Best Single Coil Pickups Under $100 2026

Affordable single coil pickups under $100 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Lace Pickups Sensor Red BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Lace Pickups Sensor Red BK

Country Pop Vintage Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, clear tone character
  • • Great note definition
✗ CONS
  • • Limited output compared to humbuckers
  • • Susceptible to electrical interference

Lace Pickups Sensor Red BKNoiseless pickup for electric guitarThe Sensor Series pickup with the highest outputperfect...

4.7/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR BK

Country Blues Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Great note definition
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, clear tone character
  • • Responsive to playing dynamics
✗ CONS
  • • Susceptible to electrical interference
  • • May need noise reduction

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR BKPickup for Electric GuitarSingle CoilFor bridge positionPowerful bass - suitable...

4.6/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
DiMarzio DP217 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

DiMarzio DP217 BK

Country Blues Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Bright, clear tone character
✓ PROS
  • • Classic vintage sound
  • • Bright, clear tone character
✗ CONS
  • • May need noise reduction
  • • May lack power for heavy genres

DiMarzio DP217 BK, Yngwie J.Malmsteen Signature Pickup, Sound like the HS3 pickup but with vintage magnets, Colour:...

4.6/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Bare Knuckle BC True Grit ST MI BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit ST MI BK

Surf Music Vintage Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Great note definition
  • • Excellent for clean tones
✗ CONS
  • • May need noise reduction
  • • Limited output compared to humbuckers

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit ST MI BKPickup for Electric GuitarHand-wound single coilRichclean and fatpowerful distorted...

4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T NE C - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T NE C

Country Vintage Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Responsive to playing dynamics
✓ PROS
  • • Great note definition
  • • Classic vintage sound
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy genres
  • • Susceptible to electrical interference

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force TE NNCPickup for Electric GuitarHigh output single coilFor the neck positionFlat...

4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
DeArmond Dynasonic Gold Black Bridge - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

DeArmond Dynasonic Gold Black Bridge

Country Blues Vintage Rock
Key Feature:
• Bright, clear tone character
✓ PROS
  • • Classic vintage sound
  • • Excellent for clean tones
✗ CONS
  • • Limited output compared to humbuckers
  • • May lack power for heavy genres

DeArmond Dynasonic Gold Black BridgePickup for Electric GuitarSingle coilFor the bridge positionFaithful reproduction...

5.0/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST BR WH

Vintage Rock Clean Tones Surf Music
Key Feature:
• Responsive to playing dynamics
✓ PROS
  • • Great note definition
  • • Responsive to playing dynamics
✗ CONS
  • • Susceptible to electrical interference
  • • May lack power for heavy genres

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force ST BR BWPickup for Electric GuitarHigh output single coilFor the bridge positionFlat...

4.9/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Bare Knuckle BC True Grit T NE C - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit T NE C

Country Blues Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Great note definition
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for clean tones
  • • Great note definition
✗ CONS
  • • May need noise reduction
  • • Limited output compared to humbuckers

Bare Knuckle BC True Grit T NE CPickup for Electric GuitarSingle CoilFor T-Style modelsPosition: NeckOutput: MediumFull...

4.6/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
EMG S3 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

EMG S3 BK

Pop Vintage Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage sound
✓ PROS
  • • Classic vintage sound
  • • Great note definition
✗ CONS
  • • Limited output compared to humbuckers
  • • May need noise reduction

EMG S3Noiseless Single Coil Pickup for Electric GuitarStacked designSimilar to the EMG S1but has a continuous cap that...

4.8/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
DeArmond Dynasonic Nickel White Bridge - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

DeArmond Dynasonic Nickel White Bridge

Vintage Rock Blues Surf Music
Key Feature:
• Responsive to playing dynamics
✓ PROS
  • • Great note definition
  • • Responsive to playing dynamics
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy genres
  • • May need noise reduction

DeArmond Dynasonic Nickel White BridgePickup for Electric GuitarSingle coilFor the bridge positionFaithful reproduction...

4.4/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
DiMarzio ISCV2 Evolution BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

DiMarzio ISCV2 Evolution BK

Pop Clean Tones Surf Music
Key Feature:
• Bright, clear tone character
✓ PROS
  • • Responsive to playing dynamics
  • • Great note definition
✗ CONS
  • • May need noise reduction
  • • May lack power for heavy genres

DiMarzio ISCV2 Evolution BK, Single Coil Pickup, Steve Vai JEM model from the Evolution series, Middle position,...

4.9/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST NE WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force ST NE WH

Surf Music Clean Tones Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Responsive to playing dynamics
  • • Classic vintage sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited output compared to humbuckers
  • • Susceptible to electrical interference

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force ST NWPickup for Electric GuitarHigh output single coilFor the neck positionFlat...

4.9/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Bare Knuckle BC Old Guard T BR BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Bare Knuckle BC Old Guard T BR BK

Pop Blues Surf Music
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, clear tone character
  • • Responsive to playing dynamics
✗ CONS
  • • May need noise reduction
  • • May lack power for heavy genres

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Old Guard T BBLPickup for Electric GuitarLow output single coilFor the bridge positionLow output...

4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T BR BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Bare Knuckle BC Brute Force T BR BK

Country Vintage Rock Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Excellent for clean tones
✓ PROS
  • • Responsive to playing dynamics
  • • Great note definition
✗ CONS
  • • May need noise reduction
  • • Limited output compared to humbuckers

Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Brute Force TE BBLPickup for Electric GuitarHigh output single coilFor the bridge positionFlat...

4.4/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
EMG S Singlecoil BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

EMG S Singlecoil BK

Pop Surf Music Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great note definition
  • • Bright, clear tone character
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy genres
  • • Can be too bright for some styles

EMG S Singlecoil BKPickupActiveCeramik magnetsBrillant soundAccents the treble and the high midsModern sound with...

4.7/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10

How to Choose the Best Single Coil Pickups

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 single coil pickups 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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