Best Banjos Under $500 2026
Affordable banjos under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Gold Tone AC-12A Oldtime SC 5 St Banjo
by
Gold Tone
Traditional Music
Americana
Folk
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
- • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
- • Tuning can be challenging
- • May not suit all musical styles
Gold Tone AC-12A Oldtime SC 5 St Banjo5-String BanjoNeck: OkoumeFingerboard: RosewoodDot and stars fingerboard...
⭐
4.8/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 580023
$439
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Gold Tone AC-1LN Openback Long Neck 5Str
by
Gold Tone
Bluegrass
Americana
Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
- • Essential bluegrass sound
- • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
- • Requires specific playing techniques
- • May not suit all musical styles
Gold Tone AC-1LN Openback Long Neck 5Str5-String BanjoNeck: NatoFingerboard: RosewoodRim: CompositeHead: 11" Remo...
⭐
4.6/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564936
$428
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Gewa VGS Banjo Select 5-saitig
by
Gewa
Celtic
Country
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
- • Traditional American instrument
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Tuning can be challenging
Gewa VGS Banjo Select 5-String5-String BanjoMahogany shellHead: Original Remo-Weatherking whiteroughenedResonator:...
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 558731
$406
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Gold Tone AC Traveler 5 string Banjo
by
Gold Tone
Traditional Music
Country
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Traditional American instrument
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
- • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Tuning can be challenging
Gold Tone AC Traveler 5 string Banjo5-String BanjoMaple neckBlackwood fretboard11" Composite rimHead: Coated with...
⭐
4.7/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 436254
$307
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Gold Tone AC-1 5 Str. Openback Banjo LH
by
Gold Tone
Traditional Music
Americana
Country
Key Feature:
• Traditional American instrument
✓ PROS
- • Essential bluegrass sound
- • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
- • Tuning can be challenging
- • Limited tonal versatility
Gold Tone AC-1 5 Str. Openback Banjo LH5-string banjoLefthand / left-handed modelNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 512780
$384
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Gewa Banjo Select 6-saitig
by
Gewa
Folk
Celtic
Americana
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
- • Great for fast picking techniques
- • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
Gewa Banjo Select 6-String6-String Guitar BanjoHead: Original Remo-Weatherking whiteroughenedResonator:...
⭐
4.9/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 558732
$362
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez B50
by
Ibanez
Bluegrass
Country
Celtic
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
- • Traditional American instrument
- • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
- • Requires specific playing techniques
Ibanez B505-String Resonator BanjoBody: MahoganyTop: Remo Weatherking Banjo Head (whiteplastic)Neck:...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 617269
$406
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Gold Tone AC-4 Openback Tenor Banjo
by
Gold Tone
Bluegrass
Country
Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through band mix well
- • Essential bluegrass sound
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
Gold Tone AC-4 Openback Tenor Banjo4-String Tenor BanjoNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: BlackwoodRim: CompositeHead: 11"...
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 436502
$334
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Richwood RMB-904-SS Tenor Banjo
by
Richwood
Celtic
Country
Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
- • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
- • May not suit all musical styles
Richwood RMB-904-SS Tenor Banjo4-String Tenor BanjoShort scaleNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyRim: AluminiumHead:...
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 519187
$439
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Gold Tone Openback 5-String Banjo 12“
by
Gold Tone
Bluegrass
Traditional Music
Americana
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
- • Essential bluegrass sound
✗ CONS
- • Tuning can be challenging
- • May not suit all musical styles
Gold Tone Openback 5-String Banjo 12“5-String BanjoNeck: NatoFingerboard: RosewoodRim: 12" compositeHead:...
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 564938
$424
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Richwood RMB-906 6 String Banjo
by
Richwood
Traditional Music
Folk
Americana
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
- • Traditional American instrument
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • May not suit all musical styles
Richwood RMB-906 6 String Banjo6-string guitar banjoNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyRim: AluminiumHead: white 11"...
⭐
4.5/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 519454
$439
#13
⭐
4.4/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Gold Tone AC-1 5 String Openback Banjo
by
Gold Tone
Celtic
Country
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
- • Traditional American instrument
- • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
- • Requires specific playing techniques
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
Gold Tone AC-1 5 String Openback Banjo5-String BanjoNeck: MahoganyFretboard: BlackwoodRim: CompositeHead: 11" Remo...
⭐
4.4/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 436495
$351
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Gold Tone AC-1FL Open Back Fretless
by
Gold Tone
Bluegrass
Celtic
Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
- • Traditional American instrument
- • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Limited tonal versatility
Gold Tone AC-1FL Open Back Fretless5-String Fretless BanjoNeck: OkoumeFingerboard: RosewoodDot and stars fingerboard...
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 580026
$439
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.
