The best headphones DACs will make a major difference to the way you listen to music. A DAC is a digital-to-audio converter, and… well, it converts digital audio files into the analog sound you hear. Of course, you don't need a separate DAC to get audio from your device because there's one already built-in – there needs to be, because humans can't hear digital signals.
Converting digital to analogue is a big job, though, and the best portable DACs or desktop DACs can do this much much more precision, or with much more complex audio files, than what's built into most phones or laptops. That's why a dedicated device is a good idea. The music you hear through the best wired headphones will bypass the converter in your device and head straight to the standalone option. The result is music that sounds crisper, clearer, more agile and just better compared to leaving this crucial converting process in the hands of the inexpensive DAC chip in your device.
In our list below, you'll find our pick of the best DACs, which we've spent time testing to make sure they offer audiophile-grade sound and some handy features, too, such as driving two headphones at once or offering wireless capabilities. If you're serious about music, keep reading.
The quick list
Looking for a simple way to find the best portable DAC with the features and price range you want? Use our quick list below and click to see a longer write-up of each product for more in-depth information.
The best DAC for USB-C phones
Great audio performance that deals well with hi-res music, with impressive levels of detail, in a portable design. This is excellent value and a great choice for phones (or anything USB-C).
The best budget desktop DAC
This desktop DAC delivers robust sound quality in a solid and compact design, plus excellent specs considering this is our cheapest option. Great for your home setup.
The best premium portable DAC
Our top high-end pick due to the flexibility on offer, handling all kinds of connectivity and digital files. It also sounds stunning, with a robust and portable build – as you'd hope for the price.
The best mid-range desktop DAC
This DAC manages to strike a perfect balance between a good price and excellent performance. A great choice if you can stretch beyond budget for slightly fancier headphones.
The best premium desktop DAC
With an engaging and rich sound, extensive specs, and several input options, this is our top choice for a high-end desktop experience. It can be used portable too, but it's not that compact.
The best portable DAC for design
Delivering classy, refined and enjoyable audio isn't enough. This iFi DAC also has a stunning, shiny finish to match, and cool hip-flask like design to carry around.
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The best money-no-object desktop DAC
Without taking over your whole desktop, this delivers as much power and unmatched detail as you could need, for basically any set of headphones. A modern music masterpiece.
I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
Recent updates
August 2, 2024
Overhauled this guide to better tailor our recommendations based on specific DAC types, where you'd use them, and how affordable they are. Also added the iFi Zen DAC 3 as our best mid-range desktop option.
Best portable DACs of 2024
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The best portable USB-C DAC for phones
The Helm Audio Bolt USB DAC/headphone amp is a device that we found to be both small and elegant in its simplicity when we tested it. Like most of the DACs in this guide, it's designed to make the sound coming out of your laptop or smartphone far better than it otherwise would be. The good news with this option from Helm is that it's priced to make its talents available to as many people as possible and our best choice if you're looking for a portable USB-C DAC, especially for phones.
The Bolt is in its element when it comes to high-resolution audio content. It can handle 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256 and MQA stuff easily, generating enough power to drive most headphones we tested to workable level. It’s also genuinely portable, with a design that's small and light enough to slip in a pocket.
Overall, it delivers an enjoyable listen. Push up the volume to extremes and it can sound a little hard and two-dimensional, but otherwise we found it a pleasure to test. The levels of details are high here, frequency extension is impressive at either end of the range, and the soundstage it creates is convincing, not to mention fun.
Read the full Helm Audio Bolt review
The best budget desktop portable DAC
The iFi Uno DAC is one of the most affordable options on our list, but during our testing we were surprised to find that the improvements it makes to your sound experience are massive.
We learned that, as long as you don’t intend to listen at either very quiet or very loud volume levels, the sound of your laptop once the Uno is plugged in is improved dramatically. We think even those who don't consider themselves audiophiles will recognize the improvement and agree that it's up there with the best portable DACs.
In our iFi Uno review we commended this portable DAC for its detail retrieval, low-frequency extension, sound staging, transient response and stereo focus. These are all essential qualities that go towards delivering a genuinely enjoyable and convincing sound reproduction.
Read our full iFi Uno review
The best premium portable DAC
The iFi xDSD Gryphon widens the operability and relevance of audio company iFi's DAC and headphone amp range by offering wireless, as well as wired, connectivity in a design that's small, light and portable. No, the xDSD Gryphon is not cheap, but the way it performs justifies the price and means it's our top premium portable pick.
The iFi xDSD Gryphon brings you major flexibility in terms of connectivity and digital audio content. It'll happy work with digital files of many types. In fact, we bet there’s no chance it can’t deal with what you give it. From there, it delivers what we described as "a completely confident and convincing sonic attitude" in our review – just make sure you use headphones that are up to the iFi xDSD Gryphon's high standards.
If you're looking for a device that’s more than capable of doing the audio business, regardless of which digital film you're using and whether you want desktop or portable listening, it’s a no-brainer.
Read our full iFi xDSD Gryphon review
The best mid-range desktop portable DAC
Our best mid-range desktop portable DAC pick is the iFi Zen DAC 3, effectively turning your laptop or phone into a hi-fi system. It's incredibly easy to set-up with a simple USB-C input for both power and data, with multiple power options to pick from. It also boasts the ability to function as a decoder, too.
Assuming you're using a good pair of headphones and high-quality digital audio files, the iFi Zen DAC 3 makes music sound excellent. In our review, we wrote that it delivers a "musical, informative and entertaining listen". We particularly rated this DAC for its punchy sound and tonal balance. But we were also incredibly impressed by the soundstage, writing in our review that the soundstage is "open, properly defined and allows every element of the recording the space it needs in which to express itself."
With a metal exterior crafted into a vaguely trapezoid shape that looks like a beautiful hip flask, this DAC definitely looks like it belongs to the iFi family. Although some minor design changes have been made, including a recessed fascia that serves as the bulk of the chassis. It's not the most portable device on the list, but it's not so bulky that it won't fit nicely on your desk.
Read our full iFi Zen DAC 3 review
The best premium desktop portable DAC
The original Chord Mojo DAC was at the top of our best portable DAC list for a long time, but it's been replaced by the Chord Mojo DAC 2, which is our top premium pick for desktop listening. Replacing a product that’s borderline iconic can’t be easy - which is maybe why it’s taken Chord Electronics seven years to replace its original Mojo DAC / headphone amp.
The Chord Mojo DAC 2 is very easy to use. All you need to do is hook a digital source into one end of the device, and some wired headphones into the other.
During testing, we found this to be a brilliantly accomplished device, able to deliver all the musicality, all the detail, all the refinement and all the excitement hidden in what previously sounded like quite humdrum digital audio files. In pure performance terms, the Chord Mojo 2 almost constitutes a bargain.
But there are several drawbacks, too. The Mojo 2 is bulky (the same size and weight as the original it's replacing) and it doesn't have wireless connectivity. What's more, its control interface can be confusing. Given its size, we'd recommend it as a desktop option and given its high price tag, it's our premium pick.
Read our full Chord Mojo 2 review
The best portable DAC for design
If want want a DAC that doesn't just sound good, but looks great too, then meet iFi's hip flask-esque hip-dac 3.
It may look a little dull in the static photos from our review, but it comes in a shade called 'Titanium Shadow', because it was purported to "change tone in different lights, with hints of bronze and vintage gold." And, in real-life, it looks just as special as that description sounds. We think it'll pair fantastically well next to your shiny new iPhone.
Looks aside, how does it sound? Fantastic. In our iFi hip-dac 3 review we wrote: "once you've heard it, you'll struggle to go back to listening without it for detail, neutrality and clarity." We were right, this is one extremely enjoyable listen, delivering a classy and refined audio experience.
Read our full iFi hip-dac 3 review
The best portable DAC if money is no object
If you're prepared to give it the proper source material, connected to serious headphones, the iFi iDSD Diablo 2 is a very impressive DAC and headphone amplifier indeed.
The design is even better than the original Diablo; see the darker red and reworked chassis that replaces the original Diablo’s smooth casework, with an arrangement of 22 ‘rails’ to help with cooling. Eight of these rails can accept one of the four ‘wings’ supplied with the DAC, which allows it to be positioned either vertically or horizontally, but slightly elevated, too.
It’s a vividly articulate, balanced and precise listen, handling even intricate mixes with a surgical hand. It's also capable of extruding every last milligram of information from your digital audio files with flair and ease. This is high-end territory and as such, we notice more. So, some may hanker after a little more low-frequency impact; others may feel that the iDSD Diablo 2 could benefit from just a little more dynamic headroom. Yes, we're nitpicking – because despite this, the second-gen iFi is a truly impressive proposition and one that will take some beating at the level.
Read why we love it in our in-depth iFi iDSD Diablo 2 review.
Other portable DACs to consider
We've put several exciting new DACs through their paces recently – but not all of them arrive in the list above. So what didn't make the cut?
Well, our iFi GO Bar Kensei review reveals a beautiful steel swordsman of a DAC, but there were just a few issues with it through the top end, for us. We're in the process of receiving another review sample to test it again, because initially we experienced occasional bursts of electrical noise when changing tracks – but this is possibly an isolated issue in one unit. We may amend our verdict in due course.
Elsewhere, the excellent iFi iDSD Diablo was superseded by the newer iFi iDSD Diablo 2, so while both are excellent, we've swapped in the newer model as a worthy replacement. That said, if you see a deal on the original, it might be a great little bargain…
Hidizs announced a new super-affordable DAC for Android, iPhone and laptops in February. The new S8 PRO Robin has a shockingly low price tag of just $99 in the US and £79 in the UK. Could the S8 PRO Robin knock the iFi Uno off as our top budget buy recommendation? We'll have to wait until a full review is in, but Hidizs' new DAC is a little pricier than the Uno, which has the same hi-res support – PCM files of up to 32bit/384kHz resolution and DSD256.
How to choose the best portable DAC for you
OK, we'll level with you. This isn’t the most glamorous tech purchase you'll ever make. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t demand for it and that you shouldn't buy one. Au contraire, if you care about the quality of your music, you should!
New DACs are released all the time – large devices, smaller ones, those that are mains-powered and others that are battery-powered. You can get DACS for iPhones, as well as models with wired or wireless connectivity, too. We've explained all below, because we want you to make the right purchase for you and one you'll love for years to come.
In this guide we’re focusing on the best of the most portable DACs around. If you give any one of these fine items a listen, then we guarantee your ears will thank you.
What is a DAC?
A DAC enables you to hear the analog sound made by your favorite bands and artists instead of the digital file that lets you store it on a device in file formats such as MP3, FLAC, Sony's DSD or Apple's Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC).
The DAC is the bit of your phone (or other audio device) that takes the bits and bytes of a digital audio file and turns it into audio for your headphones or speakers to play. In most smartphones, the DAC's sound quality is not the only criteria: there's size, and performance, and battery usage, and all kinds of other considerations.
That means while the sound quality from a device's own DAC is never less than acceptable, it isn't always brilliant. An external DAC improves your audio experience considerably. But not every DAC is created equal as you can see from the sheer variety above.
What do I need a portable DAC for?
If you're serious about sound and have the headphones or speakers to match, a portable DAC is a serious audio upgrade.
Of course you could just get used to how your phone, tablet or computer plays music. But if you're an audiophile (or even if you shy away from that term but you just love music) that just won't do. So, if your music isn't sounding quite as spectacular as it should – and the only thing you've changed recently is the source – it's likely that your new device (a new laptop, desktop, phone or tablet) has a poor quality DAC built-in.
The second reason to shell out for a better system is the fact that some of the more premium headphones on the market are 'high-impedance' headphones, which require more power through the headphone jack on your music source in order to work properly. (Impedance, for the record, is measured in a unit called ohms, and less than 50 ohms is considered to be low-impedance.)
As a rule, the harder a pair of headphones need to be driven, the better they will eventually sound when paired with the right equipment. An external DAC helps with these headphones as it can work as a headphone amp to provide the extra power needed to drive a high-impedance pair of 'phones.
Do DACs improve the sound quality of phones?
Yes. Very much so.
There's already a DAC in your phone, but chances are it hasn't been designed solely for great audio: it's usually part of a balancing act for things like battery life, how much space is available inside the device, cost and other considerations. So you'll often find that even high priced phones have DACs that are good rather than great.
With an external DAC you're using hardware that's been designed with sound quality as the single most important feature. Flabby bass is tightened and tuned; abrasive treble is smoothed; mids punch more and the soundstage is more expansive. DACs usually support much higher bit rates than phone DACs do too, which is important if you're listening to hi-res audio.
Do DACs work with iPhones?
It's worth bearing in mind that some portable DACs won't work with iPhones – you may find that when you plug them in, you get an error message that says "the attached accessory uses too much power". If that's the case, you'll need to purchase a Lightning-USB 3 adaptor, and plug it into an outlet while using the DAC to give it the power it needs.
Alternatively, some DACs can be used with an iPhone without being plugged into an outlet - but you will still need an Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.
Do DACs work with Android phones?
As with iPhones, the answer is yes with a caveat: you'll need the right connector – many modern Android phones have USB-C but many DACs haven't moved to that connector yet, so you'll need to check what cables come with it – and you'll need sufficient power to drive it, something that's not always possible with some phones. For those you'll need an additional power source such as a powered USB hub.
Latest Updates
August 2, 2024
Overhauled this guide to better tailor our recommendations based on specific DAC types, where you'd use them, and how affordable they are. Also added the iFi Zen DAC 3 as our best mid-range desktop option.
June 3, 2024
Added both this update log, an author block and updated our 'Also consider' section where I highlighted why the iFi GO Bar Kensei isn't on this list – yet. Swapped in the recently-reviewed iFi iDSD Diablo 2 for the original Diablo (which it has superseded).
April 4, 2024
Checked availability of current listings, all of which are in stock in the US, UK and Australia. Added in two new sections about recent DAC releases to consider and what a DAC is.
December 8, 2023
Added the iFi xDSD Gryphon, iFi Uno, Helm Audio Bolt to our rankings. Removed the iFi Zen and iFi hip-DAC, replacing it with its successor the iFi hip-DAC 3, and adjusted the format of this guide to include more easy navigation elements like the quick menu.
