Bluetooth adapter in test 2023
If you want to connect an older PC to modern end devices, you usually have to use the good old USB cable, since wireless Bluetooth is often not installed. But there is also a convenient way to retrofit your PC with Bluetooth: the so-called Bluetooth adapter. In our following guide article, we will tell you how such a Bluetooth adapter actually works and what advantages and disadvantages it has. You will also find out here which important criteria you should definitely take into account when looking for a suitable Bluetooth adapter.
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Confitik Bluetooth Adapter PC - USB Bluetooth 5.3... |
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TP-Link UB500 Nano USB Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter ... |
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UGREEN Aux Bluetooth Adapter Car Bluetooth 5.3... |
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UGREEN Bluetooth Audio Adapter HiFi Bluetooth 5.3... |
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Logitech Wireless Bluetooth Audio Receiver,... |
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LENCENT Bluetooth FM Transmitter Car, Adapter... |
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Bluetooth Adapter Car Aux Bluetooth Adapter... |
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Bluetooth adapter PC, USB Bluetooth 5.3 dongle... |
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ORIA Bluetooth Aux Adapter, 2 in 1 Bluetooth 5.0... |
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Bluetooth adapter 5.3, USB Bluetooth dongle... |
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| 11 |
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UGREEN Bluetooth transmitter jack Bluetooth adapter,... |
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UGREEN Bluetooth adapter for PC, Bluetooth stick... |
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Mohard AUX Bluetooth adapter car, wireless car... |
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| 14 |
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Glangeh Bluetooth Adapter Car, Upgraded Bluetooth... |
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| 15 |
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2-in-1 Bluetooth 5.0 transmitter receiver jack... |
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Bluetooth adapter – what is that actually?
Anyone who owns an old PC or laptop should know that modern transmission methods such as Bluetooth are usually not available here. But do you really have to buy a new computer if you want to transfer data wirelessly via Bluetooth in the future? Fortunately, the answer is “no”. So-called Bluetooth adapters are already available on the market for little money. This is a type of plug that simply plugs into a free USB port. Once this is done, the PC has an active Bluetooth connection, so you can easily connect it to Bluetooth-compatible end devices - for example with Smartphones or Tablets. From now on there is no longer any difference to a modern PC with a Bluetooth connection. However, Bluetooth adapters are not only available for upgrading PCs and laptops: Depending on the model, you can also use them to upgrade an old stereo system or a television. It is important, however, that there are many different types of Bluetooth adapters on the market and not all of them are equally suitable for every task. However, with our help below, it should be relatively easy to find a suitable model.
What is a Bluetooth adapter for?
A Bluetooth adapter is actually always an advantage when wireless devices are to be paired with another device, but the receiving device does not have integrated Bluetooth. For example, becoming increasingly popular Bluetooth keyboards and Bluetooth mice, which enable particularly convenient operation and do without the universally hated tangle of cables. Surround loudspeakers or soundbars are now also increasingly available in a wireless Bluetooth version - these can now also be easily connected to older PCs or stereo systems with the help of a Bluetooth adapter. The same applies to wireless Bluetooth headphones, which can be used to listen to music throughout the room, and Bluetooth Microphones, which are particularly popular with gamers.
Many people also own a smartphone, which they enjoy listening to music with. Services such as Spotify and Deezer are particularly popular with young users and encourage them to listen to their favorite songs not only through the mobile device's poorly-sounding loudspeakers, but rather through large speakers. Here, too, a Bluetooth adapter can be advantageous in order to transfer your own playlist to older devices and the loudspeakers connected to them. However, it should be noted that you need a special Bluetooth adapter for this, which is designed for the transmission of music. We now want to go into this topic in more detail.
What are the different types of Bluetooth adapters?
Bluetooth adapters are divided into two different product groups. On the one hand there is the Bluetooth dongle, on the other hand the Audio Bluetooth Adapter (short: AUX) is waiting to be discovered.
We have summarized for you here which tasks both models are designed for.
Bluetooth dongle
A Bluetooth dongle is basically the classic Bluetooth adapter. Its appearance is very reminiscent of a USB stick and, like the stick in question, it is plugged into a free USB port on the computer or laptop. You can then easily search for the Bluetooth dongle with a Bluetooth-compatible end device (smartphone etc.) in order to pair both devices with each other. Alternatively, you can connect a variety of Bluetooth devices such as Bluetooth keyboards, Bluetooth mice, Bluetooth speakers or Bluetooth in this way Bluetooth Headset connect to the PC. The Bluetooth dongle obtains the energy required for use directly from the PC, so that it is not necessary to connect an additional charging cable. Bluetooth adapters with a nano design are also becoming increasingly popular. These are so tiny that you can easily carry them in any pocket, no matter how tight. It is important, however, that the dongle must of course be permanently plugged into the USB port for the use of Bluetooth devices - so this port is also permanently occupied.
Audio bluetooth adapter
An audio Bluetooth adapter is almost identical to a Bluetooth dongle in terms of its application. However, there are three important differences: Firstly, only audio data can be transmitted with such an adapter - it is therefore not suitable for connecting keyboards, mice etc. Secondly, an audio Bluetooth adapter is not plugged into a USB port, but instead depending on the USB port Model into a 3,5 mm jack connection or into a cinch connection - both connections are standard on most audio devices, such as a stereo system. Third: The adapter is not supplied with power by simply plugging it into the respective device - in contrast to the classic Bluetooth dongle. However, the audio Bluetooth adapter usually has a corresponding charging cable, which is required instead, so that the power can be supplied via a classic USB connection - this is also possible via a connected power bank, among other things.
What criteria should be considered when buying a Bluetooth adapter?
In addition to choosing the right adapter, there are a few other criteria that you should definitely consider when searching. Here is a small overview.
Bluetooth Version
The Bluetooth standard is now available in various versions. The higher the version, the faster one is Data transmission possible with the adapter. The current 5.1 standard is particularly easy to use, but the cheaper adapters with the 4.0 standard are usually completely sufficient.
Reach
Depending on the model, a Bluetooth adapter can vary greatly in its range. The strength of the selected adapter can be easily recognized by the Bluetooth class specified by the manufacturer. Class III adapters only allow a range of between 1 and 1 meter, while Class II models already have a range of 10 to 50 meters. A class III adapter, which offers ranges of up to 100 meters, is only needed in the rarest of cases. However, it can be an advantage if a signal is to be transmitted over long distances, for example to another floor.
multipair function
If you have several Bluetooth devices that need to be paired with a Bluetooth adapter, purchasing a device with a multipair function is an important advantage. This allows you to easily switch back and forth between multiple devices without having to reconnect them to the adapter each time. Such a function is especially useful then. if there are several people in a household who want to pair their Bluetooth devices with the adapter.
Plug & Play
Bluetooth adapters with Plug & Play are particularly easy to use because you don't have to install any additional drivers with these adapters. Such an adapter is simply plugged into the connection provided and is ready for use a few seconds later. For this reason, Plug & Play adapters are ideal for people who are not very familiar or not at all familiar with installing drivers and software.
Compatibility
If you own a Windows PC, you don't have to worry about whether a USB dongle is supported by the operating system used - it can usually be used without any problems even under Windows XP. However, if you are using a Mac or Linux PC, it is important to make sure that the preferred dongle is also compatible with these systems.
And finally ...
With a Bluetooth adapter, you can turn an old PC or laptop into a Bluetooth-enabled device in no time at all. The handy dongles are available in stores for just 10 euros. In addition, they are usually uncomplicated in their application and are therefore also ideal for inexperienced users.
