Too many sound cards? Here's how to find the right one

Typical price i
27.– to 80.–

Supports seven speakers and one subwoofer for surround sound, providing a highly immersive audio experience.

Best suited for home theater systems or gaming setups where spatial audio enhances realism and engagement.

Typical price i
17.– to 110.–

Includes five speakers and one subwoofer, offering a balanced surround sound experience.

Ideal for movies and games, delivering clear audio directionality without overwhelming complexity.

Typical price i
14.– to 31.–

Consists of two audio channels, delivering sound through left and right speakers for a basic audio experience.

Perfect for casual listening and simple setups, making it a cost-effective choice for everyday use.

Typical price i
15.– to 54.–

Standard connector for headphones and speakers, commonly used in most audio devices.

Ideal for users who need a straightforward connection for personal listening or basic audio setups.

Typical price i
54.– to 120.–

Digital audio input that transmits audio signals without conversion, reducing signal loss.

Best for audiophiles wanting high-quality sound from compatible devices like DVD players and home theater systems.

Typical price i
17.– to 48.–

A modern, versatile input for digital audio, allowing for high-quality sound and power delivery.

Perfect for users with newer devices, offering a single connection for both data transfer and audio output.

Typical price i
20.– to 35.–

Inputs designed specifically for connecting microphones or line-level devices, ensuring optimal audio capture.

Essential for content creators and musicians who require high-quality audio input for recording and streaming.

Typical price i
14.– to 33.–

Provides a single standard headphone or speaker connection, compatible with most audio devices.

Ideal for users who have basic audio needs, such as casual listening or gaming with a single pair of headphones.

Typical price i
11.– to 120.–

Enables digital audio output through a USB connection, allowing for high-quality sound transfer.

Perfect for connecting to modern speakers, DACs, or headphones with USB support, offering enhanced clarity and reduced interference.

Typical price i
14.– to 35.–

Includes two 3.5mm outputs for separate audio channels, such as speakers and subwoofers, or headphones and line-out.

Great for users who want a more immersive audio experience, such as gamers or music producers needing multiple audio setups.

Typical price i
61.– to 120.–

Offers a digital coaxial output for transmitting high-quality audio signals without compression.

Recommended for audiophiles who want to connect their sound card to high-end audio systems, ensuring superior sound fidelity.

Typical price i
15.– to 31.–

A widely used interface that connects via standard USB ports, offering easy plug-and-play functionality.

Ideal for portability and use with laptops or desktops, making it convenient for musicians or content creators on the go.

Typical price i
20.– to 120.–

An advanced interface that provides faster data transfer rates and supports reversible plug orientation.

Perfect for modern devices, USB-C enhances audio quality and allows for streamlined connections with newer laptops and smartphones.

Typical price i
64.– to 140.–

A dedicated internal interface that connects directly to the motherboard, allowing for higher performance and lower latency.

Best suited for high-end audio applications, such as professional music production or gaming, providing superior sound quality and processing power.

Typical price i
17.– to 45.–

External sound cards connect to your computer via USB or other ports, providing flexibility in placement and easy access to controls.

Ideal for users who frequently move their setup or require additional audio inputs and outputs, enhancing versatility in various environments.

Typical price i
43.– to 120.–

Internal sound cards are installed directly onto the motherboard, offering a more permanent and often more stable connection.

Best suited for gamers or professionals seeking high-quality audio without the clutter of external devices, ensuring optimal performance during use.