Best Folk Acoustic Guitars 2025

Top-rated folk acoustic guitars 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: October 29, 2025 • Next update: November 5, 2025

Sheeran by Lowden S02 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sheeran by Lowden S02

Fingerpicking Singer-Songwriter Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Sheeran by Lowden S02Acoustic Guitar with PickupDeveloped in cooperation with Ed Sheeran and Lowden GuitarsStyle: S...

4.6/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Journey Instruments Cedar Zircot Parlor Travel LTD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Journey Instruments Cedar Zircot Parlor Travel LTD

Classical Crossover Singer-Songwriter Indie
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Journey Instruments Cedar Zircot Parlor Travel LTDTravel Acoustic Guitar with PickupLimited modelStyle:...

4.6/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Journey Instruments OF660 BK M - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Journey Instruments OF660 BK M

Acoustic Pop Indie Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Journey Instruments OF660 BK MTravel Western GuitarStylized 00 body shape with cutawayPatenteddetachable neck system...

5.0/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar SC-13E Special Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Martin Guitar SC-13E Special Burst

Classical Crossover Singer-Songwriter Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar SC-13E Special BurstSteel-String Guitar with PickupShape: S-13 Fret with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and...

4.8/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar GPC-13E Burst Ziricote LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Martin Guitar GPC-13E Burst Ziricote LH

Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Lower volume projection

Martin Guitar GPC-13E Burst Ziricote LHAcoustic Guitar with PickupLefthand / left-handed modelStyle: Grand Performance...

4.9/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar SC-10E Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Martin Guitar SC-10E Spruce

Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop Indie
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Limited low-end presence

Martin Guitar SC-10E SpruceSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: SC with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sideS: Solid...

4.6/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar SC-13E Koa - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Martin Guitar SC-13E Koa

Folk Fingerpicking Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar SC-13E KoaAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: S-13 Fret with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sides: KoaX-Brace...

4.9/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar GPC-11E LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Martin Guitar GPC-11E LH

Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter Indie
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Lower volume projection

Martin Guitar GPC-11E LHAcoustic Guitar with PickupLefthand / left-handed modelStyle: Grand Performance Fret with...

4.6/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Journey Instruments OF422 LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Journey Instruments OF422 LH

Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Journey Instruments OF422 LHTravel Steel-String Guitar with PickupLefthanded modelStylised 00 body...

4.5/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Journey Instruments PJ410N - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Journey Instruments PJ410N

Acoustic Pop Folk Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Limited low-end presence

Journey Instruments PJ410NTravel GuitarPuddle Jumper SeriesStylised 00 body shapePatented detachable neck system that...

4.6/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar GPC-10E Roadseries Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Martin Guitar GPC-10E Roadseries Special

Classical Crossover Indie Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Lower volume projection

Martin Guitar GPC-10E Roadseries SpecialAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand Performance Fret with cutawayTop: solid...

4.7/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sheeran by Lowden S01 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sheeran by Lowden S01

Folk Classical Crossover Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Lower volume projection

Sheeran by Lowden S01Acoustic GuitarDeveloped in cooperation between Ed Sheeran and Lowden GuitarsStyle: S (Small)Top:...

4.5/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar SC-13E Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Martin Guitar SC-13E Special

Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Folk
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought

Martin Guitar SC-13E SpecialSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: S-13 Fret with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sides:...

4.8/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Bundle

Indie Singer-Songwriter Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition*Acoustic Guitar with...

4.7/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series Special

Singer-Songwriter Classical Crossover Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series SpecialSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Auditorium with cutawayTop: Solid...

4.9/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10

How to Choose the Best Folk 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 folk 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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