In this review we are going to discuss the best USB WiFi adapters that enable your motherboard PC, desktop and gaming devices to connect to a wireless router. If your desktop or PC does not come with a built-in Wifi adapter, these USB adapters will definitely do the trick with fast wireless internet connectivity. They can plug in to any USB port and allow your device to connect to the nearest wireless router with faster internet speeds. These wireless routers are ideal if you need your system to have a fast and stable internet connection for watching movies, gaming and streaming videos. They can also provide faster wireless connection if your laptop Wifi adapter is slow or not working properly. Be sure to check out our top picks for the best USB WiFi adapter below!
View the best USB Wifi Adapter below
#1 Best Overall: TP-Link USB Wifi Adapter for PC (AC600Mbps)
Signal Type: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band
Compatibility: Windows and Macbook devices (drivers included)
Connection type: USB with antenna
What we liked: Easy to install, highly portable
The TP-Link USB AC600Mbps is one of the best USB Wifi adapter you can find that provides high-speed internet connectivity. This adapter is designed to provide long range wireless connection and lag-free signal throughout the house, and is 3 times faster than wireless N speeds. It features dual band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band which provides flexible connections, giving your devices access to the latest dual-band Wi-Fi router for faster speeds and extended range. We liked the fact that this wireless adapter is essentially plug and play – it also supports Window and Mac OS 10.9 to 10.14.
We liked that this wireless Wifi adapter comes with a 5dBi high-gain antenna which greatly enhances the reception and transmission signal strength of the USB adapter. Do note that driver installation may be required, so be sure to go to the TP-Link website for the latest driver download. This adapter also comes with an installation disc to help you get started.
If you are looking for one of the best USB Wifi adapter for your PC or Mac devices, or just need an adapter to improve your signal quality, go for the TP-Link AC600 adapter.
#2 Best USB Wifi Dongle: TP-Link AC1300 USB Wifi Adapter
Signal Type: 2.4G/5GHz strong dual band connection
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, XP / Mac OS X 10.9 – 10.14
Connection type: USB 3.0 (10x faster than USB 2.0)
What we liked: Very small and compact, plug and play
If you are looking for one of the best USB Wifi adapter that is truly wireless and portable, go for the TP-Link AC1300 USB Wifi dongle. The AC1300 is essentially a dual-band Wifi extender for PC, desktop and laptop devices. It comes with a Archer T3U chip which provides 2.4G/5G strong high speed connection for your devices. It also comes with MU MIMO, which delivers beam-forming connection for a lag-free WiFi streaming experience.
The connection speed on this Wifi adapter is fast and reliable. The Archer T3U chip uses AC technology to deliver connection speeds that are up to 3x faster than previous wireless standards. It provides up to 400Mpbs and the 2.4 Mbps band and a rapid 867 Mbps on the 5GHz band for gaming and watching movies.
Furthermore, the TP-Link AC1300 uses USB 3.0 which provides 10x faster speed than USB 2.0, and comes with a mini and portable size that allows for easy portability.
Do note that this USB device comes with a CD for driver installation, but you can also download the drivers online. The Wifi adapter supports Windows and Mac OS devices.
If you are looking for a USB Wifi dongle that can deliver fast and stable internet connectivity, we highly recommend the TP-Link AC1300 USB Wifi adapter.
#3 Best USB Wifi Adapter for Gaming: EDUP USB WiFi Adapter (1300 Mbps)
Signal Type: 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz dual band signal
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP / Mac OS 10
Connection type: USB 3.0 (10x faster than USB 2.0)
What we liked: Rotatable antenna with increased range
The EDUP USB Wifi adapter is one of the best USB Wifi adapter for gaming with faster speeds and internet connectivity. This adapter provides 400 Mbps speeds on the 2.4 GHz band for web surfing with legacy devices, and 867 Mbps speeds on the 5.8 GHz band for HD streaming and online gaming. It provides a further 100 yards of coverage, which allows for strong internet connectivity between your router and your device.
The AC1300 series adapter is supported by all WLAN routers WPA/WPA2/WEP and provides uninterrupted wireless streaming without any loss in signal quality. Furthermore, the wireless adapter utilizes a 5dBi high-gain external antenna to ensure stronger signal transmission and reception – this allows for a stable Wifi connection throughout your entire home.
Finally, we also liked the fact that this Wifi router comes with a rotatable antenna for increased range; you can rotate and adjust the 5dBi high-gain external antenna to ensure stronger signal transmission and reception. It also provides a stable Wi-Fi connection during online gaming and multi-player games. It’s also compatible with windows and Mac OS devices.
We really did not experience any lag time while gaming with this wireless USB adapter. There are no issues with overheating and it works for gaming for several hours at a time – surprisingly without any drops in internet connection as well.
The EDUP USB Wifi Adapter comes with a 1300Mbps Wifi adapter, one 5dBi Antenna, USB Flash driver and user manual for easy reference.
#4 Best USB WiFi Adapter for Desktop: Netgear Nighthawk AC1900
Signal Type: 600Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 1300Mbps on 5GHz
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7 / Mac OS X 10.8.3 or later
Connection type: USB 3.0 (10x faster than USB 2.0)
What we liked: 3×4 MIMO design allows more bandwidth capacity
If you are looking for a fast USB Wifi adapter for desktop devices, go for the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900. This USB Wifi adapter can deliver speeds up to 600Mbps on 2.4 GHz broadband and 1300Mbps on 5Ghz. The device supports dual band Wifi for faster connections to more Wi-Fi networks, and is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems.
Furthermore, the Netgear Nighthawk is compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, and works well with PCs or laptop devices. One interesting feature about this Wifi adapter is the Windows standalone driver that allows you to use a built-in windows configuration tool to connect the adapter to a WiFi network. It also comes with powerful antennas with beamforming technology to boost speed and range for Wi-Fi connections.
This adapter uses a 3×4 MIMO design with more bandwidth capacity when downloading and uploading data and from the wireless network. It also works with any Wifi router for fast and reliable Wi-Fi speed connections.
When we tested out the Nighthawk USB adapter, we were surprised at how fast the wireless internet speed on this device was – you can stream music and play online games as though you are connected to a wired network. We recommend using this USB Wifi adapter with USB 3.0 for the better speed and range.
If you are looking to get one of the best USB Wifi adapters for desktop with fast internet speeds, we highly recommend the Netgeat Nighthawk AC1900.
#5 Best USB Wifi Adapter for PC: USB 3.0 WiFi Adapter AC 1300Mbps
Signal Type: 867Mbps on 5 GHz or 400Mbps on 2.4 GHz
Compatibility: Windows XP, 10, 8, 7, Vista / Mac OS 10.6 – 10.14
Connection type: USB 3.0 (10x faster than USB 2.0)
What we liked: Easy plug and play, Wi-Fi hot spot functionality
The USB 3.0 Wifi Adapter for PC is designed to deliver ultra-speed and stable signal over long ranges, and is specifically built for PC devices that need reliable wireless connectivity. This device upgrades your WiFi card to 1300Mbps, offering 867Mbps over 5Ghz or 400Mbps over 2.4GHz for online gaming and 4K ultra-HD video streaming. It also comes with a built-in advance chipset 8812BU which provides faster speeds and a more stable signal.
We liked the fact that this Wi-Fi adapter has wide compatibility with support for the latest versions of Windows and Mac OS. It also supports USB 3.0 ports for transfer rates of up to 5Gbps, which is up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0 connection. This ensures that the Wi-Fi adapter provides maximum performance and more stable internet connection.
One added advantage that this USB Wifi adapter has is its small size and portability. It works basically as a thumb drive which you can connect via USB port and is easy to carry around while travelling.
This Wifi adapter is built specifically for high sensitivity and strong signal reception – you can plug it in and get really good connectivity from your wireless router. It’s especially good if your laptop or PC’s built-in wireless adapter cannot get any signal (or low signal) and will act as a signal booster for your device.
To install the driver, you first need to install the driver from the disk and plug in the Wi-Fi adapter into the PC. Alternatively, you can also download the installation drivers online.
Overall, the USB 3.0 Wifi adapter for PC (AC1300 Mbps) is designed to deliver high-speed Wi-Fi connection to PC and desktop devices supporting Windows and Mac, and we highly recommend them if you want a stable and faster internet connection.
#6 Fastest USB Wifi Adapter: NET-DYN AC1900 USB WiFi Adapter
Signal Type: 5GHz and 2.4GHz, up to 865Mbps at 802.11ac
Compatibility: Windows or Mac OS
Connection type: USB 3.0 (10x faster than USB 2.0)
What we liked: Supported by all WLAN routers, fast connection speeds
If internet speed connection is most important for you, go for the NET-DYN AC1900 USB Wifi adapter. It’s one of the best USB Wifi adapter designed for faster speeds, and works as a good replacement to your modem or router. This adapter can perform at up to 865Mbit/s for the 5G band 802.11ac. We also liked that this adapter can provide up to 100 yards of coverage for longer distances internet connection. This 1900Mbps series adapter is supported by all WLAN routers including WPA/WPA2/WEP and allows for smooth internet connection without any drops.
In addition, the NET-DYN AC1900 supports USB 3.0 for peak performance and faster connections to Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless networks. The adapter also has 2×2 technology support with up to 867 Mbps up and down stream data rate. It works well with PC, Desktop or Mac devices running Windows or Mac OS. It also includes an internal antenna for even faster performance and gaming.
When we tested the NET-DYN AC1900 adapter, we were actually surprised at how fast this adapter was compared to the built-in laptop adapter. You can download speeds up to 10x the original speed with the new drivers installed. It’s perfect if you need to download a lot of files or for online gaming where you need uninterrupted high bandwidth streaming.
This USB Wifi adapter is compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 and Vista, and Mac 10.9 to 10.10 operating systems. It is also 64/128 bit WEP, WPA,WPA2 secure enabled.
Overall, the NET-DYN AC1900 is one of the best USB Wifi adapters designed for fast and reliable internet speeds, and we highly recommend them if you are looking for something to boost your internet speeds for your devices.
#7 Best USB Wifi Adapter for Macbook Pro: NET-DYN USB Wireless WiFi Adapter AC1200
Signal Type: 867Mbps at 5GHz and 300Mbps at 2.4GHz
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP / Mac 10.7 to 10.8
Connection type: USB 3.0 or USB 2.0
What we liked: Very strong internet speeds, 100 yards range
The NET-DYN USB Wifi Adapter AC1200 is one of the best USB wifi adapter for Macbook Pro, but works well with Windows and desktop devices. It’s a really fast Wifi adapter that provides up to 865Mbit/s for the 5G band at 802.11ac, and allows you to stream movies and music without any drops in internet connectivity. It is essentially a dual band adapter with 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz with up to 100 yards of coverage. This 1200Mbps series adapter is also supported by all WLAN routers including WPA/WPA2/WEP.
This USB adapter is easy to set up – all you need to do is plug it into your Macbook and install the drivers via disc or download online. It amplifies the Wifi signal so that you can get Wifi in any spot within 100 yards from the router. Currently, the NET-DYN USB adapter is compatible with Mac OS 10.7 to 10.8.
We were pretty impressed by the connection speed with this USB adapter. After running several bandwidth tests we found that the signal strength is much stronger with this USB Wifi adapter plugged into the Macbook computer. There are no connection issues, no dropped connections or adapted-related issues while downloading files and watching videos on YouTube.
Finally, we liked the fact that this USB adapter is small and portable, and fits in any travel case (it’s roughly the same size as a USB thumb-drive).
Overall, the NET-DYN USB Wireless Wifi Adapter is a pretty solid option for Macbook Pro devices (as well as desktop and PC running windows), and we highly recommend them.
#8 Best USB Wifi Adapter for Windows 10: Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 USB 3.0 Adapter
Signal Type: 867 Mbps on 5 GHz band, 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz band
Compatibility: Supports Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista
Connection type: USB 3.0 or USB 2.0
What we liked: Lightning fast HD video and online gaming speeds
The Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 is one of the best USB Wifi adapters for Windows 10 devices (supports Windows 10, 8, 7, XP and Vista). It’s suitable for lightning fast HD video and gaming, and provides up to 867 Mbps speed on Wireless AC 5 GHz band or up to 300 Mbps speed on wireless N 2.4 GHz band. It’s a really good option if you want to upgrade your Windows-based PC or laptop to a high-speed adapter, or as an improvement over built-in older Wi-Fi adapters.
Furthermore, this USB Wifi adapter is compatible with all wireless AC 802.11ac routers, access points and extenders, and supports up to 128 bit encryption (WEP, WPA and WPA2). It also supports WPS (Wi-Fi protected setup) with a button for easy connection with your wireless router.
There are selectable dual bands for better coverage – you can choose the router wireless AC devices to the higher speed 5 GHz band or the older 2.4 GHz band. It works with all existing Wifi routers, including your existing unit from your internet service provider.
We found that this USB Wifi adapter very fast – it has extended wireless range and can improve the download speeds on your computer while connected to the wireless router. It also provides easy plug and play operation, and is ideal for HD music streaming and gaming.
Installation-wise, it also comes with a CD setup wizard or you can download the drivers online. We liked the tiny portable design which makes it look like a USB thumbdrive.
Overall, the Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 is one of the best USB Wifi adapters we have tested for Windows operating systems, so be sure to check them out!
#9 Best Budget USB Wifi Adapter: Linksys AE6000 Wireless USB Adapter
Signal Type: 430 Mbps on 5 GHz or 150 Mbps on 2.4 GHz
Compatibility: Supports Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista
Connection type: USB 3.0 or USB 2.0
What we liked: Easy to setup and connect, good adapter on a budget
The Linksys AE6000 is one of the best USB Wifi adapter that supports dual band Wifi streaming and high-speed connectivity. It can provide a maximum speed of up to 430 Mbps on wireless AC 5 GHz band or up to 150 Mbps speed on wireless N 2.4 GHz bands, and works as a good upgrade for laptops or desktops without any Wifi adapter. The AE6000 provides for selectable dual-band networks and can operate at either 2.4 GHz on wireless-N or 5 GHz on wireless-AC to avoid any wireless interference. Furthermore, it supports up to 128-bit encryption (WEP, WPA and WPA2) for added security purposes.
While the connection speed and range on the Linksys AE6000 isn’t the fastest we have tested, it does provide relatively good connectivity and download speeds. The connection on this USB Wifi adapter stays consistent and the signal is strong; it also automatically connects to the router when the laptop is turned on. It’s actually a pretty fast wireless adapter to use with good internet streaming speeds, and we really like the ease of setup and connection quality.
The only issue we had with the Linksys AE6000 is that the connection may intermittent due to the USB power port – be sure to turn off the USB power saver on your laptop or desktop configuration or your USB Wifi adapter may slow down.
Overall, the Linksys AE6000 is one of the best USB Wifi adapter you can find on a budget that is fast, reliable and easy to install. It’s a really good solution for those looking for a quick fix for their wireless internet connectivity.
#10 Best Long Range USB Wifi Adapter: Techkey USB WiFi Adapter (1750Mbps)
Signal Type: 1300 Mbps at 5.8GHz and 450 Mbps at 2.4 GHz
Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista / Mac OS
Connection type: USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 (USB 3.0 is 10x faster than 2.0)
What we liked: Ability to create Wi-Fi hot spot with Soft AP feature
The Techkey USB Wifi Adapter (1750Mbps) is one of the best USB Wifi adapter with long range wireless capabilities. This Wifi adapter comes with 2 long range Wifi antennas for double extended range and stable internet connection. It is a good option if you want to upgrade your PC to 802.11ac with ultra-fast AC1750 wireless adapter speeds, and you can get 1300Mbps wireless speed on 5GHz Wifi band or 450Mbps speed on 2.4GHz Wifi. The Techkey adapter also works with any wireless router, including AC/A/B/G/N routers.
The Techkey wireless adapter is compatible with both USB 3.0 and 2.0, although we would highly recommend using your USB 3.0 port for 10x the internet speed. The internet connectivity on this device is extremely stable and fast, and we were able to see a marked improvement in the file download speeds and through online gaming. You can play online games without any lag or sudden drops; it feels almost as though you are connected via LAN.
Do note that if you are using a desktop computer, we’d recommend plugging in the Wi-Fi dongle behind the computer to get more power for smooth operation. If you are using this together if your laptop, you’d probably want to turn off the built-in Wi-Fi for avoid any conflicts.
Also, if you are using Windows 10 on your PC, there’s no need to install any additional drivers for the Wifi adapter to work. It is very simple to use – just plug and play and you’ll get good internet speeds from the 5GHz band.
We liked the fact that the Techkey USB adapter has a Wi-Fi hot spot function that allows you to create a hot spot if your computer is using wired internet connection. This allows you to boost Wi-Fi connectivity for your mobile devices from your computer.
Overall, the Techkey adapter is one of the best USB Wifi adapters we have tested for long range and reliable internet speeds, and we highly recommend them.