For most people the original Stylophone is still the best place to start: cheap, iconic and easy to play. Choose the S-1 or Gen X-1 if you want a real analogue synth with filters, the Gen X-2 for a two-octave keyboard, the Beat for drums, the VOICE for sampling, and the new Mini if you just want a fun keychain synth.
Dubreq’s Stylophone range has grown from one 1968 gadget into a whole family. Here is every current model and what each is for.
Every Stylophone at a glance
| Model | Type | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stylophone Mini | Keychain stylus synth | October 2026 ($29.95) | Gifts, collectors, carrying everywhere |
| Stylophone VOICE | Pocket sampler with stylus, effects, sequencer | Announced January 2026, around $50 | Sampling voices and sounds on the go |
| Stylophone On-The-Fly (OTF) | Real-time performance sequencer | Announced January 2026 | Sequencing other gear live |
| Stylophone Gen X-2 | Analogue synth, two-octave stylus keyboard | Introduced NAMM 2025 | More range, playing with other instruments |
| Stylophone Beat | Pocket drum machine with record and play | October 2023 | Beats and rhythm ideas |
| Stylophone Gen X-1 | Portable analogue synth | Earlier Pro-style model | Analogue bass and lead sounds |
| Stylophone S-1 | Analogue synth with stylus | Earlier model | Affordable real synth |
| Original Stylophone (reissue) | Stylus organ, 1968 design | Reissued 2007 | Beginners, the classic sound |
Release details are from Dubreq announcements and music-tech press. Availability varies; some older models such as the GEN R-8 are discontinued. Browse Stylophones on Amazon.
The original Stylophone
The 1968 stylus organ that David Bowie used on “Space Oddity”. The modern reissue keeps the metal keyboard and stylus, adds volume control and extra sounds, and runs on batteries. It is the best first Stylophone and the one most tutorials use. See our original Stylophone guide.
Stylophone Mini
A keychain version of the original with a metal keyboard, working stylus and speaker, in black, white or pink. It is a fun gadget rather than a practice instrument. Read our Stylophone Mini guide.
Stylophone S-1 and Gen X-1: real analogue synths
These turn the stylus idea into proper analogue synthesizers, with oscillators, filters and modulation you can shape. They are cheap entry points into subtractive synthesis and pair well with effects pedals; see Stylophone and effects pedals and our Gen X-1 guide.
Stylophone Gen X-2
The Gen X-2 extends the keyboard to two octaves, which makes melodies and bass lines much easier, and is designed to connect with other electronic instruments. Choose it over the X-1 if range matters to you.
Stylophone Beat
The successor to the Stylophone Beatbox, the Beat is a pocket drum machine with a circular metal pad and record and play buttons. It is a cheap way to sketch rhythms.
Stylophone VOICE
A pocket multi-sampler: record your voice or any sound, then play it with the stylus, add effects such as reverse, reverb and wobble, and build patterns with the sequencer. It has a built-in speaker, headphone output and sync in/out for connecting to other gear.
Stylophone On-The-Fly
Part of Dubreq’s Pro range, the OTF is a real-time performance sequencer aimed at controlling other instruments live rather than making sound on its own.
Which Stylophone should you buy?
- First Stylophone or a gift: Original, or the Mini for a stocking stuffer.
- Want to learn synthesis: S-1, Gen X-1 or Gen X-2.
- Want beats: Beat.
- Want to sample and make lo-fi sound collages: VOICE.
- Already have a synth setup: OTF to sequence it, or Gen X-2 to join it.
If you are weighing a Stylophone against other small synths, see our list of the best pocket synths under $100.
Common questions
Do Stylophones need batteries?
Most run on batteries and some also take USB power. See does a Stylophone need batteries.
Is a Stylophone a real synthesizer?
The original is a simple stylus organ; the S-1, Gen X-1 and Gen X-2 are true analogue synths. See Stylophone vs synthesizer.
