The Simple Gadget That Instantly Improves the Sound of Your iPhone, MacBook or Android Device

Every smartphone has both a built-in amplifier and digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The amplifier cranks the audio signal to a level so that your headphones (or the smartphone’s speakers) can actually play it. The DAC then turns the digital files from your music streaming service into an analog file that the amplifier can actually crank.

Why You Should Buy a Portable DAC Amp

Both built-in components could be a lot better. The amplifier and DAC are limited by the small space constraints of a smartphone. Meanwhile, most manufacturers don’t want to spend extra on higher-quality audio components that not everyone wants or needs.

The good news is that you can buy a separate device, a portable DAC amplifier that connects to your smartphone and a pair of wired headphones (or speakers). The effect? Your audio will sound bigger, crisper and more natural.

If you have a nice pair of wired headphones and want to listen to high-quality audio on the go, you should seriously consider buying one of the portable DAC amps for your iPhone or Android.

How We Tested

Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

The entire point of a portable DAC amp to listen to better audio on the go. I tested every portable DAC amp in this guide (and several that aren’t included), pairing them with a variety of wired headphones and devices (both iPhone and Android).

Throughout my testing, I listened to high-resolution tracks from Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited and Tidal.

Learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products.

Best Portable DAC Amp for iPhones

Amazon

Audioengine DAC3

Specs

Connectivity	USB-A
Adapters Included	None
Max Audio Quality	Up to 24-bit/96kHz

Pros

• Maxes out at 24-bit/96kHz audio files
• Compact size
• Very power efficient (despite no battery)

Cons

• Very expensive
• You'll need a Lightning adapter for older iPhones

• $149 at Amazon

The Audioengine DAC3 is an excellent and tiny portable DAC amp for anybody with an iPhone. It comes with the necessary USB-C to Lightning adapter so you can plug into your iPhone (14 or earlier) and use it right out of the box.

It supports most of the popular high-resolution audio formats (including MQA, PCM and DSD), making it great fit for whichever lossless service you use, be it Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz or Amazon Music Unlimited. It has an indicator light that will light up different colors to let know the sample rate of your music.

And one thing that’s actually really unique is that the DAC3 has volume controls on its side, which makes it really easy to adjust volume without having to pull your iPhone out of your pocket.

Best High-End Portable DAC Amp

Astell & Kern

Astell & Kern AK HC4

Specs

Connectivity	USC-C
Adapters Included	USB-C to Lightning cable
Max Audio Quality	32-bit/384 kHz

Pros

• Includes dual 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs
• Maxes out 32-bit/384 kHz
• Includes USB-C to Lightning cable

Cons

• No support for MQA files

• $220 at B&H

Released in late 2023, the AK HC4 replaced the HC3 and HC2 to bring a single 3.5mm (unbalanced) and 4.4mm (balanced) headphone jack into a single — and very good-looking — package.

The HC4 supports Native DSD 256 and up to 32bit/384kHz. It’s also the first portable USB DAC amp to use the lauded AKM DAC.

Best Battery-Powered Portable DAC Amp

Amazon

iFi Hip-Dac 3

Specs

Connectivity	USB-C
Adapters Included	USB-A to USB-C, USB-C to USB-C
Max Audio Quality	Up to 32-bit/384kHz

Pros

• Unique design
• Maxes out at 32-bit/384kHz audio files
• Built-in battery

Cons

• You'll need a Lighting dongle for older iPhones
• Larger than most other portable DAC/amps

• $199 at Amazon

Released in late 2023, iFi’s third-generation Hip-DAC is a bigger than most other portable DAC amplifiers — but that’s because it has an integrated 2,200mAh battery that delivers roughly seven hours of playtime (and therefore doesn’t drain your smartphone).

It packs two USB-C ports, one for charging and the other for connecting to your smartphone or computer, as well as two headphone jacks. One of the neat things that makes the Hip-DAC different from its previous iterations is that there’s an “IEMatch” switch that, when turned on, automatically matches the sensitivity of the headphones or earphones that you’re using so you get the best sound.

Like its predecessors, the Hip-DAC has a wonderfully tactile volume knob, has a button for gain control, and it supports audio files up to 32-bit/384kHz files and there’s a gain-control button so you can adjust its internal amp’s power depending on your headphones. It also supports MQA files, which is a big win for Tidal subscribers.

Best Budget Portable DAC Amp

Earmen

EarMen Eagle

Specs

Connectivity	USB-A
Adapters Included	USB-A to USB-C
Max Audio Quality	Up to 32-bit/384kHz

Pros

• Refreshingly affordable
• Supports lossless tracks up to 384Hz
• Super compact design

Cons

• Lightning adapter sold separately
• Lacks MQA support

• $89 at Earmen

The EarMen Eagle is a super affordable and super portable DAC amp that’s about the size of your average flash drive. It’s integrated DAC (ESS ES9280 C Pro) allows it to play lossless audio files up to 32-bit/384kHz.

It comes with USB-C adapter that will allow you to use it with most Androids and computers right out of the box, but iPhone (14 and earlier) users will have to buy a Lightning adapter separately. The only other real strike against the Eagle is that it’s not MQA-certified, so know that if you’re a Tidal subscriber it won’t unlock all that the lossless service has to offer.

Most Efficient Portable DAC Amp

Amazon

AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt

Specs

Connectivity	USB-A
Adapters Included	None
Max Audio Quality	Up to 24-bit/96kHz

Pros

• Maxes out at 24-bit/96kHz audio files
• Compact size
• Very power efficient (despite no battery)

Cons

• Very expensive
• You'll need a Lightning adapter for iPhone

• $200 at Amazon

The DragonFly Cobalt is the crown jewel in AudioQuest’s famed Dragonfly series. It draws significantly less power than the company’s DragonFly Red, meaning you’ll be able to listen to better music for longer on your smartphone. It also does an impeccable job of picking up and eliminating unwanted jitter and digital noise, so your music sounds best.

It has a ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip and supports 24-bit/96kHz playback, MQA, which should allow you to hear greater levels of detail in your music. Additionally, the Cobalt is the only portable DAC amp in the Dragonfly series that ships with a USB-A to USB-C adapter, so you can connect it to your Android smartphone or USB-C laptop right out of the box. If you have an iPhone, you’ll still need an adapter.

Features to Look for When Buying a Portable DAC Amplifier

Connectivity

Most portable DAC amps are designed to be versatile. You can use them with your computer and wired headphones then, when you can get up and go, you can connect it to your smartphone and wired headphones.

Most portable DAC amps have a USB-A or USB-C connection, meaning you’ll need to get a Lightning dongle (like this) to connect the portable DAC amp to an older iPhone. (If you have an iPhone 15, which have USB-C instead of Lightning, you don’t need to worry about a Lightning dongle.)

Adapters

In an ideal world, every portable DAC amp would work with your smartphone — be it an iPhone or Android — right out of the box. The good news is that most do because these days they include the necessary adapters in the box.

However, some will require to spend a little extra on a separate adapter (mostly when it comes to connecting to an iPhone) so just double check before buying.

Max audio resolution

Not every portable DAC amp can match the high audio resolutions of today’s lossless streaming services. In fact, most can’t. No matter which you get, however, they’ll definitely improve your smartphone listening experience. You should find out what max bitrate of the lossless streaming service and then choose a portable DAC amp that can match (or at least get near) it.

Most “affordable” portable DAC amps support audio up to 24-bit/96kHz but the really advanced ones support audio up to 32bit/384kHz (which some lossless streaming services can’t reach).

Does it have a battery?

This is one the biggest differentiators between the various portable DAC amps out there. The ones that have their own built-in batteries won’t draw power from your smartphone, which is great because you don’t have to worry as much about your smartphone dying.

On the flip side, however, you’ll have to charge them. The ones without built-in batteries usually don’t support high-resolution audio, but they are also more compact, lightweight and portable.

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