Product Price Number of Oscillators (piece) Polyphony (note) Sampling Rate (Hz) Filter Types Sequencer Connectivity
Yamaha Reface DX
US
£298.94 8 DC IN (12 V), PHONES (6.3 mm), MIDI (mini-DIN IN/OUT), AUX IN (3.5 mm), OUTPUT L/MONO, R (6.3 mm), USB TO HOST, Pedal input

The Reface DX is a compact 4-operator FM synthesizer with 12 algorithms, 37 HQ mini keys, built-in speakers and a phrase looper for quick idea capture. It offers 8-note polyphony, multi-touch controls and USB/MIDI connectivity, aimed at portable FM sound design and performance.

★ Ideal for

Ideal for portable digital synths because it is battery-powered, weighs 1.9 kg, has 37 mini keys, built-in speakers and USB MIDI connectivity for mobile setups.

Novation Circuit Tracks
US
£298.94 3 voices Chorus effect only Headphones (3.5mm), Sync In/Out (3.5mm), MIDI In

Compact three-voice FM synthesizer with six operators and 32 algorithms, built-in chorus, battery operation and a 16-step sequencer with motion recording and advanced step functions; it can load DX7 SYS-EX patches and sync with other Volca units. Suited for producers who want authentic FM tones and hands-on sequencing in a highly portable format.

★ Ideal for

Ideal for portable digital synthesizers because it offers authentic FM sound (6 operators, 32 algorithms), built-in speaker and battery operation, plus a compact size and 16-step sequencer for on-the-go music-making.

1010music Blackbox
US
£485.05 Shared pool of 16 note polyphony Supports 16, 24 or 32-bit WAV at any sample rate (48kHz preferred) High-pass and low-pass digital filtering USB MIDI In/Out, TRS MIDI In/Out, TRS Clock In/Out, 1 stereo input, 3 stereo outputs, headphone output, microSD, USB power

The Blackbox is a compact touchscreen sampling studio with onboard recording, slicing, granular playback, effects, and a pattern/clip sequencer-designed to run on USB power and fit in a backpack. It provides 24-bit ADC/DAC, microSD streaming for long samples, and multiple MIDI/clock options for integration with hardware setups. Its small size and robust I/O make it suitable for live performance and mobile production.

★ Ideal for

Ideal for portable digital-sampler seekers because it offers a 5.5in x 5in touchscreen workflow, USB power, microSD streaming, and a shared 16-voice polyphony in a very compact form factor.

ASM (Ashun Sound Machines) Hydrasynth Explorer
US
£485.05 8 voices Dual filters; Filter 1: 16 models (1 to 8 poles) ; Filter 2: 12dB state-variable (continuous morph) MIDI In/Out, USB MIDI, Stereo analog outputs, Headphone outputs (6.35 mm and 3.5 mm), DC input; no CV I/O on Explorer

Compact 8-voice wavemorphing synth with three oscillators per voice (two wavemorphing), dual configurable filters, extensive modulation (5 LFOs, 5 envelopes, 32-slot matrix), arpeggiator, polyphonic aftertouch and battery power option. Suits sound designers and performing musicians who need a deep digital engine in a portable 37-key format.

★ Ideal for

Ideal for portable digital-synth lists because it packs 3 oscillators per voice, 8-voice polyphony, wavemorphing and battery power into a 37-key compact unit.

Korg Volca FM2
US
£111.36 6 voices Headphones (3.5mm), Sync In/Out (3.5mm), MIDI IN, MIDI OUT (3.5mm TRS), DC 9V input, built-in speaker

Compact 6-operator FM synthesizer with 6-voice polyphony, 32 classic algorithms, chorus and reverb effects, arpeggiator and a 16-step motion-capable sequencer. Battery powered with built-in speaker, MIDI IN/OUT and SysEx DX7 compatibility make it a portable, hands-on FM module for live jams and studio layering.

★ Ideal for

Its 6-voice polyphony, 6-operator engine, DX7 SysEx compatibility and battery-powered, lightweight design make it ideal for the most portable digital synthesizers category.

Korg Volca FM3
US
3 voices Chorus effect only Headphones (3.5mm), Sync In/Out (3.5mm), MIDI In

Compact three-voice FM synthesizer with six operators and 32 algorithms, built-in chorus, battery operation and a 16-step sequencer with motion recording and advanced step functions; it can load DX7 SYS-EX patches and sync with other Volca units. Suited for producers who want authentic FM tones and hands-on sequencing in a highly portable format.

★ Ideal for

Ideal for portable digital synthesizers because it offers authentic FM sound (6 operators, 32 algorithms), built-in speaker and battery operation, plus a compact size and 16-step sequencer for on-the-go music-making.

Roland AIRA Compact J-6 Chord Synth
US
4-voice low-pass USB-C audio/MIDI, MIDI IN/OUT (3.5mm TRS), SYNC IN/OUT (3.5mm), MIX OUT/PHONES (3.5mm), AIRA Link

The J-6 is a pocketable chord synth that recreates the JUNO-60 sound with Roland's ACB engine, offers 100 chord sets, on-board delay and reverb, and a programmable 64-step chord sequencer. It runs on a rechargeable battery for up to 4.5 hours and provides comprehensive audio and MIDI connectivity for live and studio use. It's small, lightweight, and designed for quick idea generation and performance.

★ Ideal for

Ideal for portable synth seekers because it's battery-powered, weighs 295 g, offers four-voice polyphony and a 64-step/64-pattern sequencer for on-the-go songwriting.

Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Tweak Synth
US
£201.79 4 voices Low-pass USB-C audio/MIDI, MIDI IN/OUT (3.5mm TRS), SYNC IN/OUT, MIX IN/OUT/PHONES (3.5mm)

The S-1 is an ultra-portable 4-voice micro polysynth using Roland's ACB engine with oscillator-draw and OSC Chop for custom waveforms, a low-pass filter, onboard effects, and a 64-step sequencer. It features rechargeable battery operation and class-compliant USB-C audio/MIDI for standalone or DAW use, aimed at creators needing hands-on sound design in a pocketable unit.

★ Ideal for

Ideal for portable digital-synth hunting because it offers four-voice polyphony, oscillator-draw/OSC Chop waveform tools, a 64-step sequencer, and USB-C audio/MIDI in a battery-powered compact form.