Plugable 2.5Gbps USB to Ethernet Adapter (USBC-E2500)
Upgrade beyond traditional Gigabit Ethernet with the Plugable 2.5Gbps USB to Ethernet Adapter. Designed for users ready to move past 10/100/1000 Ethernet speeds, this adapter lets you leverage your existing network infrastructure for faster, more efficient wired connections.
Key Features
Faster Than Gigabit
- More than double the performance of a traditional Gigabit Ethernet adapter when connected to 2.5Gbps-capable switches or routers
- Also works on 10/100/1000 Ethernet networks at their native speeds
- Actual speeds may be affected by your internet service provider, network, Ethernet cable speed, and host system
- Lab testing with iPerf on a local server has shown speeds up to 2.37Gbps, depending on host and network device capabilities
Hybrid USB-C and USB-A Connectivity
- Hybrid 2-in-1 cable converts from USB-C to USB-A so you always have the right connection
- USB 3.0 required for full performance
- Compatible with USB-C, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4 systems
Use Existing Cabling
- Upgrade your network without replacing your cables
- 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet signals are designed to work on Cat 5e cabling when paired with 2.5Gbps-capable switches/routers
Multi-Platform Convenience
Quickly and easily add Ethernet connectivity with performance up to 2.5Gbps to a wide range of devices, including:
- Windows desktops
- Ultrabooks, 2-in-1s, tablets, and notebooks
- Mac systems
- Linux systems
- iPhone 15 / Pro / Pro Max (iOS 17+ with USB-C)
Use either USB-C or USB 3.0 to connect. Current versions of major operating systems include built-in drivers for instant connectivity. Note that older versions of Windows, Linux, and macOS may require a driver download. Older macOS versions will have limited functionality (1Gbps link rate, no jumbo frame support) until the driver is updated through a separate install.
Common Uses
- Adding wired 2.5 Gigabit network support to compatible Windows, macOS, Linux, and iPhone 15 devices
- Replacing or upgrading existing network adapters
- Improving transfer speeds compared to 10/100/1000 adapters and most wireless networks
- Adding additional network interfaces
- Transferring files peer-to-peer over Ethernet
Important:
- This adapter is not a solution for connecting USB devices like printers or hard drives to a network
- It cannot be used to share Ethernet, WiFi, or mobile data between multiple devices
OS & Device Compatibility
Compatible Operating Systems
- Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8.x, and 7
- macOS 10.7 and above
- iPhone iOS 17+ with USB-C (iPhone 15 / Pro / Pro Max)
- Linux kernel 3.2 and above (basic support; install driver or update to 5.x kernel for full support)
- Supported on up-to-date Chrome OS systems
Not Compatible With
- ARM-based Windows RT and Windows Mobile
- Most Android devices
- TiVo Series 2
- Wii
- Nintendo Switch
- Other non-PC/Mac platforms
- Not recommended for use with FreeBSD or pfSense
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Plugable 2.5Gbps USB to Ethernet Adapter (USBC-E2500) |
| Chipset | Realtek RTL8156B |
| Supported Speeds | 10/100/1000/2500 Mbit network speeds |
| Host Interface Support | Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2, USB 2.0 (USB 2.0 will limit performance) |
| Built-in Drivers | Windows 11, 10, 8.x, 7; macOS 10.7 and above; iPhone 15 / Pro / Pro Max; Linux kernel 3.2+ |
In the Box
- USB 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter with attached USB-C to USB-A adapter
- Quick Install Guide
Notes on Performance
- USB 3.0 systems support theoretical maximum transfer speeds up to 5Gbps
- USB 2.0 supports up to 480Mbps and will limit the performance of the adapter
- Device performance may be limited by internet service provider, network and Ethernet cable speed, and host system
