Gear

Compare Audio Interfaces

14 audio interfaces side by side, with their published specs and typical prices. Our picks come first; our audio interfaces guide explains why we chose them.

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All Audio Interfaces

Spec Sheet Score (0–10): Based only on published specs like protection ratings and features. It doesn't measure sound, comfort, or fit, so it isn't our recommendation. How we calculate the spec sheet score

Showing all 14 products

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Compare audio interfaces: our picks first, then the rest by spec sheet score. Select a column heading to sort.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th GenTop Pick8.2Not yet tested226911619221YesNo$180–220£150–180View on Amazon
Behringer UMC202HDBudget Pick4.1Not yet tested22Not published11019221NoNo$60–90£55–80View on Amazon
MOTU M2Step-Up Pick7.8Not yet tested226011519221YesYes$200–240£180–210View on Amazon
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen9.2Not yet tested226911619241YesYes$250–290£210–250View on Amazon
RME Babyface Pro FSPro Reference9.2Not yet tested226511719222YesYes$900–1000£750–850View on Amazon
SSL 2+ MkII9.0Not yet tested2264116.519242YesYes$280–320£230–270View on Amazon
SSL 2 MkII8.0Not yet tested2264116.519222YesNo$200–230£170–200View on Amazon
MOTU M47.8Not yet tested226011519241YesYes$250–300£220–260View on Amazon
Audient iD14 MkII6.7Not yet tested2158Not published9642YesNo$280–330£230–270View on Amazon
Arturia MiniFuse 26.7Not yet tested225611019221YesYes$130–160£110–140View on Amazon
Steinberg UR22C6.4Not yet tested216010219221YesYes$170–200£130–160View on Amazon
Audient iD4 MkII6.1Not yet tested1158Not published9622YesNo$170–200£130–160View on Amazon
PreSonus Studio 24c5.4Not yet tested225010619221YesYes$150–180£130–160View on Amazon
Universal Audio Volt 24.8Not yet tested225511219221NoYes$170–200£150–180View on Amazon

How We Calculate the Spec Sheet Score

we use only figures the makers publish. Mic preamp gain counts most (weight 3), scored on a straight line from 50 dB (0 points) to 70 dB (10 points), because quiet dynamic mics need lots of clean gain. Mic input dynamic range (weight 2) runs from 100 dB (0) to 118 dB (10).

Loopback scores weight 2. Two headphone sockets, MIDI ports and a second mic preamp each add a little (weight 1), so one-input interfaces are not heavily marked down. Sample rate has the smallest weight (0.5) and stops earning points at 96 kHz, because higher rates make no audible difference for home recording.

Each factor gives 0 to 10 points and the score is the weighted average. We do not score price, build or sound. If a maker does not publish a figure, that factor is left out for that product and the remaining weights are rescaled.

If a product's published specs cover less than 60% of the total weight, its score is marked "limited data" and it is listed after the products with fuller data.

FactorWeightHow It Scores
Mic Preamp Gain350 dB or less struggles with quiet dynamic mics such as the SM7B or MV7+ over XLR; 70 dB covers almost any mic without a booster
Mic Input Dynamic Range2Covers the published range in this class (102 to 117 dB)
Loopback2Needed for streaming and recording calls
Headphone Sockets1
MIDI1
Mic Preamps1Small weight so one-input interfaces are not heavily penalised
Max Sample Rate0.5Capped at 96 kHz: higher rates only make bigger files for home recording

Sources

Every spec comes from the maker's own product page, spec sheet, or manual. A spec shows as "Not published" when the maker doesn't state it.

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