AudioFu

Best Mandolins Under $100 2025

Affordable mandolins under $100 - great value without compromising quality

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

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 Gold Tone Gewa
Harley Benton HBMA-50E Mandoline BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Harley Benton HBMA-50E Mandoline BK

by Harley Benton
Traditional Music Country Celtic
Key Feature:
• Great for melody and rhythm
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across many genres
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end frequency range
  • • Requires specific playing technique

Harley Benton HBMA-50E Mandoline BKElectric mandolinBluegrass seriesBody shape: A styleSpruce topBody: BasswoodNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 203838
$94
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline VS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline VS

by Harley Benton
Country Traditional Music Classical
Key Feature:
• Compact, portable size
✓ PROS
  • • Compact, portable size
  • • Versatile across many genres
✗ CONS
  • • Needs frequent tuning
  • • Requires specific playing technique

Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline VSMandolinBluegrass seriesBody shape: A styleSpruce topBody: BasswoodNeck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 277629
$65
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline VS w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline VS w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Traditional Music Bluegrass Classical
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Great for melody and rhythm
  • • Compact, portable size
✗ CONS
  • • Small size may be challenging
  • • Needs frequent tuning

Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline VS w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 539042
$76
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBMA-50E Mandoline VS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton HBMA-50E Mandoline VS

by Harley Benton
Country Classical Celtic
Key Feature:
• Bright, cutting high-end tone
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across many genres
  • • Great for melody and rhythm
✗ CONS
  • • Small size may be challenging
  • • String tension can be high

Harley Benton HBMA-50E Mandoline VSElectric MandolinSpruce topBasswood bodyNato neck (Palaquium spp.)Blackwood...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 144773
$94
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline BK w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline BK w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Bluegrass Folk Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Compact, portable size
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, cutting high-end tone
  • • Compact, portable size
✗ CONS
  • • Small size may be challenging
  • • Needs frequent tuning

Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline BK w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline...

⭐ 5.0/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 539043
$78
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline BK

by Harley Benton
Bluegrass Country Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Compact, portable size
✓ PROS
  • • Compact, portable size
  • • Essential bluegrass instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Needs frequent tuning
  • • Requires specific playing technique

Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline BKMandolinBluegrass seriesBody shape: A styleSpruce topBody: BasswoodNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 277630
$65
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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