10 Best Audio Interfaces 2025 in the United States

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is a solid choice for anyone looking to record or stream with professional-sounding quality without needing complicated gear. It offers 2 inputs and 2 outputs, which suits solo musicians, podcasters, and small setups. The audio quality is impressive, featuring a 120dB dynamic range and the same converters used in top studio equipment, ensuring clear, detailed sound. Its USB-C connection makes it easy to plug into most computers and even some tablets and smartphones, offering good versatility. It provides phantom power for condenser microphones, which is essential for many vocal and instrument mics.

The built-in preamps are highly regarded, delivering clean and transparent sound with an added “Air” mode that brightens vocals and guitars for a more polished result. Latency is kept low, so you won’t notice delays while recording or performing live. The unit’s aluminum body is compact and sturdy, making it portable and durable for home or on-the-go use. One big plus is the included software bundle, which gives you popular recording programs and plugins to get started right away without extra purchases.

On the downside, with only 2 inputs, it’s less suitable if you plan to record multiple sources simultaneously or larger bands. Also, while the USB 2.0 interface is reliable, it’s not the fastest standard available, though this rarely impacts typical home recording. The Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen delivers excellent sound quality, user-friendly features, and decent portability, making it among the best options for beginner to intermediate audio interfaces aimed at recording, streaming, and songwriting.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface is a solid choice for musicians, podcasters, and producers looking for high-quality audio recording in a compact package. One of its standout features is the impressive audio quality, capable of 24-bit/192kHz recording, ensuring your projects sound professional. The built-in high-performance mic pre-amps, along with the switchable Air mode, add clarity to recordings, making it especially beneficial for vocalists and acoustic instrument players. The interface also boasts two instrument inputs with Gain Halos, preventing distortion and ensuring clear sound capture.

In terms of connectivity, the USB-C interface is convenient and compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and iOS, which opens the door for diverse usage scenarios. The low-noise balanced outputs deliver crystal-clear playback, allowing you to appreciate every detail in your mixes. Additionally, the included Easy Start tool helps users quickly set up their recording environment, which is great for beginners.

The Scarlett Solo has its limitations. It only offers two inputs, meaning it may not be ideal for users needing to record multiple instruments or voices simultaneously. While it provides high-quality sound, some users may desire more advanced features or additional inputs as they progress in their audio journey. The portability, while decent, may not be suitable for heavy use in rugged environments. Another potential drawback is the reliance on software compatibility for full functionality, which may be challenging for those unfamiliar with audio recording programs. However, the three-year warranty gives peace of mind for potential hardware issues. The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a fantastic option for those starting in audio recording, providing excellent quality and ease of use, but may not fully meet the needs of more advanced users.

The PreSonus Quantum HD 2 is a solid choice if you're looking for a professional-level audio interface with plenty of inputs and outputs—20 channels in total, which is great for handling multiple microphones or instruments at once. It supports very high audio quality with 32-bit depth and up to 192 kHz sample rate, meaning your recordings can be very clear and detailed. Using USB-C connectivity, it offers fast and reliable data transfer, which helps keep latency (the delay between playing and hearing sound) very low. This makes it easier to record in real-time without annoying lag.

The interface includes two high-quality MAX-HD mic preamps with up to +75 dB gain, which are designed to be transparent and low-noise, suitable for a wide range of microphones. There's also phantom power for condenser mics and handy features like Auto Gain to set levels automatically. Guitarists and bassists will appreciate the instrument input co-developed with Fender, plus re-amp outputs let you experiment with your sound by running recordings back through amps and pedals. The build is reasonably portable and durable, weighing under 3 pounds, so it can fit into home or project studios easily.

It also comes with Studio One Pro software and works well with many popular digital audio workstations like Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and Logic Pro, offering good versatility. On the downside, while the number of inputs is high, only two of the mic preamps may limit users who need more high-quality mic inputs simultaneously. Also, its price and complexity might be more than what casual or beginner users need. For those seeking a powerful, low-latency interface with professional-grade sound and flexible software options, the Quantum HD 2 is a strong contender, especially for serious home or project studio musicians and producers.