We usually take our mobile devices’ Bluetooth connectivity for granted. After all, this uncomplicated technology has become an indispensable means of convenient, short-range wireless connectivity. But despite this, many desktop motherboards do not come with built-in Bluetooth capabilities.
But fortunately, there is a straightforward way to fix that!
Almost no modern motherboard will be lacking in the USB port department, and adding a Bluetooth adapter (commonly referred to as “dongle”) can be quite inexpensive and as simple as plugging in a regular USB drive.
In this article, we will be bringing you a succinct selection of the three finest Bluetooth adapters that you can get right now!
Asus BT-400
- Highly reliablernNative Windows 10 support
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Zexmte Bluetooth Adapter
Bluetooth version: 4.0rnBandwidth: 3 MbpsrnRange: 10 m
The Pros:
- Very affordablernGood value
The Cons:
- Driver may be difficult to install properlyrnDoes not work as seamlessly on older versions of Windows
About The Dongle
At the low-end of the price spectrum, we have a Bluetooth dongle made by Zexmte. This is a rather diminutive company, so don’t worry if you haven’t already heard about it before. They mostly deal with tiny electronic accessories such as this particular adapter.
The dongle itself is minuscule with a simple ebony frame that allows it to blend in with most laptop or desktop exteriors. It uses the latest backward-compatible Bluetooth 4.0, and it is probably the most economical dongle out there that you can get and not fear it is defective on arrival.
Our Thoughts
If you want a basic Bluetooth adapter as cheap as possible, we can wholeheartedly recommend Zexmte’s product. The dongle has proven to be quite dependable, especially given its low cost, although you may run into some trouble if you are using an older version of Windows.
What’s more, while the driver installation disc does arrive in the package, it lacks any sort of guide, which might mean a brief Googling session if you are a casual PC user.
Avantree Bluetooth Adapter
Bluetooth version: 4.0rnBandwidth: 3 MbpsrnRange: 10 m
The Pros:
- Highly stable connectionrnNative compatibility with Windows 10
The Cons:
- Clunky official drivers
About The Dongle
Next, we have a USB Bluetooth dongle from Avantree, a global company with ample experience in manufacturing a range of accessories, including multiple Bluetooth-based products.
Their dongle is just as compact as the one sold by Zexmte, although it resembles a superior-quality product. Its exterior comes with rounded edges and with a shiny black finish that truly gives off a certain aura of reliability.
Our Thoughts
While a bit pricier, Avantree’s Bluetooth adapter has proven to be more reliable and more convenient to use than any of the cheaper solutions.
It is especially convenient for Windows 10 users as it supports plug-and-play compatibility with that OS. However, older versions will require you to either install the drivers from the bundled disc or the company’s site.
We recommend to let older versions of Windows download the generic driver for this dongle, as the official software provided by Avantree has proven to be somewhat unreliable, unlike the dongle itself.
Asus BT-400 Bluetooth Adapter
Bluetooth version: 4.0rnBandwidth: 3 MbpsrnRange: 10 m
The Pros:
- Stable signalrnGood driver supportrnPlug-and-play with Windows 10 and Windows 8
The Cons:
- A bit more expensive than the competition
About The Dongle
Asus is the first prominent and recognizable name on this list, although the branding is the only thing that differentiates their dongle from the other, more economical dongles at first glance.
Once again, we have an incredibly tiny USB adapter that is unnoticeable both when plugged into the side of a laptop or a PC’s front panel. It is also somewhat simpler to grip and remove from a port than other dongles due to the exterior’s design.
Our Thoughts
The dongle has plug-and-play compatibility with both Windows 10 and Windows 8, and the provided Asus drivers function properly with Windows 7. However, we haven’t had the opportunity to test it on XP.
Even if you happen to encounter some issues, you can always download the latest drivers from Asus’ website, and the dongle comes with a thorough manual.
We have found virtually no fault with this dongle, apart from the fact that it is a bit costlier than others in its category. However, we feel that this is more than justified given how well the dongle works, as well as the directions and support offered by Asus.
How To Pick The Best Bluetooth Adapter For You
Bluetooth adapters are hardly innovative technology, and as such, you will not find many large and familiar companies making them. Rather, the bulk of the market’s supply of these products comes from obscure manufacturers, some of which are downright questionable.
There is neither a wide price range nor a multitude of different technical specifications to consider when buying a Bluetooth adapter for your PC, laptop, or console.
Usually, the best course of action is to turn to the product that seems to have the finest reputation. This is especially vital if you’re buying cheap dongles from unknown manufacturers, as it is not uncommon for such electronic products to be dead on arrival.
Other than that, there are simply not that many components to consider, seeing as all the current dongles use the same technology – Bluetooth 4.0 and USB 2.0.
Dongles are not made with USB 3.0 simply because the older version offers more than adequate throughput for effectively communicating data transferred via Bluetooth.
The Best Bluetooth Adapter Of 2025 – Asus BT-400
Taking all of the advantages and drawbacks of the above three prominent Bluetooth dongles, the one made by Asus Bluetooth dongle takes a decisive victory.
It offers a reliable and responsive connection, is easy to install and use, and even its design is very “grippy,” allowing for it to be removed from a port easily. On top of that, it also comes with a detailed manual, something that appears to be absent from most cheaper products.
Ultimately, we only recommend getting a dongle other than this one if you’re looking to be as thrifty as possible, and either of the other two dongles on this list will be superb choices in that scenario.
