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page title icon Best WiFi Adapters for Gaming in 2024

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| Updated on March 24, 2022

Online gaming is on a steady rise and game manufacturers are availing their games online every other day so that their users can conveniently play with opponents online. In fact back in college this is what I used to do all the time during class.

As a gamer, it is normal to anticipate new challenges in order to prove how much of a guru you are.

And the online world offers those numerous encounters.

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ASUS PCE-AC68 Dual-Band 3x3 AC1900 WiFi...
  • Provides an extensible design that enables service prioritization for data
  • Design that delivers high availability, scalability, and for maximum flexibility...
  • The country of origin is China; Os support: Windows 8.1 (32bit/64bit), Windows 8...

Since many gamers engage in a lot of online gaming, it is important to have strong efficient WiFi signal. Your WiFi connectivity should be the last compromise. This is where your WiFi adapter comes in handy.

The best WiFi adapter for gaming will make sure the gamer is connected fully to avoid interruptions which may lead to them losing the game.

If you are wondering which to purchase, we have compiled a list of best WiFi adapters for gaming to help with that.

How we chose the best WiFi adapter for gaming

Some deep research into the available WiFi adapters in the market led us to come to conclusions on the best choice.

We chose the best adapters based on their features ability to boost the WiFi signal and hold it reliably.

Some of the features we considered in the selection process are as follows:

  • Wireless protocols supported
  • Compatibility
  • Speeds
  • Type of adapter
  • Security

We determined this final list by coming up with their best of features cumulatively and compared their connectivity.

The five best WiFi adapters

Here’s a list of the five best WiFi adapters:

The most important consideration when choosing the best WiFi adapter for gaming

Wireless protocols supported

Before you even get to know the speeds of connection, it is important to know your router well before deciding on an adapter to extend the internet signal.

There are different protocols supported by different routers and you should ensure they match with that of your adapter.

If you are dealing with a game console, it is important to consider an adapter that is compatible with it.

This way, you are able to connect your console to the wireless network of your home. However, some recent game consoles have incorporated WiFi support in them so the need for an adapter is eliminated.

The current IEEE WiFi standard 802.11n provides for extraordinary network connections. It also supports the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz ranges of frequency.

The 802.11ac is faster than the N but the only limitation is that it is only functional within the 2.4GHz range. It also offers better security for your network.

Single band adapters are often less expensive. Whereas the 2.4GHz bandwidth can be used over a very long range, the 5Ghz are good for their speeds.

A combination of both bands provides for both and that is why it is recommendable to go for dual band adapters.

Other considerations when choosing the best WiFi adapter for gaming

Compatibility

There are different types of USB connectors and it matters whichever you chose because compatibility is key.

With time there have been releases of better USB types that provide better compatibility with other devices and speed up the transfer speeds.

There are types such as A and B, in the usual, mini and micro categories. These are mostly found in the older electronic devices and have the usual read and write speeds.

The most current which is the USB type C is more powerful than the previous versions and provides more superior connections. Most recent electronic devices are adopting it because of the better specs it comes with.

Given that the USB plugs, the 1,2, or 3, have to be compatible with the USB receptacles, there is a USB compatibility chart that can help you figure out which connectors will make your devices communicate better.

Choose a WiFi adapter with a USB connection that is compatible with the computer or game console’s type.

Speeds

This is the main reason why gamers opt for a WiFi adapter in the first place; to boost the strength of their signal and connection speeds. Having to wait for the game to buffer during gaming can be such a nag and this should be greatly considered.

The speed of the adapter depends on the chipset used by the manufacturer. Despite being the most important factor, you will not find it written anywhere on the adapter. However, you will tell by the connection speeds.

There are a variety of connection speeds between 150Mbps and 1200Mbps. With their respective speeds, they support different frequency ranges and this should be a consideration before purchasing an adapter.

Type of adapter

There are two types of adapters, being wireless and wired. They both have their advantages and disadvantages and it is upon the user to decide on the adapter they are after, depending on their home connections.

USB adapters are flexible as no cables are required for connections so you can easily carry it around wherever you move.

They are also easy to install. However, they have increased latency and prone to interference and can slow down shots when playing games that need fast reaction such as Call of Duty.

Powerline and Ethernet cables are preferred as they avoid delays and interruptions that could be caused by interferences within the network.

There is less lag and you can avoid ping spikes which may lead to your (virtual) death.

Some adapters are easy to install and don’t require extra software for installation. Others come with features such as LEDs that tell you the amount of signal strength.

If you like to play while at the same time listening to music, it is important to go for an adapter that supports the streaming of audio files. This way you can get to enjoy uninterrupted gaming and music.

Depending on the power source, different types of WiFi adapters have different power usages. Some require a lot of power they even come with a separate source of power.

Security

Any network is susceptible to many kinds of vulnerabilities. Whether you are running on a wireless or wired network for internet connectivity, it is important to consider that at any point you could face a security breach in your network.

A WiFi adapter needs to be secured so that it can handle any kinds of network intrusions that may be put up against it.

The older adapter models come with a less secure protocol while the most recent have seen an inclusion of better security measures for these devices.

Now that the technological trend is moving from wired to wireless, it is important to purchase a WiFi adapter that will provide enough protection to your data.

Some devices use the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protocol for protection and are very prone to outside network attacks.

Extra measures should be taken to improve the security of the network to prevent the occurrence of any ill-mannered targets on the network.

The most recent WiFi gadgets in the market use two-protection levels protocol. The WPA security protocol boosts the network’s security by a long margin and prevents unauthorized access to the network.

WPA2 is an ever better protocol that boosts the network protection further with its Advanced Encryption Standard. (AES)

The best WiFi adapter for gaming

ASUS Dual-Band Wireless-AC1900 PCI-E Adapter

The Asus ppPCE-AC68 supports the 802.11ac WiFi protocol whose chipset provides a connectivity of up to 1.3Gbps. The antenna base is magnetized to enable flexible adjustments of the antennas to the best reception points.

The dual band support provides for very high WiFi speeds, with the 600Mbit/s over the 2.4Ghz and Up to 1.3Gbit/s over the 5GHz range.

The PCE-AC68 guarantees the fastest most stable connections that will ensure smooth gaming.

With the improved two-way transmission, the PCE-AC68 eliminates WiFi dead zones and provides an unlimited scope of network connectivity.

This feature is the most appealing to gamers who like to indulge in multiplayer gaming.

With this Asus dual band adapter, comes an added aluminum heat sink, which draws away excess heat, maintaining the adapter at optimal operation for extended gaming hours.

Its adaptability to the various climatic conditions makes it usable in all kinds of environments.

It supports all types of Windows operating systems, and the installation of drivers is automatic due to the plug-and-play support. The data exchange rates allow a downlink and uplink of up to 1300Mbps.

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ASUS PCE-AC68 Dual-Band 3x3 AC1900 WiFi...
  • Provides an extensible design that enables service prioritization for data
  • Design that delivers high availability, scalability, and for maximum flexibility...
  • The country of origin is China; Os support: Windows 8.1 (32bit/64bit), Windows 8...

The four other best WiFi adapters for gaming we tested are as follows:

TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit Wireless Wi-Fi Router (Archer C1200)

TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit Wireless Wi-Fi Router

The Archer AC12OO is an upgrade to your home WiFi network that provides high connection speeds of up to 1200Mbps for streaming and gaming.

It also supports dual-band WiFi, meaning stronger signals over the 5GHz range (867Mbps) and 2.4GHz (300Mbps).

If you need to exchange data between your devices, it comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports for connections.

With this, you can get to game and stream comfortably without worries of lag, buffers or interruptions.

It comes with three antennas that boost the WiFi signal connection enabling you to connect and process your information faster. It also allows you to enable a secure VPN server and enjoy safe online gaming.

It is easy to setup and use and even the updates are easy to install. You can also get to set up a tethering point for your tablet and phone and supports both Android and iOS operating systems.

In the case of technical assistance, the customer service at TP-Link can help you set up and repair in case of complications. It also comes with a 2-year warranty that will cater for any issues that come up within the given period.

TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit Smart WiFi Router...
  • Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet(300Mbps for 2.4...
  • Gigabit Ethernet ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly...
  • USB Access Share your USB drive content wirelessly; Operating Temperature:...

Cisco-Linksys WET610N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gaming and Video Adapter

Cisco-Linksys WET610N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gaming and Video Adapter

This adapter is compatible with a wide range of devices including HD TVs, game consoles and is the best fit for extended connection.

You will enjoy a seamless gaming online with the high speeds of up to 300Mbps.

It is built with the current 802.11n Wireless protocol, meaning super WiFi performance over a long range.

The multiple inputs and output antennas provide stability to your connection. With the dual band ranges, wireless gaming is at its smoothest.

It supports HD performance on your electronic devices. As gamers, every second count and you can get to beat your enemy just at the right time. It comes with the latest WPA2 security protocol which provides secure browsing through the internet.

The push button on the Linksys WET610 adapter makes it easy to set up. Then you can connect to an Ethernet enabled device.

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TP-LINK Archer T4U AC1200 Router

TP-Link AC3150 Wireless Wi-Fi Gigabit Router

The T4U is more superior to its predecessors in the Dual band series such as TL-WDN 3200 and 4200. The dual band range of 5GHz brings 867Mbps while the 2.4GHz supports 300Mbps so your WiFi signal is just as needed.

It has super fast transfer speeds and supports the 3.0 USB port version which boosts the speeds even more by a 10x margin in comparison with the 2.0.

Gamers will love this adapter as it provides endless streaming and online gaming. As gaming is intensive, The 5GHz range is good for the application.

It is easy to set up the AC1200 as the software for installation comes bundled with the CD.

You can also install extra features that enable better utility functions. There is provision for hotspot so that you can boost your WiFi signal at a place away from home.

It comes with an extension cable, which enables connection up to a meter away so you can place your router at an appropriate position.

TP-Link AC3150 Wireless Wi-Fi Gigabit...
  • Sytem Requirements:Subscription with an Internet Service Provider (for Internet...
  • AC3150 with 4-Stream and NitroQAM technology delivers up to 3150Mbps Wi-Fi...
  • Smart Connect helps devices run faster by intelligently assigning them to the...

Linksys WUSB6300 Dual-Band USB Adapter

Linksys WUSB6300 USB Wifi Adapter

The Linksys WUSB6300 is a fantastic choice for a USB style WiFi adapter.

It’s dual band meaning it can use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies which is a godsend when you’re in an area that is crowded with WiFi networks. Being in a crowded area on the same channel can lead to decreased speeds and in some cases, lag.

The unit comes with a disk which installs the driver and we got the adapter to work straight away after installing the driver with no fuss, you don’t even need to reboot your computer!

We noticed an increase in internet speed compared to other budget picks. The Linksys supports up to 867Mbps on 5GHz or 300Mbps on 2.4GHz, it’s compatiable with all Wireless 802.11ac routers and AP’s.

Up to WPA2 security is included which is great as WEP is quite easy to crack these days. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is also a feature so you can easily connect the adapter to your home network.

This Adapter is compatible with all versions of Windows.

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Linksys USB Wireless Network Adapter,...
  • Supports Microsoft Windows 10, 7, 8, XP, Vista
  • Lightning fast HD Video and Gaming
  • Up to 867 Mbps speed on Wireless AC 5 GHz band or Up to 300 Mbps speed on...

The bottom line

Several WiFi adapter manufacturers are aiming at producing the best performance devices. There are several emerging technologies for the features and specs we have listed and we will keep you updated as they change and get better.

It is important to note that the promised wireless protocol 802.11ad is hoping to boost the performance speeds up to 7Gbps over high frequencies of up to 60Ghz. As at now, we shall keep waiting for it.

Before deciding on a WiFi adapter for gaming, check the specs of your router to ensure the choice you are going for is compatible. We have selected the best in terms of performance as well as the pocket friendly adapters for gaming.

Sale
ASUS PCE-AC68 Dual-Band 3x3 AC1900 WiFi...
  • Provides an extensible design that enables service prioritization for data
  • Design that delivers high availability, scalability, and for maximum flexibility...
  • The country of origin is China; Os support: Windows 8.1 (32bit/64bit), Windows 8...

3 thoughts on “Best WiFi Adapters for Gaming in 2024”

  1. WUSB6300 VERY BAD. pings every 2 to 3 times up to like 3000ms or time out to the router. Never mind gaming, I can’t even load the router page. Went back to the old Wireless one I had 4 years ago… Please avoid

    Reply

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