1. The quick list
2. Our top pick
3. Best small amp
4. Best for bass
5. Best desktop amp
6. Best for gaming
7. Best premium amp
8. Buying advice
If you’re looking for more devil in your musical detail, picking up one of the best headphone amps around is going to help drive your music and take it to the next level. Even a low cost portable headphone amp has the potential to dramatically improve your private listening, providing your headphones with more power and precision than a smartphone on its own ever could.
For home listening, a dedicated headphone amp connected to your laptop, tablet or phone will often outperform a speaker-based system available for a fraction of the price – and leave you more floor space to spread out your vinyl, CDs, editions of Classic Rock magazine and your collection of band merch.
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The quick list
iFi Audio say the ZEN Air Blue can pump out 25 x the power of a regular smartphone to send your listening levels into the stratosphere. It's a neat piece of kit too, has three input options - and you can give the bass a bit of a boost!
The Mojo 2 is a little more expensive than some on the list, but it's a serious performer and is presented in a nice, small package. Battery life weighs in around 8 hours and will lift your music beautifully.
Another shout out to iFi Audio for the Hip-dac. It's a high performing headphone amp that has two outputs and a USB input. There's also a PowerMatch mode which optimises audio delivery and bass boost tool, XBass.
We're all for portable headphone amps to boost our music on the go, but if you're after something for home use, the Topping DX3 Pro is just the ticket. The in-built AKM DAC chip drives hi-res audio, has Bluetooth support and digital display.
If you're a console gamer and want to boost your audio for long sessions Elden Ring, this is the headphone amp for you. It boasts a 32-bit 384kHz DAC and also supports 7.1 virtual audio from your PS5, Xbox or Nintendo Switch.
Cambridge Audio have done it again - this time in the shape of the DacMagic 200M - a combi system which brings together a headphone amp and quality desktop DAC. It's a great bit of kit - although it's one of the more expensive options.
The Louder choice
✅ Buy if you want one of the best: This amp will give your music a must-needed boost thanks to four-stage gain control - and it looks the part too
❌ Avoid if you want Bluetooth: As neat as the iFi ZEN Air Blue is, there's not in-built Bluetooth.
UK-based iFi Audio says its Zen Can headphone amp offers 25x the power output of a typical smartphone. Using Class A amplification, and boasting stuff like ceramic capacitors and MELF resistors, it’s clear there’s a lot going on inside this diminutive unit.
We just know we dig the design, and love the way iFi Audio makes stuff sound.
There are three inputs - a 3.5mm jack, stereo phonos and 4.4mm Pentaconn - so it’s pretty versatile. The Zen Can offers a choice of balanced and unbalanced outputs, so you can confidently pair it with higher-end head-fi.
There’s also switchable XBass, a booster if your own headphones don’t drop deep enough.
Other niceties include a four stage gain control, to precisely match the Zen Can to your headphones. This means you can eke out more volume, without going into distortion, which is obviously something we approve of.
There’s no Bluetooth on board, although you could partner it with iFi Audio’s matching Zen Blue component if you feel the need.
Best small amp
✅ Buy if you want a pocket-size amp with power: Excellent battery life, a handy size and a fistful of power, the Mojo 2 is a serious contender that'll ramp up your favourite sounds
❌ Avoid if you're on a budget: The Mojo 2 certainly performs beautifully, but that comes with a fairly hefty price tag.
The Mojo 2 might come in a little pricer than some headphone amps, but it's excellent performance and handy size make it a serious contender. It's analytical of tone, but never dry or dull to listen to, and it’s unflinchingly dynamic, sledgehammer riffs landing unerringly on the chin.
It’s also able to drive a wide variety of quality headphones, with plenty of volume. True to form, it features a high-grade aluminium case and Chord’s idiosyncratic control spheres. The power button illuminates with different hues, depending on the sampling rate of the input signal. Battery life is a solid eight hours.
Pricey, but borderline perfect.
Best for bass
✅ Buy if you want an amp with some serious bass: If bass is your thing, then the iFi Audio Hip-dac is for you thanks to its XBass functionality.
❌ Avoid if bass isn't a concern: Many people prefer treble-focused audio delivery and if that describes you, look elsewhere.
It may be styled after a hip flask, but the Hip-dac from iFi Audio is as sober as it gets. This compact headphone amp and DAC is easy to carry, and boasts some seriously high grade tech.
A Burr-Brown DAC makes the most of all key audio formats, including PCM, DSD and MQA, with sampling rates that go up to eleven (or more specifically, 384kHz),
Usability is good too, thanks to a dinky rotary volume control. Connectivity includes a USB input and two outputs, a standard 3.5mm socket and a Pentaconn 4.4mm.
If you favour over-ear headphones, there’s a PowerMatch mode which optimises its output, while XBass, a user-selectable bass boost tool, ripens low frequencies without damaging the mid-range.
Battery life lasts around eight hours. We think it’s a steal for the money.
Best desktop amp
✅ Buy if you want a tidy headphone amp for the home: If portability isn't an issue, then the Topping DX3 Pro is a great choice. It's a great home option for lifting your music
❌ Avoid if you want a boost for music on the go: Those looking for a practical on-the-go amp are better served elsewhere.
This rugged headphone amp will give your headphones a high fidelity lift without putting undue strain on your pocket. Designed for desktop at-home use, it comes with a remote control for easy volume control, and offers a range of tasty features.
There’s Bluetooth built-in (v5.0) with support for aptX-HD and LDAC, and unlike most every other headphone amp and DAC we’ve seen of this size, there’s a clear on-body status display too. High-res audio support is good, up to DSD512 - Topping is using an AKM DAC chip inside.
Input options cover coaxial and optical digital audio, plus USB. There’s also a stereo analogue output. With a decent power output, and adjustable gain, it’s good for a wide range of headphones.
You might say this Topping is pure cream.
Best for gaming
✅ Buy if you're a gamer who wants more audio oomph: Gaming + headphones + Creative Sound Blaster X G6 = awesome audio. Definitely worth a closer look if you love your console gaming.
❌ Avoid if want voice communication: While these deliver excellent audio for gamers, there's no voice comm support for multi-player sessions.
The Sound BlasterX G6 from Creative is a headphone amp and gaming DAC, designed principally to upgrade the audio from games consoles. A wacky combo? Not if you listen to metal playlists on Spotify while perfecting Mortal Kombat fatalities!
The G6 boasts a Creative-designed Xamp amplifier module with adjustable gain control, to drive both in-ear monitors and audiophile over-ears. A 32-bit 384kHz DAC ensures you're always listening to the highest fidelity.
Outputs include a 3.5mm headphone jack, mic socket and optical output, along with a digital optical input and Micro-USB (which works with consoles but not smartphones).
Unlike other headphone amp DAC units in this roundup, this Sound BlasterX supports 7.1 virtual audio from your PlayStation, Xbox or Switch, using Sound Blaster’s proprietary surround sound encoder.
We particularly like Scout Mode, which enhances in-game audio cues (like footsteps), theoretically giving an edge on opponents. So even when you’re playing Call Of Duty to Sabaton, they won’t hear you coming.
Best premium amp
✅ Buy if you want a top-end option: Sure, it costs more than some other headphone amps, but we're pretty sure you'll be delighted what this headphone amp can deliver..
❌ Avoid if you want something cheaper: This is a headphone amp that'll appear to audiophiles more than those who simply want a decent audio boost.
Both a dedicated headphone amplifier and a system defining desktop DAC, this combi from Cambridge Audio is a great upgrade for headphones, laptop and Hi-Fi components for the price.
The DacMagic 200M uses twin ESS ES9028Q2M DACs, coupled to some clever audio upscaling, to improve the quality of streaming services.
Connectivity is versatile, with digital optical, digital coaxial and USB inputs, plus USB for your laptop. There’s a 6.3mm headphone output on the front fascia. Outputs include both optical and coaxial digital outputs, along with analogue stereo and XLR - and it features Bluetooth aptX.
Buying Advice
So what exactly is a headphone amp, and how do you use one?
A headphone amp is essentially a power amplifier designed to drive headphones rather than loudspeakers. They can be small, light and utilise either a single amplifier chip, or embrace a more audiophile approach, with a separate output stage and premium componentry.
Consequently, they come in all shapes and sizes, from small portable pocket units, to more traditional looking Hi-Fi kit.
A headphone amp sits between your source component and your headphones. Depending on the inputs available, you’ll be able to connect anything from a smartphone or laptop, to CD player and one of the best record players. It’ll then amplify the source to drive your headphones.
Some offer Bluetooth connectivity, for convenience, others don’t.
The question is, do you need a headphone amp at all? If all your listening is done on wireless headphones, save your money for cheap vinyl records and gig tickets. That said, if you really like the idea of a headphone amp, read our guide to the best audiophile headphones, and then jump on board.
Many headphone amps also have a DAC (digital to analog converter) built-in, another big sonic upgrade, and some offer additional functionality (but let’s not concern ourselves too much about that).
Buy the best headphone amp for the job, one that will match both your cans and how you intend to use them. Connectivity can also be a minefield, so double check before you write that cheque.
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