WiFi adapters used to be large and clunky, but now there are models which are not only compact but capable of delivering a lot of internet bandwidth to your computer.
Many of us can agree, if we have to use a WiFi adapter on our computer, we want it to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. What better way to look aesthetically-pleasing than being as close to invisible as possible?
Not many of us need to use a WiFi adapter for our laptops since they have built-in hardware for wireless connectivity. However, a wireless adapter is required when the WiFi hardware has failed, and a seamless WiFi adapter you can leave permanently attached to your laptop is the perfect way to go. The same thing would apply to a desktop computer, where it is much easier to install a USB WiFi adapter. Opening up the desktop casing and installing a wireless PCI Express card is much too troublesome and many would not be confident in doing that by themselves.
1. USB-AC53 Nano by ASUS
Asus claims that this tiny USB WiFi adapter is the world's smallest MU-MIMO standard wireless dongle. In case you are not aware of what MU-MIMO is, the abbreviation is short for multiple users, multiple inputs and multiple outputs. If you have an old laptop which is still connecting with a wireless-N or WiFi 4 standard connection, upgrading to the Asus USB-AC53 nano is a very cost-effective way to improve your internet bandwidth speed. Furthermore, because of the low-profile design, you can leave it inside your USB port on your laptop permanently with no fear of damaging either your laptop USB port or wireless dongle.
You might think that such a nano USB wireless dongle is expensive, and you would be wrong. You can easily find the USB-AC53 Nano WiFi adapter for under fifty dollars. A bargain for a secure wireless connection upgrade. Get set to enjoy up to 900 Mbps and dual-band WiFi connection!
2. Edimax EW-7811Un WiFi adapter
Are you looking for something affordable? Your WiFi on your laptop and desktop is no longer working, you need a quick fix, and maybe you are not a fan of those unsightly large wireless USB adapters. This Edimax WiFi adapter is a wireless-n standard, about 150 Mbps bandwidth which costs less than ten dollars. As far as bargains are concerned, it does not get any better than this. Granted, you can find a cheaper no-name brand wireless adapter made from god-knows-where. However, we would like to repeat this point over and over again; brands have warranties and the resources to do proper quality control testing of their products.
If you are looking for the most straightforward WiFi fix that is both cheap and easiest to install, you would be hard-pressed to find a better alternative to the Edimax EW-7811Un WiFi adapter.
3. AC1300 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Nano USB Adapter by D-Link
WiFi adapter in the world, this exciting find by us seems to prove the contrary. One thing interesting between the Asus and D-link Nano WiFi adapter is the name at the start of each product, AC1300 and AC1200. You would think that an AC1300 WiFi adapter would be faster than a WiFi AC1200, right? Theoretically, yes. The number after the 'AC' is the theoretical bandwidth, but also a marketing tactic. Say a WiFi adapter is a dual-band, they will add the maximum bandwidth of 5GHz wireless signal at around 900 Mbps with the 2.4GHz maximum speed of 400Mbps, which brings us to a total of 1300 or AC1300.
Asus, unlike D-Link, chose to be modest with their total, rounding it down to the nearest hundred, whereas D-Link determines to round it up to the nearest hundred. So while the ASUS is AC1200 and the D-Link is AC1300, they are inherently showcasing the same theoretical WiFi bandwidth speed total. We would leave it to your discretion on choosing between an organization which decides to show off versus one that wishes to be modest. Nonetheless, they are both highly reputable brand and merely selecting the cheaper option between the two makes enough sense to justify your purchase.
