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With the every growing importance of Bluetooth technology, it is imperative to have a computer that includes this feature. But what if you have an old computer that doesn’t have a Bluetooth and you need to connect your new wireless bluetooth adapter accessory to your system.Â
Well fortunately, if you do not own a PC with an in-built Bluetooth, then the next best available option is to get a Bluetooth adapter.
These Bluetooth adapters will make the transfer and other functions easy for you wherein you can easily connect your wireless keyboard, mouse, and headsets with your PC. The best part is that these Bluetooth adapters come in the form of a USB, which makes the overall process extremely simple for you. You don’t require plugging a device to your PC in order to make it Bluetooth enabled. Just insert the USB Bluetooth adapter and you are good to go!
Now, when you know that you have great alternatives if your PC is not Bluetooth enabled, you must be wondering which are the best USB Bluetooth adapters that you can get for yourself. To make it easy for you, we have gathered a list of best USB Bluetooth adapters which have good reviews online and wouldn’t dig a hole in your pocket.Â
But before we dive into the list of the best USB Bluetooth adapters that can buy online, let’s have a glance at the all the features that you need to consider while buying Bluetooth adapter for your PC.Â
Even though getting a Bluetooth adapter for your system is not that complicated but you need to know what will suit your needs the best. Here are a few factors that you should consider before making the purchase:
- Bluetooth Version
You need to get a Bluetooth adapter which utilizes less energy and is backward compatible with those devices which have a previous version of Bluetooth. For the same, any adapter with Bluetooth version lower than Bluetooth version 4.0 will surely disappoint you.
Bluetooth ve4.0 will offer you better stability and more range to connect even those devices which are at a distance.
- Maximum Bluetooth Range
The transmission range of a Bluetooth device is determined by the class of Bluetooth it belongs to. You can find both Class 1 and Class 2 Bluetooth adapters in the market which offer a range of 100 meters and 10 meters respectively.
Class 2 Bluetooth adapters are perfect for use if you just need to connect your wireless keyboard, mouse, or a headphone.
Aside from these two main features, a USB Bluetooth adapter should support the wide range of Bluetooth accessories that are available out there. Also, it should be compatible with both PC and other devices with other operating systems.
Best USB Bluetooth Adapters for PC
Here is a list of 5 best Bluetooth adapters that you can buy for your PC today:
Avantree DG405- The best in budget USB Bluetooth Adapter for Windows PC
(Supports only Windows Based PC/Laptop)
With almost 70% five start rating from more than three thousand user reviews, Avantree’s DG405 Bluetooth4.0 Adapter is the perfect choice for you if you are tight on a budget but still want versatile connection options.
It supports Windows 10/8/7/Vista/ XP powered computers and laptops. You can connect the adapter to wireless mouse devices, keyboards, printers, headphones, tablets, speakers, soundbars, PS4 controllers, and any other device which requires low Bluetooth range. You will get a good sound quality whether you are listening to some music or on a Skype/Hangouts call. For those who prefer gaming wirelessly, this adapter will surely serve the purpose.
The best part is that the adapter comes with a plug-and-play compatibility for Windows 10 based computers. However for the older versions of Windows, you will need to install the driver from the CD or get it downloaded from Avantree’s support website.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Auto-installation for Windows 10 PCs
Cons:
- Doesn’t support other operating systems aside from Windows.
- Doesn’t support 2.4G devices
- Not compatible with Nintendo consoles and Xbox One Controllers
ZEXMTE Bluetooth Adapter- Inexpensive and Reliable
(Supports only Windows Powered PC/Laptop)
For a certainly cheap price, the ZEXMTE Bluetooth adapter offers a transfer speed of up to 3Mbps with Enhanced Data Rate support and a maximum of 10m operation range. The adapter comes with an auto installation for Windows 8 and 10 users, but any version lower than that needs a manual driver installation.
The bluetooth usb adapter uses the latest version of Bluetooth with BLE technology and is compatible with devices which use the previous versions of Bluetooth (V3.0/2.1/2.0/1.1). You can use this Bluetooth adapter to transfer files from your computer/laptop to an Android smartphone or wireless printer.
With the miniature size, ZEXMTE adapter blends with the computer without blocking the other USB ports. The bluetooth USB device is so compact that you wouldn’t even need to unplug it from the system. As far as the overall performance is considered, the adapter has decent reviews and provides decent range if you are looking for some casual use.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- Compact design that fits perfectly in the USB ports
- LED indicator
Cons:
- Limited Bluetooth range
ASUS BT400- Designed to Save Energy
(Supports only Windows Based PC/Laptop)
Asus is a brand popular for high performance devices and it doesn’t disappoint with BT-400 Bluetooth adapter. The adapter is designed for Bluetooth v4.0 accessories and is also backward compatible with the previous versions. The adapter has a simple plug-and-play installation and provides a 3Mbps data transfer rate.
The powerful feature that sets this adapter from Asus aside from the other ones available in the market is that it allows you to connect multiple devices at once easily. It comes with Bluetooth Low Energy technology which lets you experience enhanced connectivity with low power consumption.
Pros:
- Automatic installation for Windows 8/10
- Uses minimal energy
Cons:
- Doesn’t support Mac and TV
Avantree Leaf- Class I- Best Bluetooth Adapter for Audio
(Supports all Operating Systems)
Yet another Bluetooth adapter from Avantree, this particular one is designed for headphones and speakers. Even though Avantree Leaf Bluetooth adapter doesn’t support wireless mouse, keyboards, and game controllers but it is considered the best in class for audio.
Leaf Bluetooth adapter features an auto-installation for all the operating systems. All you need to do is plug-in the adapter to your computer and allow it to install the drivers in order to start working This long range adapter can has a range of up to 60 feet/20 meter without any interference.
With aptX Low Latency technology, the adapter helps in delivering high quality audio. The brand claims that when paired with their headphones, Avantree Leaf allows you to play games without the audio and video going out of sync.
Pros:
- Supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, and PS4 consoles
- Bluetooth v4.1
- Auto-installation for all devices
- Ideal for gaming consoles
Cons:
- Doesn’t support all wireless devices (apart from audio)
- Little pricey
Kinivo BTD 400- Energy Efficient Bluetooth Adapter
(Supports Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi)
The last Bluetooth USB adapter that has made into our list is Kinivo BTD-400 which is highly compatible with Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP, Raspberry Pi, and Linux. The adapter is ideal for battery powered PCs as it uses BLE technology to increase the efficiency and life of a system’s battery.
The standard 10m Bluetooth range is perfect for usual wireless accessories like mouse, keyboards, speakers, game controllers, etc. You will get an installation disk with a user guide or you can download the drivers from Kinivo’s website.
Pros:
- Sleep design
- Bluetooth v4.0 with backward compatibility
Cons:
- Installation takes some time
- Doesn’t support Mac
Wrapping up:
All the Bluetooth adapters mentioned in this post offer a stable connection and come with an ease to install. The list is definitely not exhaustive, but the ones above will surely give you a slack-free experience.