Best synth workstations in 2026
Ranked by the KeyboardLookup editorial score — how strong each instrument is today for its intended use, weighed on key action, polyphony, feature set and price against same-class peers. How we score.
Current models (13)
| # | Model | Score | Why this score | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yamaha MONTAGE M8x | 8.9 | AWM2, FM-X and new AN-X engines plus 88-key polyphonic aftertouch and 6-in/32-out USB audio at $4,499. | $4499 | Compare → |
| 2 | Yamaha MONTAGE M | 8.8 | AWM2, FM-X and AN-X engines with 4,000 patches under GEX keys at $3,499 - the current flagship benchmark. | $3499 | Compare → |
| 3 | Korg Nautilus | 8.6 | Kronos-derived EDS-K engines under an 88-key RH3 action at $1,999 - the value pick among 88-key workstations. | $1999 | Compare → |
| 4 | Roland Fantom-08 | 8.3 | A $2,499 flagship with 3,500 sounds, 256-note polyphony and USB audio on a PHA-4 Standard bed at 14.8 kg. | $2499 | Compare → |
| 5 | Yamaha MONTAGE M6 | 8.3 | The full MONTAGE M engine stack - AWM2, FM-X, AN-X - on 61 FSX keys with aftertouch at 15.3 kg. | — | Compare → |
| 6 | Yamaha MONTAGE M7 | 8.3 | The MONTAGE M engine stack on 76 FSX keys with aftertouch at 17.6 kg - the mid-size flagship. | — | Compare → |
| 7 | Yamaha MODX+ | 7.9 | Dual AWM2 and FM-X engines with USB audio at $2,199, held back by entry-level GHS keys on the 88-key body. | $2199 | Compare → |
| 8 | Roland FANTOM-7 | 7.9 | The same ZEN-Core/V-Piano flagship platform stretched across 76 semi-weighted keys with channel aftertouch. | — | Compare → |
| 9 | Roland FANTOM-06 | 7.8 | ZEN-Core workstation with 3,500 sounds and a 16-track pattern sequencer in a 6 kg, 61-key body. | — | Compare → |
| 10 | Roland FANTOM-07 | 7.8 | 3,500 tones across ZEN-Core and SuperNATURAL plus a 4x32 USB audio interface on 76 keys at 7.0 kg. | — | Compare → |
| 11 | Roland FANTOM-6 | 7.8 | Sixty-one semi-weighted keys with channel aftertouch driving ZEN-Core and V-Piano technology in ZONE1. | — | Compare → |
| 12 | Korg NAUTILUS 61 | 7.6 | The Nautilus engine on 61 semi-weighted, aftertouch-free keys at 13 kg - workstation depth, entry keybed. | — | Compare → |
| 13 | Korg KROME EX | 7.3 | The EDS-X workstation engine and a 16-track sequencer at 7.2 kg; aftertouch is not supported. | — | Compare → |
Used & discontinued market (12)
Older models people still search for| # | Model | Score | Why this score | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Korg Kronos | 8.2 | 9 sound engines, an 88-key RH3 bed and 16-track MIDI plus hard-disk recording with USB audio at $2,999. | $2999 | Compare → |
| 2 | Roland Fantom-8 | 7.9 | PHA-50 hybrid keys and V-Piano technology in ZONE1; the 2019 flagship makes its case on the used market. | $3499 | Compare → |
| 3 | Korg Nautilus 88 | 7.7 | RH3 weighted keys and the nine-engine Kronos core at 23.1 kg - Korg's value route to a flagship workstation. | — | Compare → |
| 4 | Korg Kronos 2 88 | 7.7 | RH3 weighted keys over all nine engines with 400-note polyphony and 2-in/2-out USB audio - still immense at 24.1 kg. | — | Compare → |
| 5 | Korg Kronos 2 73 | 7.6 | The nine-engine flagship with RH3 hammer action and 2-in/2-out USB audio, if a 21.1 kg 2014 platform suits you. | — | Compare → |
| 6 | Korg Nautilus 73 | 7.5 | The Kronos nine-engine core lightened to 14.6 kg with semi-weighted keys and a streamlined controller set. | — | Compare → |
| 7 | Yamaha MONTAGE 6 | 7.2 | FSX keys with aftertouch and the Motion Control engine; MONTAGE M replaced it, so it is a used-market play. | — | Compare → |
| 8 | Korg Kronos 2 61 | 7.2 | Nine engines from SGX-2 piano to MS-20EX with 400-note polyphony on semi-weighted keys - deep but divisive at 14.3 kg. | — | Compare → |
| 9 | Yamaha MODX6 | 7.1 | The light 6.6 kg AWM2/FM-X workstation; semi-weighted keys without aftertouch, superseded by the MODX+. | $1649 | Compare → |
| 10 | Roland FA-08 | 7.1 | An 88-key Ivory Feel-G workstation at 16.5 kg - light for its class; out of production since 2022. | — | Compare → |
| 11 | Korg Krome | 6.8 | A light 7.2 kg workstation with 512 programs, but no aftertouch; the KROME EX refresh left it behind. | — | Compare → |
| 12 | Korg Kross 2 | 6.7 | A 3.8 kg workstation that runs on AA batteries, with 896 programs; semi-weighted velocity-only keys cap it. | — | Compare → |