Nowadays, Wi-Fi adapters have become indispensable devices in every home, school, and office. The Internet is asserting its essential role. It gradually becomes an urgent need with electricity and water that we use every day, especially with professional gamers.
Therefore, finding the best Wifi adapter for pc gaming is significant. However, there are many of these devices on the market today. Not everyone knows to choose a good Wi-Fi adapter suitable for users’ needs and the price. The following article will provide you with some essential information when selecting a Wi-Fi adapter. Let’s take a look!
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Contents
Top 7 Best WiFi Adapters for PC Gaming 2021
#1 TP-Link AC1300 Archer T6E Wi-Fi Adapter
The TP-Link AC1300 Archer T6E is in the form of a card. When buying this Wi-Fi adapter, you need to plug the TP-Link into a PCI-E slot. You will then have a network speed that is about 1300Mbps at maximum on dual 2.4GHz 400Mbps or 5GHz 867Mbps.
Furthermore, the model comes with 2x external antennas, which improves the range and provides excellent stability for video streaming and online gameplay. Additionally, it is compatible with 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.22g standards. It will support well for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and XP 32/64bit.
Pros
- Ultimate range
- Stable performance
- Lightning-fast speed
Cons
- The customer support needs some improvements.
With the compact and convenient design, this Wi-Fi adapter is straightforward to install. Besides, it provides you with exceptional speeds, making it perfect for online gamers in need of fast, strong, and stable connections at any moment.
#2 NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi Adapter
This adapter comes with a USB 3.0 port so that you can plug it directly into the PC. If not, there is an included desk standing base for you to connect the adapter. Plus, the Beamforming+ equipped inside can enhance speed, reliability, and the network’s range.
The Nighthawk AC1900 is compatible with Windows 7,8, Windows 10 32/64-bit, Mac OS X 10.8.3, and above. Utilizing the 802.11ac technology, this adapter can provide an ultra-fast Wi-Fi speed of 1.96Gbps. All of these features make this AC1900 the best USB Wi-Fi adapter to obtain high-speed Internet to any laptop and PC wirelessly.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Noticeable signal strength improvement
- Fast performance
Cons
- The adapter might overheat after an hour.
Hard-core gamers and people who often stream movies will be satisfied with this adapter’s capabilities and features. The speed will be boosted up to 1300Mbps on 5GHz or 600Mpbs on 2.4GHz, allowing more Wi-Fi connections than the standard one often does.
#3 ASUS PCE-AC88 AC3100 PCIe Wi-Fi Adapter
Firstly, this adapter’s 4 antennae provide extended range and fast speeds that any high-quality corded one can do. With the 5GHz band, the speed is about 2.1Gbps, while on the 2.5GHz band, it will be 1Gbps. So, it is genuinely a must-have for hard-core gamers who need an incredibly reliable and stable Wi-Fi network.
Secondly, although many wireless cards are likely to overheat, this will not happen with ASUS PCE-AC88. It can solve the heat issues thanks to the additional heatsinks. However, your case also ensures to run at a low temperature so that the card can do its job well.
Pros
- Worth the money
- Immensely fast
- Flexible antenna placement
Cons
- Relatively expensive
Unfortunately, this adapter cannot work with laptops as it requires the PCIe spot, which is on the computer’s motherboard. However, when the setup is successful, you will find out that this is one of the fastest adapters on the market these days.
#4 EDUP AC600 USB Wi-Fi Adapter
This is another little device with significant power mentioned on this article list. And it can do wonders for gaming, video streaming, and more. On its 2.4Ghz, the capacity can be up to 150Mbps. At the same time, on 5.8Ghz, you get the compatibility of 433 Mbps.
These features seem to be acceptable at this affordable price. Plus, it would be better if you place it near a router to give out decent speeds. Besides, it might not be suitable for streaming from great distances or through large walls.
Pros
- Innovative
- Provide high-speed network well
- Easy to install
Cons
- No-frills design
The most significant advantage you can gain from this adapter is that it provides you with a decent Internet quality level and a low budget. Plus, it is convenient and handy for you to connect any compatible device to a USB port. After that, you will have a fantastic Wi-Fi network.
#5 Rosewill RNX-AC1900PCE Wi-Fi Adapter
It can be said that the RNX-AC1900PCE has done a great job when taking advantage of Beamforming and MU-MIMO tech. From that, users can connect 5-6 devices to this card simultaneously without worrying that it will be overheated or overworked.
Pros
- Advanced support security
- Lag-free online gaming
- Reliable wireless generation
Cons
- No guarantee
Although Rosewill might be a strange name for many consumers, it does produce many fantastic products at competitive prices. The RNX equipped with this adapter will perform admirably on all gaming desktops, allowing you to get the speeds you need.
#6 Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 Wireless USB Adapter
Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 Wireless USB Adapter is one of the smallest products in a compact size. It is a product of Linksys – a very prestigious brand in the electronics manufacturing industry. So this USB is always produced, processed very meticulously and carefully to bring the best quality.
Linksys AC1200 is a USB adapter device possessing a quite luxurious design with a leading black tone. It can provide connections up to 10 times faster than conventional Ethernet ports.
This product achieves 300Mbps speed with 2.4GHz frequency, and Smart MIMO technology will help create more radio waves capable of transmitting signal further.
This wireless USB adapter’s security system is more secure thanks to the multi-level encryption mechanism WEP, WPA, WPA2 128bits, or firewall VLAN B27.
Pros
- The transmission speed is very high.
- Good durability ensures long-term operation.
- Superior design, lightweight, convenient
Cons
- Only supports devices running Microsoft Windows 10, 7, 8, XP, Vista operating systems.
If you are looking for the Best USB Wi-Fi Adapter suitable for a gaming PC, you should not miss the Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 Wireless USB Adapter. With its compact and classy design, this product has robust connectivity to download HD images of videos and games.
#7 TRENDnet AC1900 High Power Wireless USB Adapter
TRENDnet AC1900 High Power Wireless USB Adapter is the new generation product line of TRENDnet. This version still has many similarities with its predecessor. Among them can be mentioned the rectangular design and the characteristic reduced thickness from top to bottom, the top part is the company’s logo, and the lower part is the air vent.
The manufacturer equips this product with four tuners with the new generation Wi-Fi standard. Therefore, it offers extremely powerful Wi-Fi broadcasting, powerful data transmission speed. The high memory allows TRENDnet AC1900 High Power Wireless USB Adapter to connect with many smart devices simultaneously.
Pros
- Strong
- Simple setup
- Good control
Cons
- The USB connection may be loose.
With fast speed, better connection, and excellent coverage area, TRENDnet AC1900 High Power Wireless USB Adapter can completely meet your needs. Quick setup will not waste your time.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Wifi Adapters for PC Gaming
Frequencies: 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz
Frequency is an essential parameter that users need to pay special attention to when buying a router—currently, Wi-Fi adapters both support 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.
- 2.4GHz frequency: more popular than the 5GHz band because of its comprehensive coverage, compatible with 300Mbps Wi-Fi devices. However, it is susceptible to interference with other waves and is hindered by obstacles.
- 5GHz frequency: Highly resistant to interference, less obstructed by obstacles. Compatible with devices connected to Wi-Fi with a speed of 450Mbps. However, the coverage is narrower than the 2.4GHz band.
If your house is large or has many rooms and lots of furniture, you should choose a 2.4GHz wireless transmitter. But you only need to broadcast Wi-Fi for a room with a moderate area, few obstacles, and require substantial bandwidth, choose a 5GHz router.
If you have a reasonable budget, you can use a Wi-Fi router that supports both frequencies/networks. When at close range, this adapter will automatically use 5GHz, whereas when at a broader scope, it automatically drops to 2.4GHz.
USB Ports
Many users feel anxious when searching for the best Wi-Fi adapter for PC gaming because they do not know which USB port to choose. Do not worry too much. You can still choose for yourself a suitable product. In essence, the USB 3.0 port will bring a faster and more stable internet connection.
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Many manufacturers nowadays also decide to produce Wi-Fi adapters under this USB port. However, it is more expensive than USB 2.0 devices. If you are looking for an affordable product, you should consider a USB 2.0 port.
FAQs
1. Which Wi-Fi adapter is best for gaming?
The best Wi-Fi adapter for PC gaming must meet some particular criteria about port forwarding, DHCP, waterproof function, security, compatibility. You can make your choices based on these criteria.
2. Is a Wi-Fi dongle good for gaming?
The Wi-Fi dongle functions similarly to the Wi-Fi adapter. It will provide a Wi-Fi network for devices like phones, PCs, or laptops. With strong broadcast capabilities and an extensive range, the Wi-Fi dongle is perfect for gamers.
3. Can you run a gaming PC on Wi-Fi?
If you have an Ethernet port, running your PC will be more convenient. The Wi-Fi card will help you to connect it to the Internet. It’s best to buy a separate card even though some motherboards have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. However, they are not very guaranteed.
4. What is the best Wi-Fi dongle for PC?
Currently, the market has a lot of good Wi-Fi dongles for PC. It works like portable Wi-Fi USB sticks. With its compact design, you can carry it with you and plug it into your computer. Some brands that specialize in producing the right Wi-Fi dongle that you can consider are Linksys, TRENDnet, Tenda.
Final Words
TP-Link AC1300 Archer T6E Wi-Fi Adapter will be the top pick in this article due to its exceptional compatibility, speed, and simple installation. For the budget option, it should be the EDUP AC600 USB Wi-Fi Adapter. This affordable, reliable, and small adapter will not disappoint you even you play games, stream videos, and browse social media.
Your knowledge about the best Wi-Fi adapter for PC gaming might be expanded much more after reading this article. Hopefully, when knowing some criteria to choose the Wi-Fi adapter, you will have the right option soon.