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When your personal computer or laptop lacks the wireless connectivity you need, don't fret — the best Bluetooth adapters for PCs and laptops will get you connected in no time. Not only will they be a breeze to install, but they’ll be compatible with your operating system and will have Bluetooth 4.0 technology, so you can connect with older computers, as well as new.
Choosing The Best Bluetooth Adapter For Your PC
When you're on the hunt for the best Bluetooth adapter, you should consider compatibility and all the core features — connectivity and ease of use, for example — you’ll need to enable Bluetooth on your PC. And for the best range possible, you'll want an adapter that offers Bluetooth version 4.0 or higher. These types of adapters require use less energy and feature backward compatibility, making it super easy to connect to devices that might feature an older version of Bluetooth. Installation-wise, plug-and-play options are certainly the easiest. However, other styles do exist (they just require drivers to start working).
Although the majority of Bluetooth adapters or dongles can be used with Windows OS, many of them are not compatible with Linux or Mac OS. So, make sure what you go with is PC compatible. Below, shop a list of the best options on Amazon.
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The Best Bluetooth Adapter, All Things Considered
The Avantree USB Bluetooth dongle is a perfect USB adapter for work and play. With up to 32 feet of transmission at a rate of 3 megabits per second, you can use it to connect a wide range of Bluetooth devices, from keyboards to speakers and game controllers. The Bluetooth 4.0 adapter is incredibly easy to use, especially if you’re working with a PC or laptop with Windows 8 or 10 installed. The plug-and-play option kicks in to update your computer's drivers automatically, meaning you don’t have to lift a finger. It does work with older versions of Window (7, Vista, and XP), but the drivers won't automatically install — you'll have to add them manually.
What fans say: "Very simple plug and play. I am using it to send sound via Bluetooth to my Bose Soundtouch 10 speakers, I have 2 of them connected in stereo mode and it works flawlessly, I have tried it on a Windows 7 system and a Windows 10 system and in both cases it just picked up the windows drivers and worked without the need to use the included driver disc.”
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Also Great: An Even Cheaper Bluetooth Adapter That Does The Job
The Zexmte external Bluetooth adapter is a budget-friendly, plug-and-play adapter that'll save tons of space. With Bluetooth 4.0 technology, this tiny option is only under an inch wide, making it easy to leave it plugged in without blocking additional USB ports you might need. Connect any Bluetooth-enabled device — even speakers — you want for a seamless experience within its provided range of 33 feet. It’s compatible with 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista, and XP.
What fans say: "Plug and play (Windows 10 on older Vaio Laptop) - worked instantly with no need to install drivers or software. Appeared in Control Panel and recognized and connected to several 'local' Bluetooth devices (mouse, sound bar) without a problem. [...] Great price, solved a problem, highly recommend.”
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A USB Adapter With A Long Range
The ASUS USB adapter is worth considering, as it features the latest Bluetooth 4.0 technology and works with Windows 7, 8, 10, and Windows XP. Like others on this list, this is a plug-and-play adapter that'll update your PC to automatically connect with your favorite Bluetooth gadgets. It has a 33-foot range at 3 megabits per second, giving you lots of flexibility.
What fans say: "This guy arrived in the mail, I plugged it into the USB slot, dropped in the driver disc, and within a couple minutes (5 tops?) I was able to connect my Bose headphones to my computer. Yay!”
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