Best PCIe Wi-Fi Cards | 2022 Awesome Buyer’s Guide

Wi-Fi cards help to provide wireless internet speeds and connectivity that rival those of wired connections. As Wi-Fi is typically thought of as a weaker and less stable connection, with more fluctuations and variances throughout a period of time of usage, serious computer users such as gamers tend not to rely on it.

However, sometimes using Wi-Fi is simply too convenient to be avoided. Wi-Fi Cards act as wireless adapters, helping devices that would not normally function over Wi-Fi networks, such as personal computers, function over Wi-Fi connections.

How Do Wi-Fi Cards for PC Work?

Wi-Fi Cards can either connect to a computer via USB, Ethernet, or PCI port and generally work the same either way, regardless of the way in which it is connected. These adapters then receive signals from your computer and are able to transmit them into radio waves.

Sending them out with innate antennas, the computer is then able to receive an internet signal when it otherwise may not have. This is convenient in situations in which one is dealing with too many cords, or in which their computer simply will not be able to conveniently connect to a wired modem.

Features to Look For When Buying Wi-Fi Cards for PC

As with any serious technology, you’ll first have to start by deciding what price range you’re willing to work in. These pieces of technology can get pretty expensive fairly quickly. Next, make sure the device is compatible with your router and modem and can reach the speeds you need.

Trusted Brands of Wi-Fi Cards for PC

Most users prefer ASUS and TP-Link brand Wi-Fi Cards due to their dependability. These are also more compatible with their same brand router and modem, providing the user with an overall connection experience overall.

TOP Wi-Fi Cards for PC

1. ASUS PCE-AC56 PCI Wireless Express Adapter

Allowing for data service prioritization, the ASUS AC56 is a plug-and-play, speedy wireless adapter. Unlike cheaper competitor products, this ASUS adapter provides a consistently stable connection with a high quality build.

This adapter is recommended for more complex, wide-ranging networks within a residential property. Whether you're in the basement or right next to the adapter, the two optional antenna provide a secure and long-ranging connection within a local network.

Customers state that the ASUS adapter performs indistinguishably from a wired connection; it's a must for gaming, high quality video streaming, and layered network interactions.

In particular, buyers appreciate the simple installation, zero WiFi drops, and low latency of the ASUS PCE-AC56. The adapter evens supports blazing fast connections of up to 867 Mbps on any 32 or 64-bit Windows system.

ASUS: Check the current price

2. TP-Link AC1300 PCE Wireless Adapter

Looking for an inexpensive yet reliable wireless connection? Look no further than the TP-Link AC1300.

At a very reasonable price, the TP-Link adapter allows for fast, stable connections of up to 867 Mbps. Using heat sink technology, heat is distributed seamlessly away from core components to improve the performance issues that plagued earlier TP-Link adapters.

Built for gaming and high-performance computing, the TP-Link is loved by gamers and parallel processing coders alike. Customers appreciate the adapters' easy handling of online gaming, 4k Ultra HD video streaming, and other connection-intensive tasks.

If you install the optional antennas, the range can increase by nearly two times to ensure even more stable and smooth WiFi connectivity. With support for Windows and Linux systems, the TP-Link is highly extensible for customized PC builds.

The only consistent problem buyers mention is that the drivers are tricky to install properly. At first, it's common for users to have lag spikes until they uninstall previous WiFi cards and reboot their system fully.

Not certain? The TP-Link comes with a two year warranty and free, 24/7 technical support.

TP-Link: Check the current price

3. GIGABYTE GC-WBax200 Dual Band WiFi + PCE Expansion Card

Perfect for custom PC builds, the GIGABYTE WiFi and PCE expansion card are great for building a robust system. Using built-in Intel AX200 modules, the GC can theoretically support connections of up to 2400 Mbps over a Bluetooth signal.

Customers appreciate the inclusion of the WiFi 6 chipset, which is known to perform more reliably than the common Realtek WiFi chipsets.

Although it is a little pricier than the standard router, the GC provides a fast, low latency, and highly reliable wireless connection. The small card installs right into a PCI-E port inside a PC.

Potential buyers should be aware that the card only supports Windows 10 64-bit systems; it may not be possible to install the device drivers properly on a different operating system.

GIGABYTE: Check the current price

8 Best-Selling Wi-Fi Cards for PC Comparative Table