Wi-Fi dropping out during a big download or a video call on your iPad? If the iPad has a USB-C port, a small adapter gives it a wired connection with no hub to carry. If you're wiring a laptop or a NAS as well, see our broader USB-C Ethernet adapter guide.
Top picks
1. Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (USB-IF Certified) - Best Overall
SPP Score: 8.7 / 10 - Gigabit Ethernet over USB-C, USB-IF certified. Our all-round pick.
Capability 8.5/10 - Versatility 8.0/10 - Build 9.4/10 - Value 8.0/10 - Fit 9.4/10
Fit for this guide: A USB-IF certified gigabit adapter over the iPad's supported USB-C port, the safe all-round answer for a wired iPad.
Every pick here is scored out of 10: four marks rate the product and are the same in every guide, and the fifth rates its fit for this guide - how we test and score.
The Belkin is the all-round pick for its USB-IF certification: the "USB-IF Certified" in its listing title means the adapter was tested against the USB specification, reassurance a plain dongle cannot offer, at the same gigabit wired speed.
Pros
- ✓ USB-IF Certified, per its listing title
- ✓ Certification means it was tested to the USB spec, not just marked compatible
Cons
- ✗ The certification brings no extra speed: it's gigabit like the budget pick
- ✗ Belkin lists compatibility with a 2016 MacBook Pro and a Dell XPS 13 only
Who it's for: iPad owners who want a USB-IF certified adapter they can trust.
Who it's not for: Anyone who just wants a plain gigabit dongle; that's the UGREEN.
2. UGREEN USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - Best Budget
SPP Score: 8.6 / 10 - Gigabit Ethernet over USB-C. Our value pick.
Capability 8.5/10 - Versatility 8.0/10 - Build 8.9/10 - Value 8.9/10 - Fit 8.9/10
Fit for this guide: Plain gigabit over a USB-C to RJ45 dongle is the whole job an iPad wired connection asks for.
UGREEN's listing calls it a Gigabit wired network adapter, USB-C to Ethernet, which is exactly what an iPad wired connection needs. It does the same gigabit job as the certified pick without the certification, so if you don't need USB-IF certification this is the sensible, no-frills choice.
Pros
- ✓ A gigabit wired connection from one USB-C plug
- ✓ Our value pick for a no-frills wired iPad connection
Cons
- ✗ Its title names no device at all, the iPad included
- ✗ It takes the iPad's only port, so the iPad can't charge while it's wired
Who it's for: iPad owners who want a plain gigabit dongle and nothing more.
Who it's not for: Anyone who wants USB-IF certification; that's the Belkin.
Quick verdict
For most iPad owners the Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (USB-IF Certified) is the one to get, our certified default for a wired iPad. The UGREEN USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter is the value pick if you don't need that certification.
Will a USB-C Ethernet adapter work with my iPad?
Yes, on any iPad with a USB-C port. Apple's support page for that port lists "USB to Ethernet adapters" among the accessories it connects to, so this is a supported setup, not a hack.
Do you need gigabit, or is that overkill on an iPad?
Both picks are gigabit. The faster 2.5G and 5G classes suit machines that move large files across a home network, like a laptop or a NAS, while an iPad is a client device, so we haven't picked one for it here. The port an adapter plugs into can also hold it below its rating, and our explainer on whether a USB-C Ethernet adapter slows your internet walks through that.
What if you need to charge the iPad at the same time?
A USB-C iPad has a single port, so an Ethernet adapter takes the socket you'd otherwise charge from. That's fine for a quick sync or a call, but for a long session at a desk you want a USB-C hub that adds Ethernet alongside a charging input. Our USB-C hub guide says which picks carry an Ethernet socket.
How to connect an Ethernet cable to an iPad
- Plug the adapter's USB-C end into your iPad's USB-C port.
- Connect an Ethernet cable between the adapter's RJ45 socket and a free port on your router or switch. A basic Cat5e lead is enough for gigabit.
- To be certain the iPad is on the cable and not Wi-Fi, open Settings and turn Wi-Fi off; iPadOS keeps the Ethernet link live.
- If the connection doesn't appear, try a different cable or router port.
How we chose
For an iPad, an adapter has to use the USB-C port Apple supports for Ethernet and run at gigabit. Both picks do both, so we ranked on what each listing itself states, such as USB-IF certification. Each pick's button opens its Amazon page, where you can check the listing before you buy.
FAQ
Q: Will one of these work through a dock or hub? A: Yes, if the socket you plug it into carries data rather than charging alone, which is also the first thing to check when a connection through a dock doesn't appear. If the dock has its own Ethernet port, plug the cable in there and skip the adapter.
Q: Will these work on an iPad with a Lightning port? A: Not directly, since both adapters end in a USB-C plug.
More questions, answered in full
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