TP-Link UE306 USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for $9.96

The TP-Link UE306 drops to under $10 for Prime members — a straightforward plug-and-play Ethernet adapter that's hard to argue with at this price if your laptop ditched the wired port.

What you're actually getting here

The UE306 converts a USB-A 3.0 port into a full gigabit Ethernet jack. It's bus-powered, meaning no wall plug needed, and TP-Link has broad driver support across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS — most systems recognize it without any manual installation. At $9.96 before the Prime Visa cashback, it's about as cheap as these things get from a brand that's been making networking hardware long enough to get the basics right. Good pick for a work laptop, a home server, or keeping in a travel bag.

The one thing to check before you order

This is a USB-A adapter. If your laptop only has USB-C ports — which covers most MacBooks from 2016 on and a growing number of Windows ultrabooks — this won't plug in directly. You'd need a separate USB-C to USB-A adapter or hub, which adds cost and a connection point. If you've got USB-A ports available, no issue. Also worth knowing: you'll only hit gigabit speeds if your router and cable support it. On a typical home setup that's a non-issue, but worth keeping in mind on older hardware.