![The Best Audio Interfaces for Home Recording, Tested and Reviewed [2025]](https://i3.wp.com/americansongwriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Focusrite-Scarlett-2i2-4th-Gen.jpg?w=662&w=1920&resize=1920,518&ssl=1 "The Best Audio Interfaces for Home Recording, Tested and Reviewed [2025]")
I’ve been recording my own music for a long time. And I’m on a more or less constant quest to find the best audio interface—that secret sauce that’s going to level up my home studio (okay, it’s a closet) to the next level. There are a ton of components that go into a recording signal chain, and optimizing each one to your preferences takes time. But the bread and butter of your home studio is going to be an audio interface every time.
Simply put, audio interfaces allow you to bridge the gap between the analog world (mics, headphones, speakers) and the digital one (your computer, duh). In many cases, you can hook up multiple inputs at once, plus control recording gain levels, add sound sweeteners like compression, and more. It’s the heart of any home studio—where your sound begins.
My colleagues and I have tested tons of audio interfaces in our time reviewing gear for American Songwriter, so I thought I would round up our team’s favorite ones for your consideration. After all, everyone has different needs from their audio interface—are you focused on vocals? DI guitars? Do you need to record drums? Are you on a tight budget? In this guide, I’ll go over what I think are the best audio interfaces for every scenario.
Why Trust Me?
As I said above, I’ve tested tons of these things. I’m a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. I’ve been recording my own music for over a decade, in pretty much every configuration possible.
But despite all my experience, I’m not the most tech-savvy guy—nor do I want to be. I believe the technology should not get in the way of the music (as it often can!). In my mind, nothing beats the simple workflow of live, analog tape recording. So that’s reflected in my picks—ease of use is huge for me when it comes to music tech.
If you’re reading this, you’re an aspiring home recording enthusiast—not a professional engineer. This means you likely don’t have a professional budget. That’s reflected in my picks as well. While there are professional-quality interfaces on this list, some of which are definitely used in pro studios, they’ll all be reasonably attainable for personal use—that is, without applicable tax write-offs.
I understand that there are as many ways to record music as there are kinds of music (that is, pretty much infinite), so I did my best to include as diverse a range of products as possible, for all conceivable home recording scenarios. These range from the very simple (1 in, 1 out), for true beginners, to the merely pretty simple, for people looking to expand what their home studio is capable of. This includes aesthetic considerations as well—because, for some of us, vibe is everything.
Alright, that’s enough of that—let’s get to the list.
The Best Audio Interfaces for Home Recording
1. Best Overall – Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen
SPECS
- I/O: 2-in, 2-out
- A/D resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
- MIDI connectivity: No
Focusrite Scarlett is one of the most recognizable names in home recording—practically everyone I know in the recording game got their start on one of these. And for good reason—Focusrite’s Scarlett line consistently delivers in all the areas home recording enthusiasts need: latency, sound quality, ease of use, and build quality.
Scarlett is back with the 4th Gen, which recently received Sound On Sound’s 2024 award for «Best Audio Interface.» For the 4th Gen Scarlett line, Scarlett has outfitted their already best-selling audio interface series with some really appealing updates, from improved audio specs to new creative features that are sure to level up the sound quality of your recordings, as well as boost your productivity in the studio.
The 2i2, which features two 1/4″ line inputs, two XLR inputs, and stereo line outputs, is the model that takes the cake here. The mic pres sound killer, with a re-vamped Air mode with two settings: one that adds presence, and one that boosts harmonic drive via DSP, simulating the sound and vibe of a professional-class console.
It’s loaded with features that make the Scarlett 4th Gen the easiest-to-use interface for beginners I’ve tried. There’s an auto-gain feature that reads your input level and sets your gain for you accordingly, which is super handy, especially for beginners. Add to that the clip-safe mode, and you can’t go wrong, even if you basically have no idea what you’re doing!
The winning combination of clutch features for beginners, plus professional audio quality (these use the same analog-to-digital converters Focusrite uses in their top-of-the-line RedNet products) makes the 4th Gen Scarlett line a no-brainer for our best overall pick.
For convenience’s sake, we’ve chosen the 2i2 for our go-to—most home recording enthusiasts working one track at a time won’t need more inputs than this—but there is a 4i4 option (you do the math) that offers more versatility for live tracking.
It also comes with an awesome software bundle that will allow you to get started recording right away, no other purchases necessary. In addition to an included subscription to Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+, or six months of FL Studio Producer Edition, you get Focusrite’s Hitmaker Expansion pack of plugins: Antares AutoTune, Marshall Silver Jubilee amp modeling, AddictiveDrums, and more. Opt for the Studio Pack to include a set of SH-450 headphones and a CM-25 MKIII Condenser Mic, and you’re really set up to get started.
Reasons To Avoid:
- You might need more ins and outs
- Combo jacks would be easier to use than separate mic and line ins
Best for Vintage Tones
With onboard sound sweeteners like UA’s 1176 compression and switchable vintage preamp tone, plus an attractive vintage aesthetic, the Volt line is perfect for getting a retro sound (and workflow).
Onboard compression
Analog preamp tone
Cool aesthetics
2. Best For Vintage Tones – Universal Audio Volt
SPECS
- I/O: 4-in, 4-out, simultaneous
- A/D resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
- MIDI connectivity: In/Out
Comprising a range of different models (with varying degrees of connectivity), the Volt line has something for beginning producers/engineers of all reasonable needs. The Volt supplies not only versatile connectivity and ease of use, but also unique analog-inspired tone-shaping options, namely 1176-inspired compression, right on board the unit for singers and instrumentalists to start sounding their best right out the gate with the push of a button.
The Volt is no flimsy plastic toy—in fact, it’s got the most premium-feeling build quality I have seen yet in a desktop interface. The metal chassis has a nice heft to it, and it’s styled with attractive blond wood siding that evokes the half-circuitry, half-furniture craftsmanship of real midcentury vintage studio equipment.
The Volt 476P has four inputs on the face of the chassis—combination XLR/1/4″ jack—as well as two headphone outputs. On the back you’ve got four 1/4″ line outputs, plus stereo monitor outs and MIDI I/O jacks as well. If you’re mostly planning on working solo, there’s a Volt 176 or 276 for that. They’ve got most of the same features as the 476P, only with fewer ins and outs (the 176 has 1 channel, the 276 has 2). There’s also a 476 (without the P), which has two combination jack inputs with onboard tone shaping controls at the front, plus two line inputs on the rear panel.
The 476P is equipped with UA’s best-in-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion for a crystal-clear, high-quality signal. Each of the four combination XLR/1/4” inputs has the sound of UA’s classic 610 tube preamps at your fingertips with a press of the “Vintage” switch, which saturates your signal with vintage warmth modeled on one of the most recorded mic pres of all time.
Then there’s the onboard 76 compressor—also equipped on each of the four channels—an analog circuit inspired by UA’s famous 1176 Limiting Amplifier. Activate this switch to punch up your vocals, guitars, drums, and more with the compression heard on countless classic records.
Adding to the great value here is UA’s inclusion of some super crucial software, including their Luna Digital Audio Workstation and Ableton Live Lite, as well as plug-ins inspired by vintage recording equipment like Century Tube Channel Strip, Pultec Passive EQ Collection, Galaxy Tape Echo, and tons more. See the complete list here.
If your goal is to make your home recordings sound like your favorite classic records, you’re already barking up the right tree with the Volt interface. UA’s included plug-in collection will seal the deal, though.
Reasons to avoid:
- Onboard compression can be pretty noisy
- Pricey for a beginner unit
Best Budget Interface
The Behringer UMC202HD is the flagship of the U-Phoria series — a line of audio interfaces designed to cater to each and every amateur’s needs.
Why We Love It
Incredibly affordable
MIDAS preamp
Versatile I/O
3. Best Budget Audio Interface for Home Recording – Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD
SPECS
- I/O: 2-in, 2-out
- A/D resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
- MIDI connectivity: No
Most of our picks are pretty affordable—especially compared to, I don’t know, a single day of recording at a pro studio(?!), but if you’re on a really tight budget, start here. The Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD is a textbook example of a budget audio interface for home recording that will get you studio-grade sounds for less than a coffee run for the crew at a pro studio (this is not an exaggeration!).
My colleague Julian Selemin tested and reviewed the UMC202HD. I’ll let him take it from here:
«A one-stop-shop for home studios and amateur producers, this audio interface provides everything you need to get the ball rolling. Despite its nonsensical price tag, the UMC202HD somehow manages to fit in all the necessary tools for anyone looking to set up a flexible home studio.
The U-Phoria UMC202HD comes equipped with two combo jack inputs that can also provide phantom power. You’ll also find your usual headphone output on the front and two monitor jacks on the back.
Each of these inputs features individual MIDAS preamps, which are some of the most popular among live sound engineering. Known for their crystalline sound, MIDAS pres are fantastic for providing ample headroom for your recording sessions.
But where the UMC202HD really shines is in its A/D resolution—despite its ridiculously affordable price, it offers a sampling rate of 192kHz with a 24-bit resolution. This is more than enough to compete with most of the best audio interfaces on the market, giving you that professional sound without breaking the bank.»
Reasons to avoid:
- Build quality feels pretty flimsy
Best Interface With ADAT
The Focusrite Clarett+ makes ADAT connectivity affordable, allowing you to plug up to eight extra digital channels without breaking the bank.
Why We Love It
Compact design
Informative LEDs
Wide headroom
4. Best Audio Interface with ADAT – Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre
SPECS
- I/O: 18-in, 8-out
- A/D resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
- MIDI connectivity: In/Out
My colleague Robbie Mizzone tested and reviewed another great Focusrite interface, the Clarett+ 8Pre (full Clarett+ 8PPre review here). Used in conjunction with Focusrite’s Octopre expansion, Robbie found it to be a great option for home recording enthusiasts who are looking for ADAT capabilities:
«Part of the reason the 8Pre sounds so good is because of the quality of its independent A-D and D-A converters (A-D meaning “analog to digital”, and D-A meaning the opposite). This is a complicated technology that not all interfaces are able to nail down. The 8Pre’s converters give it a huge dynamic range (up to 124dB) and low distortion, which all results in incredibly high-fidelity sound.
2-in / 2-out interface is fine if you’re looking to lay down some demos or if your music relies heavily on digital production via samples and loops. But if you’re looking to record your full band at the same time or individually mic up your 10-piece drum kit, that’s just not going to cut it.
The 8Pre allows you to record a total of eight inputs simultaneously (either XLR or quarter-inch), with 10 separate outputs that can each be routed to a separate studio speaker. To put it in perspective, this is enough for a standard rock band, which usually includes one or two vocal inputs, three instrument inputs, and a three or four inputs for the drum kit.
One of the 8Pre’s greatest strengths is its ADAT expansion capabilities. ADAT allows you to add additional audio channels to your existing interface, expanding the number of inputs and outputs for recording and playback. Focusrite does this very well with its OctoPre preamp, which is an 8-in / 8-out preamp that integrates flawlessly with the 8Pre (as well as any interface with ADAT I/O). Simply connect the two via ADAT cables, and you’ll now have a total of 16 separate inputs you can use for simultaneous recording, and 18 total outputs.
The Clarett+ 8Pre has basically everything you could want in the connectivity department: On its own, you’ve got 8-in / 10-out with both XLR and quarter-inch inputs, plus flexible expansion possibility via ADAT.»
All-in-all, if you’re looking for a longer-term investment that will allow you to build out a full-capability professional studio over time, you’d do well to look into upgrading to a Clarett+ 8Pre. There’s also a 2Pre and a 4Pre that have fewer onboard inputs, but the same ADAT expansion capability.
Reasons to avoid:
Best Overall
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is, without a doubt, our top pick for any musician looking to solve all quality, I/O, and latency issues with one stone.
Why We Love It
Top-notch preamps
Impressive I/O capability
Incredibly low latency
5. Best Audio Interface For Recording Drums – Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen
SPECS
- I/O: 18 in, 20 out
- A/D resolution: Up to 24-bit/96kHz
- MIDI connectivity: Yes
Another upgrade to the more entry-level (read: smaller) interfaces on this list is the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20. Per our interface expert Robbie Mizzone who conducted an in-depth test and review of the Scarlett 18i20, «If you’re looking to really make the jump into the big leagues, the Scarlett 18i20 4th Generation should be the first place you look.»
This interface in particular is useful if you need to record lots of tracks, all at once. Think a fully mic’d-up drum kit, plus live guitars, vocals, keys, what have you. 18 inputs means the world is your oyster.
Robbie again: «The usefulness of an audio interface often depends on how many microphones or line instruments you can connect to it simultaneously—and how many speakers you can route it to on the back end. Many people spend big bucks on interfaces with a low number of ins and outs, only to realize shortly that their new songs need more inputs to be properly recorded.»
Like the Clarett, the 18i20 has ADAT ports to connect the 18i20 to a device like the Scarlett OctoPre or even just another 18i20—which effectively gives you an additional eight or 18 input channels, respectively.
The 4th Gen 18i20 has the same upgraded preamps with revamped Air mode, same high-quality converters, and of course the same trusted build quality as the smaller 4th Gen Scarlett boxes. It just has about ten times as many inputs and outputs. So if you think you might want to make the foray into recording drums and full bands down the line, picking up one of these could be the move.
Reasons to avoid:
- Opt for a smaller Scarlett box unless you really need this many inputs
Best Portable Interface
The Audient iD4 MKII is our top contender for non-musicians who want to upgrade their audio quality without having to deal with large, expensive interfaces.
Why We Love It
Easy to use
Built like a tank
Fits on any desktop
6. Best Portable Audio Interface – Audient iD4 MKII
SPECS
- I/O: 2-in, 2-out
- A/D resolution: Up to 24-bit/96kHz
- MIDI connectivity: No
Now, not everyone needs an absolute powerhouse of an interface with dozens of inputs and outputs. Streamers, content creators, or even gamers who love voice chat may just need a powerful interface that’s easy to use — and that’s where the Audient iD4 MKII comes in.
The tiny size and simplistic looks may not seem like it, but rest assured that the iD4 MKII packs everything you could possibly need. High-quality converters, wide headroom, analog circuits, and low latency are some (but not all) of the key features of this tiny beast.
Learning how it works shouldn’t take more than an hour or two — even if you’re a complete beginner to audio. Plus, each unit comes with the ARC software suite included, which provides plugins and courses for no extra cost.
Reasons to avoid:
- You might outgrow this pretty quickly
Best for Mac
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO earns an easy top pick for Mac users for being one of the few audio interfaces that work with Thunderbolt.
Why We Love It
Near-zero latency
Imitates analog gear
Visually informative
7. Best Audio Interface for Mac – Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO
SPECS
- I/O: 10-in, 6-out
- A/D resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
- MIDI connectivity: No
Mac is somewhat of a golden standard in the music production industry, yet somehow a lot of interfaces are missing non-USB connections. The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO is here to change that, providing an exclusive Thunderbolt port to satisfy even the most demanding producers and their iOS devices.
The high-quality audio parallels that of much more expensive audio interfaces thanks to the elite DUO Core processor and Dual Unison preamps. Pair that with the almost-zero latency of Thunderbolt, and you have the future of music making in your hands.
But another key feature of the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO is its affinity for analog gear. The included bundled software and the versatile preamps allow you to track your inputs through different vintage gear, such as the 610 tube preamp.
Reasons to avoid:
- Could be overkill for total beginners
Verdict
Buying your first (or even second) audio interface can be pretty overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a lot of recording experience. The specs lists, audio ratings, and all the rest can be kind of fatiguing to read, especially if you aren’t really quite sure what they all mean.
That’s why I compiled this list with people like you in mind. I wanted to make shopping for an interface easy, using my and my team’s hands-on experience to help you decide what might be the best audio interface for you and your unique needs.
Most beginners would do really well to opt for a Focusrite Scarlett or Universal Audio Volt, in whichever size/number of inputs appeals to them (two inputs should be plenty for most beginners). Both of these units top most other lists of the best audio interfaces as well, and for good reason: they both sound great and are easy to use. So if you’re a total beginner, I’d start there. In fact, I already did.
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