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The use of Best serial adapters is absolutely necessary in order to facilitate communication between the various types of serial ports. Although they exist in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, their goal remains the same. These adapters find widespread use in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and telecommunications, where it is necessary for equipment to effortlessly share data with one another despite having distinct serial interfaces.
In addition, serial adapters are extremely helpful in connecting older pieces of technology to contemporary computers, which saves users from having to purchase new pieces of hardware. Users gain the capability to easily transfer data, update firmware, and execute other essential operations when they have the proper adapter. This contributes to an improvement in both efficiency and compatibility in the rapidly developing field of technology.
Top Serial Adapters Comparison Table
| Product | OIKWAN USB to RS232 Adapter | Tripp Lite USB to Serial Adapter | StarTech.com USB to Serial Adapter | CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter with PL2303 Chipset | Sabrent USB 2.0 to Serial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interface | USB to RS232 | USB to Serial | USB to Serial | USB to RS232 | USB 2.0 to Serial |
| Chipset | PL2303 | Prolific PL2303HXD | FTDI FT232RL | PL2303 | Prolific PL2303 |
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac |
| Cable Length | 3 feet | 5 feet | 3 feet | 6.6 feet | 1.5 feet |
| Data Transfer | Up to 921.6 Kbps | Up to 230.4 Kbps | Up to 921.6 Kbps | Up to 115.2 Kbps | Up to 921.6 Kbps |
| Supports | Serial devices, modems | Serial devices, modems, GPS | Serial devices, modems, barcode scanners | Serial devices, modems, industrial equipment | Serial devices, modems |
| Driver | Plug-and-play | Downloadable from manufacturer’s website | Plug-and-play | Plug-and-play | Plug-and-play |
OIKWAN USB to RS232 Adapter
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Interface | USB to RS232 |
| Chipset | PL2303 |
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Cable Length | 3 feet |
| Data Transfer | Up to 921.6 Kbps |
| Supports | Serial devices, modems, printers |
| Driver | Plug-and-play |
The OIKWAN USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI Chipset is a high-quality, reliable, and easy way to add serial devices to your Windows, MAC, or Linux computer. The latest FTDI chipset makes sure that the device works quickly and reliably, and the gold-plated USB RS232 connector and PVC cord make it work well and last for a long time.
This USB-powered adapter cable has a plug-and-play installation and a transfer rate of up to 1Mbps. It can be used with a wide range of devices, such as modems, scanners, printers, and more.
The Good
- Supports high-speed data transfer up to 921.6 Kbps.
- Compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Plug-and-play functionality for easy setup and installation.
- Suitable for connecting various serial devices, modems, and printers.
The Bad
- The cable length of 3 feet may be limiting in certain setups.
- Limited compatibility with newer devices lacking RS232 ports.
Tripp Lite USB to Serial Adapter
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Interface | USB to Serial |
| Chipset | Prolific PL2303HXD |
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Cable Length | 5 feet |
| Data Transfer | Up to 230.4 Kbps |
| Supports | Serial devices, modems, GPS |
| Driver | Downloadable from manufacturer’s website |
The Tripp Lite Keyspan High-Speed USB to Serial Adapter makes it easy to plug a serial device into a USB computer. It gets its power straight from your computer and can send and receive data at up to 230 Kbps, which is twice as fast as a normal built-in serial port.
Your computer sees the DB9 serial port as a COM port, and any program that can talk to COM ports can use it. Also, an LED shows at a glance how the adapter is working and if data is being sent or received.
The Good
- Provides reliable connectivity between USB and serial devices.
- Works with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- The 5-foot cable offers flexibility in positioning devices.
- Supports various serial devices, modems, and GPS systems.
The Bad
- Data transfer speed is limited to a maximum of 230.4 Kbps.
- Requires manual driver installation from the manufacturer’s website.
StarTech.com USB to Serial Adapter
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Interface | USB to Serial |
| Chipset | FTDI FT232RL |
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Cable Length | 3 feet |
| Data Transfer | Up to 921.6 Kbps |
| Supports | Serial devices, modems, barcode scanners |
| Driver | Plug-and-play |
There are some applications or markets that may not find particular serial-to-USB converters to be as valuable as others. StarTech provides customers with a selection of adapter types to pick from, including null modems, RJ45 cables, and cables that have an increased number of ports.
The RS232 standard is supported by every conceivable variety of adaptor. This USB to serial RS232 converter with FTDI boasts a single cable design, which eliminates the requirement for additional adapters and cables.
The Good
- High-speed data transfer capability of up to 921.6 Kbps.
- Wide compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Easy installation with plug-and-play functionality.
- Suitable for connecting serial devices, modems, and barcode scanners.
The Bad
- The cable length of 3 feet may be limiting for certain setups.
- Some users may prefer alternative chipsets over FTDI FT232RL.
CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter with PL2303 Chipset
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Interface | USB to RS232 |
| Chipset | PL2303 |
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Cable Length | 6.6 feet |
| Data Transfer | Up to 115.2 Kbps |
| Supports | Serial devices, modems, industrial equipment |
| Driver | Plug-and-play |
In the event that you are in need of a female adapter, this one from CableCreation supports DB9 devices, allowing you to connect your USB device to other DB9 devices. The cable features a quick data transmission rate of 1 Mbps, a chipset manufactured by Prolific, compatibility with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and 2000, as well as compatibility with Mac OS X versions 10.6 and higher and Linux versions 2.4.0 and higher.
Because it is powered by a USB port, the cable does not require any additional external power. The Gold Plated USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Cable allows you to connect a serial DB9 (9 PIN) device to a USB port on your computer. This could be a modem. USB connector that is capable of transferring data at 1Mbps.
The Good
- Extended cable length of 6.6 feet provides flexibility in positioning devices.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Plug-and-play functionality for easy setup and use.
- Suitable for connecting a wide range of serial devices, modems, and industrial equipment.
The Bad
- Data transfer speed is limited to a maximum of 115.2 Kbps.
- The relatively longer cable length may result in signal degradation in certain environments.
Sabrent USB 2.0 to Serial
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Interface | USB 2.0 to Serial |
| Chipset | Prolific PL2303 |
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac |
| Cable Length | 1.5 feet |
| Data Transfer | Up to 921.6 Kbps |
| Supports | Serial devices, modems, barcode scanners |
| Driver | Plug-and-play |
This adapter is another efficient choice that can successfully complete the task at hand. The RS232 serial connector is made for use with 9-pin COM ports and is compatible with operating systems beginning with Windows 2000, ME, 98SE, XP, Vista, 7, 8/8.1, 10, and higher versions of Mac OS X and Linux beginning with version 10.6 and above.
The baud rate of the cable ranges from 300 to 1,000 Mbps, and it does not need an external power supply to operate. In addition to that, it is protected well so that there is no delay in the transfer of data and no errors.
The Good
- High-speed data transfer capability of up to 921.6 Kbps.
- Compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
- Compact and portable design with a 1.5-foot cable.
- Suitable for connecting serial devices, modems, and barcode scanners.
The Bad
- Limited compatibility with Linux and other non-Windows or Mac operating systems.
- The shorter cable length may restrict flexibility in device placement.
FAQs
A: It depends on your running system and the serial adapter you are using. For many serial adapters to work right, drivers need to be loaded. Check the adapter’s directions and the manufacturer’s website for the right drivers and installation steps for your operating system and adapter.
A: Some serial ports are plug-and-play, which means that you can connect them to a device that works with them, and the operating system will find and install the drivers automatically. But some ports may need to have their drivers installed or set up by hand.
A: Yes, virtual computers can use serial adapters. Virtualization software often lets you pass USB or serial ports from the host machine to the virtual machine. This lets you use serial connections in the virtual environment.