Best Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars 2026
Top-rated magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
National Reso-Phonic Slimline Pickup BRN
Country
Live Performance
Recording
Key Feature:
• Good feedback resistance for live use
✓ PROS
- • Good feedback resistance for live use
- • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
National Reso-Phonic Slimline Pickup BRNHumbucking PickupOnly 5.5 mm thickIs mounted on the top at the end of the fret...
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 397679
$329
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-2
by
Mojotone
Live Performance
Natural Tone
Feedback Resistance
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
- • Warm, organic sound character
- • Good feedback resistance for live use
✗ CONS
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
- • May not capture full acoustic resonance
Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-2Pickup and Pre-Amp for Acoustic GuitarConstruction: magnetic and mikedFor pickup mounting in...
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 555504
$263
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Takamine TRI-AX 2
by
Takamine
Folk
Natural Tone
Live Performance
Key Feature:
• No battery power required
✓ PROS
- • Warm, organic sound character
- • No battery power required
✗ CONS
- • May not capture full acoustic resonance
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
Takamine TRI-AX 2Magnetic Pickup For Steel-String GuitarSuitable for the Cool Tube PreampAdjustable pole pieces for...
⭐
4.5/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 179202
$351
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend
by
Fishman
Folk
Feedback Resistance
Natural Tone
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
- • No battery power required
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
✗ CONS
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend 2017Pickup SystemHumbucker pickup and flexible cardioid microphoneMicrophone/Pickup...
⭐
4.4/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 175657
$274
#5
⭐
5.0/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan Active Mag Soundhole Pickup
Folk
Natural Tone
Recording
Key Feature:
• Less susceptible to handling noise
✓ PROS
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
- • No battery power required
✗ CONS
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
Seymour Duncan Active Mag Soundhole PickupMagnetic soundhole pickup for steel-string guitarTuned to accentuate the best...
⭐
5.0/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 444967
$351
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Lace Pickups Ultra Slim Acoustic Sensor CH
by
Lace Pickups
Natural Tone
Recording
Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Warm, organic sound character
- • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
Lace Pickups Ultra Slim Acoustic Sensor CH, Magnetic pickup for acoustic and resonator guitars, Humbucker, Model:...
⭐
4.6/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 498180
$197
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
L.R.Baggs M1 Activ Soundhole Pickup
by
L.R.Baggs
Feedback Resistance
Live Performance
Recording
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✓ PROS
- • No battery power required
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
✗ CONS
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
L.R.Baggs M1 Activ Soundhole Pickup, Soundhole Pickup, Active magnetic pickup (humbucker), For soundhole mounting,...
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 219558
$256
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 Ac. Pickup
by
Mojotone
Folk
Country
Feedback Resistance
Key Feature:
• Good feedback resistance for live use
✓ PROS
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
- • No battery power required
✗ CONS
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 Ac. PickupPickup & Pre-Amp for Acoustic GuitarConstruction: MagneticPickup mounting: In...
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 524183
$219
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Seymour Duncan SA-3XL Woody XL Series
Country
Live Performance
Folk
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
- • Good feedback resistance for live use
✗ CONS
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
- • Positioning critical for optimal sound
Seymour Duncan SA-3XL Woody XL SeriesElectro - Magnetic PickupFrom the Woody seriesFor sound hole mountingWooden...
⭐
5.0/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 235270
$171
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker
by
Fishman
Country
Natural Tone
Recording
Key Feature:
• Less susceptible to handling noise
✓ PROS
- • Warm, organic sound character
- • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✗ CONS
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
- • May not capture full acoustic resonance
Fishman Rare Earth HumbuckerRare Earth HumbuckerFor steel-string guitarsMagnetic soundhole pickupHumbucking stacked...
⭐
4.5/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 129184
$174
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
EMG ACB (Banjo)
by
EMG
Live Performance
Feedback Resistance
Recording
Key Feature:
• Good feedback resistance for live use
✓ PROS
- • No battery power required
- • Good feedback resistance for live use
✗ CONS
- • May not capture full acoustic resonance
- • Positioning critical for optimal sound
EMG ACB (Banjo)Pickup For 5-String BanjoConstruction: HumbuckerAlnico magnetsNoise FreeIncluded accessories: 3 acoustic...
⭐
4.6/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 381925
$285
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
EMG ACB-4/6 Banjo
by
EMG
Country
Recording
Folk
Key Feature:
• Less susceptible to handling noise
✓ PROS
- • Warm, organic sound character
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
✗ CONS
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
EMG ACB-4/6 BanjoHumbucker PickupFor 4 & 6 string banjosAlnico magnetsNoise-freeIncl holdershim steel strip2x...
⭐
4.8/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 404194
$307
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Seymour Duncan Woody SC SA-3SC
Folk
Natural Tone
Recording
Key Feature:
• Good feedback resistance for live use
✓ PROS
- • Warm, organic sound character
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
✗ CONS
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
- • Positioning critical for optimal sound
Seymour Duncan Woody SC SA-3SCPickupFor steel-string guitarElectromagneticFor sound hole mountingWooden housingSingle...
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 164053
$105
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Lace Pickups Alumitone Matchbook
by
Lace Pickups
Natural Tone
Folk
Feedback Resistance
Key Feature:
• Less susceptible to handling noise
✓ PROS
- • No battery power required
- • Warm, organic sound character
✗ CONS
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
- • Positioning critical for optimal sound
Lace Pickups Alumitone Matchbook, Pickup For Cigarbox Guitars, It is easy to install and can be directly wired or via a...
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 530694
$109
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
DiMarzio Virtual Acoustic DP 138
by
DiMarzio
Feedback Resistance
Country
Natural Tone
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
- • Warm, organic sound character
✗ CONS
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
DiMarzio Virtual Acoustic DP 138, Soundhole Pickup, Virtual Acoustic Series, Passive humbucker
⭐
4.8/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 189031
$120
How to Choose the Best Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars
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 magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars 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.
