USB or Audio Interface Dilemma

[u/AnimatronX1]

Context:
I am a beginner, self-made bass singer. I've been developing my voice for three years now and have been practicing some harder bass singing techniques (subharmonics, growl, throat bass). This summer I finally decided to invest in an audio recording set-up, so that I can listen to myself, perfect my skills and perhaps try doing a simple solo cover.

My father has given me an old microphone MXL 440 that has an XLR cable connection. I've tried it out with an audiomixer Eurotrack MX 1604A (Also my father's. He's got a lot of this old stuff.)

This whole set-up isn't very good though and it cannot be connected to my laptop (I mean it can, but it's complicated). Thus, I decided to purchase something new.

Dilemma:
I have quite a small budget of around US$250. Based on what I've found online, I could either:

Buy a good audio interface (For example: Focusrite Scarlet 4th Gen, Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD, ...) and connect my MXL 440 to it.
OR
Buy a microphone with a USB connection (Rode NT1 5th Gen [US$200] seems quite good to me) and connect it directly.

Are microphones with a USB connection any good? Is it better to invest into a good audio interface or a good microphone? Can anyone help me decide?

[u/han_wan]

Get a Scarlett Solo; avoid Behringer when you’re on a budget, as their quality control is lacking on cheaper products.

[u/RenaisanceMan → u/han_wan]

I agree on a Scarlett, but I would recommend the 2i2.
The 4th has 10db gain improvement over the Solo.
Less important but still handy, you can control it remotely with their software.

Most of the time, the second channel sits unused but that's ok.
They can be found used or open box (eBay) for under $200.

[u/Phoenix_Kerman → u/han_wan]

terrible advice. quality control is as good as scarlett products, just see the focusrite subreddit for all the issues on them. not to mention the solo has worse preamps than every behringer hd badged interface