If you are confused about the different brands, Chipset available for WiFi Adapters when performing WiFi Penetration Testing this guide can help clarify things.
Learn about the different advantages of the WiFi Adapters and watch unboxing Videos.
There are several chipsets to choose from when carrying out WiFi Penetration Testing.
The chipset used in the test is the key ingredient for a successful WiFi Penetration test.
Best WiFi Penetration Testing adapters in 2017-2018
Best 2.4 GHz WiFi USB Adapter for Penetration Testing
Which one to choose and is best for WiFi wireless penetration testing?
IEEE 802.11abgn = 2.4GHz 5GHz
Click here for WiFi adapter comparison Matrix.
List of 2.4 GHz Frequency WiFi USB Adapter Chipsets
Realtek RTL8187L
Alfa AWUS036H (1000mW) rtl8187l
AWUS036H - RTL8187L
2.4 GHz only
Verdict
The Alfa AWUS036H is by far the most popular WiFi adapter for 2.4 GHz networks.
It has a powerful 1000 mW it supports injection, WPS pin brute force and capturing of WiFi Handshakes.
Atheros AR9271
TP-Link TL-WN722N (100mW) AR9271
AWUS036NHA ar9271 chipsets.
Verdict
This chipset is the second most popular for 2.4 GHz WiFi Penetration Testing.
It is almost as good as the RTL8187l chipset.
It works good for long range and b/g/n is supported.
Be ware of the TP-LINK TL-WN722N it is only the version 1 edition with chipset AR9271 that works.
The Version 2 of TL-WN722N comes with chipset RTL8188EUS which is not supported.
Realtek RT3070
Panda pau05 - RT3070
Alfa AWUS036NEH (1000mW) RT3070
AWUS036NH -
AWUS036NH
Best 5 GHz Frequency WiFi USB Adapter Chipsets
Realtek RT3572
AWUS052NHS - RT3572
awus052nh - RT3572
AWUS051NH V2
AWUS051NH (500mW) 5GHz capable.
Realtek RTL8812AU
AWUS036AC RTL8812AU
High powered adapter.
Needs new 2017 driver to work.
Best WiFi USB Adapters for WiFi Password Recovery Penetration Testing.
All with detachable antennas. So you can unscrew the default 5 dBi and upgrade to 9 dBi, 18 dBi, 24 dBi or larger.
AWUS036H Unboxing Video
Based on Realtek8187L - 2.4 GHz Higher is better:
Injection Score: 9/10
Scanning Range Score: 9/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score: 6/10 runs very hot
Installation: Via USB 2.0 cable.
Performance test:
Test One
AWUS036H after scanning for 20 minutes it discovered: 80 Networks
Test Two
Alfa AWUS036h 1000 mW RTL8187L:61 Networks
Summary verdict
Alfa AWUS036H wins as the most powerful on 2.4 GHz frequency Wireless G.
The results from the tests are shown with sensitivity differences from the WiFi adapters.
The Alfa AWUS036H is far better beating the closest rival with more than 10 dBm. The only disadvantage of the AWUS036H is the lacking of the Wireless N 5.8 GHz standard.
If there is no requirement for the Wireless N the AWUS036H is the clear winner.
AWUS036H (46) Only limited to Wireless G
The Alfa Adapters are clear best ones with the 1000 mW AWUS036H
AWUS036h get slower over time and run hot.
Based on AR9271 - 2.4 GHz Higher is better
Injection Score: 5/10
Scanning Range Score: 4/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score: 9/10 is not running hot
Installation: Dongle connects direct in USB port.
Performance test:
TL-WN722N (36)
In the last place comes the TP-Link TL-WN722N.
TPLink TL-WN722N = 59 Networks 18 networks detected.
Verdict:
Higher is better
Injection Score: 7/10
Scanning Range Score: 7/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score: 7/10
Installation: Via USB 2.0 cable.
On second place comes the AWUS036NEH it beats the larger more powerful Alfa AWUS036NH. Both WiFi Adapters uses the same chipset RT3070
The AWUS036NEH seems to be stronger and 4x more sensitive than the AWUS036NH.
AWUS036NEH (46)
Alfa AWUS036NH 2000 mW Higher is better
Injection Score: 9/10
Scanning Range Score: 9/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score:
Installation: Via USB 2.0 cable.
AWUS036NH (47)
Alfa AWUS036NH (2000mW)
AWUS036NH
Generated heat.
In another test found. 25 Access Points.
The AWUSNH uses rt3070 and the
AWUS036NHA (800mW) Higher is better
Injection Score: 9/10
Scanning Range Score: 9/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score:
Installation: Via USB 2.0 cable.
Different antennas where used in the test including the Alfa 9dBi antenna, 4 dBi that come with the TL-WN722n.
And standard 5 dBi that comes with all Alfa adapters.
There is a smaller overall effect using the different antennas. The key difference is the WiFi Adapters and chipsets used.
Transmit power is an important indicator. As an example the TL-WN722N with 100mW transmit power is much better than build in laptop WiFi with 25mW.
In the tests the Alfa Cards found clearly more access points compared to the build in Intel Centrino WiFi Adapter and the TP-Link
The Alfa Adapters showed almost the same amount of access points in the test:
Alfa AWUS036NHA (recommended by many.
Do not get as hot as alfa awus036h.
Cant last at least 2 years with 24/7 usage.
But the AWUSNHA can best deauth & you grab the handshakes even more reliably in low db decibel situations can be as low as 10db.
NHA using daily no issues.
Intel Centrino (35) 0.25 mW Higher is better
Injection Score: 9/10
Scanning Range Score: 9/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score:
Installation: Via USB 2.0 cable.
Build in WiFi chipset in Intel based laptops. Centrino chipsets is not recommended for WiFi Penetration Testing.
AWUS051NH (500mW) 5GHz capable. Unboxing video of AWUS051NH V1
Based on RT2770 - 5.8 GHz & 2.4 GHz Higher is better
Injection Score: 9/10
Scanning Range Score: 9/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score:
Installation: Via USB 2.0 cable.
AWUS051NH V2
Based on RT3572 - 5.8 GHz & 2.4 GHz AWUS051NH V2 Unboxing Video
Higher is better
Injection Score: 9/10
Scanning Range Score: 9/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score:
Installation: Via USB 2.0 cable.
Alfa AWUS051NH v2 802.11n Dual Band 300 mbps Wireless-N USB adapter
Alfa AWUS051NH V2 500 mW = 56 Networks
AWUS050NH after scanning for 20 minutes it discovered: 62 Networks
AWUS036NHR V2 (2000mW) Higher is better
Injection Score: 9/10
Scanning Range Score: 9/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score:
Installation: Via USB 2.0 cable.
NHR has bad performance and is not recommended for WiFi Pen testing.
COMFAST (AR9271) USB Adapter Based on AR9271 - 2.4 GHz Higher is better
Injection Score: 9/10
Scanning Range Score: 9/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score:
Installation: Via USB 2.0 cable.
USB Atheros XS 721 = 40 Networks
Fast at connecting channels when doing WPS attack.
Same amount networks detected as awus036nha
COMFAST (AR9271) USB DONGLE
KASENS G9000
Kasens G9000 18 dBi 6000 mW RTL8187L = 70 Networks Based on Realtek8187L - 2.4 GHz Higher is better
Injection Score: 9/10
Scanning Range Score: 9/10
Bands Supported: 2.4 GHz only
Heat Score:
Installation: Via USB 2.0 cable.
Kasens G9000 18 dBi 6000 mW RTL8187L = 70 Networks
VIDEO
VIDEO
VIDEO
AWUS036NHV Unboxing VIDEO
WiFi Adapters part 1 Overview VIDEO
WiFi Video part 2 Unboxing VIDEO
VIDEO
Performance scanning with different USB Adapters for WiFi pen testing 2 Min test in the same setup with 18 dBi antenna: WiFi scanning discovery to find out which adapter can pickup the most networks.
The same USB Cable, Computer, Software and WiFi antenna used in the independent test.
Best for 2.4 GHz scanning, injecting
Signal King High Power 36000N 2000 mW Ralink = 81 Networks
WiFiSky 2000 mW RTL8187L = 64 Networks
WiFi Adapter Performance test: Scanning with USB adapter for 20 minutes in the same location:
Based on Realtek8187L - 2.4 GHz
Based on Ralink 3070 - 2.4 GHz Signal King High Power 36000N 2000 mW Ralink = 81 Networks
Based on RTL8192CU - 2.4 GHz Asus USB-n13 Revision b1
TP-LINK TL-WN8200ND
