Why it's best: Linksys is one of the more well-known names in the networking arena, and its products have a well-deserved reputation for solidity. The WMP600N is a PCI-interface wireless adapter which supports the Draft n 2.0 standard, as well as backwards compatibility for 802.11a/b/g. The WMP600N is a dual-band design, meaning it can be set to operate at 2.4GHz or 5GHz, whichever is less crowded in your area. The two antennas are placed for maximum reception and reliability. Setup is incredibly simple, with clear instructions and a setup wizard that walks you through the entire process. Afterwards, you simply forget that the adapter exists aside from having a steady internet connection. The WMP600N supports WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security along with up to 128-bit encryption, which should keep your data safe. The only drawbacks to the WMP600N is its lack of portability (like you get with USB adapters) as well as the high purchase price, though the latter is offset by Linksys' customer service. For best results, use with a router that supports the Draft n 2.0 standard. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Combining the convenience of a USB adapter and the high speed capability of the Draft n 2.0 standard, the Linksys WUSB600N offers the best of both worlds. Better still, the WUSB600N supports dual-band operation which allows you to use either the 2.4GHz frequency or the 5GHz frequency - whichever works better for you. The USB adapter design allows you to move between devices, though the adapter ships with a stand for use with desktop computers. WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security are all supported, with up to 256-bit encryption. The WUSB600N is also backwards compatible with the older 802.11a/b/g standards, though the best results will be achieved with a matching Linksys 802.11n (Draft 2.0) router. The biggest drawback of the Linksys WUSB600N is its price - often several times more expensive than the more basic options that litter the market, though the lesser options are not as feature-rich as the WUSB600N. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Amazon.com$34.99
Why it's a best pick: With its brigade of removable antennas protruding conspicuously out of the adapter, the Edimax EW-7728In promises much in terms of performance. The specs sheet is filled with impressive features, such as 802.11n Draft 2.0 support, WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security up to 128-bit encryption, and higher reliability and throughput thanks to MIMO technology (multiple input multiple output). To put it simply (and to avoid the technobabble), MIMO allows much higher rates of data transfers in both directions by using multiple antennas, explaining the antenna arrangement of this wireless adapter.The EW-7728In provides full backwards compatibility for the 802.11b/g standards, though 802.11a backwards compatibility is missing due to the fact that the EW-7728In is not a dual-band design. Installation is simple and straightforward, and the EW-7728In supports 64-bit versions of Windows as well as Mac OS X. For the price, it's difficult to find a better performing alternative. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: D-Link's DWA-140 'RangeBooster' USB adapter features support for the 'Draft n' standard, and the 'RangeBooster' tag is a reference to the enhancements brought about by the new 'Draft n' standard. This allows a significant boost in usable range and transfer speeds when compared to the older 802.11g standard, which the DWA-140 is fully backwards compatible with. The case features a removable protective cap and a single light that alerts the user to a functioning link and activity. However, D-Link makes no mention of backwards compatibility with the 802.11a standard, as the DWA-140 cannot operate on the 5GHz frequency. There is also no mention of support for WEP security, though WPA and WPA2 are both supported. Finally, D-Link does not claim to support 64-bit operating systems. Despite these drawbacks, the D-Link DWA-140 remains easy to use and very reliable - exactly what you want from a plug-and-play USB adapter such as this. For best performance, D-Link recommends using their DIR-625 RangeBooster N Router in conjunction with the DWA-140. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Known for making affordable computer accessories, Sabrent offers the PCI-802N - a PCI-based wireless network adapter. Equipped with two antennas and a rather sparse board, this basic-looking adapter is as simple to use as its appearance would suggest. Simply plugging the PCI-802N into a usable PCI slot brings full 802.11n functionality to a computer that otherwise did not have it, along with full backwards compatibility with the older 802.11b/g standards if your network is not on the newest technology. WEP and WPA security is supported, as is AES encryption, and the PCI-802N supports up to 256-bit encryption which will more than adequately protect your data. Simply put, this highly affordable PCI-based wireless network adapter will bring most of the performance and functionality of the higher-end 802.11n adapters at a fraction of the cost. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
