If you are a pro gamer then you must be looking for the best wifi card for your PC. Especially when you are building your custom setup. It sounds fair enough because technology has evolved so much in recent years.
IN THIS REVIEW
Best Wifi Card
Our Favorite Wifi Cards
Our Top 7 Picks
Top 7 Products: Detailed Review
1. ASUS PCE-AC68 Best Overall Wifi Card
2. TP-Link WiFi 6 AX3000
3. FebSmart Wireless Dual Band N600
4. Ubit AX WiFi Card AX200
5. TP-Link AC1300 Best Budget Wifi Card
6. EDUP PCIe WiFi 6 Card AX 3000 Best Speed Wifi Card
7. Gigabyte GC-Wbax200
Things to Know When Buying the Best Wifi Card
Frequently Asked Questions
Overall Top Choices
Conclusion
Best Wifi Cards
We are getting almost everything wireless which is good. The reason we are calling it good is that you don’t have to worry about a lot of wires crisscrossing all over your setup like spider webs.
Wifi card allows your computer to receive internet signals transmitted by your local router. This way you can connect to the internet without having those ugly internet cables which may add extra cost to your setup too.
However, you need to use only the best wifi card otherwise you won’t experience good results. We know there are a lot of wifi cards available on the market with hundreds of them on amazon alone. With so many products choosing the right one becomes so challenging.
With that said, you shouldn’t worry about anything at all. It is because my husband and I have done deep research for you already.
During our research, we analyzed some wifi cards carefully and after a thorough analysis, we were able to shortlist a few. Our Guide will help you select the right wireless card for your PC and make you enjoy non-stop gaming.
So without any further ado, let’s take a look at some of our favorite wifi cards.
In a hurry? Here are some quick recommendations for you
Our Favorite Wifi Cards
- TP-Link AC1300 Best Budget Wifi Card
- ASUS PCE-AC68 Best Overall Wifi Card
- EDUP PCIe WiFi 6 Card AX 3000 Best Speed Wifi Card
Our Top 7 Picks
Let’s take a look at the best wifi cards.
Title | Speed |
ASUS PCE-AC68 Best Overall Wifi Card | 1.3 Gbit/s |
TP-Link WiFi 6 AX3000 | 2402 Mbps |
FebSmart Wireless Dual Band N600 | 300 Mbps |
Ubit AX WiFi Card AX200 | 3 Gbps |
TP-Link AC1300 Best Budget Wifi Card | 1300 Mbps |
EDUP PCIe WiFi 6 Card AX 3000 Best Speed Wifi Card | 3000 Mbps |
Gigabyte GC-Wbax200 | 2,402 Mbps |
Best Wifi Card: 7 Detailed Reviews
So, let’s now take a closer look at the best picks, shall we?
1. ASUS PCE-AC68 Best Overall Wifi Card
The first card on our list of recommendations is the ASUS PCE-AC68 Dual-Band adapter. It features a stunning design that looks perfect on almost all gaming motherboards. It is an ideal device for those who don’t like those green PCBs that much.
ASUS has done a decent job by giving this adapter a red gaming theme. Inside the box, you will get a few things along with the card itself. There is a disk that contains drivers for the card just in case you don’t have an active internet connection for a while.
Apart from that, you will get a warranty card and an instruction manual. Now by default, the wifi comes with 5G WiFi bandwidth but you can switch it between 5GHz and 2.4GHz. This makes the device quite flexible for all kinds of internet services.
The ultimate design of the devices makes the card super-efficient. It is one of those only a few cards that offer 150% wider signal coverage which means better results. One thing that we like the most is the antenna base.
The card comes with an extended antenna base which you can place either on the side of your casing somewhere open. Now you might be thinking what’s good in that but trust me there are a lot of things that matter. The first thing that makes sense is the signal attenuation.
Keeping the antenna in a clear view will make the signal reception quite good. It will also allow your computer to receive the signal with full power.
Pros
- Faster and efficient performance
- Durable build quality
- very easy to install and setup
- Affordable
Cons
- The antenna extension cable could be a bit longer
2. TP-Link WiFi 6 AX3000
TP-Link is another top manufacturer that produces amazing wifi routers and products. The company has earned itself a name because of its super high-quality products. The AX3000 is also the best wifi card because of its amazing capabilities.
The first thing that we would like to mention is the overall design of the card. TP-Link has also done a very amazing job by giving the device a full gaming theme that looks perfect on all mobos. The extendable antennas maximize the capabilities of this device.
It allows you to get a better feed from the router and as a result, the overall operation improvises. Latency is one of the main problems for gamers. With this device, you will get ultra-low latency which makes the card quite helpful for multiplayer gaming.
The system uses two awesome signal transmission techniques i.e. the OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology. Such technologies allow them to perform better even in the busiest network environments.
Another coolest feature of this card is its cost friendly price. If you are looking for a good device in the budget range then this is, by far, one of the best options available on the market. Inside that box, you will get an extension antenna which will help you get better signals.
In addition to this, you will also get a CD that allows you to install the drivers. You don’t need to look for the compatible drivers online this way when setting up the card. Another thing that most gamers are afraid of most is the size of the heat shield.
Since most gaming components are quite bulky therefore usually there is less room on the board. Luckily the TP-Link AX3000 comes with a thinner heat shield that allows you to mount the device even in low space.
Pros
- WiFi 6 and Bluetooth support
- decent WiFi 6 speed
- Can be mounted on any form factor motherboard
- regular drivers update on windows 10
Cons
- Lacks drivers for Linux and macOS
3. FebSmart Wireless Dual Band N600
Another best wifi card on our list of recommendations is the FebSmart N600. It comes at a pretty decent price and has a bunch of cool features. Inside the box, you will find some instruction manuals, two antennas (for signal reception of course), and the card itself.
The black PCB of this card seems full of quality. It looks perfect on any gaming motherboard. Although it may not look as cool as the Asus AC1900 we shouldn’t compare the two. That’s all for the physical features for now and let’s talk about some of its main features.
The card comes with a high bandwidth capability that allows you to connect your device to any internet connection. You can get up to 300Mbps speed on a standard 2.4GHz connection while the 5GHz connections allow you to get even more.
It enables you to enjoy non-stop multiplayer gaming with the least possible latency rate. At the same time, the card is compatible with both AMD and Intel processors that makes it quite flexible. This is one of the most important things you need to look for when buying a wifi card for gaming.
If you are a streamer then this can be your new best friend. As we mentioned earlier, the card provides its maximum potential which means you will not experience any lag. Although your connection should be reliable as this works on an efficient internet connection though.
Pros
- Easy installation
- reliable performance
- Effective cost
- Can fit on any form factor motherboard
Cons
- A few people are no happy with the customer support
4. Ubit AX WiFi Card AX200
Ubit AX wifi card is another best wifi card to consider when looking for a device with solid performance. The card comes with a bunch of cool features that make it stand out from the crowd.
The box contains the card itself along with some screws for the bracket installation. In addition to this, you will also get 2 6db antennas that provide massive coverage. There is also a low profile bracket for smaller PC casings. A Bluetooth cable is also there that connects the card to the motherboard. And lastly, the CD that contains the drivers for the card.
The first thing that we like the most about this card is its 5G compatibility. Unlike other wifi cards, this one comes with a 5G band at 2400MB per second. In addition to this, it also has Bluetooth 4.2. The Latest intel wifi 6 AX200 chip enhances its performance even further.
Now there is a slight bit of a problem that some people don’t like. The drivers for the card don’t download automatically and that’s why you will have to install them manually. Apart from that, there is no such problem that we noticed during our research.
Apart from that, when it comes to gaming the device does give its full potential. We noticed during our study that a lot of gamers were actually happy with this card. It provides a lag-free gaming experience for hours of gaming without any issue.
Apart from that, the device is also a perfect fit for streamers. You can connect a lot of devices to your computer using its ultra-efficient Bluetooth technology. This way the card gives you the flexibility to connect headsets, mobiles, and other things without any worry.
Pros
- Bluetooth works like a charm
- 2.4GHz works amazing with decent speed
- Easy to install on any kind of motherboard
- Reliable
Cons
- The 5GHz may sometimes be a bit buggy
5. TP-Link AC1300 Best Budget Wifi Card
Another super-efficient device on our list of recommendations is the TP-Link AC1300. Just like the previous model that we’ve mentioned earlier this one is also pretty amazing. It comes in a very fantastic black theme that looks great on gaming motherboards.
The card features some awesome qualities that will make you fall in love with it. The first thing that we noticed on this card is its solid structure.
Although these devices don’t heat that much up still the company has done a decent job. The solid heatsink on it makes it very reliable and well-performing.
It gives up to 1300Mbps speed which is amazing for online gaming and other activities. If you are a streamer then it will cover you perfectly with its ultra-low latency and reliable speed. You won’t experience any lag while playing or streaming or doing both at the same time.
In addition to this, the card comes with 2 high range antennas that allow you to get better signals from every corner of your home. Sometimes it can be really painful when you can’t get your router’s signals. This device minimizes this issue to a significant level.
The company has done a splendid job by keeping the small form factors in mind. Luckily the AC1300 comes with a low profile bracket that allows you to mount it without taking too much space.
Pros
- Better range
- High-quality PCB
- Faster and smoother performance
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- The drivers need improvement
6. EDUP PCIe WiFi 6 Card AX 3000 Best Speed Wifi Card
If you are very serious about your online gaming then we suggest you go for something even more reliable. The EDUP AX 3000 can be the best wifi card for such purposes due to its super-efficient performance.
The card features dual-band technology that makes it very good for gaming and streaming. It features MU-MIMO technology that makes the card stand out from the crowd. Moreover, the 3000Mbps speed will totally rock your computer.
AX 3000 uses wifi 6 technology, making it one of the states of the art cards available on the market. The card also features 802.11ax WiFi with the OFDMA technology that enhances its capabilities even further.
OFDMA is a modern signal transmission technique that works very well as compared to the traditional methods. Moreover, you will also get a highly reliable bluetooth that adds to the connectivity of your computer. Whether you want to connect headsets, mobile phones, or some other device to your computer you can do this without facing any hurdles.
The card gives you complete freedom as it comes with super-efficient antennas that feature longer range. Normally WiFi antennas need to be exposed because of the line of sight reception. However, these antennas can do a lot better as compared to others on the market.
When it comes to compatibility, this device can work with a wide range of routers. However, it is only limited to windows 10 64bit OS only. Which in our opinion is a bit of a downside for such an awesome device.
Pros
- WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5 support
- Possesses MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies
- No drivers needed
Cons
- Limited compatibility
- Lacks antenna mount
7. Gigabyte GC-Wbax200
The GC-WBAX200 is another best wifi card if you are looking for one. We all know that gigabyte has earned itself a name when it comes to gaming products. The company seems to be a tough competitor of the highly reputed Asus.
Anyways we are not going to compare these two companies as we are looking at the wifi cards only. The card comes with a pretty decent quality design that seems to be specifically built for gaming. We love the way gigabyte has designed the antenna of the card.
It somehow looks like a Star Wars spaceship or something. Anyways feel free to correct us if we are wrong at any point about the looks. That is just our opinion only though. Inside the box, you will find a very pretty looking wifi card along with its antenna and cable.
There is also an instruction manual that will tell you how to set up the card. You can also get a disk containing drivers for the device. The GC-WBAX 200 comes with the intel WiFi 6 Ax200 module that allows the card to perform efficiently.
According to the manufacturer, the card is able to deliver up to 2400 Mbps of speed. However, that’s not completely true though. There are a lot of factors that can affect the quality and speed of the connection.
These factors include distance, obstructions, and other signals which can interfere. The Multi-user multi input multi output technology on this card enhances its capabilities even further.
Pros
- high-performance 2Tx2R antenna
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Amazing antenna design
- longer range
- easy to install
Cons
- As such no drawbacks found
Things to Know When Buying the Best Wifi Card
Before you buy a wifi card for your needs you need to know a few things. Keeping these things in mind will make sure you get the right product. It will also help you decide your device quickly and spend your hard-earned money on the one that matches your needs.
Installation
One of the main factors when buying a wifi card is the installation of the device. Since wifi cards are additional devices, therefore, you need to pick them carefully. Selecting the right card is quite crucial as motherboards come in different form factors.
If you chose a device that is a bit bulky then there might be no room for other necessary components such as graphics cards. Apart from that, the line of sight is another important factor that you need to keep in mind.
Signals and systems is a very complicated topic. For the basic understanding, when the transmitter and receptor are both in line of sight to each other you will get better results. As the distance and the obstructions increase the quality of the signals fade away.
Therefore, if your computer is far away from the router then we highly recommend the card with an extendable antenna. The good thing about these antennas is that they can be placed anywhere. You can even mount them on the front or side of your computer’s casing if you want.
Compatibility
As you are buying a wifi card for your computer it clearly means you are looking for a solution to the problem right? Now, would you buy a card that isn’t compatible with your computer? No, you will never make such a mistake I am sure about that.
Compatibility is one of the major factors to keep in mind when buying the best wifi card. Make sure your card is compatible with the components of your system as well as the operating system. Checking things at first is always very helpful as it will save you from extra wait and hurdles.
Speed
If you are a gamer then maybe I don’t need to explain this point a lot. There are plenty of youtube videos that show gamers in rage due to slow internet connections. If you are into online gaming such as Apex legends, PUBG, or Call of Duty Warzone you will need a stable and reliable connection.
Though your ISP (Internet Service Provider) plays an important role here. But your wifi card is also responsible for the speed. If you are looking for a card make sure it provides better speed at 2.4G and 5G bands. This will help you play and enjoy your gaming sessions non-stop without punching your monitor every now and then.
Price/Budget
The last thing to keep in mind is the overall budget and your wallet range. Of course, there are plenty of devices available on the market. Most of them are quite amazing but as the quality of the products increases so is its price.
Under such conditions, one may fall into thinking that there aren’t any good products available without breaking the bank. However, this isn’t completely the case as you may think. To be honest you are right up to some extent as it takes a lot of effort to design electronics. However, the prices vary as R&D teams usually look for low-cost solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Wifi Card?
A wifi card is an additional computer component that the user can install for the reception of WiFi signals. Normally there are no wifi receivers installed on desktop computers. However, these devices make them get full signals and use internet connections without using a single wire.
Some of them come with extendable antennas that may require a small Cable. Other than that most, cards come without antenna extensions. You can mount them on your PCI slots and enjoy a non-stop internet connection.
Do Wifi Cards Make a Difference?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. The reason is mainly your internet connection depends upon your ISP. If you have subscribed for 20Mbps internet you shouldn’t expect to increase it up to 100GB or something.
Although you may find some videos on the internet none of them works, to be honest. Now, wifi cards can make a difference in some situations. For example, if your router is placed at a longer distance from your PC then you will have to use a long ethernet cable.
Although these cables are designed for the job they still have noise as noise is all around us. Apart from that, the length of the cable is inversely proportional to the loss in signal. If your cable is short there will be almost no or minimum loss. If your cable is longer than a large portion of your signal will get attenuated.
In such cases wifi cards allow you to use RF instead of cables. Though there are still problems it eliminates the signal loss due to cable completely.
Does the Wifi Card Affect Internet Speed?
Yes, the wifi card affects the overall internet speed and it depends on the quality of your card. Basically these are receivers that receive a signal from the transmitting source. In terms of signal processing and electrical engineering, they are called front ends usually.
If you are using a card that consists of low-quality material then there will be a lot of noise already embedded in the circuit. Under such conditions when the signal is received it will get that noise multiplied and as a result, the overall quality gets disturbs.
Therefore, you will need to pick your card carefully otherwise you will have to suffer. You don’t need to be an engineer for that, just choose a card from a well-known company and you will be good for most of the parts.
Is a Wifi Card Better Than USB?
There is no big difference between the USB and wifi cards. However, the setups and structures of both devices are different from each other. You can go for the wifi card if you are buying it for solely gaming purposes.
It is because usually, cards are more stable, they don’t heat up quickly due to better heat management and as a result, you will get less thermal noise. On the other hand, USBs are better for daily tasks and office use.
Where do you put a WiFi card?
You can install your wifi card on your PCI slots of the motherboard. These cards come with brackets that allow you to embed them in your system box. As for the antenna some of them can be connected at the back. However, some of them need to be mounted somewhere. You can place them in a good position for better results.
Can I upgrade my WiFi card?
There are no such major upgrades that will affect your performance. Well not as much as the graphics card, RAM, processor, or storage components upgrades. However, you still can get slight benefits such as Bluetooth options, better bandwidth, and other features. Yes, you can upgrade your wifi card anytime you want.
Our Top Picks
- TP-Link AC1300 Best Budget Wifi Card
- ASUS PCE-AC68 Best Overall Wifi Card
- EDUP PCIe WiFi 6 Card AX 3000 Best Speed Wifi Card
Conclusion
We’ve listed some of the best wifi card options in order to help you out. We hope you will have selected the card of your choice by now. However, if you are still struggling to get one then let’s help you a bit more. In our opinion, the ASUS PCE-AC68 is the best wifi card that will help you in most cases.
There are a lot of factors that make the card stand out from the crowd. The first thing is its extendable antenna that allows you to place it anywhere you want. The mounting bracket of the antennas is magnetic which means you won’t have a hard time mounting it.