Best M.2 WiFi Cards – Your 2023 Guide to the Best Options

Whether you’ve transitioned to work-from-home over the past year, or you’re using your internet connection for an important school assignment, we are all in need of top-speed connectivity.

And the best solution to ensuring you have access to high internet speed at all times?

An M.2 WiFi card! This article will discuss your best options for an M.2 WiFi card.

Comparison of the Best M.2 WiFi Cards

Factors to Consider Before Buying an M.2 WiFi Card

Purchasing an M.2 WiFi card is not a “one size fits all” situation. Let’s take a closer look at what you should consider when deciding to invest in an M.2 WiFi card.

Download and Upload Speed

An M.2 WiFi card is an accessory that helps your device establish a wireless internet connection by establishing a connection with your modem or router to catch internet signals. This is greatly beneficial for computers that do not have built-in WiFi.

However, an M.2 WiFi card is also highly beneficial for increased upload and download speed. While you will find the average upload speed to be a minimum of 70 Mbps (megabits per second) and the average download speed to be 6 Mbps, the best M.2 WiFi cards will boast much higher speeds.

Compatibility With Your Device

As mentioned, WiFi cards are not a one size fits all product. Due to varying specs, a WiFi card that works on one device may not work on another. Before purchasing a WiFi card, it’s important to check your existing device’s specs and compare them to the M.2 WiFi card specs. This information should be readily available on both products.

WiFi Pins

You’ll notice that the pins featured on M.2 WiFi cards will differ. By accessing your network card’s pin slot, you can ensure that your WiFi card of choice will be able to perform to the best of its ability and that you will get the most out of your purchase.

Bluetooth Compatibility

It’s true that almost every M.2 WiFi card will have the ability to connect via Bluetooth. However, it never hurts to check and make sure that this feature is included. The Bluetooth feature will let you connect your other devices such as smartphones and tablets to the WiFi network without the need for an additional WiFi card and unnecessary wires. It’s also important to check that your M.2 WiFi card's Bluetooth feature is of the latest technology.

Matching Your Budget

M.2 WiFi cards vary by budget, with the more expensive options generally including more advanced features. If you’re looking to purchase a budget M.2 WiFi card for an inexpensive laptop that doesn’t have built-in WiFi compatibility, there are various options available that will not break the bank. Budget solutions do not have to mean that you’re sacrificing quality for your internet connectivity.

Review of the Best M.2 WiFi Cards

Looking for a quick breakdown of the best M.2 WiFi cards on the market? You’ve come to the right place! Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of some of the best M.2 WiFi cards out there.

What is M.2 and Which Devices Use M.2 Slots?

If you haven’t previously used an M.2 WiFi card, you may still require clarification on what this product is and whether or not you need one. As mentioned above, an M.2 WiFi card is an accessory that helps your device establish a wireless internet connection by inserting the adapter into your device’s M.2 card slot.

The M.2 WiFi card then works to establish a connection with your modem or router to catch internet signals. This is greatly beneficial for laptops and desktops containing M.2 slots that do not have built-in WiFi and/or wish to establish an ultra-high-speed connection that they may be lacking.

Another reason why M.2 WiFi cards are such a valuable accessory is their ability to connect to other devices via Bluetooth. While typically only desktop and laptop computers possess an M.2 slot, Bluetooth compatible devices such as tablets and smartphones should be able to access the same WiFi signal via Bluetooth.

Those who regularly stream video and use their internet for gaming will also largely benefit from an M.2 WiFi card, as the higher upload and download speeds that result from using an adapter will greatly reduce your chances of lagging and buffering when enjoying your favorite media. 

Advantages of Investing in a Quality M.2 WiFi Card

So, what are the major “wins” of investing in a quality M.2 WiFi card, and do you need one? The main and major benefit of investing in an M.2 WiFi card? The ability to connect to the internet in the first place! While the vast majority of current desktop and laptop models will have the ability to connect to WiFi built into them, older models still exist that do not possess this ability.

Therefore, as long as your device contains an M.2 slot, you’ll be able to quickly and easily access a WiFi connection with your router. With a quality M.2 WiFi card, you’ll also enjoy a faster internet connection and better upload/download speeds, and a reduction in failed links, despite whether or not your device has the ability to connect to WiFi on its own.

An M.2 WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card also can significantly lower your power consumption. Although this particular type of M.2 WiFi card may not provide the most optimal speed rates compared to other devices, they do reduce the consumption of your power significantly.

M.2 Comparisons

When searching for an M.2 WiFi card, odds are you’ve come across multiple different solutions to your internet connectivity needs. What’s the difference between these different adapters, and how do you know which one you should purchase? Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of adapters:

Mini PCIe WiFi Card vs M.2 WiFi Card

The mini PCIe or the mPCIe card is largely used in industrial settings and IT gateways and routers. This type of adaptor is particularly popular amongst wireless vendors and integrates well with LTE Advanced Pro technology. Mini PCIe cards are designed for internal use, plugging directly into the motherboard.

Compact computers with ultra-small motherboards may be able to benefit from this type of card, as space is limited - assuming they possess a Mini PCIe card slot. M.2 WiFi cards are generally the more popular choice for laptops and desktops, with these types of devices typically containing an M.2 card slot. M.2 WiFi cards are a much newer device than the mPCIe models, accommodating a much higher 5G data transfer rate.

Top Brands in the M.2 WiFi Card Space

Certain popular brands dominate the M.2 WiFi card space, which you will certainly recognize due to their popularity in the world of laptops and desktop computers. Let’s take a look at which brands are known for their top-performing M.2 WiFi cards.

Intel

Intel’s M.2 WiFi cards have been noted multiple times in this review alone - and for a good reason! Intel was founded in the late 1960s by semiconductor pioneers Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore. Intel was originally called NM Electronics but was changed to Intel after its founders purchased the rights to the name, which is short for Integrated Electronics. 

Intel introduced the first microprocessor, the Intel 4004, in the early 1970s, with the help of Ted Hoff. Intel has made a name for itself in the field of wireless Bluetooth products and provides the industry’s most advanced connectivity technologies. Intel is known for its top-notch speed and WiFi capabilities, as well as its power-saving features, saving you money in the long run.

TP-Link

TP-Link has been in existence since 1996. Founded by brothers Zhao Jianjun and Zhao Jiaxing, TP-Link expanded internationally from China in 2005. TP-Link has been ranked as the number one provider of Wi-Fi devices and now serves billions of customers worldwide, with products available in more than 170 countries.

TP-Link products are known for their great value, as well as their history of stability and performance. This brand focuses on all individuals' current networking needs, constantly upgrading their products to meet changing demands. TP-Link’s M.2 WiFi cards also commonly come with antennas, eliminating the need to make a separate purchase.

Price Points of M.2 WiFi Cards

This article has provided options for the best M.2 WiFi cards that will not break the bank, which is also high quality and provide valuable features. However, what is the difference between a budget-friendly M.2 WiFi card and a more expensive option, if any? There are two primary price points that you will see in your search for M.2 WiFi cards, as outlined below:

$20 - $45

The vast majority of M.2 WiFi cards that you will find when scrolling through Amazon will be in the range of $20-$30. This includes brands like Intel, OKN, YOUBO, and Wise Tiger. M.2 WiFi cards in this price range will generally provide budget-friendly products that still deliver super-fast speeds, Bluetooth, and a reliable connection.

Depending on the brand, you may or may not receive an antenna included in your purchase to help with wider signal coverage. The brand also may or may not include the latest version of Bluetooth and may or may not support your version of Windows. If you do wish to purchase an M.2 WiFi card at this more budget-friendly price, consider our picks above for the best bang for your buck! However, you will be hard-pressed to find an M.2 WiFi card in this price range that supports Mac OS products.

Who Should Not Buy an M.2 WiFi Card?

While there are several great reasons to purchase an M.2 WiFi card, this product is not a requirement for everyone. An M.2 WiFi card's primary purpose is to help your device establish a wireless internet connection by bridging the gap between your device and your modem or router to catch internet signals. It is unlikely that a brand new and up-to-date laptop or desktop would not possess the ability to establish a WiFi connection.

An M.2 WiFi card is also not for those who are completely satisfied with their internet speed and are not having issues with establishing a signal when using the internet in a faraway area that is not immediately next to the router.

In the case that you do require assistance with WiFi connectivity and know you could benefit from an M.2 WiFi card, your device may not possess an M.2 WiFi card slot. In this case, a USB connector would be a much better option, as the vast majority of laptop or desktop systems will be built with a USB port.

In this case, it’s important to check whether your computer contains a standard 2.0 USB port or the faster and more efficient 3.0 USB port. While you should be able to find an M.2 WiFi card that is compatible with the majority of operating systems, you may not be able to find one if your device runs on a significantly outdated version of Windows.

Conclusion

If your PC or laptop cannot connect to WiFi and/or needs assistance in establishing a stable internet connection, then we strongly recommend purchasing an M.2 WiFi card. An M.2 WiFi card not only establishes and improves connectivity but can significantly increase your download/upload speed, reduce failed links dramatically, and save power and energy.