“But are they actually good? I play multiplayer games all day long”. Don’t worry at all, as these Wifi cards come with the same capability as those traditional internet cables have. You can expect high-speed internet connectivity from 500MBps to 3GBps (depends on the Wifi Card you’re considering) without having much burden on your wallet. On top of that, Wifi cards provide you with a Bluetooth adapter as well, which acts like having a cherry on the cake. The only catch is, you’ve to pick the right one. Not every Wifi card comes with the same complaint-free performance. And this is why we’re here to help you out. After researching dozens of PCIe Wifi cards in the market, our team has prepared the ‘list of the bests’. Before we hop down to the ultimate list of best PCIe Wifi card, there’s something you need to have before. It’ll be better if you contour the important factors to know what to look for in a Wifi card. Given below are a glimpse of some vital points that you can’t afford to ignore. Let’s have a sneak peek. Number of Antenna: PCIe wifi cards in the market come with different numbers of antennas. Starting from the one, and reaching up to three or four antennas at max. Considering a two-antenna Wifi card is the sweet spot, where you fulfil your needs without wasting any money. Quality of the Antenna: A good quality antenna will enhance network connectivity. The quality game is completely dependent on the tube sizes of the antennae. Considering a good reliable Wifi card will surely eradicate the quality doubts. Compatibility: You’ll not able to even use the Wifi card if it’s not compatible with your PCs operating system. Cross-check whether the wifi card supports the OS and its version you’re using before buying it. Here’s a spoiler alert. Windows 10 users with having 64-bit machine can pick any Wifi card without any fear. By going through these factors, I’m sure you can now tell which one has the upper hand over others. But, keep in mind this was just a necessary introduction. A detailed “Buying Guide” is also mentioned at the bottom of this article. And it’ll be not wise to miss that out. By saying that, it’s time for the fun part. Let’s begin your PCIe Wifi card hunt.
7 Best PCIe Wifi Card in 2023
Best PCIe Wifi Card in 2023: Reviews
1. TP-Link AC1300 PCIe Wifi Card
Starting with one of the renowned brands in the telecom space, TP-Link. The TP-Link AC 100 PCIe Card is another brilliant product to consider in the list of best Wifi Cards. It provides you with the power to increase your bandwidth speed up to 1300 Mbps. Thus, fulfilling every task without feeling left out. Good news for Windows user. The TP-Link AC 1300 supports almost every version of Windows OS (10/8.1/ 8/ 7/ XP). Thus no issues for your age-old Windows PC as well. This two antenna wifi card comes with the advanced feature of heat sink technology. This feature is highly useful to maintain the health of the device in the long run. No matter how intense your gaming or computer habits are, the TP-Link AC1300 will not hold back. Moreover, the antennas of the device are completely detachable which allows you to configure them for getting better. One of the major advantages that make TP-Link AC1300 superior among its competitors is trust. You will get two complete years of warranty with it. Having this in mind will remove every doubt and fear about the quality of the product. What we Like:
Heat Sink Technology 2 years Warranty Supports older versions of Windows (10/8.1/ 8/ 7/ XP)
What we Didn’t Like
Few have faced drivers installation issue
2. Ubit AX1200 PCIe Wifi Card
The Unit Wifi Card comes with the undoubted performance of Intel in it The new Intel AX 1200 Wifi chip proves again why Intel is so appreciated for their work. This Wifi card comes with the most advanced Wifi version (Wifi 6) that can deliver up to 2.4Gbps of data transmission when using the 5.0Ghz band. It might turn out to be your perfect soldier for higher network consumption tasks. It supports up to 802.11ax with help of its two MU-MIMO antennas. You can connect up to 6 devices with the help of these antennas, that too with WPA3 security. The key here is to not provide a high-speed connection but to provide consistent data transmission. On top of that, The AX 1200 also supports the latest Bluetooth 5.0. You can easily expect a high data speed of 2402 Mbps in the 5 GHz band and up to 574 Mbps in the 2.4Ghz band. The AX 1200 doesn’t bother how noisy the Wifi network is around you. When it comes to flexible compatibility, Intel will always be praised. Its AX1200 wifi card is good to use with any version of Windows and Linux OS. You might not afford to ignore it, especially if you’re a Linux user. However, you’ll not be able to use the device right after plugging it in. The Wifi driver and Bluetooth driver needs to be installed separately. But, don’t worry, installing them isn’t difficult at all. What we Like:
Has Intel AX1200 inside Compatible with both Windows and Linux Os Connect up to 6 devices at a time
What we Didn’t Like
Supports only Windows 10
3. FebSmart N600 PCIe Wifi Card
FebSmart N600 is another worthy competitor in the list that works on the 2.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz network band. The best part is you’ll not have to pay much as compared to other options. With just 20 dollars of investment, you will fulfil your every small to medium level internet needs(including gaming.) The 300Mbps throughput for both bands (2.4Ghz to 5.0Ghz) is quite appreciable when you compare it with the price tag. Moreover, with the 2.4Ghz support, there’s no need to worry about the age of your Wifi router. At the same time, you can connect multiple devices at once. Thanks to the card’s 6dbi detachable antennas that support MIMO technology. Coming to the best part of that makes the card a more favourable choice. The FebSmart N600 is compatible with lower versions of Windows too. Whether you’ve Windows 10 or 7, a 64-bit machine or 32 bits machine, the card will work the same in all. The small price of this Wifi card might make you a bit speculative about the quality of the device. Let me calm you here. Feb Smart gives you a complete one-year replaceable warranty on the N600 Wifi card. Thus, one year is more than enough to test the limits of anything. However, a small investment always limits you at some factors, and the story repeats here. The highest encryption Wifi security you’ll get here is WPA2 (with all its version) and not WPA3. Although, this isn’t much of an issue if your main purpose for using the internet is gaming. What we Like:
Budget Pick 1 year Warranty Supports older versions of Windows (10/8.1/ 8/ 7/ XP)
What we Didn’t Like
Limited Max Speed, 300MBps WPA3 security not available
4. OKN AX3000 PCIe Wifi Card
Next on the list is from the corner of an underdog yet praisable brand, UFON. This AX3000 Pcie Wifi Card comes with an Intel AX3000 card inside it. It can turn out to be a great product if you want to pick something different. It is equipped with every top-notch feature you can get on a Wifi card. The Wifi 6 itself is an intriguing factor, responsible for providing 2X data speed as compared to previous versions. You can easily use it for hefty internet usages (like downloading large files such as 8K movies, high graphic video games) without experiencing any hiccups or drops in the network. Its MU-MIMO dual antennas look sturdy and are of superior quality. They effectively increase the signal gain, while connecting multiple devices at a time. Moreover, with the trust of Intel, you shouldn’t have any issue with the quality of the product. Here’s good news for Linux users. the AX3000 is also compatible with Linux OS along with Windows 10, 64-bit machine. You just need to configure few settings in the driver to make it work for the Linux OS. What we Like:
Intel AX 3000 inside High Data Rates up to 2.4 Gbps Supports Linux as well
What we Didn’t Like
Found nothing so far
5. Cudy AX3000 PCIe Wifi Card
Cudy AX 3000 Wifi card will be the best choice if you’re running tight on budget. This Wifi card works with Wifi 6, the most recent to provide seamless data transmission. With its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band, you’ll not have to worry about the type of, access provider. You can also expect Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity with this card. Its heat sink technology helps the device to prevent any malfunction caused by overheat. Moreover, the health of the Wifi card will remain the same even after a long interval. However, there’s a major downfall in this device. The Cudy AX3000 is not for everyone. Its OS connectivity is only limited to Windows 10 with a 64-bit machine. This might be disappointing if you don’t fall in this category. What we Like:
Heat Sink Compatible High receiving speed of 2402MBps (5.0Ghz)
What we Didn’t Like
Compatible with Windows 10 only
6. Asus AX3000 PCIe Wifi Card
It’s time to showcase the Wifi Card from the side of leading computer manufacturers, Asus. We all are well aware of the work of Asus, they’re dominating the market for over a decade. And the Asus AX3000 (Pce-AX58BT) is no exception. In the PCIe Wifi CArd space too, Asus were the first in the market to provide advanced Wifi 6 technology. Thus, with Wifi 6 you can expect up to 2.7 times faster speed from the previous Wifi versions. The fact itself is enough to make you inclined towards this Wifi card, right from the beginning. At first, the Asus AX 3000 might seems to cost you a bit more than its competitor, but you won’t regret that. The compact design wifi card doesn’t only provide aesthetic looks but easily gets fit into any CPU without any hassle. On top of that, the external antennae base holds two antennas for more receiving power. The base lets you place antennas in the most suitable position of the room for top-notch connectivity. These antennas are equipped with advanced MU-MIMO and Ofda technologies, capable of connecting multiple devices at once. With the power of two techs. (MU-MIMO and Of), you’ll never doubt the device for multiple connectivities. Although, the company states that AX3000 is only compatible with Windows 10 64-bit machine. But, many Linux users have too tried this card and are using seamless Wifi connectivity without any despair. At the same time, you’re providing your PC with the power of Bluetooth (5.0) connectivity too. Bluetooth 5.0 quickly connects with the device, even in the busiest Bluetooth networks. Also, you got 4 times larger range. Just download the drivers, plug the card into the slot and start using seamless connectivity. What we Like:
External Antennae base Clean Aesthetic look Supports Linux as well
What we Didn’t Like
Pricier than others
7. Cudy AX3000 PCIe Wifi Card
Another great option for the Cudy lovers, this time you got the power of Intel as well. Intel AX3000 is a well-known wifi card that provides seamless network connectivity. And the external antennae base, provided by the Cudy makes things even better. Talking about the most intriguing thing about this Wifi card, the external antenna base. Its magnetic antennae base is attached with 1.5 metres long cable. You can place this base in a comparatively open area for better data transmission. Thus, you get slightly better receiving power over others. The Intel AX3000 present inside the card provides you with advanced Wifi 6 network that works with both bands. You can easily increase the data speed up to 574Mbps for 2.4Hz and 2402Mbps of high speed for the 5.0Ghz band. Unfortunately, the Cudy AX3000 wifi card is quite limiting when it comes to compatibility. You can enjoy its seamless service, only if you have got a 64-bit machine equipped with Window 10 OS. What we Like:
External Antenna Base High data speed of 2402 Mbps (5.0 GHz)
What we Didn’t Like
Compatible with only Windows 10 (64-bit)
Buying Guide for Best PCIe Wifi Card
The PCIe wifi cards aren’t age-old technology. Thus, picking the best one for yourself might take some time. This is why we’ve come up with a detailed buying guide for you. The guide includes all the important factors that you should consider while eradicating your connectivity issues(i.e buying PCIe wifi cards). Now, let us dive towards the first step of your PCIe wifi card hunt.
1. Number of Antennas
Starting with the easiest one to understand and observe, antennas. The primary task for antennas regardless of their physical location is to receive and transmit data. It’s as simple as that. So, any device that is playing with the transportation of data is most likely to have antennas on them. Going further into the details, the amount of the data received/transmitted mostly depends on two factors- the quality of the antenna, and the height of the antenna. Talking about the height factor first. It is next to impossible to place a long antenna (even a one-metre long ) on these small PCIe wifi cards. So how can we increase the receiving range then? By increasing the number of antennas, and let them work for the same wifi card. In general, the PCIe wifi card comes with a single antenna for data transmission. Which might are suitable for low to moderate ended internet needs. However, to ensure seamless data connectivity(even for multiple devices), you should opt for wifi cards with two and in some cases three antennas as well.
2. Antenna Quality
Antennas are one of the great examples where quantity and quality play equal importance. In other words, the dignity and capability of a PCIe wifi card are directly dependant on the quality of its antenna. The tube size within the antenna determines the amount of data it will receive in a certain time. And here is the truth. Different Wifi cards come with different tube sizes and antennas. This is why you should consider a trusted and reliable brand (the list mentioned above includes only handpicked trusted products). However, there’s another solution you might opt for. If you’re seriously worried about the quality of the antenna, go for the cards that allow you to detach their antennas. You’ll be able to replace them with others later for enhanced connectivity power.
3. Connection Speeds
Greater connection speed is the main reason why you’re considering these Wifi cards, isn’t it? Different wifi cards will provide you with different ranges of connection speeds. The most advanced cards (having Wifi 6) promise you to provide over 3GBps of speed. But you got the theme, right? Even for the enhanced gamers, 3GBps plus speed ranges can go in vain. Until and unless you’re running an IT office, where stable high-speed internet is mandatory, don’t pick them. The most common PCIe wifi cards are bound to provide you with a connection speed between 300MBps to 2GBps. This range is often considered as the sweet spot for having a disturbance-free internet life.
4. Operating System
Here comes the concept of ‘compatibility’. The PCIe Wifi Cards are often compatible with only limited versions of a particular operating system only. It’s kinda hard to engulf but to enjoy the seamless connectivity, you’ll need to take care of it. Otherwise, you might lose trust over such intriguing devices along with money. Time to reveal another harsh truth. Windows users generally have an upper hand when it comes to OS compatibility, especially for the latest Window version(Window 10). However, as a Linux user, you still have a handful of choices to pick among. Just don’t forget to have a look at the Wifi card’s supporting OS list before hitting the BUY button.
5. Heat Sink Capability
Heat is the by-product of every high-performance device. The same goes with PCIe wifi card too. Although, the wifi cards don’t wear out even after a day of high-performance work. But, an additional layer of protection will help your card in the long run. A wifi card with heatsink capability tends to have an observable long life as compared to those who lack this. This is why you should pay more attention to this feature while investing in a long time product. All the PCIe Wifi cards mentioned above come with heatsink capability. Thus, there’s no need to worry about your intense gaming habit.
6. Size of the Card
The size of the Wifi card isn’t a prominent factor to look after. However, it might cause you some or a little more trouble in installing it. Your wifi card should easily fit into the CPU case. Indeed, there’s no need to worry if you have got a particularly large CPU. But, having concern about the size would be wise for your compact CPU cases. Pick the wifi card with a compact design, if you’re lacking free space. Also, you can ask the manufacturer or authorized dealer for more help, if needed.
7. Additional Feature
I always say the same thing about this factor. The additional features along with powerful necessities are the form of love, the brands show towards their customers. In the wifi card space too, expecting additional feature is not going too far. Some of these features are mentioned here. Many PCIe Wifi cards are equipped with technologies like Turbo QAM and MU-MIMO for better signal transmission. Some come with an external antenna base so that you can set antennae on the desired location. Keep in mind, these features do not take part directly to convey the superiority of the card. But who doesn’t wants extra benefits?
Conclusion:
This was it. I hope the information provided above will help you to make the right decision. PCIe Wifi cards are not must-have objects. But, your gaming and browsing experience will surely reach a whole different level. The only step you need is to pick the most suitable wifi card according to your needs. Don’t get confused by looking at so many worthy options. Take help from the buying guide and follow your guts. If you’re still completely clueless about your decision, I’ll encourage you to go with my favourite Wifi card. The TP-Link A+C1300 PCIe Wifi card fits right into everyone’s need. It’s affordable, provides advanced features (like Wifi 6, MU-MIMO) and is compatible with lower versions of Windows as well. At last, the product’s amazon reviews convey the whole story. Did we miss any worthy product that we forgot to mention in the list? Do comment below. Also, feel free to drop any queries in the comment section. Our team will reach you in a short while. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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