Best audio interfaces 2024: USB and Thunderbolt options for Mac and PC across every budget

No matter what home recording task you want to undertake, chances are you’ll need an audio interface. These days nearly all musicians do some recording at home, and that’s before we get to podcasting and streaming which is all part of being creative in the modern world. The conduit between your creative ideas and your computer, the best audio interfaces enable you to quickly and easily bring your creations to fruition and share them with the world.

There’s an abundance of interfaces on the market in 2024, so picking the right one for your task can be a tough choice if you don’t know your stuff. Here at MusicRadar, we’ve reviewed countless audio interfaces, which puts us in a great position to recommend the best for any use case. We methodically examine the audio interfaces we review by measuring the noise floor and pushing the gain range to the max, utilizing it in a range of recording scenarios from recording sung vocals, spoken word for podcasting, direct in guitars, as well as traditionally miked-up instruments. This allows us to evaluate whether or not the interface in question is completely suited to the task.

If phrases like ‘dynamic range’ and ‘frequency response’ are alien terms to you, then it’s definitely worth checking out our buying advice section. Here we’ve answered a comprehensive list of questions that will help you to make the right decision when buying an audio interface. If you already know your ADAT from your DAC, keep scrolling to see our top picks…

The quick list

Best for beginners

Best audio interfaces: Audient iD4 MkII

(Image credit: Future)
The best audio interface for first timers

Specifications

Connectivity: USB 2
Audio resolution: 24-bit/96kHz
Analogue inputs: 2
Analogue outputs: 2
Digital connectivity: None
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
Great value for money
+
Excellent preamp
+
Well thought-out

Reasons to avoid

-
Some will want MIDI

Arguably the best audio interface you can buy for less than $200, The iD4 MkII is a simple two-input/two-output offering featuring a mic preamp, complete with phantom power for using condenser mics. You also get an instrument-level DI for plugging in your guitar or bass, plus a smart scroll wheel enabling you to tweak settings in your software. On top of this, there’s a main output for your speakers and dual headphone outputs.

The whole thing is powered via USB-C and, with Apple’s camera connection kit, it can also work with an iPhone/iPad. However, for us the studio devilry is in the detail: Audient has really thought about everything with value and usability in mind, making what is a budget solution feel anything but inexpensive in use. The Audient iD4 MkII is, quite simply, the best USB audio interface we’ve tried at this price for a long time.

Read the full Audient iD4 MkII review

Best budget option

Best audio interfaces: Behringer U-Phoria UMC22

(Image credit: Behringer)

2. Behringer U-Phoria UMC22

The best audio interface for recording on a tight budget

Specifications

Connectivity: USB 2.0
Audio resolution: 24-bit/48kHz
Analogue inputs: 2
Analogue outputs: 2
Digital connectivity: N/A
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
Insane value for money
+
Perfect for beginners
+
MIDAS preamp sounds great

Reasons to avoid

-
No dedicated driver

Considering the cost of the Behringer U-Phoria UMC22, it’s hard to find anything to fault. Of course, while there are better quality preamps or those with more connectivity and features on this list, if you’re on a budget it doesn't come much cheaper than this.

The MIDAS preamp sounds great for recording vocals and guitars, not up to the standards of others in terms of noise floor but nowhere near unusable either. It’ll do a fantastic job for those demoing songs at home or wanting to get simple recordings for various purposes, giving you everything you need with no extra fluff.

One thing that does let it down is the lack of a dedicated driver, so you’ll need to grab a 3rd party driver called ASIO4ALL via Google search to get the best out of it. Doing it this way also means you may only be able to get sound out of one source depending on your setup, which could be limiting for some users. For the cost though, it’s hard to knock what you get for your money here.

Best for Mac

Universal Audio Apollo Twin X on a desk with various recording equipment

(Image credit: Future/Matt McCracken)
The best for audio quality and DSP power

Specifications

Connectivity: Thunderbolt 3
Audio resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
Analogue inputs: 2
Analogue outputs: 4
Digital connectivity: 1 x Optical Toslink (ADAT, S/PDIF)
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
Top-quality mic preamps
+
Portable size
+
Channel DSP pairing

Reasons to avoid

-
No thunderbolt cable included

We're big fans of the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X here at MusicRadar, and this super interface has some incredibly powerful features that will offer a serious upgrade to anyone’s home recording experience. It comes in two formats, Duo and Quad which are named for the amount of DSP processing chips they possess. 

There are two hybrid XLR/jack inputs on the back with an instrument input on the front that overrides one of the back connections. This isn’t too different from any other desktop-based interface here, however, the clever bit is how the Unison preamps are matched with DSP processing. This means you can load in a vintage Neve channel strip which will modify the behavior of the analog input for some uncanny recreations of proper recording studio channels.

The front face of the Apollo Twin X features a huge knob that can be used for volume control of monitors, headphones, and input gain, as well as some handy buttons for phantom power, muting, and various other features. We found it to be an incredibly fleshed-out and powerful recording experience using one of these and combined with the portable size, it’s the perfect interface for taking to and from recording sessions, with the connectivity to grow with you should you choose to invest further in the UA ecosystem.

Read the full Universal Audio Apollo Twin X review

Best for guitar

Best audio interfaces: IK Multimedia AXE IO

(Image credit: Future)
The best audio interface for recording guitars

Specifications

Connectivity: USB 2.0
Audio resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
Analogue inputs: 2
Analogue outputs: 4
Digital connectivity: N/A
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
Dedicated guitar input
+
Handy re-amping function
+
Connect external pedals/switches

Reasons to avoid

-
Onboard tuner isn’t great
-
Not for non-guitarists

Most audio interfaces tend to be the jack-of-all-trades type, but with the IK Multimedia AXE I/O, you’re getting something that’s completely dedicated to recording guitar. Packed with useful features that will enable some sumptuous tones, it’s the perfect choice if you’re just going to be recording guitar.

The dedicated guitar input gives you loads of choices for sculpting your tones, from choosing between active and passive pickups to utilizing two types of preamp that allow you to get a pure clean tone or colour it with some extra harmonics. There’s also a ‘Z-Tone’ knob which allows you adjust the impedance, giving you a brighter or darker tone depending on your preference.

The handy ‘amp out’ output lets you feed a DI signal into an amplifier, giving you an easy option to re-amp your tones. When used in conjunction with AmpliTube you can also change presets using buttons on the hardware instead of using the software. For those recording guitars and guitars only, this is undoubtedly one of the best choices available.

Read the full IK Multimedia AXE I/O review

Best for streaming

Best audio interfaces: Presonus Revelator io24

(Image credit: PreSonus)

5. Presonus Revelator io24

The best audio interface for streamers and gamers

Specifications

Connectivity: USB-C
Audio resolution: 24-bit/96kHz
Analogue inputs: 2
Analogue outputs: 2
Digital connectivity: N/A
MIDI I/O: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile software
+
Handy display
+
Makes streaming easy

Reasons to avoid

-
Only two inputs

Whether you’re a musician or a gamer, live streaming is a big deal these days. Those looking for an audio interface for streaming might find some of the more regular options a bit limiting, but the PreSonus Revelator io24 has been specifically designed to make this task a breeze.

The heart of the Revelator lies in its Universal Control software, which allows you to bring together multiple audio sources via loopback and route them to your streaming software of choice. You can bring audio in from various sources, whether that’s Discord, your DAW, or game audio, and give different monitor mixes to any virtual collaborators.

There are some great built-in DSP effects too, with plenty of presets to get you up and running if you’re not the type to mess with EQs and compressors. You can also use some of these as one-shot type effects thanks to the physical preset button on the unit, adding loads of reverb or delay to your voice for effect.

Best for iPad

Best audio interfaces: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen

(Image credit: Future)
The best audio interface for recording with your iPad

Specifications

Connectivity: USB-C
Audio resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
Analogue inputs: 1
Analogue outputs: 2
Digital connectivity: N/A
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
Compact size
+
Excellent preamp
+
Great value for money

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited inputs

With its small size and low price point, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen is perfect for those looking to set up a compact rig alongside an iPad. Whether you’re recording your guitar at home or using Ableton for live shows, this brilliant bit of kit will provide excellent performance.

The latest iteration of Focusrite’s preamps delivers fantastic performance for the recording musician, whether you want to plug your guitar in the front or your vocal mic in the back. The huge gain range means it can handle a wide variety of applications too, from the quietest to the loudest sound sources.

Focusrites driver delivers ultra-reliable performance on Mac, but this time you can go one step further with ‘codeless kernel extension’ which allows you to drop your latency to below the 5ms mark. It requires a fiddly installation, but for us, it’s totally worth it if you’re going to be using soft synths in a live scenario.

Read the full Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen review 

Best for vocals

Best audio interface: SSL 2

(Image credit: SSL)
The best for audio interface for tracking vocals

Specifications

Connectivity: USB-C
Audio resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
Analogue inputs: 2
Analogue outputs: 2
Digital connectivity: None
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
Great preamps for the money
+
The 4k button adds a nice sound
+
Rock solid build quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Some will want more outputs

A compact interface with pro features and connectivity, the SSL 2 promises an affordable version of ‘the SSL sound’, bringing the feel of a gazillion recordings made in 7-figure recording studios within reach of everybody.

It's a fairly standard 2-in, 2-out configuration that keeps things nice and simple for home users, and as always the SSL preamps deliver top-quality performance There's also the 4k button which adds some extra presence and high-end zing (and, more importantly, makes you feel that little bit more 'pro').

There are two combi mic/line inputs with Hi-Z (impedance) options for switching between guitar and bass signals or those from synths or drum machines. A +48v option also allows the connection of both condenser and dynamic mics. With great monitoring and recording quality, the SSL 2 comes highly recommended by us.

Read our full SSL 2 review

Best for podcasting

Best audio interfaces: Rode Rodecaster Duo

(Image credit: Rode)

8. Rode Rodecaster Duo

The best audio interface for podcasting

Specifications

Connectivity: USB-C
Audio resolution: 24-bit/48kHz
Analogue inputs: 2
Analogue outputs: 2
Digital connectivity: 1x RJ-45
MIDI I/O: No

Reasons to buy

+
Great quality preamps
+
Desktop-friendly size
+
Powerful control software

Reasons to avoid

-
Software takes getting used to

Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing forms of media right now, and if you want to start your own or upgrade one that’s already existing, the Rode Rodecaster Duo is an excellent choice.

The size makes it easy to go live or start recording on the fly, as it won’t take up much precious desk space. This is handy if you’re playing multiple roles as a creative, or you’d prefer to record your podcasts on the go. Despite the small size, it’s still got plenty of features, with dedicated pads for sounds and faders for each channel.

The mic preamps are fantastic too, with plenty of clean gain to drive microphones, even if you’re using the ever-popular and notoriously quiet SM7B. The noise floor is ultra-low, as you’d expect from a company that manufactures microphones. The software does take some learning if you’re used to using something different, but it's powerful and well worth the investment of time. If you feel you need more mics for a bigger podcast, then the Rodecaster Pro II is also available with four inputs.

Best for Ableton

Best audio interfaces: Motu M4

(Image credit: Motu)

9. Motu M4

The best audio interface for use with Ableton

Specifications

Connectivity: USB-C
Audio resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
Analogue inputs: 2
Analogue outputs: 2
Digital connectivity: N/A
MIDI I/O: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
High-quality preamps
+
Loopback capability
+
DC coupled outputs

Reasons to avoid

-
Some Windows users reported issues

Whether you’re creating in the studio or performing live, the Motu M4 is undoubtedly one of the best interfaces to utilize with Ableton Live. It’s got fantastic preamps, four inputs for connecting multiple instruments, and an ultra-low latency performance.

The full-colour LCD display is a fantastic addition for monitoring purposes, giving a surprisingly detailed view of your levels and certainly better than anything else we’ve seen. The latency figures are fantastic too, and definitely usable for real-time playing of virtual instruments.

Each channel has an individual button for monitoring which we found to be super handy, and combi inputs with individual phantom power give you plenty of flexibility in terms of connectivity. It’s ruggedly built too, and can definitely withstand being part of a live setup, getting thrown in a bag and carried to the next show.

Also tested

The above audio interfaces are for us, the ones you should be spending your money on. They aren't the only ones we've reviewed however, so if you didn't quite see what you were looking for above, here is a selection of other audio interfaces we've reviewed.

Image

<a href="http://hawk.ly/m/universal-audio-volt-176/i/mrbai03" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Universal Audio Volt 176 | USB-C | 1 in | 2 out | 24-bit/192kHz
The Universal Audio Volt 176 is a compact interface perfect for simple home recording. It's got some excellent features though, thanks to its built-in 76-style compressor and 'vintage' button which adds a gentle touch of high-end to your signal.
MusicRadar Score: 4.5/5

Read our full <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/universal-audio-volt-76-series" data-link-merchant="musicradar.com"" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Universal Audio Volt 176 review

Image

<a href="http://hawk.ly/m/focusrite-scarlett-2i2-4th-gen/i/mrbai04" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Focusrite 2i2 4th Gen | USB-C | 2 in | 2 out | 24-bit/192kHz
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is nice and easy to use from scratch thanks to fantastic driver support, but when you want to dive deeper you'll find some pro-level functionality here. The preamps are also excellent quality, making them great for various sources.
MusicRadar score: 4.5/5

Read our full <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/focusrite-scarlett-4th-gen-series-review" data-link-merchant="musicradar.com"" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Focusrite 2i2 4th Gen review

Image

<a href="http://hawk.ly/m/audient-id44-mkii/i/mrbai05" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Audient iD44 MkII | USB-C | 4 ins | 8 outs | 24bit/96kHz
This new version of the Audient iD44 MkII ramps up the performance even further and adds a handful of nifty new features. Loopback lets you record audio from a computer on separate channels to your mics, providing a lot of versatility when mixing. 
MusicRadar Score: 4.5/5

Read our full <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/audient-id44-mkii" data-link-merchant="musicradar.com"" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Audient iD44 MkII review

Image

<a href="http://hawk.ly/m/ni-komplete-audio-2/i/mrbai06" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 | USB 2.0 | 2 ins | 2 outs | 24-bit/192kHz
Komplete Audio 2 is a two-input, two-output design with two identical mic/line/instrument inputs. Connections are on space-saving combi XLRs with individual selector switches to select between line and instrument. and 48V phantom power is engaged globally via a single switch.
MusicRadar Score: 4.5/5

Read our full <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/ni-komplete-audio-2" data-link-merchant="musicradar.com"" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 review

Image

<a href="http://hawk.ly/m/arturia-minifuse-2/i/mrbai07" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Arturia MiniFuse 2 | USB-C | 2 ins | 2 outs | 24-bit/192kHz
MiniFuse is Arturia’s super compact interface range. It's a 2-in/2-out, USB-powered unit with mic/line/instrument options for both inputs, MIDI I/O, and a headphone output. It also incorporates a USB hub, although the power draw must be 250mA or less.
MusicRadar Score: 4.5/5

Read our full <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/arturia-minifuse-2" data-link-merchant="musicradar.com"" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Arturia MiniFuse 2 review

Image

<a href="http://hawk.ly/m/focusrite-clarett+-2pre/i/mrbai08" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre | USB-C | 2 ins | 4 outs | 24-bit/192kHz
Clarett is Focusrite’s premium USB range with three models and a decent bundle of software including Focusrite’s Red 2 and Red 3 plugins and Plugin Alliance’s bx_console Focusrite SC. Clarett+ focuses on improving audio performance with crystal-clear mic preamps.
MusicRadar Score: 4.5/5

Read our full <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/focusrite-clarett-2pre" data-link-merchant="musicradar.com"" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre review

Image

<a href="http://hawk.ly/m/audient-evo-4/i/mrbai09" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Audient Evo 4 | USB 2.0 | 2 ins | 2 outs | 24-bit/96kHz
The compact Evo range was launched to much acclaim. You’ll find two combi mic/line inputs around the back of the EVO 4, and one instrument level input at the front for connecting guitar or bass, which then overrides the first input around the back.
MusicRadar Score: 4.5/5

Read our full <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/audient-evo-4" data-link-merchant="musicradar.com"" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Audient Evo 4 review

Image

<a href="http://hawk.ly/m/steinberg-ur22c/i/mrbai10" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Steinberg UR22C | USB-C | 2 ins | 2 outs | 32-bit/192kHz
The UR22C is a 2-in/2-out audio interface. You get a couple of balanced Neutrik combo inputs, each of which sports a Yamaha D-PRE mic preamp, and two balanced line outputs. A rugged metal outer shell makes it a great option for taking on the road with you.
MusicRadar Score: 4.5/5

Read our full <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/steinberg-ur22c-review" data-link-merchant="musicradar.com"" data-link-merchant="hawk.ly"" target="_blank">Steinberg UR22C review

Buying advice

Best audio interfaces: A pair of Focusrite interfaces stacked on top of each other

(Image credit: Future)

Do I need an audio interface?

If you are a musician who wants to make great quality recordings and listen back to them on decent speakers, then you really need an audio interface. They allow you to record any audio into your computer or smart device – from strumming guitars and your singing through to a complete band or orchestra – and then mix that audio into a song in your DAW and hear the results back through pro-grade speakers.  

How many inputs and outputs do I need?

When choosing the best audio interface for home studio and beyond, the first thing you need to work out is the number and type of inputs and outputs you need. If you only want to plug in one microphone or instrument at a time – if you're a solo producer who generates most of their sounds inside the computer, this is probably you – just one or two inputs will be plenty, but if you want to record a live band, you’ll need to think about much more than that. Multiple outputs can also be useful if you want to set up separate headphone mixes (if you're a DJ, for example) or send audio elsewhere for further processing.

What types of inputs and outputs do I need?

On most audio interfaces you’ll typically find both XLR and 1/4-inch inputs, often combined into combo connectors so that you can plug mics, guitars, synths and the like into the same input. Many interfaces also offer a phantom power option, which is required if you want to use certain microphones.

Some audio interfaces also have MIDI I/O on them, which could save you from having to buy a separate interface for external MIDI gear. If you only intend to use a MIDI keyboard, though, remember that this could plug into one of your computer's other USB ports, so MIDI I/O might not be an essential requirement.

PreSonus Studio 24c audio interface on a wooden desktop

(Image credit: Presonus)

How do I connect my audio interface?

Most audio interfaces connect to your computer by USB or Thunderbolt or by using a Lightning adaptor with iOS devices. The cable required for connectivity usually ships with the interface but not always with Thunderbolt 3 and Lightning, so do check what you get in the box. 

Most interfaces are class-compliant, so will work out of the box –  just plug them in and start using them straight away. Some come with extra software you will need to access some of their more detailed functions and routing. Many, especially mobile interfaces, are bus-powered so you don't have to plug a mains power supply into them.

Specs always include the numbers of audio inputs (as XLR or 1/4-inch jack or a combination of the two) and audio outputs. Inputs indicate the number of instruments or microphones you can connect up to record simultaneously. Check the interface has a phantom power option if you want to connect up a condenser mic which requires external power. The number of outputs refers to the number of connections available to your studio speakers or other hardware boxes, including outboard effects. 

What is low latency recording?

You’ll find that most contemporary audio interfaces offer a low-latency recording option, which means you can stay in time with your project when you’re adding more tracks. Some interfaces also promise latency levels that are low enough to use effect plugins in ‘real-time’ on the input as you record, while others have their own DSP processing built into them. 

Best audio interfaces: Mackie Onyx Producer 2.2

(Image credit: Mackie)

What should I expect to pay for an audio interface?

In the end, the best audio interface for you will at least partly come down to price, so you’ll be pleased to know that our list of recommendations in this guide covers a broad range from beginner to pro. We’d also recommend reading our guide focused specifically on the best budget audio interfaces if you have less to spend.

Interfaces are serious pieces of kit that should keep the audio signal quality high throughout the recording process, but you needn't pay serious money for them. If you are an in-the-box producer, you might only need one input at any one time to record, plus a couple of outputs to your speakers. Even a singer/guitarist can get away with just two inputs, and a decent 1 or 2-input/2-output audio interface only costs from around $/£50 up to $/£200. Add more inputs and better quality preamps on these  – which will give you a better quality audio recording – and you could pay anything from $/£200 to $/£700 for a medium-sized interface capable of recording all of the outputs from a band, for example.

Pro grade interfaces with fast connectivity, the ability to power software (see Universal Audio) and digital inputs and outputs can tip into four figures – sometimes up to $/£2,000 – but you might not need any or all of the extras they offer. Many interfaces support an array of digital ins and outs like ADAT and S/PDIF, for example, two digital standards you only need to take into consideration if you have other audio gear with these inputs and outputs included.

What are the most popular audio interface brands?

There are many companies making audio interfaces but some brands that score consistently well in our reviews and we stand by in terms of build quality, features and value for money are Apogee, Audient, Focusrite, Native Instruments, Steinberg, SSL and Universal Audio. 

How to choose an audio interface: rear view of IK Multimedia Axe I/O focusing on connections

(Image credit: Future)

How we test audio interfaces

Audio interfaces are essentially devices designed to record audio into your computer DAW, and play it back out. The key factors when testing them are how easily they do this and the level of audio quality they are capable of delivering while doing so. 

Many audio interfaces are 'plug n play' so will automatically be picked up by your computer and DAW when you first connect them, so setting up should be easy. Your DAW should then list all of the audio interface's physical inputs and outputs, often as selectable options on its input and output channels. 

Sound quality is determined by an interface's A-D/D-A convertors, sample rates and frequencies quoted in their specs (24-bit/96kHz, for example). We test for sound quality by recording several sources via the interface's mic and line inputs, and judging the playback quality against that expected from the specs. We also compare the same material recorded with our reference audio interfaces that we use on a daily basis. 

Some audio interfaces come with extra bespoke software that lets you select input and output configurations and might also add other routing options or even effects. How easy this extra software is to use is also an important factor. 

We also consider latency when testing interfaces. This is the time it takes for audio to go into and out of your computer DAW via the audio interface. If this is slow, the latency figure is high so can result in a delay between you playing a note and then hearing it. This is obviously not practical if you are recording some playing and attempting to be in time with your DAW playback.

Read more about how we test music making gear and services at MusicRadar.

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

Andy Jones

Andy has been writing about music production and technology for 30 years having started out on Music Technology magazine back in 1992. He has edited the magazines Future Music, Keyboard Review, MusicTech and Computer Music, which he helped launch back in 1998. He owns way too many synthesizers.

With contributions from