UGREEN USB to Ethernet Adapter
Bottom line: The UGREEN USB to Ethernet Adapter ($18.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Full 1000Mbps gigabit throughput over USB 3.0, not capped at 100Mbps like cheaper adapters; main trade-off: USB-A only - USB-C laptops and MacBooks need a separate hub or dongle.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Full 1000Mbps gigabit throughput over USB 3.0, not capped at 100Mbps like cheaper adapters
- ✓ Driver-free on Windows 11/10/8.1/8, macOS and Chrome OS - no install, no reboot
- ✓ Works with Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED without a driver or dock firmware tweak
- ✓ Aluminum shell is anti-fingerprint and anti-corrosion instead of bare plastic
Cons
- ✗ USB-A only - USB-C laptops and MacBooks need a separate hub or dongle
- ✗ Real throughput depends on USB 3.0; a USB 2.0 port caps it well under gigabit
- ✗ No Linux driver claim from UGREEN, so Raspberry Pi 4B users rely on kernel support
- ✗ Fixed braided cable cannot be swapped or shortened if it fails
Manufacturer description
The UGREEN USB to Ethernet Adapter turns any spare USB 3.0 port into a wired gigabit network connection, and it does so without a driver disc, a config utility, or a reboot. It is driver-free on Windows 11, 10, 8.1 and 8, macOS and Chrome OS, and UGREEN specifically lists Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED support, so you can plug it into a dock and skip the wireless handshake entirely. Compatibility extends across ThinkPad, Surface, XPS, Chromebook, Spectre, Zenbook, MacBook, Mac Mini, TV boxes and Raspberry Pi 4B — anything with a standard USB-A port. The housing is aluminum rather than…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored UGREEN USB to Ethernet Adapter using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro networking cards category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the retro networking cards category before committing. 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
Does this UGREEN adapter actually hit gigabit speeds?
UGREEN rates it at up to 1000Mbps when connected to a USB 3.0 port. Plugging it into a USB 2.0 port will bottleneck it below that ceiling, since USB 2.0 tops out under gigabit.
Do I need to install drivers?
No. UGREEN lists it as driver-free for Windows 11, 10, 8.1 and 8, macOS and Chrome OS, plus Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED. You plug it in and the wired connection comes up.
Will it work with my Nintendo Switch for online play?
Yes. UGREEN specifically lists Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED as driver-free compatible, which is the usual reason buyers pick this adapter over Wi-Fi for competitive online matches.
Does it work with a Raspberry Pi 4B?
The listing names Raspberry Pi 4B among supported devices via its USB-A port. UGREEN does not publish a Linux driver, so check the product listing and your distro's kernel support before buying.
Is this USB-A or USB-C?
It is a USB-A 3.0 adapter. It fits desktops, ThinkPad, Surface, XPS, Chromebook, Spectre, Zenbook, MacBook, Mac Mini and TV boxes with a standard USB-A port; USB-C-only machines need an adapter.
Key Features
- More Stable Wired Network: UGREEN USB to Ethernet Adapter can be very effective to extend a network port for your devices. It can provide a faster and more stable network than Wi-Fi, so you no longer have to endure the loading and delays
- 1000Mbps Hyper Speed: The ethernet to usb can up to 1000Mbps network speed with USB 3.0 port. It can give a full play to the performance of your network and ensure stable network speed for you to online gaming and streaming, upload, download, and more
- Plug and Play: UGREEN USB A to Lan Adapter is driver-free for Windows 11/10/8.1/8, macOS, and Chrome OS. It's also driver-free and compatible with Nintendo Switch, and Switch Oled. Just plug in and enjoy a smooth wired network
- Wide Compatibility: UGREEN USB Ethernet Adapter is compatible with most desktop PCs, laptops, Nintendo Switch, Switch Oled, and TV boxes with USB A port, like ThinkPad, Surface, XPS, Chromebook, Spectre, Zenbook, Macbook, Mac Mini, Mi Box, etc
- Stylish and Durable Design: The UGREEN usb to ethernet adopt a new aluminum shell design, which is not only beautiful and stylish but also anti-fingerprint and anti-corrosion. And the durable braided cable design also greatly improves the using life
Full Specifications
| Brand | UGREEN |
|---|---|
| Color | grey,black |
| Connectivity | USB, WiFi |
| Model Number | 40321 |
| Compatibility | PC, Switch, Mac |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Mfr Part Number | 40321 |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, Laptop, Nintendo Switch |
| Data Link Protocol | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Data Transfer Rate | 1000 megabits_per_second |
| Hardware Interface | Ethernet, USB 3.0 |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 0.67"L x 3.78"W x 5.51"H |
| Full listing title | UGREEN USB to Ethernet Adapter, USB 3.0 to 1000Mbps Network Adapter | Gigabit Network Adapter RJ45 Internet Adapter Compatible with Nintendo Switch Laptop PC MacBook Surface XPS Raspberry Pi 4b |
Ready to buy?
UGREEN USB to Ethernet Adapter, USB 3.0 to 1000Mbps Network Adapter | Gigabit Network Adapter RJ45 Internet Adapter Compatible with Nintendo Switch Laptop PC MacBook Surface XPS Raspberry Pi 4b 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.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Related Retro Networking Cards
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- What a $15 Raspberry Pi Zero W Can Still Do in 2026
- First Homelab Setup: Hardware, Security & Networking Guide
- RTX 3060 vs Arc B580 for 1440p Gaming: Which 12GB Card Wins?
- Gemma 4 31B Creative-Writing Finetunes on RTX 3060 12GB
- Imaging a vintage IDE hard drive with a USB adapter in 2026
- Running a 3dfx Voodoo5 5500 PCI in a Modern Board in 2026
- Why Direct3D Killed Glide: How the 3dfx Voodoo Empire Lost the API Wars
- Used RTX 3090 for Local LLM in 2026: 24GB Inference Reality Check + Servicing Guide
- 1440p High-Refresh vs 4K for Gaming in 2026: ASUS TUF 27" QHD vs SANSUI/KOORUI 4K
- Best Raspberry Pi for Klipper in 2026: Pi 4 8GB vs Alternatives
- Intel Panther Lake on Linux: First Core Ultra X7 Numbers Land
- Best Storage Upgrades for Gaming and Retro PCs in 2026
- Corsair Launches Lightweight Budget HS35 v3 Gaming Headset
- ZOTAC RTX 3060 12GB vs Intel Arc B580 12GB for 1440p Gaming in 2026
- Intel Arc Pro B60 24GB: The Cheapest 24GB Inference Card Yet?
- Period-Correct Windows XP Gaming PC: 2002-2005 Build Guide for 2026
- OpenAI Codex Price War vs Running a Local Coding Model on an RTX 3060
- Ryzen 7 5800X + RTX 5060 Combo Drops to $439 With Free Cooler
- Raspberry Pi 5 Price Guide: What You'll Actually Pay
- Best Gaming PC Build Components for 2026
- Period-Correct Win98 Build in 2026: CompactFlash, Drivers, Glide
- GLM-5.2 Is Now the Most Intelligent Open-Weights Model — and the Most Verbose
- AI-Driven Win9x Driver Install: How Vision-LLMs Tame Vintage Installers (2026)
- Ryzen AI Max 395 Mini PC: Specs, Performance & Buying Guide
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090