Best Serial Adapters in 2022

Last update: November 19, 2022

Are serial ports obsolete?

Serial ports are used to connect devices using a serial communication protocol. Most personal computers have a serial port, which is used to connect a mouse, keyboard, printer, or other devices. Serial ports are also used in industrial applications to connect devices such as programmable logic controllers and sensors. Serial ports are slowly becoming obsolete as newer technologies are developed. Many devices that used to require a serial port can now be connected using a USB port. USB is faster and more versatile than serial, and it is also easier to use.

Can a USB act as a serial port?

Yes, a USB port can act as a serial port. This is because the USB protocol is based on the serial port protocol. So, any device that can connect to a serial port can also connect to a USB port.

Can you convert RS232 to USB?

Serial ports are still used in many industrial devices and scientific instruments. Many of these devices are legacy devices that only use RS232 ports. While RS232 to USB adapters are available, it is not always possible to use them. In some cases, the device may not have enough power to run the adapter. Additionally, the adapter may not work with the particular device. In these cases, it may be necessary to convert RS232 to USB.

Do Chargers have serial numbers?


UGREEN 2 Pack HDMI Coupler 4K HDMI Adapter Female to Female HDMI Connector Support 3D 4K 1080P HDMI Extender for HDTV Roku TV stick Chromecast, Nintendo Switch Xbox One PlayStation 4 PS 3, Laptop PC Review:


With the aid of this adapter, a Fire TV Stick (of any generation or other brand dongle) may be used with a suitable length M-M HDMI cable, allowing for the most optimal positioning for the best WiFi reception. Strong WiFi reception is impossible with the Stick connected in behind the TV, especially when using 5G. This also holds true if your home theater receiver has HDMI ports on it for all of your connected devices. Do not forget that you are concealing a "radio transceiver" (the Stick) under a sheet of metal. How would that aid in obtaining a reliable reception? Not at all. I use a single HDMI connection to connect my Denon HT receiver, which controls all of my HDMI gadgets, to my Sony 4K TV. Choose one of these F-F HDMI Couplers and a high-quality M-M HDMI cable (3-6') to place the TV Stick in the open, NOT on top of (which will distort reception) or behind (which will block/reduce reception) a piece of metal. If everything else stays the same, your performance will significantly improve. Keep in mind that dongles are radios. To function at their best, they must be unhindered.This coupler is a very useful and important accessory to have so that your TV Stick may be placed in the ideal location.



Plugable USB to Serial Adapter Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux (RS-232DB9 Female Connector, Prolific PL2303HX Rev. D Chipset) Review:


Like many others, the pricing of this USB-to-Serial cable drew me in, and although it takes a few more steps to set it up and function, it does the job.It was necessary to connect the serial connection of an older DiabloSport Predator U7140 (Mustang GT) performance tuner to the USB port of my W7 64-bit Compaq laptop in order to update the tuner's software. I've had this tuner for a while, and this is the first effort at a firmware update.I attached it to a free USB port as per the instructions, which claim that the Plugable cable's drivers are accessible through the Windows Update plug-n-play installation process. The driver installation screen appeared, and Windows confirmed that a new device had been connected, but the installation was unsuccessful. The cable was still listed in the "Other Devices" section of my laptop's Device Manager as having "no driver installed" or having a "device malfunction (Code 1)"After numerous tries and reboots, I switched to "Plan B" and used the CD that came with the cable. I'm not sure why, but the laptop's CD drive refused to recognize the CD.Next up is "Plan C" I obtained the installation and text-based Help files from Plugable's website support page for this cable and driver (plugable.com/drivers/prolific) and tried the install that way. I even tried installing as Administrator but, after numerous install and reboot sessions, it still would not function. I became angry and finished removing the program from the Control Panel's Programs section (then rebooted).We have a one star rating so far, correct?Before giving up, I tried one more time to just insert the cable into the USB port. Once more, the Windows Update installation procedure was unsuccessful. However, (let's call this "Plan D"), I chose the option to have Windows perform an Internet search, and that was all it took. A pop-up window informing the user that the installation was successful appeared when the search routine completed its approximately 2-minute runtime. A quick glance at Device Manager revealed that COM7 had now been given to the cable.Oh, right. Ummm... You should try "Plan D" as your initial line of inquiry while troubleshooting, in my opinion.However, there is still one problem: this installation and COM 7 assignment are not permanent on my computer. I must repeat "Plan D" after unplugging the USB cable because it is removed from Device Manager and is no longer present. Knowing this makes it only a small hassle.The cable eventually worked, but it took some time to do so.



USB to TTL Adapter, USB to Serial Converter for Development Projects - Featuring Genuine FTDI USB UART IC ‘FT232RL’ Review:


It seems to be a very reliable FTDI chip.automatically recognized by my MacOS 10.12 and Windows 10 systems.To check loopback, install the little jumper that was provided between TXD and RXD as seen in the photos.Your terminal program is functioning properly if it repeats what you type through the designated virtual serial port.Of course, remove before using.It works flawlessly as a general-purpose firmware loader, as it should.However, it works perfectly with the Arduino IDE



Gearmo USB RS-232 Serial Adapter with LED Indicators Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 Support Review:


I was suspicious of issues with the target device after struggling with corrupt data on my PL2303-based adapter every few minutes, especially as the issue persisted even after switching adapters, reloading drivers, and attempting a new PC.Learning experience: It won't work to replace a Prolific chip with another one! FTDI or leave home.The issues haven't returned after I purchased (two of them); I can receive *megs* of text without even a slight hitch. It used to be impossible to log on a long weekend, but now it's commonplace.And sure, the diagnostic LEDs are just as useful—if not more—than you might expect. Not only do they display TX/RX and flow control, but they also display *when the port is open at all*, which is quite helpful if you have several connected adapters and can't remember which COM port is which. The paperclip loopback is obsolete! Do not unplug anything to determine which port is malfunctioning! The secret is clearly revealed if you only watch each adaptor turn into a Christmas tree as you open its corresponding port.The other one has being used by my colleague to operate an outdated board plotter that has been plagued by mysterious, unpredictable, and incredibly annoying issues for months. Everything started working after switching to an authentic FTDI adapter. The misbehavior has disappeared, the program no longer locks up, and we are now again producing boards internally rather than outsourcing them. The plotter was merely a cheap serial adaptor, which turned out to be the case after all.I'll never again scrimp on low-quality serial adapters.



Sabrent USB 2.0 to Serial (9-Pin) DB-9 RS-232 Adapter Cable 6ft Cable [FTDI Chipset] (CB-FTDI) Review:


Belkin products that I tried didn't work. The Keyspan adapters functioned flawlessly, but Tripp Lite purchased them and stopped upgrading the drivers, therefore the product is incompatible with Win 7 Pro 64-bit computers. I tried to make any of them function for hours last week, but the lack of driver support has consigned them to the trash. In addition to the time lost attempting to make this work, I had to drive for an additional 10 hours and spend an additional two nights in a hotel to complete the task. I ordered this cable and prayed for the best last week before I left the job site.As a controls engineer, I especially purchased this for transferring HMI files and programming PLCs. When I first attached it to an SLC 5/03, it connected without a hitch. Today, I was able to connect it to a different Allen Bradley PLC, but it took me approximately 30 minutes to resolve a port issue. The Allen Bradley 1747-UIC (DH485) and this device attempted to share the same port. After uninstalling and reinstalling the UIC, it was able to start communicating. I then plugged in the Sabrent, and it operated without a hitch.



Sabrent USB 2.0 to Serial (9-Pin) DB-9 RS-232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, Hexnuts, [Windows 10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 6-Feet (CB-9P6F) Review:


I purchased this cable so that I could use my Windows 7–10 computers to program older two-way radios that require a 9-pin serial programming connector. The issue I encountered—and I anticipate other people will encounter it as well—is that older software may be looking for a COM1 port, while systems with only one USB port may have it labeled as anything from COM3 to COM16 . On older systems, COM1 served as the 9-pin serial port while COM2 served as the printer port.What you need to do to fix the issue is as follows. Plug the cable into a USB port when the driver has been loaded, then go to your computer's "Device Manager" to find the device. The search bar in settings may need to be used to enter Device Manager. The Device Manager lists every component of your computer as well as any external devices that are attached to it. You should notice "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port with the indicated COM port at the end" under the Ports (COM



USB C to HDMI Adapter (4K@60Hz), uni USB Type C to HDMI Adapter [Thunderbolt 3 Compatible] for MacBook Pro 2019/2018/2017, MacBook Air/iPad Pro 2019/2018, Samsung S10, Surface Book 2 and More - Gray Review:


There are many specifics in other evaluations, so let's just get to the positives and negatives.Pros: It is really well crafted and has outstanding build quality, including a metal casing, braided cable, and decent strain relief. No cheesy advertising, just subtle branding. On the top of the adapter is the Uni logo, which is hardly visible because it is the same color as the finish. That is elegant and suitable for use at home or in a business setting. It just works when you plug it in! Despite countless attempts, this is the FIRST USB-C to HDMI adaptor that simply works. Previous versions either didn't function at all, or only supported video with a lower resolution than my monitor, or none at all. This one simply works, with no lag and in full audio and resolution. Good day!The braided cable is highly flexible. The USB C connector fits firmly in the USB C port without slipping out or wiggle. The HDMI connector firmly snaps into the HDMI port on the display without slipping out or wiggle. Despite having a troubleshooting card included, I didn't use it. a fabric bag is included to preserve the adapter looking great after some time spent traveling in your laptop bag.Cons: - There are actually not many to mention.- I can't get this adaptor to turn on my TV; I'm not sure if the problem is with my phone, this adapter, or my TV. Launching a Chromecast on the same TV will turn the TV on. I'm not sure why, but that doesn't seem to function with this adapter. Just an FYI, this is a very small point to bring up.- After prolonged use, the adapter becomes a bit warm but not hot.- A brief cablePurchase it; it's functional, long-lasting, and well-made. Although it doesn't cost much more than alternatives, it will probably last longer, and did I mention that it simply works?



USB to Serial Adapter, Benfei USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above, 24 inch Length Review:


With this buy, I'm quite pleased. I have a proprietary cable-equipped Aeros (URC) MX-850 remote control that needs to be programmed using a DB9 serial connection to a PC. On a Dell 2-in-1 laptop/tablet with only USB connectivity, I'm running Windows 10. No driver installation was necessary because this adapter worked flawlessly right out of the box. All I had to do was look up the COM Port number in Windows Device Manager and change the option in the MX Editor program to match. An old generic USB/serial adapter used to require me to go through a number of hoops with various boot processes and DOS commands before Windows 7 would recognize it. It was all very simple with this adaptor.



Dual M.2 PCIE Adapter for SATA or PCIE NVMe SSD With advanced heat sink solution,M.2 SSD NVME (m key) or SATA (b key) 22110 2280 2260 2242 2230to PCI-e 3.0 x 4 Host Controller Expansion Card Review:


Review of the Yateng Dual M.2 PCIE Adapter for SATA or PCIE NVMe SSD that is now available at smile.amazon.com/dp/B07JKH5VTL.I had to get in touch with Yateng, and despite the international date line and the different time zones, I found them to be incredibly helpful and prompt.My motherboard was only made to support a 2280 SSD, therefore I had to purchase an adaptor to enable use of an NVMe 2242 SSD (longer in length). Because the SSD was M B Keyed and it can be challenging to find adapters that would work with B or M B Keyed drives, I decided to use this drive. Most adapters appear to just support M Key. I also made the decision that, just in case, I should have the option of chilling.I had to get in touch with the SSD manufacturer, who advised me to utilize the lowest slot—the one closest to the M.2 M Key adapter's PCI-e slot—instead of the SATA connection. The product description claims that a SATA connection is necessary for data transfer on B Key and M B Key SSD, but the SSD manufacturer said differently and was entirely correct.This adapter contained the rubber bands required to attach the heat sink in addition to the pieces stated in the product description. They were also kind enough to add extra screws, which is fantastic because it might be difficult for a new buyer to locate the necessary screw for NVMe drives because they are frequently missing from motherboards even though the nut is fixedly placed to facilitate M.2 installation.Although this adapter can accommodate different SSD lengths, the actual heat sink is designed to fit a 2280. The heat sink and silica gel back will just run longer if utilizing a shorter SSD, which is not a concern. In SSD, the first two numerals represent the SSD's width, and the latter two digits represent its length. A 2280 SSD has dimensions of 22 mm wide by 80 mm long, while a 2242 SSD has dimensions of 22 mm wide by 42 mm long.To mount the SSD to the adaptor, it might be a good idea to have a magnetized screwdriver on hand. Because the screws used for SSD are so tiny, starting them by hand is a little more difficult.Whether or not to add the heat sink is something I'm considering. A heat sink would not be required, according to the SSD manufacturer, and after installation, CrystalMark's SSD temperature reading of 53C is in the yellow.



HiLetgo FT232RL FTDI Mini USB to TTL Serial Converter Adapter Module 3.3V 5.5V FT232R Breakout FT232RL USB to Serial Mini USB to TTL Adapter Board for Arduino Review:


It appears that the distribution warehouse has recently received a faulty batch of these chips, and the vendor is aware of the issue. Because they would heat up and use too much power, my computer would block the USB port, I got a number of these and kept returning them. Five stars for customer assistance since the vendor, HiLetGo, has been nothing but helpful and accommodating! Without any problems, they delivered me replacements and gave me a full refund. With OSX 10.12.6 and Arduino IDE 1.8.5, I utilized this chip.HOW TO FIX IT IS HERE:The J106 diode must have its polarity reversed in order for everything to function flawlessly. The usb terminal must be facing the written text. See the photographs I've included with this review; I've indicated it plainly. Hope this is useful!


Do USB to serial adapters need drivers?

Most USB to serial adapters will need drivers in order to work properly. The drivers provide a virtual COM port that allows communication between the adapter and the computer.

How do I add a serial port to Windows 10?

If you need to add a serial port to your Windows 10 computer, you can do so via the Device Manager. To get started, open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button and then selecting "Device Manager" from the menu. Once the Device Manager is open, locate the "Ports (COM & LPT)" section and click on it to expand it. In the "Ports (COM & LPT)" section, you should see an entry for "Communications Port (COM1)". Right-click on this entry and select "Properties"

How do I find my serial adapter?

If you need to find your serial adapter, the best place to start is by looking in your computer's manual. This should have information on how to locate the adapter. If you don't have your manual, you can try searching online for your model number and the words "serial adapter." This should give you some results that can help you locate the adapter. Once you find the adapter, you will need to connect it to the serial port on your computer.

How do I know if my device has a serial port?

If you're not sure whether or not your device has a serial port, the best way to find out is to consult the documentation or manufacturer. Many newer devices don't have serial ports, so it's becoming increasingly less common.

How do I know if my USB to serial converter is working?

If you have a USB to serial converter, you can test whether it is working by doing the following: 1) Connect the converter to your computer's USB port. 2) If the converter has a driver installation disk, insert it into your computer and follow the instructions to install the driver. 3) Once the driver is installed, open a terminal program such as HyperTerminal, Putty, or TeraTerm. 4) Configure the terminal program to use the correct COM port and baud rate for your converter. 5) Type

How do I test a serial connection?

To test a serial connection, you will need to connect your serial device to your computer using a serial cable. Once the device is connected, you can use a terminal program to send commands to the device and see the results.