AudioFu

Best Mandolins 2026

Top-rated mandolins 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Bluegrass For Folk For Celtic For Classical For Country For Traditional Music
BRANDS: Harley Benton Ortega Ibanez Richwood Gewa Gold Tone
Gold Tone GME-5 E-Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Gold Tone GME-5 E-Mandoline

by Gold Tone
Country Folk Classical
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across many genres
  • • Great for melody and rhythm
✗ CONS
  • • String tension can be high
  • • Needs frequent tuning

Gold Tone GME-5 E-MandolineElectric MandolineBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Maple20 FretsScale: 349 mm...

⭐ 4.6/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 512099
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone GME-4 E-Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Gold Tone GME-4 E-Mandoline

by Gold Tone
Traditional Music Celtic Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
  • • Versatile across many genres
✗ CONS
  • • Needs frequent tuning
  • • Small size may be challenging

Gold Tone GME-4 E-MandolineElectric MandolineBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleNut width: 27 mmScale: 352...

⭐ 4.8/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 535228
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone A-6 Mando Guitar TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Gold Tone A-6 Mando Guitar TS

by Gold Tone
Bluegrass Country Celtic
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
✗ CONS
  • • Small size may be challenging
  • • Limited low-end frequency range

Gold Tone A-6 Mando Guitar TSGuitar MandolinA-StyleTuning: E-A-D-G-B-ETop: solid spruceBack and sides: MapleNeck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 486606
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMF-100-VS Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Richwood RMF-100-VS Mandoline

by Richwood
Celtic Traditional Music Folk
Key Feature:
• Versatile across many genres
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
  • • Versatile across many genres
✗ CONS
  • • String tension can be high
  • • Limited low-end frequency range

Richwood RMF-100-VS MandolineMandolinSolid F-style modelTop: solid spruceBack and sides: solid flamed mapleBody...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 561876
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone F-5G Mandolin Cremona Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Epiphone F-5G Mandolin Cremona Burst

by Epiphone
Classical Traditional Music Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
  • • Great for melody and rhythm
✗ CONS
  • • String tension can be high
  • • Needs frequent tuning

Epiphone F-5G Mandolin Cremona BurstF-Style MandolineInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionTop: sitka...

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588321
$1,704
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone F6-Plus - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Gold Tone F6-Plus

by Gold Tone
Celtic Traditional Music Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
  • • Great for melody and rhythm
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end frequency range
  • • Requires specific playing technique

Gold Tone F6-PlusMandolinTop: soild spruceBack and sides: solid mapleNeck: MapleFingerboardd: RosewoodFingerboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 591576
$1,407
Buy at Thomann View Details
Seagull S8 Mandoline EQ Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Seagull S8 Mandoline EQ Sunburst

by Seagull
Country Traditional Music Classical
Key Feature:
• Bright, cutting high-end tone
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
✗ CONS
  • • String tension can be high
  • • Needs frequent tuning

Seagull S8 Mandoline EQ SunburstMandolinWith pickupSolid spruce topMaple back and sidesMaple neckRosewood fretboardDot...

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 462453
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez M522S-BS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ibanez M522S-BS

by Ibanez
Celtic Folk Country
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across many genres
  • • Compact, portable size
✗ CONS
  • • Needs frequent tuning
  • • String tension can be high

Ibanez M522S-BSMandolinDesign: A-style with carved topBody: MapleTop: Carved spruceNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 617261
$505
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez M522S-DVS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ibanez M522S-DVS

by Ibanez
Celtic Classical Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
  • • Compact, portable size
✗ CONS
  • • Small size may be challenging
  • • Requires specific playing technique

Ibanez M522S-DVSMandolinDesign: A-style with carved topBody: MapleTop: Carved spruceNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 617263
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMA-110-VS A-Style - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Richwood RMA-110-VS A-Style

by Richwood
Folk Country Classical
Key Feature:
• Bright, cutting high-end tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for melody and rhythm
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end frequency range
  • • Requires specific playing technique

Richwood RMA-110-VS A-Style8-String MandolinSolid A-style MandolinNeck: Flamed mapleTop: Solid spruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 519457
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa VGS Mandoline F-2 Premium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Gewa VGS Mandoline F-2 Premium

by Gewa
Folk Bluegrass Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Great for melody and rhythm
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing technique
  • • Limited low-end frequency range

Gewa VGS Mandolin F-2 PremiumMandolinTop: solid spruceF-holesBack and sides: solid flamed mapleFingerboard and bridge:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 558726
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Mandobird Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Epiphone Mandobird Vintage Sunburst

by Epiphone
Folk Classical Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Compact, portable size
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
✗ CONS
  • • String tension can be high
  • • Small size may be challenging

Epiphone Mandobird Vintage Sunburst4-String Electric MandolinInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionBody:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 588323
$366
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMF-60-VS F-Style Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Richwood RMF-60-VS F-Style Mandoline

by Richwood
Country Celtic Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Compact, portable size
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
✗ CONS
  • • Small size may be challenging
  • • Needs frequent tuning

Richwood RMF-60-VS F-Style MandolineMandolinF-StyleTop: Spruce laminatedBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 515562
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega RMFE100AVO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Ortega RMFE100AVO

by Ortega
Country Folk Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile across many genres
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
✗ CONS
  • • String tension can be high
  • • Small size may be challenging

Ortega RMFE100AVOMandolin with PickupStyle: F-StyleSolid spruce topBack and sides: solid maple (flamed)50 mm Body...

⭐ 4.9/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 315780
$938
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMF-80-Nt Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Richwood RMF-80-Nt Mandoline

by Richwood
Celtic Classical Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Bright, cutting high-end tone
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across many genres
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
✗ CONS
  • • String tension can be high
  • • Small size may be challenging

Richwood RMF-80-Nt Mandoline8-String F-style MandolinBuilt completely out of solid woodNeck: Indonesian mahoganyTop:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 523936
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Mandolins

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 mandolins 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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