Best Audio Interface 2026: 5 USB Picks from $159.99
WriterPickly Editorial
Updated 2026-10-05
An audio interface connects microphones and instruments to a computer and sends sound back out to headphones and speakers. At this level the converters are all good. The differences that affect daily use are the number of inputs, how much gain the preamps have, and how easy it is to set levels.
Quick answer
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen at $224.99 is the audio interface to buy for most home studios: two microphone preamps, 120dB of dynamic range and two Air modes. The Scarlett Solo at $159.99 is the pick for one voice or one guitar at a time. The MOTU M2 at $179.95 has a full-color LCD with level meters and loopback channels for streaming. The Universal Audio Volt 2 at $199 adds a vintage preamp mode, and the PreSonus Quantum ES 2 at $199.99 has preamps with 75dB of gain and an Auto Gain button.
We did not run our own testing on these interfaces. Measuring noise and latency needs each unit on the same computer with the same microphones, and we have not done that. What we did instead: took inputs, dynamic range, preamp gain and features from each manufacturer's product pages, checked prices on the makers' own US stores on October 4, 2026, and read owner reviews in volume. We kept only specific complaints that repeat, such as driver problems after operating system updates, crackling over USB hubs and headphone outputs that are too quiet.
🏆 Best overall: The 4th generation Scarlett 2i2 has two microphone preamps with line and instrument inputs on the front panel, 120dB of dynamic range and two Air modes that add presence and harmonic drive. It costs $224.99 on Focusrite's US store, the highest price here.
Top picks ↓Related articles
1★ Best Pick🏆 Best overallFocusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen
4th generation. Check the generation on the listing; older ones are still sold.
The 4th generation Scarlett 2i2 has two microphone preamps with line and instrument inputs on the front panel, 120dB of dynamic range and two Air modes that add presence and harmonic drive. It costs $224.99 on Focusrite's US store, the highest price here. It is the most widely used interface in this class, which makes help and tutorials easy to find.
Pros
- ✓Two mic preamps
- ✓120dB dynamic range
- ✓Two Air modes
Cons
- ✗$224.99
- ✗No LCD metering
2⭐ Best for one voiceFocusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen
4th generation. One mic preamp plus an instrument input.
The 4th generation Scarlett Solo has one microphone preamp, a dedicated instrument input and a line input, with the same 120dB of dynamic range and two Air modes as the 2i2. It costs $159.99, the lowest price here. It records a microphone and a guitar together. It cannot record two microphones.
Pros
- ✓$159.99
- ✓Mic and guitar together
- ✓Two Air modes
Cons
- ✗One mic preamp only
- ✗Not for two-person podcasts
3📊 Best meteringMOTU M2
2-in, 2-out USB interface with LCD metering.
The M2 has two combination microphone, line and instrument inputs and a full-color LCD that shows level meters for all inputs and outputs. MOTU lists ESS Sabre32 Ultra converters with 120dB of dynamic range on the main outputs and loopback driver channels for streaming and podcasting. It costs $179.95. It has no tone modes or automatic gain.
Pros
- ✓Full-color LCD meters
- ✓Loopback channels
- ✓$179.95
Cons
- ✗No auto gain
- ✗No preamp tone modes
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4🎙️ Best preamp characterUniversal Audio Volt 2
2-in, 2-out, bus powered.
The Volt 2 is a two-in, two-out interface with 24-bit, 192kHz conversion and a Vintage mic preamp mode that Universal Audio says adds the warmth of its 610 preamp. It is powered over USB and comes with UAD plug-ins and the LUNA recording software. It costs $199. The Vintage mode is recorded into the track and cannot be removed later.
Pros
- ✓Vintage preamp mode
- ✓UAD plug-ins and LUNA included
- ✓Bus powered
Cons
- ✗Tone mode is permanent on the take
- ✗No LCD metering
5🎚️ Easiest level settingPreSonus Quantum ES 2
2 mic preamps, USB-C.
The Quantum ES 2 has two MAX-HD microphone preamps with 75dB of gain, enough for quiet dynamic microphones, and an instrument input that PreSonus says was developed with Fender engineers. An Auto Gain button sets input level automatically, and LED meters show inputs and outputs. It costs $199.99.
Pros
- ✓75dB of preamp gain
- ✓Auto Gain button
- ✓LED input and output meters
Cons
- ✗Newer model, shorter record
- ✗$199.99
How many inputs you need
Count the things you record at the same moment. One voice, or one guitar, needs one input. A singer who plays guitar, a podcast with two microphones or a stereo keyboard needs two.
The Scarlett Solo has one microphone preamp plus a separate instrument input, so it can take a microphone and a guitar together. It cannot take two microphones. The other four interfaces here have two inputs that each accept a microphone, an instrument or a line source.
The table shows each maker's figures and the price on its own US store on October 4, 2026.
| Interface | Mic preamps | Stated highlight | Price seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen | 1 | 120dB dynamic range, Air modes | $159.99 |
| MOTU M2 | 2 | Color LCD meters, loopback, 120dB outputs | $179.95 |
| Universal Audio Volt 2 | 2 | Vintage mic preamp mode, 24-bit/192kHz | $199 |
| PreSonus Quantum ES 2 | 2 | 75dB preamp gain, Auto Gain | $199.99 |
| Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen | 2 | 120dB dynamic range, Air modes | $224.99 |
If you expect to record a drum kit or a full band at once, none of these is enough. Look at interfaces with four or eight preamps.
Gain, metering and setting levels
Gain is how much the preamp amplifies a microphone. Quiet dynamic microphones popular for podcasts need a lot of it. PreSonus lists 75dB of gain on the Quantum ES 2's preamps. With less gain you would add an inline booster.
Setting levels is where beginners go wrong. Too high and the recording clips, which cannot be repaired. Too low and noise comes up when you raise it later. The Quantum ES 2's Auto Gain button sets the level for you. The MOTU M2 shows inputs and outputs on a full-color LCD, which is easier to read than a ring of light around a knob.
Tone options are a matter of taste. Focusrite's Air modes add presence and harmonic drive. Universal Audio's Vintage mode adds the character of its 610 tube preamp. Both are baked into the recording, so use them deliberately.
Loopback, monitoring and software
Loopback sends the computer's own audio back in as an input. Streamers and podcasters use it to capture music, game sound or a call alongside the microphone. MOTU lists loopback driver channels on the M2.
Direct monitoring lets you hear yourself with no delay while recording. Check that the interface has it and that the headphone output has its own volume control.
All five are powered by USB and need no separate power supply for normal use. Each comes with bundled recording software and plug-ins. Universal Audio includes UAD plug-ins and its LUNA recording software with the Volt 2.
How these picks were chosen
We chose two-channel USB interfaces with published specifications from makers' own stores, at $159.99 to $224.99, covering a one-preamp model and four two-preamp models with different strengths. The Audient iD4 and SSL 2 are well regarded and are not covered here.
Recommendations are editorial. No brand paid for placement, and the links on this page are affiliate links that may earn Pickly a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an audio interface to record at home?▼
Is the Scarlett Solo enough?▼
What is phantom power?▼
What is loopback used for?▼
Does a more expensive interface sound better?▼
Will these work with an iPad or phone?▼
What sample rate should I record at?▼
Check the details of the products in this article
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen$224.99Reference price
- Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen$159.99Reference price
- MOTU M2$179.95Reference price
- Universal Audio Volt 2$199Reference price
- PreSonus Quantum ES 2$199.99Reference price
Prices change. Check the retailer for the current price.
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