Best Humbucker Pickups 2025

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

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 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 SHPR-1S P-Rail Set Flat BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan SHPR-1S P-Rail Set Flat BK

by Seymour Duncan

Hard Rock Blues Heavy Genres

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Thick, powerful tone
• Great sustain characteristics

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan SHPR-1S P-Rail Set Flat BKPickup Set for Electric Guitar2 Humbuckers with flat triple shot mounting...

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 553727

$428

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Jupiter Rails Pickup Set BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan Jupiter Rails Pickup Set BK

by Seymour Duncan

Rock Blues Heavy Genres

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Great sustain characteristics
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

• May overpower small amps
• Different mounting requirements

Seymour Duncan Jupiter Rails Pickup Set BKHumbucker Pickup Set for Electric GuitarWes Hauch (AlluvialDevin TownsendThy...

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 502908

$406

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbucker Set Nickel - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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 Mark Holcomb Alpha&Omega 6 Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Alpha&Omega 6 Set

by Seymour Duncan

Jazz Hard Rock Heavy Genres

Key Feature:

• Thick, powerful tone

✓ PROS

• Cancels electrical interference
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Alpha&Omega 6 SetHumbucker SetMark Holcomb (Periphery) Signature Set of Alpha &...

⭐ 4.4/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 411719

$402

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Psyclone Hot Set Nickel - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Psyclone Hot Set Nickel

by Seymour Duncan

Metal Rock Jazz

Key Feature:

• Great sustain characteristics

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• Thick, powerful tone

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Psyclone Hot Set NickelPickup Set2 Filter'Tron style humbuckersNeck pickup delivers the snap and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 437166

$428

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Set Nickel - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Set Nickel

by Seymour Duncan

Rock Blues Heavy Genres

Key Feature:

• Thick, powerful tone

✓ PROS

• Thick, powerful tone
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

• Less vintage character
• Different mounting requirements

Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Set NickelHumbucker SetSH-55N 2C at the neck and SH-55B 2C at the bridgeMedium outputAlnico...

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 376981

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker Set NCOV - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker Set NCOV

by Seymour Duncan

Rock Hard Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker Set NCOVHumbucker Set for Electric GuitarsFor neck and bridge positionPAF sound...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 346824

$402

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Hades Gates Set ZB RV - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Hades Gates Set ZB RV

by Seymour Duncan

Jazz Heavy Genres Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

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

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 602332

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Hades Gates Set ZB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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 MH Scarlet & Scourge Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan MH Scarlet & Scourge Set

by Seymour Duncan

Rock Blues Metal

Key Feature:

• High output for distortion

✓ PROS

• Cancels electrical interference
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan MH Scarlet & Scourge SetPickup Set for Electric GuitarMark Holcomb signature model6-String...

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 575676

$400

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Polymath Set Cov PC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Bare Knuckle Polymath Set Cov PC

by Bare Knuckle

Jazz Heavy Genres Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Thick, powerful tone

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• Great sustain characteristics

✗ CONS

• Different mounting requirements
• Less vintage character

Bare Knuckle Polymath Set Cover PCPickup Set for Electric Guitar2 Hand-wound humbuckersFor bridge and neck...

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 555860

$582

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Slash 2.0 HU Pickup Set NI - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan Slash 2.0 HU Pickup Set NI

by Seymour Duncan

Jazz Heavy Genres Blues

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Thick, powerful tone
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Slash 2.0 HU Pickup Set NIPickup Set for Electric GuitarSlash Signature SetSame tonality and clarity as...

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 567570

$413

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Firebird Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 5.0/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Firebird Set

by Seymour Duncan

Jazz Blues Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Thick, powerful tone
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Firebird SetSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarFirebird StyleAgedOutput: Medium2 Dual...

⭐ 5.0/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 556800

$571

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bare Knuckle Nailbomb Set Open BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Bare Knuckle Nailbomb Set Open BK

by Bare Knuckle

Jazz Blues Rock

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Cancels electrical interference
• Thick, powerful tone

✗ CONS

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

Bare Knuckle Nailbomb Set Open BKSet of Pickups for Electric Guitar2 Hand-wound humbuckersFor bridge and neck...

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 556160

$406

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SHPR-1S-P-Rails Humbucker Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Seymour Duncan SHPR-1S-P-Rails Humbucker Set

by Seymour Duncan

Hard Rock Blues Rock

Key Feature:

• Thick, powerful tone

✓ PROS

• Cancels electrical interference
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

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

Seymour Duncan SHPR-1 P-Rail Set CreamPickup setP-Rail setMulti voice humbucker pickup setP90 & Rail in one...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 229708

$347

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 SHPR-1S P-Rail Set Flat BK

Seymour Duncan Jupiter Rails Pickup Set BK

Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbucker Set Nickel

Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Alpha&Omega 6 Set

Seymour Duncan Psyclone Hot Set Nickel

Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Set Nickel

Seymour Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker Set NCOV

Seymour Duncan Hades Gates Set ZB RV

Seymour Duncan Hades Gates Set ZB

Seymour Duncan MH Scarlet & Scourge Set

Bare Knuckle Polymath Set Cov PC

Seymour Duncan Slash 2.0 HU Pickup Set NI

Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Firebird Set

Bare Knuckle Nailbomb Set Open BK

Seymour Duncan SHPR-1S-P-Rails Humbucker Set

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

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

Best 4-String Basses

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