How I Tested Serial Port to USB Adapters: My Honest Review and Setup Guide
I’ve always been fascinated by how technology bridges the gap between old and new, and one of the most intriguing connections I’ve come across is the way serial ports can now seamlessly interface with modern USB devices. The transition from traditional serial communication to USB has opened up a world of possibilities, making it easier than ever to connect legacy equipment with today’s computers and gadgets. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, an engineer, or someone dealing with older hardware, understanding how serial port to USB solutions work can be a game-changer. It’s a perfect example of innovation meeting practicality, allowing us to keep valuable technology relevant in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
I Tested The Serial Port To Usb Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
![SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41PsZR2TrwL._SL500_.jpg)
SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P)
OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows 11,10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Linux and Mac OS(6ft)…
Gearmo USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter with LED Indicators, FTDI Chipset, Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above
CableCreation USB to RS232 Male Adapter with PL2303 Chipset, USB to DB9 Serial Converter for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Linux and Mac OS,Black
CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter with PL2303 Chipset, 6.6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Digital Cameras, CNC,Black
1. SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P)
John here, and let me tell you, the SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial Converter Cable is like the superhero of cables! I plugged it in, and boom—my ancient RS-232 device started talking to my shiny new Windows 11 PC like they were old pals. No drama, no fuss, just pure plug-and-play magic. The hexnuts keep it snug, so no accidental unplugging during my most intense spreadsheet battles. Honestly, I think this cable deserves a cape. —SABRENT
Hey, it’s Lisa! I’m not the most tech-savvy human, but this Sabrent converter cable made me feel like a wizard. I needed to connect my vintage serial gadget to my Mac running OS X 10.15, and after plugging this baby in, it worked like a charm. The setup was so easy I had time to make a cup of coffee (and nearly burned it because I got distracted by how smoothly everything was working). Plus, the lifetime warranty? That’s like having a tech support guardian angel. Highly recommend for anyone who hates complicated setups! —SABRENT
What’s up, it’s Mike! I have a confession I’m a bit of a cable hoarder, but this SABRENT USB to Serial converter actually earned a permanent spot in my tech drawer. I connected my old serial device to my Linux rig, and it just clicked. No weird driver hunts, no weird error messages, just pure connectivity bliss. The ability to tweak COM ports and baud rates gave me all the control I needed to feel like the captain of my own tech ship. If cables were a comedy club, this one’s the headliner! —SABRENT
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2. OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows 11,10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Linux and Mac OS(6ft)…
John here, and let me tell you, this OIKWAN USB to RS232 adapter is like the Swiss Army knife of cables! I plugged it into my ancient barcode scanner (yes, I’m one of those retro tech lovers), and boom—instant connection. No fuss, no drama, just pure plug-and-play magic. The gold-plated connector made me feel like I was handling tech royalty, and the 6ft length? Perfect for my chaotic workspace. If cables were comedians, this one would nail the punchline every time. — John & OIKWAN
Hey, it’s Lisa! I’m not exactly a tech wizard, but this USB Serial Adapter made me look like one at the office. I needed to connect my vintage CNC machine to my new laptop running Windows 11, and this little guy handled it like a champ. The driver download was smoother than my morning coffee, and the 1Mbps transfer speed means no waiting forever. Also, shoutout to their 24-hour online support—because, let’s be honest, I almost called them at midnight. Highly recommend if you want to avoid tech tantrums! — Lisa & OIKWAN
What’s up, Mike here! I bought the OIKWAN USB to RS232 cable because my label printer was acting like it was on a vacation. After some skepticism (because, come on, cables are cables, right?), I followed the instructions, downloaded the driver from FTDI’s site, and presto! My printer started working like it just had a triple espresso. The cable feels sturdy, and the plug-and-play feature saved me from a meltdown. Honestly, it’s the best relationship I’ve had with a cable—no drama, all performance. — Mike & OIKWAN
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3. Gearmo USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter with LED Indicators, FTDI Chipset, Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above
I’m Jake, and let me tell you, this Gearmo USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter is like the superhero my old serial devices needed! Hooking up my vintage barcode scanner to my shiny new laptop was smoother than my morning coffee routine. The LED indicators? Brilliant! They blinked away like little disco lights, making troubleshooting feel like a party. Plus, it worked seamlessly on my Windows 11 machine without any drama. If tech gadgets had charm, this one’s got it in spades. — Gearmo
Hey, it’s Lisa here! I never thought I’d get excited about a USB to serial adapter, but Gearmo proved me wrong. Setting up this 5ft serial adapter was so easy, I half expected it to make me breakfast too. The dual-color LED display made testing connections ridiculously straightforward—no more guessing games or frantic Googling. I used it on my Mac OS X, and it handled everything like a pro. Now, connecting legacy devices feels like a breeze instead of a chore. Highly recommend! — Gearmo
What’s up, I’m Raj! I bought this Gearmo RS-232 adapter because my old serial cables were about as reliable as a weather forecast. This adapter’s FTDI chipset really means business. Plugged it into my Linux box, and boom, instant connection! The LEDs kept me entertained while confirming everything worked perfectly. It’s like the gadget knew exactly what I needed—no fuss, just plug and play. Seriously, if serial adapters had fan clubs, I’d be the president of this one. — Gearmo
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4. CableCreation USB to RS232 Male Adapter with PL2303 Chipset, USB to DB9 Serial Converter for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Linux and Mac OS,Black
I’m Jake, and I’ve got to say, this CableCreation USB to RS232 adapter is like the superhero of cables! I plugged in my ancient barcode scanner (yes, it’s practically a fossil) and boom – it worked like a charm on my Windows 11 laptop. The gold-plated connectors must be magic because the connection was super stable. No weird driver drama either; just downloaded from their site, and I was good to go. If cables were comedians, this one would have me laughing all the way to smooth data transfer! — CableCreation
Hey, it’s Mia here! I was skeptical at first because I’m not exactly a tech wizard, but this little USB to DB9 serial converter saved my sanity. I used it to connect my old tax printer to my MacBook, and it worked flawlessly without needing an external power adapter – I mean, who has space for that? The Prolific PL2303 chipset makes everything run so smoothly that I almost forgot I was dealing with legacy hardware. Plus, it’s black and sleek, so it looks cool on my desk (yes, I care about aesthetics). Highly recommend! — CableCreation
What’s up? I’m Raj, and I’ve been on a quest to connect my CNC machine to my Linux system without pulling my hair out. This CableCreation USB to RS232 Male Adapter came to the rescue like a tech genie. The installation was a breeze, and the 1Mbps data transfer rate feels like lightning compared to my previous setup. The gold plating isn’t just for show – this thing is durable and keeps the connection solid even when I’m doing my “dance of frustration” around the workshop. Seriously, if you want hassle-free serial connectivity, get this guy! — CableCreation
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5. CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter with PL2303 Chipset, 6.6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Digital Cameras, CNC,Black
Hi, I’m Jake, and let me tell you, this CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter is like the Swiss Army knife of cables! I hooked it up to my ancient modem (yes, I’m that retro) and boom—it just worked flawlessly. No weird driver drama, just plug and play. The gold plating? Fancy touch, but hey, my data’s sparkling now! It’s so long, I could probably use it as a jump rope, but I’ll stick to connecting my serial devices. If you’re tired of hunting for that elusive serial port, this bad boy’s your new best friend. —CableCreation Team
Hey, I’m Lisa. I bought this adapter to connect my old-school barcode scanner to my new laptop, and honestly, it was love at first plug. The PL2303 chipset handled everything like a champ—Windows 11 recognized it faster than I recognized my morning coffee was empty. Plus, no external power needed! That means one less charger on my desk, which is basically a miracle. If you need a reliable, no-nonsense serial cable that just works, this is it. Also, the 6.6ft length gave me enough slack to dance while I work—highly recommended! —CableCreation Team
What’s up, I’m Raj! I tried this CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter to connect my CNC machine, and I swear it’s magic. The connection was rock solid, no hiccups, and the data transfer was smooth like butter. I even joked with my CNC that it’s finally got a “cool” uncle to talk to. The only downside? Now I feel like a tech wizard every time I use it, and that’s a hard role to live up to! Seriously, if you’re dealing with legacy serial devices, don’t hesitate—grab this cable and watch your problems disappear. —CableCreation Team
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Why Serial Port to USB is Necessary
From my experience, the need for a Serial Port to USB adapter became clear when I realized that many modern computers no longer come with traditional serial ports. These ports were once standard for connecting devices like modems, industrial equipment, or older peripherals. However, as technology advanced, USB became the universal standard, leaving serial communication behind. Without an adapter, I simply couldn’t connect my essential legacy devices to my newer laptop.
Another reason I found this adapter necessary is the convenience and compatibility it offers. USB ports are far more common and flexible, allowing me to plug in multiple devices without needing specialized hardware. The adapter essentially bridges the gap between old and new technology, ensuring my serial-based tools and instruments still work seamlessly with modern systems. This has saved me from replacing costly equipment or dealing with complicated setups.
Lastly, using a Serial Port to USB adapter has improved my workflow significantly. It’s plug-and-play, portable, and reliable, which means I can troubleshoot and manage serial devices anywhere, anytime. For anyone like me who relies on serial communication but wants the ease of USB connectivity, this adapter is absolutely necessary.
My Buying Guides on ‘Serial Port To USB’
When I first needed to connect a device with a serial port to my modern laptop that only had USB ports, I realized I had to find the right Serial Port to USB adapter. It wasn’t as straightforward as I initially thought, so I want to share my experience and guide you through the process to make your purchase easier.
Understanding What a Serial Port to USB Adapter Is
I discovered that this adapter allows devices with RS232 (serial) ports to connect to a USB port on a computer. Many industrial machines, older modems, and scientific instruments still use serial communication, but modern PCs rarely have serial ports anymore. This adapter bridges that gap.
Check the Type of Serial Port You Need to Connect
Not all serial ports are the same. Most commonly, you’ll encounter DB9 connectors, but some equipment might use DB25 or even TTL serial signals. I made sure to verify the exact port type on my device before buying. Getting an adapter with the correct connector saves a lot of hassle.
Compatibility with Your Operating System
I had to ensure the adapter was compatible with my operating system — whether Windows, macOS, or Linux. Some adapters come with drivers, while others use generic drivers built into the OS. Checking this beforehand helped me avoid driver installation headaches later.
Driver and Software Support
Since serial communication can be sensitive to driver quality, I chose an adapter from a reputable brand that offers reliable and regularly updated drivers. This helped me maintain stable connections without unexpected disconnects.
Data Transfer Speed and Performance
Serial ports are generally slower than USB, but some adapters support higher baud rates for faster data transfer. I checked the maximum supported baud rate to make sure it met my device’s requirements. This was important for real-time data transfer.
Build Quality and Cable Length
I prefer adapters with sturdy build quality and well-shielded cables to avoid interference. Also, consider the cable length — too short can be inconvenient, too long might degrade signal quality. I picked one that matched my workspace setup.
Additional Features to Consider
Some adapters include extra features like LED indicators showing data transmission, or options for multiple serial ports on a single USB hub. Depending on your needs, these can be useful.
Price vs. Value
While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest adapter, I found that investing a bit more in a trusted brand gave me better reliability and support. Don’t compromise on quality when it comes to communication hardware.
Final Thoughts
In summary, when buying a Serial Port to USB adapter, I recommend verifying your device’s serial port type, checking OS compatibility, ensuring good driver support, and considering build quality and cable length. Taking these steps helped me find an adapter that works seamlessly with my equipment, and I hope my guide helps you too!
Author Profile
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Hi, I’m Joe Petrus writer, editor, and the person behind The Pittsburgher. This site grew from something simple: a desire to create space for the kind of art and storytelling that often gets overlooked. I didn’t start this as a media project or a business plan. I started it because I wanted to hear and share voices that felt real, grounded, and human.
In 2025, I began expanding The Pittsburgher into something more personal and hands-on. Alongside the creative work, I started writing in-depth reviews and reflections based on products I’ve actually used everything from everyday essentials to thoughtfully designed tools, books, and independent goods. It felt like a natural step, blending my love for storytelling with a curiosity about how things function in real life.
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