TRENDnet USB-C 2.5Gbe Network Adapter Review

TweakTown's Rating: 86%

The Bottom Line

For those working with limited ports, the USB-C 2.5GBe network adapter from TRENDnet is a fantastic way to upgrade your connectivity on the go!

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As most of you know, USB-C has added a second level of flexibility with IO on modern machines. Along with its compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 and backwards compatibility with USB 3.0, the performance and power improvements have allowed a new generation of connectivity options to emerge.

Alongside the launch of the 5Gbe USB-C adapter, TRENDnet too launched a 2.5GBe variant. This solution uses a similar form factor and chassis as the 5Gbe solution allowing support for 802.3bz 2.5GBASE-T with host connectivity coming via a captured USB-C cable.

This solution is bus-powered and offers support for Wake on LAN and Energy Savings. Compatibility extends to Windows 10 and macOS 10.15.5+. MSRP of the TRENDnet 2.5GBe USB-C adapter comes in at $54.99 with a two-year warranty.

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Packaging is quite simple, the same colorway as past TRENDnet products. A window in the center offers a look at the adapter.

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The back goes into more detail on the left with a diagram and to the right features are listed.

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In the box, you will find the adapter with a user manual. The adapter itself offers a black exterior with Led at the bottom for connectivity.

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On end, we have a standard RJ45 port.

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Testing was straight forward for the TRENDnet adapter. Running a direct connection to the test system below, I was able to move data through iperf. As you can see, gigabit came in at 948Mbps, and 2.5Gbe was able to reach 2373Mbps.

In the past, we have mostly seen wireless routing solutions come through from TRENDnet, so it's quite refreshing to see the build quality employed into their adapters. The TUC-ET2G is a small form factor lightweight device but offers an efficient way for users to add 2.5Gbe to a notebook or desktop when needed.

Performance is top-notch for both 1Gbe and 2.5Gbe with each reaching peak performance of the specification. USB-C connectivity offers a reversible connection and compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 ports like the MacBook.

As for pricing, TRENDnet seems to have a good position at $54.99. A similar solution is available from Club3D at the same pricing without the two-year warranty. For those that want to pick up the 5GBe version, it comes in at $119.

Tyler's Test System Specifications

• Motherboard: ASUS Prime Z370 (buy from Amazon)
• CPU: Intel Core i3 8350K (buy from Amazon)
• RAM: Corsair Vengeance 32GB 4x8GB DDR4 3200 (buy from Amazon)
• Cooler: Corsair Hydro H115i (buy from Amazon)
• Case: Corsair Air 540 (buy from Amazon)
• OS Storage: Samsung 960 EVO 250GB (buy from Amazon)
• Power Supply: Corsair RM850x (buy from Amazon)
• OS: Microsoft Windows 10 (buy from Amazon)
• Wi-Fi NIC: ASUS PCE-AC88 (buy from Amazon)
• 10Gbe NIC: ASUS XG-C100C (buy from Amazon)
• Thunderbolt 3: ASUS Thunderbolt EX3 (buy from Amazon)