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Best Electric Violins and Violas Under $200 2026

Affordable electric violins and violas under $200 - great value without compromising quality

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

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $500 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Contemporary For Rock For Pop For Jazz Fusion For Recording Studio For Live Performance
BRANDS: Harley Benton NS Design Yamaha Gewa
Harley Benton HBV 800SKL Acoustic-Electric - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Harley Benton HBV 800SKL Acoustic-Electric

by Harley Benton
Rock Recording Studio Pop
Key Feature:
• Silent practice with headphones
✓ PROS
  • • Silent practice with headphones
  • • Consistent electronic output
✗ CONS
  • • Not suitable for classical orchestra
  • • Different bowing response

Harley Benton HBV 800SKL Acoustic-ElectricAcoustic-Electric Violin 4/4An acoustic violin with a built-in passive piezo...

⭐ 4.8/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 532487
$175
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 800SBK Acoustic-Electric - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton HBV 800SBK Acoustic-Electric

by Harley Benton
Live Performance Pop Contemporary
Key Feature:
• Effects processing capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • No feedback when amplified
  • • Silent practice with headphones
✗ CONS
  • • Electronic dependency
  • • Not suitable for classical orchestra

Harley Benton HBV 800SBK Acoustic-ElectricAcoustic-Electric Violin 4/4An acoustic violin with a built-in passive piezo...

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 532486
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 800SVM Acoustic-Electric - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton HBV 800SVM Acoustic-Electric

by Harley Benton
Jazz Fusion Recording Studio Pop
Key Feature:
• No feedback when amplified
✓ PROS
  • • Consistent electronic output
  • • Effects processing capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Not suitable for classical orchestra
  • • Different bowing response

Harley Benton HBV 800SVM Acoustic-ElectricElectric ViolinSize: 4/4Acoustic violin with a built-in passive piezo pickup...

⭐ 4.7/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 533262
$147
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 800YWB Acoustic-Electric - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton HBV 800YWB Acoustic-Electric

by Harley Benton
Jazz Fusion Pop Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• No feedback when amplified
✓ PROS
  • • Silent practice with headphones
  • • Consistent electronic output
✗ CONS
  • • Electronic dependency
  • • Not suitable for classical orchestra

Harley Benton HBV 800YWB Acoustic-ElectricAcoustic-Electric Violin 4/4An acoustic violin with a built-in passive piezo...

⭐ 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 532692
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 800HBK Acoustic-Electric - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton HBV 800HBK Acoustic-Electric

by Harley Benton
Contemporary Recording Studio Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Silent practice with headphones
✓ PROS
  • • No feedback when amplified
  • • Modern genre versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Not suitable for classical orchestra
  • • Lacks acoustic resonance

Harley Benton HBV 800HBK Acoustic-ElectricElectric ViolinSize: 4/4Acoustic violin with a built-in passive piezo pickup...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 533271
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 800BLM Acoustic-Electric - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton HBV 800BLM Acoustic-Electric

by Harley Benton
Jazz Fusion Pop Live Performance
Key Feature:
• No feedback when amplified
✓ PROS
  • • No feedback when amplified
  • • Consistent electronic output
✗ CONS
  • • Requires amplification system
  • • Different bowing response

Harley Benton HBV 800BLM Acoustic-ElectricElectric ViolinSize: 4/4Acoustic violin with a built-in passive piezo pickup...

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 533264
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 990GBY 4/4 Electric Violin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton HBV 990GBY 4/4 Electric Violin

by Harley Benton
Rock Jazz Fusion Live Performance
Key Feature:
• No feedback when amplified
✓ PROS
  • • Silent practice with headphones
  • • Consistent electronic output
✗ CONS
  • • Requires amplification system
  • • Electronic dependency

Harley Benton HBV 990GBY 4/4 Electric ViolinElectric Violin with Active Pickup SystemSize: 4/4Body made of birchPlastic...

⭐ 4.5/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 417284
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 800RDM Acoustic-Electric - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton HBV 800RDM Acoustic-Electric

by Harley Benton
Recording Studio Jazz Fusion Pop
Key Feature:
• Modern genre versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Effects processing capabilities
  • • Consistent electronic output
✗ CONS
  • • Not suitable for classical orchestra
  • • Requires amplification system

Harley Benton HBV 800RDM Acoustic-ElectricElectric ViolinSize: 4/4Acoustic violin with a built-in passive piezo pickup...

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 533268
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 870WH 4/4 Electric Violin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton HBV 870WH 4/4 Electric Violin

by Harley Benton
Recording Studio Jazz Fusion Contemporary
Key Feature:
• No feedback when amplified
✓ PROS
  • • Silent practice with headphones
  • • Modern genre versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Requires amplification system
  • • Different bowing response

Harley Benton HBV 870WH 4/4 Electric ViolinElectric ViolinSize: 4/4Body: PaulowniaFingerboardpegs and chinrest:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 456461
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 990BEM 4/4 Electric Violin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton HBV 990BEM 4/4 Electric Violin

by Harley Benton
Contemporary Rock Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Effects processing capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • No feedback when amplified
  • • Effects processing capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Not suitable for classical orchestra
  • • Different bowing response

Harley Benton HBV 990BEM 4/4 Electric ViolinElectric Violin with Active Pickup SystemSize: 4/4Maple body and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 325869
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 990WH Electric Violin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton HBV 990WH Electric Violin

by Harley Benton
Jazz Fusion Rock Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• No feedback when amplified
✓ PROS
  • • Consistent electronic output
  • • Modern genre versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Not suitable for classical orchestra
  • • Lacks acoustic resonance

Harley Benton HBV 990WH Electric ViolinElectric Violin with Active Pickup SystemSize: 4/4Active pickup systemHeadphone...

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 351784
$175
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 870AM 4/4 Electric Violin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton HBV 870AM 4/4 Electric Violin

by Harley Benton
Rock Contemporary Pop
Key Feature:
• Modern genre versatility
✓ PROS
  • • No feedback when amplified
  • • Effects processing capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires amplification system
  • • Not suitable for classical orchestra

Harley Benton HBV 870AM 4/4 E-ViolinElectric ViolinSize: 4/4Body made of paulowniaFingerboardpegs and chinrest made of...

⭐ 4.7/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 225647
$153
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 990RD Electric Violin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton HBV 990RD Electric Violin

by Harley Benton
Live Performance Rock Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Silent practice with headphones
✓ PROS
  • • Silent practice with headphones
  • • Effects processing capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Different bowing response
  • • Requires amplification system

Harley Benton HBV 990RD Electric ViolinElectric ViolinSize: 4/4Active pickup systemBody: BasswoodPlastic...

⭐ 4.9/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 351785
$175
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 990SKL 4/4 Electric Violin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton HBV 990SKL 4/4 Electric Violin

by Harley Benton
Jazz Fusion Live Performance Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• Modern genre versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Consistent electronic output
  • • No feedback when amplified
✗ CONS
  • • Different bowing response
  • • Lacks acoustic resonance

Harley Benton HBV 990SKL 4/4 Electric ViolinElectric Violin with Active Pickup SystemSize: 4/4Maple body and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 325873
$153
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBV 800SBB Acoustic-Electric - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Harley Benton HBV 800SBB Acoustic-Electric

by Harley Benton
Contemporary Recording Studio Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• No feedback when amplified
✓ PROS
  • • Effects processing capabilities
  • • Modern genre versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Different bowing response
  • • Electronic dependency

Harley Benton HBV 800SBB Acoustic-ElectricAcoustic-Electric Violin 4/4An acoustic violin with a built-in passive piezo...

⭐ 4.9/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 532484
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Electric Violins and Violas

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 electric violins and violas 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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