I thought about this article for a long time, then put it off, but now I decided to write it. I even specially bought a Bluetooth adapter to check everything and prepare the most useful article. As it is not difficult to guess from the name, in this article I will tell you about Bluetooth adapters for computers. We will find out what they are for, what they are, how to choose, connect and use.

What is Bluetooth, I think, I know everything. It is enough to know that this is a wireless technology for exchanging data between different devices on short distances... Nowadays, the Bluetooth module is built into a large number of different devices. It is found in almost every phone, tablet, laptop. There are also many devices that support Bluetooth connectivity. These are printers, headphones, joysticks, mice, etc.

And if in laptops this wireless module is built-in from the factory (except for some models, mostly old ones), and it is quite simple to turn it on (see) and you can use it, but there is no Bluetooth in stationary computers. Again, unless you have a motherboard with an integrated Bluetooth module, or it was installed separately during assembly system unit.

It is important to understand that this is not just a driver, or a program that can be downloaded from the Internet and everything will work. (as many people think)... It is a separate device (module).

To check if there is Bluetooth on your computer, just go to the device manager and see if there is a corresponding adapter in a separate section, or in the "Network adapters" section.

Rarely, but there are times when this adapter is not in the device manager, but it is in the computer. The driver is simply not installed. In this case, there should be unknown devices... Or "Bluetooth Peripheral Device" on the "Other Devices" tab.

It seems to me that if your computer had Bluetooth, you would know for sure about it. I don't think he is. And hence the question: "what to do if the computer does not have Bluetooth, but you need it?"

The solution is very simple - choosing and buying an external USB Bluetooth adapter. There are also PCI adapters that are connected inside the system unit, into a PCI slot on motherboard... But there are not many of them on the market, and as a rule, they are paired with a Wi-Fi module.

Why do you need Bluetooth adapters for a PC and what are they?

After purchasing and connecting such an adapter to a computer, we will be able to connect the most different devices via bluetooth. These are mice, keyboards, headphones, headsets, joysticks (including DualShock and Xbox Wireless Controller), printers, speakers, cameras, etc. You can also exchange files with other computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets. True, transferring files this way is not very convenient.

Basically, this is connecting peripheral devices without cables. It's much more convenient that way. Take the same headphones. If you connect them to a computer via Bluetooth, then you can freely move around the room, or even around the apartment and listen to music. And with the cable it won't work anymore. Or by connecting a headset, you can chat on Skype and you don't have to sit near the computer itself.

The most popular, inexpensive and widespread are USB adapters. They look like a regular flash drive. There are very small ones that are great for both PCs and laptops. For my computer, I bought one of these adapters - Grand-X Bluetooth 4.0. It looks like this:

And there are also these:

As you can see, there are options with external antennas. The presence of an antenna provides a stronger signal and a more stable connection.

There are a lot of these adapters on the market. A particularly large number of them can be found in Chinese online stores. But I still advise you to buy those adapters that are attached to our market. From less well-known manufacturers. We will talk about how to choose the right Bluetooth adapter for your PC later in this article.

Choosing a Bluetooth adapter for your computer

You can open a new tab in your browser right now and look at a selection of Bluetooth adapters in some popular online store. I think you will immediately see that the price for them is very different. There are both very cheap and expensive models. And it’s not just that. The price in this case depends not only on the brand, but also on the characteristics and capabilities of the adapter itself.

When choosing a Bluetooth adapter, I advise you to navigate by the following parameters:

Here is a photo of the characteristics of my adapter:

Be guided by the parameters that I wrote about above. I think that this information will be enough for you in order to choose a normal and suitable Bluetooth adapter for your computer.

The main thing is not to rush. Read the reviews. Examine the characteristics. I also advise you not to buy the cheapest adapters. Especially if you need an adapter for connecting good Bluetooth headphones, for transferring files, connecting a joystick, etc. Not only are they of poor quality, but also an outdated version. Yes, they can be much cheaper. But it is possible that you will simply throw it away later, or go to the store.

For example, the STlab B-122 adapter. Only costs a little over two dollars (and this is in our stores)... But there is Bluetooth version 2.0 with support for voice mode and a bunch of different problems when connecting with other devices. Yes, it will work, but not for all tasks. You may also have to tinker with finding suitable drivers. I do not recommend buying such cheap adapters at all. And do not take version 2.0.

The one that I chose - Grand-X Bluetooth 4.0 (BT40G), costs almost $ 9. But there is already a version of Bluetooth 4.0, first class and good reviews. There are even more expensive models. For example, Trust 4.0 Bluetooth adapter. And cheaper ones - F&D BD-10 and STlab 4.0 (B-421). If you are used to trusting more popular companies, you can check out the ASUS USB-BT400.

How do I use the adapter?

Just plug it into your computer's USB port.

And if you're lucky (like me), then Windows will automatically recognize the Bluetooth adapter and you can immediately connect the devices. In my case, Windows 10 was installed. The adapter from Grand-X was detected immediately and appeared in the device manager.

And the "Bluetooth" icon appeared on the notification bar. By clicking on which you can add new devices, send / receive a file, open settings, etc.

It is clear that depending on the adapter and the operating system installed on the computer, it may not be detected automatically. And you have to install the driver manually. But the adapter usually comes with a disc included. If the drivers from the disk do not fit, then you need to look for them on the Internet. It is advisable to download from the manufacturer's official website. True, there is not always such an opportunity.

If you already have an adapter, you connected it and everything works, then the article may come in handy. Using her example, you can see how to connect Bluetooth devices to a computer with installed Windows 10.

Waiting from you feedback in comments. Write me if my article came in handy or not. Maybe I missed something and I need to supplement it. Good luck!

Any progress is based on the idea of ​​finalizing and improving existing technologies, which means that their predecessors, in a sense, become irrelevant. But if you are faced with the question of how to choose a Bluetooth adapter for your computer, it is better to understand the essence of all the options presented.

About technology

There are quite a decent number of versions of this specification, but there are only 5 of those that were turning points: 1.2, 2.0 + EDR, 3.0 + HS, 4.0 and 4.1. All the subtleties will not be stated here, but if someone is interested, then he can easily find all the differences and features that were added in each version. But it makes sense to state something, namely transmission speed, signal strength, stacks and profiles, so that you can make an informed conclusion about which Bluetooth adapter for PC to choose.

The transmission rates for the five aforementioned versions of the specification are respectively: 1, 2.1 (3), 3 (24), 24 and 24 Mbps. But this is only theoretically, in practice the speed is much lower.

By capacity, the technology can be divided into 3 parts: 100, 2.5 and 1 MW. This directly affects the range of devices and gives them indicators of 100, 10 and 1 meter, respectively. However, on the market you can find only devices of the same standard of 2.5 MW and 10 meters, since samples with minimum indicators are no longer mass-produced, and maximum data correspond only to gadgets that were added to Wi-Fi cards with PCI- connectors and in a separate form simply do not exist.

It is also worth noting that the basis of all Bluetooth technology is a wireless analogue of the RS-232 cable, on which various protocols for the execution, transmission and management of information and available resources are "hung", which are called stacks. These stacks are mandatory, without which the entire multi-tier architecture simply will not work, and optional, allowing you to apply improvements to existing functions, as well as add new ones.

The main stacks include 5 units:

There is also such a thing as "Profiles", which are directly related to which is the best Bluetooth adapter for PC to choose. There are many of them, but it makes no sense to consider all of them, since most of them have specific functions. But nevertheless, we will consider some situations, as this will help to make the right choice.

Adapter selection

So, which USB Bluetooth adapter to choose depends directly on the purpose for which it will be used. In turn, the functionality of a module is determined by the previously mentioned profiles, which manage the stacks to obtain some specific parameters.

For example, consider a situation in which a client wants to access the Internet via a Bluetooth module. In this case, he will need a model that supports the Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN) or LAN Access Profile (LAP). If he tries to distribute the network via a Bluetooth module from an ordinary wireless mouse, then he will fail, since the Human Interface Device (HID) profile is used in the manipulator. And it will be the same with the transmission of an audio or video signal, where it will be needed Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP).

Another example determines the desire of the owner of the device to control the PC using a mobile phone or a TV remote control. If the Bluetooth module does not support Audio / Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), but is focused on working only with Hands-Free Profile (HFP) or Headset Profile (HSP), then you will not be able to make the sound louder, but connect a headset or mobile phone for calls - in no time.

In general, the essence is this: before looking for the desired device, you will need to determine its functional purpose and only then start choosing the right equipment. Since there are devices of different sizes, purposes, capacities, data rates, and even options combined with a Wi-Fi module that have antennas and without them. By the way, the latter differ from each other in signal strength and range of work.

If someone is interested in how much a Bluetooth adapter costs, then the answer directly depends on functionality, as well as the supported profiles and stacks of a particular model, version, capacity, purpose, and form factor. But, in general, the price varies from a dollar and up to a hundred, or even more, since you should not forget about such nuances as the build quality, parts and materials used.

How to find out if there is Bluetooth on the computer: Video

Bluetooth (Bluetooth) usb adapter is easy to find in any major electronics store, but not everyone understands what these devices are for. The thing is that, along with the growth of the capabilities of electronic devices, there is a growing need for the exchange of information between them - smartphones, computers, printers and other equipment. The most convenient and widespread solution to this problem today is achieved using Bluetooth wireless technology.

In many devices, a special communication chip is included in the standard factory equipment, for example, it is almost impossible to find a laptop without Bluetooth, but manufacturers rarely add such a function to stationary computers. Fortunately, in cases where the manufacturer did not take care of this method of wireless connection, an additional device will come to your aid - an external wireless adapter Bluetooth.

The principle of operation of the Bluetooth adapter

The Bluetooth adapter is a tiny module that can supplement the computer with the function wireless communication... There are also versions for use with modern TVs, but in this article I will talk mainly about the Bluetooth adapter for the PC.

View external devices remind you a little USB stick... In some cases, they may have a small antenna, which adds several meters to the range. Built-in modules look like cards and are connected inside the computer's system unit (usually to a PCI slot).

What is it for?

If you still do not understand what the Bluetooth adapter is for, I will give you the main possibilities that it opens up to the user:

1. Transfer files from PC to smartphone or tablet and vice versa. Almost all Cell phones equipped with a BT transmitter;
2. Wireless connection of two computers located close to each other;
3. Connecting wireless keyboards, mice and other equipment supporting this communication protocol to a PC. It is especially convenient to use wireless headphones when you cannot make noise in the apartment or you want to talk on Skype without sitting at the monitor.

The advantages of using the adapter are:

• Low energy consumption of radio communications. Turning on the device will not greatly affect the power consumption of the computer or the rate of discharge of the laptop battery.
• The connection remains stable even if there are obstacles between the devices:
• It can be connected to any PC that has a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port;
• Low cost of expanding functionality. Sometimes, it is more profitable to buy a computer without a built-in chip and purchase a USB module than to spend money on a more advanced package;
• Availability in the vast majority of smartphones and tablets.

How to connect Bluetooth adapter to computer?

No wires are required to connect the two units. It is only necessary that both devices have a built-in wireless module.

1. On a computer, the adapter must be plugged into a USB port. The operating system will most likely determine the type of equipment itself, and you will not need to install any programs, everything will work right away. Otherwise, you will need to install the appropriate driver, which can be on the disk attached to the device, or on the manufacturer's official website.
2. The last step is to turn on the device. To put the module into pairing mode, sometimes you need to press the power button, but most often this happens automatically when connected to the USB input.
3. After activating and turning on the BT function on the second gadget (smartphone, headphones, etc.), both devices will start searching for each other within the range of the transmitters and will offer to create a connection.

How to choose a Bluetooth adapter for PC?

We figured out what a Bluetooth adapter is, you can proceed to the choice. Which Bluetooth adapter for your computer is best suited to your goals and objectives is up to you. But there are the main characteristics that you should pay attention to first of all: communication standard, data transfer speed and stability of work.

Among the most popular models of the middle price segment, two stand out:

# 1 Espada ES-M05

• Works without additional drivers and settings in win10, immediately after connecting via the USB port;
• Built on the Broadcom chipset used in Apple devices;

• Price;
• Not always available;

# 2 Asus USB BT400

• Dimensions: the model is very compact, so it can even be connected to USB on the front panel of the system unit;
• Availability of the modern communication standard version 4.0;

• In some cases, you have to download a hefty package of drivers from the Asus website;

The segment of budget models is represented mainly by Buro products:

# 3 Buro BU-BT40A

• Low price;
• Prevalence in large chain stores;

• Some users complain about interference when listening to music through wireless headphones;
• USB version 2.0;

Here you can download bluetooth drivers for a stationary computer, laptop and netbook in order to organize a wireless connection for connecting a PC with other devices using the built-in hardware bluetooth module or a bluetooth adapter plugged in via an available USB port, such as a flash drive. Positive user ratings in reviews and comments in social networks, on specialized forums and other resources on the Internet, as well as recommendations on how to download the Bluetooth driver for free for Windows 10, 8 .. Permanent link: website / ru / drivers / bt

General concept of Bluetooth technology

If you need to connect your PC to any gadget using the bluetooth protocol, it makes sense to download Broadcom Bluetooth drivers for free for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and put them on your computer, laptop or netbook. This technology allows you to connect to personal computer the whole range of peripheral devices and equipment with the appropriate wireless information transfer protocol and can be used both one-time and permanently. Of the connected devices, the most commonly used are tablets, smartphones, mobile phones, digital photos and video cameras, wireless headphones, speakers, Bluetooth headsets for PC, bluetooth headsets for phone, Speakerphone in the car, mice, joysticks, keyboards, faxes, printers, scanners, GPS receivers, OBD2 ELM327 Bluetooth adapter for car diagnostics and more. Several Bluetooth devices working on the network are called piconets. Both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint combinations are supported as standard. Before pairing, a PIN must be entered on all active sides. Passive hardware has a built-in PIN.

Among the advantages of this technology, it is worth highlighting the following advantages:

Operational search and connection of devices,
- low energy consumption,
- resistance to radio interference,
- data transfer in parallel,
- high quality voice broadcast,
- 128-bit AES encryption for data protection.

Bluetooth is translated into Russian as "blue tooth". The technology has been developed since 1994 by Erickson Corporation, and since 1998 IBEm, Intel, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba have joined it, forming the Bluetooth SIG. Today, in addition to bluetooth, non-wired substitutes for RS-232 cables such as IrDA infrared communication and Wi-Fi local radio networks have become widespread.

Bluetooth adapter and network

A BT adapter is usually a USB device that allows one PC to communicate with other PCs and other devices of the type local network with the ability to transfer data between them. Such data can be, for example, video recordings and photos from a mobile, melodies, documents, e-books, and more. Also, a BT connection is suitable for connecting to the Internet, for example, via 3G or GPRS, using the modem capabilities of the mobile phone. Bluetooth networks operate in the unlicensed radio frequency range from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz in most countries, where Wi-Fi, radio telephones operate and emit accompanying radiation from microwave ovens, scientific and medical equipment. In the latest specifications Wireless personal area network, WPAN, the range of bluetooth networks has been increased to 100 meters, and data is transmitted at a speed of 3 Mbps. The most powerful Host XR from AIRcable hits 30 km. The scope of application has no restrictions: from smartphones, headsets, GPS navigators familiar to everyone, to OBD2 ELM327 Bluetooth diagnostic scanner and sensors used in science, sports, medicine.

How to turn on bluetooth, download and install software

Before starting the installation, you must make sure that the equipment is working: connect a working USB adapter or activate the Bluetooth module in the laptop BIOS. After the user was able to download the bluetooth drivers for free from this page of the site in Russian and began the installation, nothing needs to be configured. Installation takes some time, sometimes you have to wait depending on the hardware. At startup, Bluetooth automatically diagnoses the equipment and analyzes the possibility of establishing a wireless connection, determines the parameters of the peripheral device. Bluetooth equipment on a PC does not always work perfectly, so we recommend looking for a computer in a BT environment from a trusted tablet or smartphone.

How to turn on bluetooth if there are problems

If there is a problem with installing drivers, then there are two options for solving the problem. The first is to check the operability of the BT device itself, for example, the indicator is off, the computer does not detect it and does not show it in the equipment list. The second is to make sure that the USB port is working properly by connecting any other device to it, for example, a USB flash drive. If the USB port is working properly, then it is worth testing a known working BT adapter on this computer.

As a rule, once installed Bluetooth drivers for data transfer work without problems even if you change the adapter. It is enough once to download the Broadcom bluetooth software to the computer from operating system Microsoft Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP and install correctly. Reinstalling or updating generic bluetooth drivers is usually not required as the technology specification suggests enhanced hardware compatibility.

Probably everyone is familiar with this situation - you are listening to music, working or just relaxing at the PC. Then, slightly forgetting that you are wearing headphones, you get up, and as a result, a keyboard, a mouse, a mug of tea fall from the table, and the cord is pulled out or simply breaks. After this, you will think about purchasing a bluetooth adapter for your computer, so that later you can buy and connect wireless headphones.

USB or PCI Bluetooth adapter allows you to transfer information from one device to another at a speed of 3-10 Mbit per second. Often in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you need to connect your phone, smartphone or tablet to your computer to upload photos, videos, or other files. As a rule, not everyone has a cord for connecting a device, and the wires are often lost or fail, breaking at the wrong moment.

How it works

If earlier it was possible to easily find support for Bluetooth technology in laptops, then for the last 5 years the "blue tooth" is extremely rare. More often, wireless technology is present and comes standard in mobile phones.

A USB Bluetooth adapter for a computer or laptop looks like a small flash drive, which is connected by connecting to a USB port. Some developers and firms install antennas on the model that increase the coverage area.

Yes, now, you can transfer information packets from one room to another, or go to the toilet, kitchen or balcony with wireless headphones. It is true that you should not wash in them if there is no waterproof technology, and there are no such headphones yet, but they may soon appear.

True, the board itself is installed inside the computer. The plastic chip has a standard appearance with a PCI slot for connecting to the motherboard. It is even more convenient as it frees up the USB port. More often than not, users plug an external adapter into the front panel, where it sticks out like a flagpole. And then they knock it out with a foot or a hip, break the port, which you will agree is not very pleasant.

This technology will allow not only to connect wireless devices such as headphones or a printer, but also quickly exchange information between PCs, laptops, phones.

pros

• Quickly download photos, videos, documents from your phone to your PC.
• Huge selection of devices, in terms of power and price.
• Installation on any modern computer.
• The ability to connect wireless devices: mice, keyboards, joysticks, headphones, printers, MFPs.
• Walk around the apartment with headphones and a microphone and talk on Skype.
• Connecting old phones if the cable is lost.
• Connecting phones, tablets.
• Transferring data between two computers or laptops.

Minuses

• Not available on all laptops, and even more so on PCs.
• Short data transmission distance. Although this is solved by buying a more powerful bluetooth device.
• The speed is slightly lower than that of the WI-FI network.

Classes and types

The metering is painted approximately and under ideal conditions. Signal propagation rate drops from wall thickness, material, and also from the aura system administrators, which works nearby in the server room.

Usually, the signal level is amplified by an antenna, which can be additionally installed with the device. Therefore, before buying, you need to roughly imagine what the adapter is needed for and how far you will run away from the working base.

They are divided by types:

• External;
• Internal;
• Modular - like a headset that has everything you need right away.

How to find a Bluetooth receiver on your computer

If you have a laptop, then you can check if you have this module. To do this, we find a Bluetooth icon on the keyboard, it is usually located on the F3 key.

To enable, press the combination Fn + F3.

In ordinary stationary PCs, this module is rarely installed and is present in rare assemblies. To check this, you just need to go to the device manager:

1. Right-click on "Computer", which is located on the desktop.
2. We choose "Property".
3. Next, click "Device Manager".
4. In chapter network adapters or a separate section, there should be a Bluetooth name. Sometimes this module is present, but the driver is not installed. It will be located in the section "Other devices".

If it is not there, then you need to start choosing.

How to choose

First of all, you need to focus on several indicators:

• The protocols used by the modem;
• Range of action;
• External or internal device. That is, a flash drive or PCI card.
• Price - it usually depends on the name of the manufacturer, the availability of shielding, and the coverage of the range.

Protocols

These are the rules of the Bluetooth data transmission system. They are constantly being updated and improved. Thus, we can understand which device is in front of us - a new or an older model.

The higher the protocol, the more recent the model. They have more reliable data transmission, automatic connection in case of disconnection. Also, information packets are transmitted in such a way as to increase speed and reduce power consumption. More modern devices split the stream and allow you to connect more than 2 devices at the same time, without significant loss of speed.

Profiles

Profiles allow you to connect certain devices and transfer a certain type of data.

• Headset (HSP) - Sound transmission in MONO mode;
• A2DP - stereo sound;
• Dial-up - Internet connection;
• LAN Access Profile - Internet distribution.

Some protocols have already gone out of wide use, and adapters that work on them can only be found in museums or at bearded programmers. Newer models starting from 3.0 can be found on sale. They are reliable and suitable for home use.

If we talk about large enterprises, then you need to look at version 5.0. It has the widest coverage, but the price of such models is much higher than for copies for mortals. If we talk about the range, then the price is also growing. For home, you can take a regular flash drive without an antenna.

If you want to connect two or more devices or computers within a range of up to 20 meters, then it is better to buy a more expensive model for 2000 - 3000 with a protocol of 4.0 and higher. Information will be transmitted accurately, without loss and at a higher speed.

For PCs, we recommend purchasing an embedded PCI Bluetooth card with built-in WI-FI. It will also allow you to catch the network from the router. If we talk about a laptop, then it is better to take a more expensive model in order to reduce power consumption, which already comes from working with the power off.

The most important advice is to take your time. Carefully read the reviews, in which you can often find interesting nuances that are not mentioned in the review. Also, think about what exactly Bluetooth is for. To connect a phone, you can take a cheap model, for a headset or wireless headphone you need to consider the protocols and profiles that you will be using.

The cheapest adapter Buro BU-BT40A

Very compact and at the same time a range of 20 meters. Perfect for home use... A small disadvantage will be the low data transfer rate.

The most popular ASUS USB-BT400

Has a more reliable packet transmission system. Good for connecting all wireless devices from phones to headphones.

Intel 7260HMW.AC

Connects internally to the PCE board. It can easily receive both Bluetooth signal and Wi-Fi. Quite a good model for its price.

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 + Bluetooth

Operates in the 2.4 to 5 GHz range. A more stable version allows you to share data streams and work quietly with both the Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth.

How to connect the device?

1. We connect the module to a PC using any USB port. If you purchased a PCI module, then you will have to remove the side cover of your system unit, and then install the card in a free PCI slot.
2. Windows should automatically detect the device and download the driver. After that, in the panel on the right you will see the corresponding icon.
3. If this did not happen, then you need to visit the official website of the company that released the device and download the software from there. But I'll tell you from experience, all adapters are installed automatically and without problems.

Request

Dear readers, write your feedback in the comments after using the purchased adapters. This is very important information for new readers. Also, calmly write your questions, and I will answer them immediately. What difficulties did you face? You can also write what exactly you need Bluetooth for, and in what price range you want, and I will help you choose the best option.