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The 10 best WiFi dongles to buy in the UK

Picture of a WiFi dongle

The best WiFi dongle is a fantastic investment for anyone that travels frequently and requires a good connection to the internet. This is common for many commuting to work or travelling long distances, allowing you to stay connected so that you can get work done or pass the time with some entertainment.

However, finding the best wirless adapter can be challenging for first-time buyers, as finding the right piece of tech hardware is not always easy. To help with this, check out the handy buying guide below, it covers all the information that you need to know to find the best WiFi done for your needs.

What are WiFi dongles?

A WiFi dongle, also known as wirless adapter, is a small, portable modem that plugs into a laptop or computer to provide access to the internet. The dongle looks almost identical to a USB flash drive, although many come with an antenna to boost the signal and wireless connections and can connect using both wireless and mobile (e.g. 3G & 4G) broadband.

Why should you buy a good WiFi dongle?

The best WiFi dongles let you effortlessly connect to the internet on the go, making them especially useful for anyone that travels frequently and wants to remain connected to the internet. It can also be great for working away from home like in a café or coffee shop, saving the hassle (and risk) of using public WiFi, letting you connect your devices to secure internet via the dongle.

How to choose the right WiFi dongle in 2024?

Another picture of a WiFi dongle

Choosing a piece of new tech can be difficult, so here are some things to think about to help find the best WiFi dongles:

  • Compatibility: It is easy to overlook this, as not all dongles are compatible with every operating system, so be sure to double-check this before buying. For example, if you are using a laptop with Windows 10, make sure the WiFi dongle is compatible with this.
  • Speed: Older WiFi dongles connect to 3G mobile broadband, which is much cheaper but also offers the slowest speeds. The best WiFi dongles are 4G enabled, allowing connections to the fastest mobile internet currently available, so be sure to check what speeds the device offers to ensure ts suitable for your browsing needs. Also, you may want a dongle that is 5G enabled.
  • Data Plan: Because a WiFi dongle connects to mobile broadband like a mobile phone, you will need to select a data plan to determine how much internet you can use. Pay as you go plans are great for anyone using the dongle infrequently, featuring no long term contracts as you just top up before using the dongle. This is not great for daily use as it will quickly run out, so if you plan on using the dongle most days then a monthly data plan with enough data to meet your needs is recommended.

What is the best kind of WiFi dongle in the UK?

There are the two most popular types of WiFi adapters available to buy:

  • WiFi Dongle: This is the standard dongle that connects to a single device, usually a laptop or computer, converting mobile broadband data so you can use the internet on these devices. It’s simple to use and comes with various data options, although it is limited to a single device at a time.
  • 4G Router: This newer device connects to 3G and 4G networks like a standard WiFi dongle but can create WiFi hotspots as well. As a result, you can connect multiple devices like your smartphone to a single dongle, making it great for families, groups travelling, or anyone using many devices at once.

Top 10 list of WiFi dongles in the UK (2024)

The bestseller list compares brands and their WiFi dongles. Which WiFi dongle is the best?
Best choice TOP 1
Image of TP-Link Archer T2U WiFi dongle
TP-Link AC600 Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter for PC, Desktop, Laptop…
  • Come with manufacturer's 3 Years Warranty
  • Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP, Mac OS X 10.7~10.13
  • Hotspot: Easily establish a high speed Wi-Fi hotspot with just a few clicks
BUY NOW
TOP 2
Image of TP-Link Archer T3U Plus WiFi dongle
TP-Link AC1300 High Gain USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Dongle, Dual Band MU-MIMO Wi-Fi…
  • Supports the Latest Operating Systems — Fully compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP…
  • External Antenna Wi-Fi Dongle — Advanced external high-gain antennas greatly…
  • Dual-Band USB Wi-Fi Adapter — The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands provide flexible…
BUY NOW
TOP 3
Image of TP-Link Archer T2U Nano WiFi dongle
TP-Link AC600 USB Wi-Fi Dongle, Dual Band 5 GHz Wireless Adapter for…
  • Advanced security –supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK…
  • Operating System – Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP, Mac OS 10.910.13
  • Nano design USB Wi-Fi - Small, unobtrusive design allows you to plug it in and forget…
BUY NOW
Offer TOP 4
Image of RyuuOto  WiFi dongle
1300Mbps USB WiFi Dongle for PC Double Antenna, Dual Band 5GHz 2.4GHz…
  • Supports the Latest Operating Systems: Fully compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8…
  • Extended AP Mode and WiFi Dongle: The USB WiFi adapter for PC supports Soft AP mode,…
  • Easy to Use: Before plugging the wireless network adapter into the usb port, please…
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TOP 5
Image of TP-Link Archer TX20UH WiFi dongle
TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 AX1800 High Gain Dual-Band Wireless USB Adapter, Wi-Fi…
  • SuperSpeed USB 3.0 - Up to 10x faster transfer speeds than USB 2.0
  • Improved Security - WPA3 provides the latest security enhancements for personal password…
  • Lower Latency Gameplay - OFDMA and MU-MIMO ensure the most efficient WiFi connection…
BUY NOW
TOP 6
Image of RyuuOto  WiFi dongle
600Mbps USB WiFi Dongle for PC Mini, Dual Band 5GHz 2.4GHz USB WiFi…
  • Soft AP Mode and Advanced security: USB WiFi dongle turns a wired internet connection…
  • USB Wifi Adapter Support Operation System: Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP/2000, Mac OS…
  • Easy to Use: Before plugging the wireless network adapter into the usb port, please…
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TOP 7
Image of UGREEN 25226 WiFi dongle
UGREEN Wifi Dongle, AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Dual 5dBi Antennas USB 3.0 Wireless…
  • Multi-Encryption, Safe Internet: Support WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK/WPA3-SAE/WPA/WPA/WPA2/WPA3…
  • Built-in Driver: UGREEN Wifi Dongle has normal wireless card mode and AP mode. You…
  • Dual 5dBi High-Gain Antennas: UGREEN Wifi 6 ethernet dongle adopts an external adjustable…
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TOP 8
Image of NORTHERNSCAPE  WiFi dongle
Northernscape WiFi Dongle | AC1300 Wifi Adapter | 3.0 USB WiFi 5dBi…
  • If you are struggling to install the driver you can download the driver from the…
  • 1300Mbps High-Speed TransmissionThis WiFi dongle supports up to 1300Mbps Wi-Fi speeds,…
  • Compatible SystemsThis wireless adapter is designed for seamless compatibility with…
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TOP 9
Image of ElecMoga M-30C WiFi dongle
ElecMoga Wifi Dongle, 1300Mbps Wifi Adapter High Gain USB 3.0 5dBi…
  • : When the laptop is used, the USB should be inserted in the 3.0 interface to use,…
  • : Windows 11/10 Plug and Play, for Windows 11/ 10/ 8/ 7/ XP/ Mac OS X, please refer…
  • : Dongle wifi supports AP routing function and establishes a wireless LAN, which…
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TOP 10
Image of TP-Link TL-WN823N WiFi dongle
TP-Link 300Mbps Mini Wireless N USB WiFi Adapter, ideal for smooth…
  • Supports Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP, Mac OS, Linux
  • One button security setup - Easily setup a secure wireless connection with one-touch…
  • Soft AP mode - turns a wired internet connection to a PC or Laptop into a Wi-Fi…
BUY NOW
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We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We consider only products that are available on Amazon while the ranking is based on factors such as customer reviews, number of sales and keyword. Last Update: 2024/10/14.