If you’re looking for the best portable amplifier, you’ve come to the right place. In this buying guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know before making your purchase. We’ll cover why you might need a portable amp and which type of headphones work best with them. Plus, we’ll give you some tips on factors to consider before making your purchase. So, whether you’re a first-time buyer or just looking for a refresher, read on for all the information you need!
The Best Portable Amplifiers
1. FiiO A3 Portable Headphone Amplifier (Black)
The FiiO A3 Portable Headphone Amplifier is perfect for anyone looking for a boost in sound quality. This amplifier has a discrete bass boost circuit that increases output by 3.5dB at 60Hz, making it perfect for boosting the sound of low-end frequencies. It also has a sturdy all-aluminum body and chassis that helps to shield against EM interference. Plus, its 1400mAh internal battery can provide up to 16 hours of use on a single charge.
Features:
- Brand: FiiO
- Color: Black
- Model Name: Kilimanjaro 2
- Item Weight: 92 Grams
- Material: Aluminum
Pros
- Powerful amplifier for your headphones
- Gain switch to match output to headphone power needs
- Great for people who want to listen to music on the go
- Shields against EM interference
- Enjoy up to 16 hours of use on a single charge
Cons
- None
2. iFi Hip-DAC Portable Balanced DAC Headphone Amplifier for Android, iPhone with USB Input
iFi Audio’s Hip-DAC is a portable, balanced DAC headphone amplifier. With its direct connection to your smartphone via USB input, it offers unmatched convenience and versatility. The Hip-DAC features 400 mW max power output from the onboard amplifier for superior music playback quality.
Features:
- Switchable gain
- XBASS enhances bass without muddying the mid-range
- Balanced HP 4.5mm and 3.5 mm
- USB C balanced
Pros
- Portable for Androids and iPhones
- Features up to 6 hrs of battery life and a slim, lightweight design perfect for carrying in your pocket
- Direct connection to your smartphone via USB input provides superior music playback quality
- Enjoy the sound of your music with no distortion
Cons
- Battery life may not be as good
3. Proster Portable Headphone amp 3.5mm Stereo Audio Out
This portable headphone amp from Proster is perfect for enhancing your listening experience. A 1500mA rechargeable lithium battery offers up to 8 hours of playback after a full charge and comes with a 1.1m USB charging cable for easy charging on the go. It has an aluminum alloy shell that shields and reduces signal interference and features heat resistance for added durability.
Features:
- HiFi Headphone Amplifier
- Personality Stereo
- 1500mA rechargeable lithium battery for continuous 8 hours usage
- Charging indicator for power checking
- Volume control knob
- Aluminum alloy shell
- Compact and portable
Pros
- Achieves better sound quality from your headphones
- Impedance is adjustable to work with any headphones
- 3.5mm stereo audio output makes it easy to connect to any device
- 8 hours battery life on a single charge
Cons
- None
4. eSynic Headphone Amplifier Portable Amp
The eSynic headphone amplifier has a two-stage gain switch. The first stage is the low gain mode, suitable for a wide range of headphones and earphones. The second stage is the high gain mode, which is more effective for high impedance headphones or earphones. A rechargeable lithium battery with 1000mah capacity allows it to work for more than 8 hours. This amplifier also comes with a 1.2m USB Cable and 2pcs audio cable.
Features:
- Lithium battery capacity: 1000mAH
- Amp using time: More than 8 hours
- Amp battery voltage: DC3.7V – 4V
- Amp internal working voltage: ±4V
- SNR: SNR>100Db
- THD+N: THD+N 0.0003%
- Output Power: 40Mw in Impedance 16Ω
- Adapted Headphone Impedance: 16-300Ω
Pros
- Provides a high-fidelity listening experience
- Portable and lightweight design
- Small and portable, so it’s perfect for traveling
- Has a low noise floor, meaning you can enjoy your music without any annoying background noise
Cons
- Not ideal for car stereo playback/amplification
5. Neoteck Portable 3.5mm Headphone Amplifier with Bluetooth 5.0 Receiver
It has a two-stage gain switch, so you can adjust the volume according to your needs. This amplifier can be used both as an external sound card and a headphone amplifier. This means that it can boost the audio signals from your devices (such as computers, mobile phones, or MP3 players) and send them through 3.5mm cables to headphones or speakers for a better listening experience. You can also use it as an external sound card for your PC/Laptop/Mac.
Features:
- Adapted Headphone Impedance: 16-150Ω
- THD+N: 0.0003%
- Lithium battery capacity: 1500mAH
- Amp using time: more than 8 hours
- Bluetooth decoding mode: SBC, AAC
- Bluetooth protocol: A2DP V1.3.1, AVRCP V1.6, HFP V1.7, HSP V1.2
- Bluetooth distance Max : 26ft/ 8m
- Amp battery voltage: DC 3.7V – 4V
- Amp internal working voltage: ±4V
Pros
- Can be used with any headphones of high impedance
- Signal-to-noise ratio is excellent
- Can be used as an external sound card for your PC/Laptop/Mac
- 3.5mm audio connection
Cons
- Some songs lose quality during playback, and it can be an issue over time
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Portable Amplifier
Before you buy a portable amplifier, consider the following factors:
Battery Life
The length of time that batteries last varies between models. Some can provide up to 24 hours of continuous use on a single charge, while others require frequent charging sessions every few hours or less. It really depends on how often they’re being used at full capacity.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
This refers to how much noise there is compared with intentional sounds coming from the amplifier. Suppose there’s a lot of static or other interference present in your audio setup. In that case, it may be worth investing in an amplifier with higher SNR ratings because this will reduce unwanted noises that could negatively affect your listening experience. A higher SNR rating means that higher values will translate into better audio quality and less distortion.
Weight and Size
Amplifiers can vary significantly in weight and size, so it’s essential to find one that is comfortable to carry around with you, especially if you plan to take it outside of the home. Some are small enough to fit into a pocket, while others may require a bag or case for transport. Just be sure to measure how much space it will take up beforehand to avoid any surprises later on.
THD
THD stands for Total Harmonic Distortion. This is the amount of noise that a portable amplifier produces when it’s playing back music at different frequencies. The lower this number is, the better quality your audio will be. For example, if an amplifier has 0% THD, you won’t hear any distortion in your music even if you’re listening to it at a high volume.
Impedance Level
Impedance refers to how much current can flow through an electrical device without causing damage or reducing its performance. Higher values indicate better resistance, while lower ones mean more risk of damage over time due to wear and tear from constant use at total capacity, which may eventually result in irreversible loss of functionality.
Headphones come in different impedance levels, so you must check the specs of both your amplifier and headphones to ensure compatibility. Generally speaking, if the impedance level of your headphones is lower than that of the amplifier, you’ll be able to get away with using a model with lower power output (wattage) without any problems.
Frequency Response
This refers to the range of frequencies that an amplifier can reproduce accurately. The lower limit is “cutoff frequency,” while higher limits define how much high-frequency detail can be heard. In other words, it’s possible for some devices like headphones or speakers to have wide ranges on their specs sheets (for example, 20 Hz – 20000 Hz), but not all sound sources will contain information below 20 kHz (i.e., Audible).
Sensitivity
Sensitivity refers to how loud a portable amplifier will be when playing back music at the full volume level. Generally speaking, if you plan to use your device outside, it may be worth investing in one with higher sensitivity since this means less distortion from background noise and a more consistent listening experience.
Amplifier Wattage
This is how much power the device outputs which is essential to consider if you have high-impedance headphones that need more juice to run optimally. If you’re unsure about what impedance level your headphones fall into, consult the manufacturer’s website or check out our blog post on choosing the right pair of headphones.
Inputs and Outputs
Inputs are what type of cables or connections can be used with an amplifier (e.g., headphone jack, USB). Outputs refer to how much power a portable device puts out when playing back music at the full volume level depending on impedance level and sensitivity settings.
Type of Use
If you plan to use your amplifier in a noisy environment like an airplane or car, it may be worth investing in one with higher sensitivity since this means less distortion from background noise and a more consistent listening experience.
Portability
Some people prefer their portable amplifiers to just be generally lightweight, while others want them small enough to fit into pockets so that they don’t have to carry around anything extra when traveling. If portability isn’t as big of a concern, look for models with a built-in battery to last longer and offer more flexibility while being used out on the go.
Build Quality
This is especially important if you plan on using your portable amplifier frequently and/or outdoors where it may be more susceptible to accidental damage. It’s also nice to have a model with extra features like NFC for one-touch pairing with compatible devices or an integrated DAC (digital-to-analog converter), which improves audio quality when listening from digital sources.
Gain
Gain refers to how much power the device outputs, which is essential to consider if you have high-impedance headphones that need more juice to run optimally.
Conclusion
There you have it! These are some of the main factors that you’ll want to consider when choosing the best portable amplifier for your needs. We hope this guide was helpful, and please feel free to leave any questions or comments below!