---
title: "Best Audio Interfaces"
url: "https://mid1.com/category/audio-interfaces"
site: "mid1 (mid1.com)"
---

# Best Audio Interfaces

A MIDI controller sends note data. An audio interface is the other half of the room: it turns a microphone, a guitar or a synth output into audio your DAW can actually record, and it drives the headphones and monitors you judge that recording on. Almost everyone buying a first controller needs one of these within a few months, and the honest buying question is not converter quality, which is genuinely good across the board now, but input count, whether the preamps have enough gain for the mic you own, and how stable the drivers are on your machine at a low buffer size.

We track 31 audio interfaces and check their prices weekly.

Ordered by our own picks first, then by Amazon rating weighted by review count. Every product we track in this category is listed.

## Top picks

- [Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface for Guitarists](https://mid1.com/product/focusrite-scarlett-solo-3rd-gen-usb-audio-interface-for-guitarists-vocalists-podcasters-or-producers-to-record-and-playback-studio-quality-sound-b07qr6z1jb): $119.99 observed 2026-09-14. One microphone and one guitar, with the most reviewed interface we track.
- [Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB Audio Interface for Recording](https://mid1.com/product/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-4th-gen-usb-audio-interface-for-recording-songwriting-streaming-and-podcasting-high-fidelity-studio-quality-recording-and-all-the-software-you-need-to-record-b0c5jrts3y): $224.99 observed 2026-09-14. The default two-input interface for a home studio that records people.
- [Behringer UMC22 Audiophile 2x2](https://mid1.com/product/behringer-umc22-audiophile-2x2-48-khz-usb-audio-interface-with-midas-mic-preamplifier-for-recording-microphones-and-instruments-b00ffigzf6): $52.90 observed 2026-09-14. The cheapest interface worth owning.
- [PreSonus Studio 24c 2x2](https://mid1.com/product/presonus-studio-24c-2x2-192-khz-usb-audio-interface-with-studio-one-daw-recording-software-b07l9mwwdk): $169.99 observed 2026-09-07. Two simultaneous inputs at the top of this budget.
- [Universal Audio Volt 276 USB Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/universal-audio-volt-276-usb-audio-interface-b09j1tl1b8): $299 observed 2026-09-14. Getting an analogue compressor and vintage preamp colour before the computer.
- [Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/focusrite-scarlett-solo-4th-gen-usb-audio-interface-for-the-guitarist-vocalist-or-producer-high-fidelity-studio-quality-recording-and-all-the-software-you-need-to-record-1-mic-preamp-1-hi-z-instrument-input-24-bit-192-khz-loopback-usb-c-bus-powered-includes-hitmaker-plus-daw-bundle-b0c5jshp7m): $159.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [PreSonus AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary USB Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/presonus-audiobox-96-25th-anniversary-usb-audio-interface-b08d8r6vfc): $94.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [MOTU M2 USB-C Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/motu-m2-usb-c-audio-interface-b0812b26tn): $199.95 observed 2026-09-01
- [Audient EVO 4 USB Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/audient-evo-4-usb-audio-interface-b084bgc5lr): $139.20 observed 2026-09-01
- [Arturia MiniFuse 1 - Compact USB Audio Interface with Creative Software for Recording](https://mid1.com/product/arturia-minifuse-1-compact-usb-audio-interface-with-creative-software-for-recording-production-podcasting-guitar-white-b09hl4t36f): $104.72 observed 2026-09-01
- [Universal Audio Volt 1 USB Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/universal-audio-volt-1-usb-audio-interface-b09j1v6r6n): $139 observed 2026-09-01
- [Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR-to-USB-C Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/shure-mvx2u-gen-2-xlr-to-usb-c-audio-interface-b0gk2hv2xz): $139 observed 2026-09-01
- [Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen USB Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/focusrite-scarlett-4i4-4th-gen-usb-audio-interface-for-musicians-songwriters-guitarists-content-creators-high-fidelity-studio-quality-recording-and-all-the-software-you-need-to-record-b0c5jmfx6s): $299.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [Audient iD4 USB 2-in/2-out High Performance Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/audient-id4-usb-2-in-2-out-high-performance-audio-interface-b0107yju8q): $299.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [Mackie Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/mackie-audio-interface-onyx-artist-1x2-usb-audio-interface-onyx-artist-1-2-b07664lmpq): $59.95 observed 2026-09-01
- [MAONO PS22 Lite USB Audio Interface for PC for Guitar & Vocals Streaming](https://mid1.com/product/maono-ps22-lite-usb-audio-interface-for-pc-for-guitar-vocals-streaming-b0d9p3y22c): $59.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [TASCAM Mixcast 4 Podcast Streaming Mixer](https://mid1.com/product/tascam-mixcast-4-podcast-streaming-mixer-recorder-and-usb-audio-interface-four-xlr-trs-mic-inputs-touch-screen-and-editing-software-included-b09bd6bc55): $499 observed 2026-09-01
- [Audient EVO 8 USB Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/audient-evo-8-usb-audio-interface-b08dvdjwdt): $247 observed 2026-09-01
- [Solid State Logic SSL 2 MKII - 2x2 USB Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/solid-state-logic-ssl-2-mkii-2x2-usb-audio-interface-b0djck64xx): $229.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [MAONO E2 Gen2 Podcast Equipment Bundle Audio Interface Mixer](https://mid1.com/product/maono-e2-gen2-podcast-equipment-bundle-audio-interface-mixer-b0dj13q47w): $149.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [Audient iD24 USB-C Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/audient-id24-usb-c-audio-interface-b0bttwtlzd): $427.89 observed 2026-09-01
- [M-AUDIO M-Track Duo HD Audio Interface 24bit 192kHz for Recording](https://mid1.com/product/m-audio-m-track-duo-hd-audio-interface-24bit-192khz-for-recording-streaming-podcasting-with-usb-c-2-xlr-trs-inputs-2-trs-outputs-software-suite-b0f2gcsbjl): $99 observed 2026-09-01
- [Audio Interface USB Audio Interface with Mic Preamplifier USB Audio Mixer Recorder with 48V Phantom Power](https://mid1.com/product/audio-interface-usb-audio-interface-with-mic-preamplifier-usb-audio-mixer-recorder-with-48v-phantom-power-24-bit-support-tablet-computers-and-other-equipment-recording-no-daw-software-included-b08kg4z2cg): $89.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [RØDE X Streamer X Professional Integrated Audio Interface and 4K Video Capture Card with XLR](https://mid1.com/product/r-de-x-streamer-x-professional-integrated-audio-interface-and-4k-video-capture-card-with-xlr-hdmi-and-trrs-connectivity-for-streaming-gaming-and-content-creation-b0bqm2cl1w): $219 observed 2026-09-01
- [Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen 2x2 USB Audio Interface Bundle with 2 H&A 6' XLR Cables](https://mid1.com/product/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-4th-gen-2x2-usb-audio-interface-bundle-with-2-h-a-6-xlr-cables-b0cc9znzzk): $224 observed 2026-09-01
- [Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen USB Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/focusrite-scarlett-18i20-4th-gen-usb-audio-interface-for-multitrack-recording-music-production-and-podcasting-high-fidelity-studio-quality-recording-and-all-the-software-you-need-to-record-b0d7yfnmrg): $749.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [Synido USB C Audio Interface for Recording Music](https://mid1.com/product/synido-usb-c-audio-interface-for-recording-music-streaming-podcasting-with-xlr-line-input-24bit-48khz-48v-phantom-power-2-channel-silver-b0dr2shsd3): $39.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [MAONO P2 Hybrid USB Audio Interface Dual XLR for PC Phone iPad Guitar](https://mid1.com/product/maono-p2-hybrid-usb-audio-interface-dual-xlr-for-pc-phone-ipad-guitar-b0gxhbvzcb): $119.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [BlueAVS USB Audio Interface](https://mid1.com/product/blueavs-usb-audio-interface-2-in-4-out-audio-interface-with-2-xlr-trs-combo-inputs-24bit-192khz-recording-48v-phantom-power-zero-latency-monitoring-usb-c-for-pc-mac-podcast-guitar-streaming-b0gj5dw9z4): $119.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [MAONO P1 USB Audio Interface with 70dB Gain for PC](https://mid1.com/product/maono-p1-usb-audio-interface-with-70db-gain-for-pc-phone-ipad-guitar-b0gxhq8wv2): $129.99 observed 2026-09-01
- [BEACN Studio USB XLR Audio Interface & Mix Create Mixer – Pro DSP Mic Chain](https://mid1.com/product/beacn-studio-usb-xlr-audio-interface-mix-create-mixer-pro-dsp-mic-chain-dual-pc-usb-c-multi-channel-control-for-streaming-gaming-podcasting-dark-b0ft5vrppc): $409.92 observed 2026-09-01

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need an audio interface if I only make MIDI music?

Not strictly. A controller sends MIDI over USB and your computer plays the software instrument, so nothing has to be recorded as audio. You will still notice a difference in headphone output quality and in round-trip latency, and the moment you want to record a voice, a guitar or a hardware synth, the interface stops being optional.

### How many inputs do I actually need?

Two covers most home setups: one mic and one instrument, or a stereo pair. Buy four or more only if you record more than two sources at the same moment, like a singer and a guitar together, or a drum kit. Extra inputs you never use are cost and desk space, not headroom.

### Does a more expensive interface make my recordings sound better?

Less than the marketing suggests. Above roughly the hundred dollar mark the converters are not what limits a home recording, the room and the microphone placement are. What money buys higher up the range is more inputs, more gain for quiet dynamic microphones, better headphone amps and more reliable drivers.

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Disclosure: mid1 may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to the buyer. Commissions never change our picks.

Source: https://mid1.com/category/audio-interfaces