The best USB Bluetooth dongles for desktops
If your computer has no working Bluetooth, a USB dongle fixes it cheaply. Here is what to look for.
If your computer has no Bluetooth, or its Bluetooth is unreliable, a USB Bluetooth dongle is a cheap fix. Here is what to look for when buying one.
When you need one
Mostly desktop PCs, which often ship without Bluetooth, and computers whose built-in Bluetooth keeps dropping the toy connection. For the full "do I need one" question, see Do I need a USB Bluetooth dongle.
What to look for
- Bluetooth 4.0 or newer. This is the version that supports the low-energy devices interactive toys use. Anything sold today meets this.
- A known brand. A name-brand adapter is more reliable than the absolute cheapest no-name listing, and the price difference is small.
- A direct USB connection. Plug the dongle straight into a USB port on the computer, not through an unpowered hub.
A Windows tip
If your computer has weak built-in Bluetooth and you add a dongle, it often helps to switch the built-in adapter off in Device Manager, so the dongle is the only Bluetooth in use. Otherwise the computer may keep trying the weak one.
Bottom line
Any current, name-brand Bluetooth 4.0 or newer USB dongle will do the job. It is one of the cheapest fixes in this whole guide. If you would rather skip Bluetooth entirely, see Bluetooth vs WiFi sex toys.
Disclosure
ToyControl earns a commission when you buy through links in this article. We only recommend products we have tested or that the community consistently confirms work with ToyControl. Our recommendations are not affected by commission rates. If a product we link to does not work as described, use the Report a bug button in the app and we will revise the article.