What is a WiFi adapter?

A wireless adapter, also sometimes called a WiFi adapter or internet adapter, is a device that attaches to your computer and allows it to connect to a wireless network. Most adapters consist of a motherboard interface that connects the adapter to your computer and an antenna that sends and receives wireless network signals.

WiFi adapters don’t create WiFi networks or provide internet access. Those are jobs for your router and your modem, respectively. A wireless adapter does one thing and does it well — it allows your PC to connect to a wireless network that already exists. Let’s look at how wireless adapters work and how they can give you flexible WiFi capabilities when you need them.

Types of WiFi adapters

The main types of WiFi adapters are:

USB adapters: These plug into your computer’s USB ports like a flash drive or any other USB peripheral. Usually, you can use a USB adapter on either a laptop or a desktop machine.
PCIe adapters: These are installed on your computer’s motherboard in one of its PCI Express slots. They are used almost exclusively on desktop PCs and are sometimes called WiFi cards.

WiFi adapters may also be compatible with other wireless protocols, especially Bluetooth. If your PC doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth support, an adapter can be a smart way to give your computer all-in-one wireless compatibility.

Do I need a wireless adapter?

Most people will never need a WiFi adapter. Modern computers and smart devices almost always include built-in wireless connectivity. If you’re using a computer made within the last decade or so, it’s likely already equipped for WiFi—especially laptops, which come standard with wireless capability.

Desktop PCs are the most common exception. Some desktop motherboards, particularly those in gaming rigs or custom builds, assume you’ll connect via Ethernet. Because these systems often lack onboard WiFi antennas, you’ll need to install a wireless adapter to connect without a cable. PCIe adapters are the typical choice, but a USB adapter can be a convenient alternative if your PCIe slots are full.

Other reasons to use a WiFi adapter

Extending WiFi range: A high-quality WiFi adapter can help your computer pick up a stronger WiFi signal in areas far from your router, especially if you struggle with the short range of the 5GHz band on a dual-band router.
Using older systems: You might need an adapter if you’re using an older computer or game console that doesn’t have built-in WiFi, or isn’t compatible with modern WiFi standards like WiFi 6.
Replacing broken WiFi: If your device’s built-in WiFi isn’t working, a WiFi adapter will allow you to connect to wireless networks.

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What should I look for in a WiFi adapter?

The most important characteristics of a WiFi adapter usually include:

WiFi standards: You’ll want an adapter that supports WiFi 6 at minimum. If you need a high-performance connection, look for an adapter that supports the newer WiFi 6E and/or WiFi 7 standards.
Bluetooth standards: Check the adapter’s Bluetooth standards for compatibility with your Bluetooth devices as well. The Bluetooth 5.4 standard is preferable, but look for at least Bluetooth 5.2. Remember, newer versions of Bluetooth are backward-compatible with older Bluetooth devices.
Form factor that fits your needs: Adapters come in a wide variety of form factors, from thumbnail-sized models to larger adapters similar in size to a standard flash drive. Larger models often have more powerful antennas, while smaller models deliver their best performance in an area close to the WiFi source.
Compatibility: Most USB adapters offer plug-and-play operation with Windows, Mac, and popular Linux distros, but it’s always worth checking to make sure an adapter is compatible with your operating system. If you’re using a PCI-e adapter, check the adapter’s compatibility requirements against your own PC.

Brightspeed offers many other resources to help you understand your internet connection and WiFi network. Check out our full archive of easy-to-understand technology explainers — or get started with Brightspeed internet service now.