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Best General Synthesizers Under $200 2025

Affordable general synthesizers under $200 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 29, 2025 • Next update: November 5, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $50 Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Electronic For Pop For Rock For Ambient For Film Score For Sound Design
BRANDS: Korg Behringer Yamaha Roland Arturia Sequential SOMA Moog Sonicware Stylophone Novation Modal Mellotron Waldorf UDO Audio Teenage Engineering
AKAI Professional MPK mini Play MK3 Bag Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

AKAI Professional MPK mini Play MK3 Bag Bundle

by AKAI Professional
Electronic Rock Ambient
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

AKAI Professional MPK mini Play MK3 Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, AKAI Professional MPK mini Play MK3*Mini USB...

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 559988
$152
Buy at Thomann View Details
Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Tweak Synth - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Tweak Synth

by Roland
Pop Sound Design Ambient
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none

Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Tweak SynthSynthesiser4-Voice polyphonic compact synthesiser with sequencer and ACB synth...

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 564999
$191
Buy at Thomann View Details
Korg Volca Nubass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Korg Volca Nubass

by Korg
Pop Ambient Rock
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options

Korg Volca NubassAnalog Bass SynthesizerWith tube oscillator and sub-oscillatorAnalog drive circuit with tube...

⭐ 4.6/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 465942
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Widara Distant Voices Theremin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Widara Distant Voices Theremin

by Widara
Sound Design Film Score Rock
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none

Widara Distant Voices ThereminPortable ThereminBattery operable and extendable antennaAn electronic music instrument...

⭐ 5.0/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 321095
$109
Buy at Thomann View Details
Korg Volca Keys Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Korg Volca Keys Bundle

by Korg
Rock Pop Ambient
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • May lack specialization in any one area
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods

Korg Volca Keys Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Korg Volca Keys*Analog loop synthesizer*3 Voice3 VCOs1 VCF1 VCA1 LFO...

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 346995
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Roland AIRA Compact J-6 Chord Synth - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Roland AIRA Compact J-6 Chord Synth

by Roland
Rock Film Score Electronic
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

Roland AIRA J-6AIRA Compact Chord SynthJuno-60 Synth Engine (4 voices)ACB modelling technology64 Preset sounds and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 543478
$183
Buy at Thomann View Details
Korg Volca Bass Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Korg Volca Bass Bundle

by Korg
Rock Ambient Electronic
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types

Korg Volca Bass Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Korg Volca Bass*Analoge Bass Machine*Desktop synthesizer / Analogue...

⭐ 4.7/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 346990
$194
Buy at Thomann View Details
SOMA Ether V2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

SOMA Ether V2

by SOMA
Sound Design Rock Electronic
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
  • • May lack specialization in any one area

SOMA Ether V2Wide-Band Receiver for Electromagnetic RadiationDesigned as an "Anti-Radio" for experimental...

⭐ 4.8/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 475848
$146
Buy at Thomann View Details
Teenage Engineering PO-20 arcade - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Teenage Engineering PO-20 arcade

by Teenage Engineering
Rock Electronic Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ 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

Teenage Engineering PO-20 arcadeArcade Synthesizer and SequencerChord control and punch-in effectsFast beat creation...

⭐ 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 379681
$102
Buy at Thomann View Details
Behringer JT Mini - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Behringer JT Mini

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

Behringer JT MiniAnalogue Polyphonic SynthesizerWith 3 VCOsMulti-Mode VCFArpeggiator and 16-Step Motion Sequencer27...

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 607143
$120
Buy at Thomann View Details
Korg Volca Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Korg Volca Bass

by Korg
Sound Design Rock Electronic
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options

Korg Volca BassAnaloge Bass MachineDesktop synthesizer / Analogue groove-boxThree oscilatorsAnalogue filtersOne VCFLFO...

⭐ 4.9/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 312859
$156
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stylophone Theremin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Stylophone Theremin

by Stylophone
Ambient Sound Design Pop
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
  • • May lack specialization in any one area
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none

Stylophone ThereminThereminPortabletouch-sensitive synthesizerPitch control via antennaEffects such as...

⭐ 5.0/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597998
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Korg Volca FM2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Korg Volca FM2

by Korg
Ambient Rock Electronic
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
  • • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • May lack specialization in any one area

Korg Volca FM2Compact Digital FM Synthesizer6-voice polyphonicFM synthesizer with six operators32 classic...

⭐ 4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 542496
$173
Buy at Thomann View Details
Korg Volca Keys - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Korg Volca Keys

by Korg
Ambient Electronic Pop
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
  • • Good all-around synthesis capability
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Sound quality may vary across different types
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none

Korg Volca KeysAnalog loop synthesizer3 Voice3 VCOs1 VCF1 VCA1 LFO and 1 ECVoicing functionDelay effectLoop...

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 312865
$149
Buy at Thomann View Details
Korg Volca Modular - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Korg Volca Modular

by Korg
Sound Design Electronic Ambient
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile for multiple music styles
  • • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
  • • Jack of all trades, master of none
  • • Can be overwhelming with too many options

Korg Volca ModularSemi-Modular SynthesiserAnalogue sound generation based on the "West Coast Synthesis"...

⭐ 4.9/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 457037
$167
Buy at Thomann View Details

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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