Top-Rated Wireless Bluetooth Dongles : A Comprehensive Guide

Bluetooth adapters are portable devices that add functionality to non-Bluetooth devices, allowing them to connect wirelessly. Also known as Bluetooth dongles or transceivers, they’re perfect for upgrading your tech setup.

TP-Link USB Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter

Best Bluetooth Adapter Overall
$13 at Amazon

TP-Link UB400 Bluetooth Adapter

Best Budget Bluetooth Adapter
$10 at Amazon

COMSOON Aux Bluetooth Adapter

Best Bluetooth Adapter for AUX Ports
$17 at Amazon

YMOO Bluetooth Adapter

Best Bluetooth Adapter for TVs
$30 at Amazon

KINIVO Bluetooth Adapter

Best Bluetooth Adapter for PCs
$12 at Amazon

What to Look for in a Bluetooth Adapter in 2024

Bluetooth adapters come in various shapes and sizes and serve different purposes. Whether you need one for your TV, PC, Bluetooth keyboard , car, or Nintendo Switch , knowing the specific use will help you choose the right size and type, though they’re all pretty portable.

The Bluetooth version is important, too. Our recommended adapters range from Bluetooth 4.0 to 5.3. While a Bluetooth 5.3 adapter can work with older versions like Bluetooth 4.0 and lower, it will be limited to the features of the lower version.

Make sure to also check OS compatibility, since not all adapters work with every operating system or device. For example, the TP-Link UB500 works with Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and 11, but not Windows 8.

Consider the size of your space and choose an adapter that offers sufficient coverage. The adapters we recommend cover between 30 feet and 65 feet.

Finally, think about how many devices you’ll be connecting at once. Our featured adapters can connect between two and seven devices simultaneously, but adding more devices can impact performance.

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Best Bluetooth Adapter Overall: TP-Link UB500 Bluetooth Adapter

If you’re looking for the best Bluetooth adapter for most people, we recommend the TP-Link UB500 Bluetooth Adapter . It’s compact, portable, and very affordable. Plus, it’s powered by Bluetooth 5.3 technology, ensuring fast and reliable connections and impressive data transmission rates.

Using the TP-Link UB500 is super easy. Just plug it into a USB port on your computer, and you’re all set. It works seamlessly with Windows 8.1, 10, and 11. If you have Windows 7, you’ll need to download the relevant driver from the TP-Link website . Downloading is free, and the process is straightforward.

This adapter isn’t just for your computer—it also supports PS5/PS4 and Xbox controllers when connected to a PC. While it doesn’t work with Windows 8, XP, Mac, Linux, or TVs, it’s perfect for connecting Bluetooth devices like printers, phones, keyboards, mice, and headsets. In fact, you can connect up to seven devices at a time.

With a range of up to 65 feet, you can stay connected even if you’re moving around your home or space, as long as there aren’t any major obstacles in the way. This makes it great for households or offices where multiple people need to connect to Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

Best Bluetooth Adapter Overall

TP-Link UB500 Bluetooth Adapter

$13 $15 Save $2

The TP-Link UB500 is a versatile, easy-to-use, and affordable Bluetooth adapter that supports multiple devices and has a strong range, making it ideal for various home and office setups.

$13 at Amazon See at TP-Link See at B&H Photo Video

Best Budget Bluetooth Adapter: TP-Link UB400 Bluetooth Adapter

The TP-Link UB500 Bluetooth Adapter is a steal at less than $13. However, if you want to save more and don’t mind Bluetooth 4.0, we recommend the TP-Link UB400 Bluetooth Adapter . It costs less than $10 and still delivers high-quality performance like the TP-Link UB500 .

Thanks to its plug-and-play design, installing and setting up the TP-Link UB400 is super easy—plug it into your PC, and you’re ready to go. It supports Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and 11. If you’re using Windows 7 or XP, you’ll need to download the free driver from the TP-Link website.

Another thing we like about the TP-Link UB400 is its impressive range. Unlike Bluetooth 4.0 adapters that keep you tethered to your PC, the UB400 offers up to 65 feet of coverage, similar to the TP-Link UB500. Just make sure to disable any built-in Bluetooth on your PC for the best experience.

While the TP-Link UB400 is mainly designed for PCs, it also supports PS4 and Xbox controllers connected to a PC. Although it is incompatible with Mac, Linux, or TVs, it works with various Bluetooth devices like printers, phones, keyboards, mice, and headsets and can connect seven devices simultaneously.

Best Budget Bluetooth Adapter

TP-Link UB400 Bluetooth Adapter

$10 $12 Save $2

The TP-Link UB400 Bluetooth Adapter is an affordable and reliable option that offers easy setup and good range, perfect for connecting multiple Bluetooth devices to your PC.

$10 at Amazon See at B&H Photo Video

Best Bluetooth Adapter for Aux Ports: COMSOON Aux Bluetooth Adapter

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Looking to add Bluetooth to your non-Bluetooth car or home audio system? The COMSOON Aux Bluetooth Adapter is a solid choice that we highly recommend. This handy little device lets you stream music, podcasts, or any other audio wirelessly through your aux port (3.5mm audio jack).

Equipped with a Bluetooth 5.0 chip, the COMSOON adapter ensures a high-quality, stable connection with fast transmission and wide coverage. Perfect for non-Bluetooth car audio systems, it also works great with home stereos, speakers, and wired headphones. Setup is a breeze: power it up, plug it in, pair your device, and start playing your favorite tunes.

Another thing we like about the COMSOON Aux Bluetooth Adapter is its support for hands-free calling. Advanced noise cancelation will make your calls crystal clear and free from background noises like wind, traffic, or crowds. It also broadcasts navigation notifications so you can keep your eyes on the road and not on your screen.

You can connect up to two devices at once, and the adapter provides up to 16 hours of continuous use on a full charge, which takes about 2.5 hours with the included type-C cable. This portable Bluetooth adapter allows you to easily upgrade your non-Bluetooth car or headphones into a wireless powerhouse.

Best Bluetooth Adapter for AUX Ports

COMSOON Aux Bluetooth Adapter

$17 $20 Save $3

The COMSOON Aux Bluetooth Adapter wirelessly streams audio to non-Bluetooth aux devices, with high-quality connections, hands-free calling, and extended battery life.

$17 at Amazon See at Walmart See at Sears

Best Bluetooth Adapter for TV: YMOO Bluetooth Adapter

We recommend the YMOO Bluetooth Adapter as the perfect choice for anyone streaming TV audio through Bluetooth headphones. With this adapter, you can watch your favorite shows without disturbing anyone else or straining to hear or read the on-screen dialogue, whether at home or on a flight.

This adapter supports Bluetooth 5.3 and works as both a transmitter (TX Mode) and a receiver (RX Mode). In TX Mode, you can send audio from your TV, PC, or even airplane entertainment systems to your Bluetooth headphones or speakers, ranging from 50 to 100 feet. In RX Mode, you can connect your smartphone to wired speakers or headphones via Bluetooth, ranging from 30 to 50 feet.

Setting up the YMOO Bluetooth Adapter is a breeze, and it can connect to two devices simultaneously, whether in TX or RX mode, providing a stable connection. Its 400mAh battery offers up to 22 hours of continuous use in TX Mode and 20 hours in RX Mode, and it can even work while charging.

With support for AptX Low-Latency, you’ll experience minimal delay in audio (latency), though this feature requires compatible headphones and doesn’t support pairing two AptX Low-Latency devices simultaneously. While it’s not ideal for professional audio equipment or AirPods Pro/Max, the YMOO Bluetooth Adapter is a fantastic option for everyday use.

Best Bluetooth Adapter for TVs

YMOO Bluetooth Adapter

$30 $40 Save $10

The YMOO Bluetooth Adapter allows you to stream TV audio to Bluetooth headphones or speakers with ease, offering long battery life and support for low-latency audio.

$30 at Amazon

Best Bluetooth Adapter for PCs: KINIVO Bluetooth Adapter

If you use your PC for entertainment and need a reliable Bluetooth adapter, the KINIVO Bluetooth Adapter is a great choice. It supports Bluetooth 4.0 and works with PCs, Linux, Raspberry Pi, and various Bluetooth devices like printers, smartphones, headsets, stereo headphones, and game controllers, including the Xbox One wireless controller.

Setting up the KINIVO Bluetooth Adapter is easy. It’s plug-and-play for Windows 8 and 8.1, and you’ll need to download a free driver from KINIVO for Windows 10 and 11. It works with 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 8, as well as Raspbian and Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi, making it perfect for PCs without built-in Bluetooth.

The KINIVO Bluetooth Adapter’s nano design is small, compact, and portable. It sits flush in any USB port, so you can leave it plugged in without it getting in the way. It’s also easy to remove and take with you to the office or other locations.

The KINIVO Bluetooth adapter provides standard Bluetooth 4.0 Class 2 coverage with a range of up to 30 feet. While its range is less than that of other models like the TP-Link UB500 and UB400, it’s still sufficient for most users to move around comfortably in an average-sized room.

Best Bluetooth Adapter for PCs

KINIVO Bluetooth Adapter

The KINIVO Bluetooth Adapter is a compact, versatile, and easy-to-use option for connecting PCs and other devices via Bluetooth, offering reliable performance for everyday use.

$12 at Amazon See at Walmart

FAQ

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows connected devices to communicate with each other over short distances. Modern devices like smartphones, headphones, speakers, keyboards, mice, and even cars, all use Bluetooth technology.

Should I get a 4.0 or 5.0 Bluetooth adapter?

Choosing between a Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.0 adapter really comes down to your needs. Bluetooth 5.0 is more advanced and offers better performance, but both versions are backward compatible with older devices. If you use a Bluetooth 5.0 adapter with a Bluetooth 4.0 device, it will operate at the lower version’s capabilities. If you’re planning to upgrade your tech soon, it might be a good idea to go for the 5.0 adapter. It’ll work with your current devices and be ready for any new tech you get in the future.

What is the difference between a Bluetooth adapter and a Bluetooth receiver?

A Bluetooth adapter adds Bluetooth functionality to non-Bluetooth devices, allowing them to both send (transmit) and receive audio signals wirelessly, whereas a Bluetooth receiver is designed to only receive and play auido signals wirelessly.

Will a Bluetooth adapter reduce sound quality?

The impact of a Bluetooth adapter on sound quality depends on the codecs it uses and its data transfer rates. Adapters with Bluetooth 5.0 or 5.3 technology generally offer better sound, connectivity, range, and lower latency than those with Bluetooth 4.0. So, while a lower version adapter might affect sound quality, a higher version one can actually enhance it.

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