Best Fretless Basses Under $300 2025

Affordable fretless basses under $300 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: 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 Jazz For Fusion For World Music For Progressive For Experimental For Session Work

BRANDS: Marcus Miller Harley Benton Sadowsky Warwick Ibanez

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive w/Bag

by Harley Benton

World Music Jazz Progressive

Key Feature:

• Great for expressive playing

✓ PROS

• Endless pitch possibilities
• Great for expressive playing

✗ CONS

• May not suit all players
• Requires precise intonation skills

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive...

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 539289

$237

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive Bundle

by Harley Benton

Experimental Fusion Jazz

Key Feature:

• Professional jazz sound

✓ PROS

• Smooth, singing sustain
• Professional jazz sound

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• Limited for some musical styles

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive...

⭐ 4.8/5 (32 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 539291

$240

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton B-450FL BK Progressive Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton B-450FL BK Progressive Series

by Harley Benton

World Music Progressive Experimental

Key Feature:

• Professional jazz sound

✓ PROS

• Endless pitch possibilities
• Professional jazz sound

✗ CONS

• Limited for some musical styles
• Fingerboard wear over time

Harley Benton B-450FL BK Progressive SeriesFretless Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck made of Canadian mapleNeck...

⭐ 5.0/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 317314

$208

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive Series

by Harley Benton

Experimental Fusion Progressive

Key Feature:

• Endless pitch possibilities

✓ PROS

• Great for expressive playing
• Professional jazz sound

✗ CONS

• Requires precise intonation skills
• Fingerboard wear over time

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive Series6-String Fretless Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: Canadian...

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 411666

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst

by Harley Benton

Progressive World Music Session Work

Key Feature:

• Endless pitch possibilities

✓ PROS

• Unique fretless character
• Endless pitch possibilities

✗ CONS

• May not suit all players
• Requires precise intonation skills

Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone SunburstFretless Electric BassFretlessBody: American ashBolt-on neck: Canadian maple with...

⭐ 5.0/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 325972

$208

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton JB-40FL LH Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton JB-40FL LH Bundle

by Harley Benton

Progressive Jazz World Music

Key Feature:

• Smooth, singing sustain

✓ PROS

• Smooth, singing sustain
• Unique fretless character

✗ CONS

• May not suit all players
• Steeper learning curve

Harley Benton JB-40FL LH Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JB-40FL LH*Fretless Electric Bass*Left-handed...

⭐ 5.0/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 540190

$218

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton JB-40FL LH w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton JB-40FL LH w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Experimental Progressive Jazz

Key Feature:

• Endless pitch possibilities

✓ PROS

• Professional jazz sound
• Great for expressive playing

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• May not suit all players

Harley Benton JB-40FL LH w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JB-40FL LH*Fretless Electric Bass*Left-handed...

⭐ 5.0/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 540189

$218

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage Series

by Harley Benton

Progressive Session Work World Music

Key Feature:

• Professional jazz sound

✓ PROS

• Endless pitch possibilities
• Smooth, singing sustain

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• Requires precise intonation skills

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage SeriesFretless Electric BassFretless modelHollow body designArched basswood...

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 374353

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive Bundle

by Harley Benton

World Music Fusion Jazz

Key Feature:

• Unique fretless character

✓ PROS

• Professional jazz sound
• Smooth, singing sustain

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• Requires precise intonation skills

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive...

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 539274

$229

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst Bundle

by Harley Benton

Jazz World Music Session Work

Key Feature:

• Unique fretless character

✓ PROS

• Endless pitch possibilities
• Unique fretless character

✗ CONS

• Fingerboard wear over time
• Limited for some musical styles

Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst*Fretless...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 566919

$237

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.5/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Experimental Session Work Progressive

Key Feature:

• Smooth, singing sustain

✓ PROS

• Professional jazz sound
• Endless pitch possibilities

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• Limited for some musical styles

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive...

⭐ 4.5/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 539271

$229

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Experimental Session Work Fusion

Key Feature:

• Unique fretless character

✓ PROS

• Unique fretless character
• Professional jazz sound

✗ CONS

• May not suit all players
• Steeper learning curve

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage...

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 537200

$241

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive Series

by Harley Benton

Session Work Jazz World Music

Key Feature:

• Endless pitch possibilities

✓ PROS

• Great for expressive playing
• Unique fretless character

✗ CONS

• May not suit all players
• Limited for some musical styles

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive Series5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: AlderBolt-on neck: Canadian...

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 317319

$208

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Fretless Basses

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 fretless basses 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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TOP

Best Fretless Basses Under $300 2025

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive w/Bag

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive Bundle

Harley Benton B-450FL BK Progressive Series

Harley Benton B-650FL BK Progressive Series

Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst

Harley Benton JB-40FL LH Bundle

Harley Benton JB-40FL LH w/Bag

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage Series

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive Bundle

Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst Bundle

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive w/Bag

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage w/Bag

Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive Series

How to Choose the Best Fretless Basses

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying fretless basses?

How much should I spend on fretless basses?

Are expensive fretless basses worth the investment?

What are the best brands for fretless basses?

Should I buy fretless basses online or in-store?

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