Electronics & Computing

The Best Parallel Adapters

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Our picks are based on Amazon bestseller rankings, verified customer ratings, and product availability. We update our recommendations regularly to ensure accuracy.

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.

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
No. 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 6ft. (1.8m) USB to Parallel Port Adapter, IEEE-1284 (ICUSB1284)
  • 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
SaleNo. 5
StarTech 1-Port Parallel PCIe Card - PCI Express to Parallel DB25 Adapter Card - Desktop Expansion LPT...
  • 1-PORT PARALLEL PCIe CARD: Using a 1x PCI Express 2.0 Gen 1 slot, add a DB25 parallel communications port to your computer; Installs in full/standard or low profile PCIe cards slots (brackets incl.); Latest version of our popular parallel card PEX1P
  • TECH SPECS: Parallel port LPT controller card supports SPP/Byte/Nibble/ECP modes | Compatible with IEEE 1284 | Speeds up to 2.5Mbps | Asix AX99100 chip | Full profile bracket pre-installed
  • VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: Parallel port expansion card works with printers, scanners, plotters, point of sale terminals, PLCs, control/automation in factories, scientific sensors, medical equipment, oscilloscope
  • WIDE COMPATABILITY: Fully compliant with PCI Express Base Specifications Revision 1.1 and PCI Power Mgmt 1.2; Compatible with PCI-e x1 slot and up; Supports Windows (incl. XP and up) Windows Server (2003 and up) and Linux (2.6.X and up)
No. 6
BougeRV Solar Parallel Connectors for 2 Solar Panels, 2 to 4 Y Branch 10AWG Adapter Splitter Cable Wire Plug...
  • Longer Branch Cable Design: BougeRV solar panel parallel connectors make setup a breeze. With 30cm branch lengths compared to the market standard of 20cm, our cables have been thoroughly tested for parallel solar panel connections. In most cases, no...
  • Easily Connect 2 Solar Panels: BougeRV 2 to 4 Y Branch Parallel Cable combines two Y Branch pv cables into one, with red for positive and black for negative, making it easy even for beginners. The main line is 6mm² (10AWG) and the branch line is 4mm...
  • Safe & Durable: The BougeRV parallel cable features a reinforced 2cm overmolding design for superior waterproofing and tensile strength. With IP68-rated connectors and premium XLPE and tinned copper materials, it’s UV-resistant, high-temperature...
  • Wide Application: BougeRV solar wire connector is suitable for most conventional type solar connectors except the amphenol connector and other irregular type connectors, which is also compatible with solar cables in 10AWG to 14AWG
  • No-hassle 18-Month Tech Support: BougeRV stands by our solar kits. If anything is missing or if you encounter any issues during use, please reach out to us
No. 7
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. 8
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. 9
MEIRIYFA 1.5M USB 2.0 to Parallel IEEE 1284 CN36 Printer Adapter Cable for Old Printers, Centronics Parallel...
  • ⭐ USB to cn36 parallel printer cable reconnect to an older printer with the USB 2.0 to Parallel Printer Adapter Cable. This USB to 36-Pin Parallel Printer Adapter Cable connects older printers to computers, laptops and other USB-enabled devices...
  • ⭐ USB 2.0 to Parallel IEEE 1284 CN36 Printer Adapter with Fully automatic high-speed bi-directional parallel communication port; Supports easy connection between USB and scanner, printer; Support bidirectional parallel interface printing standards; No...
  • ⭐ MEIRIYFA USB2.0 to Parallel IEEE 1284 cn36 printer cable is 1.5m. Long enough cable 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.
  • ⭐ Easy to use, the adapter installs in seconds. Plug and play for no driver installation needed. USB to Parallel Adapter Cable allows you to connect a Parallel Printer to your USB Port. Transmission speed up to 12Mbps.
  • ⭐ The USB to Parallel Port Adapter USB to IEEE1284 CN36 Parallel Printer Cable, adopts standard IEEE1284 cable, multi-layer shielding, plug and play, high-speed data transmission. Long service life, durable.
No. 10
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...

Last update on 2026-07-16 / 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.