Top Wireless Adapters

Setting up a shared Internet connection used to mean that you will spend hours laying out and pinning down meters and meters of cable just to get your terminal to connect to the Internet. With wireless network adapters, you have a lot more freedom and saved time, as they have allowed devices that have traditionally required a physical line to connect to the Internet through wireless means as long as they are within range of a wireless router, thus doing away with the issue of cabling. Intellireview collects the best-ranked wireless adapters from several sources across the web, giving you a clear picture of what products to go for when making your purchase. We use personal reviews as votes for or against a product, so you get a reliable idea of how other people see the product you are interested in buying. We understand that time is precious, even for online shoppers, so Intellireview does all the work for you and presents the information in a quick and easy-to- understand format; for example, with wireless adapters, you can easily pick from internal or USB-based models, or from single or dual-band variants based on our reviews. So take a look at our offerings, and see how Intellireview can work for you.

Ranking Updated: February 2012
TIPS
  1. USB-based wireless adapters are the better pick if you are new to computer hardware and are only looking for an easy, no-frills way to connect your computer or notebook to a wireless network.
  2. Internal wireless adapters can come in different formats: PCI, PCMCIA (Card bus) or Mini PCI for notebook computers. They are all relatively easy to install, but requires a certain amount of installation know-how and experience.
  3. A wireless adapter that complies with the 802.11N wireless connectivity specification provides the best coverage, speed, and security and is backwards-compatible with the earlier G, B, and A specifications.
  4. Choose wireless adapters that supply data security, which typically comes in the form of WPA2 (Wireless Protected Access) encryption doubled with AES, or Advanced Encryption Protocol.
  • Samsung WIS09ABGN IEEE 802.11n draft - Wi-Fi Adapter (USB - 54 Mbps)

    Samsung WIS09ABGN IEEE 802.11n draft - Wi-Fi Adapter (USB - 54 Mbps)

    731 Reviews

    Consumer Passion : Most passionate
    Popularity : Most popular
     Price: $66.95  See It
     Price: $79.00  See It
     Price: $79.99  See It

    Pros: Easy to set-up and operate, Safe and secure network configurations, Lightweight, Slim design
    Cons: High price, Configurations and options can be confusing for some

    Compatible with most 2009 and 2010 Samsung TVs and Blu-ray Disc Players, the lightweight and slim Samsung WIS09ABGN LinkStick provides an ideal way to stream content over the Internet and go wireless. Most users enjoy the speed and simplicity of setting up and connecting to a wireless network with this device. Security options are also available. No matter the age of your computer and home theater equipment, you should be up and running in no time. It supports IEEE 802.11 a/b/g and 802.11n draft 2.0. The slim form factor makes it hardly noticeable when connected to your TV. If you want to enjoy Internet@TV or use Netflix, Blockbuster or Pandora on your television, this is the way to go. Aside from letting you stream and connect wirelessly via your home router, selected TV models also enable you to get social updates from Facebook and Twitter. From ease of use to its lightweight construction and wide functionality, there's a lot to love about this wireless USB 2.0 adapter. Although it is definitely not the cheapest in the market, the Samsung WIS09ABGN LinkStick works as advertised. Since there is no installation required, you can stream web content instantly. In addition to Samsung HDTVs and Blu-Ray Disc Players, it also permits easy connection to other Samsung devices like mobile phones, cameras, PCs and Touch Remote Control.

  • TRENDnet TEW-424UB Wireless G USB Adapter (USB - 54Mbps - IEEE 802.11b/g)

    TRENDnet TEW-424UB Wireless G USB Adapter (USB - 54Mbps - IEEE 802.11b/g)

    714 Reviews

    Consumer Passion : Most passionate
    Popularity : Very popular
     Price: $9.49  See It
     Price: $8.95  See It
  • D-Link Xtreme N DWA-556 PCI Express Desktop Adapter (PCI Express x1 - 54Mbps)

    D-Link Xtreme N DWA-556 PCI Express Desktop Adapter (PCI Express x1 - 54Mbps)

    409 Reviews

    Consumer Passion : Most passionate
    Popularity : Very popular
     Price: $59.99  See It
     Price: $59.99  See It

    Pros: Designed to handle bandwidth-intensive programs, Works with Linux systems, Backwards compatible with 802.11g standard
    Cons: Minor software issues, Installation may be a bit hard for first-time users

    If you're looking for a networking solution for your desktop computer that offers not only superior performance but backwards compatibility as well, then the D-Link Xtreme N Wireless Network Adapter is a good choice. It is ideal for users who like to multitask when it comes to Internet activities as it is specifically designed to handle the demands of multiple programs that all demand bandwidth share. Enjoy smooth, uninterrupted web browsing, VoIP calls, file sharing and even streaming of HD content at up to 14x faster and 6x farther range through your 802.11n network, all made possible by the three external antennas on this network adapter that supply exceptional reception of a Wi-Fi signal. It even supports the previous 802.11g standard, so if you have this type of network in place, the Xtreme N is compatible for this as well. You also won't need to worry about unwanted intrusion as it supports WPA and WPA2 encryption. Since the D-Link Xtreme N Wireless Adapter is an internal device, casual users without much experience in installing hardware into a computer system might want to consider other networking options but if you're a more advanced user, installing this device will prove to be an easy task. It fits into any of the four standard PCI-E slots; That is, x1, x4, x8 and x16. In addition to its compatibility with most Windows systems even up to the 64-bit version of Windows 7, it also works well with Linux-based systems. However, minor installation issues are present especially with the supplied Windows 7 drivers so it's recommended to either download drivers from the Web or use the built-in wireless configuration of your operating system.

  • Linksys WMP600N Wireless-N PCI Adapter with Dual-Band (PCI - 54Mbps - IEEE 802.11n draft)

    Linksys WMP600N Wireless-N PCI Adapter with Dual-Band (PCI - 54Mbps - IEEE 802.11n draft)

    251 Reviews

    Consumer Passion : Most passionate
    Popularity : Most popular
     Price: $59.99  See It
     Price: $59.99  See It
     Price: $49.00  See It

    Pros: Low price, High quality, Dual-Band technology, Easy set-up, Long product life
    Cons: May not work with all hardware and operating system configurations, Some problems with customer support

    The Cisco-Linksys WMP600N makes a compelling choice for those who are looking for a high quality PCI wireless adapter for their home computer. It works well and comes with a great price. It also operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands and boasts Wireless-N technology for greater speed and wider range. Users of Wireless-B, Wireless-G and Wireless A networks need not to worry as it supports these older networks. While it will not fit all computers, this dual-band adapter is very easy to install on compatible systems. Just place it in your computer's PCI slot and a step-by-step Setup Wizard will guide you through the whole setup. With WPA2 encryption, you can be sure of total protection. However, some people have reported problems with customer service. Overall, the Cisco-Linksys WMP600N is very well built and can be expected to last a long time. Compatible with Windows XP, Vista and many other operating systems, it makes everything hassle-free and it provides a good, strong connection to your wireless network. Built on the Wireless-N standard, it also has the speed you need to stream all sorts of content online at speeds that won't leave you lagging. When you consider the quality and ease of set-up, it is easy to see that its price is fair and reasonable.

  • Asus USB-N10 IEEE 802.11n draft - Wi-Fi Adapter (USB - 150 Mbps)

    Asus USB-N10 IEEE 802.11n draft - Wi-Fi Adapter (USB - 150 Mbps)

    140 Reviews

    Consumer Passion : Most passionate
    Popularity : Very popular
     Price: $21.29  See It
     Price: $19.99  See It
     Price: $17.48  See It

    Pros: Small size, Reasonable price, Wireless-N, -B and -G compatible
    Cons: Gets a little hot during use, Not plug and play on most operating systems

    Measuring only 1.6 cm, you can plug the Asus USB-N10 to your computer's USB port and forget it's even there. Its small form factor is a nice upgrade to the longer length of the Asus USB-N13 but it can also be a con due to the fact that you can easily misplace or worst, lose it. Just like its predecessor, this USB adapter supports PSP XLink Kai for an enjoyable gaming experience. The 3D enhanced MIFA antenna also expands the coverage for up to 150m. From Linux to the older and latest Mac and Windows systems, there have been no reported problems with regards to getting their computer hooked up to a wireless connection. It works better with Wireless-G networks but it can also be used on Wireless-B and Wireless-N networks. On the latter, however, it might not reach the highest possible speeds. From the super small design to the low price, the Asus USB-N10 is a great choice for many different reasons. It is powerful and it enables you to connect to the Internet without a lot of hassle. LED Indicators are also present for easy status monitoring. While it gets a little hot during use and is not plug-and-play on most systems, it is still good at this price point. The drivers are also relatively easy to install, meaning you will be up and running quickly.

  • D-Link Xtreme N DWA-566 IEEE 802.11n draft PCI Express x1 - Wi-Fi Adapter (300 Mbps - Internal)
  • Asus PCE-N10 IEEE 802.11n draft - Wi-Fi Adapter (PCI Express - 150 Mbps - Internal)

    Asus PCE-N10 IEEE 802.11n draft - Wi-Fi Adapter (PCI Express - 150 Mbps - Internal)

    111 Reviews

    Consumer Passion : Most passionate
    Popularity : Moderately popular
     Price: $22.99  See It
     Price: $22.98  See It
     Price: $24.99  See It

    Pros: USB 2.0 for easy set-up, Great price, Supports Wireless-N and backward compatible with Wireless-G and Wireless-B
    Cons: Not the smallest, Some Mac users have reported problems with compatibility, Average signal strength

    While it doesn't provide the best signal strength and is not the smallest we've come across, the Asus USB-N13 enables you to easily connect your computer or laptop to a wireless network. Its PSP XLink Kai support makes it perfect for every gamer and the integrated software AP lets you access the internet when you need to. It provides simple installation with its push-button set-up and is compatible with Wireless-N as well as with Wireless-B and Wireless-G. Just push the WPS button on both your adapter and router then the WPS Wizard will launch instantly. Supported operating systems include Mac 10.3 and higher, Linux and Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7. On the contrary, some users have noted that the signal has the tendency to drop from time to time, but these are not widespread and may not happen to every user. With a high quality construction and a very low price, the Asus USB-N13 s a great value on many different levels. There are Led Indicators that allow you to see activity, power and link with just a single glance and a Mobile control center for viewing information. Range is rated for up to 150m and you can also keep your information private through WPA/WPA2 encryption. All in all, it is a very solid performer that won't let you down.

  • D-Link DWA-125 Wireless USB Adapter (USB - 150Mbps - IEEE 802.11n draft)

    D-Link DWA-125 Wireless USB Adapter (USB - 150Mbps - IEEE 802.11n draft)

    109 Reviews

    Consumer Passion : Most passionate
    Popularity : Very popular
     Price: $23.99  See It
     Price: $28.45  See It
     Price: $26.76  See It

    Pros: Wireless adapter compatible with 802.11N and G specifications, Has included extension cradle, Works with other AV equipment
    Cons: Issues with Windows 7 64-bit

    Make the most out of your wireless network with the D-Link Wireless 150 USB adapter. This handy, high-performance adapter works with the new 802.11n wireless connection protocol, as well as the older 802.11g standard, and since it uses a USB 2.0 interface, non-techies will love the very simple installation process that of course, does not involve opening your case. Just insert the Wireless 150 into an available port, pop the installer disk into your CD-ROM and follow the on-screen instructions. The D-Link Wireless 150 takes advantage of nearly all of the benefits of the 802.11n network connection protocol, such as improved range, performance and signal quality, in addition to better security. The manufacturers have included a cradle with a USB extension port to allow you to place the adapter in a location that has better network coverage. This unit can likewise be used to connect other equipment, such as media players, televisions, or gaming consoles with networking capability as long as they have a USB port available. A minor issue with the D-Link Wireless 150 USB adapter is that although it works like a charm with Windows versions up to the latest ones, the 64-bit versions of Windows 7 may require you to download compatible drivers off the D-Link website for it to work properly. Furthermore, If your motherboard has a tight back panel layout, you might opt to use the extension cradle instead of plugging the adapter directly, as its size, although small, is still larger than the usual USB flash drive and could get in the way of your other devices.

  • D-Link DWA-131 Wireless N Nano USB Adapter (USB - 54Mbps - IEEE 802.11n draft)

    D-Link DWA-131 Wireless N Nano USB Adapter (USB - 54Mbps - IEEE 802.11n draft)

    81 Reviews

    Consumer Passion : Most passionate
    Popularity : Very popular
     Price: $27.97  See It
     Price: $33.50  See It
  • Asus PCE-N15 IEEE 802.11n (draft) - Wi-Fi Adapter - PCI Express - 300 Mbps - Internal

    Asus PCE-N15 IEEE 802.11n (draft) - Wi-Fi Adapter - PCI Express - 300 Mbps - Internal

    67 Reviews

    Consumer Passion : Most passionate
    Popularity : Very popular
     Price: $35.95  See It
     Price: $27.99  See It
     Price: $27.98  See It