As you know, if you stop by this site periodically, I am a proponent of in-kernel drivers as they are designed to be much more reliable and trouble-free for users of desktop and server distros. However, I do maintain several WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 Realtek out-of-kernel drivers at this site as there are many Linux users, or Windows users that may switch to Linux, that use Realtek based usb wifi adapters.

Here is my take on where the driver situation is for Realtek based usb wifi adapters:

WiFi 5 adapters that Linux users should avoid new purchase of as they are highly likely to be a dead end.

• rtl8814au - this chipset will likely never see an in-kernel driver. Realtek out-of-kernel driver development ended in 2019. That driver was not a good driver and is hard to maintain. This chipset is likely a DEAD-END for Linux users and should be avoided.

• rtl8812au - this chipset will likely never see an in-kernel driver. Realtek out-of-kernel driver development ended in 2021. The driver I have up is a good driver for an out-of-kernell driver and I have a newer 2021 version of this driver and I want to stand up a new repo based on it if anyone is interested in helping. My intent is to support this chipset as long as possible. However, this chipset is likely a DEAD-END for Linux users so users should avoid new purchases.

• rtl8821/11au - this chipset will likely never see an in-kernel driver. Realtek out-of-kernel driver development ended in 2021. My intent is to support this chipset as long as possible. However, this chipset is likely a DEAD-END for Linux users so users should avoid new purchases.

WiFi 5 Realtek adapters that have Linux in-kernel drivers based on the in-kernel rtw88 driver series.

• rtl8822/12bu - as of kernel 6.2, an in-kernel driver is available for this chipset. I have been testing it and it is pretty good. If you live in a part of the world where your options are limited to adapters based on Realtek chipsets, the rtl8812bu chipset is the one you want and you should research and test to ensure you get an adapter that is single-state (no onboard Windows driver) and single-function (no bluetooth) as those options will make for the most stable and trouble-free setup.

There are other Realtek chipsets that are supported with in-kernel drivers based on the rtw88 driver series but there are issues of one kind or another that cause me to only recommend adapters using the rtl8812bu chipset (as noted above).

WiFi 6 adapters that Linux users should avoid at this time as they are highly likely to be a dead end.

• rtl8852/32au - I worked for over a year to stand up a repo with an out-of-kernel driver for this chipset. It was a terrible driver and I suspect silicone problems in the design so please AVOID adapters based on this chipset.

WiFi 6 Realtek based adapters that Linux users may consider if you do not have access to Mediatek adapters and really want WiFi 6. I am not recommending the following chipsets but if you have no choice, these chipsets could work for you long term if Realtek decided to use rtw89 to start supporting these chipsets with an in-kernel driver.

• rtl8852/32bu - I have an out-of-kernel driver in a repo here. It is a reasonably good driver at this point and there may be an in-kernel driver at some point in the future based on the in-kernel rtw89 driver series. It is hard to find adapters based on this chipset that are single-state. I have yet to find one. If you are aware of one, let us know.

• rtl8852/32cu - I may try to bring up a repo with an out-of-kernel driver for this chipset.

So, bottom line, the only Realtek usb wifi chipset that I currently recommend is the rtl8812bu. Look for an adapter that is single-state.

Where does Realtek go from here? That is not clear at all. I've seen no indications of additional WiFi 6 usb wifi chipsets on the way and I have seen nothing indicating WiFi 7 usb wifi chipsets. On the other hand, Mediatek is in the process of merging their Linux driver support for their new mt7925 (WiFi 7) chipset which will support USB and PCIe. The initial support is set to go into kernel 6.7. This, as usual, will be a fully Linux Wireless Standards compliant driver.

Of note: Linux contains code that will prevent WiFi 7 drivers from operating unless they are fully Linux Standards Compliant drivers. What is Realtek going to do? That is unclear. What is clear is that it will be the end of the Realtek out-of-kernel drivers as we know them.

For WiFi 5 and later USB WiFi adapters, the best chipsets, in my humble opinion, are currently:

• mt7921au
• mt7612u
• rtl8812bu
• mt7610u

...and we are looking forward to see what the mt7925 has to offer.

Cheers,

@morrownr