The Best Acoustic Guitar Under $500 in 2024 [An Expert Review]

What’s the best acoustic guitar under $500 for you?

There are a lot of bad acoustic guitars out there.

You don’t want to get stuck with a low-quality instrument that will make you hate playing guitar or, even worse, discourage you from learning altogether.

Looking for the best budget guitar can often be intimidating with all the options and create anxiety around which one will suit you best.

However, you’re in the right place!

I’ve found the best acoustic guitars under $500 for every style and budget, so you can quickly learn to play without breaking the bank or your fingers.

For those short on time, I’ve concluded that Taylor’s Big Baby Taylor is the best option for most people.

However, there are plenty of other great options so let’s begin!

Editor’s note: We will choose guitars in the $300 to $500 price range. Please refer to my article here if you want to find the best acoustic guitars under $300.

The Best Acoustic Guitars Under $500 in 2024 at a Glance

• Editors Choice: 
  Taylor Big Baby Taylor BBT
• Best Value for Money: 
  Fender CD-140SCE
• Best for Budget: 
  Yamaha FG830
• Best for Recording: 
  Guild D-240e
• Best for Gigging: 
  Ibanez AEWC32FM
• Best for Fingerstyle: 
  Alvarez AP66
• Best for Flatpicking and Strumming: 
  Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
• Best for Kids: 
  Martin LXK2 Little Martin Koa

Taylor Guitars Big Baby Taylor is the big brother of the best-selling Baby Taylor. It’s a full-length, shrunken dreadnought acoustic guitar.

It’s technically part of Taylor’s travel guitars, but it plays and sounds like a full-sized guitar.

This guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top and layered walnut back and sides. The resonance on this guitar and depth of tone is surprising for a guitar of this size and price.

The first thing I noticed after hearing this guitar strummed was how well balanced all the strings are and the modern and glassy sheen of the high-end.

Often with other guitars in the <$500 price range, the tone can be unbalanced and boxy sounding. This isn’t the case with the Big Baby Taylor.

The guitar is extremely comfortable in arm with a shallow body depth. The ebony fretboard makes for that classic “buttery” playability for the fretting hand.

The Big Baby Taylor can be purchased with electronics; however, the guitar price would be over $500 (check price here).

This guitar is an excellent purchase for a wide range of guitar players, such as:

• Kids, female guitar players, or anyone with smaller frames
• Intermediate to advanced players looking for a great travel guitar
• A step-up guitar for those wanting a better-sounding guitar without breaking the bank

Overall, the Taylor Big Baby is a great acoustic guitar for most playing styles and skill levels. With its high-quality construction, beautiful and balanced sound, and easy playability, you won’t be disappointed in purchasing this guitar.

For an in-depth look at what Taylor Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Best Taylor Acoustic Guitars For All Styles and Budgets“

Fender is the world’s largest guitar manufacturer. Although Fender is most famous for its electric guitars, Fender’s acoustic guitars are quickly becoming known as some of the best beginner and intermediate guitars on the market.

The Fender CD-140SCE is a well-built, beautiful all-rounder dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar. It features electronics for amplification and includes a hardshell case (this is rare for this price point!).

This guitar features a solid spruce top, scalloped X-bracing, and laminated Ovangkol back and sides.

Although solid wood soundboards are not durable as laminated tops, they offer better dynamics and a richer tone. The scalloped X-bracing will increase the guitar’s flexibility and resonance, resulting in longer note sustain.

This acoustic guitar also features modern design elements like nubone nut and saddle, which will help with the intonation and tuning of the guitar. While the cutaway allows for easier access to the upper frets when playing.

Fender also designed the neck to be easy to play for inexperienced players with a slightly shorter-scale neck (25.3”) and narrower nut width (1.692”).

This means practically for you as a potential buyer is there will be less string tension making it easier to fret and pick. The narrower nut will also make it more comfortable for people with smaller hands.

The CD-140SCE comes with Fishman electronics and an onboard tuner, so you will be able to plugin quickly and play at your local coffee shop or venue.

While this isn’t the best-sounding guitar on the list and isn’t the most “vibey,” it is the most practical guitar option for under $500.

All in all, the Fender CD-140SCE is a well-built, great-sounding, easy-to-play acoustic guitar that comes with electronics and a hardshell case.

You can’t go wrong.

For an in-depth look at what Fender Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Ultimate Guide to the Best Fender Acoustic Guitars”

Suppose you’re a beginner guitar player looking for a well-crafted, solid-sounding guitar. In that case, the Yamaha FG830 is a great choice.

This affordable acoustic guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped bracing that is rare to find for this price point.

Solid wood has a deeper tone, better dynamic range, and will sound better as the guitar ages.

What makes this such an excellent guitar for beginners is the neck design. The neck has a shallow tapering radius, narrower nut-width (1.68”), and a satin finish.

What does this mean for you as a player? Your hand will quickly move up and down the neck without feeling “sticky,” it won’t feel bulky, and playing open chords will take less stretching of your fingers.

This guitar is very playable and will allow new players to grow their skills without being held back by sound or design. In fact, you can develop as a player with this guitar into an intermediate player before wanting/needing to upgrade to a more high-end acoustic guitar.

Also, there are excellent design elements on the Yamaha FG830, like the abalone rosette and cream binding that gives the guitar an elegant and classic look.

Although the construction of this guitar is better than most others in the $300-$400 price range, the downsides are that the tone sounds flat compared to some of the others on this list. Also, the factory setup leaves a little to be desired.

All in all, the Yamaha FG830 is one of the best acoustic guitars under $500, and you won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for your first “real” guitar.

For an in-depth look at what Yamaha Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Best Yamaha Acoustic Guitar for All Skill Levels and Playing Styles“

The Guild D-240 is one of the best-sounding acoustic guitars on this list. For that reason, It’s a beautiful guitar to record with.

Guild has built a guitar with a solid Sitka spruce top, scalloped X-bracing, and arched mahogany back. This combination produces an acoustic that has excellent projection and sustain. Chords are surprisingly balanced on the Guild D-240e, and the low-end is tight and focused.

This acoustic guitar is versatile and will perform well whether you’re strumming or playing fingerstyle.

Some challenges of home recording are ambient noises and proper mic placement. The Guild D-240e comes equipped with AP-1 Piezo pickups, so you can plug in directly to your audio interface to record your guitar.

While you won’t get the full tone, the acoustic guitar produces by plugging indirectly; these electronics are surprisingly good for the price range.

While piezo pickups often have a “quacky” sound, I found these pickups to be reasonably balanced and accurate to the guitar’s sound.

Even though I’m recommending this as the best acoustic for recording, it also is a beautiful gigging guitar for the reasons stated previously.

On top of these remarkable qualities, this guitar looks fantastic. The natural satin finish with tortoise pickguard gives it a classic look that will never go out of style.

Suppose you’re looking for an acoustic guitar with a rich, balanced tone and outstanding construction that records well. In that case, the Guild D-240e won’t disappoint!

Suppose you’re primarily an electric guitar player and looking for one of the best acoustic guitars under $500 to transition to the stage with. In that case, the Ibanez AEWC32FM is the instrument for you!

Ibanez is a brand that is known for the electric guitars that shred. They have brought this design aesthetic and alternative playability into the AEWC32FM with its skinny body, slightly shorter scale length, and fast-playing neck.

The guitar also features larger frets than most acoustic guitars on this list, making the playability great for alternative styles, lead lines, and tapping.

The body construction is laminated Flamed Maple and laminated Sapele back and sides. Often laminated construction is thought of as inferior to a solid wood design. However, laminated guitars are a lot more durable. This is a positive for a guitar you travel and gig with.

In addition, most of the guitar’s mojo and character come from having it plugged in through its Fishman Sonicore pickup system. You aren’t relying on the natural resonance as much, so the laminated construction does not deter from the sound/playability of this acoustic-electric guitar.

However, because of all these factors mentioned, this is not the best acoustic for a rich, full tone that other acoustic guitars offer on this list.

All in all, if you’re searching for an alternative, fast-playing acoustic guitar for live performances, the Ibanez AEWC32FM should be on your shortlist!

For an in-depth look at what Ibanez Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Best Ibanez Acoustic Guitars for the Alternative Musician“

A great fingerstyle guitar should be expressive, intimate, and hit you in the heart with its tone.

The Alvarez AP66 ticks all of these boxes. It features a solid mahogany top and laminated mahogany back and sides. This combination of woods creates a warm, rich, and woody sound with minimal overtones.

These tonewoods and the parlor shape give the guitar a worn-in, intimate sound that is perfect for playing by a campfire or lounging around on your couch.

This small body acoustic guitar also features hand-shaven, forward-shifted scalloped bracing, which allows the soundboard to resonate more freely. This makes the guitar sing with a lighter touch and less input from you as a guitar player.

The 12-fret construction with the extremely short-scale (24”) reduces string tension and gives the guitar a ”slinky” playability. This makes it an excellent guitar for fingerstyle players, beginning players, and those with arthritis in their hands.

This acoustic guitar can be purchased with electronics; however, this would put the guitar above our $500 threshold.

Another drawback to the Alvarez AP66 compared to other acoustic guitars on this list is its particular sound. It’s very vintage, vibey, and organic. This makes the guitar not an excellent choice for players looking for versatility and an “all-rounder guitar.”

However, suppose you’re looking for the best acoustic guitar with fantastic playability, an intimate vibe, and excellent construction. In that case, the AP66 will exceed your expectations for a guitar at this price point.

To discover some other great fingerstyle guitars, check out my article “The Best Fingerstyle Guitars for Acoustic Players and Songwriters” today!

Sometimes you’re looking for a guitar that isn’t subtle and oozes character and vintage tone. Well, Epiphone has you covered with the replica of one of Gibson Acoustic Guitars’ most famous models, the Hummingbird.

The Epiphone Hummingbird simply looks beautiful. With its classic hummingbird pickguard, split parallelogram fret inlays, solid spruce top with cherry sunburst, and mahogany back and sides.

The square-shouldered dreadnought body style emphasizes the low-end and midrange giving the guitar a big, bold, and projecting tone. The high-end rolls off and has a vintage tone characteristic of the Gibson/Epiphone line of musical instruments.

The Hummingbird Studio also features a slightly shorter scale length (24.75”) and narrower bridge nut width (1.683”), making this dreadnought guitar easier for beginners and those with smaller hands.

While the mahogany neck has a radius of (12”) which can feel slightly bulky for some players, it does taper as you move up the neck thanks to the Slim Taper D-shaped neck design.

A Fishman Piezo pickup is included with this guitar, so you can plug in and play and bring the classic Epiphone look to your next gig. Fishman is an excellent brand of electronics and pickups. However, this pickup does suffer a bit from the classic piezo “quack” that happens with some lower-end acoustic-electric guitar models.

All in all, if you’re looking for a guitar that looks beautiful, and can handle some heavy strumming and project across a room, then the Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a guitar that won’t disappoint!

For an in-depth look at what Epiphone Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Best Epiphone Acoustic Guitars for all Budgets and Players“

While it may be more popular as a travel guitar, the Martin LXK2 Little Martin Koa is an excellent guitar for kids to learn.

Koa looks great, and the high-pressure laminate construction makes the guitar extremely durable. So when your kid inevitably drops it or hits it against the corner of a door, it is likely to survive to see another day.

Also, Martin is known for creating high-quality instruments that sound great. The Little Martin Koa is no exception and carries almost two centuries of Martin’s expertise into the design.

Another plus of the Little Martin Koa is thanks to its smaller design, it won’t project as loudly. So as your little one is learning, you don’t have to worry about hearing them practice the same thing repeatedly if they are in another room.

If you’re looking for a beautiful guitar that your kids will have an easy time playing, it isn’t an eyesore and is very durable, then the Martin LXK2 Little Martin Koa is a great choice!

For an in-depth look at what Martin Acoustic Guitars has to offer, please read my article “The Best Martin Acoustic Guitars for the Tone-Obsessed Player“

Also, if you’re in the market for a guitar for your kid, then you should check out my articles:

• The Best 1/4 Size Guitars for Toddlers (3-6) in 2024
• The Best 1/2 Size Guitar for Your Musical Kiddo (6-8) in 2024
• The 9 Best 3/4 Acoustic Guitars (8-12) in 2024

Buyers Guide

I’m confident that most players will find a great guitar from one of the recommendations on my list.

Still, I don’t want to discourage readers from doing their research because numerous companies make quality budget acoustic instruments worth checking out.

I’ve put up a list of criteria and factors to assist you in your research so that you can make an educated decision based on your specific needs as a guitar player.

Body Shape

The body style is the first thing to consider when looking for an acoustic guitar.

While the dreadnought body shape is the most popular among budget guitars, you may find alternative body shapes that are better suited to your needs.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common you will find:

• Parlor: Woody and vintage charm. Great for blues and rustic folk/country musicians
• Concert (0): Great for fingerstyle and intimate performances
• Grand Concert (00): Ideal for recording with its well-balanced, articulate tone
• Grand Auditorium (000): The most versatile body style that does all things well
• Dreadnought: Loud, projecting tone. It has a big low-end and can cut through a dense mix
• Jumbo: Big, boisterous, and well-balanced. This body style is built to perform

Many different body types are available on the market, but they typically alter one of these basic shapes.

Tonewood

Tonewoods significantly impact your musical instrument’s sound, playability, and price.

The most critical tonewood will be your instrument’s soundboard (top wood). Most guitars in the $300-$500 price range will begin to offer solid tops.

Solid tonewood resonates better and will sound better with age. The two most common top woods you will find in this price range are:

• Spruce
• Mahogany 

Solid spruce is the most popular tonewood for acoustic construction. It has a tremendous dynamic range and is balanced and very articulate.

Solid mahogany has a more worn-in and vintage vibe to it. It tends to be more midrange-focused and not as dynamic and bright as spruce.

Laminates

Using laminate construction for the back and sides of a guitar is pretty much a certainty with budget guitars.

Laminate is cheaper to build with than solid tonewood.

It is often considered inferior in terms of resonance and depth of sound.

However, laminate is more durable than solid wood. It is an excellent option for people who travel with their guitars and players who live in areas with lots of weather changes.

One of the issues with solid tonewood is that it can easily crack and warp with humidity change. So laminated construction is an excellent way to go if you leave your guitar out on a stand or wall mount and don’t want to worry about maintenance.

Electronics and Pickup System

As you get into acoustic guitars in the $300 to $500 range, you will see a lot more equipped with electronics and pickups for plugging in directly to an audio interface, PA system, or amp.

However, most pickup systems at this price range aren’t going to be great. They will have that unflattering and thin “quacky” sound often associated with bad plugged-in acoustic instruments.

Not all electronics are bad, and the guitars on my list that come with electronics often are better than average.

It’s good to know that if you find a guitar without electronics in this price range, you will often get a guitar that punches well above its weight.

Scale Length

If you take the measurement from the bridge nut to the twelfth fret and double it, you will get the guitar’s scale length.

But you might be wondering, why does scale length matter?

Scale length can change the string tension and tonality of a guitar. A shorter scale creates less string tension, making the guitar have a more “slinky” playability.

Anything greater than 25 inches in scale length is a full-scale guitar.

Full-scale is the most common scale length for acoustic guitars, and there is nothing wrong with it. Just be aware that if you are a beginner or someone with arthritis in your hands, a shorter-scale length (between 24” and 25”) will be much easier for you to play.

Nut Width

Nut width is the neck measurement where the headstock and fingerboard meet.

Standard nut widths are:

• Small: 1.61 inches (1 11/18”)
• Average: 1.73 inches ( 1 3/4”)
• Large: 1.875 inches (1 7/8”)

If you’re a beginner or have small hands, look for a small to medium nut width guitar.

If you have big hands or want to play more fingerstyle, go with a medium to large nut width.

Neck Radius

The neck radius of a guitar impacts how comfortable a guitar feels in your hand.

A thicker 7″-9″ neck radius might feel more comfortable for chord playing but not as pleasant for scale playing.

On the other hand, a larger 16″ neck radius will feel more like an electric guitar neck and allow you to “shred” your instrument with greater ease.

Most of the guitars on my list are designed with the beginner to intermediate player in mind. Often manufacturers will choose a neck profile that isn’t super bulky and comfortable for a wide range of beginner to intermediate players.

Gig Bag

You would think that every guitar would come with some sort of gig bag or case. This, however, isn’t always true.

You should always have a gig bag or case to store your instrument. So double-check that the guitar you are looking at purchasing comes with one, or you might be spending extra to get one.

FAQ

The most common questions about the best acoustic guitars under $500.

To Recap

Your guitar is an investment. It should serve you well for years and inspire you every time you pick it up. You deserve a high-quality instrument that will last many years of playing.

For that reason, my choice for the best acoustic guitar under $500 is the Big Baby Taylor.