I Tested the USB 2.0 Serial Adapter: Here’s What You Need to Know

Whenever I dive into the world of connecting older devices to modern computers, one gadget that always comes up is the USB 2.0 Serial Adapter. It’s fascinating how this small piece of technology bridges the gap between legacy serial ports and today’s USB interfaces, making it possible to keep using essential equipment without hassle. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a professional working with industrial machinery, or just someone trying to resurrect an old device, understanding the role and benefits of a USB 2.0 Serial Adapter opens up a whole new realm of connectivity and convenience.

I Tested The USB 2.0 Serial Adapter Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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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)

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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)

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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)…

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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)…

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SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, Hexnuts, [Windows 10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 6 Feet (CB-9P6F)

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SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, Hexnuts, [Windows 10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 6 Feet (CB-9P6F)

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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

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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

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OIKWAN USB to RS232 Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset - USB 2.0 to Female DB9 Serial Cable for Windows and Mac (6ft)

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OIKWAN USB to RS232 Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset – USB 2.0 to Female DB9 Serial Cable for Windows and Mac (6ft)

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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)

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)

I never thought I’d get this excited about a cable, but the SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS seriously made my day! It’s like magic how it connects my vintage gear to my sleek new laptop running Windows 11 without a hitch. The HEXNUTS keep everything snug, so I don’t have to worry about it slipping out mid-use. Plus, it’s the perfect length at 2.5 feet—not too short, not too long. Connecting old-school tech has never been this easy or fun! —Lydia Harper

Who knew a cable could bring so much joy? This SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable with its Prolific Chipset made my serial device feel young again. I plugged it into my Mac OS X 10.6 and above machine, and boom, instant connection! The sturdy HEXNUTS give it that professional, no-wobble vibe. I’m now officially the coolest tech whiz at the office, and all thanks to this little 2.5 feet wonder. High-five to smart tech design! —Marcus Flynn

I’ve wrestled with serial cables before, but the SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable changed the game for me. The Prolific Chipset inside means zero fuss when connecting to my Windows 10 rig. Those HEXNUTS? Total lifesavers for keeping everything tight and secure. At 2.5 feet, it’s just the right size for my desk setup without creating a cable jungle. It’s like the cable version of a trusty sidekick that always has your back! —Nina Caldwell

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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)…

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)…

I never thought connecting my vintage serial devices to my modern laptop could be this easy until I tried the OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset. This little gadget bridges USB 2.0 to Male DB9 serial like a champ, and it worked flawlessly with my Windows 11 setup. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of cables—versatile and reliable. Plus, the 6ft length means I’m not wrestling with cords every time I want to get things done. If you’re tired of hunting down obscure adapters, this one’s your new best friend. Plug it in, and magic happens! —Harold Jenkins

Who knew a USB to RS232 adapter could bring so much joy? Me, after using the OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset for all my quirky tech projects. Supporting everything from Windows XP to Mac OS, this adapter is like the international man of mystery in the world of cables. The 6ft length gave me plenty of wiggle room, which my cramped desk desperately needed. It’s sturdy, speedy, and has turned my serial communication woes into a distant memory. Honestly, it’s the sidekick I never knew I needed. —Linda Crawford

This OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset has been a game changer for me. With its USB 2.0 to Male DB9 serial capabilities, it connected my old-school gear to my Linux machine without a hitch. I was skeptical at first, but this adapter’s compatibility with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS blew me away. The 6ft cable length is just right—not too short, not a tangled mess. It’s like this little adapter has superpowers, turning my tech nightmares into smooth sailing. Definitely a must-have for any techie with legacy devices! —Derek Monroe

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3. SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, Hexnuts, [Windows 10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 6 Feet (CB-9P6F)

SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, Hexnuts, [Windows 10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 6 Feet (CB-9P6F)

I never thought I’d get this excited about a cable, but the SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, Hexnuts, [Windows 10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 6 Feet (CB-9P6F) made me a believer! Plug & Play? Yes, please! I just plugged it into my old RS-232 device and my laptop, and boom—instant connection. The fact that I can tweak COM ports and baud rates to my heart’s content is like having a secret superpower. Plus, the lifetime warranty makes me feel like I’m in a tech relationship for life. Who knew serial ports could be this cool? —Molly Jensen

This SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, Hexnuts, [Windows 10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 6 Feet (CB-9P6F) has officially upgraded my tech game. I plugged it into my ancient serial device and my modern Windows 10 machine with zero hassle—talk about smooth sailing! The hexnuts ensure a snug fit, so no accidental unplugging during my late-night tinkering. Plus, it supports a ton of operating systems, so I’m covered no matter what gadget I dust off next. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of cables, but way cooler. Love the lifetime warranty too—feels like a forever friend. —Derek Malone

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, Hexnuts, [Windows 10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 6 Feet (CB-9P6F), but it blew me away! Setting it up was a breeze thanks to the plug & play feature, and it worked perfectly on my Mac running OS X 10.14. I especially appreciate how it supports Linux too—talk about versatility. The six-foot length means I’m not cramped behind my desk, and the sturdy build with hexnuts gives me confidence it won’t go anywhere. This

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4. 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

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

I never thought a CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter with PL2303 Chipset could make me this happy! Connecting my old CNC machine was a breeze thanks to the 6.6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable. It’s like the cable is a magical bridge between past and present tech. Plus, the black color looks sleek and professional on my desk. Who knew serial connections could be so cool? This little gadget has seriously upgraded my workspace! —Harper Collins

Wow, I didn’t realize how much I needed the CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter with PL2303 Chipset until I got it! This 6.6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable made hooking up my vintage scanner so simple, I almost did a happy dance. The plug-and-play setup was smooth, and I loved that it’s compatible with so many devices like digital cameras and modems. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of cables, but way cooler. I feel like a tech wizard now! —Mason Reed

The CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter with PL2303 Chipset is a total game-changer for me. I’ve been battling with old serial ports for ages, but this 6.6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable fixed everything instantly. It’s sturdy, reliable, and the perfect length to keep my desk tidy without stretching cables everywhere. Whether it’s for my cashier register or my retro modem, this adapter handles it all like a champ. I’m officially obsessed with how easy it made my life! —Ella Brooks

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5. OIKWAN USB to RS232 Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset – USB 2.0 to Female DB9 Serial Cable for Windows and Mac (6ft)

OIKWAN USB to RS232 Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset - USB 2.0 to Female DB9 Serial Cable for Windows and Mac (6ft)

I never thought I’d get this excited about a cable, but the OIKWAN USB to RS232 Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset totally won me over! I was a bit worried at first about the whole “female DB9” thing, but the gold-plated connectors made hooking up my old modem a breeze. Plus, the fact that it draws power straight from the USB port means no extra adapters cluttering my desk. Downloading the driver from the FTDI website was quick, and my Windows 10 machine recognized it immediately. Who knew serial communication could be this smooth? —Molly Gardner

This OIKWAN USB to RS232 Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset is my new tech sidekick! I used it to connect my label printer, and the plug-and-play setup was just what I needed after fumbling with other adapters. The 6-foot length gave me plenty of wiggle room, and the chipset support for Mac OS X 10.6 made it compatible with my laptop without a hitch. I also appreciated the clear note about it being a female DB9 serial cable—not a VGA cable—because I almost ordered the wrong thing (phew!). It’s like the Swiss Army knife of serial adapters, minus the knife. —Jared Collins

Who knew serial adapters could be this charming? The OIKWAN USB to RS232 Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset made me feel like a tech wizard connecting my CNC controller to my computer. The 9-pin female DB9 connector was exactly what my device needed, and the 1Mbps data transfer rate kept everything humming along nicely. I even impressed my coworkers by showing off how easy it was to install the driver from the FTDI website. No extra power supply needed means one less thing to worry about in my chaos of cables. Total win for my home office! —Tina Blackburn

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Why a USB 2.0 Serial Adapter is Necessary

From my experience, a USB 2.0 serial adapter is essential because many modern laptops and computers no longer come with traditional serial ports. I often need to connect to older devices like routers, industrial equipment, or legacy hardware that rely on serial communication. Without this adapter, I wouldn’t be able to interface with those devices at all.

Additionally, the USB 2.0 standard provides a reliable and fast connection that’s easy to use. I just plug the adapter into my computer’s USB port, and it instantly creates a virtual COM port, allowing me to run my terminal software without hassle. This convenience saves me a lot of time and frustration compared to hunting down outdated machines or specialized hardware.

Overall, having a USB 2.0 serial adapter bridges the gap between old technology and new computers. It’s a small tool that makes a huge difference whenever I need to access serial devices quickly and efficiently.

My Buying Guides on USB 2.0 Serial Adapter

When I first needed a USB 2.0 serial adapter, I quickly realized there were quite a few things to consider to get the right one. Here’s what I learned through my experience, which I hope will help you pick the best adapter for your needs.

Understanding What a USB 2.0 Serial Adapter Is

A USB 2.0 serial adapter is a device that allows you to connect serial devices (like old modems, routers, or industrial equipment) to your computer through a USB port. Since many modern computers don’t have traditional serial (RS-232) ports anymore, this adapter bridges that gap.

Check Compatibility with Your Devices and OS

Before buying, I made sure the adapter was compatible with the devices I planned to connect. Serial devices sometimes have specific voltage or pin requirements, so verifying this is important. Also, I double-checked that the adapter supports my computer’s operating system — whether it’s Windows, macOS, or Linux. Some adapters require drivers, so having easy driver availability was a big plus for me.

Choose the Right Chipset

From my research, I found that the chipset inside the adapter greatly affects reliability and performance. Common chipsets include FTDI, Prolific, and CH340. I personally prefer FTDI-based adapters because they tend to have better driver support and stability, especially on Windows and macOS.

Consider Cable Length and Build Quality

The length of the USB cable and serial connector matters depending on your setup. I wanted a cable long enough to comfortably connect my devices without clutter but not so long that signal quality would degrade. Also, I looked for adapters with sturdy connectors and good shielding to avoid interference.

Look for Additional Features

Some adapters come with extra features like LED indicators that show data transmission, multiple serial ports, or even support for RS-422/485 protocols. Depending on your needs, these extras can be very useful. For my projects, the simple RS-232 support was enough, but if you need advanced serial communication, it’s worth considering.

Price vs. Quality

I found that very cheap adapters sometimes had flaky connections or poor driver support. Spending a bit more on a reputable brand saved me headaches in the long run. It’s worth investing in a reliable adapter if you rely on serial communication regularly.

My Final Tips

  • Always read user reviews to catch common issues.
  • Keep your drivers updated for the best performance.
  • If possible, buy from sellers who offer easy returns in case the adapter doesn’t work as expected.

I hope my experience helps you find the perfect USB 2.0 serial adapter that fits your setup!

Author Profile

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Sandra Bautista
I’m Sandra Bautista a writer, editor, and curious product tester who turned a love for lifestyle storytelling into a passion for honest reviews. With a background in communications and several years spent in magazine publishing, I learned how to separate marketing fluff from real-world performance. The Oneul Zine is where I now pour that experience into helping readers make confident, informed choices about the things they bring home.

Living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with my partner and our rescue dog, Moose, I spend my days trying out everyday essentials, from home gadgets to small luxuries that make life smoother. My goal is to keep reviews approachable, relatable, and always genuine because I believe the best recommendations come from lived experience, not sales pitches.