Best Network Adapter for Windows 10 – Most desktop PCs which come with Wi-Fi cards can’t handle the frequent interference of the modern-day world. You will frequently see connection loss or delay in browsing web pages. Plus, they are seldom compatible with the newer devices at home such as Comcast.
Wireless Wi-Fi adapters change this scenario. And the best thing is that they do not need an extra source of power. Just plug them to a compatible USB port.
ROUND UP
1.TRENDnet AC1900
There are nano adapters at the tiny end of the scale, and at the opposite end is the Trendnet TEW-809UB. This networking adapter tosses portability out the window, for faster AC1900 (N600, AC1300) speeds and serious antennas—four, to be exact, all positionable with a strength of 5 dBi each. There is only a driver provided, but no software. Instead, Windows is in control of the networking duties. The adapter does not support MU-MIMO but does support Beamforming.
In use, the Trendnet TEW-809UB is stable and fast. It puts its antennas to good use, beating every other adapter tested on our wireless fringe location testing—on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This is a great solution if you’re using Wi-Fi in a challenging situation with a weak signal.
2.NETGEAR AC1900
When it comes to the best gaming routers, there are few names as ubiquitous as the Netgear Nighthawk. Netgear has been producing excellent gaming routers for some time, and the Nighthawk AC1900 brings that same performance to a portable USB adapter.
This won’t necessarily get you a blazing fast connection in your local coffee shop, but at home, you can use the included magnetic desktop cradle to ensure your rig is getting the best possible connection from your router a couple of rooms away.
3.ASUS USB-AC68 AC1900
The Asus USB-AC68 adapter features a novel folding design that incorporates dual deployable antennas. It supports USB 3.0, as well as the AC1900 standard, Asus AiRadar Beamforming, and MU-MIMO via a 3×4 antenna design.
The results are a bit of a mixed bag as this Asus adapter lags in the 2.4 GHz tests at a distance. While the 5 GHz tests are much more reliable, it still wasn’t the fastest at either the close or far distance tested.
4.Edimax EW-7833UAC
The Edimax EW-7833UAC is the update to our previous budget adapter pick, the EW-7822UAC. While many mainstream adapters suffice with AC1200 specs, this one takes it a notch up with AC1750 speeds (N450, AC1300). Installation was straightforward, with Windows 10 managing the settings.
While it is similar in size to other mainstream adapters, it cleverly features a small deployable piece that contains three antennas to increase range and throughput, along with support for both MU-MIMO and Beamforming technology.
5.Linksys (WUSB6300)
The Linksys WUSB6300 gets termed “micro” by the Linksys folks. To be fair, it is quite small. It offers AC1200 speeds, which translates to about 860Mbps via 5 GHz, and 300Mbps on 2.4 GHz. Even with the tiny size, it supports the latest technology for wireless adapters, including MU-MIMO and Beamforming.
The WUSB6300 balances its small size against decent range and throughput. While the spec does limit the 2.4 GHz scores, the speeds on 5 GHz, even on the more extended distance tests, bring home the win for throughput on three of the six criteria for this increasingly competitive category of the adapter.
6.Cudy AC 650Mbps
This Wi-Fi adapter promises decent speed. While the 2.5 GHz network delivers up to 200 Mbps, the 5 GHz network can reach up to 433 Mbps (maximum speed).
The product reviews have been great regarding this product, especially considering the price. Users have reported a significant boost in Wi-Fi speeds compared to their default Wi-Fi products. Also, the installation is quite easy. When you plug this adapter, it installs by itself and requires no driver installation in most Windows 10 PCs. It works with USB 2.0.
7.USB WiFi Adapter
This is a popular product and users love its performance when it comes to network speed. But above that, users love the build quality that is associated with this mini adapter.
This one is built to withstand the test of time, and can handle everyday wear and tear without issues.
WRAP UP
Best Network Adapter for Windows 10 – The best USB Wi-Fi adapter is about security. The security of knowing you have a networking backup should the worst happen and your gaming PC’s ethernet port or built-in Wi-Fi connection catastrophically falls over.
So much of our life is spent online that when it’s suddenly absent it can feel like a limb’s missing, so it’s worth having a backup internet pipe available should the worst happen.
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