Best Digital Mixer (2026): 4 Picks Compared

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

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The Soundcraft Ui24R leads for digital mixers as Best Overall, with 24 channels, rack mounting and laptop or tablet control in one unit. If you want fewer channels with remote control, the Soundcraft Ui12 is the pick, since it gives 12 channels with 48V phantom power and Wi-Fi and Ethernet control.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	Soundcraft Ui24R Rack-Mountable Laptop or Tablet-Controlled	Check on Amazon
2	Runner-Up	Yamaha MGX16 22ch Digital Mixing Console	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	Soundcraft Ui12 Remote-Controlled 12-Input Digital Mixer	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	Behringer X AIR X18 18 Channel	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Buyers who want 24 channels in a rack unit: Soundcraft Ui24R Rack-Mountable Laptop or Tablet-Controlled See pick 1
Users who want 22 channels with tactile faders: Yamaha MGX16 22ch Digital Mixing Console See pick 2
Users who want 12 channels with remote control: Soundcraft Ui12 Remote-Controlled 12-Input Digital Mixer See pick 3
Users who want 18 channels with a tablet tray: Behringer X AIR X18 18 Channel See pick 4

Want the full range? Best Mixing Board ranks the top audio mixers for every buyer, or browse all 176 guides.

The 4 picks, ranked

1Best Overall

Soundcraft Ui24R Rack-Mountable Laptop or Tablet-Controlled

Mixer channels / decks: 24
USB audio to computer not stated in the listing

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall with 24 channels, rack mounting and laptop or tablet control with onboard signal processing.

Who it suits

Buyers who want 24 channels in a rack unit
Users who want laptop or tablet control

Skip it if

You want more than 24 channels
You want fewer than 24 channels

The mixer gives 24 channels in a rack-mountable unit controlled from a laptop or tablet, with onboard signal processing. It connects over USB and XLR, and it weighs 4.6 lb. It runs on corded electric power.

2Runner-Up

Yamaha MGX16 22ch Digital Mixing Console

Mixer channels / decks not stated in the listing
USB audio to computer not stated in the listing
Built-in effects / amp models
Bluetooth
1-year warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

Runner-Up goes to this console at 22 channels, with tactile faders, a 4.3-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth audio input.

Who it suits

Users who want 22 channels with tactile faders
Creators who want Bluetooth audio input and a microSD slot

Skip it if

You want more than 22 channels
You want a warranty longer than 1 year

The console has tactile faders with a 4.3-inch touchscreen and 5 control knobs, plus new MGX preamps with an 86 dB gain range. A built-in DSP processor handles the mix, with Simple and Standard modes, Auto Gain, Clip Safe and Scene Recall. Bluetooth audio input and a microSD card slot are on board, with a USB-HDMI interface for 4K video capture and pass-through. It carries a 1-year warranty.

3Also Great

Soundcraft Ui12 Remote-Controlled 12-Input Digital Mixer

Mixer channels / decks: 12
USB audio to computer
48V phantom power

9.6Spec score View on Amazon

Also Great goes to this remote-controlled mixer at 12 channels, with 48V phantom power and Wi-Fi and Ethernet control.

Who it suits

Users who want 12 channels with remote control
Buyers who want 48V phantom power on a digital mixer

Skip it if

You want more than 12 channels
You want fewer than 12 channels

The mixer is controlled from tablets, laptops and computers over Wi-Fi and Ethernet, across iOS, Android, Windows, Mac OS and Linux. It has four XLR combo mic and line inputs, four XLR mic inputs, two instrument input channels and a stereo RCA line input. A 2-channel USB media player plays MP3, WAV and AIFF files, with two balanced XLR Aux outputs and two headphone outputs with level control. It weighs 5 lb and runs on corded electric power.

4Also Great

Behringer X AIR X18 18 Channel

Mixer channels / decks: 18
USB audio to computer
2-year warranty stated

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

Also Great goes to this 18-channel mixer with 16 programmable Midas preamps, a Wi-Fi module and a tablet tray.

Who it suits

Users who want 18 channels with a tablet tray
Buyers who want 16 programmable preamps on board

Skip it if

You want more than 18 channels
You want a warranty longer than 2 years

The mixer gives 18 channels over 12 buses, with 16 programmable Midas preamps and a Wi-Fi module. A multi-channel USB audio interface connects to a computer, and a tablet tray holds an iPad or Android tablet. It weighs 10 lb and carries a 2-year warranty.

Side by side

Product	Mixer channels / decks	Mic preamps	USB audio to computer	Built-in effects / amp models	48V phantom power	Bluetooth	EQ bands per channel	Weight	Warranty
Soundcraft Ui24R Rack-Mountable Laptop or Tablet-Controlled	24	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	4.6 lb	Not stated
Yamaha MGX16 22ch Digital Mixing Console	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	Not stated	1-year
Soundcraft Ui12 Remote-Controlled 12-Input Digital Mixer	12	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	Not stated	5 lb	Not stated
Behringer X AIR X18 18 Channel	18	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	10 lb	2-year

How we ranked these audio mixers

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.

Mixer channels / decks weight 3
Mic preamps weight 2
USB audio to computer weight 2
Built-in effects / amp models weight 1
48V phantom power weight 1
Bluetooth weight 1

Buying advice: digital mixer

Count channels before you choose

Channels decide how many sources you mix at once. The Soundcraft Ui24R gives 24 channels, the Yamaha MGX16 gives 22 channels, the Behringer X18 gives 18 channels and the Soundcraft Ui12 gives 12 channels. Count the microphones and instruments you plan to connect at the same time, then match that count to the channels on the pick you choose.

Check remote control and phantom power

Remote control changes how you run the mix. The Soundcraft Ui24R and the Soundcraft Ui12 are controlled from a laptop or tablet, while the Behringer X18 is controlled from an iPad or Android tablet. The Soundcraft Ui12 supplies 48V phantom power for condenser mics, so check the power needs of the mic you plan to use. If you mix from a tablet, check the tablet control on the pick you choose.

Look at preamps, effects and weight

Preamps and processing shape what each mixer offers. The Yamaha MGX16 has new MGX preamps with an 86 dB gain range and a built-in DSP processor, while the Behringer X18 has 16 programmable Midas preamps. The Soundcraft Ui12 adds a 4-band parametric EQ with a compressor, de-esser and noise gate on input channels. The Behringer X18 weighs 10 lb, the Soundcraft Ui12 weighs 5 lb and the Soundcraft Ui24R weighs 4.6 lb.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the two Soundcraft mixers?

The Ui24R gives 24 channels in a rack-mountable unit controlled from a laptop or tablet. The Ui12 gives 12 channels with 48V phantom power and control over Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

Do these mixers work with a tablet?

The Soundcraft Ui24R and the Soundcraft Ui12 are controlled from a laptop or tablet, and the Behringer X18 is made for iPad and Android tablets. The Yamaha MGX16 has tactile faders with a 4.3-inch touchscreen.

Which mixer gives 24 channels?

The Soundcraft Ui24R gives 24 channels in a rack-mountable unit. The Yamaha MGX16 follows at 22 channels, and the Behringer X18 gives 18 channels.

Can I play MP3 files through these mixers?

The Soundcraft Ui12 has a 2-channel USB media player that plays MP3, WAV and AIFF files. The Soundcraft Ui24R has a USB connection, so check the playback format on the pick you choose.