Best Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars Under $100 2026
Affordable magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars under $100 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Harley Benton TrueTone SH-30H Pro Active
Feedback Resistance
Live Performance
Folk
Key Feature:
• Good feedback resistance for live use
✓ PROS
- • Warm, organic sound character
- • No battery power required
✗ CONS
- • May not capture full acoustic resonance
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
Harley Benton TrueTone SH-30H Pro ActivePickup for Acoustic Steel String GuitarsActive magnetic soundhole pickupActive...
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 568909
$65
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Dean Markley Promag Plus Pickup
by
Dean Markley
Live Performance
Natural Tone
Country
Key Feature:
• Less susceptible to handling noise
✓ PROS
- • Warm, organic sound character
- • Good feedback resistance for live use
✗ CONS
- • May not capture full acoustic resonance
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
Dean Markley Pro Mag Plus PickupAcoustic PickupSuitable for steel string guitarsMagnetic single coil soundhole...
⭐
4.9/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 128863
$60
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton TrueTone SH-30W Pro Active
Recording
Folk
Country
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
- • Warm, organic sound character
- • Good feedback resistance for live use
✗ CONS
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
- • Positioning critical for optimal sound
Harley Benton TrueTone SH-30W Pro ActiveMagnetic Soundhole Pickup for Acoustic GuitarActivenoise-free designCombination...
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 580105
$54
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
KNA Pickups SP-1
by
KNA Pickups
Recording
Live Performance
Natural Tone
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✓ PROS
- • No battery power required
- • Good feedback resistance for live use
✗ CONS
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
KNA Pickups SP-1, Passive single coil magnet pickup, For mounting in the sound hole, Mahogany high-gloss wooden...
⭐
5.0/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 585156
$79
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Gretsch Deltoluxe Pickup
by
Gretsch
Folk
Live Performance
Recording
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
- • Warm, organic sound character
- • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✗ CONS
- • May not capture full acoustic resonance
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
Gretsch Deltoluxe Pickup, Pickup for Sound Hole, Fits most sound hole sizes, Endpin connector included, Sizes from 86...
⭐
4.9/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 428522
$74
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Fishman Neo Buster Humbucker
by
Fishman
Country
Feedback Resistance
Recording
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
- • May not capture full acoustic resonance
Fishman Neo Buster HumbuckerPassive Pickup for Western GuitarsWith integrated feedback busterNeodymium magnetsEasy...
⭐
5.0/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 375811
$94
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
DeArmond Tone Boss Pickup
by
DeArmond
Country
Recording
Folk
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Good feedback resistance for live use
- • Warm, organic sound character
✗ CONS
- • Positioning critical for optimal sound
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
DeArmond Tone Boss PickupSoundhole Pickup for Steel-string GuitarPassiveHumbuckersOnboard volume controlHardware for...
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 418639
$98
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Harley Benton TrueTone SH-30 Pro Active
Live Performance
Folk
Feedback Resistance
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
- • Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
- • Warm, organic sound character
✗ CONS
- • Positioning critical for optimal sound
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
Harley Benton TrueTone SH-30 Pro ActiveMagnetic Soundhole Pickup for Acoustic GuitarActivenoise-free designCombination...
⭐
4.9/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 450685
$55
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Taylor ES Go Pickup GS Mini
by
Taylor
Live Performance
Country
Feedback Resistance
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
- • No battery power required
✗ CONS
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
Taylor ES Go Pickup GS Mini, Magnetic Sound Hole Pickup, For Taylor GS Mini models (not suitable for left-handed...
⭐
4.7/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 401318
$94
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Fishman Neo-D Humbucker
by
Fishman
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
Art. 114855
$87
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Fender Acoustic Pickup Cypress
by
Fender
Folk
Feedback Resistance
Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
- • Good feedback resistance for live use
✗ CONS
- • May not capture full acoustic resonance
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
Fender Acoustic Pickup Cypress, Soundhole pickup, Magnetic single coil, Simple installation
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 468661
$51
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.
