AudioFu

Best Banjos Under $800 2026

Affordable banjos under $800 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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
Deering Goodtime Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez B300-BK Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Ibanez B300-BK Banjo

by Ibanez
Bluegrass Americana Celtic
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Ibanez B300-BK Banjo5-String BanjoBody: WalnutNeck: OkoumeFingerboard: PurpleheartSpecial Acrylic fingerboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 612546
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone CC-Irish Tenor Cripple Creek - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Deering Goodtime Americana - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Deering Goodtime Americana

by Deering
Americana Traditional Music Folk
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
  • • Traditional American instrument
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Tuning can be challenging
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Deering Goodtime Americana Deco5-String Openback BanjoThe 12" rim and the Renaissance head make this banjo sound...

⭐ 5.0/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601150
$747
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Goodtime 17-Fret Tenor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone CC-50/L Cripple Creek Lefthand - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Gold Tone CC-50/L Cripple Creek Lefthand

by Gold Tone
Folk Country Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments

Gold Tone CC-50/L Cripple Creek Lefthand5-String BanjoNeck: MapleFingerboard: BlackwoodRim: Multi-ply mapleHead:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 538045
$582
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone CC-OTA Clahammer Banjo Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Gold Tone CC-OTA Clahammer Banjo Set

by Gold Tone
Country Celtic Americana
Key Feature:
• Traditional American instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Tuning can be challenging
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments

Gold Tone CC-OTA Clahammer Banjo SetBanjo Set5-String BanjoNeck: Maple2-Way adjustable truss rodBlackwood fretboard16...

⭐ 4.7/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 486657
$681
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone AC-5 5 String Resonator Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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

Deering Deering Goodtime Banjo LH

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

Deering Goodtime 5-Str OB LH5-String banjoLefthand / lefthanded modelDesign: Open-back3-Plyblondeviolin grade maple...

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 453252
$626
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Goodtime Plectrum Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Deering Goodtime Plectrum Banjo

by Deering
Folk Country Celtic
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments

Deering Goodtime Plectrum Banjo4-String Openback BanjoA Plectrum Banjo is traditionally tuned CD and used most commonly...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616515
$626
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone BUT Banjo Ukulele w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Gold Tone BUT Banjo Ukulele w/Case

by Gold Tone
Celtic Traditional Music Country
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
  • • Traditional American instrument
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Gold Tone BUT Banjo Ukulele w/CaseTenor Banjo UkuleleNeck: MapleFretboard: BlackwoodMaple bridge with ebony capNut...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 437620
$593
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone Bluegrass 5 String Banjo Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega OBJE356-SBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ortega OBJE356-SBK

by Ortega
Americana Folk Country
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Ortega OBJE356-SBK6-String BanjoNeck: MahoganyFretboard: OvangkolResonator: MahoganyRim: Aluminium21 FretsEngraved...

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 376582
$578
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega OBJ550W-SNT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Ortega OBJ550W-SNT

by Ortega
Traditional Music Bluegrass Celtic
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

Ortega OBJ550W-SNT5-String Bluegrass BanjoBody made of walnutWalnut neckRosewood fingerboardRemo Renaissance headBrass...

⭐ 5.0/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610302
$781
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone AC 6+ Lefthand - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gold Tone AC 6+ Lefthand

by Gold Tone
Celtic Traditional Music Folk
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • Tuning can be challenging
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Gold Tone AC 6+ Lefthand6-string banjo / banjitarLefthand / left-handed modelBody: CompositeArmrest with gold tone...

⭐ 5.0/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 512779
$637
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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