Best USB to Ethernet Adapters

It's always a bummer when you purchase a top-of-the-line, nay, state-of-the-art desktop computer or a gaming laptop in order to enjoy the latest triple-A titles or do some 3D modeling but, despite the exorbitant amount of money that they charge you for their hardware, the people behind it didn't do you to courtesy of equipping the computer with a sufficient number of ports. Fortunately enough, with the Anker AK-A7522012, the problem that we just described is about to become a thing of the past for you.

Having said that, this is a USB to Ethernet adapter first and foremost, so we thought that is the thing we have to bring up first. Though there isn't much to say about it. Just plug the 3.0 edition of the USB Type A into your computer and insert the Ethernet cable in the product in question and you will be able to enjoy a blazing fast, 1Gbps connection.

With that out of the way, let's talk about what it is that makes this particular model stand out from its contemporaries, shall we? Which, again, might not seem like much to somebody who doesn't necessarily know his way around these technologies. But for the tech junkies, the three additional USB 3.0 ports that this USB 3.0 to Ethernet adapter comes with will easily prove to be a blessing in no disguise. Simply put, the only problem with these adapters is that they take up one of the USB ports, the number of which is already often limited since people often rely on these ports to connect virtually everything to their computers, from a mouse and a keyboard to a printer and a headset. Which is why it is so important that, with the help of this computer accessory, you won't just give away one USB port for a wired Internet connection but will also gain two additional ports in return.

So, in case we haven't made ourselves clear already, the Anker AK-A7522012 could easily be described as the best USB to ethernet adapter for tech enthusiasts or just about anybody else who relies on multiple USB ports to connect all of his devices and does not want to give up one of them for an Internet connection.

So, you acquire the newest MacBook or any one of the latest high-end laptops and everything seems to be going peachy. The thing is sleek, fast, and so responsive that you feel like you can take on the whole world with it. The only problem is, the manufacturers wanted to make this thing so slick and modern that they thought an Ethernet port would be nothing but a nuisance. To top it all off, they also decided to rely on USB Type C, which is great and all, but you don't really own that type of adapter.

Well, you may have gotten yourself in a bit of a pickle, but don't worry, all you have to do is purchase a model like UNICE01 USB-C to Ethernet Adapter and you should be good to go. In case the name isn't a dead giveaway on its own, what we have here is an adapter that will allow you to insert the USB-C end into your laptop, the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the other side of the computer accessory, and poof, you know can enjoy the ever so reliable and ridiculously fast 1000 Mbs wired Internet connection. By the way, in case your provider does not offer this sort of connection, the model is downward compatible even with 1Mbps.

Setting the performance aside, we would also like to quickly mention the brilliant design of this USB C to Ethernet adapter. The whole thing is compact and lightweight, the braided cable that comes with the model offers some additional durability, and the aluminum casing ensures better heat insulation. And if all of that isn't enough for you, the manufacturers also decided to throw in a complimentary pouch that will allow you to always take this adapter with you.

All things considered, if you have already invested in a high-end laptop or one of the latest iterations of MacBook, there is really no reason not to compliment such a sophisticated setup with a no less sophisticated USB c to gigabit Ethernet adapter.

If you happen to be in possession of one of the older Ultrabooks, netbooks, MacBooks, ChromeBooks, Smart boxes, or even some of the latest tablets, you already know that these things come without an Ethernet port. And that's a real shame since you can't always rely on a wireless connection to deliver a stable and reliable signal. And with the UGREEN 20254, you won't have to.

The model from the eponymous company isn't particularly complicated and it doesn't offer you anything that you don't need. It comes with the second iteration of the USB Type A cable, which, as you probably know, is a bit outdated at this point, but there are still plenty of potent and reliable gadgets that rely on this type of connection.

And what makes this particular USB 2.0 Ethernet adapter so attractive to the owners of such devices is the aforementioned simplicity. It is USB powered, so it does not rely on any external power source. Plus, no driver installation is required, just plug this baby in and enjoy a 100 Mbps connection. A 4-inch cable will allow you to position this adapter however you want. A couple of LED indicators that display the Link and Activity status will surely come in handy as well.

By the way, speaking of the devices that you can use this adapter with, we forgot to mention the Nintendo Switch, Wii, and Wii U that will absolutely benefit from a stable connection that is always so important when it comes to online gaming.

All in all, the UGREEN 20254 USB 2.0 Ethernet adapter is exactly what people with older MacBooks and other somewhat outdated devices need in order to enjoy the benefits of a wired connection, which always beats the wireless one when it comes to everything but freedom of mobility.

If you need to add a standard RJ45 port to your gadget, opt for this adapter by TP-Link. Should you need a wired connection, you can use it to link your notebook to a router. It will also come in handy if you want to facilitate video streaming, conferencing, or gaming.

Finally, no lags in data transfers. TP-Link supports the Gigabit networking, which one-ups most wireless connections. While it won’t help you with the low speeds, watch out if you have the higher ones, as everything will fly. No more unstable Zoom calls when you pop in and out of the conference. Failed downloads or streams will also become a thing of the past.

Let’s face it; the Wi-Fi connection for Nintendo Switch is overrated. Choose the wired network with TP-Link – and enjoy a rocket-fast connection. No more failed levels or boss fights due to a Wi-Fi issue.

This versatile adapter can be used right outside the box for most systems. Yes, you’ll need to install a driver for Windows 7 and 8, and for macOS up to 10.15, which is a bit of a nuisance. Other than that, the only thing you’ll have to do is plug it in.

Checking the network status will be quick and easy with the built-in LED indicator. A single glance, and you see the picture.

All in all, this TP-Link adapter is a must-have for connecting your devices to the wired network – or replacing a broken Ethernet port.

Gaming or streaming falls flat on your device? Too many lags or broken connections? Try the Cable Matters Ethernet adapter to link your laptop to a router or network. That’s it, no drivers, no installation pains.

As you may know, many computer apps these days insist on the 100 Mbps Ethernet. Make their dream come true by using this adapter and connecting to the high speed network instead of the wobbling Wi-Fi. A great solution for the modern laptops that only support wireless connection – or a failed Ethernet port on an older laptop model.

This handy adapter is the definition of “plug-n-play”. All you have to do is plug it into the device’s USB port, and you’re good. No need to reboot anything, too.

Does it work with Nintendo Switch? Unfortunately, no. Android devices and Windows RT are also off the list. However, Windows, Mac OS X, Chrome OS, and Linux are all fine.

Need a really versatile Ethernet adapter? Congrats, you’ve just found it. The Cable Matters model supports WoL, FDX, and HDX Ethernet. Crossover Detection, Auto MDIX, and Backpressure Routing also make the list.

Great, but how about checking the connection status? No worries, the handy LED indicators will show you the connection/data transfer status at a glance.

To sum up, the Cable Matters Ethernet adapter is a simple end effective solution to your wired connection problems.