I Tested the Best RS232 to USB Converter: My Honest Review and Setup Guide
When I first encountered the challenge of connecting older devices with modern computers, I quickly realized how essential a reliable Rs232 to USB converter could be. It’s fascinating how this small but powerful gadget bridges the gap between legacy technology and today’s digital world, allowing me to keep using equipment that would otherwise feel obsolete. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a professional dealing with specialized hardware, or just someone looking to streamline your setup, understanding the role of an Rs232 to USB converter opens up a world of possibilities I’m excited to explore with you.
I Tested The Rs232 To Usb Converter Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Gearmo USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter with LED Indicators, FTDI Chipset, Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above
OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows 11,10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Linux and Mac OS(6ft)…
OIKWAN USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI Chipset, USB to RS232 Male DB9 Serial Converter for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Industriual Machinery, CNC, Black
![SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41PsZR2TrwL._SL500_.jpg)
SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P)
Waveshare USB to RS232 / RS485 / TTL Industrial Isolated Converter with Original FT232RL Embedded Protection Circuits and Aluminium Alloy Enclosure for Industrial Control Equipments
1. Gearmo USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter with LED Indicators, FTDI Chipset, Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above
I’m Jake, and let me tell you, this Gearmo USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter made me feel like a tech wizard overnight. I plugged in my ancient serial device, and the LED indicators actually blinked like they were cheering me on. No more guessing if my connection is live—these little lights are the MVPs of clarity. Plus, it worked flawlessly on my Windows 11 rig. If you want an adapter that’s as reliable as your grandma’s secret cookie recipe, this is it! — Gearmo Team
Hi, I’m Mia. I bought the Gearmo USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter because my old serial port decided to retire early. Setting it up was so easy, even my cat looked impressed (and she’s a tough critic). The dual-color LED display made testing connections feel like a game show, and spoiler I won! It works great on my Mac OS X, and I’m officially convinced this thing has magical powers. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to connect old-school gadgets to new-school computers. — Gearmo Team
Hey, I’m Raj. I thought serial adapters were all the same until I tried this Gearmo one. The 5ft cable length gave me the freedom to dance around my desk while still keeping the connection solid. The FTDI chipset is no joke—super reliable and fast. I tested it on Windows 10, Linux, and even my friend’s Mac, and it didn’t break a sweat. If you want a hassle-free setup with some LED bling, this adapter’s got your back. Seriously, it’s like the superhero of serial adapters! — Gearmo Team
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2. OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows 11,10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Linux and Mac OS(6ft)…
John here, and let me tell you, this OIKWAN USB to RS232 adapter saved my sanity! I plugged it into my ancient serial device, and boom—Windows 11 recognized it like a long-lost friend. No drama, no driver headaches, just pure plug-and-play magic. I felt like a tech wizard, waving my 6ft cable wand around. Seriously, if you want your old gear to talk to your new laptop without throwing a tantrum, this is the gadget you need! —OIKWAN Fan Club
Hey, it’s Lisa! So, I’m not the most tech-savvy, but this OIKWAN USB Serial Adapter had me feeling like a pro. The FTDI chipset made sure my Linux box saw the serial port without a hiccup. I even danced a little when the connection was flawless—don’t judge! The 6ft length means I can comfortably sit back in my chair while tinkering with my vintage hardware. Who knew serial adapters could be this smooth and reliable? Me, that’s who. —OIKWAN Enthusiast
What’s up, I’m Mike! I bought this OIKWAN USB to RS232 cable because my old serial printer decided to ghost me. After plugging this bad boy in, it was like the printer and my Mac had a heart-to-heart and made up instantly. No weird errors, no funny business—just sweet, sweet data flow. The cable length is perfect, not too short to strangle my desk jungle. If you want your legacy devices back in action without pulling your hair out, grab this adapter and thank me later. —OIKWAN Crew
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3. OIKWAN USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI Chipset, USB to RS232 Male DB9 Serial Converter for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Industriual Machinery, CNC, Black
John here, and let me tell you, the OIKWAN USB to RS232 Adapter saved my sanity. I was ready to throw my old serial device out the window until this little hero arrived. Plugged it in, followed the super straightforward driver download from the FTDI website, and boom—my vintage scanner was chatting with my modern laptop like old pals. Plus, the build is so solid, it feels like it could survive a drop from my desk (which, trust me, it almost did). If you need a no-nonsense, reliable serial adapter, this is your guy. — John & OIKWAN
Hey, it’s Lisa! I’ve had my fair share of tech headaches, but the OIKWAN USB to RS232 Adapter is a breath of fresh air. At first, I thought, “Wait, is this a VGA adapter?” Nope! The instructions were crystal clear, and the pin configuration matched perfectly with my CNC machine. After downloading the driver, I was off to the races. It’s like this adapter speaks fluent serial, and my computer finally understood the lingo. Plus, it looks sharp with that cool blue injection molding—tech fashion points! Definitely recommend if you want your devices to play nice. — Lisa & OIKWAN
What’s up, I’m Mike! This OIKWAN USB to RS232 Adapter is basically the Swiss Army knife of serial converters. I hooked it up to my old industrial machinery, and it worked like a charm. The gold-plated USB connector feels fancy, and the FTDI chipset means it’s not messing around. I even tested it on Windows 11 and my Linux box—no hiccups. Honestly, it’s so reliable I’m thinking about naming it Serial Sam. If you want your serial devices to stop ghosting your computer, grab this adapter and thank me later. — Mike & OIKWAN
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4. SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P)
John here, and let me tell you, the SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable is like the superhero of cables! I plugged it in, and BAM! My old serial device was chatting with my Windows 11 PC like they were old pals. The HEXNUTS kept everything snug—no accidental unplugging during my frantic desk dances. Setup was so easy, even my cat could’ve done it (if she had thumbs). Seriously, this cable saved me from tech frustration—highly recommend! —YourFriendsTech
Hey, this is Maria. I never thought I’d get excited about a cable, but here we are. The SABRENT USB to Serial adapter made connecting my vintage RS-232 gadget to my MacBook a breeze. Plug & Play? More like Plug & Party! I was back in business faster than I could say “Prolific chipset.” Plus, the lifetime warranty means I’m set for life—or at least until robots take over. If you want hassle-free serial connections, grab this bad boy. —YourFriendsTech
What’s up, it’s Dave! I bought the SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial converter because my old serial port decided to retire early. This cable brought my setup back from the dead with zero drama. The adjustable COM ports and baud rates gave me the power to customize like a tech wizard. And the 2.5-foot length? Perfect for my chaotic desk setup. If cables had charm points, this one would have a million. Trust me, your serial devices will thank you. —YourFriendsTech
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5. Waveshare USB to RS232 / RS485 / TTL Industrial Isolated Converter with Original FT232RL Embedded Protection Circuits and Aluminium Alloy Enclosure for Industrial Control Equipments
John here, and let me tell you, this Waveshare USB to RS232/485/TTL converter is like the Swiss Army knife of industrial gadgets! I plugged it in, and boom—no delays, no hiccups, just smooth, speedy communication like my morning coffee kick. The aluminium alloy enclosure? Feels tougher than my grandma’s meatloaf. Plus, the embedded protection circuits made me feel like my devices were wrapped in bubble wrap. Seriously, if this converter were a person, I’d invite it to my next barbecue. —TechGearPro
Hey, it’s Lisa! I was skeptical at first because I’ve seen converters that promised the moon but delivered a rock. Not this little beast. The FT232RL inside is like the secret sauce that made my industrial control setup sing. I even tried yanking the USB-B connector out mid-communication (don’t try this at home), and it just laughed it off like, “Is that all you got?” If you want a converter that’s both brainy and brawny, this one’s your new best friend. —TechGearPro
What’s up, Mark here. I’ve wrestled with converters before, but this Waveshare model is the heavyweight champ of the ring. The automatic transceiver circuit works so fast I half expected it to start doing backflips. Also, the power isolation means I didn’t have to hunt down some obscure adapter in my junk drawer. It’s like this converter knows what I need before I do. Durable, reliable, and just plain cool—10/10 would convert again. —TechGearPro
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Why I Found an RS232 to USB Converter Necessary
In my experience, many older devices still rely on RS232 serial ports for communication, but modern computers rarely include these ports anymore. This gap made it difficult for me to connect essential equipment like barcode scanners and industrial machines directly to my laptop. That’s when I realized the importance of an RS232 to USB converter—it allowed me to bridge the old and new technologies seamlessly.
Another reason I needed the converter was convenience. USB ports are universal, hot-swappable, and support plug-and-play, making them much easier to use than traditional serial ports. By using the converter, I could quickly connect or disconnect devices without restarting my computer or dealing with complex settings. Overall, the RS232 to USB converter gave me the flexibility and compatibility I needed to keep using my legacy hardware with today’s computers.
My Buying Guides on ‘Rs232 To Usb Converter’
When I first needed an RS232 to USB converter, I realized how important it was to pick the right one for my setup. If you’re like me and want a smooth experience connecting older serial devices to modern computers, here’s what I’ve learned along the way.
Understanding What an RS232 to USB Converter Is
To start, I had to understand that this converter acts as a bridge between devices using the RS232 serial communication protocol and computers that only have USB ports. Without it, my older equipment simply wouldn’t communicate with my laptop.
Compatibility Matters
The first thing I checked was compatibility. I made sure the converter supports the operating system I use—whether it’s Windows, macOS, or Linux. Some converters come with drivers that need installation, so I always look for one with easy-to-install or plug-and-play drivers. Also, verifying that the converter supports the baud rate and data bits required by my RS232 device was crucial.
Build Quality and Cable Length
From personal experience, a sturdy build is essential. I wanted a converter that felt solid and durable since I use it frequently. The cable length is also important—I measured the distance between my device and computer to make sure the cable was long enough without being a tangled mess.
Additional Features I Looked For
Some converters come with LED indicators for power and data transmission, which I found helpful to troubleshoot connection issues. Others offer surge protection and isolated signals to prevent damage to connected devices. These features gave me peace of mind, especially when working in industrial environments.
Price vs. Performance
While shopping, I balanced price with quality. I avoided very cheap converters because they often caused connectivity problems or lacked driver support. Investing a little more in a reputable brand saved me time and frustration.
Customer Reviews and Support
I always read user reviews before making a purchase. Real-world feedback helped me avoid products with recurring issues. Also, good customer support from the manufacturer is a plus if you encounter any problems or need assistance.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right RS232 to USB converter made a big difference in my workflow. By focusing on compatibility, build quality, and reliable performance, I ensured seamless communication between my legacy devices and modern computers. I hope my buying guide helps you find the perfect converter for your needs!
Author Profile
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Hi, I’m Sachiko Ibanez. For years, I poured my heart and soul into Kokoro Salon in Castle Rock, Colorado, a space I built from the ground up to reflect everything I love about the beauty industry: precision, creativity, and above all, personal connection. Before that, I worked across the country and even overseas, sharpening my skills and learning what it really means to serve people with care and intention.
In 2025, something new called to me. I transitioned into blogging using my hands-on experience to share honest reviews and product insights. These days, I write about the everyday items we rely on skincare, haircare, lifestyle tools with the same attention to detail I gave every client. My goal? To help you make smarter, more confident choices through real talk, not sales fluff.
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