Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars Under $800 2026

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

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 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

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

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

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Takamine GD30CE-NAT-LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Takamine GD30CE-NAT-LH

by Takamine

Folk Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Powerful projection and volume

✓ PROS

• Rich bass response
• Balanced across all frequencies

✗ CONS

• Less comfortable for smaller players
• May lack upper-mid clarity

Takamine GD30CE-NAT LHSteel String Guitar with PickupLeft-hand modelBuild: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: Solid...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 442109

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

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 DX1EL-03 Mahogany LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Martin Guitar DX1EL-03 Mahogany LH

by Martin Guitar

Country Rock Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Classic dreadnought tone

✓ PROS

• Powerful projection and volume
• Classic dreadnought tone

✗ CONS

• May lack upper-mid clarity
• Can overpower fingerpicking

Martin Guitar DX1EL-03 Mahogany LHAcoustic Guitar with PickupLefthand / left-handed modelStyle: DreadnoughtTop:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 559830

$758

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez AW247CE-WKH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Ibanez AW247CE-WKH

by Ibanez

Rock Bluegrass Campfire Sessions

Key Feature:

• Balanced across all frequencies

✓ PROS

• Great for strumming
• Powerful projection and volume

✗ CONS

• Requires good playing technique
• Can overpower fingerpicking

Ibanez AW247CE-WKHSteel-String Guitar with PickupArtwood seriesType: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: Solid OkumeBack and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 575475

$536

Buy at Thomann View Details

Guild D-120CE Nat Westerly - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

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

Yamaha FG830 TBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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

Takamine GD30CE-B - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Takamine GD30CE-B

by Takamine

Country Campfire Sessions Bluegrass

Key Feature:

• Classic dreadnought tone

✓ PROS

• Balanced across all frequencies
• Classic dreadnought tone

✗ CONS

• Can overpower fingerpicking
• Less comfortable for smaller players

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

⭐ 4.5/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 423920

$538

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Takamine GD51CE-NAT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Takamine GD51CE-NAT

by Takamine

Rock Folk Campfire Sessions

Key Feature:

• Classic dreadnought tone

✓ PROS

• Great for strumming
• Classic dreadnought tone

✗ CONS

• Requires good playing technique
• Less comfortable for smaller players

Takamine GD51CE-NATAcoustic Guitar with PickupType: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: solid spruceQuartersawn X BracingBack...

⭐ 4.5/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 449907

$516

Buy at Thomann View Details

Takamine GD93CE-NAT-2 Set 1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Takamine GD93CE-NAT-2 Set 1

by Takamine

Rock Country Folk

Key Feature:

• Classic dreadnought tone

✓ PROS

• Great for strumming
• Balanced across all frequencies

✗ CONS

• Can overpower fingerpicking
• Large body may be uncomfortable

Takamine GD93CE-NAT-2 Set 1*Bundle offer comprising*, Takamine GD93CE-NAT*Steel String Guitar*Build: Dreadnought with...

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 461640

$732

Buy at Thomann View Details

Yamaha FGX820C NTII - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 5.0/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Yamaha FGX820C NTII

by Yamaha

Bluegrass Singer-Songwriter Country

Key Feature:

• Classic dreadnought tone

✓ PROS

• Rich bass response
• Great for strumming

✗ CONS

• Requires good playing technique
• May lack upper-mid clarity

Yamaha FGX820C NTIISteel-String Guitar with PickupWith cutawayTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 510996

$637

Buy at Thomann View Details

Yamaha FG830 NT Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 5.0/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Yamaha FG830 NT Bundle

by Yamaha

Folk Rock Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Balanced across all frequencies

✓ PROS

• Powerful projection and volume
• Great for strumming

✗ CONS

• Requires good playing technique
• Large body may be uncomfortable

Yamaha FG830 NT Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha FG830 NT*Steel String Guitar*Top: Solid spruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 603427

$523

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seagull Entourage Autumn Burst Presys - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.6/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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

Takamine GD21CE SM - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Takamine GD21CE SM

by Takamine

Campfire Sessions Singer-Songwriter Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic dreadnought tone

✓ PROS

• Powerful projection and volume
• Classic dreadnought tone

✗ CONS

• Can overpower fingerpicking
• May lack upper-mid clarity

Takamine GD21CE SMSteel-String Guitar with PickupWith cutawayTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: MahoganyBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 608402

$626

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez AW417CE-OPS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Ibanez AW417CE-OPS

by Ibanez

Bluegrass Singer-Songwriter Folk

Key Feature:

• Balanced across all frequencies

✓ PROS

• Balanced across all frequencies
• Classic dreadnought tone

✗ CONS

• Requires good playing technique
• May lack upper-mid clarity

Ibanez AW417CE-OPSSteel String Guitar with PickupBuild: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: Solid Sitka spruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 481702

$545

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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars Under $800 2026

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

Takamine GD30CE-NAT-LH

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadn Conc CE EB

Martin Guitar DX1EL-03 Mahogany LH

Ibanez AW247CE-WKH

Guild D-120CE Nat Westerly

Yamaha FG830 TBS

Takamine GD30CE-B

Takamine GD51CE-NAT

Takamine GD93CE-NAT-2 Set 1

Yamaha FGX820C NTII

Yamaha FG830 NT Bundle

Seagull Entourage Autumn Burst Presys

Takamine GD21CE SM

Ibanez AW417CE-OPS

How to Choose the Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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