AudioFu

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars Under $800 2026

Affordable dreadnought acoustic guitars under $800 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 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 Country For Folk For Bluegrass For Rock For Singer-Songwriter For Campfire Sessions
BRANDS: Martin Guitar Harley Benton Gibson Furch Yamaha Fender Guild Ibanez Takamine Epiphone Taylor DAngelico Lakewood Applause Cole Clark Maton Baton Rouge Cort Framus Seagull
Epiphone Miranda Lambert Bluebird - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Epiphone Miranda Lambert Bluebird

by Epiphone
Country Bluegrass Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Epiphone Miranda Lambert BluebirdSteel-String Guitar with PickupArtist CollectionMiranda Lambert Signature ModelType:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 588398
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EB

by Breedlove
Folk Country Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • Requires good playing technique

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EBSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Dreadnought Concerto with cutawayBack and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 612721
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D-X1 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Martin Guitar D-X1 Black

by Martin Guitar
Campfire Sessions Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Classic dreadnought tone
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable

Martin Guitar D-X1 BlackAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: HPL (high-pressure laminate)Back and sides: HPLNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 589813
$578
Buy at Thomann View Details
Takamine GD90CEZC-NAT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Takamine GD90CEZC-NAT

by Takamine
Singer-Songwriter Bluegrass Folk
Key Feature:
• Classic dreadnought tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable
  • • Requires good playing technique

Takamine GD90CEZC-NATSteel String Guitar with PickupBuild: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: Solid spruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 442176
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Takamine GD51CE-BSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Takamine GD51CE-BSB

by Takamine
Folk Bluegrass Country
Key Feature:
• Great for strumming
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Great for strumming
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • Requires good playing technique

Takamine GD51CE-BSBAcoustic GuitarType: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: solid spruceQuartersawn X BracingBack and sides:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 444410
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details
Takamine GD30CE-N - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Takamine GD30CE-N

by Takamine
Bluegrass Campfire Sessions Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Great for strumming
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking
  • • Requires good playing technique

Takamine GD30CE-NSteel String GuitarBuild: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: MahoganyQuartersawn...

⭐ 4.4/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 423916
$505
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Case

by Harley Benton
Campfire Sessions Singer-Songwriter Country
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity
  • • Large body may be uncomfortable

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN*Acoustic...

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 540432
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details
Cort Gold OC6 Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Cort Gold OC6 Natural

by Cort
Folk Bluegrass Country
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
  • • Powerful projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players

Cort Gold OC6 NaturalSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Orchestra (OM) with cutaway bodySolid constructionBack and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608354
$765
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild D-120CE Nat Westerly - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Guild D-120CE Nat Westerly

by Guild
Rock Bluegrass Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Classic dreadnought tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players

Guild D-120CE Nat WesterlySteel-String GuitarDreadnought design with cutawaySolid mahogany bodyWesterly Concert...

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 361964
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Seagull Entourage Autumn Burst Presys - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Seagull Entourage Autumn Burst Presys

by Seagull
Folk Rock Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Rich bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
  • • Great for strumming
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good playing technique
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Seagull Entourage Autumn Burst PresysSteel-String GuitarType: DreadnoughtBack & sides: CherryTop: Solid spruceNeck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 462417
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild D-120 Nat Westerly - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Guild D-120 Nat Westerly

by Guild
Folk Campfire Sessions Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic dreadnought tone
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking

Guild D-120 Nat WesterlyAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtBody: Mahoganysolid"Westerly Concert Scalloped"...

⭐ 4.8/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 361960
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild DS-240 Wine Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Guild DS-240 Wine Red

by Guild
Bluegrass Singer-Songwriter Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Balanced across all frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity
  • • Requires good playing technique

Guild DS-240 Wine RedSteel-String GuitarType: Slope Shoulder DreadnoughtTop: Solid Sitka SpruceBack and Sides:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601290
$584
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild DS-240E Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Guild DS-240E Black

by Guild
Folk Rock Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Balanced across all frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Classic dreadnought tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • May lack upper-mid clarity

Guild DS-240E BlackSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Slope Shoulder DreadnoughtTop: Solid Sitka spruceBack and...

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601286
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Seagull Entourage Autumn Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Seagull Entourage Autumn Burst

by Seagull
Campfire Sessions Bluegrass Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for strumming
✓ PROS
  • • Rich bass response
  • • Great for strumming
✗ CONS
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players
  • • Requires good playing technique

Seagull Entourage Autumn BurstSteel-String GuitarType: DreadnoughtBack & sides: CherryTop: Solid spruceNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 462409
$637
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha FG830 TBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Yamaha FG830 TBS

by Yamaha
Folk Bluegrass Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Classic dreadnought tone
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and volume
  • • Balanced across all frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower fingerpicking
  • • Less comfortable for smaller players

Yamaha FG830 TBSSteel-String GuitarTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: RosewoodNeck: NatoFretboard and bridge: Rosewood20...

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 379939
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

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 dreadnought acoustic guitars 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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