AudioFu

Best USB Audio Interfaces Under $2,000 2026

Affordable usb audio interfaces under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $50 Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Home Studio For Project Studio For Mobile Recording For Podcasting For Content Creation
BRANDS: Focusrite Behringer Arturia IK Multimedia RME ESI Presonus Universal Audio Zoom Apogee Swissonic Tascam Audient MOTU Roland Steinberg Yamaha Antelope SSL
Neumann MT 48 U - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Neumann MT 48 U

by Neumann
Podcasting Content Creation Home Studio
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners to professionals
✓ PROS
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
  • • Wide range of prices and features
✗ CONS
  • • USB bandwidth limitations
  • • Higher latency than premium interfaces

Neumann MT 48 U12 x 16 USB 2.0 Audio InterfaceIndividually configurable monitoring controller (monostereosurround and...

⭐ 4.4/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 603005
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Apogee Symphony Desktop - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Apogee Symphony Desktop

by Apogee
Project Studio Podcasting Home Studio
Key Feature:
• Portable and bus-powered options
✓ PROS
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
✗ CONS
  • • USB port dependency
  • • Computer USB performance dependent

Apogee Symphony DesktopUSB-C Audio Interface10 In x 14 Out desktop audio interface with high-quality converters and...

⭐ 4.4/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 483382
$1,730
Buy at Thomann View Details
MOTU 16A (2025) - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

MOTU 16A (2025)

by MOTU
Mobile Recording Home Studio Content Creation
Key Feature:
• Plug-and-play simplicity
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of prices and features
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
✗ CONS
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models
  • • USB port dependency

MOTU 16A (2025)32 x 34 Thunderbolt/USB/AVB Audio Interface32 inputs x 34 outputsTwo 3.9" displays for all inputs...

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 615167
$1,925
Buy at Thomann View Details
SSL 18 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

SSL 18

by SSL
Content Creation Project Studio Home Studio
Key Feature:
• Plug-and-play simplicity
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of prices and features
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
✗ CONS
  • • Computer USB performance dependent
  • • USB port dependency

SSL 18USB Audiointerface 26 In / 28 Out32-bit / 192 kHz+24 dBu operating level for all inputs and outputs120 dB dynamic...

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609316
$1,033
Buy at Thomann View Details
Antelope Discrete 4 Pro Synergy Core - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Antelope Discrete 4 Pro Synergy Core

by Antelope
Home Studio Project Studio Podcasting
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners to professionals
✓ PROS
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
  • • Great for beginners to professionals
✗ CONS
  • • USB port dependency
  • • Computer USB performance dependent

Antelope Discrete 4 Pro Synergy CoreThunderbolt/USB Audio Interface14x20 Thunderbolt 3 & USB 2.0 audio interface...

⭐ 4.4/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 543058
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Black Lion Audio Revolution 14x16 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Black Lion Audio Revolution 14x16

by Black Lion Audio
Mobile Recording Home Studio Content Creation
Key Feature:
• Wide range of prices and features
✓ PROS
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
  • • Wide range of prices and features
✗ CONS
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models
  • • Computer USB performance dependent

Black Lion Audio Revolution 14x16USB-C Audio Interface14 Inputs and 16 outputsIntegrated Black Lion Auteur preamplifier...

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 602978
$1,627
Buy at Thomann View Details
RME Digiface Dante - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

RME Digiface Dante

by RME
Project Studio Mobile Recording Content Creation
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners to professionals
✓ PROS
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
  • • Wide range of prices and features
✗ CONS
  • • Higher latency than premium interfaces
  • • Computer USB performance dependent

RME Digiface DanteUSB 3.0 Audio Interface128 Input channels / 128 output channels64 Channels Dante I / O64 Channels...

⭐ 4.5/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 447044
$1,418
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Orca Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Orca Bag Bundle

by Sound Devices
Project Studio Content Creation Home Studio
Key Feature:
• Universal USB compatibility
✓ PROS
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
  • • Universal USB compatibility
✗ CONS
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models
  • • USB port dependency

Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Orca Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Sound Devices MixPre-6 II*Portable audio recorder...

⭐ 4.7/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 490258
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig

by Arturia
Content Creation Home Studio Mobile Recording
Key Feature:
• Plug-and-play simplicity
✓ PROS
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
✗ CONS
  • • USB port dependency
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models

Arturia AudioFuse 16RigUSB Audio Interface with USB-C PortCombines connectivity with flexible configuration optionsTo...

⭐ 4.8/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 577287
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
MOTU 828 (2024) - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

MOTU 828 (2024)

by MOTU
Home Studio Podcasting Content Creation
Key Feature:
• Wide range of prices and features
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of prices and features
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
✗ CONS
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models
  • • USB bandwidth limitations

MOTU 828 (2024)28 x 32 USB 3.1 Audio Interface with USB-C ConnectionResolution: 24 bit / 192 kHzESS Sabre32 Ultra...

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 583527
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Audio i73 Pro Edge - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Heritage Audio i73 Pro Edge

by Heritage Audio
Mobile Recording Project Studio Podcasting
Key Feature:
• Universal USB compatibility
✓ PROS
  • • Universal USB compatibility
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
✗ CONS
  • • USB bandwidth limitations
  • • Computer USB performance dependent

Heritage Audio i73 Pro Edge12 x 16 USB-C Audio Interface32 Bit / 192 kHz12 Input to 16 outputsIntegratedclassic Class-A...

⭐ 4.7/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584199
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
iConnectivity PlayAUDIO1U - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

iConnectivity PlayAUDIO1U

by iConnectivity
Home Studio Content Creation Podcasting
Key Feature:
• Portable and bus-powered options
✓ PROS
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
  • • Universal USB compatibility
✗ CONS
  • • Computer USB performance dependent
  • • Higher latency than premium interfaces

iConnectivity PlayAUDIO1UUSB Live Playback audio / MIDI interfaceFor simultaneous operation on two computers for a...

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 575751
$1,326
Buy at Thomann View Details
RME Fireface 802 FS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

RME Fireface 802 FS

by RME
Content Creation Home Studio Project Studio
Key Feature:
• Plug-and-play simplicity
✓ PROS
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
  • • Great for beginners to professionals
✗ CONS
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models
  • • Computer USB performance dependent

RME Fireface 802 FS60-Channel USB 2.0 Audio Interface24-bit / 192 kHzBuilt-in DSP mixer with effects section...

⭐ 4.6/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 568731
$1,913
Buy at Thomann View Details
Antelope Discrete 8 Pro Synergy Core - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Antelope Discrete 8 Pro Synergy Core

by Antelope
Mobile Recording Content Creation Project Studio
Key Feature:
• Portable and bus-powered options
✓ PROS
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
  • • Universal USB compatibility
✗ CONS
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models
  • • Computer USB performance dependent

Antelope Discrete 8 Pro Synergy CoreThunderbolt/USB Audio Interface26x32 Thunderbolt 3 & USB 2.0 audio interface...

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 538842
$1,477
Buy at Thomann View Details
RME Fireface UCX II - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

RME Fireface UCX II

by RME
Project Studio Mobile Recording Podcasting
Key Feature:
• Plug-and-play simplicity
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of prices and features
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
✗ CONS
  • • USB bandwidth limitations
  • • Computer USB performance dependent

RME Fireface UCX IIUSB 2.0 Audio Interface24 Bit / 192 kHz AD/DA converter20 Input and output channelsSteadyClock...

⭐ 4.8/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 521302
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best USB Audio Interfaces

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced usb audio interfaces typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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