- New RTL8159-based 10G USB 3.2 adapters are smaller, cooler, and cheaper than Thunderbolt adapters.
- Full 10 Gbps speed is only achievable with a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) port; other ports yield around 6-7 Gbps.
- The $80 WisdPi adapter is half the price of Thunderbolt alternatives but requires the right USB port for maximum performance.
- On Macs, the adapter works without extra drivers but incorrectly reports 2500Base-T; on Windows, a Realtek driver download is needed.
- For most users, 2.5 Gbps or 5 Gbps adapters offer better value, being cheaper and often sufficient.
- Thermal performance is excellent—the adapter stays cool (42.5°C) unlike hot Thunderbolt adapters, and uses low power (0.86W at USB 2).
- Cheaper alternatives are available on AliExpress, and PCIe versions bypass USB port limitations on desktop PCs.