Skip to main content
BENFEI USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter, USB C to RJ45 Gigabit LAN (1000Mbps) Network Adapter, Compatible with MacBook/Pro/Air, Surface Pro, Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS [Aluminium Shell&Nylon Cable]
BENFEI

BENFEI USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter

Bottom line: The BENFEI USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter ($7.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Full 10/100/1000Mbps gigabit over the USB 5Gbps bus, no external power brick; main trade-off: not compatible with Nintendo Switch, a common use case for USB Ethernet dongles.

$7.99

As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →

Buy on Amazon — $7.99 Compare to similar retro networking cards

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Full 10/100/1000Mbps gigabit over the USB 5Gbps bus, no external power brick
  • ✓ Driver-free on Windows 11 through 7, macOS, Linux 3.x/2.6, Chrome OS, and Android
  • ✓ Supports Wake-on-LAN, auto MDIX, crossover detection, and full/half-duplex

Cons

  • ✗ Not compatible with Nintendo Switch, a common use case for USB Ethernet dongles
  • ✗ No Windows RT support, so older ARM Surface tablets are out
  • ✗ Needs CAT6 or better cabling to reach the advertised 1Gbps
  • ✗ Fixed captive cable, so a damaged lead means replacing the whole adapter

Manufacturer description

The BENFEI USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter gives any modern laptop a wired network port again, which matters when you are moving disk images to a retro rig, flashing firmware, or joining a LAN party where Wi-Fi keeps dropping frames. It bridges USB-A or USB-C to a standard RJ45 jack and runs the full 10/100/1000Mbps gigabit range over the USB 5Gbps bus, so throughput is capped by your switch and cabling rather than the dongle. BENFEI notes you will need CAT6 or better cable to actually hit 1Gbps. Installation is driver-free on Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, macOS, Linux kernel 3.x and 2.6, Chrome OS…

Related Products

Other products in this category you may like:

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored BENFEI USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro networking cards category. BENFEI's retro networking cards lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for retro networking cards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install drivers for this adapter?

No. The built-in IC uses native driver support in Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, macOS, Linux kernel 3.x and 2.6, Chrome OS, and Android, so it is driver-free installation on those systems. Windows RT is not supported.

Will this work with a Nintendo Switch?

No. BENFEI explicitly lists this adapter as not compatible with the Nintendo Switch. If you need wired networking on a Switch, look for an adapter the manufacturer certifies for that console.

Can it really hit gigabit speeds?

It supports full 10/100/1000Mbps gigabit Ethernet over the USB 5Gbps bus. BENFEI notes you need CAT6 or better Ethernet cable to reach 1Gbps; your router or switch also has to negotiate a gigabit link.

Does it work with both USB-A and USB-C ports?

This listing covers the BENFEI USB A/C to Ethernet adapter, which connects a computer or tablet to a router, modem, or network switch. Confirm the connector variant on the product listing before ordering so you get the port type your machine has.

What warranty comes with it?

BENFEI includes an unconditional 18-month warranty with customer service support. Check the product listing for current warranty terms and regional coverage before purchase.

Key Features

  • COMPACT DESIGN - The compact-designed portable BENFEI USB A/C to Ethernet adapter connects your computer or tablet to a router,modem or network switch for network connection. It adds a standard RJ45 port to your Ultrabook, notebook or Macbook Air for file transferring, video conferencing, gaming, and HD video streaming.
  • SUPERIOR STABILITY - Built-in advanced IC chip works as the bridge between RJ45 Ethernet cable and your USB A/C devices. The driver-free installation with native driver support in Chrome, Mac, and Windows OS; The USB A/C Ethernet adapter dongle supports important performance features including Wake-on-Lan (WoL), Full-Duplex (FDX) and Half-Duplex (HDX) Ethernet, Crossover Detection, Backpressure Routing, Auto-Correction (Auto MDIX).
  • INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE - Supports full 10/100/1000Mbps gigabit ethernet performance over USB A/C's 5Gbps bus, faster and more reliable than most wireless connections. Link and Activity LEDs. USB powered, no external power required. Backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1.✅ To reach 1Gbps, make sure to use CAT6 & up Ethernet cables.
  • BROAD COMPATIBILITY - The USB A/C-Ethernet adapter is compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP, Mac OSX 10.6/10.7/10.8/10.9/10.10/10.11/10.12, Linux kernel 3.x/2.6, Android and Chrome OS.Compatible with IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u and IEEE 802.3ab. Supports IEEE 802.3az (Energy Efficient Ethernet).❌Do Not Support Windows RT. (NOT compatible with Nintendo Switch.)
  • 18 MONTH WARRANTY - Exclusive BENFEI Unconditional 18-month Warranty ensures long-time satisfaction of your purchase; Friendly and easy-to-reach customer service to solve your problems timely.

Full Specifications

BrandBENFEI
ColorGray
Unit Count1.0 Count
ConnectivityWireless, USB-C
Model Number000317grey
CompatibilitySwitch, Android, Mac, Linux
Connection TypeWireless
Mfr Part Number6971785942059
Number of Packs1
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Link ProtocolIEEE 802.3, USB, Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
Data Transfer Rate1000 Megabits Per Second
Hardware InterfaceEthernet, USB
Item Dimensions L x W x H0.39"L x 0.39"W x 0.39"H
Full listing titleBENFEI USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter, USB C to RJ45 Gigabit LAN (1000Mbps) Network Adapter, Compatible with MacBook/Pro/Air, Surface Pro, Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS [Aluminium Shell&Nylon Cable]

Ready to buy?

BENFEI USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter, USB C to RJ45 Gigabit LAN (1000Mbps) Network Adapter, Compatible with MacBook/Pro/Air, Surface Pro, Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS [Aluminium Shell&Nylon Cable] is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $7.99

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Related Retro Networking Cards

Keep exploring SpecPicks

Other buying guides

Browse the catalog

Editorial

More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all articles & guides →

More reviews from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all reviews →

Earliest SpecPicks reviews

Browse full archive →
BENFEI USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter, USB C to RJ45 Gigabit LAN (1000Mbps) Network Adapter, Compatible with MacBook/Pro/Air, Surface Pro, Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS [Aluminium Shell&Nylon Cable]
$7.99
View on Amazon →