Five Wi-Fi adapters that connect to a computer via USB

In the low-cost price division of Wi-Fi sticks, there are usually only single-band models operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. A good exception to the rule is the Mercusys MU6H adapter.

The device comes to the rescue of laptops with a weak built-in Wi-Fi module and desktop computers without a network card. Also, the use of a dongle is advisable if it is difficult to pull the cable network to the computer. Mercusys MU6H receives signals from the router in two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The data exchange rate in the first range is provided at the level of up to 200 Mbps, in the second case - up to 433 Mbps.

Connecting the adapter to your computer is easy. It is enough to plug it into the USB slot and the dongle will automatically be detected as a removable disk, on which the driver installation file will be located. After installing the drivers, the adapter appears in the device manager as a Wi-Fi network card. The model is compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems.

Mercusys MU6H is equipped with an external omnidirectional antenna on a swivel. Its gain is 5dBi. For more stable operation in networks with several connected Wi-Fi client devices, the adapter was “brought up” with support for MU-MIMO technology. The only claim to the model is the cases of periodic "falling off" from the network. However, this flaw is not of a mass nature, and in the light of the democratic cost of the dongle, one can safely turn a blind eye to it.

The TP-LINK Archer T3U Plus USB dongle allows you to connect a PC or an old laptop with slow Wi-Fi to a wireless data network. The adapter has acquired support for the Wi-Fi 802.11ac standard and provides a total information exchange rate of up to 1300 Mbps.

The device is connected via the contact group of any free USB port (both versions 2.0 and 3.2 gen1). At a frequency of 2.4 GHz, it can squeeze out a maximum throughput of up to 400 Mbps, in the 5 GHz band - up to 867 Mbps. The first option will come in handy for surfing the Internet and gatherings on social networks, the second is more preferable for streaming broadcasts, pastime in games and downloading large files.

A high-gain dual antenna is responsible for extended wireless coverage and stable connection of client devices to the adapter. Visually, both antennas are combined into one with the ability to adjust the position for more confident signal reception. The model also supports MU-MIMO technology, which allows you to simultaneously transfer data to multiple devices in networks with compatible routers.

TP-LINK Archer T3U Plus has WPA/WPA2 encryption function to secure your wireless network. The USB dongle is supported on macOS and Windows operating systems (from version 7 and above). The only complaint about the model is that at a frequency of 5 GHz it sometimes has problems with high ping. Otherwise, the Wi-Fi adapter properly fulfills every penny paid.

The Asus USB-AC58 wireless adapter is designed as a compact desktop unit with a long USB cable for connecting to the appropriate port on your computer.

With a flat platform form factor, there was enough space in the body of the device for two external antennas of a removable design. They are mounted on swivel joints, so you can adjust the direction of the antennas to ensure the most reliable signal reception from the router. If necessary, the antennas are disconnected, they can also be replaced with others.

The client device has acquired support for Wi-Fi 5 wireless networks. It provides connections with a theoretical bandwidth of up to 400 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band or 867 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. At the same time, the adapter supports MIMO 2x2 multi-stream data transfer technology. The cable connection of the device is established via the USB 3.2 gen1 interface.

The speed characteristics of the model are more than enough for solving simple everyday tasks, as well as for watching streaming video in high resolution or spending time at the computer in virtual game worlds. The security of users on the Internet is ensured by the support of WPA3 data encryption. The model will come in handy in many situations when you really want to squeeze more out of a wireless connection.

EDIMAX EW-7822UMX is a fairly large USB dongle that allows you to upgrade your laptop or PC to the Wi-Fi 6 standard. The model will serve as an excellent addition to a gigabit router in cases where the computer is equipped with an old and slow wireless adapter or is completely devoid of it.

The USB dongle operates in two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz with data transfer rates up to 573 Mbps and 5 GHz - up to 1201 Mbps. The connection of the device to the computer is implemented via the USB 3.2 Gen1 interface, which acts as a guarantor of a stable connection speed. Wi-Fi adapter provides surfing the World Wide Web, fast downloading of heavy files, streaming video in high resolution up to 4K, etc.

OFDMA technology increases the efficiency of information transfer to several connected devices. Also in the arsenal of the model there is support for MU-MIMO, aimed at the comfortable use of a Wi-Fi network by several users overnight. A stable wireless coverage area is provided by a tandem of two built-in antennas.

EDIMAX EW-7822UMX is backward compatible with Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards. In terms of security, the model uses the WPA3 protocol, which is able to protect user passwords from network attacks. Externally, the device resembles a large USB flash drive and thanks to this form factor, the dongle is easy to transport.

The Asus USB-AX55 Nano is a prime example of miniaturization in action. This tiny Wi-Fi adapter can be permanently left in the USB port of a computer or laptop without fear of damaging the dongle when moving computer equipment.

The crowning feature of the model is an upgrade of the wireless connection to the Wi-Fi 6 standard. The technical specifications of the adapter specify a maximum data exchange rate of up to 574 Mbps at a frequency of 2.4 GHz and up to 1201 Mbps at a frequency of 5 GHz. However, the dongle connects to the computer via a USB 2.0 interface, which limits the bandwidth to about 480 Mbps. Frankly, it looks very strange.

The Asus USB-AX55 Nano uses a 2x2 antenna configuration. Stability in networks with a large number of client devices is the prerogative of a whole pack of implemented technologies. In particular, the adapter has acquired support for OFDMA, MU-MIMO and BSS Coloring. The latter feature improves the ability to withstand interference from neighboring Wi-Fi networks.

The model is optimally suited for surfing the Internet and working, broadcasting 4K video, online gaming. And most importantly, together with an advanced router, it pumps the computer connection to the Wi-Fi 6 standard . Out of the box, the adapter is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems.