Best Audio Samplers of 2026

"As someone who’s been skeptical about Teenage Engineering, I have to admit the EP-133 completely surprised me. The punch-in effects and the display are fantastic, and the workflow is insanely fun and user-friendly. I’ve spent hours just messing with the effects and fader. Build quality is solid, even if the pads are a bit small. This is the first sampler I’ve truly enjoyed sitting down with in years."

"As a longtime fan of Teenage Engineering’s design, the EP-133 K.O. II exceeded all my expectations. The workflow is immediate and inspiring, letting me sample, chop, and sequence in seconds. Its punchy, characterful sound and live performance features like Punch-In FX make it a blast to play. The lightweight and portable build means I can make music anywhere. It’s now a centerpiece of my setup and just pure creative fun."

"I think this unit is a steal for the price—the mechanical buttons feel great, and the included samples sound amazing. Recording my own samples was super easy, and I was able to use it with my OP-1 Field as a MIDI instrument. Learning curve is manageable with some online help, and overall, it’s a rock-solid sampler with loads of potential."

"As someone who knows drum machines and DAWs well, but is more of a guitarist and songwriter, I was drawn to this product because of its versatility beyond just electronic music. The sound quality and deep features blew me away, especially being able to layer multiple effects per sample. While the workflow is much faster than working on a computer once you get the hang of it, I did find the learning curve a bit steep due to some unique terminology and the sheer number of options. That said, there are plenty of great tutorials online, and I’m excited to use it for songwriting and live recording, even if I need to add some more drum kits for my style."

"This has quickly become my go-to for capturing beats and musical ideas. It’s fast, responsive, and intuitive, letting me sample, chop, and edit with ease. The workflow is different from other DAWs I’ve used, but it’s easy to pick up. For anyone considering one, I’d say it’s definitely worth getting."

"Compared to other standalone devices like the Electribe 2 and Digitakt 2, this unit is just more solid, versatile, and reliable. The stock drum sounds are great, and storage options are generous. My only gripe is the manual—it’s massive and not well organized—but there are plenty of helpful videos out there to fill in the gaps."

"As someone who owns over 20 samplers, I can say the P6 offers a perfect sound for Boom Bap and LoFi, and the multiple sampling rates give me a lot of creative flexibility. The screen is tiny and there’s definitely some menu diving, but as a sample processor or companion device, it's fantastic. This is like a modern SP-202—not my main sampler, but a valuable addition to my setup."

"I was impressed by how user-friendly the interface is; just plug it into my computer and drag and drop samples like it’s an external drive—no extra software needed! This made my workflow so much easier, especially when editing in Garage Band. Props to Roland for simplifying the process."

"The P6 is a powerful little sampler, packed with surprises for its size. I love how versatile and portable it is, and the onboard effects are a great touch. My only minor gripe is that I wish the keys were more tactile, but overall, it does exactly what I need and more."

"As someone who played in bands and experimented with synths back in the '90s, getting back into music production with the SP-404MKII has been a fantastic experience. The combination of intuitive pads, flexible sampling options, and a customizable interface hits the perfect balance between price, functionality, and ease of use. I love how easily I can craft beats, perform live, and connect it with other gear like my Digitakt. The effects are top-notch, transitions are smooth, and the built-in synth engine is a huge bonus. There's a thriving community and tons of tutorials, making it easy to learn. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to chop samples, build patterns, or create full tracks in any electronic genre."

"Having used both the MPC One and MPC Live 2, I can say that the 404MKII is a far more seamless tool for creativity. Its button-based workflow draws me into the music itself, avoiding the distraction of touchscreens. The learning curve was much gentler than expected, and sampling is incredibly smooth and fast. Portability is fantastic—I can use it comfortably on my lap, and it's much lighter than other samplers. With USB-C and SD support, it's impressively future-proof. For its price, nothing else compares."

"I use the SP-404MKII as the heart of my studio setup. Organizing patterns, building loops, and resampling with FX is elegantly simple, and the SKIP BACK feature is a lifesaver for capturing spontaneous performances. I can sample directly from my laptop or external sources with ease, and the workflow fits seamlessly into my life. This device has genuinely become indispensable for my music-making process."

"As someone who started out in guitar and gradually moved into electronic music, I found the Circuit Tracks finally offers everything I wanted in a sequencer—from dedicated MIDI tracks, two synth channels, four drum/sample tracks, and audio inputs, all while staying battery-powered and portable. I love how I can hook up my portable synths and guitar pedals for jamming on the fly. While I wish the build felt as sturdy as the original, and battery life was a bit longer, it’s still a perfect fit for my DAWless setup. I’m really happy with how much creative freedom it gives me."

"I’ve used Korg Volcas for years, but the Circuit Tracks blew me away on my very first attempt—even my wife said my new track sounded professional. The learning curve is gentle, especially with all the helpful tutorials out there, and I love being able to swap out sound packs to keep things fresh. If you’re looking for a fun, user-friendly groovebox, this is it. The only tricky part is exporting your tracks, but there are guides to help with that. Overall, it’s an incredible device for making music quickly and easily."

"Coming from a Roland background, I was surprised at how premium and versatile the Circuit Tracks feels. It’s easy to use, looks great, and is super portable—ideal for my bedroom studio setup. The sound quality is impressive, and it pairs really well with my other gear. There’s so much value in this little machine, and it fits right in with my workflow."

"I absolutely love how portable and versatile this device is—it's the perfect blend between a tool and a toy. The drum sounds are deeply customizable, and I especially appreciate the great sequencer. While there are some sound and polyphony limitations, the creative possibilities are still impressive. For the price, it's a great addition to any collection, though probably not ideal for beginners."

"What really stands out for me is that this gadget is totally unique and full of personality—nothing else in the music world is quite like it. It's clever, playful, and endlessly shareable. My only wish is for a special edition with Hatsune Miku samples! Still, it's hands down one of the most interesting pocket operators I've tried."

"After spending hours with this little synth, I can say it's incredibly fun and inspires unique results every time. Even with its lo-fi character, it's surprisingly versatile and gives my music a truly personal touch. As a musician with decades of experience, I'm genuinely impressed by how much experimentation it offers."

"I've tried purchasing this product three times, but keep having to return it due to persistent issues with preset loading. Even after the latest update, most presets can’t be loaded, making it incredibly frustrating."

"If I could give it zero stars, I would. The device continually fails to work as expected, especially when creating and loading presets. I feel Elektron really missed the mark with this release."

"I've been producing music on PC for years, and after getting the MPC One, I'm honestly blown away by its pro-level sound quality and versatility. The learning curve was smoother than expected, thanks to the vibrant MPC community and countless YouTube tutorials. I love that it's become my go-to, all-in-one studio—I haven't touched my old DAW since. The build quality is solid, the pads are super responsive, and I find the hardware limitations actually spark more creativity. Absolutely worth every penny."

"I wanted a hands-on music tool that didn’t tie me to a computer, and the MPC One nails it. The workflow is well-designed and the touch screen is a game-changer. While Akai’s customer service left a lot to be desired and buying expansions was a hassle, the machine itself is easily one of my best investments for music creation. Just be cautious about extra purchases."

"This is my first device of this kind, and I’m still amazed by the creative possibilities. However, I did notice that navigating menus can be tricky for newcomers—having more accessible documentation would make things easier. Still, the features and potential are incredible. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to dive into music production."