Best Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars 2025

Top-rated magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

National Reso-Phonic Slimline Pickup BRN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Seymour Duncan Active Mag Soundhole Pickup - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Takamine TRI-AX 2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Takamine TRI-AX 2

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
Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend

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
Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 Ac. Pickup - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 Ac. Pickup

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
Seymour Duncan Woody Single Coil WAL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Seymour Duncan Woody Single Coil WAL

Live Performance Recording Feedback Resistance
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
  • • Warm, organic sound character
✗ CONS
  • • May sound less bright than piezo systems
  • • Positioning critical for optimal sound

Seymour Duncan Woody Single Coil WALPickup for Western GuitarsSingle coilFor sound hole mountingVery resistant to...

4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Lace Pickups Ultra Slim Acoustic Sensor CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Lace Pickups Ultra Slim Acoustic Sensor CH

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
EMG ACB (Banjo) - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

EMG ACB (Banjo)

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
Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-2

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
Bartolini Acoustic Soundhole Pickup - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Bartolini Acoustic Soundhole Pickup

Natural Tone Country Feedback Resistance
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✓ PROS
  • • No battery power required
  • • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • May sound less bright than piezo systems
  • • May not capture full acoustic resonance

Bartolini Acoustic Soundhole PickupSoundhole Pickup for Acoustic GuitarsNatural soundEasy installationCoils arranged on...

4.6/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Mojotone Quiet Coil NC Passive - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC Passive

Folk Live Performance Natural Tone
Key Feature:
• No battery power required
✓ PROS
  • • Good feedback resistance for live use
  • • No battery power required
✗ CONS
  • • Can pick up magnetic interference
  • • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC PassivePickup for Acoustic GuitarFor mounting in the sound holeConstruction: magneticPerfect...

4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan Woody Hum Cancelling Walnut - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Seymour Duncan Woody Hum Cancelling Walnut

Live Performance Feedback Resistance Folk
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
  • • No battery power required
✗ CONS
  • • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
  • • May sound less bright than piezo systems

Seymour Duncan Woody Hum Cancelling WalnutPickupMagnetic sound hole pickup for acoustic steel string guitarProvides a...

4.6/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
L.R.Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

L.R.Baggs M1 Soundhole Pickup

Natural Tone Feedback Resistance Recording
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
  • • Less susceptible to handling noise
  • • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • Can pick up magnetic interference
  • • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers

L.R.Baggs M1 Soundhole PickupSound Hole PickupPassive magnetic pickupFor soundhole mountingMinimum sound hole width: 90...

4.4/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Fishman Neo-D Humbucker - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Fishman Neo-D Humbucker

Country Live Performance Folk
Key Feature:
• Less susceptible to handling noise
✓ PROS
  • • Good feedback resistance for live use
  • • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✗ CONS
  • • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
  • • May not capture full acoustic resonance

Fishman Neo-D Humbucker, Pickup For Sound Hole, Humbucker, Brilliant acoustic open articulation with little background...

4.6/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
L.R.Baggs M1 Activ Soundhole Pickup - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

L.R.Baggs M1 Activ Soundhole Pickup

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

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.

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