Best General Synthesizers Under $2,000 2026
Affordable general synthesizers under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha MX88
by
Yamaha
Sound Design
Ambient
Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Yamaha MX88Synthesizer88-Key Graded Hammer Standard keyboardAWM2 tone generation128-Voice polyphon16-Parts...
⭐
5.0/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 412395
$1,198
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Roland Fantom-08
by
Roland
Sound Design
Pop
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
Roland Fantom-08Synthesizer Keyboard88-Key PHA-4 standard keyboardvelocity sensitiveSound Engines: ZEN-CoreSuperNATURAL...
⭐
4.4/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 539717
$1,924
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Roland AX-Edge Black Bag Bundle
by
Roland
Rock
Pop
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Roland AX-Edge Black Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Roland AX-Edge Black*Cloak Synthesizer with Sound...
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 461455
$1,209
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha MODX7+
by
Yamaha
Electronic
Pop
Rock
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Yamaha MODX7+Compact Music SynthesizerWith 76 keysVelocity-sensitive semi-weighted keyboardMotion control...
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 550550
$1,711
#7
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Roland Juno-D8
by
Roland
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
Art. 600081
$1,429
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Clavia Nord Lead A1
by
Clavia Nord
Sound Design
Rock
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Clavia Nord Lead A149 Key Synthesizer with Analogue Modelling Sound GeneratorVelocity-sensitive keys with octave shift...
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 338756
$1,649
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Korg SV-2 73
by
Korg
Film Score
Ambient
Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ 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
Korg SV-2 73Stage Vintage Piano73 Velocity sensitive keysRH3 keyboard with hammer mechanismgraduated weighted in four...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 482539
$1,977
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe
by
ASM
Rock
Pop
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
ASM Hydrasynth DeluxeDigital Wavemorphing Synthesizer73 Velocity sensitive keys with aftertouchMPE compatibleVoices:...
⭐
5.0/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 527776
$1,759
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
AKAI Professional MPC Key 37 Case Bundle
Sound Design
Rock
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
AKAI Professional MPC Key 37 Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, AKAI Professional MPC Key 37*Standalone MPC...
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 592479
$1,033
#12
⭐
5.0/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
SOMA Flux
by
SOMA
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
Art. 608946
$1,517
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
PWM Mantis
by
PWM
Sound Design
Pop
Rock
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
PWM MantisHybrid Synthesizer37 Full-size velocity-sensitive keysUp to 200 sounds (100 factory presets and 100 user...
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 567547
$1,484
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Roland AX-Edge Black
by
Roland
Electronic
Film Score
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Roland AX-Edge BlackCloak Synthesizer with Sound Generation49 Velocity-sensitivefull-size keys with aftertouchBluetooth...
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 448725
$1,099
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.
