5 Best Portable Headphone Amp in 2024

When we talk about music, it’s hard not to associate headphones with it, especially in the current scenario, we most certainly need the best portable headphone amp. However, given the amount of work that goes into making headphones better marketable to the consumers, people are missing out on good quality audio. However, there are ways to gain back control over the audio quality of your headphones. You can do this using headphone amps that plug into your phone or computer, and then provide a filtered and clean version of the audio, with the ability to enrich bass, treble and other metrics.

Prominent among headphone amps are portable versions that can be carried around anywhere and mostly work on batteries (rechargeable or otherwise). These are extremely handy if you’re an audiophile and would love to listen to the real sound of the music rather than get a compressed version through your phone or computer’s software. Headphone amps basically have independent sound cards and hence give you better audio quality compared to standard connectivity.

So if you’re in the market for a decent portable headphone amp, this list should help you out.

More on The Best Portable Headphone Amp

1) Creative Sound Blaster E5

Creative is no stranger to audio equipment and has established years of dominance in the market through Creative Labs. The company makes headphones, speakers and even amplifiers for your headphones, allowing you to get superior and refined sound each time. It also comes with two microphones on board as well as dedicated ports for external mics, giving you the ability to record as well.

It also sports two 3.55mm headphone jacks, a micro USB port and standard USB A port for added connectivity options. It comes with a rechargeable battery, so you’re not required to stack up on replacement batteries. You can also charge this amplifier over a USB connection to a PC or laptop. Moreover, this amp comes with Bluetooth and NFC on board, allowing for a seamless one touch pairing mechanism with your phone. For the kind of features it comes with, this is easily one of the best portable headphone amps you can get right now.

2) Oppo HA-2

If you thought Oppo only made phones, well, you’re wrong. This handy portable headphone amp comes with a ton of features on board and comes for a fraction of the price without sacrificing on its core functions. Thanks to USB connectivity on board, this can also be used as a power bank for your smartphones and tablets. However, the power bank functionality might not come to good use for all devices given that it only has a capacity of 3,000 mAh. Given the versatile design and functionality, the amp is compatible with PCs, Macs, Android as well as iOS devices.

It runs on a rechargeable battery which only requires about 90 minutes of charging to hit 100%. The amp can last for about 13 hours if you’re using a connection through the 3.5mm headphone jack. But if you use a USB connection, the battery won’t last more than 7 hours. In terms of design, the HA-2 comes with a premium leather holster/cover, keeping the amplifier safe from scratches or damage. Customer reviews are fairly positive with over 72% giving it a five star rating. Be sure to check it out.

3) Sony PHA1A

Sony is a well known company in the audio industry, not to mention the company’s accomplishments in the home entertainment business. This small headphone amp is packed with a bunch of features and runs on a rechargeable battery. The design leaves a lot to be desired, but that shouldn’t be a concern for those strictly seeking a solid performer in terms of audio quality. My favorite feature here is the amp’s lightweight body, making it easy to fit it into your pocket or bag. The PHA1A comes with Wolfson DAC w/separate operational and headphone amps on board.

It’s pretty small in stature, which means it can only accommodate one 3.5mm headphone jack while some offer two. It comes with a rechargeable battery, which can last for up to 6 hours on a full charge. Other features like Bluetooth and NFC are missing here, so you’re limited to using wired headphones with this product. Given the quality it promises, this is also one of the most expensive amps on this list. Over 70% of the customers gave this product five stars on Amazon, which should help you make the decision.

4) FiiO A3

FiiO has multiple headphone amps in the market, but this gets the nod for its attractive design and portable nature. The company mentions that this is ideal for headphones ranging from 16 to 150 ohms. It also comes with a dedicated bass boost circuit which increases output by up to 3.5dB at 60Hz. Elaborating more on the design we mentioned above, this particular amp comes with an aluminum body, giving it that classy look while also adding durability to the mix.

It packs a 1,400 mAh battery under the hood, allowing a run time of up to 16 hours on a single charge, which is unprecedented among portable headphone amps. Understandably, customers rate this product very highly for the quality it provides.

5) ONKYO

This is a decent alternative to some of the expensive headphone amps available in the market today. It comes with a sleek design and decent controls to significantly enhance the quality of your music. It comes with a rechargeable lithium ion battery which can last for up to 8 hours on a single charge. This offering by Onkyo charges from 0-100% within a few hours, so it is recommended to charge it after each day’s use.

It also comes with a master volume control, allowing you to adjust the volume of your music accordingly. You can further enhance the performance of the amp using the Onkyo HF Player app available on the Google Play Store. It’s a free app and can complement your Onkyo headphone amp pretty well. Even though it’s a relatively new product in the market, it has received very favorable reviews from users. Keeping this in mind, be sure to check it out.