Best Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars Under $200 2026
Affordable magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars under $200 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
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
Art. 408536
$120
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Fishman Rare Earth Single Coil
by
Fishman
Country
Recording
Natural Tone
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
- • Warm, organic sound character
✗ CONS
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
Fishman Rare Earth SingleCoilMagnetic soundhole pickup for steel-string guitarSoft highs and warmermore natural...
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 133124
$142
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Shadow SH 145 Gold Prestige
by
Shadow
Country
Recording
Folk
Key Feature:
• No battery power required
✓ PROS
- • No battery power required
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
✗ CONS
- • Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
- • Positioning critical for optimal sound
Shadow SH 145 Gold PrestigePickupFor western guitarHumbucker for sound hole attachmentVolume controlActive...
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 288577
$138
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
KNA Pickups HP-1A
by
KNA Pickups
Live Performance
Country
Recording
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Less susceptible to handling noise
- • No battery power required
✗ CONS
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
KNA Pickups HP-1A, Active Humbucker Magnetic Pickup, For mounting in the sound hole, High-gloss mahogany housing, 2.5 m...
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585159
$131
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
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
Art. 563598
$149
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Mojotone Quiet Coil NC Passive
by
Mojotone
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
Art. 555506
$186
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Shadow SH 145 BK Prestige
by
Shadow
Natural Tone
Live Performance
Folk
Key Feature:
• Warm, organic sound character
✓ PROS
- • Good feedback resistance for live use
- • No battery power required
✗ CONS
- • Can pick up magnetic interference
- • May sound less bright than piezo systems
Shadow SH 145 BK Prestige, Pickup for Steel-String GuitarThe SH 145 Prestige is an active sound pickup (humbucker) with...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 184876
$122
#13
⭐
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.
