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The 10 Best Audio Interfaces as of June 2026

Updated June 18, 2026 ยท Reviewed by the Pickarank team ยท Prices in GBP, subject to change

We compared the best audio interfaces you can buy in 2026, scoring each out of 10 on performance, value, build quality and features. Here are the ten worth your money โ€” with an at-a-glance table and the current best prices.

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Our top picks at a glance

Top pick

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)

9.0Best overall
Check price on Amazon โ‰ˆ $180
Best value

PreSonus Studio 24c

8.5Best value
Check price on Amazon โ‰ˆ $110
Also great

SSL 2+

8.7Best for headphones
Check price on Amazon โ‰ˆ $230

Prices were correct at the time of writing and change often โ€” tap through for today's price on Amazon.

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How we ranked these audio interfaces

Each pick earns a score out of 10 from weighted criteria:

  • Performance (35%) โ€” how well each audio interface does its core job.
  • Value (25%) โ€” quality and features for the price.
  • Build & reliability (20%) โ€” materials, longevity and warranty.
  • Features (20%) โ€” meaningful extras that improve the experience.

At a glance: top 10 compared

Swipe across to see all columns, including Amazon links โ†’

#Audio InterfacesScoreBest forI/OApprox. PriceAmazon links
1Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)9.0Best overall2-in / 2-out USB$180View Price
2Universal Audio Volt 28.8Best vintage tone2-in / 2-out$180View Price
3Audient iD4 MkII8.7Best single-input1-in / 2-out$140View Price
4SSL 2+8.7Best for headphones2-in / 2-out$230View Price
5MOTU M28.7Best metering2-in / 2-out$200View Price
6Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)8.6Best for vocalists1 mic + 1 instrument$110View Price
7Audient EVO 48.5Best smart gain2-in / 2-out$130View Price
8PreSonus Studio 24c8.5Best value2-in / 2-out$110View Price
9Native Instruments Komplete Audio 28.4Best bundle value2-in / 2-out$120View Price
10Behringer UMC228.2Best budget2-in / 2-out$45View Price

The full ranking

1
Best overall

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)

9.0Our number one pick.

The 4th-gen Scarlett 2i2 pairs clean, quiet preamps with an auto-gain helper, low-latency monitoring and rock-solid drivers, the interface most home producers should buy. There are cheaper options, but the reliability, sound and ease are exceptional.

Sound: 9.2Preamps: 9.2Features: 9.0Value: 9.0
Pros
  • Clean, quiet preamps
  • Auto-gain helper
  • Rock-solid drivers
Cons
  • Two inputs only
  • No MIDI on base model
Check price on Amazonโ‰ˆ $180
2
Best vintage tone

Universal Audio Volt 2

8.8A superb runner-up.

The UA Volt 2 adds a switchable vintage preamp mode that gently warms vocals and guitars, plus a generous software bundle, lovely for character on a budget. The vintage mode is subtle, but the tone and bundle are excellent.

Sound: 9.0Preamps: 9.0Features: 9.0Value: 8.8
Pros
  • Vintage warmth mode
  • Great software bundle
  • Solid build
Cons
  • Vintage effect is subtle
  • Two inputs only
Check price on Amazonโ‰ˆ $180
3
Best single-input

Audient iD4 MkII

8.7Rounds out our top three.

The Audient iD4 MkII brings the brand's class-leading preamp and converters to a one-input interface with a great headphone amp and a handy monitor mix dial, superb for solo singers and producers. One mic input limits duets, but the sound quality is excellent.

Sound: 9.4Preamps: 9.2Features: 8.6Value: 8.8
Pros
  • Class-leading preamp
  • Excellent headphone amp
  • Great converters
Cons
  • Single mic input
  • No MIDI
Check price on Amazonโ‰ˆ $140
4
Best for headphones

SSL 2+

8.7A standout in the upper half.

The SSL 2+ offers two independent headphone outputs with a legendary 4K analogue color switch and MIDI, ideal for recording two people who each need their own mix. It is pricier, but the headphone flexibility and tone are excellent.

Sound: 9.2Preamps: 9.0Features: 9.2Value: 8.6
Pros
  • Two headphone outs
  • 4K analogue warmth
  • Includes MIDI
Cons
  • Pricier
  • Larger footprint
Check price on Amazonโ‰ˆ $230
5
Best metering

MOTU M2

8.7A well-rounded mid-table pick.

The MOTU M2 features clear full-color LCD metering and reference-grade converters that punch well above its price, great for keeping a close eye on levels. It can be hard to find in stock, but the metering and audio quality are excellent.

Sound: 9.4Preamps: 9.0Features: 8.8Value: 8.8
Pros
  • Clear LCD metering
  • Reference-grade converters
  • Low latency
Cons
  • Stock can be patchy
  • Two inputs only
Check price on Amazonโ‰ˆ $200
6
Best for vocalists

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)

8.6Great value in the middle of the pack.

The Scarlett Solo pairs one quality mic preamp with an instrument input, perfect for recording vocals and guitar together at a friendly price. It is single-mic, but for singer-songwriters the sound and value are excellent.

Sound: 9.0Preamps: 9.0Features: 8.4Value: 9.2
Pros
  • Great for voice + guitar
  • Clean preamp
  • Affordable
Cons
  • One mic input
  • No MIDI
Check price on Amazonโ‰ˆ $110
7
Best smart gain

Audient EVO 4

8.5A dependable pick if the price is right.

The Audient EVO 4 includes a clever Smartgain feature that sets your recording levels automatically, taking the guesswork out of getting a clean take, in a compact, friendly unit. It is plasticky, but the smart gain and value are excellent.

Sound: 8.8Preamps: 8.8Features: 8.8Value: 9.0
Pros
  • Automatic level setting
  • Compact and simple
  • Good value
Cons
  • Plasticky build
  • Fiddly multi-function knob
Check price on Amazonโ‰ˆ $130
8
Best value

PreSonus Studio 24c

8.5Solid, if outshone by pricier rivals.

The PreSonus Studio 24c offers clean sound, two combo inputs and a useful software bundle at a low price, strong value for getting started. The preamps are good rather than class-leading, but the value is excellent.

Sound: 8.6Preamps: 8.6Features: 8.6Value: 9.2
Pros
  • Two inputs cheaply
  • Decent software bundle
  • Clean sound
Cons
  • Preamps good not great
  • Plastic knobs
Check price on Amazonโ‰ˆ $110
9
Best bundle value

Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2

8.4A budget-friendly option worth a look.

The Komplete Audio 2 comes with a generous bundle of NI software instruments and effects, brilliant value if you want to start producing as well as recording. The hardware is mid-tier, but the bundle and value are good.

Sound: 8.4Preamps: 8.4Features: 8.8Value: 9.0
Pros
  • Big software bundle
  • Tidy design
  • Good value
Cons
  • Mid-tier preamps
  • No MIDI ports
Check price on Amazonโ‰ˆ $120
10
Best budget

Behringer UMC22

8.2Rounds out our top ten.

The Behringer UMC22 covers basic recording with a Midas-designed mic preamp at a rock-bottom price, a sensible cheap way to get started. The build and converters are basic, but for the price it does the job.

Sound: 8.2Preamps: 8.2Features: 8.0Value: 9.2
Pros
  • Very affordable
  • Midas-designed preamp
  • Simple to use
Cons
  • Basic converters
  • Higher latency
Check price on Amazonโ‰ˆ $45

Frequently asked questions

What's the best of the audio interfaces in 2026?

Our top overall pick is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen), which leads on our combined score for performance, value and features. The Universal Audio Volt 2 and Audient iD4 MkII are excellent alternatives depending on budget and needs.

How did we choose these?

We weight performance, value, build quality and features, drawing on hands-on use and independent testing. See the methodology box above for the full breakdown.

Are these prices accurate?

Prices are approximate UK figures at the time of writing and change frequently. Click through to Amazon for the current price.

The bottom line

If you just want the best audio interfaces without overthinking it, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) is our top recommendation โ€” it earns the highest overall score for performance, value and features. Have a look at the current price and see what you think.

Check price on Amazon โ‰ˆ $180

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