TP-LINK UB500 Plus | Long Range Bluetooth USB Adapter at 2026

[Kiriakos GR]

TP-LINK UB500 Plus
Long Range Bluetooth USB Adapter.

This article starts here as information tip for the year 2026.
According to AI:
Specifically, the device relies on the Realtek RTL8761B silicon architecture.
TP-Link packages this specific integrated circuit inside the adapter casing and overlays it with their custom-signed firmware configurations.

Why it matters for Windows 7: Unlike newer hardware variants (such as the Asus BT540), Realtek authored highly stable, dedicated legacy driver configurations for the RTL8761B platform.

https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/usb-adapter/ub500-plus/

https://www.tp-link.com/gr/support/download/ub500/

Note by Kiriakos intelligence.

TP-LINK UB500 Plus | availability : Everywhere
Local retail price in Greece with VAT:   12 EUR

Excellent design for Bluetooth 4.0 / wireless multimeter modules connectivity and Data log. 

Validated Fact: Achieves an actual, stable two-way data-logging communication range of 17.78 meters in open space +5 dBi (Over Bluetooth 2.1 SPP).
While 0 dBi antenna, this will offer 10m max.     

[overvolt]

Did you get one for testing ? 

[Kiriakos GR]

I have added it at my wish list.

When I will have spare cash and no other needs, I will order it (local stock).

[overvolt]

TP-LINK UB500 Plus, exterior product design while this is almost cloned.

TP-LINK UB500 Plus, electronics they are special   
USB Bluetooth 5.3 Class 1 Adapter Dongle
Chip = Realtek - RTL8761BUE
Real, High gain antenna.

At the other side of the pond, they are selling this identical design three times higher than in EU.
https://www.startech.com/en-fi/networking-io/av53c1-usb-bluetooth
 

[Kiriakos GR]

Operating System Support: Unlike V2.60, both V1 and V1.6 retain legacy support, functioning across Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 7.

V2.60 TP-LINK messed up here OS compatibility.
This hardware revision works only at  W10 / W11

And so it is required significant caution at checking first actual in stock revision, before ordering.


UB500 Plus_V1.6_Windows_1.9.1051.3012 
Published Date: 2024-10-08
File Size: 75.95 MB
Operating System: Windows ALL