Best External Sound Cards of 2025

"I ordered this to solve my latency issues with sound output. Installation was a breeze, just plug and play. My latency issue was resolved, and the software download was a nice extra that improved sound quality. Great product at a great price!"

"I connected the Play! 3 to my Raspberry Pi for my 2024 Christmas light show. It supplied a signal to my FM transmitter. Everyone recommended this over onboard audio, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much it cleaned up the audio! No drivers needed, just plug it in. It's a must-have for under $20!"

"Initially, I was using the headphone out jack from my laptop to my AudioEngine 5 speakers. The sound was decent but not great. After using this card, the improvement was incredible! I had to turn down my subwoofer due to the increased bass and top-end clarity. Even non-audiophiles will appreciate this massive improvement!"

“I found this device great for my PC that lacks 5.1 output, but I had to return it because it didn't work as expected with streaming services. I was hoping to use my older 5.1 speaker system for TV, but despite multiple attempts, I couldn't get it to function properly with TV outputs. It works perfectly with a PC, but I realized most streaming services only support surround sound on their apps for streaming devices, not on PC.”

“Overall, I think it's a solid device. It has all the necessary inputs and outputs and worked out of the box with Windows 10. While it worked well with my powered analog 5.1 speakers, I had to dock a star for its limited volume range. Adjusting the speakers for maximum volume made the lowest setting too loud, while lowering it made maximum volume insufficient.”

“I used this adapter for my HTPC and connected it via Bluetooth, which allowed me to configure it easily. It performed wonderfully, providing 5.1 Dolby digital sound from my movies. It was much cheaper than a sound card and outperformed my previous setup.”

"At the sale price, this is an amazing piece of technology. It simply works, unlocks basic audio tuning, and vastly outperforms the onboard audio on my motherboard. The increase in richness, deeper lows, and sharper highs was noticeable, even to my average ears. The EQ and audio effects are functional, and my friends on Discord immediately noted how much better my voice sounded. Overall, this is a strong recommendation for anyone looking to improve audio quality."

"I recently bought a cheap brand adapter but the mic sounded terrible. Then I found this one. It’s completely plug and play, with no drivers needed. I love the audio enhancements like Bass Boost and Surround Sound. This device is exactly what I needed for my 3.5mm headset. I’ve used Creative products for years, and they still deliver quality."

"I’ve had this sound card for a month now, and I’m very satisfied. If you experience low volume, just change the configuration in the software, and it’ll fix it. The sound quality is much better than onboard audio with punchy bass and clear mids. While the positional audio isn't perfect, this card is still a great value for both gaming and enjoying videos."

"I had a malfunctioning sound card on my PC, causing a digital screech every few seconds. This brilliant device saved me from buying a new computer! Now my speakers sound PERFECT and it only cost me $8.99. I HIGHLY recommend it!"

"Being visually impaired, I rely heavily on sound for accessibility. This adapter has worked flawlessly across various systems, including MacOS, Windows, and even Android. It's my go-to for reliable sound when I need it, and I plan to get a USB-C version soon!"

"Upon arrival, I had some initial issues getting it to work correctly, needing to find the right spot to plug it in. However, the audio quality is satisfactory, although the mic audio is lacking. Overall, it's a decent choice if you're looking for affordable audio."

"I've purchased and used two of these units. One was to add a microphone input to my desktop PC, and I've had no issues in the last six months. The sound quality blows away the regular audio out from my motherboard, and for around $15, this has been a great product!"

"I bought this device because my headphone jack was worn out. It allows me to plug in my headphones and hear audio from the computer. The sound is good, and it was easy to set up. I really appreciate the plug-and-play aspect!"

"My experience with this product has been nothing short of disappointing. Within the same day of use, it inexplicably stopped working. The erratic behavior has been frustrating, and after trying it on multiple devices, I can confidently say it's non-functional now."

“I debated this purchase, but I wish I had done it sooner. Of all my hi-fi gear, this little device has made the biggest difference in audio quality from my PC. The optical audio out is a game changer to eliminate hums and buzzes from USB audio. I absolutely love it and recommend you just get it.”

“When I started using this DAC, I was initially disappointed by the sound. However, after turning off SXFI, it sounded perfect. In my opinion, this device creates virtual surround sound from an optical connection, which is vastly superior to a regular DAC. It makes everything sound more natural, and the EQ options really enhanced my high-end headphones.”

“I'm using it with my Logitech Z906 system, and it transformed my laptop into a 5.1 digital system for music, movies, and games. I appreciate the easy USB connection and buttons at the front for switching settings. Although I wish it were a bit smaller, the sound quality is fantastic, especially when using the digital mode for movies and games.”

"I was blown away by this little device! The sound is absolutely amazing for every genre of music and gaming. It's so portable and easy to install! I consider the price a STEAL for the quality you get!"

"After a year of use, I still find it satisfying. However, I have some gripes: the sound drivers can be unreliable and sometimes forget my custom settings. Also, the microphone setup is a bit inconvenient."

"I connected the Vantec to my Shield TV Pro, thinking I would get Dolby Digital 5.1 from the optical output, but I only received stereo. It works better with a PC, but for me, that's not useful."

“After doing some research, I found that my inability to connect speakers to my mini PC was due to an interface issue with Windows 11 and Realtek sound cards. The Vention USB external sound card was a simple, cost-effective solution to this. I connected it through a USB 3.0 splitter and got sound immediately. The sound quality was good on the YouTube music video I tested. No buzzing, just clean sound from my speakers. I would definitely recommend this to anyone with a bad internal sound card.”

“I’m not sure why they call it a sound card, but it’s a great adapter for my gaming headsets. Since most of my USB slots are full, this one connects with a USB-C and provides control over loudness plus mute functions with visual cues. It communicates with my PC or laptop, so adjustments are reflected on the screen. Very affordable, but just a heads-up: it's not a sound card in the traditional sense.”

“I was in a situation where my headphone jack was practically jacked up. Finding an alternative for listening to Zoom lectures was essential. I got this out of curiosity, and it worked for both videos and Zoom. Contrary to what I read, it worked perfectly during my Zoom lectures. It's all about setting the right audio. If you adjust your audio to ‘Speakers (2 - USB audio device),’ it might help if you're struggling to connect. Hope this helps!”

"I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to set up. Just plug it in and update the software, and I was ready to go in seconds!"

"After a few months of use, it randomly stopped working. I tried fixing it for a week, but then, after some time, I plugged it back in and it worked perfectly. It’s a great sound card when it’s functioning."

"This little DAC has made a world of difference for my audio experience. I used to crank my PC volume to 75, but now I can keep it at 15 and still enjoy rich sound!"