Is the Scarlett Solo 4th Gen under $150?

Not at the supplied price of $159.99. It is $9.99 over budget, so we treat it as a stretch option rather than an under-$150 pick. The Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is listed at $119.99 and is the only reviewed audio interface here that meets the strict price ceiling.

Can I record two microphones with a Scarlett Solo?

Neither reviewed Scarlett Solo model has two XLR microphone inputs. The third-generation Solo has one microphone input and one instrument input, so it cannot record a stereo microphone pair simultaneously. The Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen supports stereo microphone setups with two preamps, but its $224.99 price exceeds this budget.

What matters most for low-latency recording?

Prioritize a dependable audio driver and round-trip latency over preamp marketing. Use the manufacturer’s recommended driver and adjust your recording software’s buffer for responsive, stable playback. Check the manual for setup details. Our supplied reviews describe driver performance qualitatively; they do not provide measured latency figures for a numerical ranking.

Should I upgrade my interface or studio monitors first?

Let the actual limitation decide. If you lack enough microphone inputs or cannot get stable monitoring, address the interface. If you want more accurate speaker-based mixing, treat the room before upgrading monitors. Use closed-back headphones for tracking and open-back headphones for mixing where leakage is acceptable.

The best audio interface under $150

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is our best reviewed audio interface under $150, with stable low-latency drivers and a listed price of $119.99.

Research-based article drawn from our 27 music production reviews. Updated September 2026.

Short answer

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is the best audio interface under $150 among the models we reviewed. At $119.99, it provides stable low-latency drivers, one microphone input, one instrument input, and balanced TRS monitor outputs. Its main limitations are a single XLR input and limited headphone output power for high-impedance headphones.

Our picks for “audio interface under 150”

The picks: one under $150, two above-budget alternatives

Our under-$150 pick is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen at $119.99. It suits single-source vocal or instrument tracking, with mature low-latency drivers and straightforward gain halo indicators. Our score is 7.8/10. It is the only reviewed audio interface in the supplied selection priced below $150.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen costs $159.99, so it misses a strict $150 ceiling. Its updated conversion performance, clear metering, and dependable driver architecture suit solo performers willing to spend slightly more. Our score is 8/10, but it still has only one XLR microphone channel.

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is a more substantial step up at $224.99. Our score is 8.3/10. Its two preamps suit stereo microphone recording or simultaneous vocal and guitar tracking, while separate monitor and headphone level controls improve handling. These are budget-stretch comparisons, not additional under-$150 recommendations.

Read the reviews: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB, Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB

Why the Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is the budget choice

The Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen earns its recommendation through driver dependability rather than preamp marketing. Its stable, low-latency drivers provide a dependable baseline for tracking, and the balanced TRS rear outputs accommodate studio monitors. Gain halo indicators keep level setting straightforward. At the supplied $119.99 price, it meets the budget without requiring a sale or an assumed discount.

Its input arrangement is the deciding limitation: one microphone input and one instrument input do not make it a two-microphone interface. You cannot use it for simultaneous stereo microphone recording. For a singer recording one vocal part at a time, that restriction may be unimportant; for stereo acoustic recording, it rules the interface out.

The other caveat is limited headphone output power for high-impedance loads. Check headphone requirements and the interface manual rather than assuming every studio headphone will be a comfortable match. Buy this model for its practical single-source workflow, not expansion capacity.

Read the reviews: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB

When spending more makes sense

The Scarlett Solo 4th Gen is $9.99 above the search budget at its supplied $159.99 price. It updates conversion performance and input controls while retaining a reliable, low-latency driver architecture. That makes it a reasonable comparison for a solo performer whose budget is flexible, but not a qualifying pick under $150. It also does not solve the third-generation model’s single-XLR restriction.

The Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen addresses a different need. Its two independent inputs and two preamps support stereo microphone setups, and separate monitor and headphone level controls give you more control over listening levels. Its driver efficiency keeps round-trip latency manageable, although the supplied review data does not include millisecond measurements.

At $224.99, the 2i2 is worth considering only if those capabilities matter to your sessions. It also requires steady USB-C power delivery from the host. Check its manual for connection and power requirements before buying for a mobile setup.

Read the reviews: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB

What to check before ordering

Start with the number of microphones you need to record simultaneously. Count microphone inputs rather than relying on a total channel figure: both Solo models have only one XLR microphone channel. Next, confirm compatibility with your computer, operating system, and recording software using the manufacturer’s current documentation and manual.

Prioritize driver quality and round-trip latency over claims about preamp character. For software monitoring, widely accepted practice is to use the recommended audio driver and choose a buffer setting that balances responsiveness with stable playback. Lower the buffer gradually and increase it if clicks or dropouts occur; check your manual for model-specific setup. No measured latency figures are supplied here, so an exact numerical comparison would be unsupported.

Keep the rest of the setup proportionate. Choose closed-back headphones for tracking to reduce microphone bleed, and open-back headphones for mixing where sound leakage is acceptable. Treat the listening room before upgrading monitors, and check microphone power requirements before connecting equipment.

Read the reviews: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB, Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB

Frequently asked

Is the Scarlett Solo 4th Gen under $150?: Not at the supplied price of $159.99. It is $9.99 over budget, so we treat it as a stretch option rather than an under-$150 pick. The Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is listed at $119.99 and is the only reviewed audio interface here that meets the strict price ceiling.
Can I record two microphones with a Scarlett Solo?: Neither reviewed Scarlett Solo model has two XLR microphone inputs. The third-generation Solo has one microphone input and one instrument input, so it cannot record a stereo microphone pair simultaneously. The Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen supports stereo microphone setups with two preamps, but its $224.99 price exceeds this budget.
What matters most for low-latency recording?: Prioritize a dependable audio driver and round-trip latency over preamp marketing. Use the manufacturer’s recommended driver and adjust your recording software’s buffer for responsive, stable playback. Check the manual for setup details. Our supplied reviews describe driver performance qualitatively; they do not provide measured latency figures for a numerical ranking.
Should I upgrade my interface or studio monitors first?: Let the actual limitation decide. If you lack enough microphone inputs or cannot get stable monitoring, address the interface. If you want more accurate speaker-based mixing, treat the room before upgrading monitors. Use closed-back headphones for tracking and open-back headphones for mixing where leakage is acceptable.