Advertising Disclosure

External Sound Cards Comparison - July 2025

1
Best Choice
9.8Exceptional
2
9.7Exceptional
3
9.6Exceptional
4
9.4Excellent
5
Best Value
9.3Excellent
6
9.2Excellent
7
9.1Excellent
View DealOn Amazon
View DealOn Amazon
View DealOn Amazon
View DealOn Amazon
View DealOn Amazon
View DealOn Amazon
View DealOn Amazon

Model

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Play! 3 External USB Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play (No Drivers Required). Upgrade to 24-Bit 96Khz Playback
Model
UGREEN USB to Audio Jack Sound Card Adapter with Dual TRS 3-Pole 3.5mm Headphone and Microphone USB to Aux 3.5mm External Audio Converter for Windows Mac Linux PC Laptops Desktops PS5 Switch 2
Model
T10 External Sound Card, PHOINIKAS USB Audio Adapter for PC Windows, Mac, Linux, Laptops, Desktops, Stereo Sound Card with 3.5mm Interface & USB Interface, Volume Control, Plug & Play (6-in-1, Black)
Model
Creative Sound Blaster X4 Hi-Res 24bit/192kHz DAC USB Externo y Tarjeta de Sonido Amp, Multicanal, Sonido Surround Discreto 7.1, Entrada de Cascos para PC, Mac
Model
SABRENT USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play No Drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA)
Model
Creative Sound BlasterX G1 7.1 Portable HD Gaming USB DAC and Sound Card (70SB171000000)
Model
StarTech.com 7.1 USB Sound Card - External Sound Card for Laptop with SPDIF Digital Audio - Sound Card for PC - Silver (ICUSBAUDIO7D)

Brand

Creative
Brand
UGREEN
Brand
PHOINIKAS
Brand
Creative
Brand
SABRENT
Brand
Creative
Brand
StarTech.com

Reviews

6,084 reviews
Reviews
40,046 reviews
Reviews
4,270 reviews
Reviews
1,764 reviews
Reviews
77,902 reviews
Reviews
2,006 reviews
Reviews
4,468 reviews

Features

Audio quality

9.4
Audio quality
9.1
Audio quality
8.9
Audio quality
9.1
Audio quality
8.6
Audio quality
8.6
Audio quality
8.6

Sound level

9.3
Sound level
9.1
Sound level
9.1
Sound level
9.1
Sound level
7.9
Sound level
8.1
Sound level
8.6

For playing video games

9.1
For playing video games
8.6
For playing video games
8.9
For playing video games
8.9
For playing video games
7.6
For playing video games
8.4
For playing video games
7.0

Worth the money

9.6
Worth the money
9.1
Worth the money
8.9
Worth the money
7.7
Worth the money
8.4
Worth the money
8.6
Worth the money
8.1

Sheerness

9.6
Sheerness
8.6
Sheerness
9.1
Sheerness
8.6
Sheerness
8.4
Sheerness
7.7
Sheerness
8.1

Materials quality

9.9
Materials quality
9.1
Materials quality
8.9
Materials quality
8.6
Materials quality
8.9
Materials quality
8.4
Materials quality
8.1

Noise level

9.6
Noise level
9.1
Noise level
8.9
Noise level
8.6
Noise level
8.4
Noise level
8.4
Noise level
8.1

Lasts a long time

9.6
Lasts a long time
9.1
Lasts a long time
8.9
Lasts a long time
8.6
Lasts a long time
8.9
Lasts a long time
8.4
Lasts a long time
8.6

Tech Specs

product dimensions

5.43 x 0.87 x 0.37 inches
product dimensions
1.97 x 1.18 x 1.97 inches
product dimensions
3.94 x 0.79 x 4.33 inches
product dimensions
-
product dimensions
1.5 x 0.4 x 0.9 inches
product dimensions
5.42 x 0.9 x 0.41 inches
product dimensions
3.9 x 1 x 2.4 inches

item weight

2.1 ounces
item weight
0.64 ounces
item weight
8 ounces
item weight
-
item weight
0.317 ounces
item weight
0.56 ounces
item weight
3.17 ounces

customer reviews

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3, 042 ratings 4.5 out of 5 stars
customer reviews
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 20, 023 ratings 4.4 out of 5 stars
customer reviews
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 2, 135 ratings 4.1 out of 5 stars
customer reviews
-
customer reviews
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 38, 951 ratings 4.3 out of 5 stars
customer reviews
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1, 003 ratings 4.3 out of 5 stars
customer reviews
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 2, 234 ratings 4.1 out of 5 stars

hardware platform

-
hardware platform
-
hardware platform
PC, Tablets, Laptops
hardware platform
-
hardware platform
Linux
hardware platform
Headphones
hardware platform
-

item dimensions lxwxh

-
item dimensions lxwxh
-
item dimensions lxwxh
3.94 x 0.79 x 4.33 inches
item dimensions lxwxh
-
item dimensions lxwxh
1.5 x 0.4 x 0.9 inches
item dimensions lxwxh
5.42 x 0.9 x 0.41 inches
item dimensions lxwxh
-

Review

Review Review Review Review Review Review

Available On

Available On Available On Available On Available On Available On Available On

Our Top 3 Picks

Here are the top 3 recommended products with more information to help you find the right product for you
  • 9.8
    1
    Creative
    24% Off

    Creative Labs Sound Blaster Play! 3 External USB Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play (No Drivers Required). Upgrade to 24-Bit 96Khz Playback

    9.9 materials Quality
    9.6 worth the money
    9.6 Sheerness

    Why we love it

    Easy setup with no drivers required.
    Enhances sound quality significantly.
    Compatible with most headphones and microphones.
  • 9.7
    2
    UGREEN

    UGREEN USB to Audio Jack Sound Card Adapter with Dual TRS 3-Pole 3.5mm Headphone and Microphone USB to Aux 3.5mm External Audio Converter for Windows Mac Linux PC Laptops Desktops PS5 Switch 2

    9.1 audio quality
    9.1 Sound level
    9.1 worth the money

    Why we love it

    Improves sound quality significantly.
    Easy plug-and-play installation.
    Compatible with multiple devices.
  • 9.6
    3
    PHOINIKAS

    T10 External Sound Card, PHOINIKAS USB Audio Adapter for PC Windows, Mac, Linux, Laptops, Desktops, Stereo Sound Card with 3.5mm Interface & USB Interface, Volume Control, Plug & Play (6-in-1, Black)

    9.1 Sound level
    9.1 Sheerness
    8.9 audio quality

    Why we love it

    Plug and play, no drivers needed.
    Boosts audio and connects multiple devices.
    Affordable sound card replacement.

Our ranking system

At BestChoice.com, our team curates a selection of top products from a vast array available online, using a sophisticated ranking system based on carefully defined criteria.While traditional hands-on testing has its merits, our use of AI technology offers distinct advantages. AI allows us to process and analyze vast amounts of data from multiple sources, providing a comprehensive view that goes beyond what manual testing can achieve. This approach enables us to deliver insights that are aligned with current trends and consumer preferences, ensuring our reviews are both relevant and up-to-date.

Features

Our AI-driven analysis examines key attributes, capabilities, and other critical factors tailored to each product category. This method allows us to assess effectiveness from various perspectives, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation.
smartphone

Consumer Reviews

We aggregate and evaluate consumer feedback from across the internet, giving weight to ratings and reviews that reflect the most reliable insights. AI enhances this process by filtering and prioritizing data, offering a balanced view without the need for direct personal endorsements.
checklist

Popularity

Our system also considers the popularity of products, analyzing factors such as market presence, reputation, and user satisfaction. By leveraging AI, we capture a comprehensive picture of a product's standing in the market, which may not always be evident through traditional testing.
smartphone-stars

Value for money

AI allows us to compare products based on attributes like price, specifications, and user feedback, helping to determine their value for money. This data-driven approach offers an efficient and reliable way to assess how products stack up against one another in terms of cost-effectiveness.
checklist