Gaming wi fi adapter

Best WiFi Adapter For Gaming in 2023

Multiplayer gaming has always been a big deal when it comes to PC gaming, from Unreal Tournament LAN parties to Call of Duty: Warzone, a reliable and past connection is key for all players.

There are two types of WiFi adapters, USB and PCIe. USB is the most user-friendly, providing a plug-and-play wireless solution that is ideal for laptops. PCIe plugs straight into a desktop motherboard like a graphics card would. This option normally provides faster connections from the WiFi device and is preferred by hardcore multiplayer enthusiasts.

In this article, we break down the best WiFi adapters for gaming so that you don’t have to, detailing a few different options for you to pick from. Whether you’re more into PCIe or the simplistic USB plug-and-play functionality, you should find the right one for your needs.

Products at a Glance

Netgear Nighthawk AC1900

TP-Link 1300 Mbps High Gain Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter

TRENDnet AC1900 High Power Wireless USB Adapter

TP-Link AC1300 PCIe WiFi

How We Picked Them

We looked at a few factors, most importantly providing a mix of budget and high-end adapters with options for both USB and PCIe connectivity. With gaming in mind, we’ve gone for adapters that focus on reliable connections that provide. Sometimes reliability comes before speed.

Best WiFi Adapter For Gaming in 2023

Netgear Nighthawk AC1900

Covering a range of bands and featuring a sleek design with a docked option for better range, this adapter is a great mid-range option for PC gamers on the go or for desktop gamers who don’t want to mess around with PCIe. Its dual-band WiFi connection allows for up to 600 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1300 Mbps on 5GHz and is backed up by four internal high gain antennas, making sure there are zero drop-outs during online play.

The Nighthawk utilizes USB 3.0 as its method of connectivity which 99.999% of you out there should have in your PC or laptop by now and if not, it could be time to do an upgrade. If you are on the more advanced USB-C and have no basic USB ports at your disposal though, you can slot it into a hub and it’ll still perform perfectly fine.

One of the best features of Nighthawk AC1900 is its dynamic QoS. It prioritizes internet bandwidth based on the application and device. So for example, your current game of Counter-Strike will take priority over your antivirus checking for updates. This is automatically carried out in the background which can really make a difference during peak times at home.

TP-Link 1300 Mbps High Gain Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter

Packing USB 3.0 and Dual Band 802.11ac connectivity for around $20 is a bargain. OK, it doesn’t have multiple high-gain antennas, but it’s a nice budget option for casual players.

Again, similar to the Nighthawk, this TP-Link WiFi adapter for gaming uses USB 3.0 tech. The reason why is because USB 3.0 is up to 10x faster than USB 2.0, making high transfer speeds much more achievable. This WiFi adapter is also backed up with MU-MIMO wireless connectivity for supported devices furthering its claim in this best WiFi adapters for gaming list.

Speaking of support, all Windows formats from XP to 10 work well with TP-Link 1300, not to mention Mac OS X. It’s 3dBi dual omni-directional internal antenna should make quick work of picking up strong signals also.

TRENDnet AC1900 High Power Wireless USB Adapter

The TRENDnet TEW-809UB USB Wi-Fi adapter comes to the table boasting all the premium features you would want from a Wi-Fi adapter and more. It may be a little on the bulky side, but the size really pays off in both the speed and range departments.

The TEW-809UB makes use of super-fast AC1900 speeds and comes equipped with a four-antenna hub as well. Each antenna has a 5 dBi strength and can accommodate an entire household with ease.

We tested the TEW-809UB in several different games and were surprised at how good this device was at keeping a stable connection. We tested it in both 2.4/5GHz bands, and both offered a great connection overall.

Overall, a fantastic purchase if you don’t mind having a large antenna hub lying around.

TP-Link AC1300 PCIe WiFi

Looking for an even more budget PCIe option? Surprise surprise, TP-Link has you covered.

The range isn’t the best, but it has a decent heatsink and provides solid connections in most environments. It also features two external antennas and a low profile card for those bulky desktop builds. The PCIe connection alongside its 802.11ac dual band support makes for a fast connection also.

TP-Link have focused on an easy install for users, simply plug in the AC1300 into a free PCIe slot on your desktop motherboard and it’s good to go. It runs on all usable versions of Windows from XP to 10, it’s dual antennas are sure to provide a solid connection for casual players.

Points To Consider

PCIe products are for use in Desktop PCs (Known as towers) and will not be compatible with laptops. The general use is to buy PCIe options for desktops and USB options for laptops depending on the budget.

Do You Already Have WiFi Support?

Your device may already have WiFi support built-in. Especially when considering £1000 and over gaming laptops, the WiFi support may be better than any dongle. Make sure to go into system settings then device management to see what WiFi support you currently have before upgrading or introducing WiFi support.

What’s The Difference Between 2.5Ghz and 5Ghz?

2.5Ghz provides a wider/longer WiFi range with slower speeds, whilst 5Ghz provides faster speeds with a shorter range. Most modern devices and internet provider routers support both, so there’s nothing to worry about here.

What is QoS?

QoS stands for Quality of Service. It prioritises internet bandwidth based on the application and device. So for example, your current game of Counter Strike will take priority over your antivirus checking for updates. This is automatically carried out in the background which can really make a difference during peak times at home.

Is Beamforming Important?

Beamforming is when a WiFi connection is concentrated to a single point, rather than producing a wider signal. Imagine a hose nozzle being switched to stream instead of spray. All 802.11ac devices are capable of beamforming but do not need to include it as standard. Most products make a point of being beamforming compatible.

Is USB 3.0 Better and USB 2.0?

USB 3.0 Is up to 10x faster than USB 2.0. However, both the adapter and desktop/PC must have USB 3.0 ports to take advantage of this speed.

What Does Wireless Banding Type Mean?

802.11 is the radio frequency transmitted at, the term dual band represents the 2.5Ghz and 5Ghz frequency bands 802.11 is capable of. The G and AC at the end represents the linkrate (internet speed). For example, 802.11ac is capable of over 6000mb/s.

What Does MU-MIMO do?

MU-MIMO stands for multi-user, multiple input, multiple output. It’s for multiple users trying to connect to one router at the same time. To take advantage of this, a user’s router must also have this feature

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Best WiFi Adapter for Gaming 2023 – Buyers Guide

Are you an online gamer frustrated with the significant issue of slow internet?

I believe the agitation and frustration followed by slow internet connectivity are universal and of similar magnitude.

Undoubtedly, the need for a good WiFi Adapter is essential, especially for an online gamer, as you would want to receive maximum output from your network.

TABLE OF CONTENT: BEST WiFi ADAPTER FOR GAMING 2023

• ASUS PCE-AC88 – Best Wireless Adapter for Gaming (Editor’s Choice)
• NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 – Mid-Range Survivor
• TP-Link WiFi 6 AX3000 – The Budget Star
• ASUS PCE-AC68 – Guarantees quality for the price
• OURLINK Dual Band Dongle – Recommended for extremely low budgets
• TRENDnet TEW-809UB – Best Mid-Range USB WiFi Adapter
• D-Link DWA-192 – Our Mid-Range Star
• Linksys WUSB6300 – Best Budget USB WiFi Adapter
• BrosTrend AC3 – Best buy for its price
• ASUS USB-AC56 – Worth the price

Best WiFi Adapter for Gaming in 2023

While the main focus is lag-less gaming with minimum latency, the high-definition streaming of your gameplay can also be strenuous on the network.

This is why I have put together a list of some of the Best WiFi Adapter for Gaming to ensure you can make an educated and competent choice when opting for an adapter.

So if you are worried about making the right choice regarding security and compatibility, you might want to look at this guide.

ASUS PCE-AC88 — Best WiFi Adapter for Gaming (Editor’s Choice)

• External magnetic antenna base with MU-MIMO technology for maximum coverage.
• Individual antennas can attach directly to PCIe Cards.
• Custom heatsink effectively dissipates heat to improve stability and reliability.
• R-SMA antenna connectors enable compatibility with various aftermarket antennas.
• Dual-band 4×4 AC3100 with increased speeds up to 2100Mbps on 5GHz and 1000Mbps on 2.4GHz bands.

The ASUS PCE-AC88 is undoubtedly one of the best gaming wifi adapters available in the market. It contains almost all of the top-tier features that a gamer would require to attain a fluid and smooth gaming experience.

Being a part of the AC3100 line by ASUS, the device is eons ahead of its competition due to the 4-part dedicated antennae setup. This allows the wireless adapter to provide fantastic extensive range and speeds without a hiccup.

Moreover, the device efficiently manages the heat flow with the inclusion of a custom heatsink that ensures the temperature remains low and your case doesn’t burn itself out. What’s more impressive is that it manages all this heat while implementing the MU-MIMO technology alongside the extensive process of Beamforming.

Now if you are a fan of tweaks and custom changes, you would enjoy the customizability feature that allows you to swap antennas out with an array of compatible devices. This will help you in increasing the life of your adapter, however, it comes with a cost of decreased range and speed because of the added interference(s).

Despite being pricier than its competition, it is safe to say that you can afford to trust the quality of ASUS and opt for this product to replace your stock wireless adapter.

Although the card is a hit in masses, some users have claimed that Windows 10 users looking for a 5GHz connection should avoid this product due to the consistent disconnection with 5GHz. Furthermore, the device can either go on without any kind of issue for days or refuse to connect with 20 – 30 retries in 10 minutes. It’s either this or that. This has been a significantly irritating factor when using this device.

You won’t find many cons of the ASUS PCE-AC88 because there aren’t many. Despite the increased price, the device makes up for it by providing top-notch quality and service to the customers to attain flawless and lag-less internet gaming sessions.

• Custom heatsink to ensure you don’t burn your device out.
• Latest wireless standards to ensure optimized speed.
• R-SMA antenna connectors to provide customizability for its customers.
• Extendable antenna placement to allow you to put this in your desired spot(s).

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