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Best Folk Acoustic Guitars Under $200 2026

Affordable folk acoustic guitars under $200 - 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 Folk For Fingerpicking For Singer-Songwriter For Classical Crossover For Indie For Acoustic Pop
BRANDS: Harley Benton Martin Guitar Baton Rouge Fender Sheeran by Lowden Gibson Taylor Furch Gretsch Journey Instruments Applause Ibanez Yamaha
Baton Rouge 70th Anniv. X11S/F-SCC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Baton Rouge 70th Anniv. X11S/F-SCC

by Baton Rouge
Singer-Songwriter Indie Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Limited low-end presence

Baton Rouge 70th Anniv. X11S/F-SCCAcoustic GuitarThomann 70th Anniversary ModelStyle: FolkTop: solid German spruceBack...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 578571
$197
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Delta Blues O Set 1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton Delta Blues O Set 1

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

Harley Benton Delta Blues O Set 1*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Delta Blues O*Steel-String Guitar*Type:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 458112
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Baton Rouge X11LS/F-SCC Folk - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Baton Rouge X11LS/F-SCC Folk

by Baton Rouge
Acoustic Pop Fingerpicking Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Lower volume projection

Baton Rouge X11LS/F-SCC Folksteel-String GuitarDesign: FolkTop: SpruceBack & sides: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFretboard...

⭐ 5.0/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 493387
$171
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Delta Blues OE w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton Delta Blues OE w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Indie Acoustic Pop Folk
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Harley Benton Delta Blues OE w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Delta Blues OE*Steel-String Guitar with...

⭐ 4.5/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 458113
$131
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton GS-Travel Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton GS-Travel Spruce

by Harley Benton
Singer-Songwriter Indie Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Harley Benton GS-Travel SpruceAcoustic GuitarStyle: Mini Travel Grand SymphonyTop: selected spruceBody: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 382556
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Delta Blues MJCE - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton Delta Blues MJCE

by Harley Benton
Fingerpicking Acoustic Pop Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Harley Benton Delta Blues MJCEAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Vintage-Style mini jumboBody: MahoganyQuartersawn...

⭐ 5.0/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 451678
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Delta Blues DCE VDSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton Delta Blues DCE VDSB

by Harley Benton
Classical Crossover Singer-Songwriter Folk
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Limited low-end presence

Harley Benton Delta Blues DCESteel-String Guitar with PickupBauform: Vintage-style Dreadnought with cutawayMahogany...

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 451675
$131
Buy at Thomann View Details
Baton Rouge X11LS/F-W-SCR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Baton Rouge X11LS/F-W-SCR

by Baton Rouge
Singer-Songwriter Classical Crossover Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Baton Rouge X11LS/F-W-SCRAcoustic GuitarStyle: FolkTop: SpruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 528751
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Spruce

by Harley Benton
Classical Crossover Singer-Songwriter Indie
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming
  • • Lower volume projection

Harley Benton GS-Travel-E SpruceSteel-String Guitar with pickupBody design: Mini Travel Grand SymphonyBody: Sitka...

⭐ 5.0/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 410803
$175
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Delta Blues DCE w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton Delta Blues DCE w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Indie Classical Crossover Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Harley Benton Delta Blues DCE w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Delta Blues DCE VDSB*Steel-String Guitar...

⭐ 5.0/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 457172
$153
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton CG-45 NS Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton CG-45 NS Bundle

by Harley Benton
Folk Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Limited low-end presence

Harley Benton CG-45 NS Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CG-45 NS*Steel-String Guitar*Standard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 563294
$120
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Blues Guitar Set 2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton Blues Guitar Set 2

by Harley Benton
Acoustic Pop Fingerpicking Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Limited low-end presence

Harley Benton Blues Guitar Set 2*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CG-45 NS*Steel-String Guitar*Standard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 274631
$109
Buy at Thomann View Details
Baton Rouge X11LS/P-SCR Parlor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Baton Rouge X11LS/P-SCR Parlor

by Baton Rouge
Fingerpicking Indie Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fingerpicking
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought

Baton Rouge X11LS/P-SCR ParlorSteel-String GuitarType: Parlor 12Top: SpruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 511400
$175
Buy at Thomann View Details
Baton Rouge X11LS/P-SCC Parlor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Baton Rouge X11LS/P-SCC Parlor

by Baton Rouge
Fingerpicking Acoustic Pop Indie
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • May lack power for heavy strumming

Baton Rouge X11LS/P-SCC ParlorParlor 12 Steel-String GuitarSlotted HeadstockBack & sides: MahoganyTop: SpruceNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 546462
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Delta Blues MJCE Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Harley Benton Delta Blues MJCE Bundle

by Harley Benton
Acoustic Pop Indie Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Lower volume projection

Harley Benton Delta Blues MJCE Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Delta Blues MJCE*Acoustic Guitar with...

⭐ 4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 537051
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details

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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