2021-02-10
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USB WiFi adapters provide flexibility as they are easily moved from one location to another and from one computer to another and can even be taken on the road. They come in models for USB 2 and USB 3. Some of the larger adapters work well for desktop use and the smaller adapters, including "nano" adapters, work well for laptops and travel. While Linux enjoys very good in-kernel hardware support in many areas, USB WiFi adapters is an area where there is limited in-kernel support. However, the support is there and it is slowly improving. The biggest problem most Linux users have when looking to purchase a USB WiFi adapter is being able to reliably identify which adapters have in-kernel support.
This document attempts to identify currently available adapters with in-kernel driver support. Links are provided to online products. Information regarding out-of-kernel drivers and their quality is also provided. The hope is that this infomration is of benefit to Linux users, experienced and new. This document does not advocate the purchase of any specific adapter from any specific retailer. Links to products from a wide variety of retailers are provided and we welcome you to sent additional links. The chipsets are shown in each category and if you are able to find an adapter with the listed chipset, even if it is not an adapter that is specifically listed, it should work. Please double check the chipset with the seller before buying to make sure you are getting what you think you are getting. Also, be aware that the quality of many adapters that are on the market are poor so do your research before buying.
Warning: It is common for online retailers to post "Linux" support. It is best to ignore this statement from most retailers as it is often misleading at best and false as worst. Most retailers and inexperienced users do not understand that the Linux kernel is under constant development which makes it necessary for drivers to be regularly updated in order to work.
Note: I will not list any products made by TP-Link. TP-Link regularly changes chipsets while keeping the same model number on their products. This makes it very difficult for Linux users to buy a product with a specific chipset with any certainty. Their Linux support is very poor as their product support sites generally only contain very old Linux drivers, if any. We know that Linux cannot be properly supported like that. This is sad because TP-Link has made a lot of money from Linux by using it inside many of their products, yet they do not return the support. My recommendation is to avoid TP-Link products.
Note: Adapters by 2 companies need to be highlighted. Every single USB adapter that Panda makes is supported by Linux in-kernel drivers. The quality of Alfa adapters is really good. Products by both companies are widely available.
Note: In-kernel means that the driver is supported in the Linux kernel which means that you do not need to install a driver. Simply plug the adapter in and it will work. Many people find this solution to be better than buying an adapter that requires drivers to be found, downloaded, compiled and installed.
Note: The Alfa AWUS036ACM adapter is an excellent product that is available from many locations. It is mid-priced, well made and works well in client mode, AP mode and monitor mode. There are 3 links to this adapter below and it is available from online sellers around the world.
Alfa AWUS036ACM Long-Range Dual-Band AC1200 USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter [1]
COMFAST WiFi Dongle CF-926AC 1200Mbps Wireless USB WiFi Adapter
TEROW ROW02FD USB WiFi Adapter 1200M USB 3.0 5DBI Wireless Network Adapter
Alfa AWUS036ACM 802.11ac 867 Mbps Long Range WiFi USB Adapter
COMFAST CF-WU782AC 5.8GHz USB 3.0 WiFi 1300Mbps 802.11ac Long Distance Adapter
NETGEAR AC1200 Wi-Fi USB Adapter High Gain Dual Band USB 3.0 (A6210)
Alfa AWUS036ACM Long-Range Dual-Band AC1200 Wireless USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter
COMFAST usb wifi Adapter 1200m 2.4g 5g dual-band long distance usb wi-fi receiver 7612U chip
Generic: 1200Mbps Long Range AC1200 Dual Band 5GHz Wireless USB 3.0 WiFi Adapter
Mediatek MT7610U 11AC 600Mbps USB 2.0 Wireless Adapter Dual Band White
Mediatek 11AC USB Wireless Adapter, MT7610U
Panda Pau0a AC600 Dual Band Wireless USB Adapter
Asus Dualband Wirel. AC600 USB, USB-AC51
ZyXEL NWD6505 IEEE 802.11ac - Wi-Fi Adapter
Linksys AE6000 Wireless Mini USB Adapter
Alfa - AWUS036ACHM - 802.11ac WiFi Range Boost USB Adapter
Mini Dual Band 802.11b/g/n 2.4ghz 150M Wifi Stick 5ghz 11AC 433M USB Wifi Adapter
Panda Wireless PAU09 N600 Dual Band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wireless N USB Adapter
Note: Keeping an inexpensive single band adapter that is supported by in-kernel drivers in your toolkit can save a lot of trouble as it will allow you to have a termporary connection to download and install system updates and drivers for other adapters.
Panda Wireless PAU06 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter
Panda Wireless PAU05 300Mbps Wireless N USB Adapter
AR9271 802.11n 150Mbps Wireless USB WiFi Adapter
Quickbuying New Atheros AR9271 150Mbps Wireless USB LAN Adapter
Alfa AWUS036NHA - Wireless B/G/N USB Adaptor
USB WIFI Hack Hacking Adapter Wireless Monitor Injection For Kali Linux
CanaKit Raspberry Pi WiFi Wireless Adapter
Panda Ultra WiFi (b/g/n) 150Mbps Wireless-N 2.4GHz USB Adapter [1]
USB WiFi Adapter Ralink RT5370
EASTECH Ralink RT5370 Raspberry PI WiFi Adapter
ALFA AWUS036NEH Long Range WIRELESS 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi USB Adapter
Note: The list below is ranked by overall current performance and reliability and probable future performance and reliability - based on my experience working on the drivers, using the adapters and keeping up with information indicating how well the chipset will be supported in the future. The ranking is subject to change.
Note: Out-of-kernel drivers require you to find, download, compile and install the driver source code. The below links provide a lot of information, including information about supported adapters. Nine total chipsets are supported with the following five drivers.
Recent changes below:
- 2021-01-24 - removed warnings about rtl8814au after considerable work on AP mode.
- 2021-01-24 - moved the rtl8812bu up to first place after work to correct problems in AP mode.
Linux Driver for USB WiFi Adapters that use the RTL8812BU and RTL8822BU Chipsets
The rtl8812bu chipset may see future in-kernel driver support based on the work being done on the rtw88 in-kernel driver. This chipset tends to run cool, which is good, and Realtek currently provides updated out-of-kernel driver source code on a regular basis. Adapters based on this chipset are readily available at low prices but beware of poor quality adapters made by some adapter makers. Read the reviews before buying. The driver in the above link works very well with this chipset.
The Good:
- fast in client mode (for an AC1200 chipset)
- runs cool
- good out-of-kernel driver support
- possible in-kernel driver support at some point
- readily available at low prices
- power saving works well
The Bad:
- the really bad quality of some adapters made with this chipset means you need to reseach before buying
Linux Driver for USB WiFi Adapters that use the RTL8811CU, RTL8821CU and RTL8831AU Chipsets
The rtl8811cu chipset may see future in-kernel driver support based on the work being done on the rtw88 in-kernel driver. This chipset tends to run cool, which is good, and Realtek currently provides updated out-of-kernel driver source code on a regular basis. Adapters based on this chipset are readily available at low prices but beware of poor quality adapters made by some adapter makers. Read the reviews before buying. The driver in the above link works very well with this chipset.
The Good:
- fast enough for most users
- runs cool
- good out-of-kernel driver support
- possible in-kernel driver support at some point
- readily available at low prices
- power saving works well
The Bad:
- the really bad quality of some adapters made with this chipset means you need to reseach before buying
Linux Driver for USB WiFi Adapters that use the RTL8812AU Chipset
The rtl8812au chipset is an aging chipset that will likely never be supported by an in-kernel driver which leaves users dependent on Realtek to release future out-of-kernel source code. This makes buying adapters based on this chipset somewhat risky for Linux users. The market for USB WiFi adapters has seen a switch over the last few years from this chipset to the rtl8812bu chipset for adapters in the AC1200 class. Not many rtl8812au adapters remain available on the market. The above driver is a really good quality driver but the question is, how long will Realtek continue to release out-of-kernel source code for this chipset.
The Good:
- best out-of-kernel driver of the 5 listed here, very solid
- AP mode is outstanding
- power saving works well
The Bad:
- future Realtek support unknown
- will likely never be supported by an in-kernel driver
- limited availability, has mostly been replaced by rtl8812bu
Linux Driver for USB WiFi Adapters that use the RTL8811AU and RTL8821AU Chipsets
The rtl8811au chipset, like the rtl8812au chipset, is an aging chipset that will likely never be supported by an in-kernel driver which leaves users dependent on Realtek to release future out-of-kernel source code. This makes buying adapters based on this chipset somewhat risky for Linux users. The market for USB WiFi adapters has seen a switch over the last few years from this chipset to the rtl8811cu chipset for adapters in the AC600 class. Adapters that use the rtl8811au chipset are still available but availability is declining. The above driver is a good quality driver but the question is, how long will Realtek continue to release out-of-kernel source code for this chipset.
The Good:
- AP mode is excellent
- power saving works well
The Bad:
- future Realtek support unknown
- will likely never be supported by an in-kernel driver
- limited availability, has mostly been replaced by rtl8811cu
Linux Driver for USB WiFi Adapters that use the RTL8814AU Chipset
The rtl8814au chipset is an aging chipset that will likely never be supported by an in-kernel driver which leaves users dependent on Realtek to release future out-of-kernel source code. This makes buying adapters based on this chipset somewhat risky for Linux users. Adapters based on this chipset can really push data at high speed and are still available but are relatively expensive. They need a pretty good amount of current so use with a powered USB 3 hub is recommended. This chipset builds a lot of heat so look for adapters that have plenty of vent holes and search reviews to see if users are reporting heat problems. The above driver is a reasonaly good quality driver but the source is from 2019. We need Realtek to release an updated version of the driver source code as the code for this driver is showing some age. Will Realtek release a new version? I don't know.
The Good:
- fastest USB chipset available for Linux
The Bad:
- future Realtek support unknown
- uses a lot of current so using a powered hub is nearly a must
- produces a lot of heat, adapter needs a lot of vent holes
- expensive
Adapter Reviews:
As I have time, I am going to post reviews of some of the adapters that I own so check back periodically. My plan is to review the Alfa AWUS036ACM first.
If you have an adapter that is supported by in-kernel drivers and would like to contribute a review, please let me know.
The mission of this site is to collect information and provide links regarding the purchase and use of USB WiFi adapters with Linux.
Any information and links you can provide are welcome. Submit the information and links by clicking on Issues...or if you are a Github user, submit a Pull Request.
Regards,
morrownr
[1] I have and use this adapter
[2] I have an adapter that uses this chipset