Best Ethernet Adapters for Dell XPS Laptops in 2022

Best Ethernet Adapters for Dell XPS Laptops in 2018
Best Ethernet Adapters for Dell XPS Laptops in 2018

Dell's XPS 13, XPS 15, and the 2-in-1 alternatives are all premium laptops, but there is one small problem: they lack Ethernet ports. But don't fret. In order to get around this absence, you can pick up adapters designed specifically for adding wired internet. There are plenty of options, but we whittled them down to give you the best Ethernet adapters available for your XPS laptop.

See XPS laptops at Dell

StarTech USB-A 3.0 to Ethernet

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When it comes to Ethernet adapters, many people just want two things: good performance and a low price. Awarded an Editors Choice by PCMag, the site had this to say in its review:

The problem with USB adapters as mentioned: Speeds tend to disappoint performance-wise, but StarTech's adapter is one of the best I've tested. Remember: a speedy adapter such as this won't bump up your Internet connection speeds, but it will help your internal network connectivity when transferring files and streaming multimedia, for example.

This adapter is compatible with 10/100/1000 networks and even has a bit of a brain built in; if you plug it into a USB 2.0 port, it will remind you that speeds are at least twice as fast when used with USB 3.0. Available in three colors and starting at about $34, this is a serious option for many people looking to add Ethernet to their XPS through a USB-A port.

See at Dell

Anker 3-Port hub with Ethernet

Anker 3-Port hub with Ethernet

Chosen as one of our top picks in our roundup of best USB 3.0 hubs because of its Ethernet port, this adapter from Anker is here for the opposite reason. Its Ethernet port supports 10/100/1000 networks to ensure you can connect pretty much everywhere, and LEDs on the port ensure you that data is moving as it should be. The three USB-A 3.0 ports along the top of the adapter support transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps.

This Anker hub has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 800 reviews, and it costs about $24. If you need an adapter that does more than just internet, check out this multipurpose option.

See at Amazon

Dell USB-C to Ethernet

Dell knew that some XPS users would feel put out by the lack of Ethernet, so the company created a solid USB-C to Ethernet adapter that supports PXE boot. It's compatible with 10/100/1000 networks to ensure you can connect everywhere, and the slim, rounded form means you can easily fit it into your pocket.

The ribbon-style cable ensures the adapter lies flat when in use (no annoying coiling), and the USB-C connector fits snugly into its port. Grab this adapter from Dell for about $45 and enjoy a one-year warranty.

See at Dell

Anker USB-C to Ethernet

If you're looking for a silver adapter to match the outside of your XPS laptop, this option from Anker (about $23) makes a good choice.

It connects with USB-C, it's compatible with 10/100/1000 networks, and it's only about the size of your finger. It's also made of aluminum, which means it should stand up to a fair amount of abuse if it rides around in your laptop bag or pocket.

See at Amazon

AmazonBasics USB-A to Ethernet

As long as you're looking to connect the Ethernet adapter via USB-A 3.0, this option from AmazonBasics is about the cheapest you'll find at about $14.

Despite the price, it supports 10/100/1000 Gigabit networks, and it has a four-star rating with more than 1,000 reviews on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Making connections

Need more connectivity options for your laptop? Check out our roundups of the best USB 3.0 hubs and the best docking stations.

Update May 30, 2018: I've refreshed this roundup to ensure you're still looking at the best Ethernet adapters for Dell's lineup of XPS laptops.

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Cale Hunt
Contributor

Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than eight years of experience writing about laptops, PCs, accessories, games, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it. 

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