.0 has much wider compatibility with almost all devices.

  3. Cable Matters
  4. Available Here on Amazon

    This small unit is a USB 3.0 to 0/100/1000 GB Ethernet adapter.

    USB 3.0 has a max speed of 5Gbps, so it is a fast unit that would be almost impossible to max out.

    USB 3.0 is also backward compatible, so it would also work in a new or old machine. It is also Mac or Windows-compatible.

  5. Anker 3-Port
  6. Available Here on Amazon

    The Anker is a good option for those who have limited USB ports.

    It adds 3 USB ports as well as an Ethernet port.

    The Ethernet converter itself runs Gigabit speeds with USB 3.0, which will max out most any home network.

    Since USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet are backward compatible, it will also fit into a slower USB 2.0 10/100 network.

  7. SIIG USB 3.0 to RJ45
  8. Available Here on Amazon

    For those looking for a fast USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet adapter, this unit from SIIG gives a nice streamlined unit.

    It is a low-cost replacement for an Apple USB Ethernet adapter and is also Windows compatible.

    It is also designed to fit into almost any setup, from a MacBook to a Surface.

Summary
Using a USB-to-Ethernet adapter is a good way to get fast, reliable speeds on the cheap.

Most often, they are used to replace a bad internal Ethernet card but can also be used to upgrade an existing system.

Before buying a unit, be sure which USB speeds your computer uses; if in doubt, go with USB 3.0 as it is backward compatible.

Be sure the unit also matches your operating system.

The setup for USB-to-Ethernet is usually plug-and-play by connecting the unit up and ready to go. Sometimes drivers will need to be loaded depending on the operating system being used.

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