It used to be that buying one of the best acoustic guitars under $500 meant an all-laminate build and, therefore, a much worse tone than a more expensive acoustic, but that isn’t the case anymore. While you won’t find many all-solid acoustic guitars under $500 new (though I have included one in this guide!), you can still find plenty of solid tops, which will dramatically improve the tone.
If you want the best all-rounder in this price range, I’d recommend the Yamaha FG800. It’s hailed as one of the all-time classic beginner acoustic guitars, and with a solid spruce top, it sounds incredibly good for relatively little cash. After your first acoustic guitar? Then look no further than the Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany, which also features a solid mahogany top and delivers excellent playability at a very budget-friendly price.
If you’re new to buying an acoustic guitar, I’ve put together a how-to-choose section, drawing on my 20 years of guitar-playing experience, to tell you exactly what to look for. I’ve also collated the questions guitarists most often ask me about budget acoustic guitars in our FAQs. Finally, a glossary of key terms helps you decipher any guitar-specific talk in this guide.
Best overall
✅ Buy if you want a solid top for less: The FG800 is famous as a fantastic value acoustic, coming with a solid top at an incredibly reasonable price.
❌ Avoid if you want onboard electronics: There's no pickup system on this guitar, so you'll need to add your own if you want to play through a PA or amp.
Just like Yamaha is a giant of the music industry, the Yamaha FG800 is a giant of the beginner acoustic guitar world. For the money, the spec you get with this brilliant budget acoustic is really quite astonishing.
Build: To see a solid top on a guitar at this price is frankly mind-blowing; normally at the price point we’d typically see laminate tops. The back and sides are made from nato, a tonewood that Yamaha often uses as a cost-effective alternative to mahogany. The guitar’s scalloped bracing design, which Yamaha introduced with the FG series’ 50th anniversary, lets the top resonate more freely, boosting volume and projection without sacrificing structural integrity. Simply put, this is a very well-made guitar.
Playability: Being a dreadnought, it's a big guitar, so it may pose a challenge to those with smaller dimensions or younger players. But if you feel you can handle the large size, this is one of the most rewarding acoustics you can get for under $500. The slim neck profile and relatively low action make chord shapes and single-note runs easy to play without much fuss. The nut width is a comfortable 43mm, offering enough space for fingerpicking without feeling too wide for strummers. String tension feels well-balanced, contributing to a pleasant overall playing experience.
Sound: Sonically, the FG800 punches above its weight. The solid spruce top and scalloped bracing give it a lively, projecting tone that’s both rich and pretty balanced. The guitar produces impressive volume and sustain, with a clear, articulate response that suits a wide range of playing styles, from strumming to fingerpicking. There’s a pleasing warmth and depth in the low end, while mids are present but not overwhelming. Trebles are bright and clear, cutting through without sounding harsh.
For the money, the spec you get with this brilliant budget acoustic is really quite astonishing, and that’s why it takes our top slot.
Watch our demo video...
“The solid top and large dreadnought body deliver a rich, full-bodied tone usually reserved for more expensive instruments. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better quality guitar with these specs at a better price. That’s why the Yamaha FG800 has to be one of our favorite beginner acoustics out there right now.”
Read more: Yamaha FG800 review
Best for beginners
✅ Buy if you're a beginner guitarist: The CD-60 is fantastic value for money whilst remaining eminently playable, making it an excellent guitar for beginners.
❌ Avoid if you don't like plain looks: There are some beautiful acoustic guitars out there, but this Fender will likely be too basic for those who want a fancy-looking instrument.
The term 'beginner acoustic guitar' doesn’t really fit with today’s standards, as manufacturers derive greater performance from tonewoods at less cost to us. Fender’s CD-60S proves the point, offering a guitar that sounds great and is comfy to play – but all delivered at a low, low price.
Build: With the CD-60S, we think Fender has produced a guitar that feels solid and reliable in the hands, with decent components throughout. The finish is neat and tidy, and the frets are well-seated and polished.
Playability: The guitar’s thin neck is designed to be easy to navigate, making it accessible for beginners while still suiting more experienced players. The string action is set at an ideal height straight of the box, and the intonation is reliably accurate, too. The tuning stability is impressive, meaning you can spend more time playing and less time retuning. Whether you’re strumming chords or picking out melodies, the CD-60S feels responsive and comfortable.
Sound: Now, where the CD-60S truly shines is in its sound. This guitar sounds bright, with a chiming mid-range that’s immediately engaging. The dreadnought shape supports a strong bass response, making it suitable for a variety of styles. Overall, the tone is balanced and pleasing, with enough clarity and depth to suit a wide range of musical styles.
Keep your eyes peeled online for bundle deals that include a tuner, strap, strings, gigbag etc. There’s also an electro-acoustic version with a body cutaway for a little extra.
Watch our demo video...
“Crucially for a beginner’s acoustic, Fender gets the neck profile bang on. The CD-60S is a joy to play, and backs this up with an impressive tone, making chords sound full and wide, yet with a detailed midrange and a vibrant top-end that adds a little magic to the mix.”
Read more: Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany review
Best for gigging
✅ Buy if you want a great value gigging guitar: With it’s stunning looks and excellent Fishman Sonitone electronics, this is a great guitar for live performances.
❌ Avoid if you don’t want to stand out: It’s a very highly styled acoustic guitar, which for some guitarists might be a little too much.
If you want a great value guitar for gigging, I’d highly recommend the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio. Based on a stone-cold classic of acoustic guitar, it’s a stunning-looking instrument that delivers on pretty much every front.
Build: The visual flair of this guitar is matched by its outstanding build quality, which is incredibly well put together. I found no fault with it, even under very close inspection. The split trapezoid inlays and pickguard detail look absolutely amazing in person, which means it’ll be a knockout on stage.
Playability: Now, I have to say, I really love the fast feel of the SlimTaper ‘D’ neck profile, which makes playing a variety of styles an absolute breeze. It’s a Pau Ferro fretboard which felt a little dry on our review model, but nothing a spot of conditioner can’t put right. Ultimately, it’s a very easy guitar to play and one that certainly doesn’t feel like a budget acoustic.
Sound: In terms of tone, there’s plenty of boomy low end from the dreadnought body, and the solid top gives it a lovely tone, if a little boxy in the low-mids. It’s got plenty of volume on tap when you lay into it, and the excellent Fishman Sonitone electronics system sounds great when plugged into a PA system.
“Epiphone has managed to capture the look and vibe of the original Hummingbird beautifully here. From the embellished pickguard to the gorgeous faded cherry sunburst, twin parallelogram inlays, and multi-ply binding, there is no question what guitar you are playing - it’s a Hummingbird through and through.”
Read more: Epiphone Hummingbird Studio review
Best for kids
✅ Buy if you want the perfect sofa guitar: With its small size and low cost, the Jim Dandy is the perfect guitar for noodling on the sofa.
❌ Avoid if you have big hands: The small size of this guitar means the fretboard could feel cramped for those with larger hands.
One of the best-selling acoustic guitars of the last couple of years is also one of the cheapest. Coming in well below the $500 mark, the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy has that special something that makes it a perfect low-cost strummer to play on the sofa.
Build: Neat and tidy, this Gretsch is very well put together. The frets are well dressed and expertly installed, and the finish is gorgeous. In our review, we said, "As we take ours out of its box, it’s noticeable that the Nocturne Blue doesn’t just look good in the photos, and if you’re worried about those tuners being a bit Meccano, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Jim Dandy turned up with its tuning almost perfectly intact."
Playability: The action is set up nicely and low, so it’s playable as soon as you take it out of the box, and we found the intonation to be spot on. If you’re used to a full-size acoustic, the fretboard will feel a little cramped at first, but once we got used to it we found it super fun to play. It’ll be great for beginner players too.
Sound: It’s a nice, bright-sounding guitar, and while it’s not boomy because of its size, it still has plenty of projection when you strum hard. When fingerpicking, there’s a nice pluck to the strings with a pleasing attack and a cutting frequency response.
Watch our demo video...
“There aren’t many acoustic guitars that are this much fun, and even fewer from respected names at this price point. The lack of electronics means you’re likely to pass on the Jim Dandy if you want a gigging guitar (see the Gretsch Gin Rickey for that). But as a play-at-home strummer, campfire traveller or a good quality first acoustic guitar for younger folk, the Jim Dandy has still got it.”
Read more: Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy
Best travel guitar
✅ Buy if you are traveling: You want a premium, highly portable travel guitar with a rich mahogany tone.
❌ Avoid if you need a larger guitar: You need full dreadnought acoustic volume or frequent access beyond the 14th fret.
It’s fair to say the humble GS Mini has transcended its travel guitar status to become a modern classic and a highly respected acoustic in its own right. It delivers signature Taylor quality and tone in a compact, portable footprint.
Build: Crafted with a solid tropical mahogany top paired with layered sapele back and sides, this petite acoustic boasts flawless construction and striking looks. It features an ebony fingerboard complete with natural wood striping, a Nubone nut and saddle, and an Indian rosewood headstock overlay.
Playability: Despite its smaller 23.5-inch scale length, it retains full string spacing, making the neck feel comfortable and accessible for players of all ages and hand sizes. While the shorter scale takes a bit of adjustment and the lack of a cutaway limits access past the 14th fret, it remains an amazingly inviting couch companion.
Sound: The GS Mini offers a remarkably bright, clear, and articulate sound with extra warmth from the mahogany top. While its compact body limits overall acoustic volume compared to full-sized dreadnoughts, its impressive resonance and punch easily rival larger competitors.
"The GS Mini Sapele remains the perfect choice for budget-conscious players who want the comfort and portability of a small-body acoustic without sacrificing big guitar tone."
Read more: Taylor GS Mini Sapele review
Best all solid
✅ Buy if you need an all-solid acoustic: This is a versatile all-solid electro-acoustic with upper-fret access and high-end features at an unbeatable price.
❌ Avoid if you want vintage looks: Look elsewhere if you prefer traditional tonewood aesthetics and a classic dreadnought body shape.
Harley Benton has built a reputation for offering exceptional quality and unbelievable value for players seeking high-end features on a budget. The CLC-650SM-CE stands out as a feature-packed electro-acoustic that punches well above its price tag.
Build: This Grand Auditorium model boasts solid construction and stylish aesthetics designed for maximum versatility. The clean finish and attention to detail create a durable body that can handle regular playing and transport.
Playability: With an ergonomic body cutaway, it offers easy access to the upper frets and a smooth neck profile. The action and intonation are comfortable right out of the box, ensuring an effortless playing experience for both beginners and gigging musicians.
Sound: The grand auditorium body shape provides a well-balanced acoustic tone with punchy mids and crisp highs. When amplified, its onboard electronics deliver a natural, articulate signal suitable for live stage setups or studio amplification.
"I can’t imagine there are many better Grand Concert guitars around this price. It’s well built and has a premium feel to it. It sounds great and will work for a range of different applications, but it excels as either a recording guitar, an acoustic guitar in a band context, or a fingerpicking guitar."
Read more: Harley Benton CLC-650SM-CE review
Best modern
✅ Buy if you like things modern: The ideal guitar if you want an ultra-portable, weatherproof carbon-fiber guitar with built-in effects.
❌Avoid if you like things traditional: If you prefer a traditional wood construction and classic acoustic tone, you should look elsewhere.
Pushing the boundaries of modern guitar design, the Lava ME Air incorporates advanced material technology into a lightweight, ultra-portable acoustic. It is an ideal pick for modern players seeking high-tech features in a travel-friendly package.
Build: Built using an innovative unibody injection-molded carbon-fiber design, this instrument is exceptionally durable and light. The weatherproof carbon-fiber structure withstands extreme temperature and humidity changes without warping or losing structural integrity.
Playability: With its slim body, smooth contours, and compact scale length, the Lava ME Air is extremely comfortable to hold and play. The sleek neck profile and low string action allow for rapid chord transitions and effortless fretboard navigation.
Sound: Despite its synthetic construction, the guitar outputs impressive volume and dynamic resonance. The built-in pickup and FreeBoost technology let you play onboard effects like reverb, delay, and chorus directly from the body without plugging into an external amplifier.
"Overall, the Lava ME Air surprised us. What ran the risk of being a toy-like guitar actually proved to be some serious fun... Is it perfect? No, but it kept us playing. And in a world where ‘smart’ things turn our attention away from instruments, we can’t say fairer than that."
Read more: Lava ME Air review
Also consider
My top picks should cover most guitarists, but if you didn't find what you were looking for, here are a couple more great options to consider.
How to choose
If you’re new to acoustic guitars, there’s quite a lot of choice below the $500 mark, so making a buying decision can be tough. I’ve been playing guitar for over 20 years now, so here’s what I’d look for when purchasing a new acoustic guitar, regardless of price.
1. Construction & tone
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It used to be that you couldn’t get a solid top acoustic guitar below the $500 mark, but that’s changed now. If you can, I would urge you to try and get an acoustic with a solid top like the Fender CD-60S or Yamaha FG800, because it makes a big difference to the sound of the guitar.
Laminated woods are fine, but a solid wood offers much more resonance due to its construction. You won’t find an all-solid guitar for less than $500 unless you get lucky buying second hand, but you can definitely get one at this price point.
2. Playability
The neck profile is one of the most important things on any guitar, so selecting the right one for you is critical. Neck profiles are typically denoted by a letter, which refers to the shape of the neck as you look down on them. A ‘C’ neck is nice and rounded, a good middle point, ‘D’ necks are a bit slimmer, and ‘V’ necks are more vintage neck shape. If you can, it’s worth trying a few different profiles out to see which you find the most comfortable.
3. Electronics
You should also think about whether you need electronics or not. If you’re not regularly gigging, then chances are you won’t need these. That said, you might find after you’ve been playing for a while that you do actually want to play live, so thinking ahead is good here. Onboard electronics often come with a built-in tuner too, which can be really handy for beginners.
4. Used or new?
You can definitely save some money buying a used acoustic guitar, so if your budget is only $500 then it can be worth doing this to make your money go further. You do need to be careful buying used though, and I’d only recommend it to players who’ve been playing a while and know what they’re looking for. Ultimately you’ve got no idea how well the guitar has been treated before you buy it, so for beginners I’d highly recommend you stick to a new instrument.
Key terms
- Action: This is the distance between the strings and the fingerboard.
- Back & sides: The literal back and sides of the acoustic guitar, the material of which plays an important role in how the acoustic sounds.
- Boomy: A boomy acoustic is one that is prominent and dominated by low-end bass frequencies.
- Boxy: A boxy tone is mostly prominent in the mid-range, sounds compressed and without much sustain.
- Bridge: The bridge is the part of your guitar that holds the strings to the surface of the guitar’s body.
- Cutaway: A cutaway is a carved-out part of the guitar’s body to allow for easier access to the upper frets.
- DI (Direct Input): A method of sending a signal directly into a PA system, audio interface, or preamp.
- Electronics: A combination of a pickup and preamp on an acoustic guitar, used to plug into a PA system.
- EQ (Equalization): Equalization allows you to adjust the volume of different frequencies to shape the tone you are hearing, which is usually lows, mids and highs.
- Feedback: This happens when an acoustic-electric’s pickup captures its own amplified sound, creating a continuous loop that builds into a sustained howl.
- Intonation: Intonation refers to how accurately your guitar plays in tune across the fretboard.
- Laminate: In the guitar world, a laminate tonewood involves many layers of wooden veneer glued together to create either the top, back or sides.
- Pickup: Similar to an electric guitar pickup, a pickup on an acoustic guitar uses magnets and a coiled wire to create a magnetic field, allowing you to electrically amplify its sound.
- Nut: The part of the guitar that holds the strings in place at the end of the fingerboard, traditionally made from bone; now it tends to be a synthetic material.
- Preamp: This is an electrical unit that boosts your guitar’s weak signal into one that can be amplified.
- Rosette: This is the decorative circle around the soundhole; it is purely for cosmetic purposes and can be laid with different materials like wood and abalone.
- Saddle: The piece seated in the bridge that raises the strings, creating the break angle needed for proper tension, tuning stability, and intonation.
- Scale length: The distance between the nut and the saddle. A shorter scale length makes strings feel slinkier and easier to bend, while a longer one adds tension and snap.
- Top (soundboard): The guitar’s top wood that does most of the heavy lifting for tone.
FAQs
What brands offer the best value below $500?
There are a lot of acoustic guitars available below the $500 mark, but I’d recommend sticking with tried and tested brands here. Fender, Yamaha, Guild, Gretsch, Ibanez, and Alvarez make some fantastic instruments below the $500 mark.
Is a solid-top acoustic worth it?
Yes it is. Solid top acoustics deliver much better tone than their laminate counterparts, so while you might spend a little more for one, it’ll deliver a much better tone which makes it worth it in my opinion. You get better resonance and dynamic range with solid wood, which will make your instrument much more satisfying to play.
What tonewoods sound the best?
The classic tonewood combination is a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, but mahogany tops can sound great too. You might find some lesser-known woods like nato, okoume, and basswood on more budget acoustic guitars, but I’d suggest you focus on the top wood for tone profile. Typically a spruce top delivers a brighter sound, while a mahogany top will have more warmth.
How does the body shape affect the tone?
The general rule with acoustic guitars is the bigger the body, the more volume it has. Dreadnought-size guitars offer the biggest sound with a strong low end, orchestra and concert models are more balanced and better for fingerstyle. Parlor guitars are very mid-rangey, making them great for blues.
Will an acoustic guitar below $500 need a setup?
It varies. I’ve encountered acoustic guitars below $500 that were perfectly set up out of the box, and others that definitely needed some work. I would argue that you should get any guitar you buy set up, as this allows you to customize its playing feel to your unique style, but it all depends on how you feel when you play it. If you feel like its holding you back or there’s something you don’t quite like, get it set up. If it feels effortless and enjoyable to play, don’t worry about it.
Should I get an acoustic guitar with electronics?
Nearly every modern acoustic comes with electronics nowadays, but they’re only really a necessity if you’re playing live. Recording an acoustic guitar is much better with a condenser or ribbon microphone, so you’ll only really need electronics to plug into a PA at a live show, as this makes your sound engineer’s life much easier. Electronics often included a tuner though, which can be very useful for newer players.
How long will an acoustic guitar below $500 last?
So long as you look after it, there’s no reason a lower-priced acoustic guitar can’t last ten years or more. You’ll need to look out for humidity, regularly change your strings and clean your instrument, and just take care not to drop it, and your guitar will easily be able to stand the test of time.
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Below, you'll find more information about the expert authors of this guide.
I'm Guitar World's Senior Deals Writer. In this role I create and maintain the 200+ buyer's guides you'll find on the site, find the best deals on guitar products for our readers, and test the latest gear. My reviews have been featured in prominent publications including Total Guitar, Future Music magazine and MusicRadar.com.
During my career, I have been lucky enough to talk to many of my musical heroes, having interviewed Slash and members of The Offspring, Foo Fighters, Sum 41, Thrice, and more. Prior to joining the Guitar World team, I worked in music retail, at Kenney's Music in Dundee, Scotland. For a decade, I advised everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned pros on the ultimate gear for their needs, from beginner acoustic guitars, to top-end modelers.
Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at Guitar World. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on guitars, amps, pedals, modelers, and pretty much anything else guitar-related. Responsible for over 60 buying guides, a large part of his role is helping guitarists find the best deals on gear. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for various music sites, including MusicRadar, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog.
A regularly gigging guitarist with over 20 years of experience playing live and writing and recording in bands, he's performed everything from jazz to djent, gigging all over the UK in more dingy venues than you can shake a drop-tuned guitar at. When he's not holed up in his home studio recording new songs or tweaking pedal settings, you'll find him making a racket with northern noise punks Never Better.
How we test
When it comes to acoustic guitars, every player has their own personal preferences regarding the tone and feel. However, regardless of taste, there are a few key areas that an acoustic guitar must meet before we'd feel comfortable recommending it in a guide like this.
Like with any instrument, we begin by looking at the overall build quality. We closely inspect every inch of the guitar, from the body and neck to the machine heads, bridge, and saddle, to ensure they feel robust, sturdy and up for taking you on your musical journey.
We'll next check the consistency of the fretwork to confirm there aren't any sharp frets or uneven frets that may result in buzzing. This ties into the playability of the guitar. For us, the guitar should be comfortable to someone new to the instrument, and this means a reasonably forgiving neck and unobtrusive body.
Lastly, we move our attention to the overall sound of the acoustic guitar. To test the tone of the instrument, we will try a variety of different playing techniques and styles to see how the guitar handles them, from strumming wide-open chords with a flat pick to soft fingerpicking and everything in between. We are carefully listening to the volume the guitar produces and the overall tonal balance of the sound.
Find out more about how we make our recommendations and how we test each of the products in our buyer's guides.
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