Slow Internet connection sucks! Even when you have reliable ISP, good modem, router and everything, a bad wireless adapter will spoil the party. No one wants to compromise the Internet speed and connectivity in the middle of work or gaming. A good quality wifi adapter will drastically improve the INTERNET performance and give you peace of mind. Moreover, if Wi-Fi network is shared among household members, then a Best Desktop Wireless Adapter goes a long way providing fast and secure internet connection.
If you are looking to buy a USB Wireless Adapter then make sure the adapter easily talks to the router and works best for desktop PC, laptop and tablet. Knowing a few things about Wi-Fi will help you pick the right wireless adapter for your needs.
What Is A USB Wireless Adapter & How Does It Work?
A USB wireless adapter is a small device that quickly sets up wireless connectivity to your desktop or laptop via the router. It is plugged into the USB port of the computer and adds up Wi-Fi ability to non Wi-Fi computer.
The Wireless Adapters are also called as Wi-Fi dongles and come in all shape and size. Also they vary in the types of protocol they use for transferring wireless signals.
These days Desktops and Laptops come with built-in Wi-Fi cards but it's not the case with older computers. On the other hand, you might want to upgrade your laptop's wifi or fix a broken wireless card. In either case, a good external USB wireless adapter will make your computer wifi ready.
Top 10 USB Wireless Adapters in 2017 Reviews
1. NETGEAR AC1200 WiFi USB Adapter (A6210)
Netgear AC1200 USB WiFi Adapter is a high-end dongle with excellent wifi performance. The adapter works on dual band supporting 2.4GHz and 5Ghz wireless setup.
It works with USB 3.0 and delivers high data rates with the latest 802.11ac protocol. And the high-gain antennas give good distance coverage. No bigger than a flash drive the adapter is compact-looking and snugly fits into the computer's USB without blocking adjacent ports. It comes with NETGEAR genie for easy installation and supports all Windows OS versions. There is also a desktop dock for flexible placement of the adapter.
- 802.11ac High Gain USB 3.0 Dual Band adapter
- Works with 802.11a/b/g/n and ac devices
- USB 3.0 interface and compatible with USB 2.0
- High-gain antennas + Desktop Dock
- Beam forming+ technology
- Compatible with Windows Operating System
2. ASUS USB-AC68 Dual-Band AC1900 with Included Cradle
If you are looking for a high-speed wireless adapter then ASUS USB-AC68 dual-band dongle is your best option. It uses the newest technology chipset Realtek RTL8814AU and the fastest wifi dongle in the market.
It comes with two foldable external antennas to cover large distance and it does. There is also an USB cradle which you can extend when required.
The dual band dongle has max speed of up to 1900 Mbps which is split among 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz range. 600Mbps transfer rate at 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps at 5GHz frequency.
This USB Wifi adapter has impressive speed and wireless connectivity. But note that this is not a budget device. If you have specific need for fastest wifi then go for ASUS USB-AC68 without second thought. There's no support Linux OS so if you look for one to use in Linux go for other recommendations in this list.
- 802.11ac Dual band USB Adapter
- Robust 3x4 MIMO Antenna design
- Dual 3-position foldable external antennas
- Up to 600 Mbps speed on 2.4GHz band, 1300 Mbps on 5GHz band
- ASUS AiRadar beamforming
- Includes USB 3.0 cradle
3. TP-LINK AC600 (Archer T2UH)
TP-Link Archer T2UH USB Wireless Adapter is an entry-level 802.11ac adapter suitable for regular day-to-day use. The adapter works on dual band so it will pick up signals on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency.
The dongle's speed and wireless connectivity is good for personal use. It comes with external antenna which you can twist and tweak to gain better wifi signals. Also there is a 3-foot usb cable that let you place the adapter near the router for maximum throughput.
TP-Link Archer T2UH USB Adapter utilizes USB 2.0 and has speed cap at 480Mbps which is the only downside to it. Even then this rate is not at all less for home.
It supports Windows and Mac machines and overall a decent adapter from a reputable brand.
- High-gain external antenna for long distance
- WiFi speed up to 600Mbps with simultaneous 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands
- WPS button for secured encryption
- Includes 3 Feet USB cable for adapter placement
- Compatible with Windows 8.1, 8, 7, XP, Linux, Mac OS X 10.7-10.10
4. BrosTrend AC1200 WiFi Adapter Dual Band
BrosTrend AC1200 USB Wi-Fi Adapter is an 802.11AC Dual Band dongle that works on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency range. It supports USB 3.0 and works at a data rate of 867 Mbps at 5GHz and 300 Mbps at 2.4GHz band.
Being just three inches long, the adapter is extremely portable has cap for storage. It snugly fits to the desktop or laptop without taking up much space.
The device is plug and play and is compatible with Windows 10 OS and it's earlier versions.
In general, BrosTrend AC1200 is a great fit for all networks and the protocol 802.11ac is backward compatible. In addition, although designed to work with USB 3.0, it is compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.0.
- Wireless 802.11ac Dual band (2.4/5GHz)
- Easy plug-and-play setup
- 8812AU Chipset
- Slim and Portable
- USB 3.0, backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.0
- Supports Windows 10, 8, 7, XP & MAC 10.6 to 10.10
5. Alfa Long-Range Dual Band AC1200 Wireless Adapter
The Alfa AC1200 is a dual band long-range adapter with support for the latest 802.11ac protocol. It has very good antennas for long distance coverage and there is no problem working on the 5GHz frequency.
This dongle is not exactly portable, but it has good wifi connectivity and speed even at distance. It's a USB 3.0 adapter and achieves excellent data transfer rates at 5GHz range. Unless you do not have USB 3.0 port on your computer there will be no bottleneck in speed.
So if you need a USB adapter that works long distance and supports the new 5GHz band, Alfa AC1200 is the best option.
- Supports 802.11ac / 802.11N / 802.11a/b/g Wifi Standards
- High-speed data: 300Mbps on Wireless-N, 867Mbps on Wireless-AC
- Operates on Dual band (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
- 2 Removable 5dBi rubber duck external antennas
- Supports WEP 64-Bit, WEP 128-Bit, WPA-PSK & WPA2-PSK
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Mac & Linux compatible
6. Panda Wireless PAU06 300Mbps N USB Adapter
Panda's Wireless-N Network Adapter is a low-cost solution for upgrading your desktop / laptop wifi. It operates on the 2.4GHz network and has a maximum speed of up to 300Mbps.
It is an 802.11n dongle so speed is optimum but has wide range and works well from long distance. There is also a screw in antenna at the back of the device for good range.
The adapter is backward compatible with 802.11g 2.4GHz network and does not work on 5GHz band. It supports Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10), MAC and Linux OS.
- Operates on 802.11n and 802.11g 2.4GHz wireless networks
- WPS button wireless setup
- Maximum speed up to 300 Mbps
- Low power consumption in laptop/portable devices
- 64b/128bit WEP, WPA and WPA2 (TKIP+AES)
- Compatible with 32/64 bit Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, Mac OS Mint, Ubuntu, openSUSE, etc.
7. NET-DYN Mini USB WiFi Adapter
NET-DYN USB WiFi Adapter is a fast, easy and inexpensive solution for adding wireless connectivity to your PC or fixing your laptop's broken Wi-Fi. The mini adapter comes with internal antennas and remains low profile connected to the computer's USB. And the good thing is that it does not block the nearby ports so you can connect it directly to the computer without the need for an extension cable.
It is a Wireless-N USB 2.0 adapter so the speed is good enough for personal use. The dongle operates in the 2.4GHz range and has maximum data rate of up to 300Mbps.
Overall it's a cheap and reliable USB Wifi adapter and works great on Windows 10 and Mac and earlier versions of Windows like Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
- 802.11n / b / g Wi-Fi adapter and works in 2.4 Frequency range
- Compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac 10.9 and 10.10
- Compatible with all WLAN routers (WPA / WPA2 / WEP)
- Built-in omni directional internal antenna
- Supports USB 2.0 and old 1.1
8. Dodocool AC600 Dual Band WiFi Adapter
Dodocool is another very low cost dual band 802.11ac adapter. Since it is a dual-band dongle it fits on any network.
Although it supports the newest 802.11ac wifi protocol, it is backward compatible with older wireless networks such as Wireless-n/g networks.
The device is small in size and fits easily on to the laptops USB port without getting in your way. As for setup, it works well with Windows 10 plug-and-play - and also compatible with previous versions like Windows 8.1, 8, 7 etc.
Since Dodocool AC600 is a mini adapter it lacks big antennas that come with large wifi adapters. So that limits the adapter to short range.
Overall the USB wireless adapter is easy to setup wifi to your computer and get the job done on budget.
- 802.11ac Compatible Dual Band AC 600 Adapter
- Support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
- Up to 433 Mbps speed at 5GHz & 150 Mbps at 2.4GHz
- Plug and play easy wifi setup
- Works with 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n routers
- Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, Mac OS X
9. OURLiNK 1200Mbps USB 3.0 Mini 802.11ac Adapter
OURLiNK 802.11ac adapter from Glam Hobby is a very small and low-cost dongle that works on 2.4GHz and 5Gz wireless networks. It has a simple and easy configuration and connects your Windows 10 machine to wifi in a matter of seconds.
It is a USB 3.0 adapter and easily reaches 100Mbps speed which is great for such a small device. It also supports Mac OS and earlier Windows versions like XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 8.1.
The USB adapter's connection is impressive and covers a good range from 25 to 30 feet away. Overall, it is ideal for online gaming and no-buffer HD streaming.
- 802.11ac 1200 Mbps Wireless Dual-band adapter
- Speed up to 867Mbps on 5GHz + 300Mbps on 2.4GHz N/w
- Superspeed USB 3.0 Port Interface
- Innovative compact body design
- Compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP and Mac OS
10. TP-Link Archer T1U Wireless Nano USB Adapter (AC450)
The TP-LINK Archer T1U is another good entry-level Wifi USB adapter and works with the 802.11ac standard.
The adapter is small and discreet so that you can connect it to the PC and leave it there. It only works on the newer 5 GHz range and there's no support for the old 2.4 GHz. So if distance is a problem, go for any of the dual-band adapters that are given in this list.
As for compatibility, Archer T1U works with most of the operating system, including windows 10. In addition the dongle uses USB 2.0 so speed would be optimal and good for home/personal use only.
- Supports 802.11ac/a/n wireless standard
- Works only on the new 5GHz band
- Up to 433 Mbps data transfer rates
- Encryption standards: WEP, WPA/WPA2, and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
- Compatible with Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10), Linux & Mac OS X
USB Extension Cord
While some of the USB Wifi adapters are small and discreet, most of the powerful dongles will be slightly bigger and can block the adjacent ports of your computer. Plus you may also need to position the adapters in the direction of router for better signal. There is a simple fix for this problem. Using an USB extension cord will help you keep wireless adapters far away from the computer/laptop and in the direction of router. And the near by ports will not be blocked.
Best USB Wireless Adapters for Gaming
1. TP-Link AC1200 Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter (Archer T4U V1)
TP-Link is a reliable brand among wireless equipments. The Archer T4U V1 is an 802.11ac dual band adapter and supports any type of network.
The dongle offers ultrafast wireless speeds up to 1200 Mbps combining both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. It gives data rates of up to 867Mbps at 5GHz and 300Mbps at 2.4GHz bands.
The USB adapter works on USB 3.0 and supports SoftAP so you can use it as a Wi-Fi hotspot and share the Internet connection of your PC among other devices. If you live in a crowded city then it is recommended to use 5GHz to enjoy enhanced online gaming.
Another good thing is it comes with 1 meter USB extension cable so the nearby ports will not be blocked when connected to the computer or laptop.
- Delivers ultra-fast 1200 Mbps speed With 802.11ac standard
- Dual band adapter works on both 2.4 / 5 GHz bands
- WPS Button for quick setup of wireless connection
- 1 meter USB 3.0 Extension Cable
- USB 3.0 support
2. Alfa AC1200 Long-Range Wi-Fi Adapter
Alfa USB Wifi adapter is one of the best long-range dongle in the market and supports the latest 802.11ac protocol. The adapter is backward compatible and works on older wireless protocols such as 802.11n/g/b/a.
It is not a small device but has excellent range. There are two 5dBi removable antennas for distance and has the data transfer speed of up to 867 Mbps on 5GHz frequency.
The adapter is dual-band and works on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz band. It supports all Operating systems such as Windows (10/8/7/Vista/XP), Mac & Linux.
If you need a high-speed wifi adapter that works from distance for online gaming then Alfa AC1200 is your best choice.
- Dual-Band 2.4GHz/5GHz USB Wireless Adapter
- Delivers speed up to 300Mbps on Wireless-N & 867 Mbps on Wireless-AC
- Supports Wi-Fi Standards 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11a, 802.11b
- Two 5 dBi removable antennas for good distance
- Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, Mac & Linux
3. Linksys WUSB6300 AC1200 Wireless Adapter
The Linksys WUSB6300 USB wireless adapter works on dual band and supports the latest standard Wireless AC. It is ideal for connecting PC or laptop to high-speed 802.11ac networks.
It is a Wireless-AC dongle but also backward compatible with the Wireless-N standard. It works on USB 3.0 for fast performance and offers 867 Mbps speed in 5GHz band and a speed of 300 Mbps in 2.4GHz band combining a total theoretical speed of 1200 Mbps. You can enjoy lag-free online gaming via 5GHz network.
For secured wifi it supports 128 bit WEP, WPA and WPA2 encryption. The adapter is compatible with Windows 10 OS and earlier versions like 8.1, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
- Dual band 802.11ac Wireless AC adapter
- Speed up to 867Mbps on Wireless-AC & 300 Mbps on Wireless-N
- 128-bit encryption support (WEP, WPA and WPA2)
- Compatible with all 802.11ac devices
- Supports MS Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista SP1/SP2 and XP SP3
- USB 3.0 support
How to Choose the Best Wireless Network Adapter - Buying Guide
Tech savvy or not, knowing few things about Wi-fi and Adapters will help you choose the right adapter that works best in your network system. So let's see some of the important features you must consider before buying a USB Wireless Adapter.
1. What are Wireless Protocols?
802.11 is the number representing the Wireless protocols. It is the universal standard set for wireless products so that they can communicate with each other without trouble.
The current Wi-Fi standard is 802.11ac and introduced in 2013. It works only on 5 GHZ band but can transfer data much faster than wireless N.
But most devices in today's market use the previous 802.11n (or) Wireless-N protocol. This is the widely used wifi standard and works on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band.
Dual Band: Adapters that works on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency ranges are known as dual-band wireless adapters.
To simply put the newer 802.11ac wireless adapters have better speed over Wireless N device. So can you buy the 802.11ac dongle?
Well! It depends.
The fact is 802.11ac is fast but has less coverage. Remember it only works on 5 GHz range? The higher frequency does not travel as far as the lower 2.4 GHz frequency.
So if there is not much distance between adapter and router then the best option would be an 802.11ac dongle. Else go for the dual band Wireless-N dongle which is good for long distance range.
2. Wireless Frequencies
There is two type of frequencies used for wireless transmission. One is 2.4 GHz and the other one is 5 GHz range. Up until 2013, only 2.4 GHz band was used. But later due to overcrowding of wireless networks they have introduced the higher 5 GHz band.
The higher the frequency the less the signal can travel through barriers. So a 2.4GHz dongle will transmit data farther than the new 5GHz dongles.
Numerous networks still use 2.4GHz band and collide with other wireless devices fighting to get a signal through. And the fact that it travels a greater distance and penetrates through walls makes the situation even worse.
Hence the introduction of the 5GHz band. It travels less distance and has mighty speed. The network is also less crowded so there is a little chance for the collision with other N/w s.
3. Distance
Antennas play a larger role when it comes to distance. Some USB wireless adapters come with the built-in antenna which is good for staying low profile. But these internal antennas will not transmit signal as far as large external antennas.
On the other hand adapters with external antennas cover long distance well and carry wireless signal better than the built-in one. They come with a screw-in antenna which can be easily replaced with large dBi antenna as per distance requirement.
Generally, antenna size is measured in dBi. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the dBi the higher the coverage. But keep in mind having an adapter with large dBi antenna will not guarantee better signal at long distance - as external factors like barriers, adapter wattage will affect the signal quality.
4. Speed
Speed matters in a wireless connection... A LOT!
Till date, the Wireless-AC adapters (802.11ac) have the fastest data transfer speed of up to 1.3Gbps. The second best is the Wireless-N adapters (802.11n) with a speed of up to 300 Mbps which indeed is not at all slow for personal use.
But 802.11ac will only work in 5GHz range so if you prefer distance over speed then stick to the old 802.11n which works on 2.4GHz band.
Just keep in mind.
2.4 GHz band travel far but has less speed (relative).
5 GHz band travel less but with greater speed.
Certain dual band adapters are capable of using both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for maximum speed and said to have 1200Mbps transfer rate. Note that it's just a theoretical estimation and hard to be achieved in real-life. Wireless speed is always relative to the environment you live in.
5. Easy to Use
Wireless adapters are easy to setup and use it. With PCI adapters you have to go through installation process via setup CD and all. But that's not the case with USB Wifi adapters. Most of the USB Adapters are the plug-and-play type. All you have to do is to connect them to a free USB Port of your computer and the system will automatically detect the device and run set up for the first time. Once the driver is installed you are good to go from there.
6. Compatibility
The wireless adapter must be compatible with the router to send and receive data. Dual band routers will work with any adapter. But an old router will only work on 2.4 GHz range. So make sure the adapter also works in the similar range.
In case you are not sure about the router being used, just get a Dual Band Wireless N adapter. It will work with any router.
Besides your Desktop/Laptop Operating system is also important. A Wi-Fi adapter must be compatible with the computer OS in order to work. So make sure your adapter works on a particular OS and also have updated drivers required for it.
So if you buy a wireless adapter to work on Windows 10 machine, it must be compliant with Windows 10 OS. The fact it works on Windows 7 or 8 doesn't mean it will also work on Win 10 version.
7. USB 2.0 Vs USB 3.0
USB 3.0 is mandatory for 802.11ac adapters. This is because their peak data rate exceeds the USB 2.0 speed on 2.4GHz band.
USB 2.0 can transfer data at 480Mbps, the new USB 3.0 at 5Gbps speed. This is only theoretical, but real world's performance is always lower than this.
PCI Based or USB Wi-Fi Adapter? Which One to Choose?
Before starting your hunt for wireless adapters, you must first know that there are two types of wireless adapters commonly used these days. Let's see what they are.
USB Wireless Adapter
The first type of wireless adapter is USB based. USB Wifi adapters are the simplest to install and use among the two types. It's because of their plug and play nature. They work like a flash drive in this context.
You have to simply plug it into a USB Port, and then the computer will automatically detect, run setup and install the necessary drivers. After that, you can connect it to any available Wi-Fi network and you are good to go from there. The installation process takes place only for the first time you use it on a PC or Laptop.
Well! The wifi adapter is external and requires one free USB Port. In some cases, the devices are bigger and might as well block nearby ports. Plus you may need it to be out of the way of other computer cables.
In fact, it's good to use an USB extension cable to connect USB Wireless adapters. They will be out of your way and can be kept farther from PC to pick up wifi signals better.
PCI Based Wireless Adapter
PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect and wireless adapters of these types should be plugged into the PCI slot of the computer's motherboard. These devices are bigger than the USB network adapters and come with powerful antennas sticking out at the back of the adapters.
PCI wifi adapters generally crowd over the area they are attached to. Plus somewhat harder to setup and use for an average user. Nonetheless, they are excellent in terms of wireless transmission and long distance coverage.
But overall I would happily choose anytime a USB wireless adapter over PCI ones just because of their simplicity and ease of use.
Advantages of Using USB Wireless Adapters
A USB wireless adapter is the easiest solution to put a device online. It's cheap, effective and has several advantages over using wired connection.
- Free of Cords - The first and foremost benefit of using the wireless adapter is it eliminates the necessity of computer cables. Your computer desk will no more be a clutter of cords. You get to have true mobility if you work with laptop or tablet. When you have wifi, you don't have sit at your work table. You are free to take your work to couch or bed. Plus USB wireless adapters stay low profile and most of them look no bigger than a flash drive.
- No Hardware Installation - There are several ways to set up wifi on your computer. Of all the choices USB wireless adapters is the popular choice for most users. It's because they are simple external devices. You have to simply plug them into a USB port, install drivers and connect to wifi network. That's all to the total set up. And the plug-and-play feature is even better.
- But PCI based adapters have complicated setup. In some cases, you have to open up the computer or laptop case and fix wifi card to motherboard slot. Not a favorable choice at all.
- Easy Replacement - Does your desktop doesn't have a built-in wifi card? Or you laptop wifi is broken? Then don't worry. You don't have to upgrade your entire computer which is quite costly. Get a USB wireless adapter compatible with your system OS. That'll do. It is the simplest solution to enable wifi on a computer. USB wifi adapters are very cheap and you can replace it at any time if the need arises.
- Multi-Device Support - One of the key benefit of usb wireless adapter is it can be shared among multiple devices. Since it's an external device mounting and un-mounting is quite easy. So you can use the very same usb adapter on your laptop, desktop, tablet etc. The device is small so you can carry it anywhere you go and use it at your convenience.
FAQ on USB Wireless Adapters
I'm not sure about the Network used? Which Wi-Fi Adapter is right for me?
It's easier to get confused with all those wireless protocol numbers, operational frequency etc. If your network operates on 2.4GHz frequency then there's no point in buying a wireless adapter that only works on 5GHz band.
So in case you are not sure about the wireless network being used, then get a dual-band usb wifi dongle. They will work on most of the networks since they operate on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz band.
How can I know if an USB Wireless Adapter works on my Computer?
A wireless adapter needs to have driver software for the Operating system being used. So if you have Windows 10 PC, the wireless adapter you get to work with the machine must be Windows 10 compliant.
I live in City? Which Adapter should I buy?
802.11ac protocol only works in the new 5GHz band and doesn't travel far. So the network will be confined to a small area.
On the other hand, the older Wireless N works on 2.4GHz band and is widely used by many and travel far than 5GHz range. So there is a greater possibility for network collision in a crowded city which pulls down the wifi speed.
If you live in a city with crowded neighborhood your best choice would be a 5GHz Wifi adapter. If you live outside of the city limit with few neighbors then go for 2.4 GHz adapter which gives you greater coverage.
Can I use USB Wireless Adapter as Wi-Fi Hotspot?
Using USB wireless adapters as Wi-Fi Hotspot let you share the PC's internet connection with multiple devices like smartphone, tablet etc.
If your computer runs Windows 10 here's a way to do it.
Open Windows Settings > Network & Internet and choose 'Mobile HotSpot' and complete the setup wizard. You might as well need to tweak security settings to grant permission for this.
Over to You
USB Wireless Adapters are inexpensive and convenient solution to connect desktop computers to wifi networks. But then the market is crowded with so many brands claiming their adapters are the best among all. And it's also a tough task to narrow down to an adapter that works best for your desktop pc. Just remember, the Wi-Fi USB adapter must be compatible with your network and has drivers for the OS you use. The new 5GHz adapter will have high-speed but has short range. If you are not sure about the network and all, get a dual-band adapter. It will work with any network old or new.
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