Brandon SchockWe’ve reviewed many audio interfaces here at Higher Hz, and in this article, we’ll be providing you with what we consider to be the best choices for 2023.
We’ll tackle a wide variety of different units for both macOS and Windows users, USB and Thunderbolt, and home and professional studios alike.
While some of our choices are ideal for those of you with a limited budget, we’ve also included several interfaces on the higher end to give you a more well-rounded idea of what’s best.
These are the best audio interfaces on the market right now:
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
- Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6
- Universal Audio Apollo Twin X
- Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre
- RME Babyface Pro FS
- Black Lion Audio Revolution 2×2
- Solid State Logic SSL 2+
- RME Fireface UFC+
- M-Audio M-Track Solo
- Motu M2
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
The most popular
The Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen is easily the best audio interface that you can buy on a budget. The unit offers a tremendous value for its cost in terms of performance, plus it looks awesome.
The Scarlett 2i2 is a 2-in/2-out unit with two XLR/TRS inputs, both of which offer 48 V phantom power. For less than $200, there really isn’t any competition here.
It has amazing preamps with switchable Air mode, a max sample rate of 192 kHz, and comes with a pretty sizable software bundle. We really can’t recommend this unit enough.
Check out our full Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen review
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6
Absolute best under $300
The Komplete Audio 6 is an incredibly well-designed interface. For its price range, its performance capabilities are nearly unmatched. This interface comes with really solid-sounding preamps, and a huge amount of bundled software to get you started.
It may honestly be the best audio interface for beginners still learning the art of recording. However, professionals can find a great use for it as well if they’re searching for a cheap unit to manipulate their Eurorack or other modular devices.
For its versatility, budget, and quality, you really can’t go wrong here.
Check out our full NI Komplete Audio 6 review
Universal Audio Apollo Twin X
The best real-time processing
The Apollo Twin X is a great option for those looking to take advantage of UAD plugins and real-time processing. At around $1500, the Apollo Twin X Quad is one of the most professional-sounding interfaces for its price range.
The unit is compatible with LUNA software, which grants you a smoothly integrated environment for recording, editing, and mixing. The Apollo’s strengths are vast, allowing you full software-based control over the interface’s parameters, and real-time tracking through UAD plugins.
All this along with its super-fast and low-latency Thunderbolt 3 compatibility make the Apollo Twin X an amazing investment for musicians trying to bring their recordings to the next level.
Check out our full Universal Audio Apollo Twin X (Quad) review
Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre
The workhorse
Focusrite’s Clarett+ 8Pre is a fantastic interface. It offers 18-in/20-out, eight channels of ADAT I/O, MIDI I/O, and stereo S/PDIF.
The preamps are superb and offer Focusrite’s signature Air mode which adds a slight boost in amplitude of higher frequencies around 1 K for clarifying vocals and guitars.
With all things considered, the Clarett+ 8Pre is possibly the best USB interface audio for your home studio.
Check out our full Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre review
RME Babyface Pro FS
The interface for everybody
The Babyface Pro FS is a huge upgrade from the unit’s predecessors. The interface has kept true to everything that made the first iterations so great, with several boosts of performance making it one of the most solid recording interfaces on the market.
RME has a great reputation for making some of the lowest-latency items in audio recording, and the Babyface doesn’t fall short of upholding the company’s name.
The unit is a compact, and high-performing powerhouse suitable for professionals, amateurs, and live performers alike.
Check out our full RME Babyface Pro FS review
Black Lion Audio Revolution 2×2
The best preamps
This unit might not be everybody’s cup of tea, considering that it was entirely designed by ear. However, the Revolution 2×2 is outstanding as long as your preferences align with it.
Before being put on the shelves, every aspect of the unit’s design was subjected to blind-listening tests while being compared to a huge variety of interfaces by other manufacturers, some of which were in the $2000 price range.
The preamps are exceptionally warm and clear, it’s incredibly well built, and its design is elegant and simple.
Check out our full Black Lion Audio Revolution 2×2 review
Solid State Logic SSL 2+
One of the best desktop interfaces
For the price, Solid State Logic’s SSL 2+ is an absolute powerhouse. The unit’s simple design and high-quality sound make the SSL 2+ the perfect interface for any budding home studio.
The SSL 2+ is a 2-in/4-out interface with MIDI I/O, great preamps, as well as a switch to engage Legacy mode which imparts the analog sound of SSL’s highly coveted 4000 series console.
It requires no drivers for Mac as it’s class-compliant, but for Windows, you’ll find the drivers readily accessible through SSL’s website.
This unit is ideal for desktop use and is accommodating for a wide variety of different studio setups.
Check out our full Solid State Logic SSL 2+ review
RME Fireface UFX+
The professionals choice
For any engineer looking for a high-end audio interface, the Fireface UFX+ is more than deserving of your attention. Its capabilities have been bolstered with MADI I/O, low-latency Thunderbolt connectivity, and higher digital signal processing.
The sound of the Fireface is impeccably clean. This is largely due to its pro-level AD/DA converters and analog I/O circuits.
In any case, this is a fantastic audio interface. The only reason it’s so low on the list is because of its high price point, but if you can it’s well worth the money.
M-Audio M-Track Solo
The best cheap audio interface
Even though the M-Track Solo is just under $50, don’t be fooled – it’s a great audio interface. For any beginners out there wanting a cheap but solid unit, the M-Track Solo is your perfect bet.
The unit has an incredibly simple design and is extremely beginner-friendly. It comes with one XLR/TRS combo unit and an additional line input.
For those just starting out, we can’t recommend it highly enough. However, if you’re looking for something with a little more oomph, you should probably look elsewhere.
Check out our full M-Audio M-Track Solo review
Motu M2
The best metering
The Motu M2 is a super versatile, simple-to-understand interface. It comes with two XLR/TRS combo inputs, and a vibrant LCD screen for easy and accurate monitoring.
At $200, the M2 offers just enough to make the expense worth it. In our opinion, it’s not as great as the Scarlett 2i2, but you could certainly do a lot worse.
Now, don’t get us wrong – this is a great unit to invest in. We even featured it at number 3 on our list for best budget interfaces. However, if we’re talking about which interfaces are best in general the Motu M2 leaves some to be desired. That being said, it’s still a perfectly solid choice for beginners.
Check out our full Motu M2 review
Conclusion
Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to record music. Nearly every audio interface available has the capability to capture sound at the same quality of professional-grade consoles.
While this isn’t to say that all interfaces are created equal, high-quality units are more accessible than ever. So, regardless of budget, there’s an interface to serve every recording need.
