XSReviews

Today we’re looking at a £13 USB-C to Ethernet network adapter from Aukey. It’s designed to give slimmed down laptops a way to access wired networks, but it will also work with desktop PCs, Android smartphones and tablets (it’s possible!) and other devices with USB-C ports, as long as there’s driver support. Let’s get into the review!

Specifications

• Model: C8-C13
• Interface: USB 3.1 Type-C + RJ-45 Ethernet
• Maximum network speed: 1000 Mb/s (gigabit ethernet)
• Cable length: 160 mm / 6.3 inches
• Dimensions: 61 x 21 x 15 mm / 2.4 x 0.8 x 0.6 inches
• Weight: 20 grams / 0.7 ounces

Design

The adapter is quite simple in its design: we have an ethernet port on the body of the adapter, and a short (160mm) USB-C cable on the other end.

On the top face, there are three LEDs: activity (amber), link (blue) and power (red).

On the bottom face, there are three dotted vents, presumably to prevent the adapter from overheating.

Regulatory markings are on the right side, and nothing at all on the left. The adapter is made from plastic, but the build quality is reasonable and I don’t foresee any durability or longevity issues.

Testing

We tested the Aukey adapter with an XPS 15 9560 laptop, which has a single USB-C port and no ethernet port.

We plugged the adapter in and connected an ethernet cable, and got online immediately — no special drivers or software needed. The cable’s length was sufficient to keep it out of the way of other nearby peripherals.

In terms of performance, we recorded internet speeds of 35 MB/s on fast.com, compared to 32 MB/s while connected to a 5GHz wireless network in the next room. We also tried copying a file between two computers connected with a single ethernet cable, and got transfer speeds of 850 Mb/s reading and 750 Mb/s writing. This indicates that the ethernet adapter is fit for purpose.

Finally, we tried gaming while using the adapter. We recorded pings of between 28 and 32 ms on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and had no instances of loss, stuttering or other lag that could be attributable to the adapter. All in all, a clean sheet!

Wrapping up

If you want to add ethernet capabilities to your laptop (or another device), then this Aukey adapter is a fine choice for £13 / $12. However, it’s important to remember that similar adapters with additional full-size USB ports cost only a little extra, so you may want to investigate these as an alternative as well.

See the Aukey USB-C to Ethernet adapter on Amazon

Thanks for checking out this brief review; if you have any questions or comments feel free to share them below!