Best General Synthesizers Under $2,000 2026
Affordable general synthesizers under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Clavia Nord Lead A1 Case Set
by
Clavia Nord
Pop
Ambient
Film Score
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Clavia Nord Lead A1 Case Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Clavia Nord Lead A1*49 Key Synthesizer with Analogue Modelling...
⭐
4.6/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 409399
$1,781
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Expressive E Osmose
by
Expressive E
Electronic
Pop
Film Score
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Expressive E OsmosePolyphonic SynthesizerWith multidimensional keyboardNew 49-key keyboard - each key can handle...
⭐
4.9/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 557647
$1,759
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Oberheim TEO-5
by
Oberheim
Pop
Electronic
Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • May lack specialization in any one area
Oberheim TEO-55-Voice Polyphonic Analogue SynthesizerSemi-weighted Fatar keyboard with 3.5 octaves44 keys with channel...
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589778
$1,649
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Roland Jupiter-Xm
by
Roland
Rock
Pop
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Roland Jupiter-XmDigital SynthesizerZEN-Core Sound Engine4 Synthesizer parts and 1 rhythm partEmulation of the...
⭐
4.7/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 473329
$1,711
#5
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sequential Take 5
by
Sequential
Electronic
Ambient
Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • May lack specialization in any one area
Sequential Take 55-Voice Polyphonic Analogue SynthesizerTwo analogue VCOs per voiceA continuous crossfading waveforms...
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 526435
$1,649
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Arturia AstroLab
by
Arturia
Film Score
Sound Design
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Arturia AstroLabStage Keyboard61 semi-weighted keys in standard sizeFor musiciansproducers and live performers who want...
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 588618
$1,594
#7
⭐
4.4/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Roland Juno-X
by
Roland
Ambient
Electronic
Rock
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
Roland Juno-XDigital SynthesizerZEN-Core Sound Engine61 Slightly weighted keysvelocity sensitive and with aftertouch4...
⭐
4.4/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 542455
$1,813
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Moog Grandmother
by
Moog
Film Score
Electronic
Pop
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
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Moog GrandmotherSemi-Modular Analog Synthesizer32-Key Fatar KeyboardSaves up to 3 sequences with up to 256...
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 439985
$1,231
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
SOMA Terra Organic Dark
by
SOMA
Film Score
Sound Design
Rock
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ 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
SOMA Terra Organic DarkDigital Synthesizer with Touch Keyboard12-Voice polyphonic12 Dynamic metal note...
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 569111
$1,755
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Manikin-Electronic Memotron M2K
Rock
Ambient
Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Manikin-Electronic Memotron M2KSynthesiserRecreated keybord by the legendary M40037-Key Fatar keyboard (light...
⭐
4.6/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 385222
$1,748
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Roland Fantom-07
by
Roland
Pop
Electronic
Ambient
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 Fantom-07Synthesizer Keyboard76 Lightly weighted velocity-sensitive keysSound Engines: ZEN-CoreSuperNATURAL...
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 539716
$1,748
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Pittsburgh Modular Taiga Keyboard
Film Score
Electronic
Pop
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Pittsburgh Modular Taiga KeyboardSemi Modular Paraphonic Analogue Synthesiser37-Key keyboard with aftertouch24 HP for...
⭐
4.5/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 586597
$1,429
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Roland Fantom-06
by
Roland
Rock
Pop
Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Roland Fantom-06Synthesizer Keyboard61 Lightly weighted velocity-sensitive keysSound Engines: ZEN-CoreSuperNATURAL...
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 539715
$1,352
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Korg Wavestate SE
by
Korg
Pop
Film Score
Electronic
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
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Korg Wavestate SEDigital Synthesizer with Wave Sequencing 2.0 Sound Generation61 Standard velocity-sensitive keys with...
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 569536
$1,502
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Modal Carbon8X
by
Modal
Rock
Sound Design
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • May lack specialization in any one area
Modal Carbon8XDigital Synthesizer8-voice polyphonyFATAR TP9/S keyboard with 61 keys16 oscillators with 56 core...
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 617753
$1,253
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.
