USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 to Gigabit (or 10 Gigabit) Ethernet Adapter Recommendations

Yebubbleman

Yebubbleman

macrumors 603
I'm soon to be new to the world of USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 Macs with which I care about having an Ethernet adapter for. Does anyone have a preferred adapter that they'd recommend? Apple only sells a Thunderbolt 1 male to Gigabit Ethernet female adapter and then a Thunderbolt 3 male to Thunderbolt 2 female adapter. I've considered going that route for the sake of staying first party (for whatever that's worth). Does anyone have any recommendations of USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 to either Gigabit Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter? (10 Gigabit isn't a must, but if it works well, is affordable, and is compatible with 10/100 and Gigabit, I see no reason not to just go for that instead.)
 
What is the exact computer you plan on using?

Thunderbolt 3 to 10GbE is about $150, vs about $30 for USB-C to 1Gb.
 
Yebubbleman said:
Do you have recommendations for either?
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Yes - for TB3 to 10GbE, you'll want this (hurry, sale price likely ending soon) http://shop.caldigit.com/us/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=182

For USB-C to 1GbE, I have the best luck with this Belkin: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HJKF2ZM/A/belkin-usb-c-to-gigabit-ethernet-adapter

^^ Other third party USB-C adapters may work, but Apple has been very picky about the driver kext, especially with Big Sur. For sure, the Belkin has kexts built into macOS.
 
BeatCrazy said:
Yes - for TB3 to 10GbE, you'll want this (hurry, sale price likely ending soon) http://shop.caldigit.com/us/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=182

For USB-C to 1GbE, I have the best luck with this Belkin: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HJKF2ZM/A/belkin-usb-c-to-gigabit-ethernet-adapter

^^ Other third party USB-C adapters may work, but Apple has been very picky about the driver kext, especially with Big Sur. For sure, the Belkin has kexts built into macOS.
Click to expand...

Are there built-in kexts for the CalDigit model as well? Or just the Belkin? And are drivers/kexts for the Belkin adapter also built-in on the Apple Silicon version of Big Sur?

GiantKiwi said:
We got requested to supply them to our students because zoom was unstable on WiFi with 400 people trying to connect to it.

These provided the best results for most people https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-c...98&hvtargid=pla-441538976111&psc=1&th=1&psc=1
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Native driver support for these?
 
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Yebubbleman said:
Are there built-in kexts for the CalDigit model as well? Or just the Belkin? And are drivers/kexts for the Belkin adapter also built-in on the Apple Silicon version of Big Sur?
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I'm not sure about that CalDigit in particular. The drivers/kexts for these types of things are the same regardless of Intel or AppleSilicon in macOS.
 
BeatCrazy said:
I'm not sure about that CalDigit in particular. The drivers/kexts for these types of things are the same regardless of Intel or AppleSilicon in macOS.
Click to expand...
Certainly the Belkin one being the only one sold on the Apple Online Store practically screams that it's all but first party.
 
BeatCrazy said:
Yes, I have that particular Belkin and it works very well.
Click to expand...

I’ll add a “me too”. I use it with a 2018 MBP and I’ve also used it with a USB-A to USB-C adapter on my old MBA. No issues. Plug and play. Might not be the least expensive but it’s never failed me.
 
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