The Best External Sound Cards for a More Immersive Listening Experience
Take your computer’s audio to new heights!
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If you're looking to upgrade the sound quality on your laptop or desktop computer, you don’t need to replace your entire PC — you just need an external sound card. Offering numerous features and functions, external sound cards are an easy way and portable way to upgrade the sound quality of your computer, especially if it’s an affordable or midrange model.
External sound cards also give users easy access to a wide selection of audio input and output ports so you can plug in a microphone, a gaming headset, or additional speakers. You could even use an external sound card to plug in a home theater sound system or to assist in recording music or podcasts.
The Best External Sound Cards
What to Consider
Connectivity
Every external sound card on this list packs one (or more) audio jacks for connecting headphones, speakers, and additional gear like external microphones. For our top picks, we looked for products that utilize a USB-C connection to link with a computer or a gaming console. The option mentioned above is the most futureproof, and it will guarantee you years of reliable service.
Setup
USB sound cards are easy to set up, and just as the name suggests, they connect to your computer via USB. Getting started on a PC might require you to download and install software drivers that typically come with the device. Mac setup is often even easier — all users have to do on most occasions is connect the device and select it as an audio source from the sound settings on the Mac.
Audio Capabilities
If you stream high-resolution audio from apps like TIDAL or Apple Music, be sure whatever external sound card you choose supports the highest bit depth you stream. HiFi audio typically is 44.1 kHz / 16 bit, which is CD quality. TIDAL streams are typically 96 kHz / 24 bit, and Apple Music resolutions range from 16 bit / 44.1 kHz up to 24 bit / 192 kHz.
If you've invested in a good set of headphones, an external sound card will drive them to their best possible quality while increasing your port section in the process, making them definitely worthy of adding to your setup.
Here are the best external sound cards to consider at various price points to take your computer’s audio to new heights.
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