Kinivo USB Bluetooth Adapter for PC BTD400 (Bluetooth 4.0 Dongle Receiver, Low Energy) - Compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8, Raspberry Pi, Linux, Laptop & Headphones

I have been through several similar products and had a LOT of issues with those. You might say that I'm fairly tech savvy (I'm a C++/Java programmer, have setup/customized/maintained MANY Windows and Linux PCs, and have done driver troubleshooting before). Anyway, tried to resolve my issues on the other dongles but the problems I was having appeared to be from the drivers. *THIS PRODUCT* (Kinivo) worked pretty much out of the box (technically I installed from CD first and then from the web), on the first try, and I didn't have to do any deep dive troubleshooting. Had my headset working perfectly within minutes of the install! :-DFor my setup, I have full tower pc behind a plasma tv and am mostly using this to pair with a really cheap wireless headset (for chatting while gaming). It is working perfectly with the Kinivo (great sound, great signal, relatively painless setup). Decently fast shipping. Can't think of any cons.In case, you are trying to decide between other products; here is some more info for reference:1. Note: I will be using the smile.amazon.com links (proceeds towards non-profits of your choice). If you don't want to do that, just replace them with www.amazon.com.2. My (admittedly cheap) BT headset is an "eForCity® Silver Bluetooth Headset". Amazon page - eForCity® Silver Bluetooth Headset3. The first BT dongle that I tried (unsuccessfully) and had problems with was a SANOXY USB. IIRC, this was just using the basic Windows bluetooth drivers. Maybe it would have worked fine with a higher end headset... but since I was able to connect headset-to-phone without any sound issues, I'm blaming the drivers on the dongle. Amazon page - SANOXY® USB Bluetooth Wireless Adapter for HP, Gateway, eMachine, Dell or ANY Laptop/PC Running Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 200, XP, Vista & WINDOWS 74. The second BT dongle I had tried was the SoundBot SB340. This one had some CSR brand drivers but I also had a lot of problems getting my generic device to work correctly / not have horribly sound quality. Amazon page - SoundBot® SB340 Bluetooth 4.0 USB Adapter Universal Plug and Play Dongle Class 2 Transmitter (Newest Bluetooth Version Available) Ready Adapter w/ 3Mbps Data Transfer Rate and 10 meters Range, Compatible w/ Windows WIN8 WIN7 Vista 2003 XP 2000 Me 32/64 ...5. I think I could connect and pair under both of the previous options, but I had a lot of problems with sound quality, particularly with white noise. No such problems with the Kinivo (I've already used it on Steam voice chat and my brother reported that I was coming in loud and clear). For the first 2 dongles, I had originally tried from my USB3.0 port which I later discovered USB3.0 can can interference problems with any wireless devices that use the 2.4GHz spectrum. I did try from my USB2.0 port as well, but no luck there either. The only major change since the first 2 is that I replaced my old 2', non-powered USB2 hub with a 6', powered USB2.0 so that it gets out from behind the TV better. This probably helps, but I believe my white noise problems on the other dongles were driver issues as I had also tested with the TV moved out of the way and clear LOS between the headset and the old dongles (and maybe 4-5' away) .If it works this well for my el cheapo headset, I imagine that you would get even better results with higher end headsets.disclaimer:I am by no means an audiophile. I probably have a slight hearing problem (too much loud music lol). But I'm not deaf either and I am basing this not only off feedback via a recording app but also live chats with someone at the other end. Hope that helps!

I’ve been using the Kinivo USB Bluetooth Adapter for my PC, and I’m very impressed with its performance. Setup was quick and hassle-free — just plug it in and the drivers install automatically. Within minutes, I was able to connect my wireless headphones, phone, and even a Bluetooth controller without any issues

I plugged this receiver into the back of a Linux box I was using to run my home automation server. It functions great and everything picks it up without even having to install any extra packages or drivers. Very much plug ‘n’ play.

I purchased this adapter to go with the Kinivo BTH220 Bluetooth Stereo Headphone - Supports Wireless Music Streaming and Hands-Free calling for my mother's Windows 7 64-bit PC for Google Talk and watching movies without everyone in the room listening in too.Installation was as easy as putting in the enclosed CD in the DVD drive, and following directions. Windows 7 installed the adapter without a hitch, but the Bluetooth adapter didn't appear operational initially in my Ssystem Manager. It said 'unavailable' but paired with devices. Very strange to me.The blue light (on the USB Bluetooth adapter) was on and I decided to attempt a pairing with the PC and an iPad via Bluetooth. I was sitting about 3' from the adapter, but it took the PC about 30 seconds to pair the two devices. Surprisingly long I thought, considering their close proximity. Next I tried pairing the headphones with the PC, which worked a bit faster, but still took longer than expected.I will be updating the CD driver to the most current one in 'Support' on the Kinivo site in the near future, which may take care of the sluggish pairing issue. Admittedly the issue may also involve other PC hardware (the PC is 2 years old) and not be solely the Kinivo adapter.Overall I like this adpapter. It's easy to install and it works. Time will tell if it's a solid performer, but for now it pairs and works with my Mom's iPad with her PC, her Kinivo Bluetooth headset for Internet calls, and her cellphone so she can upload photos she's taken with her phone to her PC.That's what I wanted it to do, and she's thrilled. So for those who aren't overly picky about speed (me), having a blue light on the device (I like it...) or need it for a Windows 8 PC (I know Kinivo says it works, but read a few reviews and decide for yourself...), you should be happy with this purchase.UPDATE: 1/24/13Purchased a second one to install on my Windows 7 PC. Easily and quickly installed on my Windows 7 64-bit desktop with a Core i7 processor and 8GB of memory using a 2.0 USB hub connection. No pairing issues! After a restart it paired immediately with my iPad, allowing me to share my iTunes library easily over my home network.I also had it connect with a Windows 8 laptop: HP 2000-2b24NR 15.6" Notebook PC and it did so without a hitch. It works with Windows 8, just as promised.