Are you trying to find tabletop synthesizers among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling tabletop synthesizers on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 27 hours of research and did 54 tabletop synthesizers tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best tabletop synthesizers you can buy today
- The KORG NTS-1 is an exciting way into Electronic Synths - Build it (tools included), tweak it, connect it - a world of synthesis is at your fingertips
- The first of its kind from KORG’s DIY-focused Nu:Tekt brand, the NTS-1 packs a powerful synth and multi-effects engine into a compact unit that you can build, carry and connect anywhere. Its DIY nature means it’s also very customisable.
- The NTS-1 is also completely compatible with the logue-SDK, so it is possible to run any custom oscillator and effect content available for minilogue xd and prologue or create your own
- Despite it's small size, the Nu:Tekt NTS-1 features a digital oscillator as found on the acclaimed kORG Prologue and Minilogue, along with a fun and practical arpeggiator with several patterns available. Scales and numerous note orders including a Random Mode are to create new and original ideas on the fly
- Not only is the NTS-1 a great self build project it includes a bundle of music software including 'Ozone Elements', Software Synths from KORG, 'Reason Lite' DAW software and 'Skoove' to help improve your keyboard playing skills
- Limited-edition David Bowie-inspired synthesizer
- Special white design featuring embossed Bowie logo
- Compact & battery-powered
- Unique & simple stylus design
- 3 modes for classic analog synth & bass sounds
- Vibrato switch
- Built-in speaker for playing on the go
- Headphone socket for quiet practice
- Batteries required: 3 x AA (not included)
- TOP TIP - To protect your Stylophone from corrosion and other damage during shipment, a protective coating was applied to the keyboard and stylus tip which may cause a "crackling" sound when the Stylophone is played. This is easily removed by rubbing with a soft cloth or contact cleaner.
- Music Ideas Out of The Box-- Donner Essential B1 synthesizer offers 128 presets for storing your music ideas. If you are new to electronic music, you could also benefit from its factory contents. With the Song Mode added in firmware V1.1.0, you can chain patterns to make more complex music phrases.
- Innovative Haptic Pads-- The modern silicon haptic pads with dynamic color-changing backlights outperform the traditional tiny little buttons on the original 303. With these pads, you can perform synth basslines on the fly. You can also utilize the onboard 8-mode arpeggiator to jam your idea out.
- Intuitive Step Sequencer-- The sequencer is the key to the Essential B1. Instead of giving you one of the most complicated sequencers on the planet, we make it as intuitive as it can be. No need to be a headache while programming your idea anymore!
- Faithful To The Original-- There are also several live performance features while running patterns, to make the Essential B1 more playable. The synthesis engine on Essential B1 is straightforward. With only 1 VCO, 1 VCF, And 1 VCA, You can't get the wrong sound. To get the organic sound texture, we keep the signal path fully analog.
- Analog Built-In Effects-- The analog saturation and delay effects located at the end of the signal path make the sound of the Essential B1 more warm and fancy, helping you get the right sound from the get-go.
- Versatile Connectivity-- You can connect the Essential B1 to your DAW using the USB Type-C, serving as a MIDI controller to speed up your music production process. Two full-size 5-pin MIDI I/O and Sync I/O allow easier communication with other hardware devices.
- Tips-- We have compiled three guide documents (PDF) for software installation, use, and troubleshooting, which are located in the part of the "Product guides and documents" ( After the part of the "Product information"). Please ask the Donner Online Customer Team (US) through the Product Order Page if you have any questions!
- A tiny synth that can be connected to a Business Card Sequencer, other synth gear, or played by itself
- Pulse, square, triangle, and sawtooth waves
- 2 LFOs with pulse, square, saw, triangle and ramp shapes
- Attack / Decay, Sample and Hold, Glide, Low-pass filter
- Can be powered by 7-15V power supply (not included)
- Semi-modular Analog Synthesizer
- 64-note Dual Step Sequencer
- with Patch Matrix
- Arpeggiat
- 60HP Semi-modular Polyrhythmic Analog Synthesizer Module with 2 VCOs
- 32-point Patchbay
- 4 Suboscillats
- Sequencer
- VCA
- English (Publication Language)
- Authentic JX-8P sound and behavior
- PG-800 programmer functions included
- Includes 32 presets from the original JX-8P plus 111 new presets
- 17 new effect types including JUNO-106 chorus, SDD-320 reverb, lo-fi comp, super filter, pitch shifter, and more
- Two-part, 64-step, eight-note (per part) polyphonic sequencer with motion recording, random pattern generator, and memory for 128 patterns
- Onboard arpeggiator
- Expanded polyphony compared to the original hardware, up to 20 voices
- Two-part multitimbral for playing multiple patches with dual and split capabilities
- USB-C audio/MIDI interface, full-size MIDI I/O, and external clock input
- Powered via batteries (4 x AA) or USB-C
- Authentic sound and behavior of the original JD-800 realized with advanced sound modeling
- 108 original waveforms for extensive patch design possibilities
- Includes the original 64 presets plus 21 new presets
- Two-part, 64-step, eight-note (per part) polyphonic sequencer with motion recording, random pattern generator, and memory for 128 patterns
- Onboard arpeggiator
- Two-part multitimbral with expanded polyphony, up to 128 voices (depending on patch load)
- Four-part structure for tone layering
- Detailed recreation of the JD-800’s unique two-stage multi-effects section
- Editable distortion, phaser, spectrum, enhancer, delay, chorus, and reverb
- Keyboard K-25M Sold separately- Not Included
- Sound Generation Method: Analog Modeling Synthesis System
- Synthesizer Program: Multi Timbral=2 (max, Split/Dual Mode)
- Voices: 4 voices. Power Supply- DC 9 V (AC adapter), or six AA alkaline batteries (sold separately)
- Arpeggiator: 6 types. Outputs: L/MONO, R, Headphones
- Compatibility : Windows - 98 Second Edition, Me, 2000 SP2, XP. Mac OS - OSX10.6.8 or later
- GREAT SOUNDING: This monophonic analog synthesizer will make your music shine with a great-sounding all-analog audio path, two oscillators, and a multimode filter.
- EASY TO USE: This portable music keyboard is designed for anyone who wants to make great music with ease. With 100 included presets and easy-to-use controls, all you need is a creative mind.
- BUILT-IN FUNCTIONALITY: This synthesizer keyboard has a unique design with a built-in 2-octave multi-touch keyboard, arpeggiator, and step sequencer is the ideal solution for musicians on the go.
- COMPATIBLE WITH: It works standalone or with a MIDI keyboard and computer.
- POWERED WITH: This powerful, portable synth can be operated with a battery or USB and comes with an editor app that allows for advanced sound design and preset management on Mac/PC or iOS.
How to choose a good tabletop synthesizers
Does the idea of finding a fantastic tabletop synthesizers make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in tabletop synthesizers. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top tabletop synthesizers products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top tabletop synthesizers on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top tabletop synthesizers brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top tabletop synthesizers based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the tabletop synthesizers were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good tabletop synthesizers, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your tabletop synthesizers.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting tabletop synthesizers for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our tabletop synthesizers. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what tabletop synthesizers should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on tabletop synthesizers.
