Top 20 Budget Acoustic Guitars Under $100, $150, $200, $300 For Beginners

For a person who has just decided to enter the world of music, finding the right guitar at the right price can be an exhausting process. Not knowing what you should be looking for on a low-price guitar can lead you to buy something that is either not worth the money spent or just a bad-quality instrument.

This is why I have compiled this list of the 20 best, most affordable guitars you can get out there. Let us begin!

Top Acoustic Guitars Under $100

Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar

Specs:

• Top: Select Spruce
• Back and sides: Laminated Nato.
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Nato (Eastern Mahogany)
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Body finish: Satin

The Jasmine Guitars is the affordable branch of Takamine guitars. Takamine is a famous Japanese guitar manufacturer that has been around since 1959 and is well known for the quality of its acoustic guitars. No doubt, the Jasmine S35 is one of the best, most affordable acoustic guitars you will find on the market.

The S35 has a dreadnought body shape and is made out of spruce and nato, which is very similar to mahogany and has similar properties. Mahogany is one of the best and most used woods, so it is definitely a plus.

As for tone, the Jasmine S35 has a very nice clear tone, a bit darker than most but with a very nice low end that makes it a great beginner acoustic guitar.

Kona K391-HSB Parlor Acoustic Guitar

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Specs:

• Top: Spruce
• Back and sides: Linden back & sides.
• Neck: Hardwood
• Bridge: Hardtail bridge
• Body finish: Honey burst
• Product dimensions: 40.2 x 15 x 4.4 inches

This one is a bit different than all of the other possible acoustic guitars for you. The reason is that the Kona K391-HSB is a parlor-sized guitar, which means that it has a smaller body than the typical dreadnought guitar. This will prove to be particularly helpful for younger beginner guitar players.

Apart from the obvious changes in size, the interesting thing about this parlor guitar is that the tone is affected by the size, making it more of a mid-range toned guitar with less low end. You might think this is not a good thing, but it makes it a fantastic guitar for fingerstyle playing and has been associated with blues and folk music. If that is your niche, I strongly recommend getting the Kona K391-HSB. It will also be the cheapest option on this whole list, so that might be a deciding factor for you.

The following video will show you how a parlor guitar sounds, with a little bit of history, added to it

Artall Acoustic Matte Sunset Cutaway Guitar

Specs:

• Top: Linden
• Back and sides: Linden with Black ABS
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Maple
• Bridge: Maple
• Body finish: Glossy finish
• Extras: Gig bag, tuner, strings, picks, strap.

The Artall Acoustic is a 41-inch full-size guitar with cutaway design. Its neck is thin and very comfortable to play with, which is always a plus for beginners. The thing I love most? It comes with all kinds of extras that are very much needed to play guitar. The package includes a guitar bag, a tuner, a pair of extra strings, picks, and a strap.

As for the tone, the Artall has a clear, full sound that is not too bright, not too dark. In honesty, the tone on this one is just good, where it makes it worth it because of all the extras added to it. This is one of those guitars that if you do progress in your journey you will switch for a better model.

Top Acoustic Guitars Under $150

Jameson Acoustic-Electric Cutaway Guitar

Specs:

• Top: Spruce
• Back and sides: Nato
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Bracing: Scalloped bracing
• Neck: Maple
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Tuners: Diecast enclosed tuners
• Body finish: High gloss red burst finish
• Electronics: Onboard pickup

Its design comes with a single-cutaway, which actually allows you to play a bit higher on the neck without any difficulties. It also gives it some aesthetic value to the guitar.

Talking about the sound, the Jameson Acoustic-Electric is actually very nice sounding. Its low end is not huge, but it is present enough to give it fullness and presence. Its highs give this guitar a very nice, sparkling tone. On top of that, this guitar comes with an EQ control for you to be able to do slight adjustments to your tone, which is very cool.

Squier SA-150

Specs:

• Top: Lindenwood
• Back and sides: Mahogany
• Fretboard Material: Maple
• Neck: Mahogany
• Bridge: Hardtail bridge
• Body finish: Natural finish

For those who don’t know, Squier is the inexpensive branch of the world-renowned company, Fender. Just by those standards, we can expect good-quality acoustic guitars. That is the case with the SA-150.

The Squier SA-150 is a full-size steel-string acoustic guitar with a dreadnought design (arguably the most popular design for acoustic guitars). The two most important aspects of the SA-150 are the robust design, which is perfect for withstanding the use and abuse a beginner guitar player or traveling musician would give to it. The SA-150 is a very durable guitar. The other aspect would be the slim neck, which makes it easier and much more comfortable for beginner fingers, which is a very important factor especially at the start of your musical journey.

As for the tone of the guitar, the SA-150 produces a very full and vibrant tone that has a very nice low end and enough brightness to make it sound like a pro guitar and at a very affordable price.

Ibanez IJV50 Acoustic Guitar

Specs:

• Top: Laminate Spruce
• Back and sides: Agathis
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany

Another fantastic guitar brand that is very well known for their electric guitars. This time, Ibanez took it to the next level and produced this top-notch acoustic guitar, the IJV50.

The great thing about this guitar and what makes it stand out is the fact that the IJV50 is a solid top, which organically makes guitars sound better and enables the wood to improve over time. In reality, if taken care of, this guitar will improve over the years, so it is a good investment if you are looking for something that will last for a long time!

As for the tone, the consistency and balance the IJV50 has, makes this guitar an overall great sounding one. Of course, there are better-sounding guitars out there, but for under $150; the IJV50 is an excellent choice for a beginner guitarist.

The last thing I’ll mention about the IJV50 is that its playability is really good and is very user-friendly for starting hands. It can be quite taxing on the body to learn to play an acoustic guitar. Ibanez took note of this and helped us get a very smooth acoustic guitar.

Glen Burton GA204BCO-BK

Specs:

• Top: Maple
• Back and sides: Basswood
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Catalpa

Let us start with the aesthetics of the Glen Burton GA204BCO-BK. The flamed finish in black (which is actually more of a gray) makes this guitar a very beautiful one. I really liked the combination of colors, including the cream lining on the guitar. This is, of course, a most unimportant part of the guitar, but it is still a nice addition.

Now, speaking on the tone, it is not the greatest by any means, but it is still a pretty balanced one and the guitar holds on its own in terms of playability and intonation. The sound is not too bright, not too dark.

Then why do I say this is probably the best option in this part of the list? Because the bundle it comes with is incredible. Including a gig bag, an extra set of strings, some picks, a strap, a digital clip-on tuner, and a 10-watt amplifier WITH a guitar cable, you literally have everything you will need to play!

My point with the Glen Burton GA204BCO-BK is that if you are looking for a package that gives you everything to start learning, knowing that in the future you might have to invest in a better guitar but you might not go that far, this package is the best deal for you.

Top Acoustic Guitars Under $200

Ibanez PC12MH Mahogany Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar

Specs:

• Top: Mahogany
• Back and sides: Mahogany
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany
• Bridge: Rosewood

One of their best-sellers for Ibanez low-budget acoustic guitars. The main reason comes from the fact that this whole guitar is made of mahogany, which gives it a very consistent and warm tone, not to mention aesthetically it is quite beautiful.

Another big difference with this guitar is that the Ibanez PC12MH’s size is a bit smaller than your normal dreadnought-style guitar. This will make the finger distance a bit easier for beginners and will also make the sound naturally a bit brighter. But not to worry, the tone in this guitar is pretty good.

If you take care of this guitar, it will be able to last you for quite a while. But if you are constantly taking it out on the road and using it, it will have a shorter lifespan.

At its price, we’d say that this is one of the best entry-level guitars that you could go for before spending a lot on a hobby you might not pursue

Fender FA-115 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Specs:

• Top: Laminated Spruce
• Back and sides: Basswood
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Bracing: X Bracing
• Neck: Maple
• Tuners: Die-Cast
• Finish: Gloss Polyurethane

Fender has been a top leading company for decades now and they are especially known and acclaimed for their electric guitars. However, they can also be admired for the quality of their acoustic guitars, including the low-budget ones. We can see this in their entry-level acoustic guitar, the Fender FA-115.

The other great thing to mention about the Fender FA-115 is that its sturdiness and durability make this a great guitar for people who want to go all over the place without having the risk of damaging their instrument. This is mainly because the FA-115 is made of laminated spruce top, which is a very durable combination of woods. A great guitar at a low cost.

Maintaining a very sweet tone, the biggest thing to appreciate on this guitar is how well it sounds for its price.

Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar

Specs:

• Top: Select spruce
• Back and sides: Mahogany
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany, glued

It is now Gibson’s low-budget branch, Epiphone, to take the spotlight. The DR-100 has been Epiphone’s best-selling low-budget acoustic guitar for some time now and we can relate this to the excellent combination of woods used on this guitar.

With a spruce top, combined with mahogany on the back and sides, and finishing it off with a rosewood fretboard, the tone in this guitar is amazingly good for the price. It has a quite warm tone but with a very present high end, which makes it an acoustic guitar of excellent quality.

Epiphone DR-100 is one of the best options you can find out there. It has an amazing, full-sounding tone. I think this is one guitar that you will definitely be satisfied with.

Yamaha FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar

Specs:

• Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
• Back and sides: Nato
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Nato
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Finish: High-gloss natural finish

Yamaha has been producing acoustic guitars for decades and the quality of its products has led them to become one of the top guitar manufacturers in the world. The Yamaha FG800 is a direct successor of the FG700, which is one of the most purchased acoustic guitars in history.

The Yamaha FG800 has some upgrades in quality that make it a better option than the FG700 and still at a reasonable price. The tone in this guitar is really good, very balanced, and with more presence and definition than most guitars in this price range. The low end is also very well balanced, giving it a lot of fullness to the sound.

Let us first mention that the Yamaha FG800 is also a solid top, which as we mentioned before, is something that really favors you if you are looking to invest in a guitar that will not only last you for a while but will potentially have its sound quality increase throughout the years.

Austin Guitars AA25-D Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar 

Specs:

• Top: Spruce
• Back and sides: Mahogany
• Fretboard Material: Techwood
• Neck: Mahogany
• Bridge: Rosewood

For over 20 years, UK-based manufacturer Austin Guitars has been producing top-of-the-line acoustic guitars. Ranging from low budget to high-end guitars, their level of quality can easily match that of big companies such as Fender, Gibson, or Ibanez.

The AA25-D is a dreadnought styled acoustic guitar that is mainly made of mahogany. It is actually somewhat rare to have a low-budget guitar that predominantly is just one wood, and to have it be mahogany is a great thing, especially for tone purposes.

A very light guitar with a crisp and clean sound that also has a quite slim neck and a soft fingerboard, which as I mentioned before, is great for beginner hands that need some time to adjust to the difficulties of playing chords.

Oscar Schmidt OG2CE

Specs:

• Top: Select Spruce
• Back and sides: Catalpa
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Finish: High-gloss natural finish (white)

This one is a real beauty! I particularly like this one for its aesthetic features. A white finish with “blueish” lining makes this a very elegant guitar. But don’t let that fool you into thinking that is the main feature of this guitar. The sound of the OG2CE is fantastic and incredibly versatile thanks to its active EQ system that will allow you to shape your tone.

The natural tone on this guitar is very full and with a very present low end. But again, the great thing about this guitar (which you will hear on the video) is that the active EQ system lets you make the tone much more mid-range or brighter without much low end, etc. The combinations are endless and the fact that the guitar in itself is great sounding makes the Oscar Schmidt OG2CE an excellent choice for any guitarists out there.

Kona K2 Acoustic-Electric Dreadnought Guitar 

Specs:

• Top: Spruce
• Back and sides: Mahogany
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Finish: High-gloss natural finish

The Kona K2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a particularly interesting option. The thin line design gives this guitar an electric guitar feel while still being an acoustic guitar. This is perfect for anyone who has had some experience playing electric guitar or wishes to get as close as possible to that but still actually getting an acoustic guitar. The advantage of the Kona K2 is that it is also equipped with an active EQ system, the EQ-505. A great way to shape your tone to your desire.

As for the tone, the Kona K2 has a particularly bright tone but without it being too aggressive to the ear. Not as much low end as in other guitars on this list, but it still has a very balanced tone and you always have the option of sharing it with the EQ-505.

The Kona K2 is a great option for anyone who wishes to transition from electric guitar to acoustic guitar or wants to get a close of a feel as possible to what an electric guitar would have.

Top Acoustic Guitars Under $300

Ibanez Talman TCM50

Specs:

• Top: Spruce
• Back and sides: Mahogany
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany
• Bridge: Rosewood

The first thing to mention is that the Talman TCM50 is another guitar that has the design made for you to come as close as possible to the feel an electric guitar would have. The bridge pickup combined with the spruce top and fully bound mahogany body produces a quite warm tone, which is something I particularly favored in this guitar.

The Talman TCM50 also comes with an active EQ system, which by now you have realized I really appreciate from an acoustic-electric guitar. Add to all of this that the aesthetic style of this guitar is more on the rock side of things, if you are a natural-born rocker, this might just be what you are looking for.

The Ibanez Talman TCM50 is a perfect option for those who love rock and wish to translate this to an acoustic guitar, trying to stay as close to the feel of an electric guitar.

Breedlove Discovery Concert Acoustic Guitar

Specs:

• Top: Sitka spruce
• Back and sides: Mahogany
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany

American guitar manufacturers Breedlove Guitars have been in the market since the 90s and placed themselves as one of the top guitar makers, especially their high-end models.

However, their Discovery series aimed to give the buyer a low-budget option that could still maintain their top quality. The result? The Breedlove Discovery Acoustic Guitar, which I must say is very well made for its price.

Constructed in China but assembled in the USA, the Breedlove Discovery uses materials such as Sitka spruce, and mahogany to give this guitar a very clean and bright tone that also offers plenty of warmth. Its low-end is not as present as in other guitars but it still has a quite balanced sound.

The Breedlove Discovery Concert Acoustic is an excellent choice for both beginners and intermediate players.

Fender FA235-E Concert Body Acoustic Guitar

Specs: 

• Top: Maple
• Back and sides: Laminated mahogany
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Rosewood
• Bridge: Rosewood

As we know, Fender is a reliable source when it comes down to good-quality guitars. Even their low-budget options are very much praised in the world of guitar reviews and the Fender FA 235-E is not the exception.

The FA 235-E comes in a beautiful flame finish that includes a maple top, laminated mahogany on the back and sides, and a rosewood bridge and fretboard, giving you a pretty nice sounding instrument.

As far as sound goes, it is equipped with a Fishman preamp that comes with an active EQ and a built-in tuner. The sound of the guitar in itself is pretty well balanced. The high end is not too aggressive and the low end is just enough to achieve a nice mellow tone.

If you are a beginner and plan to get an acoustic guitar that will become your friend on the road to becoming a professional guitar player, then definitely go with the FA-235E, because it has everything you might want from a mid-range acoustic guitar.

Ibanez AEG12IINT

Specs:

• Top: Mahogany solid top
• Back and sides: Mahogany
• Fretboard Material: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany
• Bridge: Rosewood

Ibanez AEG Series has gained popularity over the years due to its slender, single-cutaway designs that deliver powerful and balanced sounds and excellent playability.

The Ibanez AEG12IINT is an all-mahogany model, which gives you a very warm and rich tone with a lot of resonance and a very present low end. This one is also made with a solid top, which will continue to improve the sound over the years.

This guitar shines through its own acoustics and even though it also comes with an active EQ system, this guitar will sound much better unplugged. If you are looking for an acoustic guitar with a decent EQ, this one is a great choice for you.

Yamaha APX600

Specs:

• Top: Spruce top
• Back and sides: Three-ply Nato
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany
• Bridge: Rosewood

The Yamaha APX series has been in the market for over 20 years and one of the main components that gained them great popularity is their 25” scale length and narrower string spacing. This enhances the player to play with much more comfort, which in turn made their clients fall in love with it.

Another thing to mention from the Yamaha APX600 is their unique bracing pattern, which was designed to increase bass response, maximize body resonance, and give you a full, natural tone.

Finally, the cherry on top for the Yamaha APX600 is their piezo pickup system, which is an active 3-band EQ that enables you to modify your tone without losing all of the richness its natural tone already has.

Takamine GD-20 Acoustic Guitar

Specs:

• Top: Cedar Solid Top
• Back and sides: Mahogany
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany
• Bridge: Rosewood

Last but not least on this top acoustic guitars list, we have the Takamine GD-20 acoustic guitar. I will start by saying that along with both Yamaha models, this guitar would be my top pick from all of the guitars on this list. The quality of Japanese-based manufacturers, Takamine is indisputable and the GD-20 model is one of their most successful models in the market.

The great thing about the GD-20 is the combination of woods used. With a solid thick cedar top and mahogany back and sides, this guitar’s tone has crisp trebles, incredible warmth, and a great low-end presence, making it one of the best sounding guitars at an affordable price.

Add to all of this its slim neck made out of mahogany and a smooth rosewood fretboard, making its playability very comfortable for anyone looking to avoid any hand strains.

Conclusion

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a nice sounding guitar. There are many well-made, good quality, low-budget guitars out there, it is just a matter of taking your time to find the right guitar for you. Figure out which guitar sounds better to you, has the best deal for you (that includes what you need to start playing), and figure out which guitar just naturally feels like it’s the one you should have. I guarantee you, all of the ones on this list are top choices and you will not go wrong. Happy guitar hunting!

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Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API