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Best Folk Acoustic Guitars Under $2,000 2026

Affordable folk acoustic guitars under $2,000 - 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
Journey Instruments OF660 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Journey Instruments OF660 BK

by Journey Instruments
Classical Crossover Indie Folk
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Lower volume projection

Journey Instruments OF660 BKTravel Western GuitarStylized 00 body shape with cutawayPatenteddetachable neck system that...

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 460890
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar SC-10E Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Martin Guitar SC-10E Spruce

by Martin Guitar
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
Art. 617577
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Martin Guitar SPOMC10E Road Series Special

by Martin Guitar
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
Art. 599417
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote Special - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote Special

by Martin Guitar
Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter Folk
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought

Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote SpecialSttel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand PerformanceTop: solid sapeleBack and...

⭐ 4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 617506
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar GPC-13EL-01 Ziricote LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Martin Guitar GPC-13EL-01 Ziricote LH

by Martin Guitar
Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fingerpicking
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Lower volume projection

Martin Guitar GPC-13EL-01 Ziricote LHAcoustic Guitar with PickupLefthand / left-handed modelStyle: Grand Performance -...

⭐ 4.7/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 559852
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakewood C-14 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Lakewood C-14

by Lakewood
Indie Acoustic Pop Fingerpicking
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Limited low-end presence

Lakewood C-14 2024Acoustic GuitarStyle: ConcertBack and sides: solid mahoganyTop: solid mahoganyHeadstock:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 595087
$1,814
Buy at Thomann View Details
Journey Instruments Cedar Zircot Parlor Travel LTD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Journey Instruments Cedar Zircot Parlor Travel LTD

by Journey Instruments
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
Art. 573584
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sheeran by Lowden Tour Edition Bundle

by Sheeran by Lowden
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
Art. 603430
$1,256
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar GPC-11E LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Martin Guitar GPC-11E LH

by Martin Guitar
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
Art. 556338
$1,517
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar SC-10E-02 Sapele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Martin Guitar SC-10E-02 Sapele

by Martin Guitar
Singer-Songwriter Fingerpicking Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar SC-10E-02 SapeleAcoustic Guitar with PickupType: S-13 fret with cutawayTop: solid sapeleBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 571336
$1,374
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote Special LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote Special LH

by Martin Guitar
Acoustic Pop Classical Crossover Indie
Key Feature:
• Easy to handle and transport
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable smaller body size
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end presence
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Martin Guitar GP-X2E Ziricote Special LHSteel-String Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelType: Grand Performance...

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 617519
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Plus - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Plus

by Taylor
Indie Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Balanced tone across frequencies
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Great for fingerpicking
✗ CONS
  • • Lower volume projection
  • • Limited low-end presence

Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Plus, Acoustic Guitar with PickupA guitar that somehow manages to feel small and sound bigthe GS...

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 483250
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha LS 16 A.R.E NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Yamaha LS 16 A.R.E NT

by Yamaha
Classical Crossover Fingerpicking Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
  • • Clear note separation
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Not ideal for band situations

Yamaha LS 16 A.R.E NTSteel String GuitarBody: SmallTop: Solid Engelmann spruceWith ARE (Acoustic Resonance...

⭐ 4.9/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 336346
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar GPC-11E - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Martin Guitar GPC-11E

by Martin Guitar
Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter Folk
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to handle and transport
  • • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
  • • Less bass response than dreadnought
  • • Limited low-end presence

Martin Guitar GPC-11EAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand Performance Fret with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 556335
$1,517
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maton Mini EM6 w/ Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Maton Mini EM6 w/ Case

by Maton
Folk Acoustic Pop Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Comfortable smaller body size
✓ PROS
  • • Clear note separation
  • • Easy to handle and transport
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for band situations
  • • Limited low-end presence

Maton Mini EM6 w/ CaseAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: small bodyBack and sides: solid Queensland mapleTop: solid...

⭐ 5.0/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 278857
$1,649
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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