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Computer Accessories

Best Network Cards

Ade Hennis
Written by Ade Hennis
Updated September 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
TP-Link AX3000 Wi-Fi Card
TP-Link
AX3000 Wi-Fi Card
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Extra Range
Bottom Line

This ultra-strong and long-range wireless network card is perfect for gaming.

Pros

The two antennas increase your connection range so you can have faster, more stable internet no matter how far away your router is. It supports data speeds of up to 2.4 Gbps and can take advantage of Wi-Fi 6.

Cons

Some found it difficult to get installed, including coming with incompatible brackets.

TP-Link TX201 Network Card
TP-Link
TX201 Network Card
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Best for Home Offices
Bottom Line

This expansion card adds an ethernet port so you can connect to the internet.

Pros

It supports speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps and can use data speeds as slow as 10 Mbps. It comes with two brackets to better fit more PCs. It has tech to improve performance when gaming.

Cons

Some removed the cover for various reasons, including giving it a better heat sink.

Gigabyte GC-WBAX210 Network Card
Gigabyte
GC-WBAX210 Network Card
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Powerful Wi-Fi
Bottom Line

This powerful network card comes with an antenna to further boost its performance.

Pros

It’s compatible with Wi-Fi 6E for maximum speeds of 2.4 Gbps, and it enables it to connect to three bands: 2.4Ghz, 5Ghz and 6Ghz. It can also connect with Bluetooth 5.2. The antenna has a magnetic base and can tilt on several angles.

Cons

It requires drivers you may not have to be installed to function.

Nicgiga Network Adapter for Laptop
Nicgiga
Network Adapter for Laptop
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Improve your Travel Connections
Bottom Line

This card gets added to your motherboard to boost your laptop’s connectivity performance.

Pros

It requires an Intel CPU and an M2 network slot. It supports Windows 10 and 11, and can use Bluetooth 5.3, plus Wi-Fi 6E for ultra-fast and stable connections. It can use speeds of up to 2.4 Gbps.

Cons

Many struggled to get the Bluetooth to function properly because of driver issues.

Intel 9560NGW Wi-Fi Card
Intel
9560NGW Wi-Fi Card
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This basic but effective card may be able to improve your laptop’s connectivity performance.

Pros

It has a data transfer rate of up to 1.73 Gbps and adds Bluetooth 5 connectivity and Wi-Fi 5 connectivity. It requires an Intel-based computer with Windows 10, Windows 11 or Linux operating systems, plus a CNVio M.2 interface.

Cons

Some had issues with the cables being difficult to get attached properly.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
September 24, 2021
51
Models
considered
18
Hours
researched
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Ade Hennis
Written by Ade Hennis

Updated September 2024

These days, it’s crucial that a computer can connect to the Internet and your company’s local area network (LAN). That makes a quality PCI network card, which allows a physical Ethernet connection to your PC, an important component in any computer you build. The standard speeds network cards can handle are 10 and 100 Mbps, though more are now supporting 1000 Mbps. Some cards require that you download drivers while others don’t. The majority of network cards are for Windows systems, though not all support Windows 10. The network card should continue to function properly even when there’s a lot of data being transferred. It should be easy to physically install and fit into the NIC slot in your PC tower.

Our Top Picks
TP-Link
Best of the Best
TP-Link
AX3000 Wi-Fi Card
Bottom Line
This ultra-strong and long-range wireless network card is perfect for gaming.
Shop Now
TP-Link
Best Bang for the Buck
TP-Link
TX201 Network Card
Bottom Line
This expansion card adds an ethernet port so you can connect to the internet.
Shop Now
Gigabyte
Top Pick
Gigabyte
GC-WBAX210 Network Card
Bottom Line
This powerful network card comes with an antenna to further boost its performance.
Shop Now
Nicgiga
Top Pick
Nicgiga
Network Adapter for Laptop
Bottom Line
This card gets added to your motherboard to boost your laptop’s connectivity performance.
Shop Now
Intel
Top Pick
Intel
9560NGW Wi-Fi Card
Bottom Line
This basic but effective card may be able to improve your laptop’s connectivity performance.
Shop Now
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