What is a wireless adapter?

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.

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. Most of today’s computers and smart devices come with built-in WiFi capabilities. If you’re using a computer made in the last 10-15 years, chances are you won’t need a WiFi adapter. That’s particularly true of laptops, which typically come equipped for WiFi connection.

Desktop PCs are the most common potential exception. Some desktop motherboards, especially the kind used in gaming desktops and self-built PCs, are designed with the assumption that you’ll use a wired Ethernet connection. Because these PCs don’t have a built-in WiFi antenna on their motherboard, you’ll need to purchase a wireless adapter to connect wirelessly. PCIe adapters are the most common choice for this application, but you might choose a USB adapter instead if your computer doesn’t have enough PCIe slots open. 

However, WiFi adapters have another use, too: They can boost your computer’s ability to pick up WiFi signals. If you regularly use your computer in an area that’s far from your router, you might consider adding a USB WiFi adapter, especially if you struggle with the short range of the 5GHz band on a dual-band router. It’s a potentially smart and inexpensive way to improve your wireless performance. (See more ways to optimize your internet speeds here.)

What should I look for in a WiFi adapter?

The most important characteristics of a WiFi adapter usually include:

• Support for the latest WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E standard

• Form factor that fits your needs

• Compatibility with your operating system and motherboard/USB ports

• Support for the latest Bluetooth protocols

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.