AudioFu

Best Banjos Under $2,000 2025

Affordable banjos under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

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 CB-100 Clawhammer Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Ortega OBJ950-FMA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Ortega OBJ950-FMA

by Ortega
Traditional Music Celtic Americana
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing techniques
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Ortega OBJ950-FMA5-String Banjo3-Ply solid maple bodySolid flamed maple resonatorCoated Remo heatHard maple...

⭐ 5.0/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610355
$1,429
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
Epiphone Mastertone Classic Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Gold Tone Dojo DLX Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega OBJ850-MA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ortega OBJ850-MA

by Ortega
Traditional Music Country Americana
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Ortega OBJ850-MA5-String Banjo3-ply solid maple bodyFlamed maple resonatorWeather King Clear Remo headHard maple...

⭐ 4.8/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610341
$1,428
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone IT-250-F Irish Tenor Banjo w/C - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Ortega OBJ750-MA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Goodtime Special Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Deering Goodtime Special Banjo

by Deering
Americana Bluegrass Country
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Deering Goodtime Special Deco Banjo5-String BanjoImproved Goodtime Special Tone Ring for a powerfulbright tone with...

⭐ 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601052
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone GT-500 6 String Banjitar - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Gold Tone GT-500 6 String Banjitar

by Gold Tone
Folk Bluegrass Country
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing techniques
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments

Gold Tone GT-500 6 String Banjitar6-String BanjoNeck: MapleRadial fretboard: BlackwoodRim: MapleHead: 11"...

⭐ 4.8/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 460921
$1,143
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone TS-250 Tenor Banjo w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Gold Tone TS-250 Tenor Banjo w/Case

by Gold Tone
Americana Celtic Country
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Traditional American instrument
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing techniques
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Gold Tone TS-250 Tenor Banjo w/Case4-String BanjoNeck: MapleFingerboard: OvangkolRim: 3-ply mapleSkin: 11" Remo HC...

⭐ 4.5/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 538040
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Artisan Goodtime Two - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Deering Artisan Goodtime Two

by Deering
Folk 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
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Deering Artisan Goodtime Two5-String BanjoResonator11" Violin grade maple rimNeck: MapleFretboard: Dark stained...

⭐ 4.9/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 380707
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Goodtime Six-R w/ Kavanjo PU - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Deering Goodtime Six-R - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
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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