A banjo costs from about $110 to more than $6,000. On October 18, 2026, Thomann had 128 banjos in stock: a quarter cost less than $433, half cost less than $787, and only 11 cost more than $3,000. For a first 5-string banjo that stays in tune and is pleasant to play, plan on $400 to $900.
Banjo prices by type
| Type | Models | Cheapest | Median | Most expensive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-string banjo | 85 | $168 | $899 | $6,075 |
| 4-string (tenor, plectrum) | 19 | $179 | $640 | $2,014 |
| 6-string (guitar tuning) | 18 | $179 | $616 | $3,600 |
| Banjo ukulele | 6 | $111 | $162 | $607 |
The 5-string is the bluegrass and folk banjo. The 4-string tenor is used in Irish music and jazz, and the 6-string is tuned like a guitar, so guitarists can play it right away. Gold Tone has the most models (46), then Deering (29) and Harley Benton (21).
How much does a beginner banjo cost?
Harley Benton HBJ-25, $167
A 5-string banjo with a sapele body, the cheapest way to find out if the banjo is for you. #25 of 106 banjos.
Gold Tone AC-1LN, $435
An open-back 5-string with a long 813 mm scale and a composite rim, for old-time and folk playing. #3 of 106 banjos.
Gold Tone CC-100R, $894
A 5-string resonator banjo with a maple rim and a rolled brass tone ring, the classic bluegrass setup. One of the highest-ranked banjos we track: #2 of 106 banjos.
How much does a professional banjo cost?
Gold Tone OB-150RF Orange Blossom, $1,678
A 5-string with a brass flat-top tone ring, a 14-inch maple resonator and a case. The highest-ranked banjo we track: #1 of 106 banjos.
Deering Sierra 5-String, $3,133
A mahogany banjo with an ebony fingerboard and Deering's slim neck. #7 of 106 banjos.
Questions
How much should I spend on my first banjo?
About $400 to $900 for a 5-string. Below $300, banjos work but are harder to keep in tune and adjust.
Are banjos expensive?
Less than most people think: the median banjo at Thomann costs $787, less than the median acoustic guitar.
How we measured. Every banjo Thomann listed as in stock on October 18, 2026 (128 models), sorted into types by model name and converted from euros at the European Central Bank rate. Products show today's price and rank, updated every night.
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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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