Are you trying to find external sound cards among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling external sound cards on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 10 hours of research and did 34 external sound cards tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best external sound cards you can buy today
- EXTERNAL SOUND CARD - Easy-to-install external sound card delivers high-resolution audio for acoustic clarity and audio realism
- 7.1 SURROUND SOUND CAPABLE - Customizable EPOS-engineered 7.1 surround sound through PC Gaming Suite lets you set sound profiles for different games by balancing and focusing frequencies where they are most needed
- QUICK CONNECTIVITY - Micro USB connectivity; 3.5 mm headset socket and 3.5 mm microphone socket make for fast setup
- NTUITIVE DESIGN - Make quick adjustments with the large manual volume dial, plus switch easily between stereo and surround sound modes or between sound profiles with the customizable smart button
- A NAME YOU CAN TRUST - Built on 115-years of experience with innovation and sound, EPOS is passionate about creating pioneering high-end audio products that exceed expectations and set new benchmarks in gaming audio
- Stable and Durable - USB headphone and microphone jack audio adapter use of high-quality aluminum alloy shell, no fear of daily wear, fast heat dissipation, oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, drop resistance, it is more durable than other plastic USB audio adapter. The compact design is convenient for you to carry.
- 2-IN-1 USB Audio Converter - This usb to 3.5mm jack audio adapter supports stereo sound listening + speaking for dual functions. USB audio interface gives you easy access to a variety of audio input and microphone output ports. (Note: this USB port is output! Audio can only transfer from USB port to 3.5mm port).
- Excellent Sound - The usb headset adapter can plug and play, the use of smart noise control chip, avoid electromagnetic interference, filter noise, solve current sound, bring you lossless audio signal and full and delicate tone.
- Wide Compatibility - FEMORO External Sound Card Support Windows 10/8/7/XP, Mac OS, Linux, PlayStation PS4, PC, Laptop, Speaker, external TRS or TRRS Microphone, headphone, earphone, and more. (Note: It Not support TS, Not compatible with PS3 and car.)
- 24 Months Warranty - When you get the USB Sound Card, you will enjoy 24 months of after-sales. If you have any suggestions for our products, welcome to contact our professional and friendly team.
- Plug & Play: USB audio adapter can be used to replace a faulty sound card or audio port. Compatible with Windows XP/7/8/10, Mac IOS, etc. Connects to PC or laptop via USB port, plug and play, no driver required.
- Multiple 3.5mm Ports: External sound card is equipped with three 3.5mm ports, you can connect PS5, PS4, Xbox One, headphones, microphone and other 3.5mm interface devices to PC or laptop through the sound card.
- Multiple USB Ports: USB sound card is equipped with 3 USB ports, so you can connect your keyboard, mouse, card reader, webcam, MP3 player, and other USB interface devices to your PC or laptop via the sound card. (Note: Headphones cannot be used with the USB port)
- Mixer Function: Sound card can switch sound effects via "EQ", providing 4 sound modes, surround sound to prevent electromagnetic interference and provide stable HD sound quality to improve game audio.
- Personalized Features: Audio sound card has mini LED indicators, volume control scroll wheel, microphone mute button, and song switching function button, you can adjust your audio through the sound card. On top of that, with up to 4 feet of cable design, you can put your sound card anywhere.
- UPGRADE YOUR GAMES ON PS4, XBOX ONE, NINTENDO SWITCH, AND PC | Get immediate increased enjoyment over basic motherboard and controller audio! Apart from incredible audio quality, the Sound BlasterX G6 boasts gaming-centric features such as Sidetone volume control and easy-to-reach profile buttons
- INDUSTRY-LEADING AUDIO PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY Enjoy full audio customization and enhanced audio realism with immersive 7.1 surround virtualization, accurate cues, bass boost and in-game voice communication enhancements. It also has Scout Mode than enhances in-game audio cues, letting you hear your enemies before they hear you
- 7.1 VIRTUAL SURROUND SOUND AND DOLBY DIGITAL Enjoy the latest in immersion technology with Dolby Digital decoding or Sound Blaster’s proprietary surround sound perfect for games and movies
- DISCRETE HEADPHONE AMP Custom-designed Xamp headphone amplifier features discrete components through all stages of amplification in a bi-amp design. Each audio channel is individually amplified to deliver a whole new level of pristine audio fidelity in an authentic, unaltered lossless model. The ultra-low 1 Ohm output impedance perfectly drives performance-grade sensitive 8W in-ear monitors all the way to studio-grade 600W headphones
- 130dB DNR, 32-bit 384kHz DAC Advanced 32-bit oversampled multi-bit modulator with mismatch shaping technology eliminates distortion, ensuring audio is streamed with the highest level of detail and fidelity
- Upgrade your desktop or laptop computer's sound with the YEY USB external 7.1 sound card adapter, featuring 2 microphone jacks, 8 channel DAC output with 16 bit resolution, and self power or bus power selectable options.
- Experience rich and immersive 5.1 / 7.1 surround sound for home theater systems or enjoy high-quality audio playback through headphones with this USB audio adapter, which also includes line-in and stereo microphone inputs.
- This audio mixer's digital playback data is improved with its 2x interpolator, ensuring superior audio quality. Plus, it's compliant with IEC60958 spec. for consumer formats, making it a reliable choice for all your audio needs.
- Comes with 7.1 audio driver software, supports WINDOWS system, win XP/vist/7/8/10/11.
- Compatible with most operating systems, this USB to desktop or laptop computer stereo adapter offers sampling rates for both analog playback and recording, and easy-to-use volume controls and mute buttons for a seamless audio experience. Get the YEY USB external 7.1 sound card adapter today and take your audio to the next level!
- 【Upgrade the Sound Quality】UGREEN Aux to USB adapter is the perfect solution for upgrading the sound quality of your laptop or desktop computer. With its high-resolution DAC chip, this adapter offers stunning audio quality that will completely transform your listening experience.
- 【Crystal-Clear Sound】Experience high-fidelity audio like never before! With a built-in DAC chip, this USB audio adapter delivers rich and immersive audio. The USB Aux adapter facilitates high-resolution audio output and noise reduction up to 16bit/48kHz to enhance the original sound quality of your devices.
- 【Plug and Play】 Simply connect this sound card to your device and you're ready to go - no drivers or external power sources required. Whether you're using it for gaming, recording music, or watching movies, this adapter is sure to impress.
- 【Wide Compatibility】The USB to audio jack is Compatible with Windows 11/10/98SE/ME/2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7/8/Linux/Mac OSX/PS5/PS4/Google Chromebook/Windows Surface Pro 3/Raspberry Pi. So no matter what you're using, this adapter is sure to work seamlessly with your setup. (*Note: NOT compatible with PS3.)
- 【Compact and Portable】UGREEN Aux to USB adapter is constructed with durable ABS material that makes it easy to take on the go. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your audio experience - get your hands on the UGREEN Aux to USB adapter today!
- Connectors: USB Type-A, Stereo output jack, Mono microphone-input jack.
- Driverless for Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7/8/Linux/Mac OSX.
- USB bus-powered, no external power required.
- Reverse Compliant with USB Audio Device Class Specification 1.0
- 7.1 USB SOUND CARD: This External Sound Card adds up to 7.1 channels of audio through a single USB port to your computer; This sound card supports 7.1, 5.1 and 2 channel output using 3.5mm jacks, a headphone port, line-in and stereo microphone inputs
- UPGRADE YOUR PC SOUND: With support for analog and digital audio output for stereo to 7.1 channel audio applications, the bus-powered audio to USB adapter upgrades the existing integrated audio on a desktop or laptop computer; 1m USB Cable Included
- QUALITY AUDIO: Supports 44.1KHz and 48KHz sampling rates for analog playback and recording; SPDIF Digital output only supports 48KHz audio playback; SPDIF optical input passthrough supports up to two-channel audio at 48KHz
- EASY INSTALLATION: The digital audio adapter is easy to install with plug and play support in Windows 7/8.1/10; The external sound card features easy-to-use volume controls and mute buttons; The audio outputs are selectable via the included software
How to choose a good external sound cards
Does the idea of finding a fantastic external sound cards make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in external sound cards. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top external sound cards products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top external sound cards on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top external sound cards brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top external sound cards based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the external sound cards were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good external sound cards, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your external sound cards.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting external sound cards for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our external sound cards. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what external sound cards should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on external sound cards.
