A new full-size cello costs from about $470 to more than $33,000. Of the 123 full-size cellos Thomann had in stock in October 2026, a quarter cost less than $1,845, half cost less than $3,252, and 41 cost more than $6,000. That's roughly twice the median violin: a cello uses far more wood and work.
For a beginner, a solid-wood student cello costs $900 to $1,500. Advanced students spend $2,000 to $4,000, and handmade orchestral cellos start around $4,000.
Cello prices by level
| Price | Full-size cellos | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Under $1,500 | 21 | Student cellos and outfits |
| $1,500 to $3,000 | 27 | Advanced student |
| $3,000 to $6,000 | 34 | Workshop and handmade orchestral cellos |
| Over $6,000 | 41 | Master and professional cellos |
Prices are Thomann's as of October 18, 2026.
How much does a cello cost for a beginner?
Look for solid wood: a solid spruce top and solid maple back and sides. The cheapest cellos, around $500, are Thomann's decorative models in black and colored finishes; for lessons, solid wood is worth the extra money.
Gewa Allegro VC1 Cello 7/8, $896
A solid cello made entirely from European woods with an ebony fingerboard and pegs, in the 7/8 size that suits many adults with smaller hands. #1 of 95 acoustic cellos.
Gewa Ideale VC2 Cello 4/4, $1,224
A full-size solid cello with a flamed maple back and ebony fittings, a solid student instrument for years of lessons. #3 of 95 acoustic cellos.
Children's cellos
Children's cellos come in 1/16 to 3/4 sizes. They cost surprisingly close to full-size ones (a 1/2 cello averages about $1,300 at Thomann), which is why many families rent the small sizes.
Gewa Allegro VC1 Cello Set 1/2 MB, $1,088
A solid half-size cello set with an ebony fingerboard and pegs. The highest-ranked children's cello in our index when we checked: #1 of 13 1/2 cellos.
Handmade cellos
Karl Höfner H4/5 DM Cello 4/4, $3,693
A handmade orchestral cello from Höfner's master workshop, modeled on a Domenico Montagnana, with a flamed maple back and hand-applied antique varnish. #2 of 95 acoustic cellos.
Silent cellos for practice
Yamaha SVC 50 Silent Cello, $2,468
A cello with a skeleton body that plays almost silently through headphones, or through a PA on stage, and is easy to transport. One of the highest-ranked electric cellos we track: #3 of 21 electric cellos.
Questions
How much should a beginner spend on a cello?
$900 to $1,500 for a solid-wood student cello. The Gewa Ideale VC2 costs $1,224.
Why are cellos so expensive?
A cello needs far more wood than a violin and much more carving and fitting time, so every level costs about twice as much.
Is it better to rent or buy a cello for a child?
For the small sizes, renting usually makes sense: children outgrow each size in one to two years, and small cellos cost nearly as much as full-size ones.
How we measured. We took every full-size (123) and children's (85) acoustic cello Thomann listed as in stock on October 18, 2026, converted from euros at the European Central Bank rate. Products show today's price and rank, updated every night; the table is fixed to October 18.
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Denis Kataev runs AudioFu. Every night the site records the prices of more than 38,000 instruments and studio tools at Thomann, and he writes about what those numbers show: what got cheaper, what just arrived, and which discounts are real.
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