Best Samplers 2026

• Weight1.1 kg

You get a compact sampler with 17 RGB pads, 37 built-in effects and room for 160 samples per project. It suits you if you want to chop, loop and layer sounds on the go, since it runs on batteries or USB-C power. Skip back holds the last 40 seconds of your playing, so plan your captures with that limit in mind.

• Weight0.62 kg

You get a small, handheld sampler with a built-in mic and speaker, so you can record and play ideas anywhere. Its 9 touch-sensitive pads and 12 tracks per pattern make it a fit for building loops and patterns. It is a good pick if you want a portable tool for sketching beats and short song ideas on the move.

• Weight1.48 kg

If you want a groove box that can also sample and sequence, this one is worth a look. It has 16 tracks, and each track can play audio or MIDI, with its own filter, effects and sequencer. It suits you if you like building beats and loops by hand, whether you make music in a studio or play live.

• Weight1.85 kg

You get a sampler and sequencer that handles both audio samples and MIDI, with eight stereo tracks to work with. It suits you if you build beats and patterns, or if you want to sample your own hardware and play it back in new ways. It comes with a 64 GB SD card, so you can start sampling right away.

• Weight0.78 kg

If you want to make beats and have sampling, sequencing and effects in one box, this one is worth a look. You get eight sample tracks, 32 pads that light up, and a microSD slot for saving your projects. You will need to buy the microSD card yourself.

If you want to make beats or play samples by hand, you will like this compact box. It has 16 pads that respond to how hard you hit them, over 100 factory kits, and four effects processors with 60 effect types. A built-in battery lets you take it almost anywhere.

• Weight1.3 kg

You get a touch-pad effects unit with many effects and a built-in sampler for loops. It suits you if you want to shape sound by moving your fingers across the pad, since two parameters can change at once. You can connect it to a computer or other gear through its USB and MIDI ports.

• Weight0.62 kg

You get a portable sampler, sequencer and composer with a built-in microphone and speaker, so you can make beats almost anywhere. It has a subtractive synth engine for classic bass and lead sounds, plus over 300 sounds from reggae producers. It suits you if you want to make reggae or other beat-driven music on the go.

The PO-33 K.O. is a ridiculously fun little sampler – it’s basically a pocket-sized creative playground. Perfect for beatmakers, experimental musicians, or anyone wanting to quickly capture and mangle sounds on the go. Don't expect studio-grade fidelity, but it's a blast for sparking ideas.