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
- MEETS INDUSTRY STANDARDS: The 2-port PCI express serial card is compliant with PCI Express 1.0a specification, and it's compatible with 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x and 16x PCI Express slots.
- MAXIMUM COMPATIBILITY: The dual port DB9 to PCIe adapter is ideal for system upgrades in a wide range of applications including manufacturing equipment, POS equipment, and security devices.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMMUNICATION: The low-profile serial card delivers high-performance serial communication, with support for data transfer rates of up to 460Kbps.
- SIMPLE INSTALLATION: The PCI dual serial adapter features IRQ sharing and supports plug-and-play connection. It has a standard-profile bracket installed, and an optional low-profile bracket.
- 1. PCIE-SE2 allow users add 2X RS232 BD9 serial Ports on desktop PCs or industrial devices by PCI Express slot.
- 2. Seamless connect to serial 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 in 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.
- 1 PORT SERIAL CARD: Serial controller card w/ 16550 UART based on ASIX MCS9922CV-AA, allows 1x DB9 port w/bi-directional RS232 speeds up to 460.8Kbps per port, available 256 byte FIFO buffer; Upgraded version of our popular card PEX1S552LP
- OPTIONAL CONFIGURABLE POWER: PCI Express RS232 serial adapter card provides choice of 12v, 5v, or none through pin 9
- 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
- THE IT PRO'S CHOICE: Designed and built for IT Professionals, this PCIe serial adapter card is backed for life, including free lifetime 24/5 multi-lingual technical assistance
- This card capability allow for upgrade with additional serial or parallel cards to your computer easily. Note: Open the "CH38XDRV"file in the CD to install.
- Multi-mode IEEE 1284 compliant controller (SPP, PS2, EPP, ECP), Faster data rates up to 1.5Mbps for parallel port.
- 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 / Linux. If there was any problem with PCIe combo serial parallel expansion card, pls feel free to contact us, we will provide a solution within 24hrs.
- 2-port PCI express serial card turns a PCI-E expansion slot into 2 RS-232 DB9 serial port for your computer to connect multiple legacy serial devices
- Dual serial port card supports IRQ sharing and operates flawlessly with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, ME, 98, Mac OS, Linux, etc; PCI-E 1.0 a specification, Standard 16C550 UART signal
- PCI express combo card bracket with two RS232 serial interface uses WCH382 chip, high speed data communication transfer rate up to 250 Kbps
- Standard-height PCIe card bracket design allows the PCI to serial card to be installed in virtually any desktop computer case (full profile computer chassis)
- An ideal serial expansion PCIe card adapter for fax modem, GSM modem, printer, barcode reader, cellular phone, PDA, POS machine, GPS, ISDN terminal adapter, satellite receiver, digital camera, hard drive, radio system, etc (If need driver installation guide , pls contact us directly via the order page.)
- 2 PORT PCI RS232 SERIAL ADAPTER CARD: Controller card w/ 16C550 UART based on ASIX MCS9865, 2x DB9 ports w/bi-directional RS232 speeds up to 115.2Kbps/port, 256 byte FIFO buffer & 9th data bit | Upgraded version of our popular cards PCI2S550_LP & PCI2S550
- TECH SPECS: Speeds up to 115.2Kbps | 16C550 UART | 256 byte FIFO buffer | 5,6,7,8 and 9 bit character | Even, Odd, No, Space or Mark Parity | Auto IRQ & IO assignment | Supports IRQ Sharing | ASIX MCS9865 Chip
- VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: Dual Serial Port PCI Card for PCI desktops/servers used in point of sale terminals, PLCs, CNC Machines, control/automation in factories, scientific sensors, medical equipment, scanners, oscilloscope
- STANDARD PROFILE & LOW PROFILE BRACKET: PCI multiport serial COM card installs using 1x standard bracket (pre-installed) or 2x low profile brackets (incl); Supports Windows 7 and up, Linux 2.6.x to 5.x
- Two (2) 9-pin RS-232 serial ports.
- PCI Express x1 interface (will also work on PCI-E x4, x8, x16 slot).
- Compliant with PCI Express specification Revision 1.1.
- PCI Express single-lane (x1) bus bandwidth 2.5 Gbps.
- Support DOS, Windows 98 / Me / NT4.0 / 2000 / XP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Server 2003 & 2008 / Linux operating systems.
- Native single chip design
- Includes a full profile and low profile/half-height bracket
- On chip 256-byte depth FIFO in transmit/receive path of each port
- Single-Lane (x1) PCI-Express with throughput up to 2.5Gbps
- Supports hardware and software flow control
- 2 PORT SERIAL CARD: Serial controller card w/16550 UART based on ASIX MCS9922CV-AA, allows 2x DB9 ports w/bi-directional RS232 speeds up to 460.8Kbps per port, available 256 byte FIFO buffer | 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. 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
- THE IT PRO'S CHOICE: Designed and built for IT Professionals, this PCIe serial adapter card is backed for life, including free lifetime 24/5 multi-lingual technical assistance
- GOOD CHOICE - Most new computers don't have a serial port, and most serial port cards have a lot of issues, but if you're looking for a serial port to communicate with older devices, the card works well.This is the best solution for you add 4 RS232 (DB9) serial ports, using a single PCI Express expansion slot.
- INDEPENDENT POWER CHIPEST - Built-in AX99100 CHIPEST,No external power supply provides RS-232 serial port or 5v 12v DC power output through the COM of the first needle or the needle 9.Stable performance, strong compatibility, high - speed storage.
- 4 RS232 PORT - 4 standard external RS-232 DB9 serial ports.All serial ports support slow IrDA mode and speeds up to 115200bps,compatible with 2 UART and 4 UART.
- PCI EXPRESS X1 - Compliant with PCI Express 2.0 gen1, compatible with PCIE x1, x2, x4, x8, x16 slots.
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY - Compatible operating system :Windows XP/ 2003 Server/ Vista/ WIN7/ WIN8.x / WIN10 / Linux Kernel 2.6 15 and later/ Android 1.x/ 2.x/ 3.x/ 4.x/ 5.x.Perfect for connecting serial modems, POS devices, PDAs, digital cameras, printers, ISDN terminal adapters and more to your system.
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.