I would recommend the following makers of network adapters for use with a Linux box because they work so well:
Atheros, particularly with chipset numbers AR9271, AR9170, or AR7010
Ralink
RealTek
Several WiFi adapter makers have each created several models of USB devices, as well as mini PCI half cards for laptops
using their chipsets as controller chips inside. Most are functional in Linux.
Here is a good place to look for which devices use which chipsets:
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Wireless_a.../Chipset_table
I would STRONGLY avoid using ANY Broadcom network adapter on a Linux box. Why? Because their drivers are closed-source
and most of their WiFi adapters/drivers do not work RELIABLY in Linux.
This is very likely why Broadcom is trying so hard to buy Qualcomm (makers of Atheros devices) that they recently
offered $115 BILLION to buy the company. Even President Trump is trying hard to block that sale. His advisors likely
know what a disaster that would cause for opensource networking if Broadcom buys them out. They surely would
close public specs for any future Qualcomm-type adapters. Besides, Qualcomm have the best patent library
for network devices. (ie: CDMA)