USB Sound Cards

What a USB sound card does

A sound card turns the laptop's digital sound into the signal headphones and speakers use, and turns a microphone's signal back into digital. Every laptop has one inside. A USB sound card is a second one on the end of a short cable or in a small box, with its own sockets. It is the fix for a laptop with no headphone socket, a socket that crackles or has stopped working, or a headset whose plugs do not match the laptop's socket.

The kinds in this range

• USB to 3.5mm adapters with separate sockets for headphones (usually green) and a microphone (usually pink), for headsets with two plugs. Several come in USB-A and USB-C versions.
• Adapters with one 4-pole socket for headsets and earphones with a single plug that carries sound and microphone together. Some have both kinds of socket.
• USB-C headphone adapters with a digital-to-analogue chip, for wired headphones on a laptop, tablet or phone with only USB-C. One lets you charge through it while you listen.
• Larger sound cards with optical outputs and several analogue sockets, for 5.1 and 7.1 surround through an amplifier, and a line input for recording.
• A 3-in-1 adapter with a volume knob and sockets for two people.

Matching the plugs

Look at the plug on your headset. One plug with three dark bands on the metal tip is a 4-pole plug carrying sound and microphone; it needs a 4-pole socket. Two plugs, often coloured, need the two separate sockets. 4-pole plugs are not all wired the same way, and one adapter here says it takes the CTIA wiring only; if a headset's microphone is silent on an adapter, a different wiring can be the reason. Then match the other end to your laptop: a USB-C to USB-A adapter or a hub covers a laptop with only USB-C ports, but a USB-C version is tidier.

Questions people ask about USB sound cards

Do they need drivers?

Most here are listed as plug and play on Windows, Mac and Linux. Once plugged in, choose the sound card as the output and input: in Settings, System, Sound on Windows, or System Settings, Sound on a Mac.

Will it fix sound from my laptop's speakers?

No. It replaces the headphone socket, not the speakers. For speakers, see USB speakers.

Can I use it with a games console?

Several list PS4 or PS5. Check the product page for yours.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that adapter usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.

More to look at

• Headsets with a microphone
• USB speakers
• USB microphones
• USB-C to USB-A adapters
• Gaming headsets
• Guide: Microphones and headsets for calls and recording
• Guide: Gaming on a laptop: the mice, keyboards, controllers and cooling that help