5 Best USB Sound Cards with Great Linux Support
Is your soundcard on your Linux computer? Looking to get a new USB sound card but unsure what to buy? Follow along with our list of 5 USB sound cards that are compatible with Linux!
Things to keep in mind
Getting a USB sound card for Windows usually works out pretty well as the device manufacturers take time to ensure that the Windows operating system is well supported. On Linux, however, device support is spotty.
When buying a USB sound card, keep in mind that not every device you find online will have support for Linux. Although sound cards enjoy broad Linux support, some device manufacturers use chips that do not have support in the Linux kernel.
In this list, we go over the best USB sound cards in terms of Linux support. Each item is carefully curated to work well on your Linux desktop or laptop so you can get the best USB audio possible!
What’s the best USB sound card for Linux?
In our extensive research, we’ve found that the following USB sound cards are the best to use on Linux.
1. UGREEN USB 3.0 hub/USB sound card
The UGREEN USB 3.0 Hub/USB sound card is more than just a sound card. It’s also a three-port USB 3.0 hub, which can handle all of your favorite USB devices at speeds of up to 5 Gbps. Better still, it has a lengthy USB cable, which will allow the device to be moved around, which can’t be said about other a lot of USB sound cards.
The UGREEN USB 3.0 Hub/USB sound card is supported on the Linux platform via plug-n-play. It has a dedicated microphone and headphone jack, ensuring support for PC headsets. And, there is no need to install a third-party driver to get this to recognize your sound devices or USB devices for that matter.
Bottom line, If you’re a Linux user looking for more than just a USB sound card, the UGREEN USB 3.0 hub/USB sound card is worth looking into.
Pros
- Fully functional 3-port USB 3.0 HUB with data transfer rates of up to 5 Gpbs.
- Long USB cable makes it easy to plug into devices with crowded USB ports.
- Indicator light alerts users of activity.
- Very affordable, despite what it offers.
- Works on Linux via plug-n-play.
Cons
- No support for combo-port audio devices.
2. TROND External USB Audio Adapter
Many USB sound cards come with both a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a microphone jack. But what if you only need a single sound port for your Linux PC? Do you shell out the money for an adapter that has an extra port you’ll never use? Instead of doing that, take a look at the TROND External USB Audio Adapter. It’s a USB sound card with just a single port.
The TROND External USB Audio Adapter allows you to connect your sound devices to any Linux computer via a single port. However, don’t be fooled by the fact that it only has one port. It can still handle headsets just like it’s 2-port competitors. The TROND External USB Audio Adapter sports a 3.5 mm combo port, and it can handle single-port headsets, headphones, and analog microphones on Linux incredibly well via the plug-n-play driver.
USB Sound cards are usually pretty bulky. They’re wide as they have two dedicated 3.5 mm ports, and as a result, they take up a lot of space in the USB port they’re plugged into, sometimes crowding out other devices. The TROND External USB Audio Adapter is the perfect device for Linux users looking to save USB port space.
Pros
- The slim design makes it very easy to plug into crowded places.
- Works on Linux out of the box with plug-n-play.
- Very affordable.
Cons
- No support for traditional split port audio devices.
3. TechRise USB Audio Adapter
On the lookout for a USB sound card for your Linux box that can deliver good sound without electrical interference? Check out TechRise USB Audio Adapter. It’s armed with protection against electromagnetic audio interference that many USB sound devices are plagued with.
In addition to its excellent electromagnetic protection, the TechRise USB Audio Adapter has dual 3.5 mm headphone ports (Mic/Output), and plug-in-play support for the entire Linux platform. It’ll even work on the Raspberry Pi!
Suffice it to say; the TechRise USB Audio Adapter is pretty impressive. If you’re a Linux user in need of a good sound card that delivers crystal clear USB audio, give this one a go!
Pros
- Protection against electromagnetic audio interference.
- Corded design means that it can be inserted into USB ports without crowding out other devices.
- It is confirmed to work with the Raspberry Pi.
Cons
- No support for combo-port audio devices.
4. Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter
In need of an affordable USB sound card for your Linux PC? Take a look at the Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter. It’s a traditional USB sound adapter that supports Linux via plug-n-play. It has two dedicated 3.5 mm sound ports (Mic and Headphones) and is completely powered by the USB bus.
The Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter does not offer any special electrical suppression features, USB ports, or support for fancy combo-port audio hardware, and the outer shell of the device is plastic rather than aluminum which helps bring down the price.
If you’re on a budget and need a USB sound card for your Linux computer, look no further than this device. The Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter will get the job done.
Pros
- Very affordable.
- Works on Linux via plug-n-play with no drivers required.
Cons
- No support for combo-port audio devices.
- The stubby design may crowd out other connected USB devices.
5. UGREEN USB Audio Adapter
One of the many reasons people turn to USB sound cards is that the built-in sound cards they have do not do a good enough job delivering their microphone audio. If you’re sick of having to edit out background noise from your built-in sound card on Linux, switch to the UGREEN USB Audio Adapter, it has a built-in noise reduction chip that is sure to make the microphone audio on your Linux PC crystal clear!
UGREEN USB Audio Adapter has two 3.5 mm sound ports (Mic and Headphones), which is very much standard for USB sound cards. However, it differentiates itself by offering up support for a wide variety of devices. Not only does it work on Linux, Windows, and Mac. You’ll also be able to use this adapter on Chromebook and even the PlayStation 4!
If you’re in the market for a USB sound card that has great noise reduction and great device support, do yourself a favor and give the UGREEN USB Audio Adapter a try.
Pros
- Long USB cable allows users to fit the sound card in with other devices without crowding.
- The built-in background noise reduction chip delivers clearer audio.
- Supports a wide variety of devices outside of Linux, including the PS4.
Cons
- No support for combo-port audio devices.
Conclusion
In this list, we went over 5 USB sound cards that have great Linux support. Still, these 5 USB sound cards aren’t the only ones out there on the market. What is your favorite USB sound card to use with Linux? Let us know in the comment section below!
I would like to be able to use a Steinberg UR22C external sound card with Audacity on a Google Pixelbook. The Pixelbook sees the card and it work as an input/output device. However Audacity on the Pixelbook doesn’t see any input or output devices including the built in speakers and microphone.
Good article… though could you either update this one or write another with instructions, or pointers to instructions, on how to configure one’s Linux system to use them?