- Yevgeny Derbenko: A Russian virtuoso accordion player, conductor, and composer, known for his exceptional technical skills and expressive renditions of classical and contemporary music.
- Richard Galliano: A French jazz accordionist and composer, widely recognized for his innovative approach to jazz, combining elements of classical music, tango, and world music.
- Astor Piazzolla: A renowned Argentine tango accordionist and composer, considered the father of nuevo tango, a genre that revolutionized traditional tango music.
- Maria Rita: A Brazilian samba singer and accordion player, granddaughter of the legendary sambista Cartola, known for her powerful vocals and skillful accordion playing.
- Mika Väyrynen: A Finnish accordionist, composer, and ethnomusicologist, known for his mastery of traditional Finnish folk music and his cross-cultural collaborations.
- Chango Spasiuk: An Argentine chamamé accordionist and composer, recognized for his virtuosic playing and contributions to the popularization of chamamé music worldwide.
- Claudio "Gato" Barbieri: An Argentine tango accordionist and bandoneon player, known for his energetic performances and improvisational skills.
- Nando Di Modugno: An Italian singer, songwriter, and accordionist, popular for his romantic ballads and contributions to the Neapolitan song tradition.
- Dejan Lazić: A Serbian accordionist and composer, known for his Balkan folk music, especially the subgenre known as "truba."
- Jimmy Sturr: An American polka accordionist, bandleader, and composer, popular in the polka music scene and known for his energetic stage presence.
- Joseph Klimek: A Polish-American accordionist, composer, and instructor, recognized for his contributions to the development of polka and other traditional Slavic music in the United States.
- Yuri Shishkin: A Russian accordionist, known for his virtuosic performances of classical and folk music, and his work with the renowned bayan (chromatic button accordion).
These accordionists represent a diverse range of styles and contributions to the world of music. The "best" accordion player ultimately comes down to individual taste and the criteria used to evaluate musicianship.