Best Audio Interface Under $300 (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank

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The BOMGE BMG22 leads this best audio interface under 300 roundup: 32-bit/192kHz conversion, 48V phantom power and loopback in a 1.4 lb box. If you want 24-bit/96kHz recording with Studio One Artist in the box, the PreSonus AudioBox 96 is the runner-up.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	BOMGE USB Audio Interface(32bit/192 kHz) with XLR	Check on Amazon
2	Runner-Up	PreSonus AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary USB Audio	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR-to-USB-C Audio Interface	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	BOMGE mini 2 Channel USB Audio Interface	Check on Amazon
5	Also Great	CIXUN 4x4 USB-C Audio Interface for PC	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Streamers who want loopback to mix computer audio: BOMGE USB Audio Interface(32bit/192 kHz) with XLR See pick 1
Beginners who want Studio One Artist included: PreSonus AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary USB Audio See pick 2More picks: Best Audio Interface for Beginners
Podcasters who want one XLR mic on USB-C: Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR-to-USB-C Audio Interface See pick 3More picks: Best Audio Interface with USB
Players who want a 0.7 lb ultra-portable interface: BOMGE mini 2 Channel USB Audio Interface See pick 4
Bands who want 4 combo inputs at once: CIXUN 4x4 USB-C Audio Interface for PC See pick 5

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

BOMGE USB Audio Interface(32bit/192 kHz) with XLR

Inputs: 22, the most here
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth: 32-bit
48V phantom power
Software named in listing: Pro Tools
90-day warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall with 32-bit/192kHz conversion, 48V phantom power and loopback for streaming.

Who it suits

Streamers who want loopback to mix computer audio
Podcasters who want 48V phantom power for condenser mics

Skip it if

You want more than 2 inputs at once
You only ever record one input

The two combo inputs take mics or instruments, with 48V phantom power on input 1. Loopback mixes the inputs with computer playback into 2 channels, and zero-latency direct monitoring keeps performances in time. A 5V DC port powers the unit from a USB adapter or battery.

2Runner-Up

PreSonus AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary USB Audio

Inputs: 2
Max sample rate: 96 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
48V phantom power
Software named in listing: Studio One Artist
1-year warranty stated

9.7Spec score View on Amazon

It takes Runner-Up with 24-bit/96kHz recording, MIDI I/O and Studio One Artist in the box.

Who it suits

Beginners who want Studio One Artist included
Guitarists who want MIDI I/O on the interface

Skip it if

You want recording above 96kHz
You want more than 2 inputs

The 2-channel interface runs 24-bit/96kHz with 2 mic preamps and 48V phantom power. MIDI I/O connects keyboards and controllers, and USB bus power needs no extra supply. The box holds the interface, a USB cable and a quick start guide.

3Also Great

Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR-to-USB-C Audio Interface

Inputs: 1
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth not stated in the listing
48V phantom power
2-year warranty stated

9.4Spec score View on Amazon

An Also Great single-mic pick: XLR-to-USB-C with 48V phantom power and onboard DSP.

Who it suits

Podcasters who want one XLR mic on USB-C
Streamers who want auto level mode on board

Skip it if

You want more than one XLR input
You want a 2 lb desktop box

The XLR-to-USB-C adapter powers any XLR mic with 48V phantom power and up to 60 dB of gain. Onboard DSP runs auto level mode, a real-time denoiser and a popper stopper. The MOTIV apps manage settings on desktop or phone, and it weighs 0.2 lb.

4Also Great

BOMGE mini 2 Channel USB Audio Interface

Inputs: 2
Outputs: 2
Max sample rate: 48 kHz
Bit depth not stated in the listing
48V phantom power
Software named in listing: FL Studio
1-year warranty stated

9.1Spec score View on Amazon

An Also Great portable pick: 2 inputs, 48kHz conversion and 48V phantom power at 0.7 lb.

Who it suits

Players who want a 0.7 lb ultra-portable interface
Beginners who want FL Studio compatibility

Skip it if

You want recording above 48kHz
You want more than 2 inputs

The 2 combo inputs take XLR mics or line signals with 48V phantom power. RCA outputs feed speakers or monitors, and a 1/4-inch headphone jack covers monitoring. The ultra-low noise design suits beginners, and FL Studio is named as compatible software.

5Also Great

CIXUN 4x4 USB-C Audio Interface for PC

Inputs: 4
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
48V phantom power
2 year warranty stated

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

An Also Great 4-input pick: 24-bit/192kHz, dual 48V groups and built-in FX reverb.

Who it suits

Bands who want 4 combo inputs at once
Podcasters who want two headphone jacks with separate volume

Skip it if

You want more than 4 inputs
You want a simpler 2-input interface

The 4 combo inputs run 24-bit/192kHz with dual 48V phantom groups for condenser mics. A built-in FX engine adds reverb and delay to monitoring, and two headphone jacks have their own volume controls. The box holds an audio adapter, a USB adapter, a wall charger and a manual.

Side by side

Product	Inputs	Mic preamps	Outputs	Max sample rate	Bit depth	48V phantom power	Software named	Weight	Warranty
BOMGE USB Audio Interface(32bit/192 kHz) with XLR	22	Not stated	Not stated	192 kHz	32-bit	Yes	Pro Tools	1.4 lb	90-day
PreSonus AudioBox 96 25th Anniversary USB Audio	2	Not stated	Not stated	96 kHz	24-bit	Yes	Studio One Artist	2 lb	1-year
Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR-to-USB-C Audio Interface	1	Not stated	Not stated	192 kHz	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	0.2 lb	2-year
BOMGE mini 2 Channel USB Audio Interface	2	Not stated	2	48 kHz	Not stated	Yes	FL Studio	0.7 lb	1-year
CIXUN 4x4 USB-C Audio Interface for PC	4	Not stated	Not stated	192 kHz	24-bit	Yes	Not stated	Not stated	2 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 under 300

Count the inputs you record at once

Input count decides what you can capture together. The CIXUN names 4 combo inputs, the BOMGE BMG22, PreSonus and BOMGE mini each name 2 inputs, and the Shure is a single XLR-to-USB-C input. If you record one mic or guitar at a time, 2 inputs cover it; a full band needs 4.

Check phantom power and sample rate

Phantom power and sample rate are the two specs to compare. All five name 48V phantom power for condenser mics. On sample rate, the BOMGE BMG22 and CIXUN name 192kHz, the PreSonus names 96kHz and the BOMGE mini names 48kHz. Higher rates capture more detail, but 48kHz covers podcasts and demos.

Look at software and extras

Software and extras change the value. The PreSonus ships with Studio One Artist and Ableton Live Lite, and the BOMGE BMG22 works with Pro Tools, Ableton Live Lite and Reaper. The Shure adds MOTIV apps with auto level and denoising, and the CIXUN adds built-in FX reverb. If you already own recording software, compare inputs and sample rates instead.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an audio interface to record vocals?

If you use an XLR microphone, yes. The interface powers the mic preamp and turns the signal into digital audio your computer can record.

What does 48V phantom power do?

It powers condenser microphones through the XLR cable. All five interfaces here name 48V phantom power, so any of them can run a condenser mic. Dynamic mics do not need it.

Can I stream with an audio interface?

Yes. The BOMGE BMG22 names loopback for mixing computer audio, and the Shure is built for podcasting and livestreaming. The CIXUN adds FX reverb for a polished stream sound.

Is USB-C better than USB for an interface?

USB-C is a newer connector shape, not a speed guarantee. The Shure and CIXUN use USB-C, while the PreSonus uses USB 2.0 and still records 24-bit/96kHz. Pick by inputs and sample rate, not the plug shape.