Best budget audio interfaces for a first XLR mic
Updated 15 October 2026 · Prices checked 15 October 2026, and they change often
An XLR mic can't plug straight into a computer. It needs a box that powers it, amplifies it (that's gain) and turns it into digital audio over USB. For streamers that box is either an audio interface, the music-studio option, or a streaming mixer with sliders and mute buttons.
First: do you need one at all?
- If your mic has USB, you can skip this for now. The Fifine AM8 and Samson Q2U both have USB and XLR outputs, and USB is fine to start.
- Why switch to XLR later? In Homebrew Audio's test, the Q2U had "even less" background hiss over XLR than over USB. XLR also lets you upgrade the mic or the interface separately.
- The catch with the AM8: APH Networks found its gain knob, mute and lights don't work over XLR, so the interface takes over those jobs.
- You'll need an XLR cable. The Q2U includes one; the base AM8 doesn't.
Comparison table
| Device | Type | Mic inputs | Max mic gain | Stand-out feature | US price (15 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 | Interface | 1 (plus 1 instrument) | Not confirmed in sources we could check | Cheapest | $52.90 at Sweetwater, Amazon, B&H* |
| Fifine AmpliGame SC3 | Streaming mixer | 1 | 50 dB (dynamic mode) | Sliders, mute buttons, PS5 support | $53.99 at Fifine's store |
| Audient EVO 4 | Interface | 2 | 58 dB | Smartgain auto-levels, loopback | $158 at Amazon; $179 at Sweetwater, B&H* |
| Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) | Interface | 1 (plus 1 instrument) | 57 dB | Most-reviewed; Air mode | $169.99 at Focusrite (launched at $139.99) |
*Retailer prices from Equipboard's price tracker, updated 15 Oct 2026. All four take power over USB and support 48V phantom power for condenser mics. Check the live price before you buy.
The picks
Cheapest way into XLR: Behringer U-Phoria UMC22
At about $53, it's the cheapest interface here; MusicRadar called it "one of the cheapest audio interfaces I've ever come across". It has one XLR/jack combo input with a Midas preamp, one instrument input, a headphone jack and two speaker outputs. MusicRadar's 2024 review called it "hard to knock" at the price and "a great audio interface for first-timers or those on a tight budget". The reviewer said it "performed just as well as other interfaces that cost a lot more money" for home recording.
Keep in mind: MusicRadar found it noisier than Focusrite's 4th Gen interfaces, with "an audible whine" near monitors and screens. It records at up to 48 kHz and connects with an older USB-B cable. There's no Behringer driver for Windows: it works in Windows and OBS without one, but MusicRadar recommends the free ASIO4ALL driver for music software. One master knob controls both headphones and speakers.
Best for streamers who want hands-on control: Fifine AmpliGame SC3
This isn't a studio interface. It's a streaming mixer with four sliders (mic, line in, monitor and line out), each with its own mute button. It also has a line input for a phone or second PC, a headset jack, 48V phantom power and up to 50 dB of gain in dynamic-mic mode. Fifine lists PS5 support, with a setup guide, and adds voice effects and sample pads. Fifine also sells it in bundles with the AM8.
Keep in mind: independent coverage is thin. The only review we found is from blogger Jamie Balfour, who said it "strikes a strong balance between affordability and features" and needs no drivers. He also says Fifine gave him the unit for free. Fifine says it does not work with Xbox, and it lists a 48/44.1 kHz sample rate. Its 50 dB is the lowest maximum gain here. The base version has no XLR cable; the "SC3Plus" option adds one.
Best for streaming and podcasts: Audient EVO 4
Two mic inputs with up to 58 dB of gain, and two features that suit streamers. Smartgain sets your mic level automatically: you press the button and talk, and Audient says it finishes in under 20 seconds. Loopback mixes your computer's audio back in as an extra input. Guitar.com (8/10) called it "the only one we know of in this price range that'll even set the recording level for you" and said its mic inputs were "equally impressive" as its instrument input. MusicTech found its input monitoring "surprisingly flexible for such a small interface". The second mic input lets you add a guest or co-host later.
Keep in mind: both reviewers found Smartgain sets levels on the conservative (quiet) side, and MusicTech said it wasn't much faster than doing it by hand. Nearly everything runs through one multi-function knob. Plugging in headphones mutes the speaker outputs, which MusicTech called a possible "nuisance". It records at up to 96 kHz. Those reviews are from 2020. Prices have risen since the $129 launch: Equipboard showed $158 at Amazon and $179 at most US music stores on 15 Oct 2026.
The safe default: Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
The interface most guides recommend first, with the most reviews behind it. It has one mic input with 57 dB of gain, one instrument input, "Gain Halo" level meters around the knobs, an optional "Air" mode that brightens vocals, and USB-C. SoundGuys (8/10, 2025) called it "the go-to, affordable recording interface for beginners" and praised its "quality mic preamp". MusicTech (8/10, 2023) said it suits "singer-songwriters, podcasters and streamers".
Keep in mind: there's no auto-gain or clip protection; SoundGuys listed both as missing. MusicTech noted you can't adjust the direct-monitoring level, which is either on or off. It has only one mic input, so there's no room for a guest. It has also got pricier: it launched at $139.99, and Focusrite's US store listed it at $169.99 on 15 Oct 2026. At that price, the EVO 4 at Amazon's $158 is cheaper, and it adds a second mic input and auto-gain.
Quick recommendations
- Tightest budget, PC only: Behringer UMC22.
- Streaming at a desk, want physical sliders and mute, or stream from a PS5: Fifine SC3.
- Streaming or podcasting, want auto-gain and room for a second mic: Audient EVO 4.
- Also record music, or want the most-reviewed option: Focusrite Scarlett Solo.
Setup tips
- Turn phantom power (48V) off for dynamic mics like the AM8 and Q2U. They don't need it; it's for condenser mics.
- Set gain so your loudest moments peak around −10 to −6 dB in OBS. Speak close, a hand's width away, rather than turning the gain up.
- Select the interface as your mic in OBS (Audio Input Capture), and in Discord if you use it.
- Mount the mic properly. A boom arm cuts desk thumps more than any interface will.
Sources
- Behringer UMC22 review and specs (Mar 2024): MusicRadar
- Fifine SC3 specs, price ($53.99), console support: fifinemicrophone.com, checked 15 Oct 2026; review (Oct 2024, unit provided free): Jamie Balfour
- Audient EVO 4 features: audient.com; reviews: MusicTech (Feb 2020), Guitar.com (Sept 2020, 8/10)
- Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) specs and price ($169.99): focusrite.com, checked 15 Oct 2026; reviews: SoundGuys (Sept 2025, 8/10), MusicTech (Sept 2023, 8/10)
- US retailer prices, updated 15 Oct 2026: Equipboard: EVO 4, Equipboard: UMC22
- Q2U XLR vs USB noise: Homebrew Audio; AM8 controls over XLR: APH Networks