10 Best Cheap Audio Interfaces 2025 in the UK

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB Audio Interface is a solid choice for those who need a budget-friendly yet high-quality audio interface. It offers 2 channels for input, which is perfect for solo musicians or podcasters who need to plug in a microphone and an instrument. The audio quality is impressive, with up to a 120dB dynamic range and high-fidelity converters, ensuring your recordings are clear and professional-sounding. The 'Air' mode feature adds a nice touch, enhancing the presence and clarity of vocals and guitars.

Connectivity is straightforward with USB-C, which is reliable and widely compatible. It also includes phantom power, which is essential for running condenser microphones. The preamp quality is decent for its price range, although it may not match high-end models. Latency is minimal, making live monitoring and recording smooth. Additionally, it comes with a comprehensive suite of recording software and plugins, which is very helpful for beginners and seasoned users alike. The Easy Start tool is user-friendly and gets you set up quickly.

However, it only has 2 inputs, which might be limiting if you need to record more sources simultaneously. The build is compact and lightweight, making it portable, but it might feel less robust compared to more expensive interfaces. In summary, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen is a great entry-level interface, especially for solo artists, vocalists, and producers looking to achieve studio-quality recordings on a budget.

The Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface is a solid choice for those looking for a budget-friendly yet high-quality audio interface option. It shines with its four inputs and outputs, which allow you to connect multiple instruments and sound sources simultaneously. This feature, coupled with two top-notch mic preamps, makes it an excellent choice for musicians who want to capture studio-quality recordings. The 'Air' mode offers added clarity for vocals and acoustic instruments, enhancing the recording quality.

Audio quality is one of its strong suits, offering up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution, ensuring your recordings are clear and retain their sonic details. The interface provides crystal-clear playback, which is beneficial for mixing and playback purposes. Connectivity is broad, accommodating ADAT and MIDI connections, which expands its versatility for various recording setups. Low latency ensures that there is minimal delay during recordings, making it suitable for live performances and streaming.

The inclusion of phantom power is a plus, allowing the use of condenser mics. Software compatibility is another highlight, with support for popular platforms like Ableton Live Lite and Avid Pro Tools Artist, among others. The Easy Start tool simplifies the setup process, making it user-friendly for beginners. Additionally, the Hitmaker Expansion offers valuable software and sound content to kickstart your music production.

The Scarlett 4i4 might be overkill for users who don't require multiple channels or advanced connectivity options. Its compact size could be a limitation for those needing more extensive physical controls directly on the interface. However, considering its price range, it provides excellent value, particularly for home studio setups and budding music producers.

The Behringer UMC404HD is a well-rounded, budget-friendly audio interface that suits musicians and home recording enthusiasts looking for solid performance without a high price tag. It offers 4 inputs and 4 outputs, giving you flexibility to record multiple microphones or instruments at once. The inclusion of 4 Midas-designed mic preamps is a standout feature, delivering clear and natural sound often found in more expensive gear.

With a high audio resolution of 24-bit and 192 kHz sample rate, it captures detail crisply, making it a good pick for both music and video projects. USB 2.0 connectivity keeps setup simple and compatible with most Windows and Mac computers, and it supports popular software like ProTools, Ableton Live, and Cubase. Phantom power is available on all mic inputs, so it can handle condenser microphones easily. While USB 2.0 is reliable, it may not offer the lowest latency compared to newer connections, but the UMC404HD generally performs well enough for home studio use.

Its compact, lightweight design makes it portable, though it lacks some advanced features found in pricier models. If you want a straightforward, quality interface for recording multiple sources with respectable sound quality and broad software compatibility, the UMC404HD is a strong contender, especially when budget is a priority.