Best Other Acoustic Guitars Under $500 2026
Affordable other acoustic guitars under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE SBK Solid w/Bag
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Stand-out visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
- • Less familiar to most players
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE SBK Solid w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE SBK...
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 621532
$428
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
DAngelico Premier Gramercy Natural
by
DAngelico
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Resale value uncertainty
DAngelico Premier Gramercy NaturalSteel-String Guitar with PickupType: Grand Auditorium with cutawayBack and sides:...
⭐
4.6/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 611117
$428
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT Solid w/Bag
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Innovative materials and technology
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability and selection
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT Solid w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT...
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621537
$406
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton CLA-15M SolidWood w/Bag
Creative Expression
Unique Designs
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Innovative materials and technology
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
✗ CONS
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
- • Resale value uncertainty
Harley Benton CLA-15M SolidWood w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLA-15M SolidWood*Acoustic Guitar*Custom...
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 525300
$351
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT AllSolid
Specialty Applications
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Innovative materials and technology
- • Unique design and construction features
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability and selection
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Harley Benton CLG-70ASR CE NAT AllSolidSteel-String Guitar with PickupCustom Line seriesType: Grand Auditorium with...
⭐
4.6/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 589644
$384
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Takamine GN20CE-N
by
Takamine
Unique Designs
Creative Expression
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Stand-out visual appeal
- • Unique design and construction features
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Resale value uncertainty
Takamine GN20CE-NSteel String Guitar with PickupBuild: NEX with CutawayTop: Solid cedarBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...
⭐
5.0/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 423964
$472
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez AEWC621-BOT
by
Ibanez
Alternative Styles
Specialty Applications
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Stand-out visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Resale value uncertainty
- • Limited availability and selection
Ibanez AEWC621-BOTSteel-String Guitar with PickupWith cutawayBack and sides: SapeleTop: SpruceNeck: Nyatoh with Comfort...
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606911
$428
#8
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Takamine GN11MCE NS G-Series
by
Takamine
Creative Expression
Specialty Applications
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Innovative materials and technology
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Resale value uncertainty
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Takamine GN11MCE NS G-SerieSteel-String GuitarBody shape: NEX with cutawayTop: MahoganyBack and sides: MahoganyBlack...
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 469091
$373
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton Custom Line CLG-48CE Wide NT
Alternative Styles
Creative Expression
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Innovative materials and technology
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Resale value uncertainty
Harley Benton Custom Line CLG-48CE Wide NT WNSteel String Guitar with PickupBuild: Grand Auditorium cutawayWalnut...
⭐
4.6/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 495623
$329
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton CLC-650SM-CE VS Solid Wood
Creative Expression
Unique Designs
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Innovative materials and technology
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
✗ CONS
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
- • Less familiar to most players
Harley Benton CLC-650SM-CE VS Solid WoodSolid Wood Steel String Guitar with PickupBuild: Grand Concert Style with...
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 488817
$384
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton CLG-650SM-CE VS SolidWood
Custom Features
Unique Designs
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Innovative materials and technology
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability and selection
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Harley Benton CLG-650SM-CE VS Solid WoodSolid Wood Steel-String Guitar with PickupDesign: Grand auditorium with...
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 461146
$384
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez AE100-DBF
by
Ibanez
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Stand-out visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Stand-out visual appeal
- • Innovative materials and technology
✗ CONS
- • Resale value uncertainty
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
Ibanez AE100-DBFSteel-String Guitar with PickupAE SeriesTop: Solid Sitka SpruceBack and Sides: OkoumeNeck:...
⭐
4.5/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581687
$373
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton Custom Line CLG-48CE Wi Bundle
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Innovative materials and technology
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
- • Limited availability and selection
Harley Benton Custom Line CLG-48CE Wi Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLG-48CE Wide NT*Steel...
⭐
4.9/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 507280
$351
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic
by
Fender
Unique Designs
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Innovative materials and technology
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
✗ CONS
- • Resale value uncertainty
- • Limited availability and selection
Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat AcousticSteel String GuitarBody shape: ConcertTop: Solid mahoganyBack and sides:...
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 223527
$472
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
DAngelico Premier Gramercy Caramel Burst
by
DAngelico
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Unique design and construction features
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
DAngelico Premier Gramercy Caramel BurstSteel-String Guitar with PickupConstruction: Grand Auditorium with single...
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 611102
$428
How to Choose the Best Other 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 other 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.
