Best Acoustic Cellos 2026
Top-rated acoustic cellos 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Anton Stöhr & Sohn Faszination Cello Strad. Sup.
Classical
Orchestra
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Versatile across musical periods
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral voice
- • Versatile across musical periods
✗ CONS
- • Heavy and awkward to transport
- • Requires proper setup and maintenance
Anton Stöhr & Sohn Faszination Cello Strad. Sup.CelloSize: 4/4Stradivari Superior modelMade by master violin maker...
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 565258
$13,750
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Stefan Semmlinger Orchestra No.2 Cello 4/4
Contemporary Classical
Chamber Music
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
- • Rich, warm lower register
- • Versatile across musical periods
✗ CONS
- • Requires proper setup and maintenance
- • Heavy and awkward to transport
Stefan Semmlinger Orchestra No.2 Cello 4/4CelloSize: 4/4Semmlinger Stradivari family modelMade in GermanyTonewood...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 595035
$19,690
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Lothar Semmlinger No. 133A Antiqued Cello 4/4
Solo Performance
Chamber Music
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Expressive bowing techniques
✓ PROS
- • Expressive bowing techniques
- • Versatile across musical periods
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to climate changes
- • Expensive quality instruments
Lothar Semmlinger No. 133A Antiqued Cello 4/4CelloSize: 4/4Stradivari styleFinest solid spruce topMaple backSides and...
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 389837
$4,389
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Scala Vilagio Bohemia Performance Cello 7/8
Orchestra
Contemporary Classical
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Expressive bowing techniques
✓ PROS
- • Versatile across musical periods
- • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
- • Heavy and awkward to transport
- • Advanced technique required
Scala Vilagio Bohemia Performance Cello 7/8CelloSize: 7/8Scale: 66.5 cmSelected first-class solid spruce topDistinctive...
⭐
4.9/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 586738
$3,619
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Scala Vilagio PSH05 Solo Cello Guarneri
Solo Performance
Chamber Music
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
- • Rich, warm lower register
- • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
- • Expensive quality instruments
- • Advanced technique required
Scala Vilagio PSH05 Solo Cello GuarneriConcert CelloSize: 4/4Guarneri modelMade in Germany by Peter Siegfried Heffler...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 478919
$12,089
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Lothar Semmlinger No. 135A Antiqued Cello 7/8
Chamber Music
Contemporary Classical
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral voice
- • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to climate changes
- • Heavy and awkward to transport
Lothar Semmlinger No. 135A Antiqued Cello 7/8Cello in Antique FinishSize: 7/8Scale: 66 cmMaster instrumentStradivari...
⭐
4.9/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586816
$7,689
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Lothar Semmlinger No. 135A Antiqued Cello 4/4
Chamber Music
Solo Performance
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Expressive bowing techniques
✓ PROS
- • Rich, warm lower register
- • Expressive bowing techniques
✗ CONS
- • Requires proper setup and maintenance
- • Expensive quality instruments
Lothar Semmlinger No. 135A Antiqued Cello 4/4CelloMaster instrumentStradivari styleFinest solid spruce topVery good...
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 389835
$7,139
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Roth & Junius RJC Cello Set 4/4
Solo Performance
Classical
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm lower register
✓ PROS
- • Expressive bowing techniques
- • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
- • Heavy and awkward to transport
- • Requires proper setup and maintenance
Roth & Junius RJC Cello Set 4/4CelloSize: 4/4Built completely out of solid woodSolid spruce topSolid maple...
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 225805
$604
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Rainer W. Leonhardt No. 60/1 Master Cello 4/4
Contemporary Classical
Classical
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Versatile across musical periods
✓ PROS
- • Versatile across musical periods
- • Rich, warm lower register
✗ CONS
- • Heavy and awkward to transport
- • Advanced technique required
Rainer W. Leonhardt No. 60/1 Master Cello 4/4Master CelloSize: 4/4Made from high-quality matured tonewoodsSolid spruce...
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 416561
$8,690
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Lothar Semmlinger No. 133A Antiqued Cello 7/8
Solo Performance
Contemporary Classical
Classical
Key Feature:
• Versatile across musical periods
✓ PROS
- • Rich, warm lower register
- • Versatile across musical periods
✗ CONS
- • Advanced technique required
- • Sensitive to climate changes
Lothar Semmlinger No. 133A Antiqued Cello 7/8Cello in Antique FinishSize: 7/8Scale: 66 cmStradivari styleSolid spruce...
⭐
4.7/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586812
$4,829
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Cello An/Bw
Classical
Chamber Music
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm lower register
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral voice
- • Expressive bowing techniques
✗ CONS
- • Heavy and awkward to transport
- • Requires proper setup and maintenance
Roth & Junius Orchestra Cello Antiqued BwCelloSize: 4/4Solid spruce topSolidslightly flamed maple backPegs and...
⭐
4.9/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610158
$1,749
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Cello MO2 4/4
Chamber Music
Contemporary Classical
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral voice
- • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to climate changes
- • Heavy and awkward to transport
Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Cello MO2 4/4CelloSize: 4/4Montagnana modelSolid spruce topBeautifully flamed solid maple...
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 569110
$7,909
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Hidersine Vivente Academy Cello Set 4/4
by
Hidersine
Orchestra
Classical
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm lower register
✓ PROS
- • Expressive bowing techniques
- • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
- • Expensive quality instruments
- • Sensitive to climate changes
Hidersine Vivente Academy Cello Set 4/4Cello SetSize: 4/4Solid selected spruce topSolid "graphic flamed"...
⭐
5.0/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 571222
$1,154
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Anton Stöhr & Sohn Faszination Cello Strad. ***
Chamber Music
Orchestra
Classical
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
- • Wide dynamic range capability
- • Rich, warm lower register
✗ CONS
- • Expensive quality instruments
- • Heavy and awkward to transport
Anton Stöhr & Sohn Faszination Cello Strad. ***CelloSize: 4/4Stradivari modelSound adjustment by master luthier...
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 571051
$10,978
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Cello Set A/E
Chamber Music
Classical
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
- • Versatile across musical periods
- • Rich, warm lower register
✗ CONS
- • Expensive quality instruments
- • Sensitive to climate changes
Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Cello Set A/E*Bundle offer comprising*, Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Cello...
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610164
$1,804
How to Choose the Best Acoustic Cellos
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced acoustic cellos typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
