USB-to-Ethernet adapters are handy devices that plug into your laptop’s USB port to give you high-speed internet connectivity. And with most laptops shunning the ethernet port, these are now more important than ever. These adapters are particularly useful on days when the home Wi-Fi’s speed trips and fluctuates.
You need to plug these adapters to your laptop or notebook, then plug the LAN wire to it, and that’s it. You will have access to high-speed internet on your system within seconds.
These USB-to-Ethernet adapters for Windows 10 are also incredibly easy to install. Some of them do not even need an installation process and follow the plug-and-play mantra. Yep, it’s that simple.
The best part is that these ethernet adapters are not just limited to USB-A ports. Over the years, there have been quite a few quality adapters with USB-C ports which works equally on Windows and macOS systems. And if you want to keep an eye on the speed, you can always go ahead and display the internet speed on the taskbar of your Windows machine.
Read on to find our picks for the best USB-to-Ethernet adapters out there.
1. AmazonBasics Ethernet Internet Adapter
The AmazonBasics Ethernet Internet Adapter takes the cake for being one of the simplest adapters out there. It’s available for USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, and the latter can facilitate gigabit speed. It’s a plug-and-play device and works out of the box. The best part is that it’s compatible with Windows 10 (including Windows 7 & 8) and older Macs and Chromebooks.
The speed is consistent, and quite a few users have noticed an improvement in their overall speed compared to their normal Wi-Fi speed.
The product is durable and will last you a long time if you are not too careless with it. However, do note that the wire is a bit short.
2. UGreen USB 2.0 Ethernet Adapter
Ugreen is a China-based manufacturer of phone and PC accessories. They consistently receive good reviews for the quality of their products, and the UGreen USB 2.0 Ethernet Adapter is no different. This USB 2.0 adapter is affordable that lets you connect a standard USB 2.0 port to the router or network switch directly.
Again, it works out of the box and doesn’t need any driver installation on most Windows 10 machines. Simply plug-in and get access to wired internet speed.
It has more than six thousand reviews on Amazon. Users love it for its no-fuss installation process.
This adapter is compatible with Windows systems (10/8/7/Vista/XP), and also works incredibly well on the Nintendo Switch (see best NinÂtenÂdo Switch accessories).
3. TP-Link USB to Ethernet Adapter
Another highly reviewed product is the one by TP-Link. This one costs considerably less than the ones mentioned above and is compatible with Windows and Linux systems. Design-wise, it looks pretty, thanks to the striking white color, and the odds are that it will complement the looks of your Windows 10 notebooks or ultrabook. There’s a subtle micro-LED light on the body to show you the connection status, and it lights up when plugged.
You can take your pick from the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 adapters, depending on your laptop’s ports. The resulting speed will vary accordingly.
The USB 3.0 adapter promises gigabit ethernet speed, and it delivers as per most of the reviewers on Amazon.
The product is durable, and like its counterparts above, doesn’t need installation on Windows 10 machines.
4. Cable Matters USB to Ethernet Adapter
The ethernet adapter by Cable Matters makes for a great buy if you’re looking for a cheap but reliable adapter. It has a single port and is quite similar to most of the products mentioned above. However, it has collected several good reviews over the years. That simple USB 3.0 adapter has more than two thousand reviews on Amazon with praising its flawless working.
It is a plug-and-play device that works out of the box. Though it consists of plastic-like material, the product is durable for the price.
This adapter also bundles a mini diagnostic LED indicator to verify the network status.
5. Uni USB-C to Ethernet Adapter
If your new-age laptop has a USB-C port, you can’t go wrong with the Uni Ethernet Adapter. It’s compact and comes with a single LAN port. And like all its counterparts above, it works out of the box. It’s a gigabit ethernet adapter and delivers stable connection speeds. All you need to make sure is to connect CAT6 cables, and you are good to go.
Over two thousand users have reviewed this product, and they loved the quality construction.
Unlike the products above, this one has a braided cable (see best braidÂed lightÂing cables for iPhones) that can withstand daily wear and tear. And the metal construction of the primary part adds to the looks of the device.
The Uni Ethernet Adapter is available in two colors — Gray and Silver and is also compatible with MacBooks (2016 – 2020)
6. Tecknet 3-Port USB Hub with Ethernet Adapter
You can’t go wrong with the Tecknet 3-Port USB Hub with Ethernet Adapter, especially if you are looking to buy a multi-port adapter with an ethernet port. That is a slim & sleek device with three USB ports and an RJ45 port. The best part? All three ports are USB 3.0 ports.
With some ultrabooks shunning USB ports in the run to attain a slimmer profile, this hub acts as a beacon of hope. Okay, I might have gone a bit overboard, but you get the gist (**wink wink**). A few extra ports do not hurt.
It’s compact and doesn’t look cheap. As you may have expected, it’s a plug-and-play device, and you needn’t worry about downloading additional software.
The Tecknet ethernet adapter has earned its share of rave reviews with users speaking highly of its ease of use and durability.
Last but not least, the small size also makes it easy to carry it while traveling.
7. Anker PowerExpand 4-in-1 Portable Data Hub
Anker is generally known for its quality products, be it the braided lightning cables or their fast charging power banks, and the USB-C to USB 3.0 Portable Data Hub is no different. It sports a sleek and stylish look, though it’s a tad larger than some of the products mentioned above. It’s bound to happen given the inclusion of the three USB 3.0 ports and the RJ45 ethernet port.
But if you can look beyond it, it’s quite a functional hub. You can get access to wired internet speed. Simultaneously, you can also get access to better signal for your other wireless accessories such as mouse and keyboards by attaching the Bluetooth receiver to the hub and freeing up the ports on the laptop.
It works as advertised and requires no installation.
However, it’s only available in one color (black), at least for now.
Hello, High Speed
Whether it’s a broken network card or the absence of an RJ45 port on your laptop, these USB-to-ethernet adapters go a long way in making your work easier in accessing the internet. Well, of course, it can be a bit messy with LAN cables snaking around the house, but thankfully, with a few clever cable management techniques, you can get it sorted easily.
Last updated on 02 February, 2022
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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