1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best audio
4. Best long-range
5. Do I need a Bluetooth adapter?
6. Why trust Laptop Mag?
The idea of purchasing a standalone Bluetooth adapter might seem a little off-kilter. Especially given the fact that most modern laptops offer Bluetooth connectivity straight out of the box.
However, Bluetooth adapters allow you to make use of the latest versions of this standard, as well as improved audio quality and effective range. They're also ideal for connecting Bluetooth headsets to games consoles, and some Hi-Fi systems even offer the ability to use these adapters to transmit your audio between devices.
The Bluetooth found within your laptop is likely to be a more standard offering that won't feature some of the bells and whistles found within our selection on this page, making each one a substantial upgrade over what you're currently making use of.
Naturally, we've run through the best Bluetooth USB adapters available to help you make the right choice. Each adapter serves different needs, but we'll get you squared away on which adapter best suits you best. Whether you’re looking to stream music, transfer data, or enjoy some wireless gaming, Laptop Mag has you covered, these are the best Bluetooth USB adapters for PC (and more) in 2024.
Rael Hornby brings decades of tech enthusiasm to the table with a broad history of technical support, web design, and journalism under his belt. As Laptop Mag's content editor and resident reviewer of accessories, software, and peripherals, he brings a knowledge of all things laptop-related to the table to maximize your setup and improve your overall computing experience — all while seeking out the best performing and value products in each category for our readers.
Best Bluetooth USB adapters for PC 2024: The list in brief
A speedy Bluetooth 5.0 adapter with solid transfer rates and support for seven additional devices at a price you can't fault.
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Ideal for audio, the Avantree DG80 works with laptops and games consoles to deliver quality soundscapes at speed.
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With a range of over 100 yards, ZEXMTE's Bluetooth adapter promises stable connections across even larger homes.
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The best Bluetooth USB adapters for PC in 2024
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The best Bluetooth USB adapter is the Asus BT500. Combining Bluetooth 5 with an Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) allows the adapter to perform well across a number of tasks. In ideal conditions, Asus’ adapter can reach speeds of up to three megabytes per second (MBps) across a range of 40 meters. This makes the BT500 an ideal candidate for an at-home Bluetooth solution, for a more than fair price of $20.
Should your focus be solely on transmitting strong audio to Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headsets, choosing a specialized adapter may suit you better. The Avantree DG80 is an audio-only Bluetooth adapter that seeks to deliver better than CD audio to your Bluetooth devices with as little lag as possible.
Looking to communicate with Bluetooth devices at further distances? Adapters like the ZEXMTE Long Range can offer class 1 Bluetooth coverage of up to 100 meters. Thanks to onboard EDR and AptX technology, you won’t have to choose between speed or range — though getting the best results requires class 1 Bluetooth peripherals to match the adapter.
Best overall
The Asus BT500 is a Bluetooth 5.0 adapter that uses EDR to reach speeds of up to 3MBps, over twice that of Bluetooth 4.0. The BT500 is capable of pairing with up to seven devices at a time over a maximum range of 40 meters of open space.
For $20, you’ll be able to use the Asus BT500 to connect to any of your Bluetooth-enabled devices, including headsets, speakers, or game peripherals (including DualSense and Xbox Wireless controllers).
Finding a reputable name in the Bluetooth market is often harder than you’d think, so having the Asus brand and a two-year warranty attached to this adapter should ease any concerns about quality.
If you’re a Windows user, Asus’ BT500 is an overall safe bet for your wireless needs. It’s fast, can handle a sizable amount of devices, and has a decent enough range to ensure your day-to-day computing needs.
Best audio
Compatible with all major consoles, along with both Windows and Mac computers, the Avantree DG80 is an audio-only Bluetooth 5.0 adapter with good coverage for headsets and speakers. Able to reach devices at up to 65 feet (20 meters) indoors and 100 feet (30m) via line of sight, the Avantree DG80 is a fantastic wireless solution for your audio needs.
To stress the point, the DG80 is an audio-only Bluetooth adapter, which means it won’t connect with anything other than headsets, soundbars, or speakers. Specialized support for AptX Low Latency and FastStream work great with compatible devices to keep your audio lag-free and beyond CD quality, making the DG80 a brilliant go-to for wireless audio in the home.
You can pick up the Avantree DG80 online for around $30, and if you’re looking for a Bluetooth adapter to manage your audio needs, this adapter is well worth checking out. However, if you have more than audio in mind, it might be best to look for something else from our selection.
Best long-range
The strongest selling point of the ZEXMTE Long Range USB Bluetooth 5.0 adapter is its incredible range. As a Class 1 Bluetooth 5.0 adapter, you can expect coverage of up to 328 feet (100m) at speeds of up to 3Mbps. ZEXMTE’s adapter employs an anti-interference ability that ignores the 2.4GHz frequency, avoiding any issues involving wireless traffic to ensure a stable connection. Thanks to its AptX Low Latency and EDR support, streaming audio to your devices should remain lag-free, even at distance.
It’s $20 to pick up the ZEXMTE adapter online, and that’s a fair price to pay for a long-range solution for your Bluetooth needs. However, before you add this item to your cart, it’s worth noting that to make the most of the sizable coverage the ZEXMTE adapter offers, you’ll also need Class 1 Bluetooth devices that are designed to be used across a similar distance.
If you already own a lot of the devices you’re expecting to pair, it may be worth checking which Bluetooth class they belong to first. Most Bluetooth devices are class 2, which means they have a considerably lower range, and will struggle to take advantage of the ZEXMTE’s 100m coverage. For the best results, you will need to pair this adapter with other class 1 Bluetooth devices, which potentially means you’d need to upgrade a number of your gadgets.
Do I need a Bluetooth adapter?
It's likely that your laptop already makes use of Bluetooth, so you may be wondering if you really need a separate Bluetooth adapter as well. After all, the Bluetooth found in most laptops is perfectly fine for connecting a wireless mouse, keyboard, or game controller.
While the Bluetooth management offered by your laptop is great to have, it's a rather generic option that isn't really tailored to any one particular use. It's also possible that your laptop uses a n older version of the technology, meaning that buying a Bluetooth adapter that supports the most up to date version could result in faster and more wider reaching connections.
However, one of the strongest cases for picking up a Bluetooth adapter lies with audio quality. The Bluetooth included with your laptop is typically tuned for generic use, with data connections likely prioritized.
However, there are Bluetooth adapters available that support more advanced audio codecs such as aptX (and aptX HD) or LDAC for superior sound quality that can lower the latency and eliminate any lip-sync issues when it comes to games and media.
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