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Hi,
Could you please recommend a USB-C to Ethernet adapter that can do up to 5Gbps speed, supports jumbo frames up to 9K and if possible, supports MAC address passtrough. The last one is not essential but can be a bonus.
Max budget £70.
If not available, will there be a new model from established suppliers?
Kind regards
Leslie
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For a USB-C to Ethernet adapter that supports 5Gbps, jumbo frames up to 9K, and ideally MAC address passthrough, there are a few solid options — though it’s worth noting that this category still isn’t as broad as 2.5GbE, especially within a £70 budget.
Recommended Option:
Sabrent NT-SS5G (USB-C to 5GbE Adapter)
• Chipset: AQC111U (Aquantia/Marvell)
• Speed: Supports 100M/1G/2.5G/5GbE
• Jumbo Frames: Yes, up to 9K
• OS Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux
• MAC Passthrough: Often supported, especially on macOS, though may depend on system firmware
• Price: ~£65–£70 (depending on retailer)
This one has proven reliable and is one of the few widely available adapters with true 5GbE support and jumbo frame compatibility. It’s also one of the better-supported options across operating systems.
Other Notable Mentions:
• QNAP QNA-UC5G1T – Based on the same Aquantia chipset, very solid, sometimes hovers above £70.
• StarTech USB-C 5G Adapter – More enterprise-oriented, often exceeds your budget but built well and supports full jumbo frames.
As for MAC address passthrough, it’s inconsistently supported across USB NICs in general. On some systems, it works out of the box; on others, it requires driver-level support or gets blocked by OS limitations. The Aquantia-based models have had some success in passthrough modes, especially on macOS and some Linux distros, but it’s not officially guaranteed.
At the moment, no major new models have been announced from Synology, QNAP, or similar vendors in this space. Most manufacturers are focused on 2.5GbE due to cost and compatibility, but 5GbE remains available via Aquantia-based adapters like the one above.
