Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd GenFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 44 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment63%
PROS 63%
CONS 37%

Rank based on 44 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You need lots of mic/line inputs plus dual ADAT expansion for drums or bands
  • You want solid build quality and responsive Focusrite support
  • You're budget-conscious but need more I/O than entry-level interfaces offer

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You rely on high-impedance headphones for critical monitoring
  • You need independent phantom power switching per mic channel
  • You want the most transparent, detailed preamps regardless of price

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
RME Fireface UFX
Rock-solid driver stabilityTotalMix FX routing powerClean, transparent sound and conversionApple Silicon dropout reportsCostly or unhelpful repairsTotalMix learning curve
RME Fireface UFX
Rock-solid driver stability
TotalMix FX routing power
Clean, transparent sound and conversion
Apple Silicon dropout reports
Costly or unhelpful repairs
TotalMix learning curve
2Premium
RME Babyface
Rock-solid, long-supported driversClean, detailed sound qualityUltra-low latencySteep TotalMix learning curveHigh priceNo built-in DSP dynamics
RME Babyface
Rock-solid, long-supported drivers
Clean, detailed sound quality
Ultra-low latency
Steep TotalMix learning curve
High price
No built-in DSP dynamics
3Premium
RME Babyface Pro FS
Exceptional driver stability and longevityExcellent sound quality and conversionTotalMix FX depth and flexibilityMissing onboard dynamics/EQTotalMix learning curveLimited instrument input headroom
RME Babyface Pro FS
Exceptional driver stability and longevity
Excellent sound quality and conversion
TotalMix FX depth and flexibility
Missing onboard dynamics/EQ
TotalMix learning curve
Limited instrument input headroom
4Mid
PreSonus Revelator io24
Powerful onboard DSP
PreSonus Revelator io24
Powerful onboard DSP
5Mid
RME Digiface USB
Channel expansion flexibilityReliable RME driversBus-powered portabilityNot USB class compliantColorless digital soundDriver/static glitches reported
RME Digiface USB
Channel expansion flexibility
Reliable RME drivers
Bus-powered portability
Not USB class compliant
Colorless digital sound
Driver/static glitches reported
6Mid
IK Multimedia AXE I/O Solo
Bundled software and pluginsFlexible input optionsImpedance control (Z-Tone)High price relative to competitorsDriver issuesDynamic and gain range limitations
IK Multimedia AXE I/O Solo
Bundled software and plugins
Flexible input options
Impedance control (Z-Tone)
High price relative to competitors
Driver issues
Dynamic and gain range limitations
7Premium
RME Fireface UCX II
Converter and preamp clarityLong-term reliability and driver supportTotalMix FX routing powerRuns hotHigh price for the feature setTotalMix learning curve
RME Fireface UCX II
Converter and preamp clarity
Long-term reliability and driver support
TotalMix FX routing power
Runs hot
High price for the feature set
TotalMix learning curve
8
PreSonus Quantum 2
Ultra-Low Thunderbolt LatencyExpandable, High-Quality I/OStrong Clocking and Dynamic RangeNaming Confusion With Newer 'Quantum' Models
PreSonus Quantum 2
Ultra-Low Thunderbolt Latency
Expandable, High-Quality I/O
Strong Clocking and Dynamic Range
Naming Confusion With Newer 'Quantum' Models
9Premium
Apogee Quartet
Expandable I/OLong-Term User SatisfactionConverter QualityHardware Reliability IssuesHigh PriceMac-Centric Limitation
Apogee Quartet
Expandable I/O
Long-Term User Satisfaction
Converter Quality
Hardware Reliability Issues
High Price
Mac-Centric Limitation
10Premium
RME Digiface
Massive channel expansion via ADATRevives and pairs well with older gearExcellent, reliable driversUSB 2.0 bandwidth concernsLimited I/O per single unitNot USB class compliant
RME Digiface
Massive channel expansion via ADAT
Revives and pairs well with older gear
Excellent, reliable drivers
USB 2.0 bandwidth concerns
Limited I/O per single unit
Not USB class compliant
Best valueYou are here
31Mid
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen
Extensive I/O countGood value for priceSolid build qualityPoor headphone output qualityPops, clicks, and static under certain conditionsPreamps merely decent, not exceptional
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen
Extensive I/O count
Good value for price
Solid build quality
Poor headphone output quality
Pops, clicks, and static under certain conditions
Preamps merely decent, not exceptional

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Solid build and generous I/O make it a workhorse for bigger sessions. Commenters repeatedly highlight the 8 mic preamps plus dual ADAT expansion as a major selling point, especially for drum recording and multi-instrument setups. Long-term owners describe the hardware as stable and well-built, with one calling it 'the best I have ever had in my studio.' Others bought units specifically to expand their track count alongside octopres or Clarett units, valuing the flexibility for bands and live rigs.

Headphone output quality and control design draw frequent criticism. Multiple users report headphone outs that are too quiet, noisy when adjusting volume, or unable to properly drive higher-impedance headphones like Sennheiser HD650 or 250-ohm models. Several also dislike that headphone level is hardwired to output channels 7-10 rather than freely routable, requiring both software and hardware adjustment. Switching to lower-impedance headphones resolved issues for some, but it remains a recurring pain point across generations.

Preamp quality and phantom power design split opinion. Some owners find the preamps solid for the price, while others feel they lag behind pricier Clarett or Apollo preamps, describing them as merely decent or lacking headroom. A notable design gripe is the lack of independent 48V phantom power per channel, forcing users to disable phantom power on multiple channels just to protect one dynamic or ribbon mic during live use.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?