How to choose a suitable WiFi Adapter?

1. Basic knowledge of wireless WiFi Adapter

If you are unclear about the wireless WiFi Adapter, please check this blog:

What is a WiFi Adapter? - All about WiFi adapter basics

 

2. Principle of selection

2.1 How to choose the PCIE and USB ports of the WiFi Adapter?

PCIE interface

① Advantages:

WiFi specifications and performance can be designed to be higher;

More stable;

After the PCIE WiFi Adapter is installed, it is not easily touched by external force, and it is safer and more reliable.

② Disadvantages:

it can only be used on desktop computers, and cannot be installed on laptop;

Installation and disassembly are inconvenient;

No drive-free mode; more expensive.

 

USB interface

① Advantages:

Plug and play, easy installation;

Support free drive;

Strong applicability, universal for laptops and desktops.

② Disadvantages:

WiFi specifications and performance cannot be designed to be larger;

A high-standard WiFi Adapter will be larger; it will be easy to touch when installed on a USB port.

 

For comparison:

PCIE wireless WiFi Adapter is preferred for desktop computers.

Laptops can be selected according to your needs. Those who pursue portability can choose a small-sized WiFi Adapter; those who want the most performance can choose a USB WiFi Adapter with appropriate high specifications and external antennas.

 

2.2 How to choose single-band or dual-band WiFi Adapter?

Single-band only supports 2.4G WiFi; dual-band supports 2.4G and 5G WiFi.

①The 2.4G frequency band has various signals of smart home devices such as WiFi, Bluetooth and ZigBee. Therefore, the 2.4G interference is relatively large, but the 2.4G penetration performance is better, and the long-distance performance is better.

②The interference in the 5G frequency band is relatively small, but the wall penetration performance is worse than that of 2.4G, which is determined by the physical characteristics of electromagnetic waves, and there is no way to take both.

 

At present, dual-band wireless routers are very popular, so purchasing a dual-band wireless WiFi Adapter can give full play to the performance of the router. For normal use, it is recommended to choose a dual-band wireless WiFi Adapter.

WiFi Adapter: What is the difference between 2.4G and 5G?

 

 

2.3 How to choose the antenna specification and antenna quantity of the WiFi Adapter?

① Antenna Specification

It is recommended to select the corresponding WiFi Adapter according to the specifications of your own wireless router.

If the specification of the WiFi Adapter is higher than that of the router, the performance of the WiFi Adapter cannot be fully utilized, resulting in waste; if the specification of the wireless WiFi Adapter is lower than that of the router, the performance of the router cannot be fully utilized and the utilization rate is low.

② Number of Antennas

There is a misunderstanding here, the number of antennas does not represent the level of specifications.

 

2.4 External antenna or Internal antenna?

① The strength of the received signal and the transmitted signal of the external antenna is better, and the transmission distance is longer; but the size of the external antenna is larger.

② The built-in antenna is small in size, but the receiving distance of WiFi is not as good as that of the external antenna.

 

You can find your suitable WiFi Adapter by Maxesla. Check Here.