AudioFu

Best Banjos 2026

Top-rated banjos 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 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 Bluegrass For Country For Folk For Traditional Music For Celtic For Americana
BRANDS: Gold Tone Deering Harley Benton Ortega Gewa Richwood
Gold Tone CC-Carlin 12 LH 5-str.Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Gold Tone CC-Carlin 12 LH 5-str.Banjo

by Gold Tone
Bluegrass Folk Country
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Gold Tone CC-Carlin 12 LH 5-str.Banjo5-string banjoLefthand / left-handed modelNeck: MapleFingerboard: Selected...

⭐ 5.0/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 513071
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone High Moon HM-100 Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Gold Tone High Moon HM-100 Banjo

by Gold Tone
Celtic Americana Folk
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Gold Tone High Moon HM-100 Banjo5-String BanjoNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: Ebony12" Brass hoopsRim 12":...

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564446
$2,177
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Earl Scruggs Golden Deluxe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Epiphone Earl Scruggs Golden Deluxe

by Epiphone
Country Celtic Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • Tuning can be challenging
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Epiphone Earl Scruggs Golden Deluxe5-String BanjoInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionResonator and rim:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 588318
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone CC-100R 5 String Banjo Left - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Gold Tone CC-100R 5 String Banjo Left

by Gold Tone
Folk Americana Celtic
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Gold Tone CC-100R 5 String Banjo Left5-string resonator banjoLefthand / left-handed modelCripple creek seriesNeck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 512781
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone CC-Tenor Banjo w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Gold Tone CC-Tenor Banjo w/Bag

by Gold Tone
Bluegrass Celtic Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Gold Tone CC-Tenor Banjo w/BagTenor BanjoNeck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodRim: 11" multi-ply mapleHead: 11" Remo...

⭐ 4.8/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 537998
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone CC-Irish Tenor Cripple Creek - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Gold Tone CC-Irish Tenor Cripple Creek

by Gold Tone
Folk Americana Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Traditional American instrument
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Tuning can be challenging
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Gold Tone CC-Irish Tenor Cripple CreekTenor BanjoNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodRim: MapleTonering: BrassHead:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585989
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMB-904 Tenor Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Richwood RMB-904 Tenor Banjo

by Richwood
Americana Celtic Folk
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments

Richwood RMB-904 Tenor Banjo4-String Tenor BanjoNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyRim: AluminiumHead: 11" Remo...

⭐ 4.4/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 515920
$417
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Boston 6 String A/E Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Deering Boston 6 String A/E Banjo

by Deering
Country Celtic Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Deering B6 Boston Acoustic/Electric6-String Banjo with PickupResonator: MahoganyHead: 11" Frosted Top Medium Crown...

⭐ 4.9/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 268497
$3,079
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Boston 6 String Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Deering Boston 6 String Banjo

by Deering
Celtic Bluegrass Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Deering Boston 6 String Banjo6-String BanjoResonator: MahoganyHead: 11" Frosted Top Medium Crown Head (article no....

⭐ 4.6/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 205932
$2,639
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Goodtime Six-R w/ Kavanjo PU - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Deering Goodtime Six-R w/ Kavanjo PU

by Deering
Folk Country Americana
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Deering Goodtime Six-R w/ Kavanjo PU6-String Banjo with PickupNeck: MapleFingerboard: Pau FerroRim: 11" 3-ply...

⭐ 5.0/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 440388
$1,484
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Mastertone Classic Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Epiphone Mastertone Classic Banjo

by Epiphone
Americana Country Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Epiphone Mastertone Classic Banjo5-String BanjoInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionResonator: Mahagoni...

⭐ 4.9/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588310
$1,029
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Goodtime 6 Banjo 11" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Deering Goodtime 6 Banjo 11"

by Deering
Celtic Traditional Music Folk
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing techniques
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments

Deering Goodtime 6 Banjo 11"6-String BanjoStandard guitar tuningOpen back3-Piece 11" (28 cm) violin-grade...

⭐ 5.0/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 395024
$853
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Goodtime Two Banjo Lefth. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Deering Goodtime Two Banjo Lefth.

by Deering
Americana Folk Country
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Deering Goodtime Two Deco Banjo Lefth., 5-String BanjoWith resonator for a brighter and louder sound. Easy to play with...

⭐ 4.8/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601042
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone IT-250-F Irish Tenor Banjo w/C - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Gold Tone IT-250-F Irish Tenor Banjo w/C

by Gold Tone
Traditional Music Celtic Country
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing techniques
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Gold Tone IT-250-F Irish Tenor Banjo w/C4-String Irish Banjo3-Ply maple rim14" Mahogany resonator11" Remo...

⭐ 4.5/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 486666
$1,969
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone CB-100 Clawhammer Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gold Tone CB-100 Clawhammer Banjo

by Gold Tone
Bluegrass Folk Celtic
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing techniques
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Gold Tone CB-100 Clawhammer Banjo5-String BanjoNeck: MapleMaple rimFretboard: BlackwoodBrass tone ringScale: 665 mmNut...

⭐ 4.6/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 464233
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Banjos

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 banjos 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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