If the built-in Wi-Fi on your PC breaks, or just isn’t up to the task of getting you the speeds that you need for important online meetings or, more likely, important gaming sessions, a USB Wi-Fi adapter can be a lifesaver.
These are simple devices that plug into the USB slot on your computer and act as a Wi-Fi receiver and broadcaster.
But this is another one of these pieces of tech where there are literally hundreds of options on the market, all with different brands and different price points. But it is hard to know what is actually the difference between all the options and which is right for you.
Well, we’re going to take the headache out of this one. We are recommending the five best USB Wi-Fi adapters. There are options depending on whether you are looking for something premium for gaming or just something cheap and cheerful that works.
We’ve also put together a buying guide that acts as a checklist of all the things you need to check before deciding whether to buy a particular USB Wi-Fi adapter for your PC.
Product Quick Links
- Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter – Best Overall
- TRENDnet AC1900 High Power USB Adapter – Best High Power
- Techkey Wireless USB Wi-Fi Adapter – Best Dual Band
- Blueshadow USB Wi-FI Adapter – Best For Older PCs
- TP-Link USB Wi-Fi Adapter For PC – Best Affordable
#1 Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter |
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#2 TRENDnet AC1900 High Power USB Adapter  |
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#3 Techkey Wireless USB Wi-Fi Adapter  |
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#4 Blueshadow USB Wi-FI Adapter  |
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#5 TP-Link USB Wi-Fi Adapter for PC  |
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Best USB Wi-Fi Adapters For PC
1. Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter – Best Overall
If you are just looking for the best Wi-Fi adapter that just works well and works with everything, then you won’t find a better option on the market than this adapter from Netgear.
- USB 3.0 (2.0)
- Windows and macOS
- Dual-band
- 801.11ac protocol
The adapter is compatible with both Windows and macOS, as long as you are using Windows 7, 8, or 10, and 10.8.3 or later on Mac.
It is dual-band, working on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, using the 801.11ac protocol. You can expect speeds of around 600 MB/sec on the former and 1300 MB/sec on the latter.
About the size of a large USB stick (4.7 x 1.8 x 0.87 inches), you can plug it directly into your machine and flip it open like an old-style smartphone to get the best signal. If that isn’t convenient, it also comes with a separate stand that you can plug into your computer.
The hardware works best in a USB 3.0 port, but it is also compatible with USB 2.0 if that is all that you have.
Pros:
- Works on most devices
- Works on all networks
- Fast speeds
- Small and convenient to use
Cons:
- Quite pricey
If you just want a good Wi-Fi adapter that works no matter where you are and which device you are using, then there aren’t many better options than this adapter from Netgear.
2. TRENDnet AC1900 High Power USB Adapter – Best High Power
If you need a high power adapter to deal with a difficult space with problematic connectivity, then this option with a removable and adjustable antennae from TRENDnet will keep you happy.
- USB 3.0
- Windows and macOS
- Dual-band
- 801.11ac protocol
This is another dual-band adapter that offers 600 MB/sec when functioning at 2.4GHz and 1300 MB/sec when operating on 5GHz.
It is compatible with Windows (XP, Vista, and 10) and macOS (10.6 and later).
It is a little more complicated to install than some of the other options on the list, but it is worth it for the extra power you get from the four 5dBi (max) antennae that allow the signal to travel further and stronger.
You can also use the antenna for beamforming, directing your signal at a specific device for better results.
Pros:
- Keeps a strong signal over distance
- Possibility for beamforming
- Works with slightly older operating systems
- Works on all networks
Cons:
- Quite pricey
- Complicated to install
If you struggle to get a good signal because of distances or complicated architecture, this adapter can give you the results you’ve been craving.
3. Techkey Wireless USB Wi-Fi Adapter – Best Dual Band
If dual-band access is what really matters to you, so that your adapter works on every type of network, then this option from Techkey is a good choice.
- USB 3.0
- Windows and macOS
- Dual-band
- 801.11ac protocol
This is another adapter with 5dBi antennas that give great signal strength over distances and in tough architecture, and allow you to do some beamforming to improve signal further. And it does this at a third of the price of the TRENDnet option.
It is designed to work in a USB 3.0 port (though is backward compatible), but is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, and XP, and macOS 10.9-10.15.
You will probably need to install a new driver to get this working, so it is not exactly “plug and play,” but it is incredibly reliable, offering speeds around 300 MB/sec on 2.4GHz and around 867 MB/sec on 5GHz.
Pros:
- Works on every type of network
- Strong antennae for beamforming
- Affordable
- Backward compatible with older PCs
Cons:
- Requires driver installation
- Slower speeds than other options
4. Blueshadow USB Wi-FI Adapter – Best For Older PCs
Anyone with an older PC, perhaps with broken in-built Wi-Fi, will appreciate this little adapter from Blueshadow that delivers speeds suitable for gaming and streaming.
- USB 2.0
- Windows and macOS
- Dual-band
- 801.11ac protocol
This adapter is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and 2000, as well as macOS 10.4-10.12.1. So, it will work on PC computers that other adapters don’t touch.
It doesn’t give speeds quite as good as the other options on this list, offering 150 MB/sec on 2.4GHz and 433 MB/sec on 5GHz, but that is still enough for streaming and gaming.
Pros:
- Compatible with older PCs
- Small and convenient
- Affordable
- Works on all networks
Cons:
- Slower speeds than other options
- No USB 3.0
This is a small, affordable, and convenient option that will appeal to anyone with an older computer whose in-built Wi-Fi has given up on them.
5. TP-Link Nano USB Wi-Fi Adapter For PC – Best Affordable
If you want to spend as little as possible, but still want something that gets the job done, this tiny adapter for less than $15 might appeal.
- USB 2.0
- Windows and macOS
- Dual-band
- 801.11ac protocol
As you would expect from a cheaper device, this adapter is a bit more limited. While it covers both 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections, you can only expect speeds of around 22 MB/sec and 433 MB/sec respectively. But that is more than enough for most people.
The adapter plugs into USB 2.0 and works with most devices, back compatible as far as XP on Windows and 10.9 on Mac.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Small and portable
- Works on all networks
- Works on most devices with good back compatibility
Cons:
- Relatively slow speeds
This isn’t the kind of adapter you are likely to get excited about, but it is perfect if you just want something small and affordable that works.
Buying Guide
When deciding if a USB Wi-Fi adapter is the right choice to use on your PC, there are four main things to consider.
Machine Compatibility
The first thing to check when choosing a Wi-Fi adapter is that it is compatible with your PC. This means that it is compatible with the version of Windows that you are running (or macOS if you are using a Mac). Some devices don’t have great back-compatibility, so it can be hard to find options for older machines that might need them the most.
The adapter will hopefully work with USB 3.0, as this will ensure better speeds (USB 3.0 is 10 times faster than USB 2.0). But again, make sure that it is back-compatible with USB 2.0 if you don’t have USB 3.0 ports on your machine.
Frequency
You will need an adapter that is compatible with the network you are using. For example, you won’t have much luck if you have an adapter that is only compatible with a 2.4GHz frequency when the internet you want to connect to is a 5 GHz frequency.
What are we talking about? Until 2013, all Wi-Fi acted over a 2.4GHz frequency, but this quickly became overcrowded, and a 5Ghz frequency was created.
So, you need to choose an adapter that works with both frequencies or at least the frequency of the network or networks you want to connect to.
There can be a temptation to believe that 5GHz is better than 2.4GHz because it is newer, but that is not always the case. While 5GHz is faster, the 2.4GHz frequency can travel further because lower frequencies pass through objects with more ease.
Data Transfer Speeds
The protocol of your Wi-Fi adapter will dictate the maximum data transfer speeds you can get. You will want to choose an adapter that gives you the best speeds and is also compatible with your network.
There are currently six protocols to choose from:
- WiFi2 – Protocol 802.11b – 2.4GHz frequency, 11MB/sec transfer speed
- WiFi3 – Protocol 802.11g – 2.4GHz frequency, 54MB/sec transfer speed
- WiFi4 – Protocol 802.11n – 2.4/5GHz frequency, 150/300MB/sec transfer speed
- WiFi5 – Protocol 802.11ac – 5GHz frequency, 866.7MB/sec transfer speed
- WiFi6 – Protocol 802.11ax – 5GHz frequency, 3.5MB/sec transfer speed
Remember that these are theoretical top speeds, and not promised speeds.
Distance
Do you just want an adapter because your in-built Wi-Fi isn’t working, or is it because you aren’t getting the speeds you need, maybe due to the distance from your router?
If the latter, you might consider an adapter with an external antenna, which will carry a much better signal than a small and discreet adapter.
But remember, while the antenna will help your adapter receive signals from a distance, it won’t help send them back. The return signal depends on the watts that the adapter puts out.
Looking for more tech to upgrade your PC? Check out our list of the best HTPC keyboards for your PC or your living room. If Wi-Fi is your main concern, read our recommendations for the best routers.
The Verdict
If you need something to replace or upgrade the Wi-Fi on your computer, a USB Wi-Fi adapter is a simple and effective solution.
When choosing from the hundreds of different options on the market, you need to check whether the adapter is compatible with your machine and the network you are using. If you plan to use multiple different networks, you will need a dual-band option that pretty much works on everything.
There are different speeds available, and as a general rule, the more you pay, the faster your connection will be. But how fast it needs to be depends on what you are doing. You might also consider an option with external antennae that can improve connectivity over distances or within difficult architectural spaces.
Hopefully, you will find an option that fits the bill for you on our list of recommended USB Wi-Fi adapters.
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