X
Tech
Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.

Close

Plugable launched an excellent range of USB-C adapters

Need to connect to Gigabit Ethernet, DisplayPort, HDMI, or VGA, but only have USB-C ports on your device? Plugable has you covered.
Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Senior Contributing Editor

The reality of owning a modern laptop -- or, increasingly, desktop PCs -- is that if you want to plug in anything other than a USB-C plug, you need a dock or a dongle. And while docks are great for static use, and smaller travel docks are good when on the move, sometimes a simple dongle is quicker and easier.

With that idea in mind, Plugable has launched a new line of USB-C adapters.

Four dongles in fact: USB-C to HDMI Adapter, USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter, USB-C to VGA Adapter, and USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter.

These adapters are made to be compact and portable, coming in at less than 2 inches in length and weighing less than a AA battery.

Plugable USB-C adapters in pictures

Mirror or extend a 4K HDMI monitor, projector, or TV to your laptop.

Experience Ultra HD 4K video with an HDMI 1.4 output at resolutions up to 3840x2160 at 30Hz.

  • 4K RESOLUTION: With this HDMI to USB C Adapter add an HDMI port to connect a monitor to USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports. HDMI output supports up to 4K 30Hz offering great picture quality and other resolutions like 1920×1080 and 2560×1440 at 60Hz
  • EXPAND YOUR WORKSPACE: Thunderbolt 3 to HDMI Adapter converts USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode signal from your laptop to HDMI enabling you to expand your workspace to any HDMI TV or monitor. Can be configured in extended or mirrored mode
  • SMALL CABLE FLEXIBILITY:  Small, lightweight HDMI adapter is perfect for travel and constructed with cutting edge materials including a flat, flexible printed circuit cable, providing durability while accommodating any workspace
  • COMPATIBILITY:  Compatible with USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 Windows systems, Chromebooks, 2018+ iPad Pro, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, iMac, Dell XPS, Lenovo Thinkpad, HP Spectre x360, Samsung Galaxy DeX, and other systems which support USB-C DP Alt Mode

Add a DisplayPort port to connect to a monitor with fast, high-quality video via DisplayPort Alt Mod

Enjoy clear, crisp visuals with up to 4K 60Hz resolutions.

  • EXPAND YOUR WORKSPACE:  Convert your USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port to a full-featured DisplayPort port. This USB-C DisplayPort Adapter connects a USB-C enabled computer to a monitor that supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode ("Alt Mode")
  • ULTRA HIGH DEFINITION:  DisplayPort to USB C Adapter supports up to 4K 60Hz (3840×2160 @ 60Hz). Also supports resolutions like 3440×1440, 2560×1440, and 1920×1080. Not for HDMI monitors and TVs; only for use with DisplayPort monitors
  • FLAT CABLE FLEXIBILITY:  Small, lightweight adapter is perfect for travel and constructed with cutting edge materials including a flat, flexible printed circuit cable, providing durability while accommodating any workspace
  • COMPATIBILITY:  Compatible with USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 Windows, Macs, and Chromebooks, 2018+ iPad Pro, MacBook, iMac, Dell XPS, Lenovo Thinkpad, HP Spectre x360 systems with Thunderbolt 3 ports, and others supporting USB C DisplayPort Alternate Mode

Plugable UD-CA1A USB-C dock

Connect an external monitor, projector, or TV via VGA to your USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 laptop with clear resolutions up to 1920x1200 at 60Hz.

  • EXPAND YOUR WORKSPACE:  With this USB-C to VGA Adapter add a VGA port to connect an external monitor, projector, or TV to USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 systems that support video output
  • HIGH PERFORMANCE:  VGA to USB C Adapter supports resolutions up to 1920×1200 @ 60Hz. Other popular supported resolutions include 1920×1080, 1366×768, 1600×900. External display can be configured in extended or mirrored mode
  • FLAT CABLE FLEXIBILITY: Small, lightweight Thunderbolt 3 to VGA adapter is perfect for travel and constructed with cutting edge materials including a flat, flexible printed circuit cable, providing durability while accommodating any workspace
  • COMPATIBILITY:  Compatible with USB-C Windows, Chromebooks, 2018+ iPad Pro, MacBook, iMac, Dell XPS, Lenovo Thinkpad, HP Spectre x360 systems with Thunderbolt 3 ports, and systems which support USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode

Plugable TBT3-UDC1 Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C dual display docking station

If your ethernet is slowing you down, switch to fast, reliable Gigabit Ethernet connection that keeps up with your needs.

With driver-less installation in modern versions of Windows, Chrome OS, and macOS, users can quickly get online securely.

  • FAST GIGABIT SPEED: This USB C Ethernet adapter adds a wired Gigabit Ethernet port to your USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 systems. Faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi connections up to 1Gbps (10/100/1000 Mbps). Link and activity LEDs
  • PLUG AND PLAY:  RJ45 to USB-C cable offers automatic plug-and-play installation with no additional download needed on Windows 10, macOS, and ChromeOS. Powered by the Realtek RTL8153 chipset for proven, best-in-class compatibility
  • SMALL AND FLEXIBLE:  Small, lightweight Thunderbolt 3 to Ethernet adapter is perfect for travel and constructed with cutting edge materials including a flat, flexible printed circuit cable, providing durability while accommodating any workspace
  • COMPATIBILITY:  Great fit for USB-C Macbook Pro, Windows 10, and Dell XPS, fully compatible with Thunderbolt 3, MacBook Air and Windows 8.x, and 7 systems. Not compatible with gaming consoles or USB-C phones

I've tested these adapters and they're all well made, work flawlessly, and feel like they will give years of good service. 

They're excellent, everything I've come to expect from Plugable.

Plugable super-fast 2.5Gbps Ethernet adapter (in pictures)

Editorial standards