AudioFu

Best Mandolins 2026

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

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 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
Ibanez M700S-AVS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Ibanez M700S-AVS

by Ibanez
Traditional Music Celtic Country
Key Feature:
• Bright, cutting high-end tone
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
  • • Versatile across many genres
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing technique
  • • Small size may be challenging

Ibanez M700S-AVSMandolinDesign: A-style with carved topBody: Flamed mapleTop: Carved spruce3-Piece neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 617266
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega RMFE40SBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Ortega RMFE40SBK

by Ortega
Classical Celtic Folk
Key Feature:
• Versatile across many genres
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
  • • Compact, portable size
✗ CONS
  • • Needs frequent tuning
  • • Small size may be challenging

Ortega RMFE40SBKMandolin with PickupType: F-styleTop: SpruceBack and sides: MapleFingerboard: Rosewood (Dalbergia...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 288096
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez M522S-BS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Hamaril Mandolin Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Hamaril Mandolin Set

by Hamaril
Country Celtic Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile across many genres
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
  • • Great for melody and rhythm
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing technique
  • • Needs frequent tuning

Hamaril Mandolin Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HBMA-100E- VS*Electric Mandolin*Bluegrass SeriesFlorentine...

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 422340
$381
Buy at Thomann View Details
Seagull S8 Mandoline EQ Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Gold Tone A-6 Mando Guitar TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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-80-Nt Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Ortega RMFE90TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ortega RMFE90TS

by Ortega
Folk Bluegrass Country
Key Feature:
• Compact, portable size
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
  • • Versatile across many genres
✗ CONS
  • • Small size may be challenging
  • • Limited low-end frequency range

Ortega RMFE90TSF-Style MandolineTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: MapleNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodScale: 345 mm24...

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 375057
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Richwood RMA-90-NT Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Richwood RMA-90-NT Mandoline

by Richwood
Bluegrass Folk Celtic
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Great for melody and rhythm
  • • Compact, portable size
✗ CONS
  • • Needs frequent tuning
  • • String tension can be high

Richwood RMA-90-NT MandolineMandolinSolid A-style modelTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: Solid mapleBody binding:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 561872
$417
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega RMFE30-WB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ortega RMFE30-WB

by Ortega
Traditional Music Folk Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across many genres
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
✗ CONS
  • • String tension can be high
  • • Requires specific playing technique

Ortega RMFE30-WBMandolin with PickupType: F-StyleBody depth: 50 mmTop: SpruceBack and sides: MapleNeck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 556968
$365
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega RMFE100AVO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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-100-VS Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Gewa VGS Mandoline F-1 Select - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Gewa VGS Mandoline F-1 Select

by Gewa
Celtic Country Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
  • • Versatile across many genres
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end frequency range
  • • String tension can be high

Gewa Mandoline F-1 SelectMandolinSpruce topF-holesBack and sides: MapleBound fingerboardNut width: 30 mmScale: 350 mm24...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 558725
$408
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Pro Natura Mandolin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Gewa Pro Natura Mandolin

by Gewa
Celtic Classical Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Compact, portable size
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
✗ CONS
  • • Needs frequent tuning
  • • Limited low-end frequency range

Gewa Pro Natura MandolinFlat MandolinPortuguese shapeTop: Solid spruceInlaid wooden pickguardBack & Sides:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 115608
$340
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone F-5 Studio WR Satin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Epiphone F-5 Studio WR Satin

by Epiphone
Celtic Traditional Music Country
Key Feature:
• Compact, portable size
✓ PROS
  • • Compact, portable size
  • • Versatile across many genres
✗ CONS
  • • Small size may be challenging
  • • String tension can be high

Epiphone F-5 Studio WR SatinF-Style MandolineInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionTop: SpruceBack and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588392
$703
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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