The 10 Best Soundcards Of 2024, Researched By Us
The Rundown
1. Best Overall: Sound BlasterX G6 Hi-Res 130dB 32bit/384kHz Gaming DAC, External USB Sound Card
The Sound BlasterX G6 is a powerful gaming DAC with the custom-designed Xamp headphone amplifier. With a 130dB 32bit/384kHz DAC, it brings out rich and authentic audio just the way it was meant to be heard. The premium sound quality of the Sound BlasterX G6 is sure to please even audiophiles. Read Review
2. Best For The Price: Plugable USB Audio Adapter with 3.5mm Speaker-Headphone and Microphone Jack
Plugable USB Audio Adapter with 3.5mm Speaker-Headphone and Microphone Jack is a plug and go audio device for your computer or laptop that offers excellent sound quality without the need for a sound card, audio port, or other external connections. This Plugable USB adapter is compatible with all modern versions of Windows including Windows 10. Read Review
3. Budget Pick: USB Audio Adapter, JSAUX External Stereo Sound Card, USB to 3.5mm Jack Audio Adapter
It is definitely time to upgrade your computer. Add a USB port and make your life easier with this USB Audio Adapter, JSAUX External Stereo Sound Card, USB to 3.5mm Jack Audio Adapter. With this device any voice or music can be played through headphones or speakers with its support of digital decoding software that's built into the chip. The package includes 2 adapters that allow you to plug in 2 devices at one time. Read Review
4. Best Compatible: UGREEN USB to Audio Jack Sound Card Adapter with Dual TRS 3-Pole 3.5mm
UGREEN USB to headphone jack for PC offers a portable way to upgrade the sound quality of your computer. This USB-A to 3.5mm audio jack gives you easy access to a wide variety of audio input and output ports so you can plug in a microphone, a gaming headset, or speakers. You could even use the external sound card to plug in a home theater sound system or to assist in recording music or podcasts. Read Review
If you’re looking to upgrade your PC audio experience and want to play games or listen to music at the same time, a dedicated soundcard is essential. The right card can turn your computer into a home theater system or let you take advantage of virtual surround in games. The best cards will also enhance the quality of your music.
There are several different soundcards available, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. That being said, we’ll list some of the best soundcards available today so that you can find one that fits your needs and budget.
Our staff had to concentrate on studying over 16 hours to acquire such outcomes for readers. Such research depends on both customer star ratings and interviews with customers about their experience of the product. In addition, we recommend Sound BlasterX G6 Hi-Res 130dB 32bit/384kHz Gaming DAC, External USB Sound Card as one of the ideal selections. For your convenience, we've included an in-depth buyer's guide and other excellent alternatives for you to choose the final option.
RELATED: We have found top 10 best gaming soundcard based on 5,875 consumer reviews. See our top picks of 2024.
Our Top Picks
- 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 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
- 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
- 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
Best For The Price
Plugable USB Audio Adapter with 3.5mm Speaker-Headphone and Microphone Jack
- GREAT REPLACEMENT - Perfect for bypassing a faulty usb sound card, audio port, or as a replacement for a broken USB audio adapter
- EASY INSTALL - No additional drivers necessary, plug-and-play on many devices. Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.x, 7, Vista, and XP, Linux, macOS, and Chromebooks. Not compatible with USB ports on car audio systems. Not suggested as a microphone adapter for lapel microphones
- CONVENIENT AUDIO - Enable USB connectivity with your existing 3.5mm audio headphones, headset, speakers, or microphone with this USB to Audio Jack Adapter
- 2 YEAR WARRANTY - We love our Plugable products, and hope you will too. All of our products are backed with a 2-year limited parts and labor warranty as well as Seattle-based email support
- ALWAYS READY - Leave connected to a USB hub or dock to avoid unplugging. USB Sound Adapter is lightweight, compact, and constructed of durable aluminum in a black finish
- 🎧【Hi-Fi Sound】The inner chip support digital decoding, which can allow various functional formats to play and protects against electromagnetic interference. You can hear an improved bass performance, greater detail across the frequency spectrum, better attack speed, stereo, expanded soundstage and enjoy the best sound quality.
- 🎧【2 in 1 Essential】JSAUX External Sound Card supports listening + speaking, dual functions. Adds a mono microphone-in (Green one) and a stereo audio-out (Red one) port to your computer through a USB port, enables you to connect your existing headphones, headset, speakers, or microphone with TRS 3.5mm jack to your PC, laptop, through a USB interface.
- 🎧【Wide Compatibility】The External USB Sound Card for Windows, Linux, Mac, Raspberry pi, PlayStation PS5, PS4, PC, Laptop, Speaker, external TRS Microphone, headphone, earphone, and more. ❌❌Please note it only supports mono microphone TRS, it does not support TS, TRRS. Not compatible with PS3 and car.❌❌
- 🎧【Plug and Play】No drivers installation required, just easily plug and play. The USB to 3.5mm female port will be automatically recognized by system in seconds. No driver download required, USB bus-powered, no external power required.
- 🎧【High-quality materials】USB headphone and microphone audio adapter equipped with high-quality aluminum housing and nylon braided jacket, which ensured to offer stable audio signal & excellent lossless transmission texture experience. It is much more durable than other plastic casing and PVC cable USB adapter.
- Compact and Portable: Durable ABS material make the USB to headphone jack compact and lightweight. IMPORTANT NOTE: This usb sound card only supports mono microphone TRS, DOES NOT support TS, TRRS.
- UGREEN Aux to USB adapter offers an easy and portable way to upgrade the sound quality of your favorite laptop or desktop computer. This USB to audio jack gives you easy access to a wide selection of audio input and output ports so you can plug in a microphone, a gaming headset, or speakers. You could even use the external sound card to plug in a home theater sound system or to assist in recording music or podcasts.
- 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. Please kindly note. Not compatible with PS3.
- Seductive Sound for You: With a built-in DAC high-resolution chip, UGREEN USB to headphone jack for PC provides you with high fidelity audio. Up to 16bit/48kHz of sampling rate, this audio adapter could enhance the original sound quality of your devices.
- Plug and play: No driver required, just plug and play! USB bus-powered, no external power required for this convenient sound card. In addition, UGREEN Aux to USB can work as a second sound source for simultaneous operation of speakers and headphones.
Best Performance
Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus SABRE32-class Hi-res 32-bit/384 kHz PCIe Gaming Sound Card
- RGB YOUR GAMING RIG – The AE-5 Plus has customizable RGB LEDs on its body, and also features an included RGB LED strip. Enjoy a symphony of lights and sound with 16.8 million colors in different patterns to choose from, all via the Sound Blaster Command software for PC
- SUPPORTS DOLBY DIGITAL AND DTS – Now with support for Dolby Digital Live and DTS Encoding for even more delivery options to your external audio devices The AE-5 Plus also supports 5.1 discrete and 7.1 virtual surround, as well as Sound Blaster’s Surround Virtualization technology
- INDUSTRY-LEADING AUDIO PROCESSING – The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus rides on Sound Blaster’s long legacy of audio processing and enhancements, available through the Sound Blaster Command software and featuring fully customizable audio processing technologies to deliver clearer vocals, accurate cues, and bass boost
- PRISTINE AUDIO QUALITY – Featuring the SABRE32 ultra-class PCI-e DAC to deliver up to 32-bit / 384 kHz playback with a 122 dB DNR, ultra-low distortion and jitter, the AE-5 Plus is more than capable of hi-res audio for games, music, and movies; put simply, for discerning audio lovers of any kind, the AE-5 Plus is set to blow past your expectations with pristine audio and powerful performance
- POWERFUL DISCRETE HEADPHONE AMP – Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus features Xamp, our custom-designed discrete headphone amp that utilizes bi-amplification technology to power each earcup individually with 1 ohm output impedance and drives studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω, including high-end planar-magnetic headphones
Best Style
Creative Sound Blaster Z SE Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card and DAC, 24-bit / 192 kHz, 116 dB SNR
- SBX GAMING EQ PROFILES – Emerge as the last man standing with our updated SBX Gaming Profiles for hot titles such as Apex Legends, Fortnite, Overwatch, PUBG, and more. In-house tuned and optimized to sound the best for the respective games, you can get started right away or further tweak the EQs, instead of having to create the profiles from scratch. Simply select the respective game from our latest Sound Blaster Command software’s menu, and be battle-ready instantly
- PRISTINE AUDIO CLARITY – With up to 116 dB SNR at an amazing bit rate of up to 24-bit / 192 kHz, enjoy impressive audio quality for your every need. The sound card also features gold-plated connectors, speaker optimization technology, and digital content encoding capability for the best digital audio performance. Coupled with Audio Stream Input / Output (ASIO) support, Sound Blaster Z SE delivers low-latency and high-fidelity audio, even for your recordings
- CRYSTAL CLEAR COMMUNICATION – Comes with a list of Microphone EQ Presets that compensates for your headset’s built-in mic so you can be heard clearly–whether it is to reduce the harshness of your tonality, sound more natural, or to increase the mids for vocal clarity. Together with our Sound Blaster Command Software’s CrystalVoice technology that helps remove echoes and ambient noises, the Z SE is perfect for games and even video conferences while working from home for better communications
- IMMERSIVE SURROUND SOUND – Get fully immersed and stay focused on your games with our surround sound. The Sound Blaster Z SE now supports 7.1 virtual on headphones and speakers alongside discrete 5.1 for speakers. You can even switch between headphones and your speakers via the software for those times you want to pump the bass, or go stealthier with your headphones. For extra delivery options to your external devices, the Z SE also supports Dolby Digital Live and DTS Encoding
Best Quality
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX PCIe 5.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp
- 106 SNR and 24-bit 192kHz DAC (Playback) and 96kHz ADC (Recording)
- Easily converts the PC into a cinematic entertainment system by providing a compelling 5.1 surround sound
- Includes the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel, PC software that puts you in full control of the SBX Pro Studio suite of technologies
- 600 ohm headphone amp for high performance, studio grade monitoring
- Advanced Audio Processing with SBX Pro Studio, a suite of Sound Blaster audio processing technologies that let you bring out the best in your audio
Best Efficient
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy PCIe RX 7.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp
- 600 ohm headphone amp provides studio grade monitoring
- Advanced chipset is designed to process the legendary EAX reverb engine for powerful enhanced audio
- 106dB SNR ensures a high level of audio quality and supported operating systems is Windows 8, Windows XP SP2 or higher, Windows Vista SP1 or higher, Windows 7, Windows 10
- Immerse yourself in full cinematic 7.1 multi-channel audio, perfect for games, movies and music
- High quality 24-bit 192 kHz stereo direct playback
- NO DRIVER REQUIRED：Headset USB adaptor, international USB connector, no extra drivers are needed, easy to use, plug and play for instant audio playback. Lightweight and portable size make it convenient to take anywhere.
- ADJUSTABLE AUDIO SOUND: The volume of the output audio can be adjusted by the volume roller on the control panel. Adjust the appropriate sound volume according to your needs.
- MIXER FUNCTION: Multi-channel will bring you a “surround sound” experience. Mini LED and surround sound can improve the level of gaming audio. Microphone/Headphone mute function allows the headset and loudspeaker mode to switch freely providing 16 kinds of rhythmic pattern and 23 kinds of environment mode, without unplugging from the computer.
- OPERATIING SYSTEM: The external USB 2.0 sound card adapter can work with all major operation systems like Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP/ Server 2003/ Vista/ Win 7/8/10, Linux, Mac OS, etc.
- 3.5mm JACK DEVICE: USB audio sound card, supports normal stereo, earphone, headphone, headset or microphone with 3.5mm jack, Raspberry Pi 2/3 Xbox PS4 Surface Tablet Laptop, especially for gaming headsets. International standard USB replaces traditional sound card. You can also use microphone and headphones together on iMac/Mac Mini devices with our product.
Also Great
StarTech.com 7.1 USB Sound Card - External Sound Card for Laptop with SPDIF Digital Audio
- 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
- 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
- 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
What to Look For in a best soundcards?
When selecting a suitable best soundcards, a variety of factors have been found. Information sources are available in a wide range of forms. As a basis, we are doing it to support, inform, and solve your demands.
Please keep these things in mind before selecting the best soundcards:
Additional Power And Connectors
Interface
The audio interface must be inspected at the ports of the sound card. Some sound cards support multichannels via RCA jacks, while others utilize 3.5mm jacks. Some sound cards have 3.5mm headphones whereas others provide 1/4-inch or 6.3mm headphones.
Software Features
Virtual Surround Sound is the most prominent feature. It's often used with headsets to improve spatial awareness in games, particularly in esports. These software solutions can also provide advanced audio features like customizable frequency response, equalizer settings and other options.
Headphone Amplifier
Studio-grade headphones that have poor audio solutions will result in low volume. If you wish to purchase studio-grade headphones with poor audio solutions, ensure that you get a sound card that has a dedicated amplifier for your headphone. The supported impedance should be greater than the rating of the headphones.
Channel Support
Only the sound card can provide separate channels to the system. Many sound cards can provide virtual 7.1 sound through audio processing, but only a handful of cards offer true surround sound support. If you have a high-end, 7.1 home theatre system you may be using costly external audio solutions. However, if this is the case, then you should consider upgrading to the most recent 7.1-channel sound card.
For headphone users, the majority of high-end headphones can be used as stereo headphones. You will only get surround sound via the sound card's Digital Signal Processing.
Dolby Atmos' latest format provides 3D sound, but comes with a lot of requirements. Although there are some 7.1 surround headphones on the market with as many as ten drivers, their audio latency makes them less appealing than high-end stereo headphones.
Swappable OpAmp
DAC Quality
How can you determine the quality of a DAC's DAC? The SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) is a common indicator of the DAC's quality. It simply refers to the volume of the intended useful sound compared with the noise that is not being used.
High-end sound cards can provide a SNR of up to 124 dB. The majority of motherboards that have onboard audio solutions offer an SNR between 80 and 90 dB. This is quite a difference considering decibels can be logarithmic.
Moreover, in addition to the SNR, the DAC also controls bit depth and audio sampling rates.
The latest high-end sound card can provide 24-bit, 32-bit and even 32-bit audio at a sampling rate of 192-kHz to 384-kHz. These specifications roughly define the audio quality of the sound card, although there are other factors included such as gold-plated connectors, Electromagnetic-Interference shielding, etc.
FAQs
Do Audio Cards Really Make A Difference?
An audio card's main purpose is to enhance sound quality when playing video games or listening to the in-game sounds. Even with a high-end headset, the inbuilt sound card on a PC or gaming console may be dull. You need a sound card with balanced sound to balance the sound.
Are USB Audio Cards Good?
If you're a filmmaker or video editor, USB cards may be your best choice. An external chipet can be used to connect it to other consoles, whether it's a computer or laptop. If you are looking to enhance your audiophile level, USB audio cards can be very useful.
How Long Does The Soundcard Battery Last?
These chipsets are available in two versions. The one you see will likely be an internal PCIe card, while the other might be an exterior card. The power source for your motherboard will supply the internal cards with the power. They do not need a battery. To get power, some external devices can be connected to the computer via a USB connector.
What Is The V8 Soundcard?
The version number V8 indicates the type of audio card that you'll be using. Multi-function models are the basis of this audio card. This is currently the only chip that allows dual-mobile use. Both iOS and Android smartphones can use the sound card to play games.
What Makes A Good Sound Card?
High signal-to noise ratios and low distortion are the hallmarks of a sound card. Your soundcard's SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) will have a greater ability to reproduce audio signals and not introduce unwanted artifacts.
Which Is The Best Audio Card?
It can be difficult to find the right audio card. The right card will improve surround sound capabilities and provide great results.
What Alternatives To Sound Card Do Exist?
A comparison of sound cards and alternatives to them. The most popular alternative is the USB headset. It can play both music and voice. The downside is that USB headsets are limited in audio quality, typically 16-bit 48kHz. They cannot produce high frequency frequencies sufficiently well to reproduce music and speech. There may also be latency problems with USB headsets for playing digital audio streams from computers.
With new information arriving, our editor will usually update the best soundcards frequently. Please constantly check our site for the most up-to-date material.
We will try our best to help you with more best soundcards. You are supposed to be free to ask for assistance with your problems.
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