Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or a newbie sitting down at a keyboard for the very first time, these instruments and recording gear deliver the best sound and style
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Our top priority is keeping our fingers on the pulse — and sometimes the strings — of what's new in music gear. We obsessively track the latest drops from heavy hitters like Gibson, Fender, and Yamaha, paying close attention to what they're building next. This year, a handful of releases didn't just raise the bar for premium instruments; they changed it.
From a 30th-anniversary guitar amp that fuses old and new, to a Herman Li signature electric that's as ruthless in design as it is in tone, to microphones that plug straight into your phone so you never miss a moment of content (yes, they count), these are the instruments and recording gear defining 2026. We've played them. We're sold. And they've only cranked up our optimism for where music tech is headed next.
How We Chose Products for Rolling Stone Audio Awards 2026
Audio gear is our bread and butter here at RS Recommends. Over the last year, we've tested hundreds of new products from earbuds and speakers to record players and instruments. We scrutinize each product for design, durability, features, and, above all, sound quality. Some are not worth buying, and many are fine, but a select handful earn our ultimate seal of approval: a spot in the Rolling Stone Audio Awards.
best keyboard piano
Yamaha P-525 Digital Piano
Elton John and John Legend are just a few of the artists who have used Yamaha on stage while playing in front of thousands of fans. And while you might not have magic fingers like the “Rocket Man”, the Yamaha P-525 digital piano is built for players who take pounding the keys seriously.
With a lightweight design and built-in speakers that pack a serious punch, it outperforms every other model in its class. — Alexis Mikulski Ruiz
best guitar amp
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 30th Anniversary Amp
Fender's amps have never steered us wrong, for over thirty years, in fact. One of the brand's latest combo releases celebrates three decades of the same craftsmanship that brought us some of the most iconic sounds in music.
It's not only a great-looking amp, but a modernized take on its ancestors, built with the same trusted jacks and panels, now updated for today's players (yes, that means a very welcome 21st-century speaker). – AMR
best electric guitar
PRS SE Chleo Herman Li Signature Electric Guitar
A special-edition shredder released in collaboration with DragonForce legend Herman Li, this new PRS model plays as good as it looks. Between the thoughtfully engineered sound, silky-smooth strings, and a body that makes you want to look at it both ways (the back is just as stunning as the front), it's safe to say we can't get enough of it. — AMR
best acoustic guitar
Yamaha FS9 R
When we're not just looking for a good acoustic guitar, but a great one, we're chasing resonance that can send chills through your whole body and playability that outshines the rest. The Yamaha FS9 R hits all of those notes. It's handmade, finished in stunning mahogany, and delivers the exact tone you've (and we've) been searching for. — AMR
best microphone
RØDE Wireless Micro
Microphones have changed so much over the years, which is why we wanted to highlight one built for right here and right now, and no one does that better than RØDE. This wireless mic, available in multiple color options, connects easily to your smartphone so you can record content seamlessly.
Using AI to keep everything sounding crisp, it also delivers an impressive battery life of over 20 hours, just in case it takes a while to nail that perfect shot. — AMR
best acoustic panels
GIK Acoustic Panels
We like our sound tools backed by science, and that's exactly what GIK does with their acoustic panels. Developed with help from the geniuses in the labs at the University of Salford, these multi-colored products come in two different shapes, two thickness options, and endless ways to deliver the best possible reverberation for your room. — AMR
best mic for podcasting
Shure MV7+
Whether you're breaking down the best rock performances of all time or rating the latest series on Peacock, you shouldn't podcast without the Shure MV7+ mic.
It's reliable — you won't have to worry about unwanted noise creeping into your recordings — delivers crystal-clear sound quality, and works with almost every computer model. We didn't think it was possible to love a mic this much, but here we are. — AMR
best mini mic
Shure MV88
Shure's latest mini microphone is an easy plug-and-play option, thanks to its USB-C port. Designed with creators in mind, the tiny microphone makes it easy to catch video content or record audio on the go. Plus, the microphone can be rotated to the ideal angle depending on the kind of content you want to capture. —Jonathan Zavaleta
best dj controller
Native Instruments Traktor MX2
No matter what kind of DJ you are, the Traktor MX2 is here to make every beat, tempo, and rhythm better than the last. It's simple to operate, comes with a variety of tools to customize every track exactly how you want, and at under $500, it's a smart investment, whether you're selling out MSG or just spinning for friends at the post-game party. — AMR
