In 2023, working from home will be more common, making a reliable network connection essential. A great tool for establishing a reliable connection in your home or office LAN or built-in wireless connection is a USB Wi-Fi adapter.
A USB Wi-Fi adaptor eliminates the need for cables to be strung throughout your home or place of business.
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What is a USB Wi-Fi Adapter and Why You Should Buy One?
A USB Wi-Fi adapter is a device that allows you to connect your laptop or desktop computer to a wireless network. It is also known as a wireless adapter card.
The following are some of the reasons why you should buy one:
1) It provides you with more mobility and flexibility. You can work from anywhere in your home, office, or even out of town if you have an internet connection.
2) You don’t need to worry about running out of batteries on your laptop because it draws power from the USB port on your computer.
3) It’s cheaper than other options like getting an Ethernet cable installed at home or buying a new Router with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.
How to Use a USB WiFi Adapter
The main advantage of using a USB WiFi adapter is that it requires no installation, no configuration, and no drivers. You just plug it in and your computer will automatically detect it.
The most common types of USB Wi-Fi adapters are USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 adapters.
The performance of these two types varies depending on the speed of your internet connection, as well as other factors such as distance from your wireless router and interference from other wireless devices in your vicinity.
Find below our favorite USB Wi-Fi Adapters to enable you to decide which one best suits your situation.
TP-Link TL-WN725N is a wireless N Nano USB Adapter that allows a user to connect a Laptop or a Desktop to a wireless network at a high speed of up to 150Mbps. It is ideal for voice streaming, video streaming, and online gaming.
TL-WN725N has a sleek miniature design to be as convenient as possible. It can be connected to any USB port and left there when traveling or at home.
It comes with advanced security, supporting 64/128 WEP, PA2/WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK (TKIP/AES), and WPA.
TL-WN725N requires Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP, Linux (kernel 2.6.18 ~ 4.4.3), or Mac OS X. It is easy to connect with a setup utility that comes in 14 different languages.
TP-Link TL-WN823N 300Mbps Wireless Mini is designed for connecting your Laptop or Desktop to a wireless network and enjoying high-speed wireless performance.
The TL-WN823N miniature design makes it easy to carry around.
With a wireless Speed of 300Mbps and advanced MIMO Technology, the TL-WN823N Adapter provides you with lag-free Online gaming, smooth HD video, and voice streaming.
When you turn your adapter to SoftAP Mode, it makes your wired internet connection to a Laptop or Desktop into a Wi-Fi hotspot.
TL-WN823N requires Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP, Linux (kernel 2.6.18 ~ 4.4.3), or Mac OS X. It is easy to set up with a one-touch WPS button for a secure wireless connection.
TP-Link USB 300Mbps Dongle comes with two high-gain external antennas for stronger signal transmission and reception. You will be able to get a strong and stable wireless signal even if your router is at a distance, different room, or different floor.
This device is easy to use, with one-touch wireless security that is encrypted with the quick security setup button.
It comes with a 1.5M USB flexible cable for convenient deployment. It is fully compatible with IEEE 802.11 b/g/n wireless devices, delivering speedy 11n speeds, and is great for voice streaming, video streaming, and online gaming.
TP-Link Wireless USB Adapter TL-WN722N allows users to connect a Laptop or a Desktop to a wireless network at a high-speed Internet connection of up to 150Mbps.it is ideal for voice streaming, video streaming, and online gaming
It comes with a high gain 4dBi Detachable antenna to ensure a superior range and stability.
It is easy to set up wireless security by simply just a push of the WPS button.
TL-WN722N is compatible with Windows (XP,7,8,8.1and 10), Linux Kernal (2. 6. 18~4. 4. 3), and Mac OS (10. 9 -10. 15).
Archer T2U Nano is a tiny TP-Link AC600 Wireless USB Adapter, with a powerful connection. Its miniature design makes you will be able to plug it into your Desktop or Laptop and forget it in, making it best for home or traveling use.
Archer T2U Adapter receives Wi-Fi Signals in dual bands, 600Mbps speeds with 200 Mbps on 2.4GHz, and 433 Mbps on 5GHz for fast and high-speed wireless connections.
It supports Windows XP7/8/8.1/10 and Mac OS X operating systems. It also supports WPA/WPA2, 64/128-bit WEP, and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryption standards advanced Security.
Archer T2U Wi-Fi Roaming enables you to connect automatically to the nearest network as you move around.
Archer T2U Adapter has a friendly user interface for simple installation and use.
Edimax EW-7811Un 150Mbps 11n Wi-Fi USB Adapter is a nano USB wireless adapter that permits users to have a maximum range and speed.
This tiny miniature USB adapter supports a great data rate of up to 150Mbps when connecting with wireless 802.11n devices, this is 3 times faster than the normal 11g greatly helping in reducing dead sports.
EW-7811Un can be plugged into the USB Port of your Desktop or Laptop for high-speed wireless network access at home or when traveling.
This USB Adapter is designed with the latest Power-saving technology, it allows a smart transmission of power control and automatically idle state power adjustment. It also supports the Wi-Fi Multimedia standard letting different types of data have different priorities.
EW-7811Un is currently the world’s smallest wireless adapter. It is convenient to carry when traveling. It cannot get lost easily since it is hidden very well once it is plugged into the USB port of your Desktop or Laptop.
NinePlus Wireless USB Wi-Fi adapter uses 2 long-range Wi-Fi Antennas of 5dBi that make it ensure range-extended Wi-Fi connection and have superior stability for Desktops and Laptops.
This device is ultra-fast with AC1200 wireless adapter speed. You will get a Maximum of 867Mbps Wireless Speed on the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band or 300Mbps on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for streaming games online and seamless HD video streaming.
NinePlus Wireless is a super USB 3.0 0 Wi-Fi Adapter for desktops and Laptops. The USB 3.0 Adapter Speed is 10 times more than USB 2.0, it Supports the wireless adapter for desktop speed up to a fast link for the USB port.
When your Desktop is under a wired internet connection you can create a Hot spot with the Soft AP feature. You can also boost Wi-Fi to your home mobile devices from your Desktop.
BrosTrend 1200 Mbps Long Range is a Dual Band USB Wi-Fi Adapter that is Excellent for Online 4K Video, Gaming, High-Quality Music, and Facebook. You Can Get 867Mbps Wireless Speed on the 5 GHz Wi-Fi Band or 300Mbps Speed on the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band.
This device will boost your connection range; it comes with 2 pieces of 5dBi High Gain Wi-Fi Antennas, the Long Range Wi-Fi Adapter Ensures Range Extended Wi-Fi and Superior Stability on Your Desktop and Laptop.
It is equipped with a USB 3.0 cradle with an extension cable 5 feet, to connect it to any USB Ports of Your Desktop or Laptop. You can also plug this USB Wi-Fi Dongle directly into any USB port of Your Desktops or Laptops.
BrosTrend USB Wi-Fi Adapter comes with a USB 3.0 Port which Works 10 Times Faster than USB 2.0 to ensure a More Stable and Solid Internet Connection. USB 3.0 Port is Backward Compatible with USB 2.0 Port.
Edup USB Wi-Fi Adapter is compatible with Windows XP/ Vista/ 7/ 8/ 8. 1/ 10 and Mac OS X 10.6 ~10.15.3. (Not compatible with Linux).
This device upgrades your Wi-Fi card to AC 600Mbps Wi-Fi speeds, offering 433Mbps over 5GHz / 150Mbps over 2. 4GHz.
EDUP USB Wi-Fi Dongle supports AP function; you will be able to create a Wi-Fi hot spot to enable you to offer Wi-Fi signals to your home Wi-Fi devices.
It can plug and play for Windows 10 without installing drivers, but you must install a driver for Windows 8.1/8/7/XP/Vista and Mac OS.
Blueshadow USB Wi-Fi adapter gives maximum speed up to 5GHz 433Mbps or 2.4GHz 150Mbps. It is ideal for gaming online and seamless HD video streaming. It Is an ultra-fast AC600 wireless adapter speed with 802.11ac.
This device can help you connect even when signals are weak. it is easy to carry and has no space occupation with mini size.
It is Compatible with Windows XP/7/8/10 MAC OS 10.5-10.15, Linux. Each system should have a corresponding driver.
Blueshadow wifi USB Adapter is compatible with almost all Wi-Fi Routers. Using this Wi-Fi network adapter you can upgrade your Desktop and Laptop with the latest dual-band router for faster speed and extended range.
Techkey wifi Adapter is a dual band 2.42 GHz and 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi USB. You will have a solid and fast wireless connection at home or even when you are outside. You can surf anywhere at home because of its 100 yards of coverage.
This device is simple to operate; you only need to plug it into any USB port, install drivers and Go, whether you are using Windows or Mac OS system.
It is supported by all WLAN routers and it is not interfered with by other interfering devices such as Bluetooth or cordless phones. You will not experience unexpected call interruptions or signal degradation.
Techkey Wi-Fi Adapter will provide you with faster speeds at up to 300Mbps on 802.11n or 867Mbps on 802.11AC, and a lag-free connection for PC, online video, or gaming.
It has a rotatable 5dBi High Gain Antenna that further enhances the reception and transmission signal of the USB wireless network adapter. The 360° rotatable antenna provides a stronger wireless transmission and receives signals from any angle.
It offers flexible connectivity in both 2.42GHz and 5.8GHz bands, enabling faster access and extended range for your Desktop or Laptop.
It supports Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / XP / Mac OS X 10.9-10.15. . Driver installation is required.
Conclusion:
A USB Wi-Fi adapter can be used for connecting to hotspots, or for connecting wired devices such as printers or game consoles.
Wireless networks are becoming more and more common in the workplace, with most offices now having Wi-Fi installed.
For those who work from home, this is also an important investment. But what if you don’t have a wireless network? Or what if your office has a wired connection? You might need a USB Wi-Fi adapter to connect wirelessly.
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- Streaming Media Devices
- Gaming Headsets
- Office Headset
- Smart Speakers
- SpeakerPhones
SAMMY MWANGI the editor of Autohomegadgets.com. He is an Electronics Technician enthusiast and a Sales Manager in one of the leading ICT companies in Africa. When he is not working, he loves to travel and explore nature. He is a Robot fanatic too.