AudioFu

Best Banjos Under $500 2025

Affordable banjos under $500 - 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 AC-1LN Openback Long Neck 5Str - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMB-906 6 String Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMB-904 Tenor Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Gewa Banjo Select 6-saitig - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMB-606 Guitar Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Richwood RMB-606 Guitar Banjo

by Richwood
Americana Folk Celtic
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing techniques
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Richwood RMB-606 Guitar Banjo6-string guitar banjoNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: Technical WoodRim: Multi-ply mahoganyHead:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 515919
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMB-905-A 5 String Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Richwood RMB-905-A 5 String Banjo

by Richwood
Americana Celtic Country
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

Richwood RMB-905-A 5 String Banjo5-string bluegrass banjoNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyRim: AluminiumHead: 11"...

⭐ 5.0/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 515923
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega OBJ350/6-SBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone Openback 5-String Banjo 12“ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone AC-12A Oldtime SC 5 St Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa VGS Banjo Select 5-saitig - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone AC-1 5 Str. Openback Banjo LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone AC-1FL Open Back Fretless - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa VGS Banjo Select 4-saitig - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Gewa VGS Banjo Select 4-saitig

by Gewa
Bluegrass Country Celtic
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Gewa VGS Banjo Select 4-saitig4-String Tenor BanjoMahogany shellHead: original Remo-Weatherking...

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 558730
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone AC-1 5 String Openback Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMB-904-SS Tenor Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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
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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more