Best Travel Guitars Under $800 2026
Affordable travel guitars under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Travel
For Practice
For Camping
For Small Spaces
For Backup Guitar
For Convenient Playing
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Journey Instruments OEB990B Travel Bass BP
Convenient Playing
Camping
Backup Guitar
Key Feature:
• Extremely portable and compact
✓ PROS
- • Extremely portable and compact
- • Convenient for small living spaces
✗ CONS
- • May have tuning stability issues
- • Limited volume and projection
Journey Instruments OEB990B Travel Bass BPElectric BassBody: PoplarNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodFingerboard radius:...
⭐
4.4/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 592839
$582
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Journey Instruments OE990CB Travel El. Guitar CB
Travel
Camping
Backup Guitar
Key Feature:
• Perfect for travel and camping
✓ PROS
- • Usually more affordable
- • Extremely portable and compact
✗ CONS
- • Limited volume and projection
- • Compromised tone quality
Journey Instruments OE990CB Travel El. Guitar CBElectric Travel GuitarCollapsibleBody: PoplarTop: flamed...
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 556601
$549
#3
⭐
5.0/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Journey Instruments OE990BK Travel El. Guitar BK
Travel
Convenient Playing
Camping
Key Feature:
• Convenient for small living spaces
✓ PROS
- • Extremely portable and compact
- • Usually more affordable
✗ CONS
- • Limited volume and projection
- • May feel different from full-size
Journey Instruments OE990BK Travel El. Guitar BKElectric Travel GuitarCollapsibleBody: PoplarTop: flamed...
⭐
5.0/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 556598
$549
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Journey Instruments OE990BL Travel El. Guitar FB
Travel
Convenient Playing
Practice
Key Feature:
• Convenient for small living spaces
✓ PROS
- • Extremely portable and compact
- • Usually more affordable
✗ CONS
- • Compromised tone quality
- • Not suitable for performance
Journey Instruments OE990BL Travel El. Guitar FBTravel Electric GuitarCollapsibleBody: PoplarTop: flamed...
⭐
4.8/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 556596
$549
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Traveler Guitar Escape Mark III Steel BK Satin
Backup Guitar
Camping
Small Spaces
Key Feature:
• Extremely portable and compact
✓ PROS
- • Great practice instrument
- • Convenient for small living spaces
✗ CONS
- • Compromised tone quality
- • Not suitable for performance
Traveler Guitar Escape Mark III Steel BK SatinAcoustic Electric Travel GuitarBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck:...
⭐
4.9/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 587251
$505
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Traveler Guitar Escape Mark III Nylon Natural
Travel
Practice
Camping
Key Feature:
• Great practice instrument
✓ PROS
- • Extremely portable and compact
- • Convenient for small living spaces
✗ CONS
- • Not suitable for performance
- • Limited volume and projection
Traveler Guitar Escape Mark III Nylon NaturalAcoustic Electric Travel GuitarBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck:...
⭐
5.0/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598538
$505
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Journey Instruments OEB990BK Travel Bass BK
Convenient Playing
Practice
Travel
Key Feature:
• Extremely portable and compact
✓ PROS
- • Great practice instrument
- • Extremely portable and compact
✗ CONS
- • Compromised tone quality
- • May feel different from full-size
Journey Instruments OEB990BK Travel Bass BKDismountable Travel Electric Bass with backpackBody: solid poplarNeck:...
⭐
4.6/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 593143
$582
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.
