Wi-Fi cards are a cost-effective way to add or upgrade wireless connectivity to your desktop PC. These PCIe adapters offer a variety of performance and features based on Wi-Fi standards, from older budget-friendly models to cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 for ultra-fast multi-gigabit speeds.
Although the TP-Link Archer TX3000E may not support the latest Wi-Fi 7 protocols, it still offers significant speed and efficiency improvements over older Wi-Fi cards. With a theoretical bandwidth of up to 2402Mbps and support for advanced technologies such as OFDMA and MU-MIMO, it’s ideal for high-bandwidth tasks like 4K streaming and online gaming.
Now that Wi-Fi 6 is mainstream, it’s easy to get a good Wi-Fi 6 router to take full advantage of the card’s capabilities. Additionally, Archer TX3000E adds Bluetooth 5.0 support to his PC, and an external multidirectional antenna ensures excellent reception even at distant routers. Although your PC doesn’t support the new 6 GHz band, you can get better performance with the 5 GHz band for a much lower price.
TP-Link Archer TX3000E
Best overall
$38 $60 Save $22
The TP-Link Archer TX3000E is a solid and affordable upgrade to the mainstream Wi-Fi 6 standard. Equip your PC with fast wireless speeds, low latency, and robust Wi-Fi security. Whether you use your PC for basic everyday tasks or more demanding tasks like gaming or his 4K streaming, this card can do it all.
- Great speed and performance
- More affordable than the latest Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 cards
- cover long distances
- Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 cards are expensive but have fast and reliable speeds
Best premium Wi-Fi card for PC: ASUS PCE-BE92BT
Wi-Fi standards can be a little confusing, but if you want the latest and greatest upgrade, the ASUS PCE-BE92BT is a great choice. Based on the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, this card utilizes the same 6GHz band as Wi-Fi 6E devices, but thanks to Wi-Fi 7’s extremely high throughput, it delivers much higher reliability and even faster speeds of up to 5764Mbps. Provides fast speed.
The PCE-BE92BT is meticulously designed to deliver sustained high speeds, making it ideal for long gaming sessions. It’s compatible with multi-gigabit internet plans, and the free-standing receiver makes it easy to find the perfect position for optimal signal reception. In addition to Wi-Fi, this card upgrades your PC to the latest Bluetooth 5.4 for better connectivity for your keyboard, mouse, headphones, and other wireless peripherals.
ASUS PCE-BE92BT
best premium
ASUS PCE-BE92BT brings the future of wireless connectivity to your PC, delivering unprecedented wireless transfer speeds of up to 5764Mbps. This Wi-Fi 7 card is perfect for hardcore gamers and power users.
- Fastest Wi-Fi card available
- Supports the latest Bluetooth 5.4 for new wireless peripherals
- WPA3 network encryption
Splurging on the latest or most expensive Wi-Fi card won’t automatically make your PC connection faster. You’ll also need an internet plan with high speeds. For gamers and users of sub-gigabit internet plans (300 or 500 Mbps), affordable Wi-Fi 5 cards like the TP-Link Archer T5E offer a sweet spot between performance and price.
Archer T5E boasts impressive speeds of up to 867Mbps on the 5GHz band, which is fast enough for online gaming, video streaming, and working from home. It’s also compatible with existing routers, making it even more appealing for those on a budget. However, if you have many smart devices in your home or plan to upgrade to a Gigabit plan, spending more on a Wi-Fi 6 PCIe card may be a better option in the long run. there is.
TP-Link Archer T5E
best budget
$27 $40 Save $13
TP-Link Archer T5E is a great option for users looking for performance for streaming media, online meetings, and casual gaming, but not cutting-edge transfer speeds. It’s very affordable and may not require a new router, unlike the latest Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 cards.
- Reliable performance despite low price
- High gain antenna covering long distances
- Included low profile bracket
- No need to buy a new router
GIGABYTE offers a great upgrade for serious gamers and productivity professionals with the GC-WBAX210. Powered by the Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210 chipset, this adapter opens up more bandwidth and connects your PC to the less crowded 6GHz band. This results in super-fast real-world speeds and ultra-low latency, perfect for competitive gaming and other real-time tasks.
The GC-WBAX210 is competitively priced compared to most Wi-Fi 6E cards while maintaining fast and reliable performance. You’ll have to use the older Bluetooth 5.2 version, but that’s not a problem if Wi-Fi performance is your main concern. GIGABYTE completes this great product with an adjustable external antenna that eliminates dead zones and ensures smooth gaming and streaming.
Gigabyte GC-WBAX210
Best Wi-Fi 6E Card
If you want to take advantage of the newly available 6GHz band, the GIGABYTE GC-WBAX210 is one of the few Wi-Fi cards that supports it. It’s slightly more expensive than traditional Wi-Fi 6 cards, but it makes up for it with superior real-world speeds, low latency, and overall reliable performance for real-time tasks like streaming, video calling, and online gaming. Masu.
- Reliable Wi-Fi 6E speeds at affordable prices
- Faster real-world performance
- low latency
- Other cards have better coverage
If you’re tired of your network being extremely slow while competing, the TP-Link Archer TXE75E is the perfect upgrade for your rig. This Wi-Fi card falls into the same category as the GIGABYTE GC-WBAX210, but its sturdy heatsink provides long-lasting performance, ensuring stable and fast speeds even during long periods of heavy network usage.
Archer TXE75E reaches lightning-fast speeds of up to 2402 Mbps on both 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands when connected to a powerful Wi-Fi 6E router. Connecting to the 6GHz band frees up more bandwidth and ensures the lowest possible latency for ultra-smooth gaming and streaming. It also features a high-gain antenna for improved range and signal strength, and adds the latest Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting wireless peripherals.
TP-Link Archer TXE75E
perfect for games
$55 $80 Save $25
TP-Link Archer TXE75E is designed for heavy network usage. In addition to supporting 6GHz band, ultra-low latency, and WPA3 security, it can maintain stable and fast speeds for a longer period of time compared to other Wi-Fi 6E cards. If you want a very reliable card with great performance, you can’t go wrong.
- Sustained performance improvements
- Supports less crowded 6GHz band
- Robust Wi-Fi security
- Excellent coverage and signal strength
- Firmware update required to enable Bluetooth 5.3
FAQ
Q: What does the Wi-Fi card do?
A Wi-Fi card is a hardware device that allows a PC without built-in Wi-Fi to connect to a wireless network. The best Wi-Fi cards also allow you to upgrade your PC with slow, outdated Wi-Fi to the latest and fastest Wi-Fi standards.
Q: Can I use Wi-Fi without a Wi-Fi card?
A Wi-Fi card is one way to connect your PC to a Wi-Fi network, but it’s not the only way. Other solutions, such as USB Wi-Fi adapters, allow you to use Wi-Fi without a Wi-Fi card.
Q: What is the difference between a Wi-Fi card and a Wi-Fi adapter?
Although Wi-Fi cards and Wi-Fi adapters are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences. A Wi-Fi card typically refers to a device that attaches directly to a PCIe slot on a PC, whereas a Wi-Fi adapter is a more general term referring to any device that adds Wi-Fi connectivity to a computer, including USB Wi-Fi. is. Adapters and internal PCIe cards.
Q: What is the difference between Wi-Fi and Ethernet?
The main difference between Wi-Fi and Ethernet is that Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit data wirelessly, whereas Ethernet transmits data over a physical cable connected to your device.
