While practically every laptop on the market now has a Wi-Fi card, not all desktop PCs have the same privilege. If you’re putting together a gaming PC, you might be surprised to learn that many of the top motherboards don’t contain Wi-Fi. Even those that do include Wi-Fi frequently have a cheaper option that does not. Wi-Fi add-in cards are a possibility, but a USB Wi-Fi adapter is by far the most convenient way to provide PCs with a wireless connection. The best USB Wi-Fi adapters must do one thing consistently: deliver a reliable internet connection. Isn’t it simple? It’s critical for everyone who plays Fortnite online to have no interruptions when attempting to secure a Victory Royale as Robocop.
This is especially crucial if you want to live a wireless lifestyle but do not want to spend the money on a new motherboard with a wireless card. It’s a less expensive option for a complete update and quite simple to set up.
In an ideal scenario, a cable connection will provide the highest stability and throughput, especially when combined with the best gaming router. The fact is that connecting an ethernet wire down a flight of stairs or via the kitchen is neither tempting nor safe for many people.
What will you see here?
Trendnet TEW-809UB
At one end of the spectrum, there are nano adapters, and at the other, there is the Trendnet TEW-809UB. This networking adapter sacrifices mobility for faster AC1900 speeds and serious antennas—four in all, each with a strength of 5 dBi. There is merely a driver and no software included. Instead, Windows is in charge of networking tasks. MU-MIMO is not supported by the adaptor, although Beamforming is.
The TEW-809UB has a long-range but is uneven in its performance, so keep that in mind as you get further away. It’s also larger than the other USB Wi-Fi adapters on this list. There are four big antennas
The Trendnet TEW-809UB is steady and speedy when in use. It makes effective use of its antennae, outperforming every other adapter. If you’re utilizing Wi-Fi in a difficult setting with a poor signal, this is an ideal option.
ASUS USB-AC68
The Asus USB-AC68 Wi-Fi adapters have a unique folding design with two deployable antennae. It has a 3×4 antenna configuration and supports USB 3.0, the AC1900 standard, Asus AiRadar Beamforming, and MU-MIMO. The findings are a bit varied, with this Asus adapter behind in the 2.4GHz. While the 5GHz is more dependable, it was still not the quickest at either the near or distant distance.
While the Trendnet TEW-809UB is the best Wi-Fi adapter in terms of performance and range, it isn’t the smallest or most portable option. The Asus USB-AC68 is a much better solution for individuals who intend to use their adapter for gaming on the go. The modest street price of $75 works in its favor as well. The converter comes with a cradle for at-home usage, but it may also be connected straight into a USB port for simple travel. a difficult position with a poor signal.
NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 USB Wi-Fi Adapter
When it comes to the finest gaming routers, few brands are as well-known as Netgear Nighthawk. Netgear has always made outstanding gaming routers, and the Nighthawk AC1900 takes that speed to a portable USB adapter.
This won’t provide you with a lightning-fast connection at your local coffee shop, but at home, you can use the accompanying magnetic desktop cradle to guarantee your rig is getting the best possible signal from your router a few rooms away.
The Nighthawk AC1900 is a remarkably powerful and portable adapter, but it is somewhat bulky in comparison to its peers; Its size is a mild concern when using it with a Laptop USB port, which it may not always find a vacant port with the required clearance.
Edimax EW-7833UAC
The Edimax EW-7833UAC is an upgrade to the EW-7822UAC, our previous cheap adapter recommendation. While many common adapters meet AC1200 specifications, this one goes a step beyond AC1750 speeds. The installation was simple, with Windows 10 controlling the settings. While it is comparable in size to other common adapters, it smartly includes a tiny deployable element with three antennas to boost range and throughput, as well as compatibility for both MU-MIMO and Beamforming technologies.
The EW-7833UAC outperformed the competition, achieving class-leading throughput four of six times, including both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The near 5GHz test result of 298.9 Mbps is delightful, which is significantly faster than several other acceptable adapters. The only serious flaw was in the distance when this adapter lost ground against the competition. The greatest thing is that the street price of this adaptor is $34, making these speeds accessible to everyone.
Linksys WUSB6300
Linksys refers to the WUSB6300 as a “micro” router. To be honest, it’s fairly little. It has AC1200 speeds, which equates to around 860Mbps over 5GHz and 300Mbps over 2.4GHz. Despite its small size, it supports the most recent wireless adaptor technologies, such as MU-MIMO and Beamforming.
The WUSB6300 USB Wi-Fi Adapter strikes a good mix between size and range and throughput. While the standard limits the 2.4GHz scores, the 5GHz speeds, even across long distances, take the victory for throughput on three of the six criteria for this highly competitive category of the adapter. The Linksys WUSB6300’s quoted price of $40 makes it a good choice for an adapter to throw in a bag with your notebook or carry as a backup.
TP-Link N150 USB WiFi Adapter
If your wireless networking requirements are simple, the TP-Link N150 is the USB Wi-Fi Adapter to buy. Perhaps your gaming PC is already tethered to the network and you just need to connect wirelessly on occasion, or perhaps you have a friend’s Wi-Fi chip in a laptop & want a quick, inexpensive fix. In any instance, the TP-Link N150 USB Wi-Fi Adapter can give it for less than $10 and requires nearly little space.
The TP-Link N150 is extremely small, with the USB connection taking up the majority of its volume. As a result, it’s a plug-and-forget option that you can just leave inserted. Its internet connection is a little antiquated, with a basic 802.11n wireless connection on the 2.4GHz band and maximum speeds of 150Mbps, but it may be plenty if you’re using a small router and don’t have a premium home internet service. However, 150Mbps is plenty for streaming HD video, whereas Netflix just need 25Mbps for 4K HDR video.
Do USB Wi-Fi adapters work well?
The best USB Wi-Fi adapters can provide an experience that is nearly identical to that of a built-in wireless module on your PC or laptop. However, they are often the bigger models, with several antennae and a hefty price tag.
Smaller nano adapters will not perform as well and will most likely require a clear line of sight to your router to achieve the highest speeds. However, they are more convenient if you need to travel around with your adaptor.
Conclusion
These basic USB Wi-fi adapters are often plug-and-play. All you have to do is connect them to a USB port on your computer (and maybe install a driver), and your PC will gain Wi-Fi. Most USB Wi-Fi adapters are very fast, with some even offering dual-band wireless for connections to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. To get the utmost out of a high-speed adapter, couple it with a USB 3.0 port or above, which will provide maximum bandwidth for a quick and consistent internet connection.
