10 Years of Tiny Synths: The Best Pocket Operators by Teenage Engineering
Pocket Operators have been redefining portable music-making for a decade now, proving that great sound doesn’t have to come from bulky gear. Launched by Teenage Engineering in 2015, these tiny, calculator-sized devices pack serious synth and drum machine power into a playful, affordable format. Whether you're into punchy drum beats, chiptune melodies, lo-fi sampling, or experimental sound design, there’s a Pocket Operator for nearly every creative need. Despite their small size, they’ve earned a dedicated following among producers, beatmakers, and electronic musicians for their intuitive workflow, quirky aesthetics, and surprisingly deep sonic capabilities. With so many models released over the years, choosing the right Pocket Operator can feel overwhelming. In this post, we’ll help you figure out which operator is right for you. Let’s dive in!
10 Years of Tiny Synths: The Best Pocket Operators by Teenage Engineering
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Best for Drums & Beats: PO-12 Rhythm
The PO-12 Rhythm has been one of the most iconic Pocket Operators since day one, and for good reason—this thing absolutely slaps when it comes to raw, punchy drum sounds. It’s loaded with 16 drum and percussion sounds, covering everything from booming kicks to crispy snares and glitchy hi-hats. The step sequencer makes it easy to program beats on the fly, while built-in effects like bit-crushing and stutter add character with a single button press.
For something so tiny, the PO-12 punches well above its weight. The parameter locks let you tweak sounds per step, giving it a surprising level of depth. Whether you're making electro, hip-hop, techno, or chiptune, this little machine delivers beats that cut through a mix. If you want simple, effective drum programming with serious grit, the PO-12 is still one of the best picks.
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Best for Melodies & Leads: PO-16 Factory
If you’re looking for a Pocket Operator that handles melodies like a champ, the PO-16 Factory is your best bet. It’s packed with 16 lead synth sounds, ranging from punchy basses to crystalline leads, plus a handy micro drum machine for layering some rhythm on top. Unlike some of the drum-focused POs, this one gives you a real melodic sequencer, letting you program basslines, arpeggios, and lead lines with ease.
The filter and glide effects make it possible to craft more expressive sequences, and like the other models, you can apply punch-in effects on the fly to warp your sound in interesting ways. It might be a tiny synth, but it delivers big vibes. Whether you're making lo-fi beats, synthwave, or video game-inspired jams, the PO-16 brings a lot of melodic power to the table.
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Best for Sampling & Loops: PO-33 K.O.!
The PO-33 K.O. is easily one of the most legendary Pocket Operators—so much so that Teenage Engineering eventually dropped the EP-133 K.O. II, its spiritual successor. But the OG PO-33 is still a beast for anyone who loves sampling. It lets you record and chop up samples straight into the unit using the built-in microphone or a line input. You get 8 melodic slots and 8 drum slots, meaning you can craft full beats just from found sounds, voice recordings, or anything else you can capture.
The best part? The lo-fi crunch. Everything sampled into the PO-33 has a gritty, 8-bit-inspired texture that gives it an unmistakable character. The sequencer is fast and intuitive, and you can throw on effects like stutter, filter sweeps, and tape stop to keep things dynamic. If you’re into hip-hop, experimental beats, or just love sampling weird sounds, this is the Pocket Operator to get.
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Best for Effects & Weirdness: PO-35 Speak
Want to make robot voices, glitchy vocal chops, and completely unhinged sound effects? The PO-35 Speak is your playground. This one is all about voice synthesis, letting you record short vocal samples and then process them through a speech synthesizer that can turn your voice into something straight out of a cyberpunk dystopia. It includes 8 different voice characters, plus a selection of drum sounds so you can build entire tracks with nothing but your own voice.
The magic comes from the wild effects—pitch shifts, robotic vocoding, bit-crushing, and more. You can use it as a sampler, a glitchy voice processor, or even a synth for weird and twisted melodies. If you love experimental music, vocal chops, or just want a totally unique sound design tool, the PO-35 Speak is pure chaos in the best way.
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Best All-Rounder: PO-20 Arcade
If you just want one Pocket Operator that does a little bit of everything, the PO-20 Arcade is a perfect choice. This one is packed with arcade-inspired synth sounds, chiptune-style drum patterns, and a sequencer that makes it super easy to build full tracks. The sound palette is punchy and nostalgic, full of crunchy leads, bouncy basses, and retro game FX that feel instantly familiar.
One of the best things about the PO-20 is its chord mode, which makes it possible to create full harmonic progressions without needing to program every note manually. The effects section also lets you warp your sounds with glitchy time-stretching, filters, and even an old-school "bit flip" effect. Whether you want to make chiptune, retro electro, or just have an all-in-one jam machine, the PO-20 Arcade is one of the most fun and beginner-friendly POs in the lineup.
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PO-14 Sub
The PO-14 Sub is a bass synthesizer designed to deliver deep, resonant basslines. It offers 15 bass sounds and includes a micro drum machine for adding rhythmic elements to your tracks. With a 16-step sequencer and 16 effects, the PO-14 allows for extensive sound manipulation, making it ideal for crafting rich, low-end grooves.
PO-24 Office
The PO-24 Office is a noise percussion drum machine that incorporates sounds inspired by vintage office equipment. It combines real samples of office hardware with original synthesizer engines, offering a unique palette of percussive sounds. With a solo function and step multiplier, the PO-24 allows for intricate beat creation and dynamic live performances.
PO-28 Robot
The PO-28 Robot is a lead synthesizer and sequencer that emulates 8-bit sounds, reminiscent of classic video game consoles. It offers 15 synthesized lead sounds and a micro drum machine, allowing you to craft melodic sequences with a retro flair. The glide function adds expressive pitch transitions, enhancing the chiptune aesthetic.
PO-32 Tonic
The PO-32 Tonic is a drum and percussion synthesizer developed in collaboration with Magnus Lidström of Sonic Charge. It features a wide range of editable drum sounds and allows for sound and pattern transfer via the built-in microphone. The PO-32's compatibility with the Microtonic VST plugin enables deep customization, making it a powerful tool for drum synthesis.
Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator Silicone Case
The Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator Silicone Case is a must-have if you want to protect your PO from wear and tear while improving playability. These cases add a layer of grip and durability, preventing your Pocket Operator from slipping around during performance or travel. The soft-touch silicone also makes the button presses feel smoother and more responsive, helping to avoid accidental triggering of multiple functions. On top of that, the case shields the exposed circuit board from dust, dirt, and potential damage, which is crucial for longevity. While Pocket Operators are designed to be minimal and barebones, adding this case makes them feel much more like a polished instrument, especially if you use them frequently. With cutouts for the screen and buttons, it maintains full functionality while offering added comfort and protection.
Teenage Engineering MC-3 Sync Cables
If you plan on using multiple Pocket Operators together or syncing them with external gear, the Teenage Engineering MC-3 Sync Cables are an essential addition to your setup. This pack includes three cables designed specifically for chaining Pocket Operators together, allowing them to stay perfectly in sync while playing. The cables are short and flexible, reducing clutter and keeping your setup streamlined—much better than using standard aux cables, which can be bulky and unreliable for syncing. One of the best parts of the Pocket Operator ecosystem is how easy it is to link multiple units and create a full jam setup, and these cables make that process seamless. Whether you're connecting two POs for layered grooves or integrating them into a larger hardware rig, these cables ensure tight synchronization without interference or signal loss.
Analog Cases PULSE Hard Case for Pocket Operators
For musicians on the go, the Analog Cases PULSE Hard Case for Pocket Operators is the best way to keep your device safe during travel. Pocket Operators are designed to be ultra-portable, but their exposed circuit board and delicate screen can make them vulnerable to damage when thrown into a bag. This hard-shell case provides solid protection with a durable EVA exterior and a soft interior lining that keeps your PO snug and secure. There's even an internal mesh pocket for storing small accessories like sync cables or spare batteries, making it a great all-in-one solution for Pocket Operator users who take their gear on the road. Whether you're commuting, traveling for gigs, or just want a safe storage solution at home, this case ensures your Pocket Operator stays in top condition without adding unnecessary bulk.
Should You Buy a Pocket Operator in 2025?
Pocket Operators have been around for a full decade now, and while they've never been meant to replace full-sized synths or samplers, they still hold up as some of the most creative and fun little machines out there. They’re perfect for beatmakers, synth lovers, and anyone who wants to make music on the go—whether you're traveling, jamming at your desk, or just looking for a unique tool to spark new ideas.
That said, if you’re expecting deep sound design or professional-level sequencing, you might be better off with something like an Elektron Model:Cycles or a SP-404 MKII. But if you want portable, affordable, and ridiculously fun, a Pocket Operator is still one of the best ways to inject some spontaneity into your music-making.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.