Best Parallel Port Cards of 2026
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Parallel port cards are a useful addition to any computer system that lacks a parallel port, or has an outdated or damaged one. These cards can be easily installed into a PCI or PCIe slot and provide one or more parallel ports for connecting printers, scanners, and other parallel devices. The cards are compatible with various operating systems and offer high-speed data transfer rates, making them ideal for businesses or individuals who require reliable and efficient printing or data transfer capabilities. With their affordable price and easy installation, parallel port cards are a practical solution for those looking to upgrade their computer's parallel port capabilities.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Parallel Port Cards
StarTech.com 1-Port Parallel PCIe Card
Add a DB25 parallel communications port to your computer with this 1-Port Parallel PCIe Card that installs in full/standard or low profile PCIe cards slots. The versatile card supports SPP/Byte/Nibble/ECP modes and works with various devices such as printers, scanners, plotters, point of sale terminals, and medical equipment. It is fully compliant with PCI Express Base Specifications Revision 1.1 and PCI Power Mgmt 1.2 and supports Windows and Linux operating systems.
StarTech PCI Serial Parallel Combo Card
The StarTech Combo Card enhances your computer by adding one parallel port and two serial ports. This means you can easily connect devices like printers, scanners, and point-of-sale terminals without hassle. It features automatic IRQ and I/O assignment, simplifying installation and ensuring efficient operation. With support for various parallel modes, you can enjoy fast data transfer speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps. Additionally, whether you have a standard or low-profile case, this card comes with the necessary brackets for easy installation, making it a versatile choice for your connectivity needs.
LinksTek 1-Port PCI Express Parallel Card
LinksTek 1-Port PCI Express Parallel Card is a PCIE DB25 Adapter that allows users to add a single DB25-Pin parallel LPT port on desktop PCs and industrial devices, which supports IEEE 1284 DB25 protocol and most parallel port peripherals device. It provides 2.5Mbps max communication speed and is compatible with most Intel, AMD, and ARM platform hardware on Windows OS and Linux kernel systems. Its PCIE X1 design is compatible with PCIE X1, X2, X4, X8, X16 slot, and comes with both full height and low-profile brackets.
StarTech PCI1PECP 1 Port PCI Parallel Adapter
The StarTech PCI Parallel Card lets you easily add a fast parallel port to your desktop computer by using an available PCI slot. This is great if you need to connect legacy devices like printers or scanners that use parallel connections. The card supports multiple communication modes such as EPP and ECP, which help speed up data transfer and improve compatibility with different devices. With the IEEE 1284 standard support, you get reliable and efficient parallel communication. Installing this card is a simple way to expand your desktop’s capabilities without complicated setups.
PCIe Combo Serial Parallel Expansion Card
This card allows for easy upgrade with additional serial or parallel cards to your computer. It has a multi-mode IEEE 1284 compliant controller, faster data rates up to 1.5Mbps for parallel port, and supports IRQ sharing. It is compatible with ExpressCard/34mm Standard and various operating systems. It also comes with plug and play feature, and automatically selects IRQ & IO address.
X-MEDIA PCI-E 1-Port Parallel Card
The X-MEDIA XM-PEX-1P PCI-E 1-Port DB25 Parallel PCI Express (PCIe x1) Card is compliant with PCI Express Specification Rev 1.1 and IEEE 1284 standard. It supports ECP/EPP/SPP and bi-directional data transmission of speed up to 2MByte/s. The card comes with both standard and low profile brackets and supports various operating systems such as Windows, DOS, and Linux.
ELFJMZP PCIe 1X to Dual PCI Slot Adapter
The ELFJMZP PCIe to PCI Adapter lets you connect older PCI devices to modern motherboards with PCIe slots, so you can keep using your existing hardware without needing new parts. It has a secure fixing post that protects the connections from short circuits, ensuring your devices work reliably. This adapter is easy to use with its plug-and-play design, meaning you don’t have to install any drivers—just plug it in and it’s ready. Plus, it supports many operating systems like Windows and Linux, making it a versatile solution for adding sound cards, network cards, and more to your system.
ARTPIXEL Novastar MRV208-N LED Receiving Card
The ARTPIXEL MRV208-N Card enhances your LED display's performance with several key features. It supports standard and custom color ranges, allowing you to enjoy more accurate and vibrant colors on your screen. The improved 18bit+ grayscale technology increases the display's gray scale levels, which means you get smoother images without brightness loss. With HUB75E connectors, this card easily connects to your LED modules, ensuring a hassle-free setup. Additionally, it allows pixel-level brightness and color calibration, so you can fine-tune each pixel for consistent and high-quality visuals throughout your display.
GODSHARK PCI to DB25 LPT Parallel Port Expansion Card
The GODSHARK PCI to DB25 LPT Parallel Port Expansion Card allows you to connect your desktop PC to a printer or other equipment that requires a 25 port parallel port. It features a WCH CH351Q chip and comes with a low profile bracket. To use the card, simply connect it to your printer and install the driver. You can view the card's port in the device manager. This card is compatible with Win XP, Win7, and Win8, but not with Win10.
CNC4PC C10 Parallel Port Breakout Board
The CNC4PC C10 Breakout Board is designed to improve your CNC machine's connectivity and control. It fully supports the EEE 1284 standard, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of parallel port devices. You can choose between pull-up or pull-down input configurations, giving you flexibility in how signals are read and helping to prevent input errors. The board also features buffered inputs and outputs, which protect your equipment and provide stable signal transmission. Additionally, pins 2 through 9 are bidirectional, allowing for versatile communication and control options. This makes the CNC4PC C10 a reliable and adaptable choice for your CNC setup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the purpose of a parallel port?
The purpose of a parallel port is to provide an interface for connecting computer peripheral devices that require high bandwidth, such as printers, monitors, and projectors. It allows for parallel communication, enabling the transmission of large amounts of data at once.
2. What is a PCI parallel card?
A PCI parallel card is a high-performance adapter card that can be installed in a computer's PCI slot. It adds an IEEE 1284 parallel port to the PC, allowing for the connection of parallel devices.
3. Are parallel ports still used?
While most consumer printers now use USB or WiFi for connectivity, some older models still rely on the parallel port. The parallel port, although largely obsolete, is still present in certain devices.
4. What are the types of parallel ports?
There are five types of parallel ports: extended capability port (ECP mode), enhanced parallel port (EPP) mode, byte mode, nibble mode, and compatibility mode (Standard Parallel Port or SPP). Compatibility mode is primarily used for printers and is unidirectional.
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of parallel ports?
Parallel ports offer the advantage of faster loading of registers, but they require more interconnect traces. On the other hand, serial ports offer simplicity but have lower speed compared to parallel ports.
6. What is the difference between serial and parallel PCI?
The main difference between serial and parallel PCI interfaces is how they transmit data. Serial interfaces send or receive data one bit at a time over clock pulses, while parallel interfaces send or receive multiple bits (4, 8, or 16) at a time over multiple transmission lines.
7. Is a parallel port faster than USB?
USB is faster than a parallel port, with data traveling approximately ten times faster on average. USB offers higher speed compared to both parallel and serial ports.
During our parallel port card research, we found 24 parallel port card products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 5,091 customer reviews through our big data system to write the parallel port cards list. We found that most customers choose parallel port cards with an average price of $20.39.
The parallel port cards are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of parallel port cards, including StarTech, LinksTek, ELIATER, X-MEDIA, ELFJMZP. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.