Best General Synthesizers Under $800 2026
Affordable general synthesizers under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sonicware ELZ_1 play
by
Sonicware
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
Art. 604368
$769
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Behringer DeepMind 12 Bag/Stand Bundle
by
Behringer
Pop
Electronic
Sound Design
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
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Behringer DeepMind 12 Bag/Stand Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Behringer DeepMind 12*12-Voice Analogue Synthesizer*49...
⭐
4.5/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 416225
$762
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha MX61 V2 Black
by
Yamaha
Rock
Sound Design
Pop
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
- • May lack specialization in any one area
Yamaha MX61 V2 BlackSynthesiser61 KeysAWM2 Sound generation128 Voice polyphony16 Multi-timbral partsVCM (Virtual...
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 395639
$769
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Behringer DeepMind 6X
by
Behringer
Rock
Film Score
Electronic
Key Feature:
• Often includes preset banks
✓ PROS
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Behringer DeepMind 6X6-Voice Analogue SynthesizerClassic polyphonic synthesizer with six real analogue voices for an...
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 614900
$747
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Korg Kross 2-61
by
Korg
Electronic
Rock
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✓ PROS
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • May lack specialization in any one area
Korg Kross 2-61Synthesiser61 Keys120-Voice polyphony896 Combinations58 Drum kits256 GM2 programs + 9 GM2 drum...
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 421619
$733
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Behringer Poly D
by
Behringer
Electronic
Rock
Film Score
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
- • Often includes preset banks
✗ CONS
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Behringer Poly D4-Voice Polyphonic Analogue Synthesizer37 Full-size velocity-sensitive keys4-Voice polyphonic design...
⭐
4.7/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 478597
$625
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Behringer Poly D Bag Bundle
by
Behringer
Sound Design
Pop
Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Suitable for both studio and live use
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Behringer Poly D Bag Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Behringer Poly D*4-Voice Polyphonic Analogue Synthesizer*37...
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 559986
$659
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Behringer Wave
by
Behringer
Ambient
Sound Design
Film Score
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
Behringer Wave8-Voice Hybrid Synthesiser49 Full-sizevelocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch2 Wavetable generators per...
⭐
4.9/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606932
$659
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Polyend Synth
by
Polyend
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
Art. 603957
$527
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Korg microKORG S
by
Korg
Rock
Electronic
Film Score
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ 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
Korg microKORG SAnalog Modeling Synthesis System37 Velocity sensitive slim keys2 Oscillators and noise...
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 398386
$515
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Korg RK-100S 2 Red
by
Korg
Electronic
Ambient
Pop
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
- • Good all-around synthesis capability
✗ CONS
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
Korg RK-100S 2 RedCompact Neck Strap Synthesiser (Keytar)37 Mini keysvelocity-sensitive2 Ribbon-ControllerSound...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 483268
$769
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Modal Argon8
by
Modal
Pop
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
- • Jack of all trades, master of none
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Modal Argon8Wavetable synthesiser8-Voice polyphonic37-Key velocity sensitive keyboard (FATAR TP9 / S) with...
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 473936
$769
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Arturia MiniBrute 2 Noir
by
Arturia
Film Score
Ambient
Pop
Key Feature:
• Good all-around synthesis capability
✓ PROS
- • Often includes preset banks
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
✗ CONS
- • May not excel at specific synthesis methods
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
Arturia MiniBrute 2 NoirAnalogue Semi-Modular SynthesiserNoir - Limited EditionCombination of classic and modular...
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 535509
$538
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Korg Microkorg Case Bundle
by
Korg
Sound Design
Rock
Film Score
Key Feature:
• Versatile for multiple music styles
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for multiple music styles
- • Wide variety of synthesizer sounds
✗ CONS
- • May lack specialization in any one area
- • Sound quality may vary across different types
Korg Microkorg Case Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Korg microKORG*Analogue Modelling Synth*4 Voices2 Oscillators +...
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 237787
$615
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Roland GAIA 2
by
Roland
Rock
Sound Design
Pop
Key Feature:
• Suitable for both studio and live use
✓ 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
Roland GAIA 2Digital Synthesizer37 Key KeyboardMaximum Polyphony: 22 VoicesThree oscillators per voice: 1x wavetable...
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 576443
$658
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.
