Best Humbucker Pickups 2025

Top-rated humbucker pickups 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: November 12, 2025 • Next update: November 19, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Metal For Jazz For Blues For Hard Rock For Heavy Genres

BRANDS: Seymour Duncan DiMarzio EMG Bare Knuckle Gibson Mojotone Fishman Suhr Tesla Lollar Fender TV Jones PRS

Seymour Duncan Signat. Lari Basilio Pickup CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Signat. Lari Basilio Pickup CH

by Seymour Duncan

Hard Rock Blues Jazz

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

• Less vintage character
• May lack brightness of single-coils

Seymour Duncan Signat. Lari Basilio Pickup CHPickup Set for Electric GuitarLari Basilio Signature Set1 Trembucker -...

⭐ 4.4/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 563602

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan APH-2s Slash Alnico II Set G - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan APH-2s Slash Alnico II Set G

by Seymour Duncan

Metal Blues Jazz

Key Feature:

• High output for distortion

✓ PROS

• Great sustain characteristics
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

• Different mounting requirements
• May lack brightness of single-coils

Seymour Duncan APH-2s Slash Alnico II Set GPickup Set for Electric GuitarSlash (Guns'n'Roses) Signature...

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 453333

$428

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates Set Nickel - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates Set Nickel

by Seymour Duncan

Jazz Metal Heavy Genres

Key Feature:

• Thick, powerful tone

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

• Can be too thick for some styles
• May lack brightness of single-coils

Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates Set NickelPickup-setSH-PG 1N at the neck and SH-PG 1B at the bridgeHumbucker with moderate...

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 376804

$413

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Everything Axe Loaded PG WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Everything Axe Loaded PG WH

by Seymour Duncan

Rock Metal Blues

Key Feature:

• Great sustain characteristics

✓ PROS

• Great sustain characteristics
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

• Less vintage character
• May lack brightness of single-coils

Seymour Duncan Everything Axe Loaded PG WHLoaded and wired pickguard for electric guitarFor ST-style modelsUltra...

⭐ 4.8/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 553752

$505

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Jazzmaster Silencer Pickup Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan Jazzmaster Silencer Pickup Set

by Seymour Duncan

Metal Hard Rock Rock

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Great sustain characteristics
• Cancels electrical interference

✗ CONS

• Less vintage character
• May lack brightness of single-coils

Seymour Duncan Jazzmaster Silencer Pickup SetSet of PickupsTwo humbuckersFor bridge and neck positionInnovative...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 617642

$413

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Everything Axe Loaded PG BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Everything Axe Loaded PG BK

by Seymour Duncan

Hard Rock Metal Jazz

Key Feature:

• High output for distortion

✓ PROS

• Thick, powerful tone
• Great sustain characteristics

✗ CONS

• May overpower small amps
• May lack brightness of single-coils

Seymour Duncan Everything Axe Loaded PG BKLoaded and Wired Pickguard for Electric GuitarFor ST-style modelsUltra...

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 553753

$505

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Halcyon Set Fibreboard BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Bare Knuckle Halcyon Set Fibreboard BK

by Bare Knuckle

Heavy Genres Blues Rock

Key Feature:

• Great sustain characteristics

✓ PROS

• Thick, powerful tone
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

• May overpower small amps
• Less vintage character

Bare Knuckle Halcyon Set Fibreboard BKPickup for Electric GuitarMike Stringer Signature ModelHandwound...

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 614194

$516

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Hot Rodded HU Set Nickel - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Hot Rodded HU Set Nickel

by Seymour Duncan

Blues Metal Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Great sustain characteristics
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

• Can be too thick for some styles
• May overpower small amps

Seymour Duncan Hot Rodded HU Set NickelPickup set for electric guitar2 Humbucker (SH-2N Jazz and SH-4 JB)For bridge and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 580388

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle The Juggernaut Set Open BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Bare Knuckle The Juggernaut Set Open BK

by Bare Knuckle

Hard Rock Rock Jazz

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Cancels electrical interference
• Great sustain characteristics

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness of single-coils
• May overpower small amps

Bare Knuckle The Juggernaut Set Open BKPickup Set for Electric Guitar2 HumbuckersPositions: Neck and bridgeFor...

⭐ 4.4/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 458774

$494

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Stormy Monday Set Cov N - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Bare Knuckle Stormy Monday Set Cov N

by Bare Knuckle

Blues Metal Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Great sustain characteristics
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

• Less vintage character
• Can be too thick for some styles

Bare Knuckle Stormy Monday Set Cov NPickup Set for Electric GuitarHumbuckerWarmbright vintage soundReproduces the...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 458701

$457

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan AHB-3s 7 amt MT Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan AHB-3s 7 amt MT Set

by Seymour Duncan

Blues Jazz Rock

Key Feature:

• Great sustain characteristics

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

• Can be too thick for some styles
• May lack brightness of single-coils

Seymour Duncan AHB-3s 7 amt MT SetPickup Set for 7-String Electric Guitar2 Active humbuckers for neck and bridge...

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 553995

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Hades Gates Set ZB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.4/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Hades Gates Set ZB

by Seymour Duncan

Hard Rock Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Great sustain characteristics

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• Cancels electrical interference

✗ CONS

• Can be too thick for some styles
• Different mounting requirements

Seymour Duncan Hades Gates Set ZBPickup Set for Electric GuitarBilly Gibbons (ZZ Top) Signature Model2 HumbuckerFor...

⭐ 4.4/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 602337

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbucker Set Nickel - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbucker Set Nickel

by Seymour Duncan

Rock Hard Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• Great sustain characteristics

✗ CONS

• Different mounting requirements
• May overpower small amps

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbucker Set NickelHumbucker SetANT-HN at the neck and ANT-HB at the bridgeMedium outputAged...

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 376984

$615

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Little ’78 ST Pickup Set BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Little ’78 ST Pickup Set BK

by Seymour Duncan

Jazz Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Great sustain characteristics

✓ PROS

• Cancels electrical interference
• Thick, powerful tone

✗ CONS

• May overpower small amps
• Less vintage character

Seymour Duncan Little ’78 ST Bridge Pickup BKPickup Set for Electric GuitarHumbucker in single coil formatSingle coil...

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 576494

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Kloppmann HB 59 Light Aged Set CR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Kloppmann HB 59 Light Aged Set CR

by Kloppmann

Blues Rock Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• High output for distortion

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• Great sustain characteristics

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness of single-coils
• Less vintage character

Kloppmann HB 59 Light Aged Set CRSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarPositions: Bridge and neckPickup type:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 564661

$505

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Humbucker Pickups

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 humbucker pickups 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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Best Humbucker Pickups 2025

Seymour Duncan Signat. Lari Basilio Pickup CH

Seymour Duncan APH-2s Slash Alnico II Set G

Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates Set Nickel

Seymour Duncan Everything Axe Loaded PG WH

Seymour Duncan Jazzmaster Silencer Pickup Set

Seymour Duncan Everything Axe Loaded PG BK

Bare Knuckle Halcyon Set Fibreboard BK

Seymour Duncan Hot Rodded HU Set Nickel

Bare Knuckle The Juggernaut Set Open BK

Bare Knuckle Stormy Monday Set Cov N

Seymour Duncan AHB-3s 7 amt MT Set

Seymour Duncan Hades Gates Set ZB

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbucker Set Nickel

Seymour Duncan Little ’78 ST Pickup Set BK

Kloppmann HB 59 Light Aged Set CR

How to Choose the Best Humbucker Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying humbucker pickups?

How much should I spend on humbucker pickups?

Are expensive humbucker pickups worth the investment?

What are the best brands for humbucker pickups?

Should I buy humbucker pickups online or in-store?

Related Best Lists

Best ST Style Guitars

Best Distortion Pedals

Best Single Cut Guitars

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Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

Best 4-String Basses

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