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. 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
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. This adapter is compatible with Windows systems (10/8/7/Vista/XP), and also works incredibly well on the Nintendo Switch (see best Nintendo Switch accessories).
3. TP-Link USB to Ethernet Adapter
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 product is durable, and like its counterparts above, doesn’t need installation on Windows 10 machines.
4. Cable Matters USB to Ethernet Adapter
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
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 braided lighting 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
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
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. 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.