If your PC doesn’t come with a Wi-Fi card, you must install one to enjoy fast Wi-Fi. When you face the decision to select among PCIe cards for your PC, you want to choose the best one.
PCIe cards make sure that we get fast internet. We can also install USB wireless adapters. However, there is a severe con that they have slower speeds. So, we need PCIe cards to enjoy the same high-speed internet that we experience in laptops.
Apart from getting a fast speed internet, there are other benefits too. The best PC card make sure that we have a secure network. They come with many types of latest security features. As a result, we enjoy a secure network.
If you are short of time, you must need quick information. For this reason, we will recommend AC56 from ASUS for the quality of signals. On the other hand, we will recommend AC1300 from TP-link for speed.
Contents
Best PCIe WIFI Card List
So, let us move towards complete reviews followed by a quick buying guide and how to install section.
1. ASUS PCE-AC56 PCI Wireless Express Adapter
- Network Standard : IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Instant 802.11ac Wi-Fi Upgrade for PC
- Security 64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPS support
- No Ethernet cables needed
We know ASUS for making the best quality tech hardware. This one is a perfectly designed Wireless Express Adapter from ASUS. You will get the best coverage and fast speeds.
We know that design matters a lot in a PCIe Wi-Fi card, and this one from ASUS is classic. This Wi-Fi adapter will make sure that the best quality internet is available to you with full strength.
Now you don’t need to have messy Ethernet cables to enjoy internet on your PC. AC56 features 802.11ac chipset that will make sure you receive fast internet with speeds up to 867 Mbps.
The internet is very safe and secure with all the security features that you need. You will find all of the popular security settings in this Wi-Fi adapter. These include 64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, and WPS. As a result, you will enjoy the safest network.
When it comes to OS, ASUS has various options for you. The adaptor will work well on XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1 on both 32 and 64 bits systems.
Pros
- Fast internet, best for gaming
- Very secure internet
- All drivers available
Cons
- No support for Windows 10 on the official website.
2. ROSEWILL RNX-AC1900PCEv2, Dual Band Wireless AC1900
- Security: Support 64 / 128-Bit WEP, WPA-PSK
- Up to 1300 Mbps (5.0 GHz)
- Frequency Band: 2. 4 GHz / 5 GHz
- Features: Next Generation Standard 802. 11AC
- 3 x External Antennas
- compatible with 11 a/b/g/nUp
If you are looking for dual-band PCIe cards, then you must buy this one from ROSEWILL. This is an express adapter that will work best with your PC. It gives you a high-speed internet with its three external antennas.
What makes AC1900 the best PCIe Wi-Fi card is the fact that it has two bands. On 5 GHz, it will give you speed as much as 1300 Mbps. On the other hand, you will get up to 600 Mbps speed on 2.4 GHz band.
ROSEWILL gives you standard 802.11 AC internet connection. This makes it ideal to use your internet for live streaming, HD movies, and playing games. You can play your latest video games with ease through AC1900 by ROSEWILL.
If you are using any OS till Windows 8.1, this adapter will work best for you. The price is very affordable, and there is no visible lag in the performance. We will highly recommend this dual-band Wireless adapter for your gaming and streaming needs.
Pros
- Good price adapter
- Best dual-band Wi-Fi adapter
- Works stable even from long distance.
Cons
- May not work with latest Windows 10 update.
3. TP-Link TL-WN881ND N300 PCI-E Wireless
- Wireless N speed up to 300Mbps
- Compatibility: 802.11n/b/g products
- 2 External Antenna
- Windows 7/8/8.1/10
- WiFi 5
- 2-year warranty
When it comes to the Best Wi-Fi card for PC, no one can beat TP-Link. They come with their classic hardware that makes tech life easy for you. N300 is another fast speed Wireless adapter for your PC.
N300 will allow your PC to achieve speeds as much as 300 Mbps. It uses the latest MIMO technology to deliver a fast and stable internet connection for your PC. As a result, you will never face any lag in your net speed.
The best part about N300 is that it is very easy to install. TP-Link knows that many people are now using Windows 10 latest versions. So, they have drivers that support all standard Windows versions, including 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. Moreover, it supports Linux versions from 2.6.24 to 4.1.
TP-Link is a big name, and all of their devices work well. However, if your adapter occurs issues, you can claim the warranty within two years. N300 gives you a secure network with security options like WPA and WPA2 encryptions. Thus, you will enjoy a safe network.
Pros
- High-speed internet
- Trusted brand name
- Easy to install
Cons
- Less support for Windows 10.
4. FENVI PCIe Wi-Fi Adapter Card Wi-Fi 6 AX200
- PCIe Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax Card
- Supports 802.11ax via 2×2 MU-MIMO Antennas
- Support 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands
- 4x Longer OFDM
- Bluetooth 5.0 technology
- Wireless Standard: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi 6
- Channel: 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 80+80MHz & 160MHz
If you need extreme use PCIe cards, then don’t turn towards anyone else except FENVI. They made a standard Wi-Fi adapter that has all the options to make it your favorite.
Many adapters fail to provide excellent results on Windows 10. Often, you won’t get drivers for Windows 10 and then forced to install Windows 8 drivers. However, FENVI made this Wi-Fi adapter that works best on your Windows 10.
If you have video gaming or movie needs, you need PCIe cards that can deliver faster internet. In this case, you must try this Wi-Fi adapter from FENVI. It is a dual-band adapter that will give you up to 574 Mbps speed on 2.4 GHz band. Moreover, if you are using a 5 GHz band, you will get the highest speed of up to 2400 Mbps.
FENVI gives you a one year warranty for the adapter. This adapter will work best on all types of devices. Not only your PC or laptop, but it will also work equally best for all Wi-Fi devices.
Pros
- Very high speed
- Best for Windows 10
- The latest technology, dual-band Wi-Fi
Cons
- Signals drop for some users.
5. TP-Link AC1300 PCIe Wireless Wi-Fi PCIe Card
- 867Mbps(5Ghz),400 Mbps(2.4Ghz)
- 2 External Antenna
- Dual-Band for Better Wi-Fi Experience
- Supports Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP
- Heat Sink Technology
TP-Link came with another low-priced Wi-Fi adapter that will work best for your PC. This adapter works with even faster speeds. At times, the speed will go up to 867 Mbps on a 5 GHz network. Moreover, you will get a speed of up to 400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band.
Some devices claim higher speeds but fail to provide a stable connection. As a result, users frustrates at low-speed internet. When it comes to TP-Link, you always get the best speeds with a stable connection. So, you can download HD movies, and play the latest video games with no tension.
The adapter comes with two external antennas. These antennas will make sure that you get an extended range with a more stable connection. You can even detach these antennas or change the direction to which they point.
You need some skills to upgrade the adapter for your Windows 10. However, it will work best for Windows versions XP, 7, 8, and 8.1. In case of any mishap, feel free to claim warranty within two years.
Pros
- Stable connection
- Fast internet
- A vast range of Wi-Fi
Cons
- Difficult to install on Windows 10.
Features to consider
Everyone wants to select among the best PCIe cards. In this case, you must consider some key features to consider before making a final decision.
Quality of antennas
Many people think that it is good to have as many antennas as possible. However, the quality of antennas matters most. Even two antennas are enough to give you a good network as long as they have big tubes. So, consider the quality of the antenna important than the number of the antenna.
Speed and band
The band is available in Gigabits, and most PCIe cards offer two different bands namely 2.4 and 5 GHz. When it comes to speed, you have a large variety. We measure it in Mbps, and the greater value indicates faster internet.
Supported OS
Even the best PCIe Wi-Fi card is useless if your OS doesn’t support it. For instance, many adapters support Windows XP, 7, 8, and 8.1. If you have Windows 10 and it is not working, try the same drivers of Windows 8.1. However, it is better to stick at the company’s guidelines and check if they support your OS or not.
Size of adapter
Although many people ignore it, the size of the adapter matters most. Latest CPU cases are small, with less space for external objects. In this case, you can’t fit a large adapter inside your motherboard. Note the dimensions of the adapter and see if it fits in your case.
FAQs
How to install PCIe Wi-Fi card?
If your PC has no Wi-Fi card pre-installed, then you must install before using Wi-Fi in it. So, let us know how to install the best PCIe Wi-Fi card.
- You should start by shutting off your PC. This is a must for your safety.
- Open the case of PC and locate motherboard. This is where you will install the PCIe Wi-Fi card.
- Identify the slot for PCIe slot and remove the cover if it is covered.
- Attach the antenna to your Wi-Fi card.
- When you finish the install, close the case. Power on your PC and install the relevant drivers.
When you follow all these steps, you will have fast internet on your PC.
What is the best PCIe Wi-Fi card?
The Best Wi-Fi card for PC is the one that gives you a fast and reliable internet connection. It must give you a stable connection, as well as extended coverage. Moreover, they should provide you with a secure network.