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Bluetooth is an essential wireless connectivity option for almost all electronic devices in modern times, but even so, you won’t find it as commonly as you should. A Bluetooth adapter can go a long way in solving that problem, especially with PCs that often do not come with Bluetooth onboard.
A Bluetooth adapter allows you to connect a plethora of devices wirelessly, and with newer Bluetooth versions emerging you may need if your computer has an outdated version.
Best Bluetooth Adapter for PC Reviewed
You don’t need to spend a ton to add Bluetooth compatibility to your computer. Bluetooth adapters are ubiquitously available and will only cost you $6-12 dollars depending on the brand and its offering.
Unfortunately, there are hundreds of Bluetooth dongles available for purchase, which can lead to choice-paralysis for the buyer. We’ve handpicked the 6 best Bluetooth adapters for PCs out there for your convenience and reviewed them.
Our Top Pick
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Avantree Bluetooth USB Dongle
The Avantree Bluetooth USB Dongle is a Bluetooth adapter with a micro adapter design that is further refined to be ergonomic and less intrusive. This dongle has fast installation and good speeds and comes with a 2-year warranty.
Great performance and small design make the Avantree USB Bluetooth adapter our favorite of the lot for Windows PCs.
The Avantree Bluetooth dongle is one of the most popular Bluetooth adapters on Amazon with thousands of reviews. This is because of the device’s power-efficient and high-speed technology that comes in simple micro adapter design.
The design of this tiny dongle is curved to give in an even smaller footprint than most square-shaped micro adapters. As a result, you won’t be poked by it if you ever run your hand across the ports of your desktop computer or laptop.
Installation takes just a second, and the driver comes on an included CD that can configure the adapter in just a few minutes. The driver, however, is completely optional. The device comes in two models, both performing the same way, but the more expensive model has compatibility with older Windows operating systems.
Avantree’s Bluetooth dongle comes with a standard range of 10 meters or 33 feet. It offers 2 years warranty which is a year more than what most companies provide.
Pros
- Good speed
- 24-month warranty
- Easy installation
- Compact design
Cons
- Lacks compatibility with other operating systems
Best for Audio Streaming
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Avantree Leaf Long Range
The Avantree Leaf is the best Bluetooth adapter for PC connecting audio devices. You can’t connect other peripheral Bluetooth devices to this dongle, but it works exceptionally well with all operating systems as well as consoles for high-quality streaming. It comes with an extended range of 20 meters (60 feet) as well.
If you’re looking for a Bluetooth adapter for your wireless headphones or Bluetooth speakers, there isn’t any adapter that can compete with the Avantree Leaf.
If you’re looking for a Bluetooth adapter for audio, there isn’t anything that can beat the Avantree Leaf. Unfortunately, this Bluetooth adapter doesn’t support input devices like controllers, printers, mice, keyboards etcetera, which makes it quite limited in its applicability.
However, those looking to buy the best Bluetooth dongle for audio won’t find a better product, especially as a Bluetooth headphone adapter.
The dongle supports just about every OS out there and is also compatible with PS4 and Xbox One S for streaming audio. It has a very easy installation that requires no drivers.
What makes this a truly unparalleled audio Bluetooth adapter though is its impressive specs and features. It features aptX Low Latency technology that greatly reduces latency between video and audio to an indiscernible amount. It also has the longest range of any Bluetooth dongle at 20 meters or 60 feet – twice as much as what others offer.
This Avantree Bluetooth adapter also uses more powerful Bluetooth 4.1 instead of regular 4.0. It also comes with a 24-month warranty.
Pros
- Best adapter for audio streaming
- 24-month warranty
- Great range
- Fast performance
- Compatible with an array of devices
Cons
- Can only connect with audio devices
- Expensive
3. TP-Link USB Bluetooth Adapter UB400
UB400 from TP-Link is a great Bluetooth adapter that has a great range for connecting all your devices to your PC and Laptop via Bluetooth. You can definitely rely on TP-Link for their connectivity devices like their Wi-Fi adapters and internet routers, this Bluetooth adapter is also one of their reliable products that will come in handy if your laptop or PC does not have Bluetooth built-in.
Everyone knows TP-Link from their internet switches and other internet connectivity devices, however, their Bluetooth device also deserves some praise, as it has a really good range of about 45 to 60 Feet, to cover your whole room and without interference cover other rooms as well. The TP-Link UB400 is a super small form factor adapter which takes almost no space when connected.
The only problem we found out was that it was not compatible with any other device other than Microsoft Windows. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10, it was detected directly without any drivers which was great, we all like plug and play features on these devices.
But for older versions of Windows, you will need a driver which is free to download on their site, so that is not bad either. So to those of you who are clinging to their past, by that we mean the past Windows operating system, you can get it to work with a driver. Pretty sweet huh?
Pros
- Plug and Play for the latest Windows OS
- Good Speed
- Great build quality
Cons
- Only works on Windows Operating System
4. Sabrent USB Bluetooth 4.0 BT-UB40
If you like an indicator on your Bluetooth Adapter, then Sabrent BT-UB40 is for you. This Bluetooth adapter looks really great, is really fast when connecting to your PC.
When we plugged in this Bluetooth adapter, it was detected by our Windows 10 OS in a second, which was great. We did not detect any lag when using our Bluetooth devices connected through the Sabrent BT-UB40, it was working seamlessly. They also include a driver CD, but optical drives are super rare and you might need to buy one, but you will not need it unless you are using a really old OS.
The Sabrent BT-UB40 also works on Linux and Raspberry Pi so you get multi-platform support, sadly it does not work on macOS, which is kind of sad, because they could’ve just taken it a step further and get compatibility for it making it a great device.
There is a small blue LED indicator when the device is connected which you can turn off from your system. The design looks stylish too, so plus points for aesthetics right there for the Sabrent BT-UB40. It has a range of about 33 feet, which is ideal for home use.
Pros
- Multi-Platform Compatibility
- LED Indicator
- Fast Speed
Cons
- Size is bigger than rest
5. ASUS USB Adapter with Bluetooth
The ASUS Bluetooth PC adapter is dedicated to Windows 10. ASUS is a giant in computer hardware technology, so it’s not surprising their Bluetooth adapter makes it in our top 6 list. With backward compatibility like most Bluetooth dongles, this adapter by ASUS supports Bluetooth 2.0/2.1/3.0/4.0.
The adapter is dedicated for use with Windows 10, but it can also be used on older Windows device. It does not, however, come with Linux, Mac, or Raspberry Pi compatibility.
Like other Bluetooth adapters, the ASUS variant can connect with a variety of devices such as keyboards, headphones, controllers, printers, and more. It features the standard operating range of 10 meters or 33 feet. The product comes with a 2-year warranty and has an easy plug and play setup.
Pros
- 24-month warranty
- Compact design
- Easy installation
Cons
- Only compatible with Windows
6. Zexmte Bluetooth USB Adapter CSR 4.0
Zexmte brings a lot of the same to the table like the above devices but slaps a very reasonable price tag on its CSR 4.0 Bluetooth adapter. If you’re still using Windows XP for some strange reason, the Zexmte has you covered as it has support for all Windows version dating back to XP.
The Zexmte uses low energy Bluetooth (BLE) technology that takes little to no battery from your laptop and minimal power from your desktop computer’s PSU. It comes in the signature micro adapter design, but with better ergonomics, in mind, as indicated by the cutaways for your fingers.
Requiring no drivers, the Zexmte is a plug and play device for all Windows operating systems. If you do have trouble installing it though, there are drivers that come with the device on a CD. It does not, however, work with Mac and Linux systems.
The device comes at a standard range of 10 meters or 33 feet, though the actual range is lower than other Bluetooth dongles when tested in the same surroundings.
The price of the Zexmte and its lifetime warranty are the two most attractive factors of this Bluetooth Adapter.
Pros
- Supports all Windows operating systems
- Lifetime warranty
- Compact design
- Easy installation
- Affordable
Cons
- Only compatible with Windows
- Range is smaller than advertised
Bluetooth Adapter for PC Buyer’s Guide
Compatibility
Compatibility of a Bluetooth adapter should be the main feature you’ll want to look at. You shouldn’t go for a Bluetooth adapter that doesn’t support all your devices. This goes for the operating system as well as the devices you will be connecting to it.
Almost all Bluetooth dongles are compatible with Windows 10. Quite a few of these dongles are also compatible with older versions of Windows. However, you’ll get less compatibility with Linux or Mac OS.
If you are using multiple operating systems in the same PC or across different PCs, you should look to get an adapter that has support for all of them.
Additionally, you also want to look at what peripherals can connect with the adapter. If you’re only looking to connect your wireless Bluetooth headsets, you’ll want the Avantree Leaf because it offers lower latency with compatible audio headphones and can run across all major platforms and videogame consoles.
If you are looking to connect basic peripherals like mice, keyboards, printers, and mobile phones, opt for a more conventional micro Bluetooth USB adapter instead.
Bluetooth Version
In the current technological era, any Bluetooth adapter that offers anything below Bluetooth 4.0 should be discarded. Obsolete versions are not only slow but lack range as well. With a Bluetooth 4.0 adapter, you’ll be able to connect the latest devices.
Moreover, Bluetooth 4.0 is backward compatible, so you don’t have to worry if you’re connecting a device with an older Bluetooth chipset. Bluetooth 4.0 also consumes less energy which is crucial for laptops.
Transmission Distance
The transmission distance is also important in your purchase decision, though it is usually a more consistent feature than others. The distance primarily depends on the version as well as the class of the Bluetooth adapter. Class 1 adapters can transmit data all the way up to 330 feet. Class 2 dongles only work in a range of 33-60 feet.
For the average consumer, a class 2 device is sufficient. Make sure your Bluetooth adapter is within 20 feet of the device you’re connecting it to as other factors can reduce the maximum operating range of a Bluetooth 4.0 adapter.
FAQs
Why is my Bluetooth device not working within the advertised range of the dongle?
The advertised range of a Bluetooth device is its maximum possible range with a minimal interface. Metallic devices and other signals falling within the Bluetooth 4.0 frequencies will interfere with the adapter and can significantly reduce range.
It is advised that you use your Bluetooth device within 20 feet of the adapter if the advertised range is 33 feet.
What is the difference between Class 1 or Class 2 Bluetooth adapters?
Class 1 adapters are industrial grade devices that require Bluetooth connectivity at longer distances and more speed. Class 2 adapters are for average consumers. All Bluetooth adapters listed in this article are Class 2.
What do I do when my Bluetooth device can’t be installed on my computer?
Almost all Bluetooth adapters come with a drivers CD that can be used to manually install the dongle in case your computer doesn’t recognize the device by itself. However, make sure your device is compatible with the operating system you are using before purchase.
What is the fastest data rate available on Bluetooth devices?
The fastest transfer rate via Bluetooth 4.0 is 25 Mbps. However, because of the low energy function of Bluetooth adapters, very few will reach that transfer speed.