Best USB Bluetooth Adapters that are Linux-compatible

Do you want to add Bluetooth support to your Linux desktop or laptop? If so, consider getting a USB Bluetooth adapter. They’re inexpensive and a great way to add Bluetooth connectivity with ease.

Finding a Linux-compatible Bluetooth adapter is hard work, as not many manufacturers support Linux out of the box. Due to how difficult it is to find an adapter, we’ve made a list of the four best USB Bluetooth adapters that are Linux-compatible.

#1 – Plugable USB Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Micro Adapter

If you’re looking for the best Bluetooth USB adapter available for Linux, look no further than the Plugable USB Bluetooth adapter. Why? It has official Linux support and works well on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, Arch Linux, and even other, lesser-known Linux distributions.

The Pluggable USB adapter runs Bluetooth 4.0 tech, which allows it to have multiple devices connected at one time. Bluetooth 4.0 also means that it uses less power, which will save battery life if you run it on a Linux laptop.

We’ve tested Pluggable’s USB adapter, and it works best with USB 2.0 ports, as 3.0 interferes with the device’s radio signal. However, despite the issues with 3.0, it remains the best Bluetooth USB adapter for Linux users.

Notable features

• The Plugable USB Bluetooth adapter works out of the box on nearly all Linux operating systems, with zero setup process required.
• The Plugable USB Bluetooth sports a “nano” design and will fit into any USB port without disrupting the cables around it.
• Can handle multiple devices connected at one time.

Cost

The Plugable USB Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Micro Adapter is priced very inexpensively, for what it offers. If you’re in the market for a Bluetooth adapter, do yourself a favor and check out this one!

#2 – ideapro USB Bluetooth adapter

The ideapro USB adapter is a slim, Bluetooth device that works on Mac, Linux, Windows, and the Raspberry Pi. The device runs Bluetooth 4.0, like most modern adapters, and as a result, is very efficient in power usage and has an exceptional wireless range.

This dongle is targeted at Raspberry Pi users running Linux, and the will “just work” when plugged into the Pi 1, Pi 2, Pi 3, or Pi 4. However, in our testing, we found that it will also run on just about any computer running a conventional Linux operating system.

Ideapro’s USB dongle isn’t the best to go with if you’re looking for an adapter that works only on a Linux PC. However, if you plan to use this device on both the Raspberry Pi and a Linux computer, it’s a great choice!

Notable features

• It not only works well with conventional Linux desktop operating systems. The ideapro USB Bluetooth adapter also works very well with the Raspberry Pi 1, Pi 2, Pi 3, and Pi 4.
• The device works very well in both USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports.
• Thanks to Bluetooth 4.0, it uses very little energy.

Cost

The ideapro USB Bluetooth adapter is very inexpensive for what it offers to the consumer. Considering it has support for the Raspberry Pi, it’s a steal. So, if you’re using Linux as well as the Raspberry Pi and need a suitable Bluetooth adapter, give this one a go!

#3- Kinivo BTD-400 USB Bluetooth Adapter

The Kinivo BTD-400 USB Bluetooth adapter works very well on the Raspberry Pi, and as a result, is one of the most popular dongles in the Linux community. However, it also works incredibly well with conventional computers running Linux, and even has official support for popular distributions such as Fedora, Ubuntu, and others.

Like many USB dongles on the market today, the Kinivo BTD-400 uses Bluetooth 4.0. As a result, it can handle multiple devices connected at a time and uses a low amount of power. 4.0 also means that the Kinivo BTD-400 can keep wireless devices connected up to 33 FT (10 M).

In our testing with the Kinivo BTD-400 USB Bluetooth, we found that it, like the Plugable USB Bluetooth adapter, has issues when used in a USB 3.0 port, as it causes radio interference. Still, as it has official Linux support from the company, it remains a good choice for Linux users.

Notable features

• The Plugable USB Bluetooth adapter works with both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.
• The Plugable USB Bluetooth adapter has a wireless connectivity range of up to 30 feet (10 meters).
• The Kinivo BTD-400 USB Bluetooth Adapter is fully compatible with older Bluetooth devices.

Cost

As far as Bluetooth USB adapters go, the Kinivo BTD-400 does not have a cheap price tag. Other adapters on this list are much less expensive. Still, if you need a proper adapter that works well with Linux on both 32-bit and 64-bit, this device is worth it.

#4 –  ZEXMTE Bluetooth USB adapter

The ZEXMTE Bluetooth adapter is a small dongle for Windows. However, thanks to Linux developers and contributors, support for the device is now in the kernel, and it works very well.

ZEXMTE uses Bluetooth 4.0 technology, which is typical for adapters. Thanks to Bluetooth 4.0, you’ll be able to connect multiple wireless devices and enjoy very efficient power usage and range.

Although ZEXMTE has not added that has official Linux support in their product description, our in-depth testing of the device shows that it works well with the Linux platform, and will handle wireless devices well on your Linux PC!

Notable features

• The ZEXMTE Bluetooth USB adapter supports a data transmission rate of up to 3 Mbps.
• Nano form-factor makes it perfect for laptop USB ports, as well as desktop PCs.
• ZEXMTE’s low energy feature saves battery power when used on a laptop.

Cost

The ZEXMTE Bluetooth adapter is very similar to all of the other adapters on this list. Nano in form-factor, Bluetooth 4.0, etc.  However, it is priced very inexpensively and comes with a lifetime warranty. So, if the other adapters on this list don’t interest you, consider this one.

Conclusion

In this list, we talked about the four best Bluetooth USB adapters that are Linux compatible. However, the four devices on this list aren’t the only ones compatible with the Linux platform. What Linux-compatible Bluetooth USB adapter do you use on your system? Tell us down below in the comment section!