Best Wireless USB Network Adapters for WiFi Hacking in 2022

If you’re looking for only the best wireless network adapters for wifi hacking in 2022, then you’re in the right place. I’ve got the top 5 USB wireless adapters for you right here!

The WiFi adapters on this list are all 100% compatible with the latest version of Kali Linux, Parrot Security, as well as Mac Books and all versions of Windows.

Not to mention, they can all be put into monitor mode and used to inject packets and perform all the fun WiFi hacking tricks and tactics that you need for your penetration tests, you’re going to enjoy this a lot.

Here are the best 5 recommendations if you’re out to buy a wireless USB adapter for WiFi hacking with Kali Linux.

Best wireless adapter for wifi hacking in 2022 summarized

RankWiFi AdapterChipsetPacket Injection5GHz SupportPrice ($)
#1Alfa AWUS036NHAAtheros AR9271YesNo

$37.69
(Check current price)

#2Alfa AWUS036ACHRealtek AR8812AUYesYes$59.99
(Check current price)
#3Alfa AWUS036NHRalink RT3070YesNo$39.99
(Check current price)
#4Panda PAU09Ralink RT5572YesYes

$41.99
(Check current price)

#5Alfa AWUS036NEHRalink RT3070YesNo$38.88
(Check current price)

Best wireless adapter for WiFi hacking in 2022:

1. Alfa AWUS036NH ($39.99 on Amazon)

Alfa AWUS036NH Best WiFi Adapter for Hacking

The Alfa AWUS036NH is a beastly wireless adapter made intentionally for WiFi hacking. It comes packed with an interchangeable screw-on 5dBi omnidirectional and 7dpi directional long range antennas which are energized by a whooping 2000mW of power. You’ll love this wireless adapter if you do a lot of WiFi hacking engagements. It’s very solid and reliable.

Features:

  • Compatible with 802.11 b/g/n wireless standards,
  • includes a 4inch 5dBi antenna and 7DdBi panel antenna,
  • High powered adapter with 2000mW power output,
  • 2.4GHz frequency band,
  • high speed data transfer rate TX up to 150Mbps,
  • Supports monitor mode & packet injection,
  • Ralink (Mediatek) RT3070 chipset. (Mediatek bought Ralink at some point)

2. Alfa AWUS036NEH ($38.88 on Amazon)

Alfa AWUS036NEH Best WiFi Adapter for Hacking

The Alfa AWUS036NEH is a compact but powerful wireless adapter that can be plugged in via USB without needing a USB cable. Its small form makes it portable for quick plug and play on Kali Linux. You do not need to install any drivers it just works and its long-range antennas does a very decent job of pulling in WiFi signals from afar.

Features:

  • Compatible with 802.11 b/g/n wireless standards,
  • includes a 5dBi omnidirectional antenna,
  • Supports 2.4GHz frequency band only,
  • Easy plug and play esp on Kali Linux,
  • Confirmed to work on Mac OS (as opposed to the description on the product page),
  • Supports monitor mode & packet injection flawlessly,
  • Ralink (Mediatek) RT3070 chipset.

3. Alfa AWUS036NHA ($37.69 on Amazon)

Alfa AWUS036NHA Best WiFi Adapter for Hacking

The Alfa AWUS036NHA is a solid USB WiFi adapter especially suited for long-range WiFi hacking activities. Its stability allows for its original antenna to be upgrade to an insanely long range screw-on 9dBi antenna bought separately ($7.99). This wireless adapter is quite the standard for other adapters in terms of range and material quality.

Features:

  • Compatible with 802.11 b/g/n wireless standards,
  • includes a 4inch 5dBi omnidirectional antenna,
  • Supports 2.4GHz frequency band only,
  • Supports monitor mode & packet injection naturally,
  • Atheros AR9271 chipset.

4. Alfa AWUS036ACH ($59.99 on Amazon)

Alfa AWUS036ACH Best WiFi Adapter for Hacking

The Alfa AWUS036ACH USB 3.0 wireless adapter is the beast w/2x 5dBi dual-band antennas of 2.4GHz at a speed of 300Mbps and 5GHz at a speed of 867Mbps. With an incredibly long-range, reliability, and durability, it’s undisputably one of the best adapters for WiFi hacking and penetration testing.

Features:

  • Compatible with 802.11 b/g/n/a/ac wireless standards,
  • includes 2x 4inch 5dBi omnidirectional dual-band antennas,
  • Supports 2.4GHz & 5GHz frequency bands,
  • with the new USB 3.0,
  • Great range and uninterrupted strong WiFi signals,
  • Supports monitor mode & packet injection naturally,
  • Realtek AR8812AU chipset.

5. Panda PAU09 ($41.99 on Amazon)

Panda PAU09 Best WiFi Adapter for Hacking

The Panda PAU09 is another option if you want a dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) wireless USB adapter. This small but powerful WiFi adapter has super wireless range and speed especially if you decide to turn of it’s 5GHz capability from settings and replace the original antennas with 9dBi ones. Not to mention it works great out of the box and connects easily without needing new drivers. Super suitable for all your WiFi hacking activities or tests.

Features:

  • Compatible with 802.11 b/g/n/a wireless standards,
  • includes 2x 5dBi omnidirectional dual-band antennas,
  • Supports 2.4GHz & 5GHz frequency bands,
  • Great range and uninterrupted strong WiFi signals,
  • Supports monitor mode & packet injection transparently,
  • Ralink RT5572 chipset.

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