Are USB wifi adapters good for gaming?
Online gaming can keep you quite busy and entertained during your free time. If you have a PC and want to engage in different games, you should equip it with the right devices to enjoy your experience.
A USB wifi adapter is one of the devices that can help you add wireless networking to a PC. Though this is a small and portable device that comes at an affordable price, choosing it may not help you enjoy a good gaming experience. The device delivers less power since it does not have an external antenna. This device does not offer a strong reception and therefore disappoints some gamers. Read on!
Table of Contents
What is a USB wifi adapter?
Unlike in the past, when many PC users depended on wired Ethernet cables, people nowadays prefer using wifi due to its high convenience level. A USB wifi adapter helps the computer communicate with your router wirelessly. Even when you have a PC that fails to support wifi, using a USB wifi adapter can help you access numerous online games.
Most customers who choose this device are attracted to its plug and play design. Due to its compact design, a USB wifi adapter does not take up a lot of space. Though the installation is a breeze, a USB wifi adapter may not be the best for gaming since it has many limitations. For instance, most USB wifi adapters do not come with external antennas like PCIe wireless cards. Therefore, a USB wifi adapter is not very powerful, and it may not give you the best wireless signal.
You may experience some lagging issues if you choose to game on your computer using a USB wifi adapter. A lot of users are not impressed with the speeds that this device delivers. Since it is slow, it can make gaming a bit disappointing. Only a few USB wifi adapters come with one antenna. Such a USB wifi adapter may not perform as good as a PCIe wireless card with three antennas.
Since most USB wifi adapters do not deliver a great gaming experience, people prefer PCIe wireless adapters instead. This can offer more power and better wifi signal reception. It, however, has a more involving installation process compared to a USB wifi adapter.
Be keen on this when looking for a USB wifi adapter
Since USB wifi adapters are not equal, you can find a good one if you are keen on a few things. Start by focusing on the quality of a USB wifi adapter. Choose a quality USB wifi adapter capable of 802.11 ac or 802.11n transmission. Apart from supporting these standards, you should also choose a USB wifi adapter that can deliver great dual-band speeds.
Look for additional features in a USB wifi adapter such as MU-MIMO support and beamforming. Mu-MIMO technology can help multiple users enjoy gaming simultaneously. When a USB wifi adapter includes Beamforming technology, it can deliver excellent signal strength and even limit interference.
You should also look for one that is based on 3.0 instead of a 2.0 standard. This is because the 3.0 USB has a fast delivery compared to USB 2.0. Also, compare the different sizes that USB wifi adapters come in. Though small sized USB wifi adapters are quite portable, most of them are slow. Larger USB wifi adapters, on the other hand, offer better connections. You can also check for accessories included in the package. Choosing one that has extra features such as an extension cable can make it more user-friendly.
Apart from these considerations, you should also ensure that the USB wifi adapter and your router transmit on similar protocols. If, for instance, you own an 802.11 ac router and have a computer that features a USB 3.0 port, you should choose an 802.11 ac USB wifi adapter. If the USB ports on your computer and router are not fast enough, you may not enjoy excellent speeds during gaming, even when you choose a good USB wifi adapter.
It is also essential that you determine the wireless frequency you should use. If, for instance, your environment does not have too much interference from different devices, you should use the 2.4 GHz. Though the 5GHz can help you enjoy faster speeds, it loses signal easily over a long distance. If you want to get a good experience while using a USB wifi adapter, you should ensure there is a clear line between it and your wireless router. The speed of a USB wifi adapter depends on the location of your router and the computer.
As you look for the right USB wifi adapter, you should consider the size of your home and the level of interference the router can experience from nearby devices. All these factors can play a role in how well a USB wifi adapter will perform.
Here are some of the highly-rated USB wifi adapters
Name |
Speeds on the 2.4 and 5 GHz |
USB type |
Call to action |
Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 |
600 Mbps + 1300Mbps |
3.0 |
|
TP-Link Archer T2U |
200 Mbps + 433 Mbps |
2.0 |
|
D-Link DWA 192 |
600 Mbps + 1300Mbps |
3.0 |
|
Net-Dyn AC1200 |
300 Mbps + 867 Mbps |
3.0 |
Conclusion
While some people choose USB wifi adapters for gaming, others go for PCIe wireless network adapter. A USB wifi adapter may be portable and user-friendly, but it is not the best for gaming. It delivers slow speeds and has less power. If your budget cannot let you settle for a PCIe wireless adapter, ensure you consider the factors we have highlighted to choose a USB wifi adapter that has minimal limitations.
FAQs
Can I increase the speed of a USB wireless adapter?
Yes. You can do this by using a USB extension cable or reducing the distance between the router and your computer.
How do I connect a USB wifi adapter to my computer?
You need to plug into the USB port on the side of your computer.