Best Audio Interface Under $150
The best audio interface under $150 is the Audient EVO 4: two mic preamps with 58 dB of gain, plus Smart Gain, which sets your levels for you in under 20 seconds. If you only ever record one mic, get the Arturia MiniFuse 1 ($149). The M-Audio M-Track Solo is the cheapest way in.
On paper, all four publish mic noise figures within 1 dB of each other, so you're choosing on inputs and extras.
Quick picks
All four are current models, and every spec in the table comes from the manufacturer.
| Pick | Best for | Mic inputs | Max mic gain | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audient EVO 4 | Two mics, auto levels | 2 | 58 dB | $100 to $150 |
| Arturia MiniFuse 1 | One mic, 5-year warranty | 1 | 56 dB | $100 to $150 |
| M-Audio AIR 192|4 | Mic plus guitar, compact | 1 | 55 dB | Under $100 |
| M-Audio M-Track Solo | Lowest cost | 1 | 54 dB | Under $100 |
If you need more inputs or can stretch the budget, the best audio interface for home recording covers picks with up to 8 mic preamps.
The 4 best audio interfaces under $150
Every spec here comes from the manufacturer's own product page or tech spec sheet.
Audient EVO 4
For two people talking, or a vocal mic plus an acoustic guitar mic, on a budget.
- 2 mic preamps with 58 dB of gain and a 1 megohm JFET instrument input, per Audient's EVO 4 tech specs
- Mic EIN below minus 128 dBu
- Smart Gain, which listens to your performance and sets both input levels in under 20 seconds, per Audient's EVO 4 overview
- 5 ms DAW round trip latency at 44.1 kHz with a 32-sample buffer
- Loopback for streaming, USB-C, and bus power
The catch: one control wheel handles gain and volume for everything, instead of a knob per channel.
Price band: $100 to $150.
Arturia MiniFuse 1
For one mic or one instrument, from a maker that backs it for 5 years.
- 1 combo input for mic, instrument, or line, with 56 dB of gain, per Arturia's MiniFuse range page
- Minus 129 dB EIN typical, A-weighted, and 110 dB of dynamic range
- A 1 megohm instrument setting for guitar or bass
- A built-in USB hub port, bus power, and a 5-year hardware warranty
There are no MIDI ports. Those start on the MiniFuse 2 at $249.
Price band: $100 to $150, listed at $149 at the time of writing.
M-Audio AIR 192|4
For a small desk where one mic and one guitar stay plugged in.
- 1 XLR mic input with 55 dB of gain and a separate 1 megohm instrument input, per M-Audio's AIR 192|4 page
- Minus 128 dBu EIN at max gain, A-weighted
- Records up to 24-bit, 192 kHz
- 2.59 ms round trip latency, as published by M-Audio
The catch: the instrument input has only 24 dB of gain, against 55 dB on the mic input.
Price band: under $100.
M-Audio M-Track Solo
For a first interface when every dollar counts.
- 1 XLR mic input with 0 to 54 dB of gain, plus a 1 megohm instrument input, per M-Audio's M-Track Solo page
- Minus 128 dBu EIN at max gain
- RCA outputs and a 1/8 inch headphone jack
- Records at 48 kHz
It has RCA outputs instead of balanced 1/4 inch jacks, and it ships with a USB-B cable, not USB-C. If your laptop only has USB-C ports, budget for a different cable.
Price band: under $100.
Where to buy an audio interface under $150
Buy from the maker's own store or a dealer the maker lists on its website, so the warranty holds. Focusrite's warranty, for example, covers products bought from an authorized reseller for 36 months, and you'll need your receipt.
- Check the maker's dealer list. Audient's Where to Buy page lists dealers by product and country. Arturia lists its prices on its own product pages.
- Buy in your own country. Focusrite won't honor its warranty through your home distributor for a unit bought abroad.
- Keep the receipt. It proves your purchase date if you ever make a warranty claim.
How to choose under $150
At this price, choose on input count first, then on outputs. Published mic noise sits between minus 128 and minus 129 dB across all four, so noise won't decide it for you.
Need 2 mics at once
EVO 4
The only pick here with two mic preamps.
One mic, best extras
MiniFuse 1
Arturia's 5-year warranty and a built-in USB hub port.
Not sure you need one at all? Start with do I need an audio interface. To plug a guitar in, see how to connect a guitar to an audio interface. To stretch the rest of a tight budget, read building a home studio on a budget.
FAQ
Is a $100 audio interface good enough for recording?
Yes for one or two sources. The EVO 4 and M-Track Solo publish preamp noise of minus 128 dBu, within 1 dB of the minus 127 dBu Focusrite lists for its $240 Scarlett 2i2.
Where should I buy an audio interface under $150?
From the maker's own store or a dealer its website lists. Focusrite, for example, only honors its warranty for products bought from an authorized reseller.
Can I record two people with an interface under $150?
Yes, with the Audient EVO 4, which has two mic preamps. The MiniFuse 1, AIR 192|4, and M-Track Solo have one mic input each.
Should I buy a used audio interface?
Only with the original receipt. Focusrite's warranty runs 36 months from the original purchase and needs a copy of the original invoice from an authorized reseller.