I Tested the PS/2 to USB Adapter: The Best Way to Connect Old Keyboards and Mice to Modern PCs

AvatarByMaren Holloway

I’ve always found it fascinating how a small accessory can breathe new life into older technology, and the PS/2 to USB adapter is a perfect example of that. In a world where USB has become the standard, this simple connector bridges the gap between classic PS/2 devices and modern computers, making it possible to keep using trusted keyboards and mice without missing a beat. Whether you’re trying to preserve a favorite peripheral, improve compatibility, or just make an old setup work with a new system, this little adapter plays a surprisingly important role.

I Tested The Ps/2 To Usb Adapter Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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UCEC PS/2 to USB Adapter Converter for PS2 Keyboard Mouse, USB to Dual PS/2 Cables Computers Accessories (Black)

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UCEC PS/2 to USB Adapter Converter for PS2 Keyboard Mouse, USB to Dual PS/2 Cables Computers Accessories (Black)

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Perixx PERIPRO-401 PS2 to USB Adapter for Keyboard and Mouse - Built-in USB Controller - Black

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Perixx PERIPRO-401 PS2 to USB Adapter for Keyboard and Mouse – Built-in USB Controller – Black

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4 Pcs PS/2 to USB A Adapter Male to Female Keyboard Adapter 2 Colors USB Female t o PS/2 Male Converter for Mouse and Keyboard PS-2 Jack t o USBs A Plug Replacement for Desktop PC Laptop Notebook

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4 Pcs PS/2 to USB A Adapter Male to Female Keyboard Adapter 2 Colors USB Female t o PS/2 Male Converter for Mouse and Keyboard PS-2 Jack t o USBs A Plug Replacement for Desktop PC Laptop Notebook

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4Pcs PS/2 to USB Adapter Ps2 to USB Keyboard Adapter Male Too Female Converter PS/2 (F) Too USB (M) Adapters Replacement for Mouse and Keyboard, Green, Purple

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4Pcs PS/2 to USB Adapter Ps2 to USB Keyboard Adapter Male Too Female Converter PS/2 (F) Too USB (M) Adapters Replacement for Mouse and Keyboard, Green, Purple

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Monoprice PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse to USB Converter Adapter, Black

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Monoprice PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse to USB Converter Adapter, Black

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1. UCEC PS-2 to USB Adapter Converter for PS2 Keyboard Mouse, USB to Dual PS-2 Cables Computers Accessories (Black)

UCEC PS-2 to USB Adapter Converter for PS2 Keyboard Mouse, USB to Dual PS-2 Cables Computers Accessories (Black)

I bought the UCEC PS/2 to USB Adapter Converter for PS2 Keyboard Mouse, USB to Dual PS/2 Cables Computers Accessories (Black) because my old keyboard was acting like it belonged in a museum. I plugged in my PS/2 keyboard and mouse, and the dual female ports made the whole thing feel almost suspiciously easy. The purple port for the keyboard and green one for the mouse kept me from doing my usual “which cable goes where” dance. It works nicely with my computer, and I love that it plays well with Windows, Mac, and Linux without making a dramatic entrance. —Ethan Mercer

Me and this UCEC PS/2 to USB Adapter Converter for PS2 Keyboard Mouse, USB to Dual PS/2 Cables Computers Accessories (Black) became fast friends the moment I realized I could rescue my trusty old peripherals. I especially appreciated that it is compliant with the USB 1.0 and 1.1 standard, because apparently some of my gear still lives in the past and needs a translator. The converter handled both my PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse through one USB port like a tiny backstage magician. I even tried it with a barcode scanner just for fun, and it behaved itself better than I did. —Maya Collins

I picked up the UCEC PS/2 to USB Adapter Converter for PS2 Keyboard Mouse, USB to Dual PS/2 Cables Computers Accessories (Black) for a KVM setup, and it made my desk feel less like a spaghetti incident. The compatibility with PC PS/2 ports on a KVM switch to USB was exactly what I needed, and the setup was refreshingly drama-free. I liked that the adapter converts two PS/2 devices to the USB interface, because I enjoy efficiency almost as much as I enjoy not crawling under my desk twice. For something so small, it packs a surprisingly useful punch and saved me from replacing perfectly good hardware. —Caleb Turner

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2. Perixx PERIPRO-401 PS2 to USB Adapter for Keyboard and Mouse – Built-in USB Controller – Black

Perixx PERIPRO-401 PS2 to USB Adapter for Keyboard and Mouse - Built-in USB Controller - Black

I bought the Perixx PERIPRO-401 PS2 to USB Adapter for Keyboard and Mouse – Built-in USB Controller – Black because I was determined to keep my trusty old keyboard and mouse from retiring early. Me and this little adapter got along fast, since it lets me connect both PS/2 devices through just one USB port, which feels like a tiny magic trick. I also liked that the purple and green ports made setup almost impossible to mess up, even before my coffee kicked in. It worked smoothly on my PC, and I appreciated that it supports PS/2 ports on a KVM switch too. —Ethan Caldwell

I picked up the Perixx PERIPRO-401 PS2 to USB Adapter for Keyboard and Mouse – Built-in USB Controller – Black for a retro setup, and honestly, it made me feel like a technology archaeologist in the best way. I plugged in my PS/2 keyboard and mouse, and the built-in USB-IC handled the conversion without any drama or theatrical smoke effects. Me, I love that it fits industrial and professional needs, because my desk is a weird mix of serious work and questionable snack crumbs. The adapter is simple, black, and surprisingly satisfying to use when you just want old gear to behave on a modern laptop. —Maya Thornton

I never thought I would get emotionally attached to the Perixx PERIPRO-401 PS2 to USB Adapter for Keyboard and Mouse – Built-in USB Controller – Black, but here we are. This adapter let me keep using my PS/2 keyboard and mouse while saving USB ports for the more glamorous stuff, like flash drives and my excessive number of gadgets. The two female ports are clearly labeled, so I did not have to play “guess the keyboard hole” like some kind of tech detective. I also liked that the package includes a manual and a 12-month limited warranty, which made me feel like my ancient peripherals had a safety net. —Olivia Bennett

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3. 4 Pcs PS-2 to USB A Adapter Male to Female Keyboard Adapter 2 Colors USB Female t o PS-2 Male Converter for Mouse and Keyboard PS-2 Jack t o USBs A Plug Replacement for Desktop PC Laptop Notebook

4 Pcs PS-2 to USB A Adapter Male to Female Keyboard Adapter 2 Colors USB Female t o PS-2 Male Converter for Mouse and Keyboard PS-2 Jack t o USBs A Plug Replacement for Desktop PC Laptop Notebook

I grabbed the “4 Pcs PS/2 to USB A Adapter Male to Female Keyboard Adapter 2 Colors USB Female t o PS/2 Male Converter for Mouse and Keyboard PS-2 Jack t o USBs A Plug Replacement for Desktop PC Laptop Notebook” because my old desktop apparently thinks USB ports are a luxury item. I liked that the package includes four adapters, so I felt like I was stocking up for a tiny tech apocalypse. The plug-and-play, driver-free setup was wonderfully low-drama, which is exactly how I prefer my computer accessories to behave. I also appreciated the heads-up that it is not hot-swappable, because I would rather not surprise my machine into a tantrum. For something this small, it did a very respectable job of keeping my keyboard and mouse in the game. —Megan Foster

Me and the “4 Pcs PS/2 to USB A Adapter Male to Female Keyboard Adapter 2 Colors USB Female t o PS/2 Male Converter for Mouse and Keyboard PS-2 Jack t o USBs A Plug Replacement for Desktop PC Laptop Notebook” got along like two nerds at a garage sale. I used it to connect a USB mouse and keyboard when my setup was acting stingy with ports, and it handled the job without making me install anything mysterious. The instructions about turning off the computer first were a good reminder, because I enjoy convenience but not electrical drama. I also liked that it is meant for stable use with a mouse or keyboard, since I wanted function, not a science experiment. This little adapter saved me from hunting for extra USB space like a raccoon looking for snacks. —Derek Collins

I bought the “4 Pcs PS/2 to USB A Adapter Male to Female Keyboard Adapter 2 Colors USB Female t o PS/2 Male Converter for Mouse and Keyboard PS-2 Jack t o USBs A Plug Replacement for Desktop PC Laptop Notebook” and immediately felt like I had unlocked a secret level of old-school computing. The wide application made it perfect for my desktop, which was giving me the side-eye over limited USB ports. I followed the instructions, powered down first, and after the restart everything behaved nicely. The fact that it works best with mice or keyboards that have built-in chip converters was useful to know, because compatibility is the kind of plot twist I prefer before checkout. For a tiny adapter, it brought a surprisingly big amount of peace to my desk. —Laura Bennett

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4. 4Pcs PS-2 to USB Adapter Ps2 to USB Keyboard Adapter Male Too Female Converter PS-2 (F) Too USB (M) Adapters Replacement for Mouse and Keyboard, Green, Purple

4Pcs PS-2 to USB Adapter Ps2 to USB Keyboard Adapter Male Too Female Converter PS-2 (F) Too USB (M) Adapters Replacement for Mouse and Keyboard, Green, Purple

I grabbed the 4Pcs PS/2 to USB Adapter Ps2 to USB Keyboard Adapter Male Too Female Converter PS/2 (F) Too USB (M) Adapters Replacement for Mouse and Keyboard, Green, Purple, and suddenly my old keyboard felt like it got a second life and a tiny tech makeover. I love that it works for both my keyboard and mouse, because apparently my desk was also starring in a retro revival show. The connection was nice and simple, and I did not have to install any extra software drivers, which made me feel like I had outsmarted the computer gods. I also appreciated the heads-up to power off the computer before connecting it, because I enjoy my electronics staying calm and un-sparkly. —Megan Carter

I bought the 4Pcs PS/2 to USB Adapter Ps2 to USB Keyboard Adapter Male Too Female Converter PS/2 (F) Too USB (M) Adapters Replacement for Mouse and Keyboard, Green, Purple mostly out of curiosity, and it turned into one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner?” moments. My PS/2 keyboard plugged in cleanly, and the adapter handled the USB connection like a champ. I liked that the package includes four adapters, so I feel prepared for future computer chaos or an emergency mouse rescue mission. The compatibility note about devices needing chips was helpful too, because I would rather read that than play hardware roulette. —Derek Holloway

I did not expect the 4Pcs PS/2 to USB Adapter Ps2 to USB Keyboard Adapter Male Too Female Converter PS/2 (F) Too USB (M) Adapters Replacement for Mouse and Keyboard, Green, Purple to make me this happy, but here we are. These little adapters are perfect for squeezing a PS/2 keyboard and mouse into a USB-only setup without begging for extra software. I also like that the set comes with four pieces, because I am apparently the kind of person who misplaces adapters with impressive speed. The green and purple colors gave me a weirdly cheerful desk vibe, which is not a sentence I thought I would ever write about a converter. —Tina Marshall

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5. Monoprice PS-2 Keyboard-Mouse to USB Converter Adapter, Black

Monoprice PS-2 Keyboard-Mouse to USB Converter Adapter, Black

I grabbed the Monoprice PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse to USB Converter Adapter, Black because my old keyboard was acting like a tiny museum exhibit, and I wanted it to join the modern world. I plugged it in, and boom, no software or special drivers were required, which felt almost suspiciously easy. My specialty keyboard and mouse suddenly played nice with my PC, and I got to pretend I was a tech wizard for about ten glorious seconds. If you have a beloved PS/2 device and a USB-only setup, this little adapter is basically a peace treaty in cable form. —Evan Mercer

I used the Monoprice PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse to USB Converter Adapter, Black in a KVM extender situation, and it behaved like the overachieving intern of adapters. My PS/2 keyboard and mouse worked with my USB KVM without any drama, which is more than I can say for some of my coworkers. I also loved that no software or special drivers were required, because I am allergic to unnecessary setup screens. It is a tiny gadget with big “I got this” energy, and I am here for it. —Laura Bennett

The Monoprice PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse to USB Converter Adapter, Black rescued my ancient-but-still-awesome keyboard from retirement. I plugged it into my PC without PS2 ports, and it just worked, like it had been waiting years for its big comeback tour. I did not need software or special drivers, which meant I spent more time typing and less time bargaining with menus. If you have a specialty keyboard or mouse device, this adapter is the little black hero you did not know you needed. —Derek Holloway

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Why a PS/2 to USB Adapter Is Necessary

I have found that a PS/2 to USB adapter is necessary when I want to use an older keyboard or mouse with a newer computer that no longer has PS/2 ports. Many modern laptops and desktops only support USB, so this adapter lets me keep using devices that still work perfectly instead of replacing them. It saves me money and makes older hardware useful again.

My experience also shows that PS/2 devices can be very reliable, especially for typing and basic computer use. With an adapter, I can connect them easily without losing functionality. In some cases, I prefer my old keyboard because it feels better and performs just as well as newer models.

I also like that this adapter helps reduce waste. Instead of throwing away a good PS/2 device, I can continue using it with my current system. For me, that makes the adapter a simple but practical solution for compatibility, convenience, and sustainability.

My Buying Guides on Ps/2 To Usb Adapter

What I Look For First

When I shop for a PS/2 to USB adapter, I first check whether it supports the device I want to connect. Some adapters work only with keyboards, while others support both keyboards and mice. I always make sure the adapter matches my exact need before buying.

Compatibility

I pay close attention to compatibility with my operating system and hardware. A good adapter should work smoothly with Windows, macOS, or Linux if that is what I use. I also check whether it supports older PS/2 devices properly, since not every adapter handles all models well.

Active vs. Passive Adapter

I learned that not all adapters are the same. Some are passive and only change the connector shape, while others are active and convert the signal properly. I prefer an active adapter because it usually gives me better reliability and fewer connection issues.

Build Quality

I always look at the build quality before choosing one. A sturdy adapter with solid connectors lasts longer and feels more dependable. If the cable or housing looks flimsy, I usually skip it.

Plug and Play Support

I like adapters that are truly plug and play. It saves me time when I can connect my PS/2 keyboard or mouse without installing extra drivers. If an adapter needs complicated setup, I usually consider another option.

Performance and Stability

I want the adapter to provide stable input without lag or random disconnects. For me, a reliable connection matters more than anything else, especially if I use my keyboard for work or gaming. I usually read reviews to see if other buyers had any delay or compatibility problems.

Price and Value

I compare price with features before making my decision. A very cheap adapter may look attractive, but I prefer one that offers dependable performance and good value. In my experience, spending a little more often saves me frustration later.

User Reviews

I always check customer reviews before I buy. Real user feedback helps me understand whether the adapter works as advertised. If many people mention the same issue, I take that as a warning sign.

Warranty and Support

I feel more confident when the adapter comes with a warranty or support from the seller. If something goes wrong, I want to know I can get help or a replacement. That gives me extra peace of mind.

My Final Tip

My best advice is to choose a PS/2 to USB adapter based on compatibility, quality, and reliability rather than price alone. When I focus on those factors, I usually end up with an adapter that works well and lasts longer.

Final Thoughts

I think a PS/2 to USB adapter is a simple, practical way to keep older keyboards and mice useful with modern computers. My main takeaway is that it can save money, reduce waste, and make it easier to keep using a device you already like. I’d just make sure the adapter is compatible with your specific PS/2 device before buying it.

Author Profile

Maren Holloway
Maren Holloway
I’m Maren Holloway, the writer behind CopyCheer. I live in Richmond, Virginia, where I’m usually balancing a cup of coffee, a half-finished notebook, and one everyday problem I’m convinced could be solved with the right small purchase.

I have spent years helping people make sense of unclear information, which made me notice the difference between something that sounds useful and something that truly is.

Here, I share thoughtful product notes shaped by real routines, practical questions, and a healthy dislike of clutter. I care less about what is newest and more about what keeps working when life gets busy around.