I am a retired musician, so my rule for cheap gear is simple. Count your inputs first and read the brand name second 🎛️
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Direct answer first. The best budget audio interface under $100 is the Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD for most people. It gives you two combo inputs, Midas designed mic preamps, and 24-bit/192 kHz conversion in a bus powered metal box.
Solo creators who stream should look at the Arturia MiniFuse 1 instead. It has one input, stereo loopback, and a built in USB hub, but its price sits right on the $100 line.
Here is the stat that hooked me. Both boxes land near -129 dB of equivalent input noise, which sits close to the -127 dBu Focusrite lists for the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen.
By the end of this guide, you will know which cheap box fits your setup, which spec traps to avoid, and when spending a little more is the smarter move.
This guide draws on manufacturer documentation, independent reviews, and retailer listings. It does not rest on bench testing, so I name the source whenever I share someone’s experience.
Quick Picks
| Pick | Best for | Inputs | Loopback | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behringer UMC202HD | Two mics or a mic plus an instrument | 2 combo | Not listed | Under $100 |
| Arturia MiniFuse 1 | Solo streamers and podcasters | 1 combo | Yes, stereo | Around $100, varies by store |
| Focusrite Vocaster One | Beginner podcasters | 1 XLR | Yes, stereo | Above $100 |
| Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 | Two mics plus loopback | 2 mic | Yes | Above $100 |
| Audient EVO 4 | Tiny desks and quick setup | 2 mic | Yes | Above $100 |
Buy the UMC202HD if you want two inputs for the least money. Skip it if you stream and need loopback, since I found none listed for it.
What Does Under $100 Actually Buy You?
Less than the headlines suggest, and prices move by store.
A July 2026 price check by Consordini found the MiniFuse 1 at $85 at one US retailer and $119 at another. That gap decides whether it fits your budget or not.
Higher Hz priced the UMC202HD at about $90 in its 2026 review. Always check the delivered price, the cable you still need, and the return window before you trust any “under $100” label!
Four spec traps catch beginners at this price.
- Bit depth. Some of the cheapest boxes record at 16-bit and 48 kHz. Higher Hz says this about the M-Audio M-Track Solo, and Consordini says the same about the Behringer UM2
- Input count. A combo socket is still one recording channel, so count sockets against the sources you record at once
- Phantom power. The UMC202HD uses one rear switch for phantom power, so check whether it feeds both inputs before you mix a condenser with a ribbon
- Loopback. Streamers need it to capture computer audio, and the MiniFuse 1 has it while the sources I found list none for the UMC202HD
Best Audio Interfaces Under $100
Two boxes earn the under $100 label most often. They solve different problems.
Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD
The Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD is the pick I would hand to most beginners.
You get two XLR and quarter inch combo inputs. According to Higher Hz, each input has its own gain knob, an instrument and line switch, and a 20 dB pad.
Behringer lists 24-bit and 192 kHz conversion with 110 dB of dynamic range, and notes that the figure can vary from unit to unit. Higher Hz reports an equivalent input noise of roughly -129 dB and scored the preamps a full 5 out of 5 for their clean, clear sound.
A direct monitor switch and a mix dial let you hear yourself with no delay. The box runs on USB bus power and weighs about 680 g, according to a Galaxus listing.
The tradeoffs are real. Higher Hz found the knobs and buttons feel cheap and the inputs have some give. There is no software bundle, no MIDI, and no level meters, only LEDs for clipping and phantom power.
This video review includes a noise measurement 👇
My take as a musician. I would forgive plastic knobs at this price if the preamps are clean. That is exactly the trade you make here!
Arturia MiniFuse 1
The Arturia MiniFuse 1 suits a solo creator who wants extras.
Arturia’s manual lists one combo input with optional 48V phantom power, two balanced outputs, a headphone jack, direct monitoring, and USB-C bus power. Arturia quotes a 110 dB dynamic range, -129 dB equivalent input noise, and up to 24-bit and 192 kHz.
The stereo loopback channel records computer audio next to your mic, which helps streamers and podcasters. A built in USB-A hub powers a MIDI controller or charges a device, and Amazon’s listing states a 5 year hardware warranty.
The catch is the single input. Sound On Sound points out that you cannot record a vocal and an instrument together on the MiniFuse 1, and it has no MIDI ports.
Watch the price, since it swings from $85 to $119 depending on the store. Check the delivered price before you commit 👍
What about the cheapest boxes?
Cheaper boxes exist, and they cut specs you will miss later.
- M-Audio M-Track Solo. Higher Hz lists 16-bit and 48 kHz and says you are better off with combo inputs in the long run
- Behringer UM2. Consordini lists 16-bit and 48 kHz, one mic preamp, and one shared level control for headphones and the RCA outputs
Buy these only if the lowest price matters more than 24-bit recording. My take is that a few extra dollars for the UMC202HD saves you from upgrading twice.
Best Audio Interfaces Worth Stretching For
Spend a bit more and three things change. You get loopback, automatic level tools, and features built for podcasters.
Focusrite Vocaster One
The Focusrite Vocaster One is built for one job, podcasting.
Focusrite lists one XLR input with a 70 dB gain range and phantom power. The front panel adds Auto Gain, an Enhance button with voice presets, and a Mute button.
You also get a TRRS jack for a phone, a TRS jack for a camera, and stereo loopback. A 9to5Toys tester found Auto Gain works as claimed and leaves headroom, and said the plastic build is the weak spot.
It costs more than $100 at the retailers I checked, so treat it as a stretch pick for beginners who hate fiddling with settings.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Pick the 2i2 when you want two real mic inputs and loopback in one box.
Focusrite lists 69 dB of gain, Auto Gain, Clip Safe, and loopback on the 4th Gen. Our full Scarlett 2i2 review covers the quirks, including the front jack that silences the XLR input.
Audient EVO 4
The EVO 4 fits a small desk and a hurry.
Our Audient EVO 4 review covers its two mic inputs, loopback, and Smartgain in a tiny USB powered box.
Which Budget Audio Interface Should You Buy?
Match the box to your setup, not to the price tag alone.
- Two mics or a mic plus an instrument on a tight budget. Buy the UMC202HD
- Solo streamer who needs loopback. Buy the MiniFuse 1 if the delivered price stays under your ceiling
- Beginner podcaster who wants one button levels. Buy the Vocaster One
- Two mics plus loopback. Buy the Scarlett 2i2 or the Audient EVO 4
Podcasting is your main goal? Read our guide to the best audio interface for podcasting next.
What Should You Check Before You Buy?
Five quick checks save money.
- Count how many mics and instruments you record at once
- Confirm 24-bit recording if you plan to edit heavily
- Look for loopback if you stream or record calls
- Check the delivered price, cables included, and the return window
- Match your mic to the gain. A dynamic mic needs more clean gain than a condenser
Comparing mic and interface pairs? Read our USB microphone vs audio interface guide to see when an interface earns its place.
Did You Know 🤯
Your recording software shows four inputs on the one input MiniFuse 1. Two are loopback channels, and the second physical input only duplicates the first, according to a Soundgale review.
Best Budget Audio Interface FAQ
What is the best audio interface under $100?
The Behringer UMC202HD for most people.
It offers two combo inputs, Midas designed preamps, and 24-bit and 192 kHz conversion.
Is the Arturia MiniFuse 1 really under $100?
Sometimes.
A July 2026 price check found $85 at one US retailer and $119 at another. Check the delivered price.
Do cheap audio interfaces sound bad?
Not the good ones.
Higher Hz gave the UMC202HD preamps a full 5 out of 5. The weak spots are build quality and features.
Can I stream with a budget audio interface?
Yes, with loopback.
The MiniFuse 1 has a stereo loopback channel. I found no loopback listed for the UMC202HD.
Do I need 24 bit recording?
It helps if you edit heavily.
The cheapest boxes such as the M-Track Solo and UM2 record at 16-bit and 48 kHz.
Are these interfaces bus powered?
Yes.
Both the UMC202HD and the MiniFuse 1 run on USB power, so you need no separate power supply.
So count your inputs first, check the delivered price second, and go record 🎶
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