AudioFu

Best USB Audio Interfaces Under $800 2026

Affordable usb audio interfaces under $800 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 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
Heritage Audio i73 One - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Heritage Audio i73 One

by Heritage Audio
Mobile Recording Home Studio Content Creation
Key Feature:
• Wide range of prices and features
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners to professionals
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
✗ CONS
  • • Higher latency than premium interfaces
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models

Heritage Audio i73 One2 x 4 USB 2.0 Audio Interface32-bit / 192 kHzTwo inputs to four outputsIntegratedclassic Class-A...

⭐ 4.9/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 584221
$589
Buy at Thomann View Details
Universal Audio Apollo Twin USB Duo Heritage - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Universal Audio Apollo Twin USB Duo Heritage

by Universal Audio
Mobile Recording Podcasting Content Creation
Key Feature:
• Portable and bus-powered options
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners to professionals
  • • Wide range of prices and features
✗ CONS
  • • USB port dependency
  • • USB bandwidth limitations

Universal Audio Apollo Twin USB Duo HeritageUSB 3.0 Audio InterfaceHeritage EditionAlmost latency-free recording with...

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 508040
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Presonus Quantum ES Ultimate Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Presonus Quantum ES Ultimate Bundle

by Presonus
Project Studio Content Creation Home Studio
Key Feature:
• Portable and bus-powered options
✓ PROS
  • • Universal USB compatibility
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
✗ CONS
  • • Computer USB performance dependent
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models

Presonus Quantum ES Ultimate BundleRecording SetConsisting of Quantum ES 2 USB-C audio interfaceEris 3.5 2nd Gen active...

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 600175
$505
Buy at Thomann View Details
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen

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

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen18-Channel USB 2.0 Audio Interface with USB-C Connector24 bit / 192 kHz122 dB Dynamic...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596531
$761
Buy at Thomann View Details
Audient iD44 MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Audient iD44 MKII

by Audient
Podcasting Home Studio Project Studio
Key Feature:
• Wide range of prices and features
✓ PROS
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
✗ CONS
  • • Higher latency than premium interfaces
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models

Audient iD44 MKIIUSB 2.0 Desktop Audio Interface20 In / 24 OutUSB-C connector4 Class-A Audient console microphone...

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 544989
$593
Buy at Thomann View Details
Tascam Mixcast 4 Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Tascam Mixcast 4 Bag Bundle

by Tascam
Project Studio Content Creation Home Studio
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners to professionals
✓ PROS
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
  • • Universal USB compatibility
✗ CONS
  • • Higher latency than premium interfaces
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models

Tascam Mixcast 4 Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Tascam Mixcast 4*Podcast Recording Mixer*Recordermixer and USB...

⭐ 4.7/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 535196
$567
Buy at Thomann View Details
MOTU M6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

MOTU M6

by MOTU
Podcasting Content Creation Mobile Recording
Key Feature:
• Universal USB compatibility
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of prices and features
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
✗ CONS
  • • Higher latency than premium interfaces
  • • USB port dependency

MOTU M6Six-Channel USB-C Audio InterfaceUSB-C connector24 bit / 192 kHz AD/DA converterTwo microphone preamplifiers...

⭐ 4.7/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 554401
$559
Buy at Thomann View Details
Antelope Zen Quadro Synergy Core - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Antelope Zen Quadro Synergy Core

by Antelope
Mobile Recording Project Studio Content Creation
Key Feature:
• Universal USB compatibility
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners to professionals
  • • Wide range of prices and features
✗ CONS
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models
  • • Computer USB performance dependent

Antelope Zen Quadro Synergy Core14 x 10 dual USB-C audio interface with Synergy Core real-time effectsAD/DA conversion:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 591213
$688
Buy at Thomann View Details
ART TubeMix - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

ART TubeMix

by ART
Home Studio Project Studio Mobile Recording
Key Feature:
• Wide range of prices and features
✓ PROS
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
  • • Universal USB compatibility
✗ CONS
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models
  • • USB bandwidth limitations

ART TubeMix5-Channel Small Mixer and USB Audio Interface16 Bits44.1/ 48 kHz2 Balanced XLR mic inputs1 Instrument input...

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 389451
$505
Buy at Thomann View Details
Tascam Mixcast 4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Tascam Mixcast 4

by Tascam
Mobile Recording Podcasting Project Studio
Key Feature:
• Portable and bus-powered options
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of prices and features
  • • Universal USB compatibility
✗ CONS
  • • USB port dependency
  • • USB bandwidth limitations

Tascam Mixcast 4Podcast Recording MixerRecordermixer and USB audio interface with 14 inputs and 2 outputsIdeal for...

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 526529
$501
Buy at Thomann View Details
Black Lion Audio Revolution 6x6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Black Lion Audio Revolution 6x6

by Black Lion Audio
Podcasting Content Creation Home Studio
Key Feature:
• Portable and bus-powered options
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners to professionals
  • • Universal USB compatibility
✗ CONS
  • • USB bandwidth limitations
  • • Computer USB performance dependent

Black Lion Audio Revolution 6x66-Channel USB-C Audio InterfaceWith word clock and USB OTG functionStand-Alone DAC...

⭐ 4.7/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 581285
$648
Buy at Thomann View Details
ART TubeMix Case Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

ART TubeMix Case Bundle

by ART
Project Studio Content Creation Home Studio
Key Feature:
• Universal USB compatibility
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of prices and features
  • • Portable and bus-powered options
✗ CONS
  • • USB bandwidth limitations
  • • Higher latency than premium interfaces

ART TubeMix Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, ART TubeMix*5-Channel Small Mixer and USB Audio Interface*16...

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 535706
$548
Buy at Thomann View Details
Bitwig Connect 4/12 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Bitwig Connect 4/12

by Bitwig
Project Studio Mobile Recording Podcasting
Key Feature:
• Universal USB compatibility
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of prices and features
  • • Great for beginners to professionals
✗ CONS
  • • Computer USB performance dependent
  • • Higher latency than premium interfaces

Bitwig Connect 4/12USB Audio InterfaceWith CV and Bitwig integration24 Bit / 192 kHzBitwig integration for transport...

⭐ 4.4/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609877
$538
Buy at Thomann View Details
Universal Audio Apollo Solo USB Heritage Ed. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Universal Audio Apollo Solo USB Heritage Ed.

by Universal Audio
Content Creation Podcasting Home Studio
Key Feature:
• Universal USB compatibility
✓ PROS
  • • Universal USB compatibility
  • • Plug-and-play simplicity
✗ CONS
  • • USB port dependency
  • • Power limitations on bus-powered models

Universal Audio Apollo Solo USB Heritage Ed.2 x 4 USB Audio InterfaceHeritage EditionWith a SHARC DSP for computing the...

⭐ 4.9/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 508035
$501
Buy at Thomann View Details
Avid MBOX Studio - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Avid MBOX Studio

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

Avid MBOX StudioUSB-C 2.0 Audio InterfaceIntegrated high-impedance re-amping output with ground lift for flexible...

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 553836
$765
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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