The Best Pocket Operators in 2025: 10 Years of Teenage Engineering’s Tiny Synths
Pocket Operators have been redefining portable music-making for a full decade now, proving that great sound doesn’t need to come from bulky gear. Originally launched by Teenage Engineering in 2015, these tiny, calculator-sized devices have carved out a unique space in the world of electronic music. In 2025, they remain as beloved as ever—still popping up in beatmaking tutorials, live jams, and studio setups around the world. With the recent release of the EP-133 K.O. II, Teenage Engineering has shown they’re not done evolving the spirit of the Pocket Operator. But even the original models still pack a surprising amount of power and personality. Whether you're into punchy drum beats, chiptune melodies, lo-fi sampling, or experimental sound design, there’s a Pocket Operator that can still spark something fresh. This guide will help you figure out which one is right for your workflow today. Let’s dive in!
The Best Pocket Operators in 2025: 10 Years of Teenage Engineering’s Tiny Synths
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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.
The Evolved Successor: EP-133 K.O. II
When Teenage Engineering dropped the EP-133 K.O. II in late 2023, it immediately sparked debate: was this the next-generation Pocket Operator or a totally new beast? In many ways, it’s both. While it keeps the lo-fi sampling spirit of the beloved PO-33 K.O.!, the EP-133 is a much more powerful and capable machine. It features 64 MB of sample memory, a velocity-sensitive 16-pad layout, and a new screen-based workflow that feels closer to a full-on sampler like the SP-404 than a basic PO. But it still keeps that playful, minimal design ethos intact—just scaled up and modernized.
If you loved the PO-33’s crunchy sound and minimalist vibe, the EP-133 K.O. II feels like a grown-up version with way more room to explore. You get deeper sequencing, better performance features (like punch-in FX and beat repeat), and way more flexibility when chopping or layering samples. That said, it’s bigger, pricier, and not quite as pocketable. The raw immediacy of the PO-33 is part of its charm, and for some beatmakers, that simplicity is a feature, not a flaw. Still, if you want to take the Pocket Operator philosophy into a more advanced, expressive direction, the EP-133 is a worthy evolution.
Click here to read my full review of EP-133 K.O. II
Check the EP-133 K.O. II’s price
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.
Final Thoughts: Are the Pocket Operators Still Relevant in 2025?
You might be wondering: are Pocket Operators still worth it in 2025? The answer is a pretty confident yes—especially if you’re after a fun, affordable, and refreshingly tactile way to make music. While more powerful grooveboxes and samplers have emerged, few offer the same minimalist charm and immediacy that make Pocket Operators so creatively inspiring. They’re still a great choice for jam sessions, mobile production, and off-the-cuff beatmaking.
Plus, the PO lineup has aged well. Devices like the PO-33 K.O.! and PO-32 Tonic continue to appear in YouTube routines, and artists still praise their ability to deliver lo-fi textures and intuitive sequencing with almost no learning curve. If anything, their popularity has grown as more musicians seek out hardware that breaks the endless scroll of plug-ins and DAWs.
That said, it’s worth noting that Teenage Engineering seems to be evolving the formula. The EP-133 K.O. II brings deeper sampling capabilities and a more refined interface—but it doesn’t make the original PO-33 obsolete. If anything, the older models feel more like modern classics: quirky, raw, and endlessly modifiable. So whether you're buying your first PO or doubling down on a collection, these little machines still hold up.
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.