Best Banjos 2026
Top-rated banjos 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Gold Tone AC-5 5 String Resonator Banjo
by
Gold Tone
Traditional Music
Bluegrass
Folk
Key Feature:
• Traditional American instrument
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through band mix well
- • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
Gold Tone AC-5 5 String Resonator Banjo5-String BanjoNeck: MapleFiretboard: BlackwoodRim: CompositeHead: 11" Remo...
⭐
4.4/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 460926
$527
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Deering C-5 Calico
by
Deering
Celtic
Folk
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
- • Traditional American instrument
- • Essential bluegrass sound
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Tuning can be challenging
Deering C-5 Calico5-String Banjo3-Ply maple rimDeering 06-20 bronze tone ringNeck and resonator made of flamed...
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 243123
$4,949
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Deering Sierra 5-String
by
Deering
Celtic
Folk
Country
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
- • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
Deering Sierra 5-String5-String BanjoFlagship model of Deering banjosSierra modelBody: American mahoganyNeck:...
⭐
4.4/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 205935
$3,079
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
#5
⭐
5.0/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Deering Goodtime Six-R
by
Deering
Country
Traditional Music
Celtic
Key Feature:
• Traditional American instrument
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through band mix well
- • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
- • Limited tonal versatility
Deering Goodtime Six-R, 6-String BanjoSimilar to the popular Goodtime Six open back banjobut with some added...
⭐
5.0/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 440378
$1,099
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Ortega OBJ350/6-SBK
by
Ortega
Americana
Celtic
Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
- • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Tuning can be challenging
Ortega OBJ350/6-SBKBanjoDesign: 6-StringNeck: NyatohFretboard: OvangkolResonator: MahoganyRim: AluminiumArmrest:...
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 346334
$450
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Deering Sierra 5-String Banjo Maple
by
Deering
Celtic
Country
Americana
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
- • Great for fast picking techniques
- • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
- • Requires specific playing techniques
- • May not suit all musical styles
Deering Sierra 5-String Banjo Maple5-String BanjoFlagship model of the Deering banjosBody: American mapleNeck:...
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 269794
$2,748
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Gold Tone OB-3 Prewar Banjo
by
Gold Tone
Folk
Americana
Country
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
- • Traditional American instrument
- • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
Gold Tone OB-3 Prewar Banjo5-String Prewar BanjoNeck: MahoganyFretboard: Selected woodVintage pearloid fretboard...
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 466089
$2,199
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Gold Tone Dojo DLX Banjo
by
Gold Tone
Celtic
Bluegrass
Americana
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
- • Great for fast picking techniques
- • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Limited tonal versatility
Gold Tone Dojo DLX Banjo5Sstring Dojo Banjo with PickupTop: Flamed mapleBack and sides: Flamed mapleNeck:...
⭐
5.0/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 466050
$1,539
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Gold Tone Bluegrass 5 String Banjo Set
by
Gold Tone
Traditional Music
Country
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through band mix well
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Tuning can be challenging
Gold Tone Bluegrass 5 String Banjo Set5-String Cripple Creek Banjo SetNeck: MapleFingerboard: BlackwoodRim:...
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 460931
$659
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Ortega OBJ750-MA
by
Ortega
Country
Celtic
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
- • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Limited tonal versatility
Ortega OBJ750-MA5-String Banjo3-Ply solid maple bodyFlamed maple resonatorCoated Remo heatHard maple neckRosewood...
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610353
$1,209
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Deering Goodtime 17-Fret Tenor
by
Deering
Bluegrass
Folk
Country
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through band mix well
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Limited tonal versatility
Deering Goodtime 17-Fret Tenor4-String Tenor BanjoBuild: Open BackBirch and maple rimSlim maple neckFretboard: Maple17...
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 205942
$714
#13
⭐
4.4/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Deering Goodtime Banjo
by
Deering
Bluegrass
Folk
Americana
Key Feature:
• Traditional American instrument
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
- • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
- • Requires specific playing techniques
Deering Goodtime Deco Banjo, 5-String Openback BanjoEasy to play with clear note separation and a round, full...
⭐
4.4/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 573551
$626
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Deering Eagle II 5-string Banjo
by
Deering
Celtic
Traditional Music
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
- • Great for fast picking techniques
- • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Requires specific playing techniques
Deering Eagle II 5-String Banjo5-String BanjoMumford and Sons Signature ModelNeck: MapleFretboard: Ebony (Diospyros...
⭐
4.5/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 302466
$2,749
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Gold Tone Irish Tenor Banjo 12"
by
Gold Tone
Americana
Folk
Celtic
Key Feature:
• Traditional American instrument
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
- • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
Gold Tone Irish Tenor Banjo 12"Irish 12" Tenor BanjoNeck: MapleFretboard: BlackwoodRim: MapleTone ring:...
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 461043
$967
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.
