By Ki Grinsing

Overview

Why you need USB wireless adapter? USB wireless adapter is versatile; you can install it to any desktop and laptop computers with USB port ready. You don’t need to open the computer case to install the adapter, just plug into the available USB port and probably you need the adapter driver and done. This is different when you need to install the wireless PCI adapter, you need to open the computer case and locate the available PCI slot and insert it into the slot.

Technology evolves all the time, and each year the USB wireless adapters are introduced into the market with better performance in speed, in gain or in range.

Best wireless USB adapters

The following list few best USB wireless adapters available in the market you can consider to purchase to upgrade your aging ones.

Best USB Wireless Adapter in Speed

The current wireless technology is 802.11n that can deliver the high speed multiple times as fast as the legacy wireless G. The fastest technology adopted into the ultimate speed of the recent wireless routers with N900 technology such as Netgear WNDR4500 N900 or Zyxel NBG5715 N900 routers use three spatial data streams delivering up to 450Mbps each band.

Trendnet introduces the best USB wireless adapter in speed TEW-684UB 450Mbps dual band adapter – the fastest adapter in its class.

Main features

• 1xport USB 2.0 compliant adapter with extension cable for better placement. Wireless coverage up to 300ft
• Up to 450mbps dual band – ideal for connecting to any wireless N750 or N900 routers for optimum data rate throughput
• WPS button for easy secure connection to the router (with WPS enable)
• Powered by computers’ USB port
• Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) based QoS

Not many manufacturers ship their best in speed USB wireless adapter up to 450Mbps, even though mostly they introduce N750 wireless routers. TEW-684UB 450Mbps is the first USB adapter in its class.

Cons:

• It’s not convenient on the go

Best USB wireless adapter – high gain and range

For industrial environment where Wi-Fi network exists and is covering long area and is frequently in harsh environment such as in marines, industrial yards, deploying standard wireless adapter frequently not adequate to get a strong signal. The deployment of high-gain USB wireless adapters would help receiving a better signal strength. Alfa 1000mW 802.11b/g adapter is one of the high-gain adapters you may consider.

Main features:

• High power 1000mW high-gain adapter
• Long range with Alfa 5dBi and 9dBi Screw-On Swivel rubber antenna
• Strong wireless security with 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, TKIP, AES
• Supports all OS, Windows, Unix, Mac and Linux

Upgrade your desktop or laptop adapters with this best USB wireless adapter to join into the Wi-Fi network with poor reception in industrial environment.

Cons:

• Isn’t powered by 802.11n for high speed
• Require external long stick antennas for better gain and power

You may also consider professional wireless USB for long range wifi.

Netgear is coming with new 5G Wifi USB adapters that can speed up to 1300Mbps – Netgear A6200 wireless USB adapter to support your 5G wifi router such as Netgear R6300 802.11ac router.