A USB Wi-Fi adapter gives you a faster and more reliable connection to your available network signals through the USB port by setting aside the computer’s built-in wireless functionality. Because most USB wireless adapters don’t pack any external antennae that’s why they’re less powerful. People find that they get very good speeds with USB wireless adapters. It completely depends on the quality of the adapter and the locations of the router and computer.
A USB Wi-Fi adapter eliminates the need to connect the computer to a router or other network device through the wire. Actually mini options truly take up minimal space.
A wireless router gives signals to adapters or other wireless devices and converts these signals so that the computer user will be able to access the internet any time if they are in the span of a Wi-Fi hotspot or wireless network.
Types of USB Wifi Adapter | Selecting The Best USB WiFi Adapters
1. EDUP Wi-Fi Adapter
- This USB Wifi adapter upgrades PCs to 802.11ac power. It is the latest and most powerful Wi-Fi technology. It is 3 times faster than wireless network speeds. It has a 5G WIFI network which is ideal for gaming online and seamless HD video streaming.
- Wifi USB adapter has up to 600Mbps Wi-Fi speeds on 5.8GHz (433Mbps) and 2.4GHz (150Mbps) bands. Dual-band reduces interference for better connections to more Wi-Fi devices This device uses roaming technology and gives high effective wireless connection.
- It has 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology and 2dBi Omni-directional dual-band antenna for increased coverage and stability which can be detached from the device. Dual-band wireless USB adapter has downward compatibility with 802.11g/n internet devices.
- 2.0 USB Wireless wifi antennas support operation System. It is compatible with Windows XP/Vista/Win7/Win8.1/Win10/Mac OS 10.7-10.14 but If the CD can not be used in your PC then please download the driver from EDUP site.
- It is very easy to Install. We need to do just three steps i.e first install the driver, secondly plug it in your computer and last just click on Go.
- The EDUP Wi-Fi Adapter is the best and cheap USB Wi-Fi adapter. If all you need is a Wi-Fi connection, respectable range, and decent download speeds, then this USB wifi adapter is the best to buy.
Specifications of The Best USB WiFi Adapter
- Standard for IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, IEEE 802.11 a/n/ac 5.0GHz
- Wi-Fi Band: Dual-band 2.4 or 5GHz
- Wi-Fi Performance: AC600Mbps (2.4G 150M / 5.8G 433M)
- USB 2.0
- Support Systems like Windows XP / VISTA / WIN 7 / WIN 8.1 / WIN 10 ,Mac OS X 10.6-10.13.4
- Antenna: 2dBi
2. OURLiNK AC600 Wi-Fi Dongle | Best USB WiFi Adapters
OURLiNK AC600 Wi-Fi Dongle connects your laptop or computer with a dual band wireless network at a fast speed of 150Mbps in 2.4GHz or an even faster speed of 433 Mbps over 5GHz. It can be easily switched between 2.4 and 5GHz bands to maximize your internet experience. It can be downloaded and streamed anywhere.
While small adapters are great for portability but some are so small that you can even leave them plugged into your laptop all the time. There’s always a big tradeoff between size and Wi-Fi performance. So if you’re looking for an adapter that will work in busy areas like airports and convention centers then it’s always better to get one with external antennas.
The AC600 network adapter downloads and streams media at lightning speeds without waiting for buffering or loading. 802.11ac Wi-Fi accesses the internet faster and with a stronger connection than previous generations of internet connections. It has an easy setup. Install the driver from the included CD. Once the driver is installed then you can use the built in wireless utility in your operating system to connect to a wireless network. Whenever there is only a poor internet connection then you can activate the SoftAP function after installing the included CD software and create a Wi-Fi hotspot for other mobile devices.It is very compact & convenient to use.
This small sized adapter is designed to travel with your laptop. Its lightweight and simple design make it unnoticed when inserted into USB drives. Plug and play for win10. This device works with high Sierra 10.13 now.
The OURLiNK Wi-Fi dongle is a small USB Wi-Fi dongle that gives full support for 5 GHz Wi-Fi and 802.11ac. While this small form factor is ideal for those who want to keep their antennas hidden, this will result in reduced speeds if you aren’t close to your router.This is an entry-level Wi-Fi solution that can be used in small apartments and dorm rooms but not in large homes.If all you need is the ability to connect to Wi-Fi then this will do the job perfectly.
The ultra-compact design is great for both storage and travel and its low profile prevents damage to the adapter and USB port during travel and doesn’t block other connection ports on your laptop. This adapter is compatible with operating systems like Windows, Mac and Linux based laptops. Setup is just plug-and-play.
OURLiNK works with a softAP function to create a Wi-Fi hotspot. So you can use your mobile devices without draining your cellular data. It also provides WPA encryption technology to protect your information while you use public or unsecured wireless networks. This adapter works with dual band wireless routers and gives you speeds up to 150Mbps over a 2.4GHz band or up to 433Mbps over a 5GHz channel. You can move from one band to another so that you can handle different workloads for better media streaming easily.
Specifications of this device are:
- Standard for IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, IEEE 802.11 a/n/ac 5.0GHz
- Wi-Fi Band: Dual band 2.4 or 5GHz
- Wi-Fi Performance: AC600Mbps (2.4G 150M / 5.8G 433M)
- Hardware version: version 1.0
- Support Systems like Windows XP / VISTA / WIN 7 / 8.1 /10 ,Mac OS X 10.6-10.15 Catalina
3.TRENDnet AC1200 Wireless USB Adapter
Looking for the best USB WiFi Adapters? Trendnet’s AC1200 Dual Band Wireless USB adapter connects a laptop or computer to a Wireless AC network. This device connects to a Wireless AC network at an amazing speed of 867 Mbps or to a Wireless network at up to 300 Mbps of speed. It has a super speed of 5 Gbps and USB 3.0 port which helps to maintain a high-speed connection to your computer. The TRENDnet AC1200 is one of the most popular USB Wi-Fi adapters available in the market despite its humble appearance. The built-in antennas do a very good job and the USB 3.0 connection keeps latency much lower than on competing USB 2.0 adapters. There’s even the added bonus of a WPS button which is nice for users who don’t like sharing and remembering Wi-Fi passwords.
This device connects to a Wireless AC or network by just touching a button with the convenience of a one-touch Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS). An LED on the front of the adapter conveys device status. You should upgrade your computer’s wireless connection to experience the speed of revolutionary Wireless AC. This device is compatible with IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11a networks and Windows 10 (32/64-bit), 8.1 (32/64-bit), 8 (32/64-bit), 7 (32/64-bit), Vista (32/64-bit) and XP(32/64-bit) operating systems. It is a one touch network connection with Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) button. It has dynamic Data Rate Scaling from 867 Mbps to 1 Mbps. This device also supports advanced wireless encryption up to WPA2-RADIUS.It has easy user setup and diagnostic utilities. This wifi adapter covers up to 100 meters indoor (330 feet) and 300 meters outdoor. This is available with 3-year limited warranty.
4. QGOO USB Wi-Fi Adapter | Best USB WiFi Adapters
This wifi adapter is your own secure wireless network. The AC1200 series is supported by all wireless local area network routers such as WPA/WPA2/WEP. It will not be affected by other interfering devices like Bluetooth or cordless phones which means that you won’t have unexpected dropped calls or loss of signal quality period.
QGOO has been in business for over ten years and has been the solution for large corporations who need reliable technology. With super fast and reliable customer service, we believe that connection and communication are one of the most important aspects of life.
The 2.42GHz band only helps in simple tasks like emailing or web surfing. If you are looking for a powerful, highly effective USB Wi-Fi Adapter then AC1200 Wireless USB 3.0 Adapter is designed for you. Technologies such as antennas and Dual-Band systems ensure that you get a better connection even at a long-range. Our adapter brings powerful and lightning fast internet to the people by allowing anyone to use the latest WIFI protocol 802.11AC and with a better signal at a long-range, you’ll wonder how you lived without it. Your computer will receive a 5.8GHZ speed of Wifi through the Dual Band system.
It is less crowded means it is more private with a boosted signal. These days even smartphones, smart TVs, laptops and microwaves are using the 2.42GHZ speed. Our USB Wifi Adapter is a simple solution for many problems. If you need a high-speed internet for gaming and streaming video then you require strong and reliable wifi. For critical conference calls or just don’t want the clutter of cables then we have a solution. It is best for faster, easier, stronger and more reliable wifi. Installation is so easy.
Just three steps.
1. Install the drivers first.
2. Restart your computer
3. Plugin your adapter and you’re ready to start enjoying a better internet.
5. NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi USB Adapter
These two big black rectangles can also be called the Netgear Nighthawk Wi-Fi adapter. This is actually a very powerful option. The second black rectangle is a MIMO powered 3×4 antenna array. This allows for superb range, download speeds, and latency which is better than any of the Wi-Fi adapters that we’ve read so far. It even has a docking station that helps alleviate its strange design decisions for desktop use. The only real issue with the Nighthawk is that it’s just a little expensive for a Wi-Fi adapter.
When it comes to the best routers for gaming then there are few names as ubiquitous as Netgear Nighthawk. NETGEAR has been producing excellent gaming routers but the AC1900 Wi-Fi brings that same performance to a portable USB adapter, making it one of the best USB WiFi Adapters. While this won’t necessarily get you a blazing fast connection in your local coffee shop but you can still use the included magnetic desktop cradle to ensure your rig is getting the best possible connection from your router a couple of rooms away.
The AC1900 is a remarkably powerful and portable adapter but is a little bulky when compared to other adapters. There are occasions when I am concerned about snapping it off in one of my laptop’s USB ports and its size means that it may not always find a vacant port with the necessary clearance.
This wifi adapter gives stronger coverage with high gain antennas. We can connect the adapter to a USB 3.0 port for fast and efficient data transfer. It helps in online lag-free gaming and HD streaming at home or on the go. It is compatible with next-generation WiFi devices and 802.11ac/n together with WiFi devices. This wifi adapter is also compatible with Windows and MAC OS. It works well with any WiFi router.
6. ASUS USB-AC68 AC1900 Wi-Fi Adapter | Best USB WiFi Adapters
Good network performance requires good antennas and this seems to be the strategy behind the Asus USB-AC68 AC1900 network adapter which has a pair of big red three-position external antennas that make it look like something is orbiting around the earth rather than sitting on your desk. If it is combined with a pair of internal antennas and a 3×4 MIMO design this lets it achieve blazing fast 802.11ac speeds at an extended range or even 802.11n speeds.
Asus also provides a matching USB 3.0 framework that you can plug into your PC or Mac to place the USB-AC68 at an appropriate distance from your computer to get the best signal and avoid any potential interference. The adapter itself folds down into the size of a USB stick so that it would be portable enough to take on the road with you.
This ASUS Wi-Fi Adapter is another adapter that is bulky and has unconventional design together with external docking station. The biggest advantage of this design is that it comes with dual separate antennas, each of which can be individually adjusted after being folded out. The docking station also allows for more positioning options when used with desktop PCs.
With support for 5GHz speeds of up to 1,300Mbps this adapter also supports USB 3.0 and it actually delivers this kind of speed. It is due to the antenna configuration and other advanced technology and its low inactivity also makes it one of the best choices for gaming.
The Asus USB-AC68 adapter provides a folding design that incorporates dual deployable antennas. It has a USB 3.0 connection together with AC1900 standard, an Asus AiRadar Beamforming and MU-MIMO through a 3×4 antenna design. The results are a bit confusing as this Asus adapter lags in the 2.4 GHz tests at both distances. While the 5 GHz tests are much stronger, it still wasn’t the fastest at either the close or far distance tested.
7. TP-Link Archer T9UH AC1900
This Wifi adapter has the ultimate Wi-Fi Speed. AC1900 gives wireless speed of 600Mpbs on 2.4GHz band or 1300Mbps on 5GHz band with the next generation Wi-Fi 802.11ac. It has dual-band Wireless of 2.4GHz and 5GHz for flexible connectivity. This USB wifi adapter has the ultimate range due to its high gain antennas. These high gain antennas ensure superior range and stability. It provides Beamforming Technology that will help in delivering more targeted and highly efficient wireless connections. It has super speed USB 3.0 Port which is up to 10x faster than USB 2.0. It has flexible deployment which means it is equipped with a USB 3.0 Cradle for flexible deployment. This device has a WPS Button which helps in easy wireless security encryption at a push of the WPS button. This wifi adapter gives backward compatibility with support for 802.11 a/b/g/n standards. It is carelessly plugged into the back of a PC or the side of a laptop on its own which we wouldn’t recommend this adapter over similar options in its price range.
Features to Look for in a USB Wi-Fi Adapter
Size – USB Wi-Fi adapters are different in sizes. Some adapters are very small in size while others are very large like a full-fledged router with antennas. If you’re looking for something really portable then the smaller ones work well enough at normal ranges but if you are looking for bigger ones then they come equipped with advanced features like beamforming technology for diverting interference.
Speed – There’s nothing more irritating than a buffering stream. So make sure you get an adapter with speeds fast enough for your needs. While 300Mbps should be enough for most tasks. Some can provide up to 1,300Mbps although you’ll need a USB 3.0 port to take advantage of those higher speeds.
Range – Depending on where your router sits, you will have trouble connecting. Splurging on an adapter with a longer range will come in handy if it’s far away. Some of the best wifi adapters will provide range up to 100 yards but extending the adapter away from your computer can also help in improving your range.
Testing of USB Wifi Adapters | Selecting The Best USB WiFi Adapters
Testing is done for throughput using NetPerf software. A desktop with a Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000) is used to send the data through a wired connection to the router. Three test runs were done on each wireless adapter at each of the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz frequencies located at three distances i.e close, far and fringe and the highest throughput of each parameter reported. The router used is the ASUS RT-AX88U which is our top gaming router. The throughput is tested at a close distance of 2.4 m with a direct line of sight and also at a far distance of 9.1m with an obstructing floor and wall in the way as well as some metal ductwork intervening. For this revision, we added tests in a Wi-Fi fringe location which we started using for our best wireless extender except we did not plug in an extender to make the wireless connection more demanding for the wireless adapter and to test their antennas.
The difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
2.4 GHz is the older standard and is what most routers and devices are using. 2.4 GHz is a little slow and laggy when compared to 5 GHz but it has a much greater range and compatibility.
5 GHz is the new standard and is mainly used by newer devices. It’s much faster and has lower latency than 2.4 GHz, but has a much shorter range. You may also experience compatibility issues with older devices that are only made to connect to 2.4 GHz. To get around this, most routers and Wi-Fi antennas support both standards.
If all devices involved in supporting both standards then we should use 5 GHz where possible. This is especially important for gamers since the lower latency of the 5 GHz standard will ensure less lag when playing online. 2.4 GHz isn’t suitable for gaming purposes but it can be used for web browsing and media consumption.
Important to note that no Wi-Fi connection will ever knock a hardwired ethernet connection when it comes to stability, latency and overall performance. If you’re doing professional work or programming then you should use an ethernet cable whenever possible.
We hope this shopping guide helps you select the best USB Wifi Adapters from the ones available in the market.
