ASUS USB-BT500 Bluetooth 5.0 USB Adapter: features, specs and fit

The ASUS USB-BT500 is a very small USB adapter that adds Bluetooth 5.0 to a computer. Many desktop PCs have no built-in Bluetooth, and older laptops may only have an earlier version. Plugging this in lets the computer connect to wireless devices such as headphones, keyboards, mice and controllers.

What Bluetooth 5.0 changes

Bluetooth 5 is a major revision of the standard. ASUS says it allows data transfer at up to twice the speed of the previous generation and up to four times the range in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mode. These are the headline gains, and ASUS's own disclaimer notes that real throughput and coverage depend on network conditions, building materials and interference. Walls and crowded radio environments usually cut range well below the maximum.

Backward compatibility

The adapter is backward compatible with Bluetooth 2.1, 3.x and 4.x, so it can pair with older devices as well as new ones. A connection runs at the capabilities both ends share, so an older device will not gain Bluetooth 5 features just because the adapter has them.

Low-energy connections

ASUS lists Bluetooth Low Energy support, which is designed for energy-saving wireless connections. BLE is used by many sensors, fitness trackers, keyboards and mice, and it typically helps battery-powered accessories last longer. The adapter works in the 2402 to 2480 MHz band, which is the standard Bluetooth range.

Ultra-small design

The adapter measures roughly 0.6 x 0.3 x 0.7 inches and weighs almost nothing, so it sits in a USB port without sticking out far. That is useful on laptops, where a larger dongle can catch on things. ASUS calls it highly portable and easy to use. On a desktop, a port on the front of the case or on a short extension is usually better than one buried behind a metal case, which can weaken the signal.

Who it suits

It suits anyone with a desktop or an older laptop who wants Bluetooth for audio, input devices or file transfer, and anyone replacing a faulty built-in Bluetooth module without opening the computer.

What to check before you buy

• Operating system: confirm support for your version of Windows or other system, and whether drivers install automatically.
• USB port: check you have a free USB port; a short extension cable can help a desktop's signal.
• Existing Bluetooth: if the computer has built-in Bluetooth, you may need to disable it to avoid conflicts.
• Device needs: check the features your accessories need, such as supported audio profiles.
• Range expectations: treat the range figures as maximums in open conditions.

The short version

• A very small Bluetooth 5.0 USB adapter from ASUS, model USB-BT500.
• ASUS says it offers up to 2x the speed and 4x the BLE range of earlier Bluetooth.
• Backward compatible with Bluetooth 2.1, 3.x and 4.x devices.
• Supports Bluetooth Low Energy for energy-saving connections.
• Real speed and range depend on the environment.

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