Serial port card is a device that can be installed in a computer to add serial port functionality. A serial port is a communications port that uses a serial interface to send data to and receive data from a serial device. Some of the renowned brands are Belkin, Addonics, and StarTech.
Choosing the right serial port card is difficult as there are many factors to consider such as the port type, port speed, and port configuration. The most important factor is the port type as there are many different port types such as RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485. To make it easier to find the exact serial port card you’re looking for, we rounded up the best serial port cards on Amazon, according to thousands of customer reviews.
Check out our favorite serial port cards in the list below, and keep reading for our buying guide.
Our Editor’s Best Serial Port Cards Reviews
- 1. PCIE-SE2 allow users add 2X RS232 BD9 serial Ports on desktop PCs or industrial devices by motherboard PCI Express slot.
- 2. Seamless connect to serial DB9 ports device such as POS system, industrial testing and control device, security system, logistic management equipment, scanners and printers.
- 3. Need to install driver on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.x, 10, 11 (32/64bit) systems. Linux kernel 2.6.x, 3.x, 4.x, 5.x need to refer compile source code from the driver CD.
- 4. Selected by ASIX AX99100 solution supports on chip 256-byte depth FIFO in transmit. Works on Intel, AMD, ARM hardware platform.
- 5. The full-size bracket on this expansion card will works on standard size PCs. The 2X low profile bracket for slim PCs. Based on PCIE X1 interface, will works on X1, X4, X8, X16 slot.
- 2 PORT SERIAL CARD: Serial controller card w/16950 UART based on ASIX AX99100, allows 2x DB9 ports w/bi-directional RS232 speeds up to 921.6Kbps per port, available 256 byte FIFO buffer & 9th data bit | Upgraded version of our popular card PEX2S952
- OPTIONAL CONFIGURABLE POWER: PCI Express RS232 Serial Adapter Card provides choice of 12v, 5v, or none through pin 9 w/up to 2A total; Each of the 2 ports are individually configurable
- STANDARD PROFILE & LOW PROFILE BRACKET: PCIe multiport serial card comes w/ a standard bracket pre-installed & 2x low profile brackets incl for versatile install; supports Windows & Linux
- VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: For standard profile desktop/servers with uses in point of sale terminals, PLCs, control/automation in factories, scientific sensors, medical equipment, scanners, oscilloscope
- Expansion Interface: Easily add 2 RS232 DB9 serial ports to desktop PCs or industrial devices via the motherboard's PCI Express slot, meeting a variety of device connection needs
- Wide Compatibility: Seamlessly connect to DB9 serial devices such as POS systems, industrial testing and control equipment, security systems, logistics management devices, scanners, and printers, suitable for various application scenarios
- Multi-Platform Support: Driver compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.x, 10, 11 (32/64-bit) and Linux kernels 2.6.x, 3.x, 4.x, 5.x, ensuring smooth installation and use across different systems
- Efficient Data Transmission: Utilizes the ASIX AX99100 solution, supporting 256-byte deep FIFO transmission, compatible with Intel, AMD, and ARM hardware platforms, providing stable serial data transmission performance
- Flexible Installation: Comes with a standard full-size bracket for standard PCs, and includes 2 low-profile brackets for perfect compatibility with slim PCs. Based on the PCIe X1 interface, compatible with X1, X4, X8, and X16 slots
- 1 PORT SERIAL CARD: Serial controller card w/ 16950 UART based on ASIX AX99100, allows 1x DB9 port w/bi-directional RS232 speeds up to 921.6Kbps per port, available 256 byte FIFO buffer & 9th data bit; Upgraded version of our popular card PEX1S952LP
- OPTIONAL CONFIGURABLE POWER: PCI Express RS232 serial adapter card provides choice of 12v, 5v, or none through pin 9 w/up to 2A total
- STANDARD PROFILE & LOW PROFILE BRACKET: PCIe serial card comes w/ a low profile bracket pre-installed & 1x full profile bracket is incl for versatile install; Supports Windows & Linux
- VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: For low/standard profile desktop/servers w/ uses in point of sale terminals, PLCs, control/automation in factories, scientific sensors, medical equipment, scanner, oscilloscope
- 2 PORT SERIAL CARD: Serial controller card w/16950 UART based on ASIX AX99100, allows 2x DB9 ports w/bi-directional RS232 speeds up to 921.6Kbps per port, available 256 byte FIFO buffer & 9th data bit; Upgraded version of our popular card PEX2S952LP
- OPTIONAL CONFIGURABLE POWER: PCI Express RS232 serial adapter card provides choice of 12v, 5v, or none through pin 9 w/up to 2A total; Each of the 2 ports are individually configurable
- STANDARD PROFILE & LOW PROFILE BRACKET: PCIe multiport serial card comes w/ low profile bracket preinstalled & a full profile bracket is incl for versatile install; supports Windows XP and up & Linux
- VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: For standard/low profile desktop/servers w/ uses in point of sale terminals, PLCs, control/automation in factories, scientific sensors, medical equipment, scanner, oscilloscope
- This card capability allow for upgrade with additional serial cards to your computer easily. Note: Open the "CH38XDRV"file in the CD to install.
- 2 x 16C550 Fast Uart serial ports, supporting data transfer rates up to 230400Bps.
- Plug and Play, Automatically selects IRQ & IO address, Supports IRQ sharing.
- Compliant with ExpressCard/34mm Standard; Compatible to 1-Lane (x1) PCI-Express Throughput.
- Operating System: Windows 32bit 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista and 64bit XP/2003 Server/Vista/WIN7/WIN8/WIN10/WIN11/Linux. (If there was any problem with PCIE 2 port serial expansion card, pls feel free to contact us, we will provide a solution within 24hrs.)
- PCI CARD WITH SERIAL & PARALLEL PORTS: Using one PCI bus, add a DB25 parallel & two DB9 RS232 ports to your computer; Serial Parallel PCI Card installs in 2x full profile or 3x low profile expansion slots; Auto IRQ & IO assignment; Supports IRQ Sharing
- TECH SPECS: Parallel Speeds up to 1.5Mbps | Supports SPP/Byte/ECP/EPP modes | Compatible with IEEE 1284 | Asix MCS9865 chip | RS-232 speeds up to 115.2 Kbps | 16C550 UART | 256 byte FIFO buffer | 5-9 bit character | Even, Odd, No, Space or Mark Parity
- VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: PCI expansion combo card adds LPT Printer & two COM serial ports working with printers, scanners, plotters, point of sale terminals, PLCs, control/automation in factories, scientific sensors, medical equipment, oscilloscope
- STANDARD PROFILE & LOW PROFILE BRACKETs: PCI multiport Parallel LPT & dual serial COM adapter card installs using 2x standard bracket (pre-installed) or 3x low profile brackets (incl); Supports Windows 7 and up, Linux 2.6.x to 5.x
- Dual Serial Ports: Provides two independent RS232 serial ports, enabling connections with multiple serial DB9 port (RS232 communication) devices, significantly expanding your system's connectivity.
- Wide Compatibility: Requires driver installation for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.x, 10, 11 (32/64-bit) systems. For Linux kernels 2.6.x, 3.x, 4.x, 5.x, source code on the driver CD can be compiled.
- Advanced Chip Solution: Utilizes the ASIX AX99100 solution supporting 256-byte depth FIFO transfer on-chip, suitable for Intel, AMD, and ARM hardware platforms.
- Versatile Bracket Design: Comes with a full-size bracket for standard PCs and a low-profile bracket for 2U computers. Compatible with PCIe x1 slots and also fits x4, x8, x16 slots.
- Important Notes:Ensure your computer has an available PCIe slot,for 2U computers, manually replace with the low-profile bracket,for desktop computers, install the correct driver from the Mini-CD.
- 4 PORT SERIAL CARD: Serial controller card w/16950 UART based on ASIX AX99100, allows 4x DB9 ports w/bi-directional RS232 speeds up to 921.6Kbps per port, available 256 byte FIFO buffer; Upgraded version of our popular card PEX4S952LP
- OPTIONAL CONFIGURABLE POWER: PCIe multiport serial card provides 12v, 5v, or none through pin 9 w/up to 2A total; Each of the 4 ports are individually configurable; DB44 to 4x DB9 breakout cable incl
- STANDARD PROFILE & LOW PROFILE BRACKET: PCI Express RS232 serial adapter card has low profile bracket pre-installed & 1x standard bracket incl for versatile install; Supports Windows XP and up & Linux
- VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: For low/standard profile desktop/servers w/ uses in point of sale terminals, PLCs, control/automation in factories, scientific sensors, medical equipment, scanner, oscilloscope
- English (Publication Language)
- PCIE TO SERIAL: Connect a serial RS232 (DB9) device to a computer with this PC serial card. Features support for high performance 16C1050 UART. Monitor activity with the built-in LED status lights on the PCI express DB9 card
- DEVICE COMPATIBILITY: Use this serial interface card to connect with barcode readers/scanners, receipt printers, scales, PLCs, medical devices, etc. The UART PCIe card supplies 5V or 12V power over pin 9. Low-profile bracket is included
- APPLICATIONS: This card is ideal for IT applications such as server rooms, industrial control/automation, logistics, and laboratories. Continue using legacy hardware with this RS232 PCIe card. DB9 port accepts screw locking serial cables
- PC SERIAL CARD SPECS: 1 Port | 16C1050 UART | Max Baud 921.6 Kbps | 256 Byte FIFO | COM Retention | Supports Windows and Linux | Asix AX99100 Chipset | Odd/Even/Mark/Space/None Parity Modes | 5/6/7/8/9 Data Bits | PCIe 2.0 x1 | Low-profile Bracket Included
Best Serial Port Cards Buying Guide
Before choosing the best serial port cards you should consider following options:
1. Protocol: The first thing you should check when looking for a serial port card is the protocol it supports. The most common protocols are:
16-bit ISA cards: These cards are the most widely available and can be used in any PC or laptop that supports ISA slots. You can find them for as cheap as $10.
32-bit PCI cards: These are more expensive than 16-bit cards, but they’re compatible with the latest operating systems.
2. Speed: If you want the maximum throughput, then you should buy a 32-bit PCI card. If you don’t mind compromising a little bit of speed, then you can get a 16-bit card for a cheaper price.
3. Compatibility: If you’re planning to use your serial port card in a Windows environment, then you should buy a card that supports the latest Windows OS.
What else you should know about serial port cards
1. What are the best serial port cards for PCs?
There is no definitive answer to this question since it depends on the specific needs of the user. However, some popular options for serial port cards include the StarTech 2-Port PCI Express Serial Card and the IOGEAR 2-Port USB to Serial DB9 RS232 Adapter Cable.
2. What are the features of a good serial port card?
Some features of a good serial port card are that it is compatible with a wide range of devices, has low latency, and is easy to install.
3. How do I choose the right serial port card for my PC?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best serial port card for your PC will depend on your specific needs. However, some things to consider when choosing a serial port card include the number of ports you need, the data transfer speed you require, and compatibility with your existing hardware and software.
4. What are the benefits of using a serial port card?
Some benefits of using a serial port card are that it can be used to add more serial ports to a computer, it can be used to connect serial devices to a computer, and it can be used to improve the performance of serial devices.
5. What are the drawbacks of using a serial port card?
Some drawbacks of using a serial port card are that they can be difficult to install, and they may not work with all types of devices. Additionally, serial port cards can be expensive, and they may not offer the same level of performance as a dedicated serial port.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best serial port cards. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best serial port cards will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.