The Best External Sound Cards for a More Immersive Listening Experience

This high-resolution USB DAC is the perfect solution for elevating your audio experience at your desk. Not only does it support 32-bit 196kHz hi-res audio, but it's also the only external USB DAC that features Super X-Fi tech, which recreates the experience of a high-end multispeaker sound system in your headphones.

Thanks to its USB-C port, this external sound card is compatible with most modern-day setups. Besides that, it features 3.5-millimeter headphone and mic ports on its front, five 3.5-millimeter ports on its rear for connecting a 7.1 speaker system (and a line-in device), along with an optical output.

The Sound Blaster helps you find that sweet spot between two audio sources. This comes in handy when you need to control the volume mix between your video game audio and your teammates' audio so you can hear them better. This audio solution is compatible with PCs, Macs, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

Plus, since it supports impedances up to 600 ohms, it's perfect for powering audiophile-grade headsets.

More: We Tested 30+ Gaming Headsets to Find the Best Out There

FiiO’s E10K-TC USB headphone amplifier has a sleek, no-nonsense design, headlined by a brushed aluminum exterior, a single front-facing audio connector, and an oversized power and volume control knob. The last-mentioned bit has exceptional tactility that belies the product’s under-$100 price tag — it’s consistently enjoyable to interact with.

The audio performance of the E10K-TC is excellent for the money. The device packs top-shelf audio components that allow it to deliver Hi-Res Audio content and power high-impedance headphones. The amp has a handy switch for bumping up its power output, and the front-facing button for enhancing the bass delivery is super convenient, too.

FiiO treated the E10K-TC to a surprisingly rich set of connectivity features. They range from an old-school co-axial output to decidedly modern USB-C.

The Helm Audio Bolt is hands down the most minimalist option on this list. Measuring less than four inches in length, the minuscule gadget will deliver studio-grade sound and support for high-impedance headphones by linking to any desktop or laptop computer via USB-C or USB-A connection. The product also supports USB-C-toting iPads and Android devices.

When it comes to audio fidelity, the Helm Audio Bolt supports MQA- and THX-certified sound. Such certifications ensure you can enjoy distortion-free, audiophile-grade content even at high volume levels. Their availability is impressive considering the product’s agreeable price.

Other key features of the Bolt include a discreet light indicator that changes color depending on the quality of the content, a fabric-covered cable, and gold-plated connectors. Its retail package includes a USB-A adapter.

Gamers looking to improve their audio for their gaming headset on the go should look no further than Creative's Sound Blaster G3 sound card. The product is also a great option for audiophiles, thanks to support for lossless audio and high-impedance cans.

This option will immediately improve audio performance and provide a more immersive gaming experience. It'll help you hear footsteps in the distance while playing games like Fortnite or PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. Plus, its GameVoice feature comes in handy for balancing your game audio with the chat audio on your PlayStation or gaming PC.

Best of all, it doesn't require any drivers or software to use!

Also available in white

The GSX 300 is a compact external sound card that offers users stereo or virtual surround sound modes that you can switch between with a simple button press. It's equipped with separate 3.5-millimeter analog headphone and microphone jacks and supports 24-bit / 96 kHz uncompressed audio.

Compared to the GSX 1000 PRO, it doesn't have as many bells and whistles and requires you to make adjustments through software rather than directly from the unit, but it's still a reliable external sound card, especially for the budget-friendly price.

It still supports custom EQ presets that you can toggle between, and will definitely result in cleaner and higher-quality audio.

When it comes to audio, Xbox gamers often get the short end of the stick. Wireless headsets for the console are few and far between, and the original Xbox One console didn't even have a 3.5-millimeter jack for plugging in your gaming headset — but ASTRO clearly doesn't want to leave Xbox owners hanging yet again.

This nifty audio solution is perfect for gamers looking to improve sound quality and voice communication within their favorite games. It features Dolby Digital Surround Sound processing and lets you quickly adjust game and voice balance, so your friends' voices don't get drowned out by your intense game soundtrack.

The accessory has plenty of customizable EQ modes and lets you adjust the volume on the fly with just a turn of a dial. ASTRO sells a MixAmp that's compatible with the PlayStation 4 and 5, too.

Creative is one of the leaders in the market for external sound cards, and the Sound BlasterX G6 is one of the company's best-selling options. It's a versatile sound card that can provide an audio upgrade to your gaming console, PC, or MP3 player. It features Dolby Digital decoding and 7.1 virtual surround sound, and it supports Hi-Res audio formats.

If you're looking to enhance in-game audio for hearing footsteps and weapon-switching sounds in your games, this one will help you track and pinpoint your opponent's location.

The audio playback capabilities of the product are as remarkable as its gaming performance. The Sound BlasterX G6 supports high-fidelity audio playback and studio-grade headphones with high impedance.

Despite its rather uninspiring name, this affordable external sound card will provide great home-theater audio support via a S/PDIF output. The gadget is also capable of producing high-quality audio via a built-in DAC.

Other key features include a volume knob and the ability to control the bass and treble via a dedicated switch. The device utilizes a decidedly old-school USB-A connector for linking to a computer.

For those who have a desktop and don't need a device as small as this one, StarTech offers a larger option that supports dual microphones.

The Sabrent external sound card has a plug-and-play design and a low price tag. It features a duo of 3.5-millimeter audio jacks: one for the microphone and one for your headphones.

This is a perfect and cheap solution in case your computer's built-in sound card goes bust — as long as you don't expect mind-blowing audio performance. A more futureproof USB-C version of the product is also available.