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Best Acoustic Violas Under $800 2026

Affordable acoustic violas under $800 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 14" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 14"

by Alfred Stingl by Höfner
Baroque Music Orchestra String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Less popular than violin

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 14"Viola SetSize: 14"Full solid violaLightly flamedGold-brown...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 547459
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15"

by Alfred Stingl by Höfner
Classical String Quartet Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Rich harmonic content
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15"Viola SetSize: 15"Full solid violaLightly flamedGold-brown...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 547456
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 16,5" OC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 16,5" OC

by Gewa
String Quartet Classical Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific viola technique
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 16.5" OCViola Set 16.5" / 42 cmWith viola case and carbon bowSolid European spruce...

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547325
$538
Buy at Thomann View Details
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 13" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 13"

by Alfred Stingl by Höfner
Orchestra Baroque Music String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Larger size than violin

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 13"Viola SetSize: 13"Solid violaLightly flamedGold-brown spirit...

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547462
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hidersine Piacenza Viola Set 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Hidersine Piacenza Viola Set 16"

by Hidersine
Classical String Quartet Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific viola technique
  • • Less popular than violin

Hidersine Piacenza Viola Set 16"Viola SetSize: 16"Selectedhand-carved solid spruce topSolid flamed maple...

⭐ 4.4/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 384256
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha VA 5S 16 Viola 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Yamaha VA 5S 16 Viola 16"

by Yamaha
Chamber Music Orchestra Classical
Key Feature:
• Rich harmonic content
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Larger size than violin

Yamaha VA 5S 16 Viola 16"ViolaSize: 16" (40.64 cm)Handmade viola from hand-picked woodsSolid spruce topSolid...

⭐ 4.5/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 111059
$655
Buy at Thomann View Details
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15,5"

by Alfred Stingl by Höfner
String Quartet Chamber Music Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Larger size than violin

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15.5"Viola SetSize: 15.5"Solid violaSlightly flamedGold-brown...

⭐ 4.9/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 547454
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 16" OC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 16" OC

by Gewa
Classical Baroque Music Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Essential chamber music voice
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 16" OCViola Set 16" / 40.8 cmWith viola case and carbon bowSolid European spruce...

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547319
$538
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 15,5" OC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 15,5" OC

by Gewa
Chamber Music Classical Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Gewa Allegro VA1 Viola Set 15.5" OCViola Set 15.5" / 39.5 cmWith viola case and carbon bowSolid European...

⭐ 4.7/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547315
$538
Buy at Thomann View Details
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 16"

by Alfred Stingl by Höfner
String Quartet Classical Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal character
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Larger size than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 16"Viola SetSize: 16"Solid violaLightly flamedGold-brown spirit...

⭐ 4.4/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547452
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hidersine Piacenza Viola Set 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Hidersine Piacenza Viola Set 15,5"

by Hidersine
String Quartet Orchestra Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Hidersine Piacenza Viola Set 15.5"Viola SetSize: 15.5"Selectedhand-carved solid spruce topSolid flamed maple...

⭐ 4.9/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 384257
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha VA 5S 155 Viola 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Yamaha VA 5S 155 Viola 15,5"

by Yamaha
Baroque Music Orchestra Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Larger size than violin

Yamaha VA 5S 155 Viola 15ViolaSize: 15.5" (39.37 cm)Handmade viola from hand-picked woodsSolid spruce topSolid...

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 111058
$637
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Maestro 6 Viola 15,5'' - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Gewa Maestro 6 Viola 15,5''

by Gewa
Baroque Music String Quartet Classical
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal character
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Larger size than violin
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Gewa Maestro 6 Viola 15.5''Viola 15.5'' / 39.5 cmSolid maple back and sidesSolid spruce topWell...

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547483
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha VA 5S 15 Viola 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Yamaha VA 5S 15 Viola 15"

by Yamaha
Orchestra Baroque Music Classical
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific viola technique
  • • Less popular than violin

Yamaha VA 5S 15 Viola 15"ViolaSize: 15" (38.10 cm)Handmade viola from hand-selected woodSolid spruce topSolid...

⭐ 5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 111057
$615
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Maestro 6 Viola 16'' - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gewa Maestro 6 Viola 16''

by Gewa
Chamber Music Baroque Music Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Larger size than violin
  • • Less popular than violin

Gewa Maestro 6 Viola 16''Viola 16'' / 40.8 cmSolid maple back and sidesSolid spruce topWell flamed...

⭐ 4.8/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 547485
$714
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.

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