Need a Bluetooth 5.0 adapter for an older Mac (one that doesn’t already support BT5)? Or looking for a long range bluetooth 5 adapter?
Look no further. On this page I’ve listed all those on Amazon.com that are known to work on Mac.
Note: There are more and much cheaper options using Bluetooth 4. If you don’t need Bluetooth 5 support, I suggest getting a Bluetooth 4 adapter. I’ve covered the best options in another article, here.
Why get an external Bluetooth adapter for a Mac?
It’s not uncommon for the internal Bluetooth on MacBooks (and even Mac desktops) to have issues. Sometimes this occurs after the computer comes out of sleep, or when connecting/disconnecting a Bluetooth device. It can also occur when you have numerous USB devices plugged in. My 2010 MacBookPro periodically loses Bluetooth entirely. Hovering the mouse over the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar will say, “Bluetooth: Not Available”. The Bluetooth options icon completely vanishes from System Preferences. So there’s no way to try turning it off and on. I’ve written a few articles on ways to try and fix these issues. But in many cases it might be a better option to just install a new Bluetooth adapter.
If your Mac currently only supports Bluetooth 2.0 or 3.0, the added bonus is you’ll get upgraded to Bluetooth 4 or Bluetooth 5. Both are more reliable, more energy efficient, has better range, and various other benefits.
Longer Range? Like, up to ~100 ft / ~30 m … If you want a long range bluetooth connection, the first adapter in my list below may suit your needs perfectly.
Currently I only know of “Audio only” Bluetooth 5 adapters that work on macOS. This means they only support streaming audio. For many people that’s all the want to do with Bluetooth anyway. If that’s you, then the following options are those I recommend.
Best Mac Tips recommends this adapter if you specifically want long range coverage. Otherwise, or for a less expensive option, try the Avantree DG80 or C81 below.
Avantree DG60 Long Range Bluetooth 5.0 USB Audio Adapter for PC Laptop Mac PS4 PS5 Linux, Superior Sound Wireless Audio Dongle for Headphones Speakers, aptX Low Latency, Plug and Play (Audio ONLY)
The Avantree DG60 Long Range Bluetooth 5.0 USB Audio Adapter is one of the few that are MacOS compatible. Avantree doesn’t state on Amazon, or anywhere I could find on their website, specifically which version of macOS it supports. They do state, it is compatible with, “ANY Laptop / Computer with USB Audio Output.” and that it supports “Mac OS”.
“The DG60 can reach a range of up to 164ft (50m) in open line-of-sight conditions and up to 50-70 ft (15 – 21m) indoors.”, so this is a long range Bluetooth adapter. So that’s an added bonus if you want to stream audio from your Mac to headphones or speakers that are an exceptionally long distance from your computer. Keep in mind, it’s a HUGE adapter, with an antenna. So don’t buy it if you’re looking for something compact.
According to the Avantree website, it has 2 year warranty.
I see numerous reviews from people saying it works on their Mac. I didn’t find any reviews of people complaining it does not work on Mac. See screenshot below:
Best Mac Tips recommends this adapter for Macs. If want USB-C support and / or a microphone, see the C81 model below.
Avantree DG80 USB Bluetooth Audio Adapter for Connecting Headphones to PS5, PS4, Switch, PC. Wireless Audio Dongle with aptX Low Latency Support, No Driver Installation
This is another Mac compatible option from Avantree. The Avantree DG80 USB Bluetooth Audio Adapter is another option I’ve discovered for you which indicates it is macOS compatible.
Avantree doesn’t state on Amazon, or anywhere I could find on their website, specifically which version of macOS it supports. They do state, it is compatible with, “ANY Laptop / Computer with USB Audio Output.” and that it supports “Mac OS”.
According to the Avantree website, it has 2 year warranty.
There’s plenty of reviewers stating it works on their Mac. See screenshot below.
Avantree C81 USB-C Bluetooth Audio Adapter for PS5 – Connect Headphones Wirelessly with aptX Low Latency Support and Included Mini Mic
This Avantree C81 USB-C Bluetooth Audio Adapter has almost identical features to the DG80 above, except that it includes a microphone. Also, even though this is a USB-C adapter, a converter cable is included to enable devices with just a USB-A port. Native USB-C support means it will also work on iOS devices with a USB-C port.
Multiple Headphones? It also supports pairing two pair of headphones. See below:
Best Mac Tips recommends this adapter if you want native USB-C support and / or need the microphone it comes with. Otherwise, get the DG80 above.
