What is a WiFi adapter, and how to pick the best one for you?
What is a WiFi adapter, and how to pick the best one for you?
Have you ever encountered the following problems caused by an unstable network? Your video conferences slowing down to a crawl, your online games experiencing massive latency to the point you rage quit, or maybe your video streams suffering from stop-and-go buffering. All of these issues stem from poor internet connections.
But what happens when you already have a solid internet plan and a top-notch router to go with it? If you’ve done everything to set up fantastic WiFi throughout your home, maybe all you need is a high-performance wireless adapter.
Here, we will dive into several questions to explain what a WiFi adapter is, how to use a WiFi adapter, what a WiFi adapter can do, and how to choose the right adapter to match your needs.
What is a WiFi adapter?
A WiFi adapter allows your wired device to pick up WiFi signals. So if you have a desktop computer, you can connect it to a network wirelessly. A WiFi adapter can also serve as a hardware upgrade to your laptop, strengthening its wireless reception or updating it to the latest WiFi generation.
How fast is a WiFi adapter?
Usually, internet service providers provide several different network bandwidth packages like 20 Mbps, 60 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and 300 Mbps. If you subscribe to only 20 Mbps for network bandwidth, then the speed for your wireless adapter will not be high. Similarly, the wireless adapter won’t achieve a high speed when using a lower-end wireless router. The router and the bandwidth affect a wireless adapter’s speed. If you want your wireless adapter to do its best, ensure you have a good router and network bandwidth.
In the following section, we will introduce various types of WiFi adapters so you can have a basic understanding of WiFi adapters and find the ideal one for your situation.
Types of network adapters
- Independent network adapter
An independent network adapter is a device with its own processor, internal memory, and network line interface. It can be connected to the computer motherboard through the PCI-E interface. If the built-in network adapter on the computer motherboard breaks, you can buy an independent network adapter to replace it.
- Integrated network adapter
An integrated network adapter is an accessory with a signal receiver and a transmitter. It can integrate an independent network adapter into the motherboard of the computer. Compared with an independent network adapter, it is smaller in size and thus saves space, but it cannot work independently.
Installation types
- External installation｜USB adapter
A USB adapter connects to a computer’s USB port to grant wireless connectivity. It is small in size and easy to carry. Compared with PCIe adapters, the USB adapters sacrifice a bit of performance for convenience.
- Internal installation｜PCIe adapter
A PCIe wireless adapter is plugged into the computer’s PCIe interface. It provides a more stable and faster transmission speed. However, compared with the USB adapter, its installation requires more than just plug-and-play. Therefore, before installing a PCIe adapter, make sure it is compatible with your computer.
3 Tips for choosing the right WiFi adapter
Tip 1: Operating System Compatibility
When purchasing a WiFi adapter, the first thing you should pay attention to is its compatibility. Some are only suitable for Windows systems, while others are available for both Windows and Mac systems. Make sure the WiFi adapter is compatible with your computer; otherwise, the WiFi adapter will be useless.
Tip 2: Driver Installation Type
WiFi adapters usually require driver installation. Some come with an installation CD, while others need users to download the driver from their official websites. So, when choosing a WiFi adapter, you should understand how to install the driver and make sure you have the right installation method.
Tip 3: Bracket and other accessories
If you are buying a PCIe adapter, you will need to pay special attention to whether it is compatible with the built-in equipment of your computer. Some PCIe adapters come with a standard bracket and short bracket, giving you the flexibility to mount the adapter anyway you need.
Recommended WiFi adapters
Founded in 1996, TP-Link is a global provider of reliable networking devices and accessories involved in all aspects of everyday life. The company is ranked by analyst firm IDC as the No. 1 provider of WiFi devices for 11 consecutive years, supplying distribution to more than 170 countries and serving billions of people worldwide. WiFi adapters make up some of the best sellers. TP-Link provides a variety of safe and high-quality networks adapters, allowing you to easily solve your network problems and enjoy a smooth internet experience.
- Archer T9UH ｜AC1900 High Gain Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter
With IEEE 802.11ac, Archer T9UH lets your PC or laptop enjoy connections 3× faster than Wireless N with Wireless AC technology. It also supports dual band WiFi—with the 5 GHz band for lag-free gaming and HD streaming and the 2.4 GHz band for video calls and shopping online.
- Archer T2U Nano｜AC600 Nano Wireless USB Adapter
Archer T2U Nano receives WiFi signals on two separate bands. 256-QAM technology increases the 2.4 GHz data rate from 150 Mbps to 200 Mbps for 33% faster performance. 433 Mbps on 5 GHz is ideal for HD video streaming and lag-free online gaming, while 200 Mbps on 2.4 GHz is perfect for normal use, such as web surfing with legacy devices.
- Archer T3U Plus｜AC1300 High Gain Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter
With two high-gain antennas built in one, Archer T3U Plus boosts your signal reception and data transmission more than traditional single-antenna WiFi adapters. This means greater WiFi coverage and a more stable WiFi connection without WiFi drops and lag, even from farther away or across multiple walls.
- TX401 ｜10 Gigabit PCI Express Network Adapter
Combined with the latest 10GBase-T technology, TX401 reaches blazing-fast data rates up to 10 billion bits per second—10× faster than standard Gigabit Ethernet. It also comes with a CAT6A Ethernet cable and a short bracket for a more convenient experience.
- Archer TX50E ｜AX3000 WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.2 PCIe Adapter
With the latest WiFi standard, WiFi 6, Archer TX50E provides extreme speeds and ultra-low latency. WiFi 6 comes with 1024-QAM and 160 MHz bandwidth, for powerful, continuous WiFi. Bandwidth-intensive applications like VR demand high speeds, which WiFi 6 delivers—3× faster speeds than WiFi 5. Just insert Archer TX50E into your PC for fully immersive VR experiences.
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