Which usb adapter should i buy

Installation was straightforward, with Windows 10 managing the settings. While it is similar in size to other mainstream adapters, it cleverly features a small deployable piece that contains three antennas to increase range and throughput, along with support for both MU-MIMO and Beamforming technology. The EWUAC smoked the competition, with class-leading throughput on four of the six tests, which included both the 2. We came away particularly impressed on the close 5 GHz test of The only real weakness was on the far tests where this adapter gave up a little ground to the competition.

To be fair, it is quite small. The WUSB balances its small size against decent range and throughput. While the spec does limit the 2. The longer distance tests for this adapter are even more impressive when you compare it against the competition that falls short in the wireless fringe testing.

The best USB Wi-Fi adapters can deliver an experience that's almost indistinguishable from a built-in wireless module on your PC or laptop.

But those are generally the larger versions, with many antennae and a high price tag. The smaller, nano adapters won't perform as well, and will likely need direct line of sight to your router to get the best speeds.

But they are more practical if you need to be able to move around with your adapter. It's all about which adapter you choose, and how much you're willing to spend. The best USB Wi-Fi adapters will deliver online gaming performance that's practically indistinguishable from the speeds you can get from a built-in adapter. But cheaper, smaller versions might well add some extra latency into the process which will make them less suitable for competitive online gaming, particularly FPS games.

Throughput testing was done using NetPerf software. A desktop with a Gigabit Ethernet port is used to send the data via a wired connection to the router. Three test runs were done on each wireless adapter at each of the 2. The throughput is tested at a "close" 8ft 2. For this revision, we added tests in a Wi-Fi "fringe" location that we started using for our best wireless extender, guide except we did not plug in an extender to make the wireless connection more challenging for the wireless adapter and to test their antennas.

Few laptops need more than 60 watts. The body of the cable is slim and flexible enough that you can easily wind it up and stow it in a bag or drawer, and its rubber exterior has a pleasantly grippy texture. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Like our main pick in this category, this cable has maddeningly slow USB 2.

This cable is sold only in a bundle with a 60 W wall charger, but the set is a great deal if you happen to need both. It comes only in black, though. Either item would be a good value on its own, but the bundle is a steal. The 6. Its housings are as sturdy as any we tested, and the main body of the cable is slim and flexible.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Like the rest of our picks in this category, this cable has sluggish USB 2. If you need one cable that does everything, this is the cable to get. It supports fast data-transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps , can output video to a monitor, and can charge any USB-C laptop, even the inch MacBook Pro, at full speed. Like all the cables we considered for this category, it meets USB-C specifications cables that violate those specs can potentially damage devices.

This cable has only a one-year warranty, in contrast to the lifetime warranty on the similar cable we recommend from Anker below. This cable offers the same functions as our main pick in this category.

Plus, it comes with a handy Velcro fastener to keep your cable neatly coiled, and it has a lifetime warranty backed by a company we trust.

We also slightly prefer the sleeker-looking housings on this cable to those of the Nekteck. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Like any fully functioning USB 3. Sources including AppleInsider have reported that Thunderbolt 3 cables longer than 1. And since most people are likely to use this cable at their desktop—for example, to connect a laptop to a portable SSD right next to it—1. This cable is pricier than most of our picks, but it offers maximum charging power and data-transfer rates when used with compatible devices.

Like our main pick in this category, the 6. Just as sturdy as the shorter version, this Apple-certified cable is plenty long enough to keep at your desk or on your bedside table. Although you can find unlicensed third-party options, we chose not to consider them; since such cables might not be fully compatible with Apple devices, you risk the cable fitting incorrectly or overheating and then damaging the cable, your device, or both.

Anker backs both of its cables with a lifetime warranty and its excellent customer support. The cables have a thick, rubber sheath encasing their innards, yet both of them—but especially the 3-foot version—remain flexible and compact enough to stow easily in a pocket or pouch. Plus, each one comes with a convenient hook-and-loop cable tie to keep your cable coiled and to prevent tangling.

Compared with most of the other cables we tested, these cables make a satisfying click when plugged into a USB-C port and have minimal wiggling, ensuring a solid connection.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The official Apple cable comes in 3. The housing is made of a thick, double-braided Kevlar that seems less likely to wear or snag than the more common nylon material. Lots of older wall chargers , car chargers , and laptops have only USB-A ports, so having at least one cable like this around can be useful. The plastic housings felt pleasantly rounded and comfortable to grasp while we were plugging and unplugging, and they seemed firmly attached to the body.

The cable itself is also thin and flexible, making it easy to coil up and stow in a bag or pocket. In our testing, it achieved full data-transfer speeds, and like our main pick in this category, it can charge small devices with up to 15 W of power.

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