Best Acoustic Violas Under $500 2026

Affordable acoustic violas under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Classical For Chamber Music For Orchestra For String Quartet For Baroque Music

BRANDS: Gewa Hidersine Scala Vilagio Stentor Karl Höfner Yamaha Alfred Stingl by Höfner

Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservatoire 14" - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservatoire 14"

by Stentor

Chamber Music Classical Baroque Music

Key Feature:

• Warm, mellow middle register

✓ PROS

• Unique tonal character
• Important orchestral section

✗ CONS

• Larger size than violin
• Limited solo repertoire

Stentor SR1551 Viola ConservatoireViolaSize: 14"Solid spruce topSolidbeautifully flamed maple backShellax...

⭐ 4.7/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 363233

$450

Buy at Thomann View Details

Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservatoire 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservatoire 15"

by Stentor

Baroque Music Chamber Music String Quartet

Key Feature:

• Warm, mellow middle register

✓ PROS

• Rich harmonic content
• Unique tonal character

✗ CONS

• Less popular than violin
• Expensive quality instruments

Stentor SR1551 Viola ConservatoireViolaSize: 15"Solid spruce topSolidbeautifully flamed maple backShellac...

⭐ 4.5/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 363232

$450

Buy at Thomann View Details

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 14" - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 14"

by Hidersine

Chamber Music String Quartet Classical

Key Feature:

• Warm, mellow middle register

✓ PROS

• Important orchestral section
• Rich harmonic content

✗ CONS

• Less popular than violin
• Limited solo repertoire

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 14"Viola Set 14"Solid selected spruce topSolid graphic flamed maple back and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 415827

$318

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 15" SC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 15" SC

by Gewa

Chamber Music Baroque Music Classical

Key Feature:

• Unique tonal character

✓ PROS

• Rich harmonic content
• Essential chamber music voice

✗ CONS

• Limited solo repertoire
• Expensive quality instruments

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 15" SCViola SetSize: 15" / 38.2 cmBack and sides made of solid European mapleTop...

⭐ 4.7/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 527339

$494

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 16,5" SC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 16,5" SC

by Gewa

Chamber Music Baroque Music String Quartet

Key Feature:

• Unique tonal character

✓ PROS

• Warm, mellow middle register
• Unique tonal character

✗ CONS

• Larger size than violin
• Expensive quality instruments

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 16.5" SCViola set 16.5" / 42 cmSolid European maple back and sidesSolid European...

⭐ 4.9/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 527344

$494

Buy at Thomann View Details

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 15,5"

by Hidersine

String Quartet Classical Baroque Music

Key Feature:

• Warm, mellow middle register

✓ PROS

• Unique tonal character
• Essential chamber music voice

✗ CONS

• Limited solo repertoire
• Less popular than violin

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 15.5"Viola Set 15.5"Solid selected spruce topSolid graphic flamed maple back and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 415830

$318

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 16,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 16,5"

by Gewa

Chamber Music Baroque Music Orchestra

Key Feature:

• Warm, mellow middle register

✓ PROS

• Rich harmonic content
• Important orchestral section

✗ CONS

• Less popular than violin
• Larger size than violin

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 16.5"Viola 16.5" / 42 cmSolid European spruce topSolid European maple back and...

⭐ 4.4/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 547321

$362

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 13" SC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 13" SC

by Gewa

Chamber Music Orchestra Classical

Key Feature:

• Unique tonal character

✓ PROS

• Important orchestral section
• Essential chamber music voice

✗ CONS

• Expensive quality instruments
• Less popular than violin

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 13" SCViola SetSize: 13" / 33 cmSolid European maple back and sidesSolid European...

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 527341

$461

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 12" SC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 12" SC

by Gewa

Baroque Music Chamber Music Classical

Key Feature:

• Important orchestral section

✓ PROS

• Essential chamber music voice
• Rich harmonic content

✗ CONS

• Expensive quality instruments
• Requires specific viola technique

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 12" SCViola SetSize: 12" / 31 cmBack and sides made of solid European mapleTop...

⭐ 4.8/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 527342

$494

Buy at Thomann View Details

Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservat. 16,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservat. 16,5"

by Stentor

Classical String Quartet Baroque Music

Key Feature:

• Warm, mellow middle register

✓ PROS

• Unique tonal character
• Rich harmonic content

✗ CONS

• Less popular than violin
• Larger size than violin

Stentor SR1551 Viola ConservatoireViolaSize: 16.5"Solid spruce topSolidbeautifully flamed maple backShellax...

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 363225

$450

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 5.0/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 15,5"

by Gewa

String Quartet Classical Baroque Music

Key Feature:

• Warm, mellow middle register

✓ PROS

• Important orchestral section
• Warm, mellow middle register

✗ CONS

• Larger size than violin
• Limited solo repertoire

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 15.5"Viola 15.5" / 39.5 cmSolid European spruce topSolid European maple back and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 547313

$362

Buy at Thomann View Details

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 13" - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.6/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 13"

by Hidersine

Classical String Quartet Chamber Music

Key Feature:

• Warm, mellow middle register

✓ PROS

• Important orchestral section
• Rich harmonic content

✗ CONS

• Limited solo repertoire
• Less popular than violin

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 13"Viola Set 13"Solid selected spruce topSolid graphic-flamed maple back and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 415826

$318

Buy at Thomann View Details

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.5/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 15"

by Hidersine

Baroque Music String Quartet Orchestra

Key Feature:

• Warm, mellow middle register

✓ PROS

• Essential chamber music voice
• Warm, mellow middle register

✗ CONS

• Less popular than violin
• Expensive quality instruments

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 15"Viola Set 15"Solid selected spruce topSolid graphic flamed maple back and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 415829

$318

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 14" SC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 14" SC

by Gewa

Chamber Music Baroque Music String Quartet

Key Feature:

• Important orchestral section

✓ PROS

• Important orchestral section
• Unique tonal character

✗ CONS

• Expensive quality instruments
• Limited solo repertoire

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 14" SCViola SetSize: 14" / 35.5 cmSolid European maple back and sidesSolid...

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 527340

$494

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 13" - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 13"

by Gewa

String Quartet Orchestra Classical

Key Feature:

• Rich harmonic content

✓ PROS

• Essential chamber music voice
• Important orchestral section

✗ CONS

• Limited solo repertoire
• Larger size than violin

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 13"Viola 13" / 33 cmSolid European spruce topSolid European maple back and sidesEbony...

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 547262

$362

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Acoustic Violas

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 violas 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.

Best Acoustic Violas Under $500 2026

Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservatoire 14"

Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservatoire 15"

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 14"

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 15" SC

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 16,5" SC

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 15,5"

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 16,5"

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 13" SC

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 12" SC

Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservat. 16,5"

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 15,5"

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 13"

Hidersine Vivente Viola Set 15"

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 14" SC

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola 13"

How to Choose the Best Acoustic Violas

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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