When you have the PC or laptop away from your router, wired ethernet connections might not be feasible every time. Also, you cannot tether and use a mobile hotspot without a WiFi radio on your PC. Even though most laptops come with inbuilt WiFi, PCs often lack WiFI adapters. In such cases, the best option is to go for a USB WiFi adapter for PC and laptops.
Here are the best USB WiFi adapters for PC that you can buy right now. These will perfectly suit high-end gaming, live streaming, and all other internet connectivity needs that you have.
ASUS USB-AC68 AC1900
Asus USB-AC68 sports an innovative 3×4 MIMO design and stylish build. The USB WiFi adapter for PC comes with dual 3-position external antennas and dual internal antennas. This is coupled with ASUS AiRadar beamforming technology. That means you can always rely on Asus USB-AC68 AC1900 for fast and stable connectivity.
The dual-band AC1900 USB WiFi adapter gives you extended coverage and greater throughput. You can easily upgrade your desktop PC or laptop with Asus USB-AC68. Its ergonomic design allows you to place it anywhere on the desk and flaunt it with style.
The external antennas in the Asus USB-AC68 WiFI adapter are foldable. You can get increased speeds by up to 300% using Asus USB-AC68.
Pros:
- USB 3.0 cradle for maximum desktop coverage
- Innovative foldable antennas
- Excellent range and speed
Cons:
- Expensive pricing
- Average 2.4GHz performance
Key Features:
- AC1900 IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- 2.4GHz/5GHz
- 600 Mbps/1300 Mbps
- 3-position external antennas
- Dual internal antennas
- AiRadar beamforming
Related: TaoTronics Tri-Band AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router for Home & Office
D-Link DWA-192 USB WiFi Adapter
D-Link DWA-192 is arguably the best USB WiFi adapter for PC in terms of design. It features a spherical design that is sure to draw everyone’s attention to it. Besides, that allows you to place the AC1900 USB adapter anywhere on the desk.
The dual-band wireless technology in D-Link DWA-192 gives you flexible connectivity. You can rely on the speed and performance of the USB WiFi adapter for any bandwidth-demanding app.
Setting up the D-Link WiFi adapter is very simple. All it takes is a single button press to get a fast and secure connection. The USB WiFI adapter for PC comes with USB 3.0 as well.
Pros:
- Unique design
- Low latency
- Great range and performance
Cons:
- Not that portable
- Does not support Mac or Linux
Key Features:
- AC1900 IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- 2.4GHz/5GHz
- 600 Mbps/1300 Mbps
- Advanced AC SmartBeam
- USB 3.0 connectivity
- High-powered amplifiers
Blueshadow USB WiFi Adapter
Blueshadow USB WiFi Adapter gives you ideal speeds for online gaming and seamless streaming. The device comes with dual-band wireless technology that delivers up to 150Mbps/433Mbps. You can use the AC600 WiFi adapter with any dual-band router.
The compact design of the Blueshadow USB WiFi Adapter for PC makes it one of the most portable devices. You can easily carry it with your laptop on the go. Besides, it can connect your PC or laptop to the internet even when the signals are very weak. This makes Blueshadow AC600 WiFi adapter a handy unit for frequent travelers.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Compact size
- Easy installation
Cons:
- No USB 3.0 support
- Needs updating the driver manually
Key Features:
- AC600 IEEE 802.11 n/b/g/ac
- 2.4GHz/5GHz
- 150 Mbps/433 Mbps
- 2dBi external antenna
- USB 2.0 connectivity
- WPA2-PSK security encryption
Techkey AC1750 Wireless Adapter
Techkey AC1750 Wireless Adapter is one of the best USB WiFi adapters for PC with dual external antennas. The long-range 5dBi antennas assure you of extended coverage and superior internet stability. You can simply plug it into your PC or laptop and upgrade the device for faster 802.11ac connectivity.
The AC1750 USB WiFi adapter comes with a USB 3.0 socket, which gives you a fast and reliable connection. You also get a soft AP feature with this wireless adapter for PC and laptop. This allows you to turn wired internet connection on your computer into a hotspot for your mobile devices.
Pros:
- Reasonable pricing
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port
- High-efficiency dual-frequency antennas
Cons:
- May experience overheating issues
- Cord length to the docking station is very short
Key Features:
- AC1750 IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/a/ac
- 2.42GHz/5.8GHz
- 450 Mbps/1300 Mbps
- 5dBi high-gain antennas
- Soft AP feature
- WPA2-PSK security encryption
EDUP AC600 USB WiFi Adapter
EDUP AC600 USB WiFi Adapter for PC, laptops, and Mac is one of the most affordable wireless adapters with an antenna. The WiFi adapter works exceptionally well with 802.11ac routers. You may get even up to three times faster speeds using the USB WiFi Adapter in such an environment.
The AC600 dual-band wireless adapter comes with a high-gain long-range 2dBi omnidirectional antenna. This makes EDUP AC600 USB WiFi Adapter ideal for online gaming and HD video streaming. It can boost the available weak wireless signal as well. There is also a roaming feature in the wireless adapter, which offers you reliable connectivity on the go.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Easy to set up
- WPS function
Cons:
- Performance issues with 802.11n routers
- No USB 3.0 support
Key Features:
- AC600 IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- 2.4GHz/5.8GHz
- 150 Mbps/433 Mbps
- 2dBi omnidirectional antenna
- USB 2.0 connectivity
- Soft AP environment
Related: How to Change WiFi Router Channel to Improve Signal Quality?
NET-DYN AC1200 Wireless Adapter
NET-DYN AC1200 offers you super-fast speeds for any bandwidth-intensive application. The dual-band USB WiFI adapter for PC works to amplify the current signal. You can get internet connectivity to up to 100 yards of the router. This makes it the best USB WiFi Adapter in terms of reliability.
The AC1200 wireless adapter comes with advanced 2×2-technology support. This gives you up to 867 Mbps upstream and downstream data rates. The USB WiFi adpter even has an internal antenna for ensuring better performance in all environments.
You can use any WLAN router with the NET-DYN AC1200 WiFi adapter. The USB WiFI adapter for PC offers great security as well, including WEP, WPA, and WPA2. Other notable features include QoS Enhancement WMM, CCK modulation, OFDM with BPSK, and more.
Pros:
- Reasonable pricing
- Internal antenna for better performance
- Plug-and-play functionality
Cons:
- It may take some time to configure the settings
- Manual driver installation may be required
Key Features:
- AC1200 IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- 2.4GHz/5GHz
- 867 Mbps upstream/downstream
- USB 3.0 connectivity
- WPA2 wireless security
- Lifetime warranty
Netgear Nighthawk AC1900
Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 is an elegant and stylish USB WiFi adapter. The Netgear Nighthawk has a 3×4 MIMO design, which ensures superior bandwidth capacity. The dual-band wireless adapter has four internal antennas.
The included magnetic desktop cradle is a noteworthy feature in Netgear Nighthawk AC1900. The dual-band WiFi adapter works with both old-gen and modern desktops and laptops. The built-in configuration tools and plug-and-play function make installing the unit quite simple.
Nighthawk AC1900 is arguably the best USB WiFi adapter for PC, Mac, and laptops. This is especially true for gaming and HD streaming. You can also use it with any of the 802.11 ac routers or legacy networks.
Pros:
- Sleek design
- WPS function
- Superior network speeds
Cons:
- Latency issues
- A little bulky build
Key Features:
- AC1900 IEEE 802.11 ac/b/g/n/a
- 2.4GHz/5GHz
- 600 Mbps/1300 Mbps
- 4 internal high-gain antennas
- Explicit beamforming
- USB 3.0 cable with magnetic cradle
Edimax EW-7833UAC
Edimax EW-7833UAC comes with a 3T3R MIMO technology that provides you super-high speeds. The USB WIFi adapter comes with three transmitter antennas and three receiver antennas. This helps to optimize data speeds for the best wireless performance. Edimax EW-7833UAC is easily the best USB WiFi adapter for HD streaming and online gaming.
You also get the beamforming technology with the Edimax EW-7833UAC USB WiFi adapter. This improves the range, coverage, and reliability of the WiFi adapter considerably. It also ensures that there is less signal wastage, which gives you the best possible throughput. Edimax EW-7833UAC also supports IoT devices integration.
Pros:
- One-click wireless connections
- 180-degree adjustable antenna
- IoT sensor integration
Cons:
- Performance issues in long ranges
- Installation may be a bit difficult
Key Features:
- AC1750 IEEE 802.11 n/a/b/g/ac
- 2.4GHz/5GHz
- 450 Mbps /1300 Mbps
- Beamforming technology
- USB 3.0 connectivity
- WPA2 encryption
Linksys WUSB6300 WiFi Adapter
Linksys WUSB6300 is a simple, yet powerful USB WiFi adapter for PC that allows for greater wireless efficiency. This ensures that you enjoy HD content streaming, online gaming, and internet browsing without any buffering or lag. That is why Linksys WUSB6300 is considered the best mid-range WiFi adapter for PC.
The most interesting feature of the AC1200 wireless adapter is the free Smart WiFi app. You can use the app to get real-time information and easily control the network on the go. It allows you to prioritize your devices, set parental controls, and do a lot more. You can even send guests WiFi passwords using the free Smart WiFi app.
The USB WiFI adapter for PC supports 128-bit encryption too, including WPA TKIP, WPA2, WPS, and WEP protocols. Sadly, the wireless adapter is not compatible with Mac or Linux operating systems. Regardless, it can be a blessing for Windows users looking for reliable and secure WiFi connectivity.
Pros:
- Plug-and-play operation
- Portable design
- Superfast speeds
Cons:
- Not compatible with Mac
- Performance issues for multiplayer gaming
Key Features:
- AC1200 IEEE 802.11 ac/n/g/b/a
- 2.4GHz/5GHz
- 300 Mbps /867 Mbps
- Smart WiFi app
- USB 3.0 connectivity
- Beamforming technology
Related: 7 Best Hotspot Apps for Windows 10
TP-Link TL-WN725N
TP-Link TL-WN725N is a nano-sized USB WiFi adapter for PC, Mac, and Linux users. It comes with a built-in omnidirectional antenna. This gives you reliable and stronger wireless coverage. However, TP-Link TL-WN725N works for the 2.4GHz band only.
The wireless adapter can upgrade your existing WiFi speeds to up to 150Mbps. This ensures lag-free internet browsing and seamless video streaming. The simple and portable design of TP-Link TL-WN725N makes it easy to use and carry it with your laptop. Besides, you also get robust security encryption with the USB WiFi adapter. This includes 64/128-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA PSK, WPA2 PSK, and more.
Pros:
- Cheap pricing
- Tiny and portable design
- 2-year warranty
Cons:
- Not compatible with USB 3.0
- Does not support 802.11ac network
Key Features:
- N150 IEEE 802.11 n/g/b/a
- 2.4GHz
- 150 Mbps
- Inbuilt omnidirectional antenna
- USB 2.0 connectivity
- Soft AP mode
Best USB WiFi Adapter for PC – Buying Guide
You need to consider a few things when buying a wireless adapter. Below are three main things that you should look at when short-listing the choices.
Size – While some wireless adapters are as tiny as a Lego block, others may be quite big. The large ones may even look like full-fledged WiFi routers with antennas. Note that good network performance requires good antennas. However, it does not have to be external always. You can get a compact WiFi adapter with reliable inbuilt antennas as well. So base your choice on how portable you want the device to be.
Speed – Most of the bigger WiFi adapters come with beamforming technology. This helps to divert the interferences and give you better network speeds. However, you can get stable and consistent speeds with smaller USB wireless adapters too. Just make sure that the upstream/downstream speeds are enough for your needs. Note that you may require a USB 3.0 port to make the most of the higher connectivity speeds.
Range – You may be looking for a WiFi adapter to enhance the network coverage and get better connectivity. Many types of obstructions, such as thick walls and insulation, can block wireless signals. Therefore, you should consider a WiFi adapter that comes with a longer range. Some of the best USB WiFi adapter units can offer coverage for up to 100 yards of range. Some allow you to extend the adapter away from your PC. This may help to boost the range as well.
The above-mentioned are some of the best USB WiFi adapters for PC and laptops that fare well in all these aspects. Check out their pros and cons, and other notable features carefully. This way, you can choose the best WiFi Adapter for a PC that will suit your requirements.