Best USB Wireless N Adapter

Despite the fact that the 802.11n standard has been officially ratified by the Wi-Fi alliance, not all computers come equipped with wireless-N clients. Most, however, do come with USB ports which can be used to connect these adapters. USB wireless-N adapters differ in performance and price, with the better models usually offering higher throughput speeds and reliable operation. The 802.11n standard encompasses two operating frequencies (2.4GHz and 5GHz), which is why some of the higher-end adapters feature a dual-band design capable of receiving and transmitting on both. Here are some USB wireless-N adapters to consider first, due to their superior... Read More performance, stability, and value. Minimize

Cisco Linksys AE2500 High Performance Dual-Band N USB Adapter

The Cisco Linksys AE2500 features dual-band operation, high reliability, and a sleek design that fits in with the company's high-performance routers. Full backwards-compatibility with previous wireless standards is a major plus, and the reasonable price means there's little reason to consider more expensive USB adapters. Read Full Review

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Cisco Linksys AE2500 High Performance Dual-Band N USB Adapter View Details

Netgear WNDA3100 RangeMax Wireless USB Adapter

The Netgear WNDA3100 offers a convenient push-button setup method, dual-band capability, and good overall performance. The included feature set is a perfect match for Netgear's high-end routers. However, this USB adapter is expensive, making it difficult to recommend over the Cisco Linksys AE2500. Read Full Review

Netgear WNDA3100 RangeMax Wireless USB Adapter View Details

D-Link DWA-140 USB Network Adapter

The D-Link DWA-140 may not be the 'top-of-the-line' USB wireless adapter from the company, but this model comes with everything you need if you're using a single-band 802.11n wireless router. The lack of dual-band operation also means a lower price, along with better reliability than D-Link's own DWA-160. Read Full Review

D-Link DWA-140 USB Network Adapter View Details

TP-Link TL-WN722N 150Mbps High Gain Wireless USB Adapter

TP-Link's TL-WN722N is inexpensive, yet offers good performance and range. The low price makes the TL-WN722N a viable option if you have several computers that need wireless adapters, while the external antenna provides a slight edge in range. However, maximum throughput speed is only 150Mbps as opposed to the more-common 300Mbps found on other 802.11n devices. Read Full Review

TP-Link TL-WN722N 150Mbps High Gain Wireless USB Adapter View Details

Linksys WUSB600N Wireless USB Adapter

While the Cisco Linksys WUSB600N has been replaced by the newer Linksys AE2500, this adapter is still readily available at affordable prices. The list of features includes dual-band operation with backwards compatibility with previous 802.11a/b/g standards, as well as easy installation and use. The Linksys WUSB600N is still a top choice amongst wireless-N USB adapters. Read Full Review

Linksys WUSB600N Wireless USB Adapter View Details

Leave a Question or Comment

2 comments

  • Betty

My husband is in Puerto Rico and can't always access internet service from his laptop so it was suggested that he purchase a wireless USB adapter to tap into his friend's internet service. Would any of these adapters do this and would he have to configure it to his friend's router? Would he also be able to tap into any Wi-Fi that's not locked? Thanks.

Posted on 1/7/2011 11:43 am | Reply
  • JohnPeters

With any of these adapters he would be able to access the internet through his friend's WAP (wireless access point, aka router) as long as his friend gives him the password to the WAP. He would also be able to access any WAP which is classified as public, or is not password protected.

Posted on 1/28/2011 7:00 pm. In reply to Betty | Reply

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