Best General Synthesizers for Electronic 2026

Perfect general synthesizers for electronic - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

Mellotron Micro Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Mellotron Micro Black

Pop Film Score Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Often includes preset banks
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • May lack specialization in any one area

Mellotron Micro BlackDigital MellotronSample playback engine with 24-bit audio data100 Mellotron and Chamberlain sounds...

4.9/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Mellotron M4000D Mini Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Mellotron M4000D Mini Black

Rock Electronic Ambient
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
  • • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
  • • May lack specialization in any one area
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

Mellotron M4000D Mini BlackMellotronVelocity sensitive semi-weighted Fatar keyboardLC-Display100 Mellotron and...

5.0/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Moog Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Moog Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D

Film Score Sound Design Rock
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Often includes preset banks
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none

Moog Geddy Lee Minimoog Model DAnalogue SynthesizerLimited Geddy Lee (Rush) signature model in special finishModified...

4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Arturia AstroLab 88 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Arturia AstroLab 88

Ambient Rock Film Score
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none

Arturia AstroLab 88Stage KeyboardFatar keyboard (TP-40) with hammer action and 88 weightedvelocity-sensitive keys with...

4.9/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sequential Prophet 10 Special Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sequential Prophet 10 Special Edition

Ambient Sound Design Film Score
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

Sequential Prophet 10 Special Edition10-Voice Polyphonic Analogue SynthesizerLimited special version in lacewood...

4.9/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
UDO Audio Super 6 ST49 Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

UDO Audio Super 6 ST49 Blue

Electronic Film Score Ambient
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

UDO Audio Super 6 ST49 Blue12-Voice Polyphonic Analogue Hybrid SynthesizerSemi-weighted 49-key keyboard with velocity...

4.8/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Roland Juno-D8 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Roland Juno-D8

Electronic Film Score Pop
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
  • • May lack specialization in any one area
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

Roland Juno-D8SynthesizerWeighted 88-key keyboard with Ivory Feel (PHA-4 standard)128 Voice polyphony8 PartsZEN-Core...

5.0/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sonicware ELZ_1 play - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sonicware ELZ_1 play

Sound Design Electronic Pop
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

Sonicware ELZ_1 playCompact Synthesiser with Looper17 Synth enginesincluding low-bitgranular and physical modelling33...

4.4/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Moog Muse - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Moog Muse

Rock Film Score Pop
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none

Moog MuseBi-timbral analogue synthesizer8-voice polyphony61-key keyboard with velocity sensitivity and aftertouchPitch...

4.6/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
SOMA Flux - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

SOMA Flux

Ambient Rock Film Score
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
  • • May lack specialization in any one area
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

SOMA FluxDigital Synthesiser with Magnetic KeyboardTouch-free play via two magnetic controllersPositiondistance and...

5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
ESI XSynth - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

ESI XSynth

Sound Design Electronic Rock
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

ESI XSynthVirtual Analogue Subtractive Synthesiser25 velocity-sensitive keys with polyphonic aftertouch10-voice...

4.7/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Moog Messenger - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Moog Messenger

Pop Film Score Ambient
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
  • • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

Moog MessengerMonophonic Analogue Synthesizer32 lightweighted keysvelocity sensitive and with AftertouchPitch and...

4.7/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
SOMA Lyra-8 Rust Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

SOMA Lyra-8 Rust Edition

Sound Design Electronic Pop
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Often includes preset banks
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options

SOMA Lyra-8 Rust EditionAnalogue Drone SynthesizerSpecial edition with oxidised metal housingEight voices /...

4.6/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Arturia MiniFreak Vocoder - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Arturia MiniFreak Vocoder

Sound Design Pop Electronic
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
  • • May lack specialization in any one area
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

Arturia MiniFreak VocoderAlgorithmic SynthesizerLimited special edition37 velocity-sensitive slim keys with...

4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Polyend Synth - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Polyend Synth

Pop Sound Design Film Score
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • May lack specialization in any one area

Polyend SynthPolyphonic Multi-Engine SynthesiserThree independent and complete synthesiser voices (synth 1-3) can be...

4.7/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10

How to Choose the Best General Synthesizers

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced general synthesizers typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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