The TP-Link AC1750 is an Alexa-compatible router with dual-band capability and four gigabit ports. For today only, save $10 off the retail price.
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The Rundwon
- Best Overall:Net-Dyn AC1200 USB Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter at Amazon, “Capable of covering an area of around 100 yards while still offering its fastest connection speed.”
- Best Budget:Panda Wireless PAU06 at Amazon, “Keeps itself in the background so it does not take up too much of your laptop’s battery.”
- Best Compact: TP-Link N150 Nano at Amazon, “Has a plug-and-play design that requires little configuration regardless of your operating system.”
- Runner-Up, Best Compact:Glam Hobby 600Mbps AC600 at Amazon, “An excellent and smart way to add a 5GHz connection to a laptop or desk in a small package.”
- Best Features:Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter at Amazon, “Includes an extension wire and stand so you can set it upright like an antenna to improve signal.”
- Best Range:TRENDnet TEW-809UB at Amazon, “Featuring beamforming technology that excels at handling multiple Internet users at the same time.”
- Best Splurge:Asus USB-AC68 at Amazon, “Featuring foldable, external antennas to provide enhanced reception for laptops when open.”
- Best for Gaming:Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 WUSB6300 at Amazon, “Featuring speeds up to 300Mbps on the 802.11n 2.4GHz band.”
- Best Design:D-Link Systems AC1900 Ultra Wi-Fi USB 3.0 at Amazon, “An orb-shaped adapter that connects to your computer via a three-foot USB cable.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Net-Dyn AC1200 USB Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter
3.6
Compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, the Net-Dyn dual band USB wireless Wi-Fi adapter is an outstanding choice for adding Wi-Fi to any computer. Utilizing both 2.4GHz and 5GHz capabilities, the Net-Dyn is capable of reaching and covering an area of around 100 yards while still offering its fastest connection speed. Reaching speeds up to 300Mbps, the addition of 802.11n connectivity guarantees a future-proofed purchase.
Setup is a snap. Just plug the Net-Dyn into your computer, install the drivers (Windows only) and connect to the Internet. Supported by all WLAN routers, there are WPA/WPA2/WEP connectivity options, which ensures the Net-Dyn works with just about any Internet provider in the U.S. Additionally, Net-Dyn provides a lifetime warranty along with routine software and driver updates.
Best Budget: Panda Wireless PAU06
The Panda Wireless PAU06 offers stellar performance at a fantastic budget price. Upgrading any computer to the future-friendly 802.11n standard means the max data rate can reach up to 300Mbps on the connection. Additionally, there’s backward compatibility with the 802.11g on the 2.4GHz band to ensure a stable connection regardless of your Internet service provider.
Utilizing low power technology, the Panda works to keep itself in the background so it does not take up too much of your laptop’s battery. Beyond battery, a WPS button works to connect the computer and PAU06 quickly without a headache for the user. The Panda is compatible with Windows 10, as well as Mac OS and various Linux systems. State-of-the-art security standards are also in place to provide the user with peace of mind through 128bit WEP, WPA and WPA encryption standards.
Best Compact: TP-Link N150 Nano
The TP-Link N150 Nano USB Wi-Fi adapter is a compact choice that’s priced just right. Just plug it into your device's USB port and you can connect to 2.4GHz band Wi-Fi at 150Mbps — it also utilizes the future-proofed 802.11ac standard. This little device has a 'SoftAP Mode' that allows you to turn your computer's wired connection into a wireless hotspot for your phone or tablet. Setup is easy thanks to a plug-and-play design that requires little configuration regardless of which operating system you’re working on. Once you’re online, this device offers 64/128 WEP, WPA/WPA2, and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK security standards for extra peace of mind while you browse.
The N150 Nano is a very small dongle, which means it won't interfere with other ports and you can leave it plugged in indefinitely without worrying about it getting knocked out. But it also means you'll want to stick close to the wireless or wired router/modem to get maximum performance.
Runner-Up, Best Compact: Glam Hobby 600Mbps AC600
Whether you’re looking to stream video, browse the Web or host an online video conference, the Glam Hobby AC600 USB Wi-Fi dongle is ready for action. The device offers fantastic speed capabilities (including a 600Mbps connection speed running 3x faster than similarly priced Wireless N adapters). It's capable of working on the 5GHz band for a 433Mbps max connection speed (150Mbps on 2.4GHz), and support is available for both Windows 10 and Mac OS (the former requires a software download from the Glam Hobby website).
Measuring just 22mm in length, the Glam Hobby is an excellent and smart way to add a 5GHz connection to a laptop or desk in a small package (and at a budget-friendly price tag). While the omission of the 802.11n is noteworthy, the Glam Hobby makes up for it with unique features like creating a Wi-Fi hotspot for additional mobile devices whenever there is a wired internet connection.
Best Features: Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter
The Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter offers you a dual-band 802.11n connection, giving you speeds up to 600Mbps on a 2.4GHz brand and 1300 Mbps on a 5GHz band. It’s compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10, as well as Mac OS X 10.8.3 or later.
All of these features are exactly what you’d look for and expect in a Wi-Fi adapter, but the extra feature that sets it apart for this slot on the list is the ability to both plug it directly into your laptop like a thumb drive and the ability to use an included extension wire and stand to set it upright like an antenna to improve signal. This is great because you can toss the versatile device alone into your laptop bag for on-the-go Wi-Fi compatibility, and leave the stand doc at home to increase your signal when you’re at your desk.
Best Range: TRENDnet TEW-809UB
The four-antenna design of the TRENDnet TEW-809UB adapter might look a little “too much” for some buyers, but it's definitely more than meets the eye. The powerful antennas offer high-end features such as beamforming technology that excel at handling multiple Internet users connected at the same time without interfering with network performance. The antennas are independently adjustable, so you can fidget with each one to effectively increase range in your house or workplace.
It is capable of providing speeds of up to 1300Mbps on the 802.11ac standard or up to 600Mbps on the 802.11n standard. The inclusion of the latter allows for the TEW-809UB to remain future-proofed for years to come. While it might be mistaken for a router in appearance, its range rivals that of some routers (you can bank on more than 100 yards of distance before signal degradation).
Best Splurge: Asus USB-AC68
![Best Wifi Router For Mac Devices Best Wifi Router For Mac Devices](https://www.le-vpn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/reseau-prive-vpn2.jpeg)
With a unique dual-winged design, the Asus USB-AC68 is one of the best Wi-Fi adapters money can buy. Featuring foldable, external antennas to provide enhanced reception for laptops when open (and easy transportation and portability when closed), the Asus offers outstanding range and speed. Utilizing powerful 3x4 MIMO (multiple in, multiple out) antenna technologies, the dual three-position external antennas pair with an internal antenna for long range connectivity. Working off both the 2.4GHz band (600Mbps) and the 5GHz band (1300Mbps), the Asus is more than ready to tackle bandwidth-intensive tasks.
Additionally, the increased expense results in features such as AiRadar and beamforming technology that create extended coverage, dynamic speed increases and enhanced stability while online. To get hooked up, just plug it into a USB 3.0 port on your computer or into the cradle that arrives with the Asus. The desktop cradle allows for easy positioning in and around the computer to find the best signal position whereas USB-only options limit reach.
Best for Gaming: Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 WUSB6300
Released in 2013, the Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 WUSB6300 Wi-Fi adapter stands the test of time with outstanding performance and lightning fast gaming speeds. Featuring speeds up to 867Mbps on the 802.11ac 5GHz network or up to 300Mbps on the 802.11n 2.4GHz band, the Linksys is more than ready for multiplayer gaming at any hour of the day. With support for any 802.11ac routers, access points and extenders, the Linksys also supports up to 128-bit encryption through WEP, WPA and WPA2 standards.
The Linksys works with all Windows platforms, including Windows 7, Window 8 and Windows 10 for maximum use cases both in the home and office. Beyond gaming, the 1200Mbps max speed is perfect for Netflix or Hulu HD video streaming, which makes it an ideal choice for the whole family. While it might be one of the older options available, the WUSB6300 still outperforms more current options and is an excellent choice for gamers that’s priced just right.
Best Design: D-Link Systems AC1900 Ultra Wi-Fi USB 3.0
Released in late 2014, the D-Link Systems AC1900 Ultra Wi-Fi USB 3.0 adapter bares a striking resemblance to the Death Star in Star Wars. The orb-shaped adapter connects to your computer via a proprietary three-foot USB cable. At 3.2 x 3.2 x 3.2 inches in size, the D-Link might be better-associated size-wise with a baseball or tennis ball to give a good idea of just how “large” it will be on your desk. Awesome design aside, the D-Link provides up to 1300Mbps performance on a 5GHz network and up to 600Mbps on a 2.4GHz network. The flexible technology allows the D-Link to be backward compatible with 802.11/n/g/a networks.
The D-Link has advanced D-Link’s SmartBeam (aka beamforming) technology that improves coverage by directing network signal straight between a router and the DWA-192 adapter. Additionally, the inclusion of USB 3.0 transfer mode allows the user to transfer data more than 10x faster than USB 2.0 performance. All in all, while it's a little on the pricey side, it's definitely worth it.
Tested by
How We Tested
Our reviewers spent 34 hours testing one of the most popular Wi-Fi USB adapters on the market. We asked our testers to consider the most important features — from size and style to range and speed — when using this Wi-Fi USB adapter and we've outlined them here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in a Wi-FI USB Adapter
Size -Wi-Fi USB adapters vary in size, with some as small as a Lego block and others as large as a full-fledged router with antennas. If you’re looking for something more portable, the smaller ones work well, but bigger ones often come equipped with neat features like beamforming technology for diverting interference.
Speed -There’s nothing more frustrating than a buffering stream, so make sure you get an adapter with speeds fast enough for your needs. While 300Mbps should be enough for most tasks, some provide up to 1300Mbps.
Range -Depending on where your router sits, you might have trouble connecting. Splurging on an adapter with a longer range will come in handy if it’s far away. Some of the best options will score you up to 100 yards of range.
Mac pro graphics card upgrade. So their hardware is very much stripped-down. Notebooks CAN'T use a lot of power due to their battery, or disperse a lot of heat due to their small form factor.
Test Results: Net-Dyn AC1200 USB Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter (Best Overall)
3.6
What We Like
- Improved Wi-Fi connection
- Great range
- Reliable
Although one of our testers felt that setting up this adapter was a bit challenging, he found that it worked very well once it was up and running: “I was mostly using it at the furthest location from my router in my house and it worked perfectly,” he said. One tester even measured his wireless Internet speed before and after use and found it increased by approximately 15 percent.
Last week, Apple announced it is discontinuing its AirPort lineup of routers. Apple had not updated the lineup in years so this move was not particularly surprising, especially since there were far better routers already available in the market.
Nonetheless, a number of customers would buy an AirPort router purely because of its ease of use and for the peace of mind that it offered in terms of compatibility. Now that Apple has discontinued its router lineup, it is offering customers with some tips for buying their next router.
#5. 802.11 ac compatibility
Apple says that you should look for a router with 802.11 ac compatibility. While there are newer and faster Wi-Fi standards like 802.11 ad already available, Wi-Fi ac is yet to become a commonplace among households. Compared to the existing Wi-Fi n standard supported by most home routers, Wi-Fi ac offers faster transfer speeds albeit it is not as good as penetrating through walls as Wi-Fi n. Almost all budget to high-end routers support Wi-Fi ac, with some extremely high-end ones even coming with Wi-Fi ad support.
Best Wifi Router For Mac Devices That Connect
It is important to note that apart from your router, your iOS device should also have Wi-Fi ac support. Apple added Wi-Fi ac support to the iPhone lineup with the iPhone 6. Newer iPhones comes with support for higher transfer speeds over Wi-Fi ac.
#4. Dual-band Support
Apple recommends you to buy a router with dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz support. This would ensure that your Wi-Fi router is able to transmit data over both frequencies at the same time. This ensures that even if your latest iPhone connects to the router over Wi-Fi ac, your older devices connected to the router over Wi-Fi n are still able to access the internet.
Again, this feature has become a commonplace in almost all routers available in the market today.
#3. MIMO Support
For faster throughput speeds, you should buy a router with MIMO support. This will ensure optimum transfer speeds even when multiple devices are connected to a router. While budget routers may lack this feature, any mid-range to high-end router comes with MIMO support. Apart from your router, your MacBook or iOS device should also have MIMO support for faster transmission speeds and better network connectivity.
#2. WPA2 Personal Encryption Security
WPA2 Personal (AES) encryption is currently the strongest security form available for a Wi-Fi router. Thus, Apple recommends buying a router with WPA2 Personal support. Almost all routers have support for this security standard so this should not be a cause for concern.
#1. Mesh or Single Router
Depending on the area that you are trying to cover, it is important to decide if you need a mesh Wi-Fi system or a single router will do the job. Apple only offered single AirPort routers, though mesh Wi-Fi systems have become increasingly popular in recent years. Single Wi-Fi routers are great if you want to cover a relatively small area or just a single floor and can place your router right in the middle for optimum coverage. However, if you want to cover multiple floors or a vast area with poor router placement, you should look into a mesh Wi-Fi system. The latter consists of two or three (or even more) routers/nodes that you place in different locations across your house/office for maximum coverage.
Wi-Fi Router Recommendations
While Apple does not recommend which router you should buy for obvious reasons, we definitely can! Check out some of the routers that you should consider buying depending on your needs.
Asus ACRH13
If you want a router that ticks all of the recommendations made by Apple without breaking your bank, have a look at the ASUS ACRH13. This dual-band router even features 4 Gigabit ports along with a USB 3.0 port. You can hook up an external hard disk to the router and make it act like a NAS as well.
You can find routers with a similar spec sheet and features for far less than $60 that this router commands, but its the most reliable of the bunch.
➤ Buy Now
Asus AC5300
If you want the ultimate single Wi-Fi router with the best possible performance, get the Asus AC5300. At almost $300, it is among the most expensive single routers you can find in the market. But for that price, you are getting a router with tri-band technology, 4×4 MU-MIMO, 4x Gigabit LAN ports, and more. A single router is good enough to cover an area of around 5,000 sq. ft. provided its placed at an optimum location. Oh, and its design is definitely a conversation starter of its own.
➤ Buy Now
Netgear Orbi
Netgear offers its own Wi-Fi mesh system. The Orbi not only looks good but offers excellent performance, and its pretty easy to set up as well. Even better, its priced a bit lower than its competition as well.
The best part about the nodes in Orbi is that the satellite unit can be plugged directly into a wall outlet which makes it far easier to install them anywhere in your house compared to other mesh Wi-Fi routers. The satellite units talk to the main router over a dedicated channel for improved throughput and range as well.
➤ Buy Now
eero Pro
Best Wifi Router For Spectrum Internet
If you want the absolute best mesh Wi-Fi networking system in your home with money not being an issue, just go ahead and buy the eero Pro Wi-Fi system. The second generation eero features faster connectivity and it comes with 3 nodes in total to ensure Wi-Fi coverage across every nook and cranny in your house.
There’s a cheaper $399 variant also available that’s recommended if you have 2-4 bedrooms in your house.
➤ Buy Now
Google Wi-Fi
Google offers its own mesh Wi-Fi router system. The companion app makes it extremely easy to set the routers up and offers advanced control over the devices connected. You can buy a pack of 3 for $299.
➤ Buy Now
Do note that all the routers mentioned above are just Wi-Fi routers and will not replace the ADSL/DSL modem of your ISP.
While you may think that your ISP router is good enough for you, a good Wi-Fi router can make a world of difference in browsing speed on your iOS or Mac.