Best Home Recording Studio Kits

The best home recording studio kit for most people is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio: an interface, a condenser mic with pop filter, closed-back headphones, an XLR cable, and three DAWs in one box. If you need two mic inputs, or more gain for a future mic upgrade, get the Scarlett 2i2 Studio.

All four kits below share one gap: none includes a mic stand, so budget for one.

Quick picks

Each kit is current on its maker's site, with contents and specs taken from the product page.

What's in the box

Every kit includes an interface, a condenser mic, headphones, an XLR cable, and DAW software. They differ on pop filters, and all four leave out the stand.

The 4 kits

Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio: best overall

The Scarlett Solo Studio 4th Gen is the simplest complete setup for one voice. It has one mic preamp with 57 dB of gain plus a separate instrument input, so you can record vocals and guitar at the same time.

• Comes with the Scarlett Solo 4th Gen, a CM25 MkIII condenser mic with pop filter, SH-450 closed-back headphones, a 9.8 ft (3 m) XLR cable, and a USB-C to A cable
• Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, and the Hitmaker Expansion plugin bundle
• The mic is a 20 mm electret condenser, cardioid, with 16 dBA self-noise, per Focusrite's CM25 MkIII page
• Records at up to 24-bit, 192 kHz

The catch: there's one mic input, and 57 dB of gain falls short of the 60 dB Shure asks for with an SM7B.

Price band: $250 to $350, listed at $309.99 at the time of writing.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio: best for two mics

The Scarlett 2i2 Studio 4th Gen has the same mic, headphones, and software as the Solo kit, with a bigger interface. Its two mic preamps reach 69 dB of gain, the most of any kit here.

• Comes with the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen, a CM25 MkIII mic with pop filter, SH-450 headphones, a 9.8 ft (3 m) XLR cable, and a USB-C to A cable
• 2 mic, 2 instrument, and 2 line inputs
• Auto Gain, Clip Safe, Air modes, and loopback
• Records at up to 24-bit, 192 kHz

You pay more for a second input that a solo singer may never use. If a second singer or a mic upgrade is likely, it's money well spent.

Price band: $350 to $400, listed at $379.99 at the time of writing.

M-Audio AIR 192|4 Vocal Studio Pro: best for beat makers

The M-Audio AIR 192|4 Vocal Studio Pro bundles the most software: Ableton Live Lite, MPC Beats, AIR virtual instruments, and the Touch Loops sample library. The interface has one mic input with 55 dB of gain and a separate instrument input.

• Comes with the AIR 192|4, a NOVA Black condenser mic with shock mount and windscreen, HDH40 closed-back headphones, an XLR cable, and USB-C to C and USB-C to A cables
• Mic preamp EIN of minus 128 dBu, per M-Audio
• Records at 24-bit, 192 kHz

There's no pop filter, only a foam windscreen, so add one for close vocals (best pop filter).

Price band: M-Audio doesn't list a price on its product page.

PreSonus AudioBox 96 Studio: lowest cost

The PreSonus AudioBox 96 Studio is the cheapest kit here and the only one with MIDI In and Out ports. It includes a perpetual Fender Studio Pro license.

• Comes with the AudioBox USB 96, an M7 condenser mic with stand adapter and 9.8 ft (3 m) XLR cable, HD7 headphones, and a USB cable
• The mic is cardioid, with a 40 Hz to 18 kHz range and 136 dB max SPL
• Records at 24-bit, up to 96 kHz

The catch: its preamps give 0 to 35 dB of gain, per the AudioBox Ultimate bundle specs, far too little for a low-output dynamic mic later. PreSonus's own store showed it sold out in October 2026.

Price band: under $200, listed at $169.99 at the time of writing.

Kit vs buying separately

The kit is cheaper. Buying separately only pays off when you want a specific mic or pair of headphones. At listed prices, the Solo Studio costs about $140 less than a Scarlett Solo bought with an AT2020 and ATH-M50x.

On paper, the kit mic holds up: Focusrite lists 16 dBA self-noise for the CM25 MkIII, against 20 dB SPL for the AT2020.

How to choose a studio kit

Pick by how many sources you'll record at once, then by the mic you might upgrade to.

1. Count your inputs. One voice, or voice plus guitar DI: any kit works. Two mics at once: the 2i2 Studio or AudioBox 96 Studio.
2. Check gain for the mic you'll want next. The bundled mics are condensers, which need less gain. A dynamic like the SM7B needs over 60 dB, which only the 2i2 reaches.
3. Pick the software you'll actually use. Focusrite includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, and Cubase LE. M-Audio adds MPC Beats, and PreSonus includes Fender Studio Pro. See best DAW for beginners.
4. Add what's missing. A mic stand for every kit, a pop filter for the M-Audio and PreSonus kits, and later, studio monitors for mixing.

For a fuller shopping list, see what you need to record music at home and how much a home recording studio costs. Every gear category, from interfaces to desks, is in the home recording equipment hub, and stand-alone interfaces are compared in best audio interface for home recording.

FAQ

What is the best home recording studio kit?

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio for one singer, and the Scarlett 2i2 Studio if you need two mic inputs or plan to upgrade to a low-output dynamic mic.

What is the best music recording system for home use?

For one person recording voice and guitar, an audio interface with a mic, closed-back headphones, and a DAW, which is exactly what a studio kit bundles. Add a mic stand, which none of these kits include.

Is it cheaper to buy a studio kit or the parts separately?

The kit is cheaper. At listed prices, a Scarlett Solo with an AT2020 and ATH-M50x costs about $140 more than the Solo Studio kit. Buy separately only if you want those specific models.

Do studio kits come with speakers?

Not the standard ones. PreSonus sells an Ultimate version of its AudioBox kit that adds Eris E3.5 monitors.

Can I use a studio kit for podcasting?

Yes. Every kit here records a voice into a computer, though the 2i2 Studio is the one with two mic inputs for a guest.