Best Audio Interface for Electric Guitar (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Updated Oct 23, 2026 · By Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank

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The MAONO PS22 Lite leads for electric guitar: a dedicated instrument input with impedance adjust and 24-bit/192kHz conversion. If you want a pocketable interface for iPhone and iPad, the IK Multimedia iRig HD 2 is the runner-up with a 1/4-inch Hi-Z input. The JOYO MOMIX CAB suits phone recording with direct monitoring.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	MAONO PS22 Lite USB Audio Interface for	Check on Amazon
2	Runner-Up	IK Multimedia iRig HD 2 guitar audio	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	IK Multimedia iRig USB Guitar Audio Interface	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	JOYO Guitar Audio Interface for Phone	Check on Amazon
5	Also Great	Ueteto Audio Interface for Guitar Portable Internal	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Guitarists who record guitar and vocals together: MAONO PS22 Lite USB Audio Interface for See pick 1More picks: Best Audio Interface for Guitarists
Guitarists who record on iPhone or iPad: IK Multimedia iRig HD 2 guitar audio See pick 2More picks: Best Audio Interface for iPhone
Guitarists who want amp out to pedals: IK Multimedia iRig USB Guitar Audio Interface See pick 3
Phone recordists who want zero-latency monitoring: JOYO Guitar Audio Interface for Phone See pick 4More picks: Best Audio Interface for Phone
Beginners who want a simple phone setup: Ueteto Audio Interface for Guitar Portable Internal See pick 5More picks: Best Audio Interface for Beginners

Want the full range? Best Audio Interface ranks the top audio interfaces for every buyer, or browse all 59 guides.

The 5 picks, ranked

1Best Overall

MAONO PS22 Lite USB Audio Interface for

Inputs: 3, the most here
Max sample rate: 192 kHz, the most here
Bit depth: 24-bit
48V phantom power
Software named in listing: Pro Tools
1-year warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall with a dedicated instrument input, 24-bit/192kHz and 3 inputs.

Who it suits

Guitarists who record guitar and vocals together
Beginners who want plug-and-play setup

Skip it if

You record only on a phone
You want a pocket-sized interface

The PS22 Lite has a dedicated instrument input with impedance adjust, plus XLR with 48V phantom power, across 3 inputs. It records at 24-bit/192kHz with a 106dB dynamic range and includes ProStudio routing software with loopback and ASIO drivers. The box holds the interface, a USB-A/USB-C to USB-C cable and a user manual, and it works with Mac, Windows and iPads.

2Runner-Up

IK Multimedia iRig HD 2 guitar audio

Inputs: 1
Max sample rate: 96 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
1-year warranty stated

9.6Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Runner-Up with a 1/4-inch Hi-Z input, 96kHz conversion and amp out for guitar rigs.

Who it suits

Guitarists who record on iPhone or iPad
Players who want amp out to a real amp

Skip it if

You need more than one input
You want 192kHz recording

The iRig HD 2 is a guitar interface with a 1/4-inch Hi-Z instrument input and 96kHz, 24-bit conversion. It has a 1/4-inch amp out with switchable FX and Thru, plus a headphone output with preamp and level control. It ships with USB-C, Lightning and USB cables, weighs 0.5 lb and fits in a pocket or gig bag.

3Also Great

IK Multimedia iRig USB Guitar Audio Interface

Inputs: 2
Max sample rate: 48 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit

9.2Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great with a 1/4-inch instrument jack, amp out and USB-C for Mac, PC and iPad.

Who it suits

Guitarists who want amp out to pedals
Players who record on iPhone 15

Skip it if

You need 96kHz or higher recording
You want XLR mic inputs

The iRig USB records at 24-bit, 48kHz through a 1/4-inch instrument jack, with a headphone output and direct monitoring for silent practice. It has a dedicated amp out with selectable FX or Thru settings to connect to an amp and pedal rig. It ships with a USB-C cable and works with Mac, PC, iPad and iPhone 15.

4Also Great

JOYO Guitar Audio Interface for Phone

Inputs: 2
Max sample rate: 48 kHz
Bit depth not stated in the listing
1-year warranty stated

9.1Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great as a pocket-sized phone interface with direct monitoring and USB-C.

Who it suits

Phone recordists who want zero-latency monitoring
Players who clip a recorder to a strap

Skip it if

You want real-time amp sims while recording
You plan to use third-party cables

The MOMIX CAB is a pocket-sized interface that clips to a pocket, belt or guitar strap, with a 6.35mm guitar input and 3.5mm headphone out. It offers direct monitoring with zero latency and ships with a USB-C cable and Lightning adapter. The listing notes it is not designed for real-time software amp sims, and third-party cables may not work.

5Also Great

Ueteto Audio Interface for Guitar Portable Internal

Inputs: 2
Max sample rate: 48 kHz
Bit depth not stated in the listing
3-year warranty stated

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great as a simple no-driver phone interface for quick guitar recording.

Who it suits

Beginners who want a simple phone setup
Streamers who record to iPhone or Android

Skip it if

You need editing or mixing in the app
You record in GarageBand on iPhone

The Ueteto interface is a plug-and-play guitar interface for live streaming with no driver needed. It records straight into iPhone, iPad and Android phones with a USB-C cable and Lightning converter included, and syncs audio and video. A 3.5mm headphone jack handles monitoring, and the indicator light turns red when the volume is too high.

Side by side

Product	Inputs	Mic preamps	Outputs	Max sample rate	Bit depth	48V phantom power	Software named	Weight	Warranty
MAONO PS22 Lite USB Audio Interface for	3	Not stated	Not stated	192 kHz	24-bit	Yes	Pro Tools	Not stated	1-year
IK Multimedia iRig HD 2 guitar audio	1	Not stated	Not stated	96 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Not stated	0.5 lb	1-year
IK Multimedia iRig USB Guitar Audio Interface	2	Not stated	Not stated	48 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated
JOYO Guitar Audio Interface for Phone	2	Not stated	Not stated	48 kHz	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	1-year
Ueteto Audio Interface for Guitar Portable Internal	2	Not stated	Not stated	48 kHz	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	3-year

How we ranked these audio interfaces

Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.

Inputs weight 3
Mic preamps weight 2
Outputs weight 1
Max sample rate weight 2
Bit depth weight 1
48V phantom power weight 2

Buying advice: audio interface for electric guitar

Match the input to your guitar

A dedicated instrument input matters more than anything else here. The MAONO PS22 Lite names a dedicated instrument input with impedance adjust, and the iRig HD 2 and iRig USB name 1/4-inch instrument jacks. The JOYO lists a 6.35mm input. If you plug straight in, confirm the input fits your cable.

Decide where you will record

Phone-first players should look at the JOYO and the Ueteto, which are built for iPhone and Android with USB-C and Lightning. Computer recordists get more from the MAONO, with 3 inputs and routing software, or the iRig HD 2 with its amp out. Pick the device you actually plug into.

Check sample rate against your needs

The MAONO lists 24-bit/192kHz, the iRig HD 2 lists 24-bit/96kHz, and the other three list 48kHz. Higher rates give more headroom for editing, but every pick here records clean guitar takes. Do not pay for numbers above what your projects use.

Frequently asked questions

Which interface is best for electric guitar?

The MAONO PS22 Lite leads with a dedicated instrument input, impedance adjust and 24-bit/192kHz. The iRig HD 2 is the pocketable runner-up with a 1/4-inch Hi-Z input.

Can I plug my guitar straight in?

Yes. The MAONO, both iRigs and the JOYO all name instrument inputs for direct guitar connection. The JOYO adds direct monitoring so you hear yourself with zero latency.

Do I need an amp with these?

No. The iRig HD 2 and iRig USB have amp out jacks if you want a real amp. Software amp simulation handles the tone in your DAW or app.

Which one works with my phone?

The JOYO and Ueteto are built for phones with USB-C and Lightning. The iRig HD 2 and iRig USB also work with iPhone and iPad. The MAONO works with iPads too.