Best USB sound cards for a/v recording: 7 picks for video (2026)

Video makers need clear voice audio that stays in step with the picture, and a laptop mic jack rarely helps. These are the best usb sound cards for a/v recording, seven USB interfaces and mixers for tutorials, streams and voiceover, compared by inputs, price and ratings from Nov 11, 2026 Amazon data.

Quick verdict on the best usb sound cards for a/v recording

For video, the job is usually one or two voices plus the occasional instrument, delivered at a sample rate that matches your editor. Every device below has an XLR or combo microphone input, which is why plain USB adapters are absent. Here are our short answers by use case.

• Best all-round for solo creators: Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen), approx. $119.99 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026)
• Best budget interface for two voices: M-Audio M-Track Duo, approx. $69 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026)
• Best value with 192 kHz listed: Mackie Onyx Artist 1X2, approx. $59.99 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026)
• Best cheap 2×2 with a large ratings base: Behringer UMC22, approx. $52.90 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026)
• Best with MIDI and two combo inputs: PreSonus AudioBox 96, approx. $94.99 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026)
• Best for streamers who want faders: FIFINE Ampligame SC3, approx. $52.99 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026)
• Best with loopback for tutorials: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen), price not in our data

What video work asks of an interface

Video editors normally work at 48 kHz, so an interface that runs there is enough. What matters more is a clean mic preamp, a headphone output for monitoring and, for screen tutorials, a way to capture computer audio too. Sample rates above 48 kHz add file size without helping dialogue.

Quick comparison table

The table gives the mic inputs, maximum sample rate and listed operating systems for each device, plus the Amazon rating. Prices were captured on Nov 11, 2026 and can move, so check the current listing before ordering your preferred model. Check the live page first.

How we chose interfaces for video work

We did not test any device. From the Amazon listings captured on Nov 11, 2026, we kept USB products with an XLR or combo mic input and a stated operating system, then added the Scarlett 2i2 from Focusrite’s own page in our notes. Ratings are shopper opinion only.

We excluded Bluetooth voice-changer boxes and 3.5 mm adapters, because they lack a proper mic input for video. Ratings are shopper opinion only, and the list order is not shaped by affiliate payouts.

Best usb sound cards for a/v recording in detail

Each section says who the device suits and what its listing or brand page shows. We avoid any claim about how voices sound, because we have not recorded with these devices, and we flag fields that the listing leaves blank or that our notes mark as unconfirmed.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen): best all-round for solo creators

The 3rd Gen Solo is the most reviewed interface in this guide, with 4.6 stars from about 29,654 ratings. It suits a solo creator who records a voice, perhaps with a guitar, and wants a model that so many other video makers already own. It has a long track record.

The listing shows one XLR mic preamp, one Hi-Z instrument input and 24-bit conversion up to 192 kHz at approx. $119.99 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026), for Mac, Windows and iOS. It has a single mic input, so two presenters need a different model.

• Buy if: you record one voice at a time.
• Skip if: you need two XLR inputs.

M-Audio M-Track Duo: best budget interface for two voices

The M-Track Duo has dual XLR, line and DI inputs, which fits a two-person interview or podcast-style video. Shoppers give it 4.4 stars from about 6,631 ratings, a healthy sample for a budget model, and it supports more platforms than many rivals. It is easy to place on a desk.

The listing shows a quarter-inch headphone output and balanced main outputs at approx. $69 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026), with Android, Windows, iOS and macOS. The maximum sample rate is 48 kHz, which matches video work, but it is low if you also record music.

• Buy if: you interview a guest on camera.
• Skip if: you want to record music at 96 or 192 kHz.

Mackie Onyx Artist 1X2: best value with 192 kHz listed

The Onyx Artist 1X2 lists 192 kHz and shows 4.6 stars from about 399 ratings. It is a compact single-input device for a creator who wants a well-rated model at a low price, though its rating count is far smaller than that of the Scarlett. It is a simple single-input model.

The listing shows approx. $59.99 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026) and names Windows 10. We have no Mackie page in our notes, so the preamp, monitoring features and Mac support are unconfirmed. Check the maker’s site, especially if you use macOS.

• Buy if: you want a low-priced single-input model.
• Skip if: you need confirmed Mac support.

Behringer UMC22: best cheap 2×2 with a large ratings base

The UMC22 is a low-priced 2×2 interface with 96 kHz, and shoppers give it 4.5 stars from about 12,871 ratings, the second-largest sample here. It suits a first-time video maker who wants a cheap, widely owned interface. It comes from a well-known maker.

The listing shows approx. $52.90 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026) and names Windows only. Our notes say Behringer’s pages did not load and ASIO status is unconfirmed, so check the maker’s driver page. It carries Midas-designed preamps per the title.

• Buy if: you want the lowest price for a real mic preamp.
• Skip if: you use a Mac and need confirmation.

PreSonus AudioBox 96: best with MIDI and two combo inputs

The AudioBox 96 pairs two combo mic and instrument inputs with MIDI, and it lists 96 kHz. Shoppers give it 4.3 stars from about 3,183 ratings. It suits a creator who films tutorials while playing a keyboard or a guitar and needs MIDI as well. It runs from USB power.

The listing shows approx. $94.99 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026), Windows and macOS and a 51 ohm figure. Our notes from retailer snippets list USB bus power, 24-bit converters and a mic preamp THD+N below 0.008%. Dynamic range is unconfirmed.

• Buy if: you want MIDI and two inputs in a small box.
• Skip if: you only need a single mic.

FIFINE Ampligame SC3: best for streamers who want faders

The SC3 is a gaming audio mixer with an indi-fader, mute button, XLR preamp and RGB, and shoppers give it 4.4 stars from about 4,822 ratings. It suits streamers who like physical controls and who produce live video rather than careful studio edits. It is a different kind of device.

The listing shows approx. $52.99 on Amazon (Nov 11, 2026) with USB plug and play. It lists no sample rate or operating systems in our data. It is a mixer for streaming, not a recording interface, so check how it appears to your recording software.

• Buy if: you stream and want faders and a mute button.
• Skip if: you need documented sample rates and drivers.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen): best with loopback for tutorials

The 2i2 is a good match for screen tutorials because Focusrite’s page lists a loopback feature, which can capture computer audio alongside your microphone. It also has two mic preamps and two Hi-Z inputs, and runs at up to 192 kHz. It is a niche pick.

It is USB-C bus-powered and works with Windows and macOS, with a 3-year warranty, per Focusrite. We have no Amazon price or rating for it, and the page showed sold out when checked, which may be temporary. Verify stock before planning a purchase around it.

• Buy if: you record tutorials with computer audio and a mic.
• Skip if: stock or price cannot be confirmed.

Buying guide for A/V recording interfaces

Pick the interface that matches your camera work, then check the microphone and the monitoring. The sections below explain the three decisions that affect video audio the most, so that you do not pay for features that stay unused in your day-to-day editing.

Sample rate and sync with video

Most video editors run audio at 48 kHz, so an interface that supports that rate keeps your project simple. Recording at 44.1 kHz and mixing it with 48 kHz footage forces a conversion. Higher rates like 192 kHz give larger files without improving spoken dialogue in a meaningful way.

Monitoring with headphones and loopback

Monitoring lets you hear yourself without delay. Many interfaces send the mic signal straight to the headphones before the computer. For tutorials, loopback captures what the computer plays. Focusrite lists loopback on the Scarlett 4th Gen, and we have not confirmed it on the other models here.

How to choose the best usb sound cards for a/v recording

Count your voices and microphones first. For one voice, the Scarlett Solo or Onyx Artist is the likelier fit. For two, take the M-Track Duo or AudioBox 96. For live streams, consider the SC3. Check operating system lists on the listing, since several Amazon fields are incomplete.

FAQ

These answers cover the questions video makers ask when they replace a camera or laptop mic with an interface. They rely on the listings and brand notes above, and they avoid claims about voice quality that depend on your microphone and your room. Take each as general guidance.

Do I need an audio interface for video?

Not always. A USB microphone can be enough for simple videos. An interface helps when you want an XLR microphone, two inputs or loopback, or when you need to monitor yourself without delay. It is a step up in control, not a requirement. That depends on the project.

What sample rate should I use for video?

Most video projects use 48 kHz, so set your interface and your editor to the same rate. Higher rates are rarely needed for dialogue. Among the devices here, the M-Track Duo tops out at 48 kHz, which is enough for most video work. Match your editor’s setting.

Can a gaming sound card record video audio?

Some can capture a microphone and game audio, but they lack XLR inputs and preamps, so a condenser or dynamic studio mic cannot connect directly. For serious voice work, an interface or a mixer such as the SC3 is a better fit than a typical gaming card.

Conclusion

For most video makers, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) is the dependable single-voice choice, and the M-Track Duo is the budget answer for two voices. Choose the Scarlett 2i2 for loopback, and the SC3 if you stream and want physical faders. Check stock before you buy.