If you are considering to buy or want to understand more about the advantages of owning a USB wireless network adapter, you have reached the right article. We will discuss the pros and cons, the prices and usability to determine what is the best USB wireless network adapter available on the market today.
An USB wireless adapter, also known as WiFi dongle, is a wonderful piece of hardware that can be connected to any PC, laptop or tablet(or even a printer) with an USB port. Once connected, in most cases your device will recognize the USB wireless adapter and install its drivers, Â in a process that is usually simple and easy for all audiences.
Once connected and installed, the USB wireless adapter will guarantee a fast and stable internet connection for the end user, as long as there is a wifi network accessible in range.
After this brief introduction, we can now balance the pros and cons of owning a wifi dongle:
USB Wireless Adapter Advantages:
- Your USB wireless adapter will cut short the number of cables on your desk, and that is extremely positive specially if you are using a PC.
- Mobility: without the need of connecting your PC to a router via cable, you can move around your working space with less restrictions.
- Technology: USB wireless adapters are rather inexpensive and easy to change, that is an important advantage considering the fact that changing a WiFi card on a laptop is, in most of cases, out of question.
- Drives and range: Many laptops come with faulty WiFi drivers that constantly drop the connection and present malfunctions after an update, with an independent wifi dongle, you might save a lot of money by not having to buy a new laptop or tablet.
USB Wireless Adapter Disadvantages:
- Being mostly an inexpensive product made of plastic parts and rather small, it won’t be surprising if it brakes or you end up losing it. You can solve this by purchasing a higher end USB wireless adapter.
- It uses one of your USB ports. If you own a laptop you certainly will not have many USB ports available and most likely you will want to use all of them at some point. The USB dongle will need one as long as you use it. You can buy an USB hub and stop worrying about this.
- Incompatibility: although this is unlikely to happen, in some cases, your USB wifi adapter may not be compatible with your device.
Let’s explore our list to choose the best USB wireless network adapter available on Amazon:
USB Wireless Adapters Under 25 Dollars:
Coredy WA-AC600 Dual Band USB WiFi Adapter
Ultra-fast AC600 wireless speed with 802.11ac, backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi devices. Support Windows XP/ Vista/ 7/ 8/ 8.1/ 10 /2008r2/2012r2 (32/64Bbit); Mac OS X 10.7 & 10.6 (Lion & Snow Leopard), Mac OS X 10.10, 10.9, 10.8(Yosemite,Mavericks & Mountain Lion ). Linux kernel 2.6.X/ 3.X/ 4.X (Mint/ Ubuntu/ Fedora/ openSUSE/ CentOS/ Lubuntu/ Zorin/ Kali/ Raspbian Wheezy) for 2.4GHz only, 5GHz do not support Linux system
Dual Band connections offering high-speed maximised to 5GHz 433Mbps or 2.4GHz 150mbps for faster streaming, gaming, HD movies and video-chatting and more!
Easy wireless security encryption at the push of the WPS button – let the USB adapter do the work for you!
Wireless network enabled for Desktop Computer, old generation Laptop, windows 10 tablets, Raspberry Pi, enjoying super high-speed Dual Band wireless network (433+150Mbps) via a simply plug.
Super Mini size(1.1 x 0.59 x 0.31in). Come with quick start guide and CD driver, 12 months worry-free warranty. (Driver can be download)
A very portable USB wireless router at an affordable price. Click here to buy your Coredy WA-AC600 Dual Band USB WiFi Adapter from Amazon.
TP-LINK TL-WN722N Wireless N150 High Gain USB Adapter
150Mbps wireless transmission rate
Provides two methods of operation: Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc
Quick Secure Setup, complies with WPS for worry free wireless security Supports 64/128-bit WEP
4dBi omni-directional antenna detachable Supports Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1
Seamlessly compatible with 802.11b/g/n devices
Industry-leading 2-year warranty and unlimited 24/7 technical support
You can also create a wifi hotspot with this adapter, and make other devices without a cable to otherwise unreachable networks. Buy your TP-LINK TL-WN722N Wireless N150 High Gain USB Adapter from Amazon.
Belkin Wireless 802.11g USB Network Adapter
Product Type – Adapter
Warranty – Lifetime
Offers backward-compatibility with all 802.11b network devices
Features wireless 64- and 128-bit WEP Encryption
A basic WiFi dongle by the renowned brand Belkin at a very affordable value. Buy your Belkin Wireless 802.11g USB Network Adapter from Amazon.
USB Wireless Adapters Under 50 Dollars:
NETGEAR N300 Wi-Fi USB Adapter (WNA3100)
Provides better range and speed than Wireless-G adapter
Surf, email, stream music, play on-line games and make Internet phone calls
Easy secured setup with Push ?N? Connect using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)1
Supports Windows 8
Provides better range and speed than Wireless-G adapter
Surf, email, stream music, play on-line games and make Internet phone calls
Easy secured setup with Push ‘N’ Connect using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
I really like NETGEAR products and they also do great tri band wireless routers. Click here to buy your NETGEAR N300 Wi-Fi USB Adapter (WNA3100) from Amazon.
TP-LINK Archer T4U AC1200 Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter
Wireless AC adapter for PCs and laptops runs 3x faster then Wireless N adapters
Ideal for gaming online and HD video streaming
1200Mbps Wi-Fi speeds with simultaneous 5GHz (867Mbps) and 2.4GHz (300Mbps) bands
Connects to PCs via USB 3.0 for speeds 10x faster than USB 2.0
Compact design and 3ft. cable for easy desktop placement
WPS button for easy wireless security encryption
Supports Windows XP/7/8/8.1/10/Linux/Mac OS X 10.7-10.10
Industry-leading 2-year warranty and unlimited 24/7 technical support
For slightly more than 30 usd you can already get this high-end USB wifi adapter.Click here to get your TP-LINK Archer T4U AC1200 Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter from Amazon.
Asus Dual Band (2.4GHz 300Mbps/5GHz 300Mbps) Wireless-N USB Adapter
300Mbps two-way link provides you a free and consistent wireless connection
Software AP function can easily turn your computer into a wireless access point
With USB cable inside, you can flexibly adjust the dongle to receive strongest signal
WPS button to complete the secure connection setting
Not only this device is dual band, it also has a nice checkers design. Click here to buy your Asus Dual Band (2.4GHz 300Mbps/5GHz 300Mbps) Wireless-N USB Adapter from Amazon.
Best WiFi Dongles Under 100 Dollars
Medialink Wireless-N USB Adapter – 802.11n, 2.4 ghz
Wirelessly connects most PC’s and laptops to your existing wireless router, gateway or hotspot at wireless connection speeds of up to 150 Mbps (this adapter does not provide internet service without an existing service plan).
Microsoft WHQL certified, to ensure compatibility with Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP (Windows 8 fully compatible & pending certification).
Supports all of the latest wireless security features (WEP, WPA/WPA2, IEEE802.1X and 64/128-bit WEP) to encrypt data and protect your network from unauthorized users. For desktop convenience, this adapter comes bundled with a docking station attached to a 3 foot USB extension cable.
High Speed USB 2.0 port (works with USB 3.0 ports) is backwards compatible with USB 1.0. Compatible with any brand 802.11g or 802.11n router and supports 20MHz/40MHz frequency bandwidth. Auto-detects network transmission rate, and provides both infrastructure and ad-hoc mode.
Simplified installation with an attractive user interface: an included set-up CD quickly auto-detects your operating system and installs the appropriate drivers upon startup. Windows 7 and Windows 8 users have the benefit to plug-and-play with no CD required. Includes a USB docking station with a built-in 3 foot extension cable for desktop convenience.
The most popular high end wifi usb adapter on Amazon, with more than 4000 feedback reviews. Click to buy your Medialink Wireless-N USB Adapter from Amazon.
Asus (USB-AC56) Dual-band Wireless-AC1200 USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter
Up to 1300 Mbps, 802.11AC (867Mbps over 5G) + 802.11N (400Mbps over 2.4G)
TurboQAM increases 2.4 GHz speed for 33% from 300 Mbps to 400 Mbps
USB 3.0 support to ensure maximum throughput performance
With external antenna for maximum range performance and without external antenna for indoor usage
USB 3.0 cradle for flexible arrangement and wireless optimization
A nice USB 3.0 wifi dongle, again with this amazing design by Asus. Click here to buy your Asus (USB-AC56) Dual-band Wireless-AC1200 USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter from Amazon.
