Cards and Chipsets
It's crucial to work with a Wi-Fi adapter that has a reliable chipset. Certain operations are limited because not all chipsets can perform the same functions, especially specialized tasks like packet injection, VIF capability and support for uncommon operational modes outside typical usage. Therefore, before purchasing a Wi-Fi adapter, we highly recommend reading this section, as we will suggest the best chipsets, based on the community members' experience, capable of performing all necessary tasks for Wi-Fi hacking/pentesting activities.
In the whitelist, you'll find the most recommended options, including direct purchase links to simplify your search.
Rating legend: --- Best --- 😍 😄
Ordered by users' rating, some known compatible and fully working VIF capable chipsets/cards (Whitelist, recommended):
| Users' rating | Gen | Chipset | Card/s using it | Band/s | Interface | Link to Buy | Additional comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 😍 | Wifi6e | Mediatek MT7921AUN | Alfa AWUS036AXML | 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz / 6Ghz | USB | Link | Includes Bluetooth chipset. Not working on Parrot OS <=5 (vm or native). Deauth not working while using VIF on kernels >= 6.2 |
| 😍 | Wifi6e | Mediatek MT7921AUN | Alfa AWUS036AXM | 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz / 6Ghz | USB | Link | Includes Bluetooth chipset. Not working on Parrot OS <=5 (vm or native). Deauth not working while using VIF on kernels >= 6.2 |
| 😍 | Wifi5 | MediaTek MT7612U | Alfa AWUS036ACM | 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz | USB | Link | Not recommended for Virtual Machines if your host is Windows, only Native Linux or Linux VM at Linux host. Recommended kernel >= 5.3 . For Rpi 2/3 run this command to get it working echo "options mt76_usb disable_usb_sg=1" > /etc/modprobe.d/mt76_usb.conf
|
| 😍 | Wifi4 | Ralink RT5572 | Panda PAU07 / Panda PAU09 | 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz | USB | Link | |
| 😄 | Wifi4 | Atheros AR9271 | Alfa AWUS036NHA / TP-Link TL-WN722N v1 | 2.4Ghz | USB | Link | |
| 😄 | Wifi4 | Ralink RT5370 | Panda PAU04 | 2.4Ghz | USB | Link | |
| 😄 | Wifi4 | Ralink RT5372 | D-Link DWA-137 / Panda PAU06 | 2.4Ghz | USB | Link | |
| Wifi5 | MediaTek MT7610U | Alfa AWUS036ACHM / TP-Link Archer T2UH | 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz | USB | Link | ||
| Wifi4 | Ralink RT3572 | Alfa AWUS052NHS / Linksys AE1000 | 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz | USB | Link | ||
| Wifi4 | Ralink RT3070 | TP-Link TL-WN7200ND / Alfa AWUS036NH | 2.4Ghz | USB | Link | ||
| 😐 | Wifi4 | Ralink RT2770 | Alfa AWUS051NH | 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz | USB | Link | |
| 😐 | Wifi5 | Intel L716NA02 | Intel Wireless-AC 9560 card | 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz | PCIe | Link | |
| 😐 | Wifi4 | Realtek RTL8723BE | Realtek RTL8723BE card | 2.4Ghz | PCIe | Link |
Of course, there are more compatible and fully working chipsets, these are only some examples. Moreover, there are more cards and devices using the chipsets listed here as well. We list only some examples of cards to buy which are using fully working VIF (Virtual Interface Functionality) capable chipsets.
Ordered alphabetically, VIF capable chipsets but they are giving some problems and depending on driver and kernel can work. They require patched drivers (Greylist, not recommended):
- Atheros AR9170 <- present in TP-Link TL-WN822N v1 (2.4Ghz - USB)
- Intel AX201 <- present integrated in many laptops (2.4Ghz / 5Ghz - PCIe)
- Realtek RTL8187 <- present in Alfa AWUS036H / Alfa AWUS036EW (2.4Ghz - USB)
- Realtek RTL8188FU/FV/FTV <- present in some unbranded cheap chinese dongles (2.4Ghz - USB)
- Realtek RTL8188GU <- present in some unbranded cheap chinese dongles (2.4Ghz - USB)
- Realtek RTL8821CE <- present in Realtek RTL8821CE card (2.4Ghz / 5Ghz - PCIe)
- Realtek RTL8822CE <- present in Realtek RTL8822CE card (2.4Ghz / 5Ghz - PCIe)
Some drivers repositories for these greylisted cards are (use at your own risk, we still recommend to get a card from the whitelist instead):
- /~https://github.com/lwfinger/rtl8xxxu
- /~https://github.com/RinCat/RTL88x2BU-Linux-Driver
- /~https://github.com/aircrack-ng/rtl8188eus
- /~https://github.com/kimocoder/realtek_rtwifi
Ordered alphabetically, chipsets with known problems or non-VIF capable chipsets/cards (Blacklist, not recommended at all):
- Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 <- present integrated in many laptops (2.4Ghz / 5Ghz - PCIe)
- MediaTek MT7601U <- present in some unbranded cheap chinese dongles (2.4Ghz - USB)
- MediaTek MT7921 <- present integrated in many laptops (2.4Ghz / 5Ghz - PCIe)
- Realtek RTL8188EU/S <- present in TP-Link TL-WN722N v2/v3 / Alfa AWUS036NHV (2.4Ghz - USB)
- Realtek RTL8811AU <- present in some unbranded cheap chinese dongles (2.4Ghz / 5Ghz - USB)
- Realtek RTL8812AU <- present in Alfa AWUS036ACH / Alfa AWUS036ACS (2.4Ghz / 5Ghz - USB)
- Realtek RTL8812BU <- present in Comfast CF-913AC (2.4Ghz / 5Ghz - USB)
- Realtek RTL8814AU <- present in TP-LINK Archer T9UH / Alfa AWUS1900 (2.4Ghz / 5Ghz - USB)
These chipsets/cards are not supporting VIF capability. Some of them are also causing problems when working with airmon-ng. As a consequence there are problems when working with airgeddon too. There are some reasons: hardware limitation (VIF capability), airmon-ng compatibility and available drivers. There are some existing closed issues discussing different problems while using them. We recommend to don't use these cards. Avoid blacklisted chipsets!
