Best General Synthesizers Under $500 2026
Affordable general synthesizers under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Novation Bass Station II Bag Bundle
by
Novation
Film Score
Rock
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Novation Bass Station II Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Novation Bass Station II*Analog Mono Synthesiser*25...
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 380485
$450
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Behringer MonoPoly
by
Behringer
Sound Design
Ambient
Pop
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Behringer MonoPolyFour-Voice Analog Synthesizer37 Velocity-sensitive full-size keys4 Oscillatorseach with...
⭐
5.0/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 493802
$479
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
ESI XSynth
by
ESI
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
Art. 618226
$402
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Arturia MicroFreak Bag Bundle
by
Arturia
Pop
Ambient
Rock
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • May lack specialization in any one area
Arturia MicroFreak Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Arturia MicroFreak*Hybrid Synthesizer*Touch keyboard with 25...
⭐
4.7/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 559883
$359
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha Reface CS Decksaver Set
by
Yamaha
Ambient
Sound Design
Pop
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • May lack specialization in any one area
Yamaha Reface CS Decksaver Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha Reface CS*Compact Synthesizer*With AN sound engine...
⭐
4.5/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 406615
$450
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha Reface CP
by
Yamaha
Sound Design
Ambient
Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ 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
Yamaha Reface CPCompact electric pianoWith SCM (Spectral Component Modelling) + AWM2 sound engine37 HQ mini-action...
⭐
4.5/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 368218
$420
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sonicware LIVEN Evoke
by
Sonicware
Pop
Electronic
Ambient
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
- • May lack specialization in any one area
Sonicware LIVEN Evoke27 Key Ambient Synthesizer4-track ambient synthesizer with a focus on cinematic and...
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 620132
$307
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Novation Bass Station II
by
Novation
Pop
Film Score
Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Novation Bass Station IIAnalog Mono Synthesiser25 velocity sensitive keys with assignable aftertouchTwo analogue...
⭐
4.6/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 312714
$439
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Arturia MicroFreak Vocoder Edition
by
Arturia
Pop
Ambient
Rock
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Arturia MicroFreak Vocoder EditionHybrid Synthesizer with Gooseneck Electret MicrophoneLimited EditionCompact...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 501687
$406
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Moog Theremini
by
Moog
Ambient
Electronic
Rock
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Moog ThereminiThereminAnalogue adjustable quantizationBuilt-in tuner32 memory locations for performance...
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 333215
$454
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Yamaha Reface YC
by
Yamaha
Rock
Film Score
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Yamaha Reface YCCompact electric organWith AWM sound engine (organ flutes)37 HQ mini-action keys128-Note polyphony5...
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 368221
$406
#12
⭐
4.4/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Behringer MS-1 MKII Grey
by
Behringer
Pop
Ambient
Film Score
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Behringer MS-1 MKII GreyAnalogue synthesizerKeyboard with 32 semi-weighted keysAnalogue VCO - 3340 basedFour mixable...
⭐
4.4/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 613638
$307
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Behringer Vocoder VC340
by
Behringer
Electronic
Film Score
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ 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
Behringer Vocoder VC340VocoderAnalogue vocoder and string ensemble synthesiserKeyboard with 37 semi-weighted and...
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 458341
$450
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Sonicware LIVEN Lofi-12
by
Sonicware
Film Score
Rock
Pop
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Sonicware LIVEN Lofi-12Retro Lo-fi Sampling Groovebox16 Bit12kHz/24kHz sampling engine with 12bit sampler modeUp to 4...
⭐
4.4/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 555755
$307
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Arturia MicroBrute UFO
by
Arturia
Electronic
Sound Design
Rock
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
Arturia MicroBrute UFOMonophonic Analogue SynthesizerLimited special edition25 mini keysAnalogue signal pathStep...
⭐
4.9/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 620845
$384
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.
