Need the best cheap audio interface? As a beginner, you need to get the best cheap audio interface on the market, and upgrade to a professional interface when you need to deal with a slightly better digital interface. You can find audio interfaces like Komplete Audio and Audiobox in this price category, but look at our list below to find all deals and models.
With the best cheap audio interface you can get high-quality audio, phantom power, slightly better sample rate, and almost every USB audio interface on the market comes with 48v phantom power. In this price category, you can get cheap audio interface that is both affordable, looks professional, universal, and offers relatively good sound quality.
This category includes best cheap audio interfaces, so you can get affordable interface and professional, high-quality sound. Let's find the best deal for YOU! No matter what your budget is, your next audio interface is on this list.
For musicians taking their first steps in recording and production, an audio interface is likely to be one of their first purchases, at a point when affordability is likely to be a major factor. Fortunately, it’s possible to pick up a good quality, straightforward audio interface without having to flash too much cash. For this best budget audio interface guide, we’ve compiled the top options available at the very lowest end of the price spectrum.
Best Cheap Audio Interface ~~ Best Interface For YOU (Review For Beginners & Pros)
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 1
A stylish interface bundled with quality software
NI don’t have the audio interface pedigree of some of the brands in this list, with just three I/O boxes amongst their current line-up of products – including the slightly higher spec’d Komplete Audio 2. This is no sub-par imitator though. As with pretty much all recent NI gear, the Komplete Audio 1 is well designed and sturdily built, offering features ideal for bedroom producers.
If you need a digital interface that is both affordable and professional, the Komplete Audio is definitely perfect for you. This sound card is good for home studio, comes with a recording software, offers 48v phantom power, has a quality headphone output & instrument input, good sample rate and sound quality.
Mackie Onyx Artist 1-2
Best cheap audio interface when it comes to durability
Need zero-latency monitoring, excellent recording quality and best cheap audio interface that's built like a tank? This audio interface might be the one for you!
The Onyx Artist 1-2 audio interface features an Onyx mic preamp with excellent sound quality. Controls and I/O options are exactly what you'd expect at this budget price range; 1/4" TRS input and XLR mic input.
If you need the best cheap audio interface to record your music performance at home, in the studio, or on the go, look no further!
Tascam US-1X2
Audio interface with one of the best mic preamps in this price range
Another best cheap audio interface on our review chart. Though the Tascam US-1X2 features an eye-catching design, it's not the most versatile interface on this chart (in terms of I/O choices). It does, however, come with XLR and TRS input for mics and switchable line-level or instrument-level recording. And, its mic preamp is certainly one of the best in this price range, even in 2019.
M-Audio M-Track 2X2 C-Series
A stylish audio interface with rock solid performance
Probably the best cheap audio interface from the brand that does things differently - M-Audio. Needless to say, this audio interface looks very appealing and packs great hardware.
I actually bought this audio interface 2 years ago and I'm still using it daily in 2019. It features extremely low signal coloration and noise levels, that's why it's perfect for people that need clean studio quality recordings, especially vocals.
PreSonus AudioBox USB 2x2
Looks aside, this is an excellent all-round package
Audiobox is the best cheap audio interface for people with one main goal - recording vocals.
Audiobox is not the best in terms of the design, but it's not too ugly either. This audio interface does have an excellent build quality, though. Besides the versatile I/O ports, the Audiobox interface comes with great software package by PreSonus.
Overall, the AudioBox USB 2x2 audio interface is a good choice for beginners and advanced users on a budget. Definitely great addition to any studio.
Behringer U-PHORIA UMC204HD
The best cheap audio interface in terms of versatility
The U-PHORIA audio interface series has set a high standard when it comes to good recordings and performances at a budget price. This audio interface is designed to offer more features than you can find elsewhere!
It packs two inputs (XLR/TRS ports) and four outputs. The audio interface also features Behringer's MIDAS mic preamp, which delivers great vocal clarity.
This is a good choice for people that need a versatile audio interface.
Steinberg UR12
Cheap audio interface from the well-known brand
Though the Steinberg name may not be associated with cheap gear, the UR12 will get the job done at an affordable price this time.
The UR12 audio interface looks really clean and the build quality is on point as well. It features two channels for microphone and instrument, and you get gain control for both.
You can power this audio interface using the standard USB cable or 5V DC via mini USB.
Line 6 Sonic Port
Great audio interface for guitar players on the go
Line 6 is a well-known brand in the music industry, and they have created some of the most affordable guitar accessories in 2019 (inclusing audio interfaces).
This is the least versatile audio interface on this list. It's only compatible with Mac OS DAWs, and only guitar players can take advantage of its features.
Not great for home studio, but best cheap audio interface especially for guitar players on the go.
As you can see in this Best Cheap Audio Interface buying guide, you no longer have to spend thousands of dollars to get the best cheap audio interface interface for your studio. There are a lot of 5-star rated budget friendly audio interfaces that will do the job, and help you record your performance or vocals in a studio - best cheap audio interface is perfectly capable of that!
If you're looking for best cheap audio interface rated with 5 stars, take a look at the interface review articles above. We can't display any price here, so click the button "Check Price" and check the price on Amazon for each best cheap audio interface.
I'd be lying if I said a $500 audio interface doesn't deliver better features and studio sound, but we're looking at the best CHEAP audio interfaces here. And, the core performance of an audio interface under $1000 and those under $100 is more or less the same.
At the end of the day, the best cheap audio interface is there to deliver the best possible sound on a budget. Most audio interfaces will offer mic preamp and an instrument channel (and output options and controls). But you can't expect much more than that.
If you're a music critic, guitar junky, or fella that likes music, this buying guide will help you pick good music studio equipment, no matter what your budget is. If you have any questions, contact us at media@indiehq.com.
Best cheap audio interface choices mentioned below are cheap and good for beginners, but that doesn't mean they suck. You can find an online review for each of these audio interfaces mentioned above. And, if you need other studio equipment (which doesn't suck), check out our other reviews as well.