Bluetooth adapters are essential for PCs lacking native wireless support. Many everyday devices, from keyboards to headsets, rely on Bluetooth. If your PC's motherboard doesn't have it, a Bluetooth dongle is necessary. Fortunately, many affordable options exist.
Top Bluetooth Adapters for PC:
Our Top Pick: Creative BT-W5
Best Budget: ASUS USB-BT500
Best Long-Range: Techkey 150M Class 1 Long Range Bluetooth Adapter
Best for Headphones: Sennheiser BTD 600
Best Internal (Gaming): Gigabyte WiFi 6E GC-WBAX210
While expensive options exist, they usually offer premium features and connection quality. Consider the Bluetooth version supported by your devices. Bluetooth 5.4 is the latest (with Bluetooth 6 announced for eventual rollout), but backward compatibility ensures older adapters work, albeit without the newest features.
Detailed Reviews:
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Creative BT-W5: Excellent for PC gaming, supporting high-resolution audio (96kHz/24-bit). USB-C connectivity works across PCs, Macs, and consoles. Auto-adjusts bitrate for optimal performance with aptX Adaptive Low Latency for low latency. Multifunctional button for profile switching and saving up to four devices.
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ASUS USB-BT500: Budget-friendly and easy to set up. Bluetooth 5.0 doubles speeds over 4.0, improving battery life. Ultra-compact design.
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Techkey 150M Class 1 Long Range Bluetooth Adapter: Ideal for long-range connectivity (up to 500ft/150m). Features an antenna and supports Bluetooth 5.4 for speed and low energy consumption. Compatible with older Bluetooth versions.
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Sennheiser BTD 600: Designed for headphones, offering low latency and high-quality audio (up to 430kbps). Supports high-resolution audio (after firmware update). USB-A and USB-C connectivity.
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Gigabyte WiFi 6E GC-WBAX210: Internal PCI-E adapter, also offering Wi-Fi 6E. Bluetooth 5.2 support. Requires desktop PC and technical knowledge for installation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Do you need a Bluetooth adapter? Not if your PC has built-in Bluetooth. Check your Device Manager (search for it in the Windows search bar) under "Bluetooth." If it's not listed, you'll need an adapter.
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Bluetooth 5.3 vs. 5.0: 5.3 offers improved latency, power consumption, pairing speed, and security compared to 5.0. However, 5.0 is still a solid option.
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Do new laptops have Bluetooth? Most modern laptops include Bluetooth, but always check the specifications before purchase.
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