By Will Betts, October 27 2025

An audio interface is the essential component that links your computer to the real world. It converts analog audio signals into data your DAW can record/process, and the reverse so you can hear the tracks you’ve made.

It may not be the most exciting studio purchase you’ll make, but buying the best audio interface for your workflow will save you headaches later – whether you plan to connect a few synths, record vocals, or just crank up the headphone output as loud as possible.

Even to seasoned producers, the audio interface market can feel intimidating, with options ranging from basic £30 boxes to professional-grade £3,000 devices.

This guide is designed to help you find the right interface for you, with:

• An overview of the top-performer in each category
• A brief guide for deciding which audio interface is right for your workflow
• Producers’ frequently asked questions answered.

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TL;DR: Best audio interfaces in 2025

These are our top picks. Tap to jump to each mini review.

• Best Audio Interface for Beginners – Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)
• Best Sounding Audio Interface under £200 – Audient iD14 MkII
• Best Audio Interface with built in DSP – Universal Audio Apollo Twin X (Gen 2)
• Best Mid-Range Audio Interface – Solid State Logic SSL 2+ MkII
• Most Inputs on a Budget – Audient Evo 16
• Best Vintage Sound on a Budget – Universal Audio Volt 276
• Lowest Latency Budget Audio Interface – MOTU M2
• Lowest Latency Audio Interface – RME Babyface Pro FS

Best Audio Interface for Beginners – Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)

Price: £175 / $199
Inputs: 2 Analog (Mic, Line, Instr)
Outputs: 2 Analog (Line)
Roundtrip Latency (Mac @48kHz, 64 samples): 7.4ms

The ubiquitous Scarlett 2i2 is the go-to recommendation for first-time interface buyers, and the fourth gen adds features that solve common problems faced by beginners. Auto Gain eliminates the guesswork of setting input levels, and Clip Safe saves you from input distortion if you record too loud. Meanwhile, a major overhaul of the 2i2’s preamps (with 69dB of gain, up from 56dB) mean it’s now got enough juice to comfortably handle low-output mics like the Shure SM7B without needing an extra in-line preamp. 

Pros

• Has two “Air” modes (Presence and Presence + Drive) for different sonic characters
• Clip Safe mode prevents clipping (at the expense of a few milliseconds of latency)
• Auto Gain solves common beginner mistakes with level setting
• Incredible software bundle for beginners
• Clear input metering

Cons

• Headphone output lacks power for high-impedance headphones
• No physical blend knob between direct and playback signals, only software
• No MIDI I/O

What is Air mode on the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen?
There are two “Air” modes on the Scarlett 2i2 4th gen. “Presence” adds a 4dB high-frequency EQ shelf (great for adding a little extra sheen to vocals), while the new “Presence + Drive” mode adds 6dB of high-frequency gain and harmonics. The second mode can be useful for getting synths and bass to cut through. It’s not unique, though – a couple of other interfaces on this list have similar features, such as the UA Volt 276, and the SSL 2+ MkII. 

Who should buy the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen?
The Scarlett 2i2 is a great choice for beginners who need a little bit of assistance getting up and running with music production. 

Who shouldn’t buy the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen?
Producers who need to record more than two sources at once, or use high-impedance headphones. 

Alternatives: For about £50 less (£119), you can get the Scarlett Solo, but it has much less preamp gain (57dB), and no Auto Gain or Clip Safe mode. If you want automatic gain setting on a smaller budget, the Audient Evo 4 is great value at £89. If you like the idea of different preamp flavours on a budget, look at the UA Volt 276, and the SSL 2+ MkII.

Best Sounding Audio Interface under £200 – Audient iD14 MkII

Price: £189 / $329
Inputs: 2 Analog (XLR/1/4-inch jack combo), Channel 1 also has JFET DI Instrument + 8 ADAT Digital
Outputs: 2 1/4-inch Line Outputs
Roundtrip Latency (Mac @48kHz, 64 samples): 8.3ms

The Audient iD14 MkII is a fully-featured audio interface with sound quality rivalling much more expensive models. It uses the same preamp found in Audient’s premium ASP8024 console, making it a great choice if you record external instruments or mics. Scroll Control, turns the output knob into a DAW controller letting you adjust filter cutoffs and plugin controls without reaching for your mouse – perfect for electronic producers on the move. And its high-output headphone amp is easily loud enough if you just want to blast your track. It also has two headphone outs – one for a minijack and one for a ¼-inch jack. That means two things: either you can work with a collaborator on headphones, or you never have to scramble to find a headphone adapter again.

Pros

• Audient Console preamps (same circuits as their £30,000 studio desk)
• Dual headphone outputs (1/4-inch and 1/8-inch, no adapters needed)
• ADAT optical expansion adds 8 inputs via external preamp
• Scroll Control turns volume knob into DAW parameter controller
• High-output headphone amp drives 80+ Ohm headphones comfortably
• JFET DI adds subtle character to bass, guitar, and hardware synths

Cons

• Limited front panel input metering (only visible in software when recording)
• Requires USB-C or high-power USB-A 3.0 port for full headphone power
• Pushing headphone output hard can introduce slight distortion, users report

Who should buy the Audient iD14 MkII?
Producers who prioritise sound quality, home studios planning expansion, electronic producers wanting hands-on DAW control without an additional controller.

Who shouldn’t buy the Audient iD14 MkII?
Complete beginners wanting automated features like Auto Gain, users with standard USB-A 2.0 ports only.

Alternatives: The SSL 2+ (£199) offers a similarly high output headphone amp with two independent headphone level controls, while the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (£175) adds beginner-friendly recording features.

Best Audio Interface with Built-in DSP – Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Duo (Gen 2)

Price: From £999 / $1199
Inputs: 2 Analog (XLR/1/4-inch jack combo), Channel 1 has Hi-Z instrument input + 8 ADAT Digital
Outputs: 4 1/4-inch Line Outputs
Roundtrip Latency (Mac @48kHz, 64 samples): 5.0ms (sub-2ms via DSP)

The Apollo series is a favorite among professional producers because of its near-zero-latency plugins, powered by onboard DSP. This lets you use tools like Auto-Tune, amp sims, and classic hardware emulations (LA-2A, Neve EQs, etc.) with no distracting lag. The fourth-generation Apollo Twin X (Gen 2) features lower self-noise for cleaner recordings, Auto-Gain for quick level setting, and built-in support for Sonarworks Reference room correction, to help you make mixes that translate better without adding extra latency.

Pros

• Record through compression, EQ, and Auto-Tune without distracting latency (sub 2ms)
• Offloads some CPU from your computer during large sessions
• Unison preamps authentically emulate classic hardware behavior
• Apollo Monitor Correction can load Sonarworks Reference room correction profiles
• ADAT expansion adds 8 digital inputs via a separate preamp
• Massive UAD plugin library available

Cons

• UA’s DSP chips only run 2 or 3 plugins at once per input
• Plugins can be expensive: for example, Auto-Tune Realtime X costs $199, Sonarworks costs extra
• Using UAD plugins during mixdown increases bounce time.
• Doesn’t ship with a Thunderbolt cable

Who should buy the Apollo Twin X Duo (Gen 2)?

• Vocal producers, drummers – anyone who needs the lowest possible latency from plugins when recording audio
• Producer-mixers who want room correction and an audio interface in a single box
• People with deep pockets who are happy to get locked into the UAD plugin ecosystem 

Who shouldn’t buy the Apollo Twin X Duo (Gen 2)?

• Producers on a tight budget
• Anyone who mostly draws notes on the Piano Roll (MIDI Note Editor), or doesn’t record much audio
• Beginners who don’t want complicated software control software

Alternatives: If you need very low-latency plugins, and don’t have the budget for an Apollo Twin X, consider an Apollo Solo (Thunderbolt 3) for £499. It’s also bus-powered so you can be more mobile with it. The latency on the RME Babyface FS is so low that you could use VSTs live instead. Otherwise, there are many options with great sound quality for less, including the Audient iD 14 and iD24, Solid State Logic SSL 2+ MkII and the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

Best Mid-Range Audio Interface – Solid State Logic SSL2+ MkII

Price: £239 / $299
Inputs: 2 Analog (Mic, Line, Instrument)
Outputs: 4 Analog (2x Headphone Outs with 2 stereo sources).
Roundtrip Latency (Mac @48kHz, 64 samples): 9.5ms

SSL’s updated SSL2+ interface delivers the essentials admirably: low-noise preamps with Legacy 4K console “colour”, two independent headphone outputs for separate producer/performer mixes, and knob-per-function simplicity with no drivers. If you’re recording vocalists or collaborating late-night, the two headphone outs with separate source selection solve real workflow problems without software complexity. 

Pros

• lass-compliant  no drivers or control software
• “Legacy 4K” adds high-frequency boost and harmonic saturation inspired by SSL 4000-series console
• Preamps have very low self-noise for clean recordings
• Two loud headphone outputs enable separate producer and performer mixes
• Knob-per-function means no menu diving
• Practical software bundle includes vocal plugins and Ableton Live Lite
• DC-coupled outputs permit you to drive Eurorack modular synths with control voltage (CV)

Cons

• Large footprint on desk compared to competitors
• Higher latency than similarly priced interfaces
• No software control for deeper routing
• 192kHz/32-bit audio quality claim is marketing hype and means little in practice

What does the 192kHz/32-bit claim mean?
The SSL2+ is billed as being able to record at sampling rates up to 192kHz with bit depth up to 32-bit. The norm for production is 44.1/48kHz and 24-bit. See FAQ for more info on sampling rates. Theoretically, 32-bit recording could make it impossible to clip the input when recording, but in reality, this is not the case. 

Who should buy the SSL2+?
Producers who recording vocalists, late-night/on-the-go collaborators, producers wanting preamp sound options, and producers that prioritise hardware simplicity over software complexity.

Who shouldn’t buy the SSL2+?
Producers that need ultra-low latency for real-time vocal processing like compression or Auto-Tune. At 48kHz with a 64 sample buffer, the 9.5ms round-trip latency is noticeable when tracking – enough to distract most performers. The direct mix can help with this, but it’s not a perfect fix.

Alternatives: The Audient iD14 MkII (£189) offers more expandability and lower latency, while the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (£175) provides beginner-friendly automation at a lower price.

Audio Interface with Most Inputs on a Budget – Evo 16

Price: £399 / $749
Inputs: 8 Mic/Line (2 with Instrument DI), 16 ADAT digital
Outputs: 8 Mic/Line, 16 ADAT digital
Roundtrip Latency (Mac @48kHz, 64 samples): 7.2ms

The Audient Evo 16 is a dark horse in the budget audio interface market. No other interface offers so many inputs – 24 total – or the same complement time saving features at such a low price. With Smartgain on its eight onboard preamps, you can press one button and have all your gain levels set for an entire drum kit, a full band, or several hardware synths being triggered from your DAW. Audient’s heritage means you can trust the sound quality and longevity of the hardware, too.

Pros

• Incredible value per channel
• Smartgain
• Excellent display
• Two headphone outputs
• Routing instrument groups to the 10 virtual channels lets performers control their headphone mix

Cons

• More button clicks to get to some features

Who should buy the Evo 16?
Not just for beginners, Evo 16 is a superb pick for producers who record drums, or have a lot of hardware synths they want to record simultaneously on a budget.

Who shouldn’t buy the Evo 16?
In-the-box producers without much hardware. You’re better off saving your money and getting an interface with fewer inputs. If you need physical knobs for every function, this also isn’t for you.

Alternatives: Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig has twice as many analog inputs (16 line ins, two with mic preamps), and built-in MIDI I/O. But, it’s much pricier (£999) and some users complain about it being a bit noisy. The Focusrite 18i20 has up to 26 inputs (eight mic preamps) and comes in at £599/$749.

Best Vintage Sound on a Budget – Universal Audio Volt 276

Price: £179 / $299
Inputs: 2 Analog (Mic, Line, Instr), MIDI
Outputs: 2 Analog (Line), MIDI
Roundtrip Latency (Mac @48kHz, 64 samples): 10.3ms

For singers, a couple of things will transform a recording session from slog to joy: zero-latency monitoring and a polished vocal sound while tracking. Compression is key to that polish, and the Volt 276’s built-in 1176-style hardware compressor delivers it with zero latency. It offers three modes — Vocal, Guitar, and Fast — with the last adding punch for drums, rap vocals, or percussion. Meanwhile, the “Vintage” mode emulates a UA tube preamp, adding harmonics for presence, like an exciter.

Pros

• Built-in hardware compressor 
• “Vintage” mode adds brightness with second and third harmonics
• USB bus-powered, with optional 5V input (works with power bank)
• Simple operation

Cons

• Direct signal has no mix control to balance input signal and DAW playback
• Roundtrip latency is the highest in our round-up at 13ms (see table), but direct monitoring and hardware compression and harmonics help mitigate for that.

Who should buy the Universal Audio Volt 276
Self-producing artists who sing, or play instruments. 

Who shouldn’t buy the Universal Audio Volt 276
In-the-box producers who don’t record mics or instruments. Producers who need very low latency for software instruments. Anyone who uses or works with artists who need low latency tuning, like Auto-Tune.

Alternatives: If you’re looking for an audio interface with several sonic characters in this price bracket, also check out the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (£175/$199) and the SSL2+ (£239/$299).

Best Budget Audio Interface for Low Latency Performance – MOTU M2

Price: £199 / $199
Inputs: 2 Analog (Mic, Line, Instr), MIDI
Outputs: 2 Analog (TRS balanced line, RCA), MIDI
Roundtrip Latency (Mac @48kHz, 64 samples): 4.7ms

If you want a clean, low-noise, low-latency interface on a budget, the MOTU M2 is a solid pick. Yes, it skips extras like coloured preamps, onboard compression, and auto-gain. However, it delivers sub-5ms roundtrip latency at 48kHz (64 sample buffer), matching interfaces triple its price, which lets you monitor recordings with native VSTs without having to worry about high latency.

Pros

• Super clear metering on front panel
• Has incredibly low latency performance on Mac
• Has built-in MIDI I/O
• Very low self-noise
• TRS outputs are DC-coupled so you can drive Eurorack synths with control voltage (CV)
• Powerful headphone output

Cons

• Missing some of the more creative features of its competitors
• Not the most inspiring design

Who should buy the MOTU M2?
Eurorack modular synth owners, synth players, and producers who record acoustic instruments like guitar and piano. It’s also a good choice for producers who play virtual instruments using a MIDI controller and want snappy, responsive virtual instrument playback. 

Who shouldn’t buy the MOTU M2?
Producers who want more tonal colouration options from their audio interface. Singers, producers and podcasters who use the Shure SM7B microphone without an in-line preamp – the preamp gain available is a little low (60dB).

Alternatives: For similar latency figures, you’d be looking at an Apollo Twin X (£999) or RME Babyface FS (£635). But if ultra-low latency isn’t your top priority, and you just want a loud headphone output and similarly simple controls, check out the Audient iD14 MkII.

Lowest Latency Audio Interface – RME Babyface Pro FS

Price: £635 / $999
Inputs: 4 Analog (Mic/Line x2, Line/Instr x2), 8x ADAT Digital, MIDI
Outputs: 4 Analog (XLR x2, Headphone – ¼-inch + 3.5mm), 8 ADAT Digital, MIDI
Roundtrip Latency (Mac @48kHz, 64 samples): 4.2ms (sub-3ms with 32 sample buffer)

RME are known for two things: low-latency, rock-solid drivers, and continued support for legacy products over 20 years after their release. The Babyface Pro FS has the lowest roundtrip latency figures in our round-up, which is great for recording musicians, and for having responsive MIDI instruments. Beyond that, RME’s TotalMix software gives you access to DSP effects for monitoring, a bit like the UA Apollo Twin X. The main difference is that these effects are RME’s own plugins (EQ, reverb, delay) and do not include tuning or compression. That said, with such low latency, you can perform through VSTs on your computer in realtime without noticeable delay.

Pros

• Rock-solid performance
• Low roundtrip latency (4.2ms at 48kHz/64 samples)
• MIDI I/O and ADAT expansion
• Clean, transparent preamps
• Near-zero-latency monitoring FX (EQ, reverb, delay)
• USB 3 bus-powered, with optional power supply for iPad use
• DC-coupled outputs for modular synth control (CV)
• Includes a hard travel case

Cons

• Awkward on a desk when fully patched
• TotalMix software can overwhelm beginners
• Plain, utilitarian design
• No DSP compression

Who should buy the RME Babyface Pro FS?
Producers who want pristine sound over flashy features. Ideal for live performance, location recording, and Eurorack modular synth/vintage synth users thanks to its control voltage capabilities and ADAT expandability.

Who shouldn’t buy the RME Babyface Pro FS?
If you want built-in vocal tuning, compression, or amp sims, look elsewhere. The Babyface Pro FS is a precision tool, not a creative sandbox. Beginners may also find its routing software intimidating compared to plug-and-play interfaces like the Universal Audio Volt or Focusrite Scarlett.

Alternatives: The Apollo Twin X (Gen 2) has similar performance, but with slicker UAD plugins that run on DSP. If you want even better performance in a rack-mountable form, check out the RME Fireface UCX II (£1,110). If you’re all about low-latency performance on a budget, go for the MOTU M2.

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Buyer’s Guide: How to choose the best audio interface for you

There are several household names like Focusrite, Universal Audio, Audient and RME, and you can’t go far wrong with any of their interfaces. But, depending on how you work, some will suit your needs better than others.

You’ll want to consider:

• I/O: How many inputs and outputs do you need? How many mic preamps? Do you need onboard MIDI inputs and outputs to connect hardware synths? Do you want to grow your studio? 
• Latency: How much delay is added when recording and playing back audio. If you’re recording audio and want to use plugins without throwing off your performance, you’ll want roundtrip latency to be as low as possible. Check the comparison table. If you’re mostly drawing in patterns and using samples, your latency doesn’t need to be as low.
• Control Software: Some interfaces have an onboard mixer to let you hear yourself without latency  – great for recording, while others have loopback (useful for streaming). What will you be using yours for?
• Onboard DSP: Do you care about hearing effects being applied to your performance without latency? For singers who perform with AutoTune, this may be essential, making the Universal Audio Apollos appealing..
• Portability: Bus powered interfaces are more portable than ones with an external power supply (great on planes and trains). Most on this list are bus-powered, except the Apollo Twin and the Evo 16.
• Mic Preamp Gain: Popular dynamic mics like the Shure SM7B (used in Syntho vids) need a lot of gain, and not all interfaces can give you enough
• Headphone Amp: Not all headphone outputs are equal. If you like to crank it up, certain interfaces are better than others.
• Expandability: Do you plan to add more inputs later? If so, you’ll likely want ADAT inputs and maybe outputs, too.
• Bundled Software: Some interfaces come with basic versions of popular recording software, plugins and more. If you’re starting out, this could get you up and running quickly.

FAQs