Best Wifi Adapter for Windows, Mac & Linux [2023]

If you’re looking to speed up the connection of your PC or laptop, then you could consider switching broadband providers, purchasing a new router, or invest in a new wireless extender. But the easiest way for you to do this is buy investing in a good wifi adapter.

A wireless adapter will completely override your computers current wireless connectivity, and give you a connection that’s going to be faster and more reliable too. It is also a good way for you to enable an internet connection on a computer that may not already have the ability to connect to your wi-fi.

And with a wireless connection being increasingly important, getting a good download speed is necessary. We’re going to run through for of the best USB wi-fi adapters out there that you can choose from.

Best Wifi Adapter

ProductImageSpeed IncreaseGet More Info
Aigital Wifi AdapterNo products found.867MbpsCheck Price at Amazon
PiAEK USB Wifi AdapterPiAEK USB Wifi Adapter, Dual Band Wifi Dongle 2.4GHz/300Mbps 5.8GHz/867Mbps Wireless Network Adapter with USB 3.0 Cradle and Extension Cable for PC Desktop Laptop Support Windows 10/8/7 OSX Linux867MbpsCheck Price at Amazon
AX200 AdapterZiyituod WiFi 6 Card, 3000Mbps Wireless Adapter with Bluetooth5.1, Dual-Band(2.4G / 5G) PCIe WiFi Card for Desktop PC, Support Windows 10 64bit,Linux2400MbpsCheck Price at Amazon
TP-LINK AC600TP-Link AC600 High Gain USB Wi-Fi Dongle, Dual Band Wi-Fi Adapter with 5dBi Antenna for PC/Desktop/Laptop, Supports Windows11/10/8.1/8/7/XP, Mac OS X 10.9-10.14 (Archer T2U Plus)433MbpsCheck Price at Amazon
EDUP Gaming WiFi AdapterEDUP 1300Mbps USB WiFi Dongle USB 3.0 WiFi Adapter with 5dBi Antenna 802.11ac Dual Band 2.4GHz/5GHz for PC/Desktop/Laptop, Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista, Mac OS X 10.9-10.15867MbpsCheck Price at Amazon

No products found.

No products found.

For those looking for a significantly faster wifi connection, then you’ll want to check out this Aigital adapter. It’s much better than the smaller adapters and dongles that are out there, and it can make a massive difference in the performance of your computer or laptop.

It offers an awesome 867mbps increase in speeds over the 5.0GHz band, and it’s compatible with all different routers, and both Mac and Windows OS. All you need to do before you use this adapter is install the right drivers, which is a 2 minute job and won’t take you very long at all.

Another thing that makes this adapter work very well is that it comes with an extension cord. This let’s you move the adapter away from your computer, so you’ll only have a cable going into the USB port. This also enables you to put your adapter in the best place to get the best signal too.

It’s probably the best wifi adapter available on the market right now, and it’s not particularly expensive either. So, if you want a more stable connection, then it is one you’ll want to consider.


Verdict: You can easily use this USB adapter to get a better wireless connection with your laptop or computer.


PiAEK USB Wifi Adapter

PiAEK USB Wifi Adapter, Dual Band Wifi Dongle 2.4GHz/300Mbps 5.8GHz/867Mbps Wireless Network Adapter with USB 3.0 Cradle and Extension Cable for PC Desktop Laptop Support Windows 10/8/7 OSX Linux

Most adapters out there are quite similar in nature. They connect to your computer via USB, and they may or may not have an antenna. This model uses dual antennae, which helps it connect to your home wifi very easily. The antennae are removable if you prefer to not have them attached to the device.

This model can support up to 1200mbps of wifi speed over both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands. It’s full compatible with wifi 6, and it uses USB 3.0, which is going to be faster than 2.0, as well as giving a more reliable connection too.

This could be the perfect addition to your home setup to finally get the fast internet surfing experience that you require. It comes with a CD included which you can use to install the drivers necessary, or you can go on their website to download it too.

There’s not too much to distinguish these adapters from each other. But, this is another safe and reliable choice if you’re not looking to spend a whole lot of money.


Verdict: If you want to make sure that you’ve got a good USB wi-fi adapter, then this is a top choice. It works as it should, and it is very simple to set up.


AX200 Adapter

Ziyituod WiFi 6 Card, 3000Mbps Wireless Adapter with Bluetooth5.1, Dual-Band(2.4G / 5G) PCIe WiFi Card for Desktop PC, Support Windows 10 64bit,Linux

For those looking for a wi-fi adapter for PC gaming, then you’re going to need the biggest speed increases possible. This model, the AX200 by the brand Ziyituod, is proven to give a great increase of up to 2400mbps.

Although this isn’t made by a big name brand like TP Link or Netgear, don’t let that put you off considering it. The hardware it uses is still of a good quality, and is certified for working with Wifi 6. It’s fully Bluetooth integrated and it’s very easy to set up too.

This is also the best choice if you’re using a computer or laptop that runs on an alternative operating system to the mainstream. So, if you’ve got a device running on the Chrome OS or you’re running Linux, then this is compatible with both of them.

Overall, for people looking for the maximum increase they can get on their current wifi speeds, this is a safe bet. It’s relatively cheap for the amount of difference it can make in your overall internet connection.


Verdict: This plug and play device works get with Windows, or it could also be a good wi-fi adapter for gaming too.


TP-Link AC600 High Gain USB Wi-Fi Dongle, Dual Band Wi-Fi Adapter with 5dBi Antenna for PC/Desktop/Laptop, Supports Windows11/10/8.1/8/7/XP, Mac OS X 10.9-10.14 (Archer T2U Plus)

If you’re looking for a significant increase in speed over your current connection, the the TP Link AC600 is probably one worth checking out. It’s a dual band wifi adapter that can help to increase the speed of your computer.

This is a good option for those that are looking for a cheap solution to the problem. It will definitely give you a faster wifi connection over the standard, and it’s reasonably priced too. It’s completely compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. It isn’t a good choice to use with Linux, so check one of the other options out if you’re using that OS.

Whilst it does work over both bandwidths, what we’re really interested in is how it works over a 5.0GHz channel. It can improve your internet speed by more than 400mbps, which is going to be very significant for most people.

This adapter probably isn’t going to give you the biggest increase possible. But, if you are looking for a good compromise between value and performance, then it is worth considering as an option, as it is very cheap.


Verdict: Sticking with the reliable TP Link Archer series is a wise idea as you know what you’re going to get.


EDUP Gaming WiFi Adapter

EDUP 1300Mbps USB WiFi Dongle USB 3.0 WiFi Adapter with 5dBi Antenna 802.11ac Dual Band 2.4GHz/5GHz for PC/Desktop/Laptop, Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista, Mac OS X 10.9-10.15

Another good option if you’re looking for a wifi adapter for gaming is this model from EDUP. It offers a 867mbps improvement on your current connection, which should be more than enough for anyone looking for a faster gaming connection.

Opting for a wifi adapter can be the best way for you to get rid of the dead zones in your house. If your bedroom doesn’t get the same level of internet connection as the rest of your house, then an adapter like this can make all the difference.

It can connect to your wifi network very easily, and it won’t cause any kind of issue with the other devices in your home. It’s an easy way to improve your connection without having to invest in a more expensive solution.

It’s very simple for you to installed this adapter, and it should take more than a few minutes. You can also rotate the antenna of this device very easily, and doing so can help you to find a better signal, meaning faster wifi.

Altogether, this is another good choice for anyone looking for a competent wifi adapter that can get the job done.


Verdict: This dual band adapter could be the perfect way to deliver a better connection to your computer.


Common Questions about Wifi Adapters

What does a wireless WiFi adapter do?

If you’re still not concrete on what a wifi adapter actually does, then here it is in pretty simple terms. Modern laptops have the ability to sustain a wifi connection built in to them. However, for many laptops, this isn’t the strongest of connections due to the hardware used in them. A wifi adapter is just this – another way to connect to the wifi router in your home. But, the hardware used in the adapter is better than the tech used in your laptop, so should allow you to get a faster connection, especially with an antennae too.

Does a wifi adapter give you wifi?

No, a wifi adapter alone will not give you why. It’s easy to get confused, because many people use the words dongle and adapter interchangeably. But, most wifi adapters are designed to be used with an external source of wifi e.g. a router. But, if you want a plug in USB wifi connection then you’re better off looking for a dongle.

Will a WiFi adapter increase my signal?

Yes, a good wifi will do exactly that. it will completely override your laptops internal wifi connector, and instead replace it with the one that’s in the adapter. This is typically plugged into your USB port, which will offer a much better connection overall.

How do I choose a WiFi adapter?

When you’re trying to decide on the right wifi adapter, then take a few things into consideration. Firstly, the band you’re going to be used – most people will be using the 5.0GHz wifi band, which will give you the biggest improvements in speed and the fastest connection (yet also the most erratic too). Also, think about the connection method of the adapter – most of them are via USB, but you can get other methods of connection out there too.

Are wifi adapters good for gaming?

Many of the people that invest in a wifi adapter are looking to improve their connection because they’re gaming. If you are a PC gamer and you’re struggling with your connection at home, then a good wifi adapter could be exactly what you need to speed things up.

Conclusion

Whilst a wifi adapter is never going to be the most important part of your home internet setup, it can make a massive difference to the speed of your internet.

Some people won’t need a wifi adapter, and in some cases it may not be able to fix your slow internet. But if your internet is fine in certain spaces around your home and better in others, then an adapter can be a quick fix to this problem.

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About Jon

Hey, I'm Jon. I'm an engineer by trade, so it makes sense that I'm obsessed with anything technology related! On the weekends, you can find me playing around with my computers or fixing something around the house. Feel free to leave a comment if you want to get in touch.

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