AudioFu

Best Travel Guitars Under $500 2025

Affordable travel guitars under $500 - great value without compromising quality

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

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Travel For Practice For Camping For Small Spaces For Backup Guitar For Convenient Playing
BRANDS: Journey Instruments Traveler Guitar Harley Benton
Traveler Guitar Ultra Light Acoustic Maple - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Traveler Guitar Ultra Light Acoustic Maple

by Traveler Guitar
Travel Practice Convenient Playing
Key Feature:
• Great practice instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Extremely portable and compact
  • • Usually more affordable
✗ CONS
  • • Not suitable for performance
  • • May feel different from full-size

Traveler Guitar Ultra Light Acoustic MapleSteel-String Travel Guitar with PickupTotal length: 711 mmMaple...

⭐ 4.8/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 506450
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar Steel String Backpacker Guitar - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Martin Guitar Steel String Backpacker Guitar

by Martin Guitar
Travel Convenient Playing Camping
Key Feature:
• Great practice instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for travel and camping
  • • Convenient for small living spaces
✗ CONS
  • • Limited volume and projection
  • • May have tuning stability issues

Martin Guitar Steel String Backpacker GuitarSteel-String Travel GuitarTop: Solid SpruceBack and sides: SapeleNeck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 556447
$417
Buy at Thomann View Details
Flight Mini Bass TBL Solid Body - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Flight Mini Bass TBL Solid Body

by Flight
Backup Guitar Travel Convenient Playing
Key Feature:
• Convenient for small living spaces
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for travel and camping
  • • Usually more affordable
✗ CONS
  • • May have tuning stability issues
  • • Not suitable for performance

Flight Mini Bass TBL Solid BodyMini Electric BassType: solid bodyTop: quilted mapleBody: solid mahoganyNeck: roasted...

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 568764
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Lefty AB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Lefty AB

by Traveler Guitar
Travel Backup Guitar Small Spaces
Key Feature:
• Extremely portable and compact
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for travel and camping
  • • Great practice instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Not suitable for performance
  • • Compromised tone quality

Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Lefty ABTravel Acoustic Guitar with PickupLeft-hand modelBody: MapleNeck-thru-body...

⭐ 5.0/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608984
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez AUP10FMNE-TBO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ibanez AUP10FMNE-TBO

by Ibanez
Convenient Playing Small Spaces Practice
Key Feature:
• Usually more affordable
✓ PROS
  • • Great practice instrument
  • • Perfect for travel and camping
✗ CONS
  • • May feel different from full-size
  • • Limited volume and projection

Ibanez AUP10FMNE-TBOPiccolo Acoustic Guitar with PickupChambered body: AlderBack and sides: Solid PaulowniaTop: Flamed...

⭐ 4.4/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 606929
$318
Buy at Thomann View Details
Traveler Guitar Ultra Light Acoustic AB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Traveler Guitar Ultra Light Acoustic AB

by Traveler Guitar
Travel Backup Guitar Small Spaces
Key Feature:
• Usually more affordable
✓ PROS
  • • Usually more affordable
  • • Great practice instrument
✗ CONS
  • • May have tuning stability issues
  • • Not suitable for performance

Traveler Guitar Ultra Light Acoustic ABSteel-String Travel Guitar with PickupTotal length: 711 mmMaple bodyNeck-Thru:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 506454
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Travel 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 travel 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.

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