Rack Mixer roundup
The Best Rack Mixers for the Money
From the Behringer X32 Rack at the accessible end to the Allen & Heath SQ series at professional level, these are the units that genuinely deliver at their price points.
The rack mixer market has genuinely good options at almost every price point, and the gap between budget and mid-tier has narrowed significantly in recent years. These are the units that consistently deliver the most for the money — separated by price bracket and by use case.
Best Under £800: Behringer X32 Rack
The Behringer X32 Rack is the standard benchmark at this price level, and for good reason. It offers 16 XLR inputs with Midas-designed preamps, 8 aux buses, on-board effects and the full X32 ecosystem — a mature, widely used control app and a large community. The rack mixer format makes it compact enough for touring fly-rigs while capable enough for permanent installation.
Its main limitations are build quality (adequate but not exceptional) and a touchscreen that some users find less responsive than competitors. But for the price, it's hard to beat.
Best for Wi-Fi-First Operation: Soundcraft Ui24R
The Soundcraft Ui24R is designed specifically for wireless operation from a tablet or laptop, with no hardware interface on the unit itself. It accepts 20 inputs (16 XLR + 4 jack), has dbx compression and 4-band parametric EQ on every channel, and runs a browser-based interface that works on any device with a web browser — iOS, Android, Windows and Mac all supported.
If your primary use case is installed AV, hospitality audio or any environment where the desk is located away from the operator, the Ui24R's wireless-first design is a genuine advantage over units with a hardware interface tacked on as an afterthought.
Best Mid-Range: Yamaha TF-Rack
Yamaha's TF-Rack sits between the budget and professional categories in both price and capability. It offers 16 mono and 1 stereo input, a touchscreen interface and strong integration with Yamaha's ecosystem, including compatibility with Yamaha's stage boxes and expansion cards. The preamps are a clear step up from the Behringer at this price point.
It's particularly well-suited for venues already running Yamaha equipment, where consistent workflow and scene sharing across desks is a priority.
Best Professional: Allen & Heath SQ-5 (Rack-Mounted)
The Allen & Heath SQ series isn't a pure rack mixer — it's a full digital console that can be rack-mounted. But for operators who need the best preamps and processing available in a compact format, it's the right choice. The DEEP processing architecture, exceptional preamps and strong Dante support put it in a different league from the budget options.
At this price level you're buying a touring-grade tool, not just a feature list. The build quality, support network and long-term firmware development of Allen & Heath back up the investment.
Budget Pick: Soundcraft Ui16
For applications where 16 inputs is sufficient and budget is tight, the Soundcraft Ui16 offers the same wireless-first design as the Ui24R at a lower price. It includes dbx dynamics and Lexicon effects on every channel, and the browser-based control means any device can serve as the interface. It's a strong choice for small installations, simple FOH work and hospitality audio.
For buying guidance on what to look for in each of these categories, the rack mixer buyer's guide covers the decision-making process. If you're new to this format, the beginner's guide explains the basics before you buy.
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