AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Electric Cellos 2026
The top pick is NS Design NXT4A-CO-BK Active Series Electric Cello ($2,901). Yamaha SVC-50 Silent Cello gives you the most for the money at $2,455. NS Design CR5-CO-AM Low F Cello leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 21 models across 5 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 7, 2026
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All Electric CellosTop 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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NS Design NXT4A-CO-BK Active Series Electric Cello
NXT4a-CO-BK Cello · NS Design
5 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Strings4-string
- BodyMaple body
- Weight1.9 kg
You get a 4-string electric cello with a maple body, a maple neck and a steel rod in the neck. It has a Polar Pickup System, volume and tone controls, and comes with a tripod stand, charger and gig bag. It suits you if you want a cello you can play amplified and carry easily, since it weighs 1.9 kg.
Pros
- Maple body and maple neck give the cello a sturdy wooden build
- Polar Pickup System with dual mode active output for amplified playing
- Neck reinforced with a steel rod for added stability
Cons
- Only volume and tone controls, so there is no further onboard sound shaping
- Its 69.5 cm scale and four strings differ from a standard acoustic cello
76AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$2,901 now$2,901€2,598 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
NS Design NXT4A-CO-BK Active Series Electric Cello
NXT4a-CO-SB Cello · NS Design
5 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Strings4-string
- BodyMaple body
- Weight1.9 kg
This is a 4-string electric cello with a maple body, a maple neck and a steel rod inside the neck. You get a polar pickup system, a dual mode active output, and simple volume and tone knobs. It suits you if you want a light electric cello that comes with a tripod stand, charger and gig bag, ready to go.
Pros
- Maple body and maple neck give this cello a sturdy, all-maple build
- Polar pickup system is built in for amplifying the cello
- Dual mode active output with a volume knob and a tone knob for direct control
Cons
- At 69.5 cm scale and 1.9 kg, it is a compact instrument rather than a full-size cello
76AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$2,901 now$2,901€2,598 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- BodyAlder body
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
- Weight3.5 kg
You get a compact electric cello that is made for quiet practice or for the stage. It has a piezo pickup from the Silent Cello series, and it comes with a sturdy soft bag so you can carry it around more easily. This one suits you if you want to practice quietly at home or play on stage without carrying a big, heavy instrument.
Pros
- Piezo pickup technology from the tried-and-tested Silent Cello series
- Made for virtually silent practice, or for the stage
- Compact design that is easy to transport and handle
Cons
- Weighs 3.5 kg, and the included soft bag measures 128 x 30 x 25 cm
75AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$2,455 now$2,455€2,199 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings5-string
- BodyMaple body
- Weight1.9 kg
This is a five-string electric cello with a low F string, so you get extra range below the usual four strings. It has a maple body and a maple neck with a steel rod inside, plus a Polar Pickup System with dual mode active output. It suits you if you want a fretted electric cello with a low F string, and it comes with a tripod stand, charger and gig bag.
Pros
- Five strings, including a low F string for extra range
- Polar Pickup System with dual mode active output
- Maple body and maple neck with a steel rod reinforcement
Cons
- Weighs 1.9 kg, a size to note if you carry it far
56AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$3,785 now$3,785€3,390 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings5-string
You get a five-string electric cello with a self-powered polar piezo pickup and a Pizzicato / Arco switch, so you can pluck or bow. It comes with a tripod stand and a gig bag, which makes it easier to carry and set up. This suits you if you want an electric cello that comes with its stand and bag and is ready to play.
Pros
- Self-powered polar piezo pickup built into the instrument
- Pizzicato / Arco switch lets you play plucked or bowed
- Five strings tuned C-G-D-A plus a high E for extra range
Cons
- Its self-powered pickup system needs a power source to run
54AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,993 now$1,993€1,785 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings5-string
This is a five-string electric cello, so you get an extra low F string. It has an active pickup, a built-in EQ to adjust the sound, and a headphone output for quiet practice. If you want to play through an amp, the pickup system is ready for that, and the headphone output is handy when you practice at home.
Pros
- Five strings tuned F-C-G-D-A, extending the range below a standard cello
- Active pickup system for amplified playing
- Built-in EQ lets you shape the sound right on the instrument
54AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$5,404 now$5,404€4,840 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings4-string
If you want an electric cello that is ready to go, you may like this one. It has a self-powered piezo pickup, a switch for plucking or bowing, and it comes with a tripod stand and a gig bag. It suits players who move their cello around and want the stand and bag in one package.
Pros
- Self-powered polar piezo pickup lets it plug in without an extra preamp
- Pizzicato / Arco switch lets you switch between plucked and bowed playing
- Coform fingerboard is a synthetic material that stands up to daily play
52AudioFu
Index↓ 3.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$1,831 · Aug 17$1,775 now$1,775€1,590 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings5-string
- BodyMaple body
- Weight1.9 kg
If you want an electric cello with five strings, this one adds a high E string above the usual C-G-D-A. It has a Polar Pickup System, a dual mode active output, and volume and tone controls on the body. It comes with a tripod stand, charger and gig bag, so it is a good pick if you want a ready-to-go electric cello with extra high range.
Pros
- Maple body and maple neck give it a sturdy wooden build
- Polar Pickup System picks up the signal from this electric cello
- Dual mode active output with volume and tone controls on the body
Cons
- Five-string set with high E string differs from standard four-string cello tuning
52AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$3,059 now$3,059€2,740 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings5-string
- BodyMaple body
- Weight1.9 kg
This is a five-string electric cello with a low F string, so you get extra range below the usual cello bottom. It has a maple body and neck, a steel rod in the neck, and a Polar pickup system with dual mode active output. It suits you if you want an electric cello with extra low range, and it comes with a stand, charger and gig bag to get you started.
Pros
- Five strings, including a low F string, for extra range
- Dual mode active output with Polar pickup system
- Maple body and maple neck, with the neck reinforced by a steel rod
Cons
- Volume and tone are the only controls listed
52AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$3,171 now$3,171€2,840 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings4-string
- BodyMaple body
- Weight1.9 kg
You get a 4-string electric cello with a maple body and neck, a steel rod inside the neck, and a fretted Richlite fingerboard. It has a Polar Pickup System, volume and tone controls, and comes with a tripod stand, charger and gig bag. It suits you if you want a cello you can plug into an amp, and at 1.9 kg it is easier to carry to a gig than many full-size cellos.
Pros
- Maple body and maple neck give it a sturdy build from a classic tonewood
- Polar Pickup System with dual mode active output for amplified playing
- Volume and tone controls let you adjust your sound right on the instrument
Cons
- Weighs 1.9 kg with a 69.5 cm scale, so it is light but still a full-size cello
52AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$3,461 now$3,461€3,100 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 21 electric cellos
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Harley Benton HBCE 990RD Electric CelloHarley Benton · 6 finishes51↓ 12.3%$390€349$390€349Check ↗
- 12
Harley Benton Artist Solo Electric Cello 4/4Harley Benton51↓ 8.4%$1,114€998$1,114€998Check ↗
- 13
NS Design NXT5a-CO-BK Low F CelloNS Design50↑ 3.7%$3,171€2,840$3,171€2,840Check ↗
- 14
NS Design NXT5a-CO-BK High ENS Design50↑ 3.7%$3,171€2,840$3,171€2,840Check ↗
- 15
NS Design CR4-CO-AM Amber CelloNS Design · 3 finishes49Stable$4,957€4,440$4,957€4,440Check ↗
- 16
Yamaha SVC300FPW Silent CelloYamaha · 4 finishes48↓ 14.9%$3,706€3,319$3,706€3,319Check ↗
- 17
NS Design NXT4a-CO-BK-F Fretted CelloNS Design47Stable$3,562€3,190$3,562€3,190Check ↗
- 18
NS Design CR6-CO-AM Amber CelloNS Design · 2 finishes46Stable$5,795€5,190$5,795€5,190Check ↗
- 19
Gewa Novita 3.0 Electric Cello GBGewa · 3 finishes44Stable$2,892€2,590$2,892€2,590Check ↗
- 20
Gewa Novita 3.0 E-Cello RD HGGewa · 3 finishes39Stable$3,338€2,990$3,338€2,990Check ↗
- 21
sbip C4171BL Electric Cello 4/4sbip34Stable$1,552€1,390$1,552€1,390Check ↗
Electric Cellos by the numbers
Measured across all 50 models we track, not a sample.
Median $3,171 — half of all electric cellos here cost less.
median of 30 models · 4-string–5-string
most common · 11 models
median of 12 models · 1.9 kg–3.3 kg
How to choose the best electric cellos
Pickup Voicing
This is everything. Cheap cellos often have piezo pickups that sound brittle and lack sustain - that ice-picky harshness isn't what you want. Look for instruments with magnetic pickups, or at least piezos with a warmer voicing. The best ones emulate a more acoustic tone, while still allowing for amplification.
Body Resonance & Construction
An electric cello still needs a good acoustic foundation. A hollow body will naturally resonate more and have a warmer tone, but can be prone to feedback on stage. Solid bodies are less prone to feedback but can sound a bit sterile. The wood used matters too - avoid cheap laminates if you can.
Neck Profile & Action
Let's be honest, cellos aren't known for their shred-friendly necks. But a comfortable neck profile and a well-set-up action (string height) are crucial for playability, especially when you're trying to get nuanced phrasing. A high action will fight you every step of the way.
Output Jack & Electronics Quality
A flaky output jack is a nightmare on stage. Cheap jacks and wiring will introduce noise and signal loss. Look for robust connectors and shielded cables - it's a small detail that makes a big difference in reliability.
Bridge and Soundpost
The bridge transmits the string vibrations to the body, and the soundpost couples the front and back of the instrument. A poorly fitted bridge or a loose soundpost can severely impact the cello's tone and responsiveness, even when amplified. These are often overlooked on cheaper models.
Buying guide
So, you're looking to electrify your cello? It's a cool move - that cello voice is just begging to be sculpted with some effects and pushed through a PA. But unlike plugging in a Strat, finding the right electric cello can be tricky; there's a huge range in quality, and a lot of marketing hype. This guide will cut through the noise and help you find an electric cello that actually delivers what you want, whether it's for studio tracking, gigging, or just jamming in your bedroom.
Don't expect a budget electric cello to sound like a vintage Stradivarius. The biggest compromises usually come in the pickup system and overall construction. If you're gigging regularly, invest in something with solid magnetic pickups and a well-built body.
For bedroom practice, you can get away with something more affordable, but be prepared to deal with a less-than-stellar tone. Always try before you buy, if possible; that 'fat midrange honk' is subjective and needs to feel right under your fingers.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 50 electric cellos from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are piezo pickups always bad?
Not always, but they're generally the weakest link. Higher-end piezo systems can sound decent, but they often lack the warmth and sustain of magnetic pickups. Be prepared to EQ heavily to compensate.
Can I easily replace the pickups?
Sometimes. It depends on the model and how the pickups are mounted. It's definitely something to consider if you're happy with the instrument's body but want a better pickup sound.
Do electric cellos need to be amplified?
While they can be played acoustically, they're designed to be amplified. The electric amplification enhances the instrument's projection and allows you to shape the tone with effects.
What kind of amp should I use?
A full-range acoustic amplifier is ideal, but a bass amp with a clean preamp can also work. Avoid distortion unless you're specifically going for that effect. Headroom is key - you don't want the amp clipping and introducing unwanted noise.
What's the difference between a 'silent' cello and an electric cello?
Silent cellos are primarily designed for quiet practice, often with minimal acoustic projection. Electric cellos are intended for amplification and performance, with a focus on sound quality and stage-readiness.
