# Source: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruits-raspberry-pi-lesson-3-network-setup/buying-a-usb-wifi-adapter.md

# Adafruit's Raspberry Pi Lesson 3. Network Setup

## Buying a USB WiFi Adapter

# Built-In WiFi
Beginning in 2016 Raspberry Pi v3 Model B starting shipping with built-in WiFi. Today the A+, B, B+ and Zero W all include built-in WiFi. Earlier versions will require an external adapter to connect over WiFi.&nbsp;

# External Adapters
Look for a WiFi adapter that supports the RTL8192cu chipset the latest Raspbian distributions both have support for this built-in. We have found its much faster than the Ralink chipsets

If you already have a WiFi adapter, just give it a go, even a lot of the very low cost budget adapters will work without any trouble.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/923/medium800/learn_raspberry_pi_wifi_adapter.jpg?1396788933)

WiFi does however use quite a lot of power, so check the power rating of your power supply. Some WiFi adapters require an external power supply to work well. [We suggest the 5V 2A power adapter in our shop if this is the case](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994 "https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994"). All of the WiFi adapters we have in the Adafruit shop will work just fine this way.

If you have a WiFi adapter plugged taking up a port and drawing power&nbsp;[you may also need a powered USB hub.](http://adafruit.com/products/961 "Link: http://adafruit.com/products/961")

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