Parallel adapters bridge the gap between older parallel port peripherals and modern computers. These handy devices ensure your legacy printers, scanners, or other devices remain functional, saving you the cost of replacement. Understanding their features and compatibility is key to a seamless connection and continued productivity.
Looking for the best Parallel Adapters?
Discover now our comparison of the best Parallel Adapters. It is never easy to choose from the wide range of offers. On the market, you will find an incalculable number of models, all at different prices. And as you will discover, the best Parallel Adapters are not always the ones at the highest prices! Many criteria are used, and they make the richness and relevance of this comparison.
To help you make the best choice among the hundreds of products available, we have decided to offer you a comparison of the Parallel Adapters in order to find the best quality/price ratio. In this ranking, you will find products listed according to their price, but also their characteristics and the opinions of other customers. Also discover our comparisons by categories. You won’t have to choose your products at random anymore.
No. 1
SABRENT USB to Parallel IEEE 1284 Printer Cable Adapter (CB-CN36)
- Supports multiple operation systems
- IEEE 1284 (Bi-Directional Parallel Interface)
- Enjoy data transfer rate up to 12Mbps
- Eliminate manual or automatic parallel switch boxes
- Simple Plug & Play installation
SaleNo. 2
BougeRV Solar Connectors Y Branch Parallel Adapter Cable Wire Plug Tool Kit for Solar Panel
- 【Y Branch Parallel Connector】1 male to 2 female (M/FF) and 1 female to 2 male (F/MM) solar connectors, which can connect 2 solar panels in parallel.
- 【Main Technical Specification】Rated Current: 20A, Rated Voltage: DC1000V.
- 【Wide Application】The solar y connector is compatible with various solar cables:14-10AWG (1.5mm² - 6mm²).
- 【IP67 Waterproof】The waterproof ring in male connector is designed to prevent water and dust. With high-quality PPO material, solar connectors can resist to ultraviolet rays, and high temperature.
- 【Plug and Play】You can assembly solar y connector quickly and simply. Just press the built-in-lock on the male connector to disconnect.
No. 3
UGREEN 10FT USB to Parallel Port Printer Cable, CN36 Cable Adapter IEEE1284 for Old Printer, Centronics...
- Connectivity: USB to Parallel Port Printer Cable for Fast Data Transfer
- Compatibility: Works with Windows, Mac, and Linux Systems
- Speed: Supports 12Mbps Transmission Rate for Quick Printing
- Quality: Copper Core and Shield Design for Stable Signal Transmission
- Easy Use: Plug and Play for No Driver Installation Needed
SaleNo. 4
StarTech.com 6 ft. (1.8 m) USB to Parallel Port Adapter - IEEE-1284 - Male/Male - USB to Centronics Cable...
- USB TO PARALLEL: The ICUSB1284 USB to Parallel printer adapter allows you to connect a 36-pin Centronics-equipped parallel printer to a computer via a USB-A 2.0 port
- LOW POWER: USB bus-powered operation, no external power adapter required (0.9W consumption, 5V at 0,18A)
- SPECS: USB-A male to 36-pin Centronics parallel male cable; 1.8m (6 ft) long; USB 2.0; Colour: Black; Material: Plastic; Chipset: Prolific PL2305
- COMPATABILITY: Provides Plug and Play installation on Windows based computers with USB; Supports Windows (incl. XP and up) Windows Server (2000 and up), Linux (2.6.X and up) and macOS 10.6 to 10.15, 11.0, 12.0, 13.0
- THE IT PRO'S CHOICE: Designed and built for IT Professionals, this USB to parallel cord is backed for 2-Years, including free lifetime 24/5 multi-lingual technical assistance
−14%
$18.95
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SaleNo. 5
ECO-WORTHY Solar Connectors Y Branch Parallel PV Adapter Cable Wire Plug Tool Kit for Solar Panel(M/FF+F/MM)
- Y Branch Parallel Connector: 1 male to 2 female and 1 female to 2 male solar connectors can connect two solar panels in parallel to provide greater power usage
- Wide Application: The solar Y connector is made of PPO and tinned copper and is compatible with various solar cables: 14-10 AWG (1.5 mm² - 6 mm²)
- IP68 Waterproof: Better waterproof and dustproof performance than IP67, VL94-V0 flame retardant grade, working temperature -49 ℉-194 ℉, which can work normally in harsh environments
- Plug and Play: The solar Y branch is connected by pressing and unlocked by pressing the buckles on both sides, and will not slip off easily
- Technical Specification: Solar cable rated current: 30 A, rated voltage: DC 1000 V; Suitable for most solar systems
No. 6
CybNemo USB to Parallel Printer Cable USB 2.0 Type A Male to CN36 Pin Male Parallel IEEE 1284 Centronics 36PIN...
- Easy Connection: The USB to parallel port printer cable supports easy connection between USB and scanners/printers; It is possible to connect a computer USB interface with transfer function to an old printer with 36 pin parallel, easily restoring the old...
- High quality: This USB to IEEE1284 CN36 parallel printer cable adopts standard IEEE1284 cable, multi-layer shielding and pure copper core design, with good conductivity, stable signal transmission, durability, and long service life.
- Transfer speed: The USB to parallel printer adapter has fast data transfer speed, and the 80 centimeter long cable provides sufficient distance between devices to establish a strong connection and achieve fast printing.
- Easy to Use: USB to parallel printer adapter cable is plug and play, no driver installation required, easy to install, supports hot swapping, and can be easily set up without any accessories, making printing easier.
- Compatibility:This USB 2.0 to CN36 centronics parallel cable is suitable for devices with USB Type A ports, such as PCs, computers, laptops, desktops, etc; It is also compatible with printers with CN36 connectors, such as scanners, laser printers, dot...
No. 7
SinLoon USB to Parallel Port Adapter USB to IEEE1284 CN36 Parallel Printer Cable Adapter for Printer (4.6FT)
- Reconnect to an older printer with the USB 2.0 to Parallel Printer Adapter Cable. This adapter connects older printers to computers, laptops and other USB-enabled devices. Designed to work with printers that feature a CEN36 connector. Designed for...
- USB to Parallel IEEE 1284 CN36 Printer Adapter Cable 4.6ft. length provides ample reach between devices for versatile home and office setups. Gain a solid connection with the USB 2.0 to Parallel Printer Adapter Cable.
- SinLoon usb to parallel printer cable allows you to attach your computer to any parallel printer Device thru the USB port and get faster Printing results.
- Today's computers don't come with parallel ports. But they do have USB! With this adapter cable you can still use your older printers with your newer computer. Converts a printer's parallel port for use with a USB port. This was a perfect solution for old...
- Compatible with Windows 95, 98,98SE,ME,2000 and Mac OS 8.6 or later Supports virtually any standard or IEEE 1284 parallel printer
No. 8
![SABRENT USB 2.0 to DB25 IEEE-1284 Parallel Printer Cable Adapter [THUMBSCREWS Connectors] (CB-DB25)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Qbu0ZX2AL._SL160_.jpg)
SABRENT USB 2.0 to DB25 IEEE-1284 Parallel Printer Cable Adapter [THUMBSCREWS Connectors] (CB-DB25)
- Connect a printer to your computer without any necessary driver software.
- Fully plug and play compatible.
- Automatically negotiates hardware recognition for faster setup of your printer.
- Compatible with most printers.
- Easy, fast and convenient way to connect your printer.
No. 9
C2G 16899 USB To DB25 Parallel Printer Adapter Cable, Beige (6 Feet, 1.82 Meters)
- Connect your Parallel, IEEE-1284, printer to a USB port on your PC or hub
- Keeps the parallel port on a PC free by using USB instead
- Connect multiple printers using USB instead of parallel
- Eliminates the need for a switchbox by using USB ports
- Package Contents: One adapter cable, User manual
- Note: This adapter is designed for use with a standard Parallel printer and is not designed to support multi-function printers or other parallel devices. This adapter uses the USB Printing Support function of the operating system and is not designed to...
$17.99
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No. 10
PCIE to DB25 LPT Parallel Port Expansion Card with Low Bracket, PCI Parallel Port Converter Adapter Controller...
- 【Features】 PCIE Transfer Parallel Card is a single PCI courier parallel card.
- 【Convenient use】 The PCIE transfer card can be connected to parallel equipment, such as printers, programmers, scanners, etc. To meet your multiple needs
- 【Compatibility】 PCIE Transfer Card supports a variety of traditional operating systems for and Linux.
- 【Card Slot】 PCIE Transfer Card with PCI Express X1 slot, can be installed in a variety of PCI Express slots (including 4x 8x16x).
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Last update on 2026-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Choose the Best Parallel Adapters
Choosing the Right Adapter
Prioritize adapters from reputable brands known for quality and support. Reading user reviews can provide insights into real-world performance and potential issues with specific devices or operating systems. If you have a particularly old or obscure parallel device, research its compatibility with USB adapters beforehand to avoid frustration. An adapter with good customer support can be invaluable if you encounter any setup challenges.Frequently Asked Questions
Will a parallel adapter work with any parallel device?
Most standard parallel devices, especially printers and scanners, are compatible with parallel-to-USB adapters. However, highly specialized or industrial equipment might have unique communication protocols that are not supported.
Do I need to install drivers for a parallel adapter?
Many modern parallel adapters are plug-and-play and do not require manual driver installation. Your operating system should automatically detect and install the necessary drivers. However, for some devices or older operating systems, you might need to download specific drivers from the manufacturer's website.
What is bidirectional communication in a parallel adapter?
Bidirectional communication means the adapter can send and receive data. This is crucial for devices like printers that send status information back to the computer, such as ink levels or error messages.
Can I use a parallel adapter for data transfer, not just printing?
Yes, some parallel adapters support data transfer for devices like external hard drives or ZIP drives that use a parallel interface. Ensure the adapter explicitly states support for data transfer if this is your intended use.
How do I troubleshoot connection issues with a parallel adapter?
First, ensure all connections are secure. Try a different USB port on your computer and restart both the computer and the parallel device. If problems persist, verify driver compatibility and consult the adapter manufacturer's support resources.