Best Folk Acoustic Guitars Under $500 2025

Affordable folk acoustic guitars under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

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 Journey Instruments Gretsch Furch Yamaha Ibanez Applause

Journey Instruments PJ410N - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Journey Instruments PJ410N

by Journey Instruments

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

Art. 486308

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Richwood P-50 Parlor - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Richwood P-50 Parlor

by Richwood

Indie Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Clear note separation

✓ PROS

• Great for fingerpicking
• Easy to handle and transport

✗ CONS

• Lower volume projection
• Not ideal for band situations

Richwood P-50 ParlorSteel-String GuitarMaster seriesBody shape: ParlorTop: Solid mahoganyBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 500744

$395

Buy at Thomann View Details

Takamine GX18CENS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Takamine GX18CENS

by Takamine

Singer-Songwriter Indie Classical Crossover

Key Feature:

• Great for fingerpicking

✓ PROS

• Clear note separation
• Easy to handle and transport

✗ CONS

• Less bass response than dreadnought
• Not ideal for band situations

Takamine GX18CENSSteel-String Guitar with PickupTravel seriesBody shape: Small NEX-C with cutawayTop: Solid spruceBack...

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 486481

$428

Buy at Thomann View Details

Taylor BT1 Baby Taylor Walnut - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Taylor BT1 Baby Taylor Walnut

by Taylor

Folk Fingerpicking Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Easy to handle and transport

✓ PROS

• Balanced tone across frequencies
• Clear note separation

✗ CONS

• Less bass response than dreadnought
• May lack power for heavy strumming

Taylor BT1 Baby Taylor Walnut, Acoustic GuitarA delightful little guitar for beginners or travellerseasy to play and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 483213

$395

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood Bundle

by Harley Benton

Acoustic Pop Fingerpicking Folk

Key Feature:

• Comfortable smaller body size

✓ PROS

• Comfortable smaller body size
• Clear note separation

✗ CONS

• Lower volume projection
• May lack power for heavy strumming

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood*Acoustic Guitar with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 568263

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton CLP-12SM BRS Solid Top - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton CLP-12SM BRS Solid Top

by Harley Benton

Fingerpicking Indie Acoustic Pop

Key Feature:

• Comfortable smaller body size

✓ PROS

• Easy to handle and transport
• Comfortable smaller body size

✗ CONS

• Less bass response than dreadnought
• Limited low-end presence

Harley Benton CLP-12SM BRS Solid TopSteel-String Guitar with PickupCustom Line seriesType: ParlorTop: solid sitka...

⭐ 4.7/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 521888

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

Breedlove Discovery S Parlor Concert RC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Breedlove Discovery S Parlor Concert RC

by Breedlove

Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Acoustic Pop

Key Feature:

• Easy to handle and transport

✓ PROS

• Great for fingerpicking
• Clear note separation

✗ CONS

• Not ideal for band situations
• May lack power for heavy strumming

Breedlove Discovery S Parlor Concert RCAcoustic GuitarStyle: Parlor ConcertinaTop: Solid European spruceCascade...

⭐ 4.8/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 618722

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Indie Fingerpicking Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Balanced tone across frequencies

✓ PROS

• Balanced tone across frequencies
• Easy to handle and transport

✗ CONS

• Limited low-end presence
• Not ideal for band situations

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood*Acoustic Guitar with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 599743

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Takamine GX11MENS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Takamine GX11MENS

by Takamine

Singer-Songwriter Classical Crossover Indie

Key Feature:

• Easy to handle and transport

✓ PROS

• Balanced tone across frequencies
• Great for fingerpicking

✗ CONS

• Lower volume projection
• Not ideal for band situations

Takamine GX11MENSSteel-String Guitar with PickupTravel seriesBody shape: Small NEXTop: MahoganyBack & sides:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 486480

$385

Buy at Thomann View Details

Baton Rouge X11LS/FCE-W-AB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Baton Rouge X11LS/FCE-W-AB

by Baton Rouge

Fingerpicking Classical Crossover Indie

Key Feature:

• Clear note separation

✓ PROS

• Clear note separation
• Comfortable smaller body size

✗ CONS

• May lack power for heavy strumming
• Lower volume projection

Baton Rouge X11LS/FCE-W-ABAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Folk with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 619296

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

Baton Rouge X11LS/PE-AB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Baton Rouge X11LS/PE-AB

by Baton Rouge

Fingerpicking Acoustic Pop Indie

Key Feature:

• Balanced tone across frequencies

✓ PROS

• Comfortable smaller body size
• Easy to handle and transport

✗ CONS

• Less bass response than dreadnought
• Not ideal for band situations

Baton Rouge X11LS/PE-ABAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Parlor 12Top: SpruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 619297

$307

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.8/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood

by Harley Benton

Folk Fingerpicking Acoustic Pop

Key Feature:

• Great for fingerpicking

✓ PROS

• Easy to handle and transport
• Clear note separation

✗ CONS

• Lower volume projection
• May lack power for heavy strumming

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWoodAcoustic Guitar with PickupCustom Line Solid Wood SeriesStyle: ParlorTop: solid...

⭐ 4.8/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 505974

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Applause AAP-96-AN OOO Vintage - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Applause AAP-96-AN OOO Vintage

by Applause

Acoustic Pop Indie Fingerpicking

Key Feature:

• Clear note separation

✓ PROS

• Great for fingerpicking
• Clear note separation

✗ CONS

• Less bass response than dreadnought
• Lower volume projection

Applause AAP-96-AN OOO VintageAcoustic GuitarWood Classic SeriesBody shape: OOOTop: European solid spruceBack and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 582172

$307

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15ME w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15ME w/Case

by Harley Benton

Classical Crossover Acoustic Pop Indie

Key Feature:

• Clear note separation

✓ PROS

• Easy to handle and transport
• Great for fingerpicking

✗ CONS

• Not ideal for band situations
• Less bass response than dreadnought

Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15ME w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15ME*Steel-String...

⭐ 4.8/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 540466

$362

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton CLP-12SM BRS Solid Top w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton CLP-12SM BRS Solid Top w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Folk Fingerpicking Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Great for fingerpicking

✓ PROS

• Great for fingerpicking
• Clear note separation

✗ CONS

• Lower volume projection
• May lack power for heavy strumming

Harley Benton CLP-12SM BRS Solid Top w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLP-12SM BRS Solid Top*Steel-String...

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 541342

$351

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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Best Folk Acoustic Guitars Under $500 2025

Journey Instruments PJ410N

Richwood P-50 Parlor

Takamine GX18CENS

Taylor BT1 Baby Taylor Walnut

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood Bundle

Harley Benton CLP-12SM BRS Solid Top

Breedlove Discovery S Parlor Concert RC

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood w/Bag

Takamine GX11MENS

Baton Rouge X11LS/FCE-W-AB

Baton Rouge X11LS/PE-AB

Harley Benton CLP-15ME SolidWood

Applause AAP-96-AN OOO Vintage

Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15ME w/Case

Harley Benton CLP-12SM BRS Solid Top w/Bag

How to Choose the Best Folk Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying folk acoustic guitars?

How much should I spend on folk acoustic guitars?

Are expensive folk acoustic guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for folk acoustic guitars?

Should I buy folk acoustic guitars online or in-store?

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