Do you want to buy a new network card but are confused with many products available? Don’t you understand all the technical parameters? Do not worry because our experts have done the hard work for you and created this article with the five best choices of the best WiFi card for PC in 2021. All you have to do is keep reading!
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Contents
Top 5 Best Wifi Cards For PC 2021 Reviews
#1 Best Overall: ASUS PCE-AC56 Dual-Band AC1300 WiFi Card
Do you have to change your old network card because it is faulty or do you want to update it with a top-of-the-range one? With the ASUS PCE-AC56, you will have a device equipped with the latest fifth-generation Broadcom Wi-Fi technology. It guarantees high performance, while is still compatible with older computers.
The network device has a system called ASUS AiRadar that works through the external presence of antennas. You will have an optimized and stable connection and signal amplification, offering you total coverage of your home. Finally, it can eliminate up to 150% of dead zones.
Pros
- AiRadar system
- A connection speed of up to 1.3 GB
- No ethernet cables or special power supplies
- Easy to assemble, just connect it to your motherboard
- Compatible with almost all motherboards
Cons
- Be careful when installing the drivers as they may generate conflicts
- It might give some problems with Windows 10
If you buy the ASUS PCE-AC56 and combine it with a fiber connection, you will have a device that offers you speed, stability, and coverage. It is the best WiFi card for PC in 2021.
#2 Best Value for Money: Ubit AC 1200Mbps Bluetooth WiFi Card
Ubit AC is an excellent choice for all those who are assembling a new desktop or notebook PC and need a powerful network card but at an affordable price. This device comes with a Bluetooth 4.2 chip that works together with Wi-Fi.
You can connect your favorite headphones, mouse, or other devices having no interference on the connection. The 7256 AC Wi-Fi module guarantees you high performance and guaranteed stability.
The external presence of two 6-dB antennas allows you to have an excellent signal throughout your home. Despite being so groundbreaking with this card, you will have a device perfectly compatible with most of the devices available today. It supports both Windows and Linux operating systems.
It also comes with the latest 802.11 AC wireless technology and guarantees you a wireless speed of 867 MB/s. It is a truly incredible speed that is also perfect for people who play online and need a powerful connection. The dual-band system also allows you to choose whether to connect to 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
Pros
- Combines a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi system
- 7265 AC Wi-Fi module
- Two 6-dB external antennas offer a stable connection
- Dual-band system
- Compatible with both Windows and Linux systems
Cons
- The screws of the antennas are fragile
- It may not be compatible with all motherboards
Wireless technology combined with Bluetooth, allows you total freedom of connection in your home without sacrificing power and coverage.
#3 Best Budget: TP-Link TG-3468 PCI Express Network Card
An unexpected event has put your internal network card out of order and you need to buy another without having to spend too much money? TP-Link TG-3468, despite the price, offers excellent performance in line with current IEEE standards. It allows it to be mounted comfortably inside your case thanks to its small size. The 32-bit PCI interface guarantees a tiny footprint. The ethernet adapter it mounts allows you to connect up to 1000 MB/s.
The device comes with a recent technology called Wake-On-Lan that will allow you to manage the card through your router’s LAN system. They design this completely inexpensive network card for excellent performance, and you have the option of choosing the wireless version as well.
Pros
- Connection speeds of up to 1000MB/s
- Wake-On-Lan technology
- 32-bit PCI interface
- Assembly is easy
- In line with current IEEE standards
Cons
- Does not have the dual-band system
If you are looking for a good network device that allows you to have a stable and powerful connection for little money, TP-Link TG-3468 is the best choice you can make.
#4 Best for Desktop Computers: Ubit AC 1200Mbps Bluetooth WiFi Card
The Ubit WLAN card for the PC is an offer that is best suited for desktop computers. We can turn the two existing antennas in the router’s direction within seconds to improve reception. The dual-band is available for data transmission.
The card automatically switches between the frequencies 2.4 and 5 GHz. In combination with the use of Bluetooth 5.0, a transfer rate of up to 2400 Mbit/s is achieved. This PC WLAN card is also compatible with Windows 10.
Pros
- WLAN-PCI card with antenna
- Dual-band
- Up to 2400 Mbit/s
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Suitable for Windows 10
Cons
- Not traffic over AC network
If you are using a different operating system, contact the manufacturer briefly before buying to find out whether problems could arise.
#5 Best Compatibility: TP-Link N300 PCIe WiFi Card
The TP-Link N300 card for the PC is used for installation in a desktop computer. A dual-band frequency is available for transmission from the router to the PC. If this signal is still not powerful enough, the two antennas included will help to resolve the problem promptly. The transfer rate is up to 400 Mbit/s. This WLAN card is compatible with the Windows 7, 8, and 10 operating systems and Linux.
Pros
- WLAN-PCI card with antenna
- Dual-band
- Up to 400 Mbit/s
- WPS encryption
- Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and Linux
Cons
- Not efficient with Windows 10
The WPS encryption helps to increase security and withstands attacks on the security of the data.
What is a Wi-Fi Card, and what is it Used For?
Wi-Fi cards are also called WLAN cards because of their flat shape. During installation, these are simply plugged into the pre-installed slot on the motherboard of your PC with the board.
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) is the correct name for the connector into which we insert a WLAN card. Further development with the abbreviation PCIe stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express. Because of the small size, the slot in a laptop is called Mini-PCI or Mini-PCIe. The advantage of the PCI-Express cards is the larger amount of data that can be transferred.
How Does a Wi-Fi Card Work?
The data exchange between the adapter and the main processor can take place much faster because the PCI card is located directly in the motherboard, also known as the mainboard. The data has to cover shorter physical distances here. As a positive side effect, the USB ports remain free for other purposes.
PCI-E Wi-Fi Card vs. USB – Difference?
PCI-E Wi-Fi
We mount this type of internal network card in the PC and allow you to connect via the ethernet cable that starts from the router and connects directly to the card. We can plug it into both the PCI and PCI Express slots of your PC.
USB Wireless Network
It is not a real network card but a USB adapter. You can plug this device into your PC and connect to the internet via the ethernet cable. There are also wireless versions of these devices on the market that do not require connection via ethernet but require a Wi-Fi network card.
Features to Consider When Choose X
High Compatibility
An essential factor you need to pay attention to is the number of ethernet ports. If you have several PCs to connect to your home or office, you need to have a network card with many ports.
But be aware that if the supplied network is not powerful enough. With all the computers connected on a single card, you may find it difficult to surf the net.
Dual-Band Over Single
The crucial factor for newer devices is the choice between a dual-band connection. The dual-band allows you to choose whether to connect to 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
This parameter is important as the most updated devices can enjoy the 5 GHz connection which improves performance, speed, and stability. You should choose a dual-band network card if you have state-of-the-art devices.
High Signal Strength
The transfer rate is crucial in almost all product descriptions. Especially, gamers or people who need software with a high data consumption for professional use protect themselves against unnecessary bad purchases with the comparison.
A transmission rate of 300 Mbit/s on a frequency of 2.4 GHz is sufficient for regular use of the Internet, such as sending emails or other office activities. For many other tasks on the Internet, a frequency of 5 GHz and a transmission rate of 876 Mbit / s should be available.
Ease of Installation
The hardware must ensure that the PC WLAN card is compatible with the respective computer. However, the software can also cause problems afterward. Before buying, do a little research to see whether the offer you prefer is supported by the operating system you are using. Problems arise less often for Windows than for iOS or Linux.
Portability
If you need a device to connect a single PC, opt for an ethernet card as it is not only cheaper but also stable. If you need to connect several devices, the wireless and Wi-Fi version is the ideal solution.
2.4GHz vs 5GHz: Know the difference
2.4GHz and 5GHz are the two different bands that Wi-Fi networks can use to transmit signals. The biggest difference between these two bands is the speed. Under ideal conditions, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi will support up to 450 Mbps or 600 Mbps, (depending on the type of router you use), 5 GHz Wi-Fi will support up to 1300 Mbps.
Of course, the maximum speed you can see also depends on the wireless standard your Wi-Fi router supports for 802.11c, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.11ac.
How to Install a Wi-Fi Card
Before starting the first step, you should always completely disconnect the desktop computer from the power supply. Then, you can start unscrewing the housing. On the mainboard, now look out for the connector ports on the back.
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We can now place the card in one slot with a little care. If the card is optimally in its place, the housing is closed again and we install the driver. It often works automatically and therefore with no further problems. Sometimes, a CD is also included for installation that also guides you through the installation step by step.
FAQs
How do I choose a WiFi card for my PC?
For serious purchase advice, it is imperative to know the correct operating system if you want to retrofit a new WLAN for your PC. Knowing the distance between the PC (router or repeater) and WLAN access is just as essential for this as the question of the type of use (sending emails or online games).
Is a WiFi card better than a USB?
If a computer is to remain in a network for a long time, Wi-Fi cards are also better suited than USB devices that often cannot withstand a kind of continuous operation. It can pay off if the user wants to operate a server that can or should only be connected to the network via WLAN. Even old PCs are often upgraded with WLAN PCI cards.
What is a WiFi card for a PC?
To find out which PC WLAN card is currently installed on the computer, you do not have to grab a screwdriver immediately. If we install the Windows operating system, you can easily display the hardware via the device manager and take the guesswork out of it.
Final Words
You have finally understood our review and read a lot of information about the best network cards available today. The best WiFi card for a PC depends on your choice. But we advise you to choose mainly based on the factors mentioned above.
Asus PCE-AC56 is the best choice you can make. This unit is wireless, has high performance, and is widely compatible with most of your PCs and notebooks. Besides, TP-Link TG-3468 is one of the best budget network cards on the market today.