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Best Wireless Adapters

Updated February 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 USB Adapter
TP-Link
AX1800 WiFi 6 USB Adapter
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Range and Speed
Bottom Line

A high-speed adapter with WiFi 6 capability and straightforward installation.

Pros

The combination of the USB 3.0 connection and 1800 megabits per second sets this adapter apart, equipping it for competitive gaming or heft uploads and downloads. You can quickly install the necessary drivers directly from the adapter.

Cons

The large, fold-out design makes this adapter impractical for laptops.

Best Bang for the Buck
TP-Link AC1300 USB WiFi Adapter
TP-Link
AC1300 USB WiFi Adapter
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Inexpensive, little, and lightning-fast, this wireless adapter easily provides the biggest bang for your buck.

Pros

Affordable. Top speeds of 867 Mbps. Small and compact design. Dual-band wireless connectivity. Optimized for online gaming and quickly transferring large amounts of data. Utilizes USB 3.0 for quicker writing speeds.

Cons

Does not support Chromebooks.

ASUS AC1200 Nano USB Dual-Band Wireless Adapter
ASUS
AC1200 Nano USB Dual-Band Wireless Adapter
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Portable Convenience
Bottom Line

The miniature design of the Nano makes it the best wireless adapter for high-speed internet on the go.

Pros

Extremely tiny USB plug-in. Speeds up to 867 Mbps. Optimized for portable devices. Works well for gaming and streaming video content. Simple plug-and-play design. Easy to install and can be used almost instantaneously.

Cons

This compact model is not the best choice for desktop computers.

Blueshadow USB Wi-Fi Adapter
Blueshadow
USB Wi-Fi Adapter
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This is an efficient and widely-compatible adapter without any unnecessary frills or accessories.

Pros

Improves the connection of the wireless network for the user's convenience. Applicable with Windows, Mac, and other devices as well as a variety of WiFi routers. Includes an additional CD drive and user manual for simple installation.

Cons

Has a somewhat limited range.

NETGEAR USB 2.0 Mini Adapter
NETGEAR
USB 2.0 Mini Adapter
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High-speed
Bottom Line

This leave-in adapter delivers reliable high-speed performance in a small form factor.

Pros

Provides a blazing-fast connection of up to 1,200 Mbps and is easy to install. A great option for upgrading older laptops or computers. The smaller size is a great choice for laptop users looking for a connection upgrade.

Cons

On the pricier side. Some customers had difficulty reaching maximum speeds.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

36
Models
Considered
60
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best wireless adapters

In 2019, we often forget just how easy we have it, technology-wise. Before consumers were able to access the internet in 1991, we communicated, worked, consumed media, and interacted in a completely different way than we do now. WiFi came along six years later, and it took the convenience factor of the internet to an entirely new level. But even today, not all devices feature wireless connectivity, thus the need for a good wireless adapter.

Wireless internet permits us to work, chat, and watch from anywhere in our homes without having to physically connect to a modem. Today, WiFi is available in nearly every public space that has electricity. This includes restaurants, shopping centers, movie theaters, libraries, and even public transportation.

With a wireless adapter, you can add WiFi and cellular capabilities to laptops and desktops that wouldn’t otherwise have them. In our guide to the best wireless adapters, we’ll break down how they work, what features to look for, and which ones you should invest in.

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Almost every modern computer comes with an integrated WiFi antenna, but five years ago, it was far less common. Even if your machine does have wireless internet capabilities, antennas can go bad or break, making wireless adapters all the more useful.

Key considerations

Size

Depending on the type of computer you have, you can either install a wireless adapter inside your computer or simply plug one into the USB port. In the latter case, it’s very important to consider the size, shape, and antenna design of your adapter. Some adapters are about the same size as a USB flash drive, and some are even smaller. Others have large dual antennas, which can be less convenient if your workspace is cramped, or if you move your machine regularly. That said, units with antennas generally provide faster connection speeds and a wider range.

Speed

Connecting to the internet via WiFi is incredibly convenient, but not all wireless adapters are created equal. To get the speed you need, choose the adapter that’s best for your purposes. Basic options provide speeds of about 100 Mbps, and while that’s on the lower end for adapters, it’s plenty capable for basic online use such as web surfing, music streaming, watching YouTube, editing documents on the cloud, and casual gaming.

When you get to 300 Mbps, you can enjoy all of the above, faster. Web pages load more quickly, videos buffer less, and services like 4K video streaming, video conferencing, and online gaming are much more stable. In addition, you can download large files like HD movies in no time.

If you’re after the best speeds available, look for adapters with speeds approaching 1000Mbps. This all but guarantees lag-free gaming and nearly instant file downloads, along with extremely responsive web browsing. Remember, if your internet plan or router only supports speeds of 100 Mbps, buying an adapter with a higher rating probably isn’t the best use of your money.

Range

You can have the fastest internet connection in the world, but if your wireless antenna has poor range, you aren’t getting your money’s worth. Depending on the size of your workspace, your computer’s proximity to your internet router, and how often you move your machine, more range is almost always better. Certain adapters list their range ratings with dBi, which measures the gain of the antenna itself. Adapters with dual antennas generally boast the best marks in this regard.

Operating system compatibility

Wireless adapters have to integrate with your computer’s hardware and software, so compatibility is obviously vital. Select models only offer Windows connectivity, so if you use a Mac or run a Linux operating system, confirm that your adapter will work with your computer before buying.

 

Wireless adapter features

USB connection

USB adapters are the most common way to add wireless internet to your laptop or desktop, but they’re not the only option. PCIe network cards, which require installation inside the computer and feature external antennas, are a notable alternative. Speed and range are high points with this type of unit, but we prefer USB adapters for their convenience, portability, and price.

Dual band operation

Just like a WiFi router, wireless adapters often feature two bands with two different frequencies — 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Having two bands to choose from is extremely beneficial if you’re sharing your internet connection, and certain types of interference affect different frequencies more than others. Some devices that can cause interference are garage door openers, cordless phones, and even microwaves, so having more choice is beneficial.

Warranty

If a wireless adapter is your only link to the internet, failure can lead to missed work, missed connections, or at the very least a mild annoyance. That makes warranties and technical support all the more important. Certain adapters offer lifetime warranties, consistent driver updates, and full technical support. That’s the best-case scenario. Other options include 1- or 2-year warranties, or refunds in case of failure.

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Did you know?
“Plug and play” adapters require a bit more work than the name suggests. These wireless units still usually require the installation of drivers to work properly. The drivers are typically delivered on CDs or flash drives.
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Wireless adapter prices

Wireless adapters might sound like expensive pieces of technology, but considering the luxury they offer, they’re actually quite reasonable.

Inexpensive: Wireless adapters can be purchased for less than $10. These models typically include a single 2.4GHz band with speeds of around 100 Mbps, which is more than acceptable for basic internet usage.

Mid-range: If you’d like to stream video in higher quality, get into gaming, or download large media files, you’ll need to spend about $15. At this price point, you can get a 2.4GHz and 5GHz band, along with much better speeds of approximately 600 Mbps. Multiple antennas noticeably extend range as well, which can be handy if you have a large home or workspace.

Expensive: For $20 or more, you’ll find dual-band adapters with speeds approaching 1,000 Mbps. These are the speeds you’ll need for lag-free gaming and ultra quick media downloads. These units also provide a wider effective range.

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Expert Tip
Select adapters grant Bluetooth connections to older machines, which you can use to tether your cell phone’s data service to your computer if there isn’t a WiFi signal. You may pay extra for this on your cell phone bill, but if you need a connection in a pinch, it’s an option.
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Tips

  • A WiFi adapter will add wireless internet to your computer, but it won’t guarantee a stable connection. Placing your computer near the router goes a long way with this, but if you can’t, the fewer walls and electronics the signal has to pass through, the better.

  • Administering a speed test is the simplest way to measure the internet speed your computer is actually using. This way, if your connection feels slow, you can pinpoint if it’s a problem with your router, adapter, or computer itself.

  • “Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again?” This is a common joke in the IT world, but it’s there for a reason. If your computer and adapter aren’t the culprit of low internet speeds, resetting your router can solve connection problems.

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WiFi adapters and WiFi range extenders are similar, but they’re not exactly the same. While an adapter brings wireless internet to a computer that didn’t originally have it, an extender boosts the signal of a connected machine.

FAQ

Q: What does Mbps measure?
A:
Mbps means megabits per second, and is the unit by which data transfer speeds like internet connections get measured. This is not to be confused with MBps, which stands for megabytes per second. There are 8 megabits in one megabyte, so a 100 Mbps connection is capable of downloading 12.5 megabytes per second. To put that in perspective, an average mp3 music file is about 4 megabytes.

Q: What’s the difference between a 2.4GHz connection and a 5GHz connection?
A:
A 2.4GHz connection provides slower speeds than a 5GHz equivalent, but it has better range. This is because lower frequency signals can penetrate solid objects like walls and floors more efficiently than higher frequency signals. Thus, 5GHz has less range, but is a much faster way to transfer data overall.

Q: Can I use a WiFi adapter to add Bluetooth to my computer?
A:
A pure WiFi adapter does not add Bluetooth capabilities to your computer. Although Bluetooth and certain internet bands operate on a 2.4GHz frequency, they effectively speak different languages. There are, however, 2-in-1 adapters that can add WiFi and Bluetooth to your computer at the same time.

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