Top 5 Best Laptop Network Adapters Of 2024

Choosing the optimal solution to boost Wi-Fi signal strength involves considering various factors such as budget, coverage area, and the layout of your space. Mesh Wi-Fi systems, which include a primary router and satellite nodes, offer seamless network coverage but may be pricier upfront. Alternatively, Wi-Fi extenders are budget-friendly options that amplify signals but may introduce interference. USB Wi-Fi adapters provide a cost-effective means to enhance connectivity for specific devices like laptops or desktops. Factors to weigh include coverage area size, budget constraints, interference risks, and ease of setup. Ultimately, the right choice hinges on your specific needs and preferences, so researching and comparing options can help find the best fit.

QUICK LIST

Last update on 2024-03-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

1.TP-Link Archer T9UH

Last update on 2024-03-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Archer T9UH, an AC1900 dongle, proved to deliver the best overall speed performance among the adapters tested, effectively making the wall of my home office seem nearly transparent to the Wi-Fi signal. This dongle, measuring 0.5 inches thick and 3.5 inches long when closed, expands to a height of about 6 inches when opened. It can be directly plugged into a laptop or utilized with the included USB 3.0 cradle. A small blue LED indicates its operational status.

Remarkably, the T9UH demonstrated significant improvements over my 5GHz 802.11ac network, with an average signal enhancement of 11dB across four different locations, accompanied by minimal speed loss. In fact, there were instances where my office achieved higher speeds compared to being in close proximity to the router, possibly due to other household members’ internet usage. This performance underscores the T9UH’s ability to penetrate through walls effectively.

However, it’s worth noting that the dongle performed poorly when connected to my router’s 2.4GHz network, failing to maintain a connection from distances further than a few feet away. Nevertheless, this limitation is somewhat expected as the T9UH is primarily designed for enhancing 5GHz signals. As such, it excels admirably in this aspect.

Overall, the Archer T9UH earns the title of our Editors’ Choice winner among the tested adapters, thanks to its impressive performance in boosting 5GHz signals and overcoming obstacles like office walls with ease.

2.D-Link DWA-X1850 Wi-Fi 6

Last update on 2024-03-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Wi-Fi 6, although touted for its significant improvements, may seem perplexing for many users. Despite its promising advancements, the practical benefits it offers to most home users are currently limited. The D-Link DWA-X1850, priced at $59.99 and hailed as the first Wi-Fi 6 USB adapter, exemplifies this reality. Unfortunately, the X1850’s implementation of Wi-Fi 6 fails to deliver substantial speed enhancements over Wi-Fi 5, rendering its advantages apparent only in select scenarios.

While the X1850 exhibits superior signal improvement compared to other models when paired with a Wi-Fi 6 access point in a location with weak signal reception, this advantage is not consistently observed in other environments. In instances involving Wi-Fi 5 or stronger signals, the adapter fails to demonstrate a comparable edge. Surprisingly, a high-quality Wi-Fi 5 USB adapter, such as the $59.99 TP-Link Archer T9UH, performs on par, if not better, in most real-world usage scenarios.

In essence, while Wi-Fi 6 holds promise for future advancements, current offerings like the D-Link DWA-X1850 may not justify their investment for the average home user, especially when alternative Wi-Fi 5 solutions can deliver comparable performance at a similar price point.

Wi-Fi 6 performance doesn’t consistently outshine Wi-Fi 5 performance. Each standard encompasses a broad spectrum of modes ranging from slower to faster speeds. Despite being an AX1800 adapter theoretically capable of achieving speeds up to 574Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1.2Gbps on 5GHz networks, the X1850’s real-world performance may vary.

Comparatively, the latest Wi-Fi 5 adapters, such as the TP-Link and Netgear models referenced earlier, are AC1900 models with slightly superior speed capabilities across both bands. This suggests that while Wi-Fi 6 introduces advancements in theory, practical performance metrics demonstrate that Wi-Fi 5 adapters may still offer comparable or even better speeds in certain scenarios. Therefore, selecting the most suitable adapter should be based on an assessment of individual needs and the prevailing performance characteristics of each standard.

3.Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi

Last update on 2024-03-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Netgear’s robust AC1900 adapter delivers commendable performance, but its pricing doesn’t quite align with the performance it offers. This adapter boasts a substantial build, measuring 0.75 inches thick when folded shut, 4 inches in length, and expanding to 7.5 inches when unfolded. However, its bulkiness may pose compatibility issues with thinner laptops, although it features a magnetic USB dock for convenient placement on nearby surfaces (not applicable to all laptops).

Similar to the Archer T9UH, the Nighthawk excels on 5GHz 802.11ac networks. However, it struggles in 2.4GHz 802.11n mode, failing to detect the router’s network variant when positioned on the opposite side of a wall. Despite showcasing the most significant average boost on 5GHz networks at 13dB, it slightly lags behind the T9UH in terms of speed preservation.

Ultimately, the Nighthawk falls short of justifying its price premium over the T9UH. Despite delivering commendable performance, the T9UH remains highly competitive and offers a compelling alternative at nearly half the price.

4.TP-Link Archer T3U Plus

Last update on 2024-03-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

TP-Link’s basic adapter takes a straightforward approach, featuring a compact USB dongle with a 7-inch rotatable antenna protruding from it. Upon plugging it in, macOS or Windows systems automatically detect the device. It epitomizes the concept of augmenting signal strength by affixing a sizable antenna to a device and observing the outcomes.

Operating as an AC1300 adapter, it facilitates two data streams on either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequencies. While it yielded a slight yet perceptible signal enhancement in my home office, its impact was less noticeable in areas further from the access point, such as near the elevator. While it didn’t exacerbate the situation, its presence didn’t significantly improve the signal either.

5.TP-Link Archer T4U Plus

Last update on 2024-03-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Positioned at the intersection of affordability and performance, the Archer T4U Plus proves to be an enticing option. Unlike adapters that directly plug into your PC, this trapezoidal dongle features two six-inch antennas. Utilizing the included USB cable, you can easily set it up for operation. Operating on the AC1300 standard, the T4U Plus strikes a balance between cost and capability.

During testing, the T4U Plus consistently established connections to both 5GHz and 2.4GHz networks, delivering a respectable average signal improvement of 6.5dB on the 5GHz band. This enhancement notably boosted Wi-Fi performance in areas like my office and near the elevator compared to relying solely on the laptop’s built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. The impact was tangible, with speed loss at the elevator decreasing from 95% with just the laptop to 69% with the T4U Plus in use.

In terms of extracting more Wi-Fi speed without breaking the bank, the Archer T4U Plus proves to be a reliable solution, offering noticeable improvements in performance for a modest investment.

What’s the Best USB Wi-Fi Adapter?

The basic idea behind these adapters is that as you make improvements to your antenna, your signal will also get stronger. We bought three TP-Link adapters, one Netgear adapter, and two inexpensive Amazon brands at random in 2021. We put those models to the test in four different places: directly beside my router; in my home office, a short distance away but through two walls; by the building elevator, another 20 feet away and through a wall; and on the floor above. We recently bought the first Wi-Fi 6 adapter that was available and put it to the test against some of the earlier models that were the finest.

Not only do these adapters work with Linux, but they are all compatible with Windows computers as well. The reason behind this is that the chipset vendors don’t bother to support macOS, hence none of them have official drivers for macOS versions higher than 10.15 (some don’t even have that). For several of the adapters we’ve tested, an intrepid independent programmer has created drivers for macOS 11 and macOS 12(Opens in a new window); nevertheless, you use these at your own risk. Since other household electronics need the appropriate drivers, adapters probably won’t function with them either.

conclusion

These adapters operate on a straightforward principle: improving the antenna leads to enhanced signal strength. In 2021, we procured three adapters from TP-Link, one from Netgear, and two lower-cost options from Amazon. Our testing encompassed four locations: directly adjacent to the router, in the home office a few feet away and through two walls, near the building elevator around 20 feet away and through another wall, and on the subsequent floor.

All adapters are compatible with Windows PCs, and some extend compatibility to Linux. However, none offer official support for macOS versions beyond 10.15, and some lack support even for that version, as chipset vendors typically neglect macOS. While independent programmers have developed macOS 11 and macOS 12 drivers for many reviewed adapters, users should exercise caution when utilizing them. Additionally, adapters are unlikely to function with other home electronics without the appropriate drivers.

The 802.11ac Wi-Fi specification is notably intricate, featuring over a dozen distinct performance levels denoted by AC and a numerical designation. The adapters we evaluated operate at the AC1200, AC1300, and AC1900 levels. Below is a breakdown of these AC ratings and their corresponding potential speeds across the primary Wi-Fi frequency bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Remember, higher numbers signify superior performance.