Use the Best USB Wi-fi Adapters to Connect With the Internet

If your new laptop or gaming PC doesn’t come with a built-in Wi-Fi, or it isn’t quite delivering the blazing speeds you need, you’re going to want to fix that. Pronto.

The easiest solution is to get yourself a USB Wi-Fi adapter – plug it in and you’re instantly on the Internet highway. Here are our top picks to help you get online faster.

TL;DR – These are the Best USB Wi-Fi Adapters:

1. Netgear Nighthawk AC1900

Best USB Wi-Fi Adapter

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When it comes to broadband, you don’t mess around. You’re pushing only the highest speeds through that router and nothing will hold you back. You’re the Queen of file transfers. King of GHz.

You may associate Netgear’s Nighthawk brand with routers, but it also makes a bunch of Wi-Fi accessories – such as the Nighthawk A7000 Wi-Fi adapter. You’ll find various Nighthawk models out there, but this is the one we recommend.

It’s rated AC1900, which will get you 600Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps on 5GHz. It’s large and a little awkward, but the adjustable antenna means you can angle it for optimum performance. It also handles huge data loads with ease; best used for more intense use cases, such as gaming. USB 3.0, too.

2. TP-Link Archer T2U Plus

Best Budget USB Wi-Fi Adapter

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If you’re looking for something a little cheaper and aren’t concerned with high-traffic activities like gaming, the TP-Link Archer T2U Plus delivers solid performance thanks to its large antenna, while saving a few pennies in the process.

Rater for AC600 (so 200 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 433 Mbps on 5 GHz) it will handle web browsing and more casual internet activities fine, though will suffer more over longer distances. Works with Mac and Windows, but not Linux.

3. Asus USB-AC68

Best USB Wi-Fi Adapter For Gaming

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This dual-band, dual-antenna-rocking AC1900 adapter is a great pick if gaming is your top priority. While it looks like something that should be on your roof, rather than attached to your computer, the design allows it to hit high 802.11ac speeds over greater distance.

The bundled USB 3.0 cradle allows you to place it far enough away from the computer to avoid interference, and the whole thing can be easily folded down to make it more portable. Works with Windows and Mac.

4. D-Link DWA-192

Fastest USB Wi-Fi adapter

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That’s no moon – D-Link’s Wi-Fi adapter just looks quite different to anything else on our list. But it’s not all about the cosmetics; the DWA-192 performs admirably, boasting an AC1900 rating, meaning speeds up to 600Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps on 5GHz.

That means it can hit blistering speeds at shorter ranges. Drivers come packaged on a CD, but this one’s only for Windows. Sorry, Mac fans.

4. TP-Link Archer T4U V3

Good Balance of Power to Price

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See it on Amazon

TP-Link’s Archer adapter looks a little like the Nighthawk, and works with Mac, Windows, and Linux. With an AC1200 rating it will hit wireless speeds of 400Mbps on 2.4GHz and 867Mbps on 5GHz, and supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Works with Mac and Windows.

General performance is great and reliable, and like the Nighthawk the antenna can be adjusted to improve the signal. It is, however, still a little bulky. The price is good though, but if you want to spend a little more, TP-Link has an AC1900 model available for twice the price.

5. Net-Dyn AC1200

Best Compact USB Wi-Fi Adapter

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The Net-Dyn wins a place on this list by perfectly balancing size and speeds. It can reach up to 100 yards without the speed suffering badly. It’s also USB 3.0, which (so long as your computer supports it) will maintain low latency at those higher speeds.

Speaking of which, there’s dual-band connectivity with support of speeds up to 867Mbps at 5GHz and 300Mbps at 2.4GHZ. Works with both Windows and Mac.

What to look for in a USB Wi-Fi Adapter?

2.4GHz vs 5GHz: Know the difference

You’ll see these numbers a lot when researching anything to do with home Wi-Fi. Quite simply, they refer to the network standard your device is operating on; it all comes down to speed and range.

We all know that a signal only reaches so far, and as you move further from the source of that signal, generally the connection is going to get worse.

2.4GHz is a more dated standard that doesn’t get the blazing speeds of 5GHz, however, it has a better range. 5GHz gives you a much faster connection, but the range isn’t as good.

USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and 802.11 standards

The difference here depends on a few other factors. First, does your computer have USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports? If it’s USB 2.0, your maximum speed (in theory) is lower, as USB 3.0 allows for greater throughput. Data speeds on USB 2.0 can reach up to 60MBps whereas USB 3.0 can reach 640Mbps (5gbps).

But that’s not all. In order to make use of those blazing higher speeds your router will need to be able to also push out a signal above 60MB/s (otherwise, what’s the point?). If your router uses 802.11g then it won’t go above 54MB/s.

However, for routers with an 802.11ac standard, along with higher connection speeds, USB 3.0 can be beneficial – but only for intense use cases where you want less latency. In those cases, make sure you’re looking for an 802.11ac wireless adapter to make the most of it.

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Hugh Langley is a tech journalist who’s fascinated by wearables, health tech, the smart home, and more. You can find him tweeting (often nonsense) over at @hughlangley.

Source: IGN.com Use the Best USB Wi-fi Adapters to Connect With the Internet