USB C to 5Gbps Ethernet adapter

[Enquiries]

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

[ed]

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.

[carsodseeen]

The Sabrent NT-SS5G (or NT-C5GA) is your best bet within your budget for a 5Gbps USB-C to Ethernet adapter that supports 9K jumbo frames and has the highest likelihood of offering MAC address passthrough, though it's not a guaranteed feature. Double-check current pricing and availability in the UK for these models. If MAC address passthrough is absolutely critical and the Sabrent doesn't work, you might need to consider more expensive, business-grade docking solutions that explicitly advertise this feature.

[ryansmith53]

I’ve looked into the Sabrent NT-SS5G as suggested, and it seems to tick nearly all the boxes I need, especially with jumbo frame support and strong cross-platform compatibility. I’ll likely go with it unless the price suddenly jumps.
Out of curiosity, has anyone here had direct experience using MAC address passthrough with this adapter on Linux (particularly Ubuntu or Debian)? I understand support varies, but any real-world feedback would be appreciated.

[skomja00]

I am using the QNAP HBS3 app to backup to a Seagate 1big dock with a 10TB Crimson Wolf Pro. 

I cannot get USB speeds above 250MB/s ~ 2Gbps. Any suggestions?

The Storage and Snapshots External Storage on the NAS says the connection type is USB 3.2 Gen 2

The NAS is a QNAP TS-464-8G-US with 4x Seagate IronWolf 8TB and upgraded memory using 2x Crucial 16GB DDR4-3200 SODIMM 1.2V CL22

The connection is from the front USB on the NAS (above one-touch copy button) wired to the 1big Dock Thunderbolt 3 port. The 1big dock has a separate power supply but will not power up unless something is connected to the Thunderbolt port. I get the same results using the back USB port on the NAS. 

I've tried flipping the USBC end of the cable "right side up" and "upside down". Apparently that may somehow make a difference I've read online. Doesn't seem to help.

The cable I am using is a Cable Matters [USB-IF Certified] 10Gbps Gen 2 USB A to USB C Cable - 3.3 ft

Is it me or USB?

[walterlouis]

Hi,

Could you please recommend a USB-C to Ethernet adapter that can do up to 5Gbps Block Blast 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

The Sabrent NT-SS5G is a solid pick under £70, supports 5Gbps and 9K jumbo frames, with possible MAC passthrough depending on your system. No new major models are expected soon.