The latter tends to offer more consistent performance, but unless you have some expertise, it is likely to bring with it additional hassle at the installation stage. The first thing to consider is whether you'll be opting for a USB device, or a PCI adapter.

How to choose the best wireless adapter for you Instead, with Wi-Fi tech constantly improving, the latest adapters can be used to upgrade your device's existing Wi-Fi speed, or improve poor connectivity. That doesn't render the wireless adapter obsolete. Of course, in an era where even your fridge or car can boast Wi-Fi, its increasingly rare that a device doesn't include built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. This can come in the form of a USB device that plugs into the USB port, or alternatively it can take the shape of PCIe - a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express - which typically slots directly into a computer's motherboard. Quite simply, the best wireless adapters bring Wi-Fi to hardware that didn't previously have an in-built way to connect to it.

The WUSB6300 supports Microsoft Windows 10, 7, 8, XP, and Vista, and its Wi-Fi Protected Setup features an easy setup wizard and wireless WPA/WPA2 encryption. Best of all, the asking price is almost as small as the device itself, making this a great budget choice that doesn't compromise on performance. There's also MU-MIMO and Beamforming tech packed into its small body.

It still delivers data transfer speeds of up to 876 Mbps, supports AC1200 speeds, and is dual-band. However, just because it's small, it doesn't mean it lacks features. That makes it brilliantly portable, and ideal for people who like to travel. This pocket rocket weighs under six grams, making it lighter than a pencil. The Linksys WUSB6300 is a micro wireless adaptor, and it's - by some considerable distance - the smallest one on this list of best wireless adaptors.

Best wireless adapter for pc