Magnetic DACs: MagSafe Options for Your Phone

USB-C DACs with magnetic attachment are beginning to gain popularity. This is due to the ease with which they can be attached to the back of Android smartphones or iPhones, improving the user experience. However, magnetic portable DACs do not support wireless battery charging, as MagSafe on Apple smartphones serves only as an attachment mechanism in this context.

Despite the lack of wireless charging, users have responded positively to DACs with rear-mounted magnets or cases equipped with magnets. This article presents the best magnetic DAC options.

Types of magnetic attachment used by portable DACs

Portable DAC manufacturers have not adopted a single standard for magnetically attaching “dongle DACs” to the back of smartphones. Some models have magnets built into the device itself, while others use accessories to attach to the back of a phone.

Although most accessories use magnetic rings for MagSafe compatibility, some models use a different shape. In these cases, a dedicated magnetic base is required and is included with the accessory. Note that accessories designed to magnetically attach portable DACs may be included in the product packaging or sold separately.

It is important to mention that portable DACs with magnetic attachment systems built into their enclosures typically come with a magnetic ring. This ring-shaped magnet enables use with Android smartphones, which do not have MagSafe.

Magnetic DACs are available with and without internal batteries

Although most portable DACs with magnetic attachment do not have an internal battery, some models do. This is beneficial because the portable DAC draws power from its own battery instead of draining the smartphone’s battery.

Dedicated USB power port

Some portable DACs have a USB-C port dedicated to power input. This allows users to charge their smartphone’s battery while listening to music. However, this solution may be less portable than models with an internal battery, as it requires connecting a power bank.

Bluetooth audio reception

Some portable DACs with magnetic attachment can receive audio via Bluetooth in addition to receiving data through the USB-C port. This capability provides greater versatility when using these DAC/amps.

List of the best magnetic USB-C DACs (dongles) for headphones

The list of the best magnetic USB-C DACs (dongles) for headphones in 2026 is organized by price range. See below.

Magnetic USB-C DACs (dongles) for headphones in the US$100 price range

1 – Khadas Tea

• App: Yes
• Battery life: 8 hours
• Bluetooth receiver: Yes
• Current price: US$87.96
• DAC: ESS ES9281ACPRO
• Dedicated USB power port: No
• Detachable USB cable: Yes
• Dimensions: 95.5 × 63.8 × 7.95 mm
• Display: No
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm only
• Internal battery: Yes
• Magnetic attachment accessory included in the box: None
• Magnetic attachment type: Built-in magnetic ring (MagSafe-compatible)
• Microphone support: No
• Output power: 165 mW into 32 Ω through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output
• Parametric equalizer (PEQ): No
• Physical buttons: Yes (power and volume)
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: No
• Supported Bluetooth codecs: SBC/AAC/LDAC/aptX/aptX Low Latency/aptX HD
• UAC 1.0 support: No
• Weight: 73.5 g
• Where to buy: Official Khadas store on AliExpress

Magnetic USB-C DACs (dongles) for headphones in the US$150 price range

1 – ddHiFi TC44Grip

• App: Yes
• Battery life: Not applicable
• Bluetooth receiver: No
• Current price: US$166.99
• DAC: Cirrus Logic CS43198
• Dedicated USB power port: Yes
• Detachable USB cable: No
• Dimensions: 30.4 × 12.4 × 17 mm
• Display: No
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm
• Internal battery: No
• Magnetic attachment accessory included in the box: Rectangular magnetic base with double-sided adhesive tape.
• Magnetic attachment type: Proprietary rectangular magnetic system
• Microphone support: Yes (through the 3.5 mm output)
• Output power: 80 mW into 32 Ω through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output and 330 mW into 32 Ω through the 4.4 mm balanced output
• Parametric equalizer (PEQ): No
• Physical buttons: No
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: Yes
• Supported Bluetooth codecs: None
• UAC 1.0 support: Yes
• Weight: 11 g
• Where to buy: Official ddHiFi store on AliExpress

2 – Fosi MD3

• App: No
• Battery life: Not applicable
• Bluetooth receiver: No
• Current price: US$149.99
• DAC: ESS ES9039Q2M
• Dedicated USB power port: Yes
• Detachable USB cable: Yes
• Dimensions: 70 × 45 × 12 mm
• Display: Yes
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm
• Internal battery: No
• Magnetic attachment accessory included in the box: Magnetic ring for Android smartphones
• Magnetic attachment type: Built-in magnetic ring (MagSafe-compatible)
• Microphone support: No
• Output power: 80 mW into 32 Ω through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output and 180 mW into 32 Ω through the 4.4 mm balanced output
• Parametric equalizer (PEQ): No
• Physical buttons: Yes (volume and menu)
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: Yes
• Supported Bluetooth codecs: None
• UAC 1.0 support: Yes
• Weight: 50 g
• Where to buy: Official Fosi store on AliExpress

Magnetic USB-C DACs (dongles) for headphones in the US$200 price range

1 – FiiO QX13

• App: Yes
• Battery life: Not applicable
• Bluetooth receiver: No
• Current price: US$223.51
• DAC: ESS ES9027SPRO
• Dedicated USB power port: Yes
• Detachable USB cable: Yes
• Dimensions: 64.2 × 30.7 × 13 mm
• Display: Yes
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm
• Internal battery: No
• Magnetic attachment accessory included in the box: Case with curved magnets
• Magnetic attachment type: Magnets in the included case
• Microphone support: No
• Output power: 310 mW into 32 Ω through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output and 900 mW into 32 Ω through the 4.4 mm balanced output
• Parametric equalizer (PEQ): No
• Physical buttons: Yes (desktop mode switch)
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: Yes
• Supported Bluetooth codecs: None
• UAC 1.0 support: Yes
• Weight: 39.2 g
• Where to buy: Official FiiO store on AliExpress

2 – Khadas Tea Pro

• App: Yes
• Battery life: 11 hours via Bluetooth and 8 hours via USB-C
• Bluetooth receiver: Yes
• Current price: US$199
• DAC: ESS ES9039Q2M
• Dedicated USB power port: No
• Detachable USB cable: Yes
• Dimensions: 102.7 × 64.0 × 7.85 mm
• Display: Yes
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm
• Internal battery: Yes
• Magnetic attachment accessory included in the box: None
• Magnetic attachment type: Built-in magnetic ring (MagSafe-compatible)
• Microphone support: Yes
• Output power: 120 mW into 32 Ω through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output and 165 mW into 32 Ω through the 4.4 mm balanced output
• Parametric equalizer (PEQ): No
• Physical buttons: Yes (power, menu, and volume)
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: No
• Supported Bluetooth codecs: SBC/AAC/LDAC/aptX/aptX HD/aptX Adaptive
• UAC 1.0 support: Yes
• Weight: 96 g
• Where to buy: Official Khadas store on AliExpress

Magnetic USB-C DACs (dongles) for headphones in the US$300 price range

1 – iBasso DC-Tonfa

• App: Yes
• Battery life: Not applicable
• Bluetooth receiver: No
• Current price: US$322.84
• DAC: Eight-channel R2R DAC developed in-house by iBasso
• Dedicated USB power port: No
• Detachable USB cable: Yes
• Dimensions: 61 × 34.6 × 15 mm
• Display: Yes
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm
• Internal battery: No
• Magnetic attachment accessory included in the box: Magnetic case
• Magnetic attachment type: Through a case with magnets
• Microphone support: No
• Output power: 219 mW into 32 Ω through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output and 800 mW into 32 Ω through the 4.4 mm balanced output
• Parametric equalizer (PEQ): Yes
• Physical buttons: Yes (knob for volume adjustment and menu navigation)
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: No
• Supported Bluetooth codecs: None
• UAC 1.0 support: Yes
• Weight: 45 g
• Where to buy: Official iBasso store on AliExpress

2 – NiPO COCOM I

• App: No
• Battery life: Not applicable
• Bluetooth receiver: No
• Current price: US$301.45
• DAC: AKM AK4493SEQ
• Dedicated USB power port: Yes
• Detachable USB cable: Yes
• Dimensions: 6 × 4.1 × 0.6 cm
• Display: Yes
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm
• Internal battery: No
• Magnetic attachment accessory included in the box: Magnetic plate with double-sided adhesive tape
• Magnetic attachment type: Built-in magnetic ring (MagSafe-compatible)
• Microphone support: Yes
• Output power: 125 mW into 32 Ω through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output and 500 mW into 32 Ω through the 4.4 mm balanced output
• Parametric equalizer (PEQ): No
• Physical buttons: Yes (volume and menu)
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: Yes
• Supported Bluetooth codecs: None
• UAC 1.0 support: No
• Weight: 28 g
• Where to buy: Victory Audio store on AliExpress

Magnetic USB-C DACs (dongles) for headphones in the US$400 price range

1 – NiPO A100

• App: No
• Battery life: 13 hours
• Bluetooth receiver: No
• Current price: US$425.25
• DAC: ESS ES9039Q2M
• Dedicated USB power port: No
• Detachable USB cable: Yes
• Dimensions: 94.5 × 61 × 10.8 mm
• Display: No
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm
• Internal battery: Yes
• Magnetic attachment accessory included in the box: Magnetic plate with double-sided adhesive tape
• Magnetic attachment type: Built-in magnetic ring (MagSafe-compatible)
• Microphone support: No
• Output power: 125 mW into 32 Ω through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output and 525 mW into 32 Ω through the 4.4 mm balanced output
• Parametric equalizer (PEQ): No
• Physical buttons: Yes (power, volume, and gain)
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: No
• Supported Bluetooth codecs: None
• UAC 1.0 support: No
• Weight: 131 g
• Where to buy: Victory Audio store on AliExpress

Magnetic USB-C DACs (dongles) for headphones in the US$600 price range

1 – NiPO A200Pro

• App: No
• Battery life: 12 hours
• Bluetooth receiver: No
• Current price: US$603.05
• DAC: AKM AK4497SVQ
• Dedicated USB power port: Yes
• Detachable USB cable: Yes
• Dimensions: 93.6 × 60.5 × 11.6 mm
• Display: Yes
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm
• Internal battery: Yes
• Magnetic attachment accessory included in the box: Magnetic plate with double-sided adhesive tape
• Magnetic attachment type: Built-in magnetic ring (MagSafe-compatible)
• Microphone support: No
• Output power: 405 mW into 32 Ω through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output and 1,620 mW into 32 Ω through the 4.4 mm balanced output
• Parametric equalizer (PEQ): No
• Physical buttons: Yes (power, volume, and gain)
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: Yes
• Supported Bluetooth codecs: None
• UAC 1.0 support: Yes
• Weight: 112 g
• Where to buy: Victory Audio store on AliExpress