Best Other Acoustic Guitars Under $800 2026
Affordable other acoustic guitars under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar LX1E LH
Experimental Music
Creative Expression
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Unique design and construction features
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Resale value uncertainty
- • Less familiar to most players
Martin Guitar LX1E LHAcoustic Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelStyle: LX - Little MartinTop: solid spruceBack and...
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 556085
$692
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar LX1RE LH
Specialty Applications
Creative Expression
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Innovative materials and technology
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Limited availability and selection
Martin Guitar LX1RE LHAcoustic Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelStyle: LX - Little MartinTop: solid spruceBack and...
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 556097
$692
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar LXK2
Alternative Styles
Unique Designs
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Unique design and construction features
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Innovative materials and technology
✗ CONS
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
- • Less familiar to most players
Martin Guitar LXK2Steel-String GuitarDesign: LX - Little Martinback and sides: mastered Koa high-pressure laminate...
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 556099
$549
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar LXK2 LH
Alternative Styles
Creative Expression
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
- • Unique design and construction features
✗ CONS
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
- • Resale value uncertainty
Martin Guitar LXK2 LHSteel-String GuitarLeft-handed modelDesign: LX - Little Martinback and sides: mastered Koa...
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 556102
$527
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Takamine GN71CE-NAT w/Bag
by
Takamine
Creative Expression
Specialty Applications
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Unique design and construction features
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Resale value uncertainty
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Takamine GN71CE-NAT w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Takamine GN71CE-NAT*Steel String Guitar*Build: NEX with CutawayTop:...
⭐
4.9/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 539102
$614
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Breedlove Discovery S Concert CE EB
by
Breedlove
Creative Expression
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Stand-out visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
Breedlove Discovery S Concert CE EBSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Concert with cutawayBack and sides: African...
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612719
$549
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Carvalho CARV300JM Jazz Manouche
by
Carvalho
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Innovative materials and technology
✓ PROS
- • Stand-out visual appeal
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Carvalho CARV300JM Jazz ManoucheAcoustic GuitarStyle: Gypsy Jazz with oval sound holeTop: solid spruceBack and sides:...
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585045
$714
#8
⭐
5.0/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar LX1 Life is Good
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Innovative materials and technology
✗ CONS
- • Resale value uncertainty
- • Less familiar to most players
Martin Guitar LX1 Life is GoodSteel-String GuitarLX seriesTop: HPL (High pressure Laminate)Back and sides: flamed...
⭐
5.0/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 597324
$692
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Richwood G-65CE VA Master Series
by
Richwood
Creative Expression
Specialty Applications
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive tonal characteristics
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
Richwood G-65CE VA Master SeriesAcoustic GuitarStyle: Auditorium with cutawayBody: RosewoodTop: solid spruceNeck:...
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 559448
$659
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
DAngelico Excel Gramercy Aged Sepia Burs
by
DAngelico
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Resale value uncertainty
DAngelico Excel Gramercy Aged Sepia BursSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand Auditorium with cutawaySolid...
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 621791
$604
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Takamine GN51CE-NAT
by
Takamine
Specialty Applications
Creative Expression
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Stand-out visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Innovative materials and technology
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
✗ CONS
- • Resale value uncertainty
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
Takamine GN51CE-NATSteel String Guitar with PickupDesign: NEX with CutawayTop: Solid spruceQuartersawn x BracingBack...
⭐
4.6/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 444422
$549
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Takamine GF30CE-B
by
Takamine
Specialty Applications
Alternative Styles
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Stand-out visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Innovative materials and technology
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Resale value uncertainty
Takamine GF30CE-BSteel String GuitarBuild: FXC Artist CutawayTop: Solid spruceQuartersawn X BracingBack and sides:...
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 423932
$516
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Martin Guitar LX1RE
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
Creative Expression
Key Feature:
• Stand-out visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Alternative body shapes and sizes
- • Unique design and construction features
✗ CONS
- • Less familiar to most players
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
Martin Guitar LX1REAcoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: LX - Little MartinTop: solid spruceBack and sides: Rosewood HPL...
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 556087
$692
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Breedlove Discovery S Concert CE WH
by
Breedlove
Custom Features
Unique Designs
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive tonal characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
- • Less familiar to most players
Breedlove Discovery S Concert CE WHSteel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Concert with cutawayTop: Solid European...
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612761
$604
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Fender Acoustasonic Std Jazzm HSB
by
Fender
Unique Designs
Specialty Applications
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Innovative materials and technology
- • Unique design and construction features
✗ CONS
- • May have unusual playability characteristics
- • Less familiar to most players
Fender Acoustasonic Std Jazzm HSBAcoustic / Electric GuitarBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: NyatohFingerboard: RosewoodIvory...
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608815
$714
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.
