The Best Portable Headphone Amps in 2023

There are many ways to improve the sound quality of your headphones while on the go, including portable headphone amps. This amp is designed to work with a variety of headphones, including portable audio players, smartphones, and tablets. 

We reviewed the best portable headphone amps for the consumer market, and this review covers their features, design, and performance in detail. Discover which products are best for you, and find out which ones are worth buying. 

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1. Audiolab M-DAC+

Specifications

• Brand: Audiolab

• Mounting Type: On A Desk

• Interface Type: Component

• Dimensions: 16.5 x 16.5 x 8.8 inches

• Item Weight: 13.57 pounds

Pros

• Comprehensive spec

• Excellent construction and finishing

• Organized, neat, and expansive hear

Cons

• Needs to attack more

Product's Summary

With the M-DAC+, you can enjoy uncompressed PCM, DSD, and 24/192 audio files with ease, thanks to the USB Type–Port. A 2.0 headphone amp provides a high-volume output, and the preamp section has been extensively balanced.

As far as features go, the M-DAC+ is a beast. It has a high-resolution display that can be set to display information such as volume, input, track name, and more. It also has a USB 3.1 port, which allows you to connect up to four devices simultaneously.

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2. Audioquest - Dragonfly RED

Specifications

• Brand: AudioQuest

• Speaker Type: 3D

• Connectivity Technology: USB

• Recommended Uses For Product: Music

• Compatible Devices: Speakers

Pros

• Compatible with smartphones

• The sound is sophisticated, strong, and subtle

• Just as practical as always

Cons

• The red finish seems to chip easily

Product's Summary

The Audioquest Dragonfly RED DAC is an excellent option for audiophiles looking to upgrade their system and improve the quality of their sound. It uses high-quality components, has excellent sound, and it’s one of the few USB DACs that don’t distort the sound.

It’s rated to handle up to 150 watts per channel, so it’s perfect for powering a pair of headphones or a speaker setup. You can also use it with an external DAC or amplifier to get even better results.

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3. Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M 

Specifications

• Brand: Cambridge Audio

• Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, USB

• Supported Internet Services: TIDAL

• Color: Lunar Grey

• Item Weight: 1 Kilogram

• Compatible Devices: Laptop, Smartphone

• Memory Storage Capacity: 20 GB

Pros

• Smooth, clear, and enlightening audio

• Extensive connectivity

• Support for native MQA

Cons

• Not using a remote

• Fierce competition

Product's Summary

The DacMagic 200M features a high-quality headphone amp that can handle a wide variety of headphones. This is the only DAC we've tested that has a headphone amp built-in.

The headphone amp can output a total of 24-bit/96kHz resolution and can power both linear and dynamic headphones. If you want to use it as a standalone device, it has a 3.5mm input that connects directly to your smartphone or tablet.

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4. iFi Zen DAC V2

Specifications

• Brand: IFI

• Mounting Type: Plug Mount, Tabletop

• Interface Type: USB

• Connectivity Technology: USB, RCA

• Item Weight: 1.00 pounds

Pros

• Superior in terms of clarity and depth over the previous

• Powerful dynamics

• Excellent output choice

Cons

• The mains adapter is not included

Product's Summary

This little iFi DAC was designed from the ground up to bring audiophile features to a tiny form factor. It has a new chip that's optimized for high-resolution music files, such as Apple Lossless, FLAC, APE, and more, with up to 192kHz / 24bit support.

It includes all the features you'd expect from a DAC, such as Variable Analogue Volume, PowerMatch adjustment, TrueBass, and a USB 3.0 input for connection to a digital device.

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1. What makes an amp portable?

The most important characteristic of a portable headphone amplifier is its battery life. The lower the power consumption, the more battery life it will have. Another important feature is size, as smaller amps are easier to travel with.

2. Can I use a portable amplifier to play music in the car?

It's a good idea to connect an external speaker system to your amp. If you use the system in your car, you may not have the space to fit an amp and a speaker system. Also, using an external speaker system will help protect your car from audio damage.

3. What's the difference between a portable amp and a car amp?

Car amplifiers usually have two input jacks and are powered by batteries, while portable amps are powered by AC current. Portable amps are great when you don't have a lot of room in your car or you don't want to plug a long cable into your vehicle.