1. The quick list
2. Best for beginners
3. Best budget option
4. Best for Mac
5. Best for guitar
6. Best for streaming
7. Best for iPad
8. Best for vocals
9. Best for podcasting
10. Best with MIDI
11. Also tested
12. Buying advice
13. How we test
14. How to buy
Whether you're a musician, podcaster, streamer, or any other kind of creative looking to record high-quality audio, you'll need one of the best audio interfaces. The availability of interfaces at lower price points in the modern age has made it far easier for creators, whether you're recording parts for your latest album or looking to put together a top-quality podcast, but that abundance of choice can be a hindrance too, which is where we come in.
There's a huge array of audio interfaces on offer in 2024, so making a decision that's best for you can be tough. All of the interfaces we've listed here will do a great job for most tasks, but we've taken the extra step of listing them by use case to make it easier for you to choose. We've tested all of them thoroughly too, using them to record vocals, drums, guitars, podcasts, and even handling streaming duties during a Call of Duty tournament. These tests allow us to evaluate how well they're suited to particular tasks, whether that's recording on the go with a smartphone phone or nestled on your desktop as part of a more permanent home studio setup.
If you're new to the world of audio interfaces and need some extra help before taking your pick, at the bottom of this article you'll find more information on selecting the right interface, how we test the interfaces in this guide, and some advice you can follow when making a purchase. To get started with the best audio interfaces available today, just keep on scrolling...
The quick list
If you're getting into recording for the first time, it's good to have something easy to use, but also with features to grow into. The Audient iD4 MkII gives you exceptional quality preamps, an ultra-low noise floor, and loads of useful features all at a price that is phenomenal value for money.
If money's tight or you'd rather spend that budget on a decent microphone, the Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 gives you a lot of bang for relatively little buck. The MIDAS preamps sound great and although there's no dedicated driver, at this price point it seems churlish to complain about anything really.
If you're looking for the best audio interface for your Mac, we don't think it comes much better than the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X. It's a Thunderbolt interface so will pair perfectly with the equivalent ports on any MacBook or iMac, delivering stable performance with some fantastic quality preamps.
For those who are exclusively recording guitars, the IK Multimedia AXE I/O has some powerful features that make sure you get the best possible guitar tone. With dedicated impedance control, quick re-amping, and two flavours of preamp, it's the perfect choice for the recording guitar player.
If you want to livestream your music-making, gaming, or anything else for that matter, the PreSonus Revelator io24 is our top choice. Its power lies in a powerful software that allows you to loopback and route various audio sources however you please, making it ultra streamlined and flexible.
The reasons for using an audio interface with an iPad are numerous, but for us the number one reason is for a compact and powerful setup. With the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen, you'll be getting exactly that, allowing you to take quality preamps and minimal latency on the road with you.
Many singers nowadays do their recording entirely from home, such is the quality and availability of great vocal mics. The SSL 2 is the perfect interface for vocal recording thanks to its quality mic preamp and built-in '4K' button which adds a gentle touch of classic SSL desk sound to your signal.
Podcasting is big business nowadays, and if you want to get started on yours, the Rode Rodecaster Duo is the obvious choice. The preamp quality is superb, even when using the SM7B, and although there's a learning curve with the software, it's ultra-powerful for routing multiple audio sources.
If MIDI is a requirement for you then we can think of no better match for you than the Motu M4. The low latency performance makes it fantastic as an interface for live performances whilst the preamps deliver excellent quality recordings. DC-coupled outputs make it great for modular synth users too.
Best for beginners
✅ Buy if you want your first audio interface: Easy to use but with plenty of pro-level features, the Audient iD4 is the perfect for choice for first-time recording artists.
❌ Avoid if you need MIDI: There are no MIDI connections here so one to avoid if you need to integrate MIDI control into your setup.
Arguably the best audio interface under $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 electric 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 studio 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 details. 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
✅ Buy if your budget is tight: Costing well below the $100/£100 mark, this is the perfect audio interface for those with cost at the forefront of their needs.
❌ Avoid if you prefer a dedicated driver: To keep costs down there's no dedicated driver support with this interface, meaning you'll need to rely on third-party software like ASIO4ALL.
Considering the price 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 after the best budget audio interface it doesn't come much better - or much cheaper - than this.
The MIDAS preamp delivers excellent quality for recording vocals and guitars, and although it doesn't quite deliver the standards of others in terms of the noise floor, for anyone other than a pro engineer it's totally usable. 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 Windows driver, so you’ll need to grab a 3rd party driver (ASIO4ALL is our choice) 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. These are small issues, and considering it costs less than your average overdrive pedal, it’s hard to knock what you get for your money here.
Read our full Behringer UMC22 review
Best for Mac
✅ Buy if you want the best audio interface for Mac: A UA interface and a Mac or Macbook are a tried and tested combination in the world of sound recording, whether you're a pro engineer or just making music at home.
❌ Avoid if you're on a tight budget: The UA Apollo Twin X isn't cheap and doesn't even include a Thunderbolt cable making it a tough ask for those on a small budget.
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 studio 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
✅ Buy if you only want to record guitars: With loads of guitar-centric features, this is the perfect audio interface for recording high-quality electric and bass guitars.
❌ Avoid if you're not recording guitars: Of course a guitar specific interface probably isn't the best choice if you're using your interface for vocals or recording in the box.
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 truly a complete guitar audio interface. 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 a guitar amp, 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
✅ Buy if you want to record audio for streaming: With its powerful Universal Control software, the PreSonus Revelator io24 is a great choice whether you're streaming your latest workflow or Call of Duty.
❌ Avoid if you like pressing buttons: With the majority of action happening within the software, those who prefer physical buttons may find this difficult to use.
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 here 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 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.
Read our full PreSonus Revelator io24 review
Best for iPad
✅ Buy if you want a powerful audio interface for your iPad: With its small size but top-quality preamp and huge feature set, the Scarlett 2i2 is the perfect companion for recording with an iPad or any other tablet.
❌ Avoid if you don't like software: For some features, the 2i2 relies on the Focusrite Control app, which can be annoying for users who prefer button controls.
With its compact size, low price point, and powerful functionality the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is perfect for those looking to set up a compact rig alongside an iPad or laptop. 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 audio interfaces 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 from the preamps means it can handle a wide variety of applications too, from the quietest vocal to the loudest snare drum.
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 synth plugins in a live scenario.
Read the full Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen review
Best for vocals
✅ Buy if you want the best audio interface for vocals: Boxing up that SSL sound into a compact interface, the SSL 2 gives you some phenomenal sounding preamps plus a '4K' button for added vibes when recording a vocalist.
❌ Avoid if you want a premium feel: Made out of plastic some would say the SSL 2 feels a little cheap in places, especially the 4K button which doesn't have much in the way of satisfying feel.
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
✅ Buy if you want the best audio interface for podcasting: Easy to use for the potentially less audio-savvy podcaster, yet packing enough depth to provide rewarding performance, the Rodecaster is perfect for getting a tip-top production out of your podcast.
❌ Avoid if you don't like software: You'll need to get to grips with some in-depth software to get the best out of this interface, so one to avoid if you don't like exploring on your computer.
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 podcasting 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.
Read our full Rode Rodecaster Duo review
Best with MIDI
✅ Buy if you want a great audio interface with MIDI: With a huge variety of connection options, rugged metal enclosure, and DC-coupled outputs, the Motu M4 is a fantastic option whether you're recording in the studio or playing soft synths live.
❌ Avoid if you're on a budget: This feature-packed interface isn't the cheapest, so one to avoid if low-cost is your number one requirement.
Whether you’re creating in the studio or performing live, the Motu M4 is undoubtedly one of the best interfaces to utilize with MIDI. 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 tested. The latency figures are phenomenal too, and infinitely 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.
Read our full Motu M4 review
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.
Buying advice
What is an audio interface?
Think of an audio interface as a middle man between your music and your computer. Your interface takes your musical inputs and converts them into 1s and 0s that your computer can understand, a process that happen via the analogue to digital (ADC) converter in your interface.
Once these signals are in your computer and have been manipulated - usually in a DAW - your audio interface will then convert these 1s and 0s back into a waveform, enabling playback through your studio monitors or headphones. This process is takes place via a Digital to Audio converter (DAC).
Do audio interfaces improve sound quality?
If you think that a new audio interface will improve the quality of your recordings, then we'll be straight with you - this isn't true. At the consumer level, the vast majority of audio interfaces offer very similar recording quality. The difference is in the signal going into your interface. This is why studios use outboard gear like preamps, EQs, and compressors to juice the signal before it goes into the DAW.
In short - what you do to the signal before it goes to the interface and once it's in your DAW is far more important than the actual interface you use.
If you're looking at an interface versus the built-in soundcard in your computer, then yes they do improve the sound quality. An audio interface is much better at converting analogue sounds to digital and vice versa, as well as unlocking the ability to use condenser microphones with phantom power and the built-in preamps.
How much does an audio interface cost?
It all depends on how much you're willing to spend. For example, the Behringer UMC22 costs around $70, whereas the quad version of the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X will set you back around $1,500. There's also a much more expensive tier for pro studio use that goes into tens of thousands of dollars.
At the consumer level, the actual difference in sound quality isn't that huge. A more expensive interface might have a lower noise floor and better dynamic range, but it's extra features and functionality that you'll be paying for rather than pure sound quality.
What are the different types of audio interface?
Most interfaces do a pretty similar job. The only major differentiating factor you'll need to consider is the way they connect. Some use USB, Thunderbolt, Firewire, or PCIe to connect to your laptop or computer. The majority of interfaces offer USB connectivity, but it's always worth double checking to make sure your computer has the right port.
What are the popular brands of audio interface?
There are lots of audio interfaces available nowadays, but popular brands for us include Audient, Arturia, Behringer, Focusrite, IK Multimedia, Motu, Native Instruments, PreSonus, Rode, SSL, and Universal Audio.
What is an acceptable latency for an audio interface?
Most musician's will say none at all! However this isn't possible when converting audio to digital, so we have to put up with some latency when recording. For us, anything below 20ms is excellent, and the majority of musicians won't notice this amount of latency no matter what instrument their playing.
One exception is vocals, where even tiny amounts of latency can be really off putting. This is because the vocalist will be hearing the sound in their head before the slightly delayed vocal through their headphones. A good recording vocalist will be able to deal with this, but you may have to disable plugins to get the latency low enough for a less experienced vocalist.
How we test audio interfaces
When deciding which audio interfaces to include in this guide, we opted to separate them by use case. Audio interfaces cover a vast spectrum of creatives, from recording musicians to those looking to create podcasts, so it made sense to us to include a broad selection that would include options suitable for various uses.
With anything we review, there are many factors to consider so we take a meticulous approach to testing. Our reviewers are all real-life musicians and creatives, so we endeavor to test these audio interfaces in the exact same way any musician, streamer, or podcaster would.
Here is a list of the main aspects we look at when testing an audio interface:
1. Features - First and foremost we'll get a good overview of the features the audio interface has. This might be the number of inputs and outputs, the buttons on the front, what brand preamp it features, plus any other physical qualities.
2. Build quality - Next, we'll check the build quality of the interface. Is it made of plastic or metal? Does it feel as though it will put up with heavy use in a live scenario? We'll be looking at how well it's put together, whether it's heavy or light enough that a cable might pull it off the desk, and checking the solidity of all the buttons and knobs too.
3. Installation - We test all audio interfaces as if we're going to use them ourselves, which means installing them on both PC and Mac and taking notes of how easy or difficult the process is. Are there any lengthy software or firmware updates that need to be undertaken? Compatibility issues with certain OS types or Windows drivers? These are all factors we'll consider, alongside testing any software that's included with the interface in question.
4. Usability - Arguably the most important phase of the review, we'll use the interface in question as any musician might use it. This could mean recording vocals or acoustic guitar with a condenser mic, multi-miking guitar cabinets or drum kits if it has the requisite amount of inputs, or just working in the box with plugins and a DAW. We're looking at how easy it is to use the interface and associated software in the day-to-day, aiming to replicate how the majority of users will be utilizing it to see if we encounter any issues.
5. Sound - Finally, the most subjective of things, the sound. As we've mentioned throughout this article, there isn't actually that much difference between consumer-level interfaces when it comes to sound. Instead, we're looking at the quality of results we're able to achieve, which could include the sound of the preamps, any extra features like added presence boosts work, or just how easy it is to switch between monitoring modes.
We'll spend on average around two weeks testing any audio interface we review. This enables us to use it in a variety of scenarios, always taking note of how it performs to inform our final review. From the day-to-day tasks of listening back to audio to taking it to bespoke recording spaces to see how it performs multi-miking instruments, we're careful to run similar tests with these interfaces to give them a fighting chance against one another.
Read more about how we test music making gear and services at MusicRadar.
How to buy
There's a huge amount of audio interfaces on offer these days, so how do you know how to go about buying yours? We've put together some simple steps for you that will ensure you get the very best interface for your personal use case.
1. Choose your interface - arguably the hardest and longest step, you'll need to decide first and foremost which interface you want. We've sorted the interfaces in this guide via use case, which should give you a good head start. That said you may find multiple interfaces cover your needs, so you may want to start making a shortlist.
2. Read reviews - once you have your selected interfaces, your next step is to read reviews on them. We have reviews for all of the audio interfaces in this guide which can help you make a more informed decision. You may also wish to read reviews on forums or the product pages of retailers' websites but just be advised these aren't likely to be truly impartial.
3. Compare your interfaces - If reviews haven't narrowed down your choices enough, you'll want to compare the interfaces to one another, with your particular use case at the forefront. Many articles do direct comparisons, like our Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 vs Focusrite Scarlett Solo article, but if you can't find something similar for your interfaces, then looking at the specs can be useful. Alternatively, you could list the pros and cons of each can help determine a winner.
4. Choose your retailer - Now that you've got all the information on your chosen interface, it's time to go shopping! You might have a favourite retailer you use, but we'd always advise shopping around for the best price. You might want to use the Google shopping feature, which you can sort by lowest price, or just use the built-in filters on most retailer websites.
5. Wait for a sale - If you're not in a rush, it's totally worth waiting for a sale before you purchase to get a discount on your interface. The biggest sale of the year typically happens around Black Friday, but you'll find retailers offering discounts at various times. This could be a spring or summer sale, Memorial Day or Presidents' Day sale, or just a flash sale on a particular weekend.
Related buyer's guides
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.
- Our pick of the best laptops for music production
- Explore the best budget studio monitors
- These are the best PCs for music production
- Organise your recording space with the best studio desks
