Best External Sound Cards of 2025

Tom Law Avatar
Tom Law
Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

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External sound cards are a great option for those looking to enhance the audio quality of their computers or laptops. These compact devices can be easily connected to your computer's USB port and offer a range of features such as improved sound clarity, enhanced bass and treble, and even 3D surround sound. They are especially useful for those who work with audio or video editing software, as they provide a higher quality output for recording and playback. Additionally, they are also ideal for gamers who want to experience a more immersive gaming experience.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

UGREEN USB Sound Card with Dual Aux Cover #TOP 1
UGREEN USB Sound Card with Dual Aux
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Creative Sound Blaster Play!3 USB DAC Amp Cover #TOP 2
Creative Sound Blaster Play!3 USB DAC Amp
ftb score rating icon 9.7
CSL USB Mini Sound Card with Virtual Surround Cover #TOP 3
CSL USB Mini Sound Card with Virtual Surround
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 External Sound Cards

UGREEN USB Sound Card with Dual Aux

30724
Black
UGREEN USB Sound Card with Dual Aux Cover
UGREEN USB Sound Card USB 2.0 to 3.5mm Jack Audio Adapter Dual Aux Stereo Headphone Microphone Splitter External DAC Dongle Compatible with Laptop PC PS5 PS4 Raspberry Pi 4 Mac Windows Linux Headset

The UGREEN USB Audio Adapter is a versatile external sound card that enhances your audio experience. It adds a 3.5mm audio output and a mic input to your PC or laptop, allowing you to enjoy high-quality sound for gaming, video chats, and music. With its premium stereo audio quality, it converts digital signals to analog, ensuring clear sound without noise. The plug-and-play feature means you can start using it immediately, without the hassle of installing drivers. Additionally, it offers universal compatibility with various operating systems and devices.

What We Like
Multi-function audio input/output
High-quality stereo sound
Easy plug-and-play setup
Compatible with many devices
#TOP 2

Creative Sound Blaster Play!3 USB DAC Amp

CREATIVE
70SB173000000
black
Creative Sound Blaster Play!3 USB DAC Amp Cover
Creative Sound Blaster Play!3 High Resolution USB DAC Amp and External Sound Card

The Creative Sound Blaster Play!3 offers an instant upgrade to high-resolution audio with 24-bit 96 kHz playback, ensuring you enjoy a rich listening experience. It supports a wide range of headphones, making it perfect for studio-grade listening. For those who engage in podcasts or in-game communications, the crisp 24-bit 48 kHz voice recording quality is a significant advantage. With its simple plug-and-play functionality, you can connect it to a USB port and start using it immediately, without the need for any drivers.

What We Like
High-resolution audio playback
Supports studio-grade headphones
Crisp voice communication quality
Easy plug-and-play setup
#TOP 3

CSL USB Mini Sound Card with Virtual Surround

44645
Black
CSL USB Mini Sound Card with Virtual Surround Cover
CSL - USB mini sound card - external - Virtual Surround Sound - for computer notebook tablet PC Macbook - Plug and Play - Windows 10 and Windows 11 compatible - black

The CSL USB Mini Sound Card is a powerful external audio interface designed for seamless use with desktop PCs, notebooks, and tablets. It boasts virtual surround sound, enhancing your audio experience during calls on platforms like Skype and Google Hangouts. With its plug-and-play capability, there’s no need for complicated driver installations, allowing you to get started quickly. Additionally, it features convenient controls for volume adjustment and muting, making it easy for you to manage your audio settings effortlessly.

What We Like
Easy plug-and-play setup
Virtual surround sound capability
Compatible with multiple devices
Convenient audio controls
Lightweight and portable design
#TOP 4

CSL USB 7.1 External Sound Card

27730
Black
CSL USB 7.1 External Sound Card Cover
CSL - USB 7.1 external sound card 8-channel - 7.1 Channel USB Soundbox - Dynamic 3D Surround Sound - up to 8 speakers - simultaneous recording and playback - analog and digital audio equipment

The CSL USB Sound Card is a versatile external sound card that supports up to eight speakers, ideal for enhancing your audio experience. With a USB 2.0 connection, it easily connects to your devices, providing multiple audio outputs for your headphones and speaker systems. You can enjoy simultaneous recording and playback, making it perfect for both gaming and music production. Additionally, it supports various speaker modes, allowing you to customise your sound setup to suit your preferences.

What We Like
Multiple connectivity options
Supports 7.1 channel audio
Simultaneous recording and playback
Compatible with various Windows versions
Easy to set up
#TOP 5

StarTech.com 7.1 USB External Sound Card

ICUSBAUDIO7D
StarTech.com 7.1 USB External Sound Card Cover
StarTech.com 7.1 USB - External Sound Card for Laptop with SPDIF Digital Audio - Sound Card for PC - Silver (ICUSBAUDIO7D)

The StarTech.com USB Sound Card enhances your audio experience by providing up to 7.1 channels of sound through a single USB port. This means you can enjoy rich, immersive audio for gaming or movies. With support for both analog and digital audio output, it upgrades the sound quality of your existing computer setup. Installation is a breeze thanks to its plug-and-play functionality, allowing you to start enjoying improved sound without any hassle. Additionally, the easy-to-use volume controls and selectable audio outputs make it convenient for you to manage your audio settings effortlessly.

What We Like
Supports multiple audio channels
Upgrades existing audio quality
Plug-and-play installation
Easy volume control
#TOP 6

Sabrent USB to 3.5mm Audio Adapter

AU-MMSA
Black
Type-A
Sabrent USB to 3.5mm Audio Adapter Cover
SABRENT USB to 3.5mm Jack Audio Adapter, External Sound Card, USB Headphone Adapter, Headset Adapter for PC, USB DAC with TRRS, Compatible with PC, MacBook, Laptop (AU-MMSA)

The Sabrent USB Audio Adapter offers an effective solution for enhancing your computer’s sound capabilities. With its external sound card feature, you can easily listen and speak simultaneously, making it perfect for calls or gaming. The adapter also provides a significant upgrade to 2.1 audio quality, enriching your music and gaming experiences. Its plug-and-play functionality means you can start using it right away without any drivers, providing hassle-free access to your audio devices.

What We Like
Easy to use
Improves audio quality
Supports multiple audio devices
Compact and portable
#TOP 7

TECKNET USB to 3.5mm Audio Adapter

804031
Black
TECKNET USB to 3.5mm Audio Adapter Cover
External Sound Card, USB Sound Card, TECKNET USB to 3.5mm Jack Audio Adapter USB Aux TRRS Headphone Microphone Compatible with PC Laptop PS5 PS4 Switch Mac Windows Linux and more (Black)

The TECKNET USB Audio Adapter is an efficient solution for connecting your headphones or microphone to devices lacking a 3.5mm audio jack. With its durable aluminium alloy shell and nylon braided design, you can expect reliability and stability during use. The high-quality sound output ensures you enjoy crisp audio, making it ideal for gaming or music. Furthermore, it's incredibly easy to set up—simply plug it in and start using it without the need for drivers or additional power.

What We Like
Durable aluminium alloy design
High-quality audio output
Easy plug-and-play setup
Compatible with multiple devices
#TOP 8

MOSWAG USB to 3.5mm Audio Adapter

MOSWAG
Nylon Braided
0.65Feet/20cm
MOSWAG USB to 3.5mm Audio Adapter Cover
MOSWAG USB to 3.5mm Jack Audio Adapter,External Sound Card USB-A to Audio Jack Adapter with 3.5mm Aux Stereo Converter Compatible with Headset,PC,Laptop,Linux,Desktops,PS4 and More Device

The MOSWAG Audio Adapter is a versatile USB to 3.5mm audio adapter that allows you to listen and speak easily. It supports a wide range of devices, including PCs and laptops, making it perfect for various setups. With its plug and play feature, you can simply connect it without the need for drivers, ensuring a hassle-free experience. The compact design with a durable nylon braided cable means you can take it anywhere, providing you with stable audio transmission on the go.

What We Like
Wide compatibility with devices
Easy plug and play setup
Compact and portable design
Durable nylon braided cable
#TOP 9

UGREEN USB to 3.5mm Audio Adapter

30757
Gray
UGREEN USB to 3.5mm Audio Adapter Cover
UGREEN USB to 3.5mm Jack Audio Adapter External Sound Card USB Aux TRRS Headphone Microphone DAC Converter Compatible with PC Laptop PS5 PS4 Switch Raspberry Pi 400 Mac Windows Linux Headset Earphone

The UGREEN USB Audio Adapter conveniently converts your device's USB port into a 3.5mm audio jack. This is especially useful for those with devices lacking an audio jack, allowing you to connect headphones or microphones easily. It supports both audio output and input, so you can enjoy clear conversations during video calls or gaming. Additionally, the adapter delivers high-quality sound with a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 102dB, ensuring crisp audio. With its plug-and-play functionality, you can set it up without any hassle, making it perfect for immediate use.

What We Like
High-quality sound output
Easy plug-and-play setup
Supports microphone and audio
Universal compatibility
Compact and portable design
#TOP 10

Tendak USB Sound Card with Volume Control

DAV-088-BK
Tendak USB Sound Card with Volume Control Cover
External USB Sound Card, Tendak Stereo Sound Card USB Audio Adapter with 3.5mm Headphone and Microphone Port, Volume Control, Bass Adjustment for PS5, Laptops, Desktops, Windows, Mac, Linux, PC

The Tendak USB Sound Card is an excellent solution for replacing faulty audio ports. Its plug-and-play design means you can simply connect it to your device without the need for extra drivers or power, allowing for quick and easy setup. You can adjust the volume easily, ensuring clear sound for gaming, video calls, or music. Plus, the bass adjustment feature enhances your audio experience, providing rich sound quality. This makes it perfect for anyone looking to improve their listening experience without hassle.

What We Like
Easy plug-and-play setup
Volume and bass control
Compatible with multiple systems
Compact and portable design
Ideal for gaming and conferencing
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does an external sound card make a difference?

It doesn't make a big difference if the sound comes from an external device or an internal device in terms of overall quality. A usb sound card can do it's job just as well as a PCIe one or an on-chip one.

2. What does a external sound card do?

An external sound card usually has a way to input sound as well. A microphone can capture sound and send it to the sound card. The sound card will then amplify the electric current in order to translate it to 1's & 0's for the computer. This process is done through Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC).

3. Are external sound cards any good?

These USB sound cards are excellent choices for video editors and music producers, as they can offer audiophile levels of sound for your device. Even if you don't work in audio, but like to listen to music while you get creative, then the best USB sound cards can make a big difference.

4. How do I connect an external sound card to my PC?

Connect the soundcard to your computer with the USB cable. Connect the USB sound card to your computer by plugging it into one of the USB ports with the USB cable. It is best to use a USB port that has not had any other devices installed to eliminate conflicts.

Editor's Notes

During our external sound card research, we found 171 external sound card products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 276,611 customer reviews through our big data system to write the external sound cards list. We found that most customers choose external sound cards with an average price of £14.20.

The external sound cards are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of external sound cards, including UGREEN, CREATIVE, CSL-Computer, StarTech.com, Sabrent. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 8,649 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Tom Law Avatar

Tom Law is an adventurer who has captured his love for nature into all of his works. A native of Newcastle, Tom has always wanted to share beautiful stories alongside the lovely sights of nature. Fortunately, he took into photography on one of his many journeys and gradually grew a passion for it. Tom Law is now an expert photographer who tours the world while creating and keeping memories of his adventures. He frequently puts his thoughts and experiences into writing.