Best Acoustic Guitars Under $500 in 2024

Here you'll find the best acoustic guitars under $500. Here you'll find the best acoustic guitars under $500.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Cort MR730FX

Compare
Cort MR730FX
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 80
Value for money 90
Overall Score 80
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Cort's 2017 MR series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany Back & Mahogany Sides back
  • Solid Mahogany Back & Mahogany Sides sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Prefix Plus T (Preamp/Active)
  • Ovangkol bridge
  • Acoustic Cort Neck Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover w/ Black Knobs tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Cort's 2017 MR series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany Back & Mahogany Sides back
  • Solid Mahogany Back & Mahogany Sides sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Prefix Plus T (Preamp/Active)
  • Ovangkol bridge
  • Acoustic Cort Neck Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover w/ Black Knobs tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort MR730FX
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

2. Fender Malibu Classic

Compare
Fender Malibu Classic
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoFender logo
Playability 82
Sound 86
Build quality 74
Value for money 91
Overall Score 81

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (3 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoFender logo
  • From Fender's 2018 California series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.1"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman-designed preamp system (Preamp/Active)
  • Modern Viking bridge
  • Acoustic Slim C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Sealed Nickel tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Fender's 2018 California series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.1"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman-designed preamp system (Preamp/Active)
  • Modern Viking bridge
  • Acoustic Slim C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Sealed Nickel tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Malibu Classic
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

3. Washburn F11SCE

Compare
Washburn F11SCE
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 84
Build quality 77
Value for money 89
Overall Score 79
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Washburn's 2019 Heritage series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid western red cedar top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Satin Mahogany with 2 way Truss Rod neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys II 301T w/tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Ovangkol bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Heritage Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Diecast tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Washburn's 2019 Heritage series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid western red cedar top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Satin Mahogany with 2 way Truss Rod neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys II 301T w/tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Ovangkol bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Heritage Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Diecast tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Washburn F11SCE
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • NuBone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

4. Martin DJr-10

Compare
Martin DJr-10
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 82
Sound 85
Build quality 72
Value for money 90
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Martin's 2021 Junior series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 24"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce or Sapele top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • FSC Certified Richlite fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • FSC Certified Richlite bridge
  • Acoustic Dreadnought Junior Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Martin's 2021 Junior series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 24"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce or Sapele top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Solid Sapele sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • FSC Certified Richlite fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • FSC Certified Richlite bridge
  • Acoustic Dreadnought Junior Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin DJr-10
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

5. Ibanez AC340CE

Compare
Ibanez AC340CE
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 84
Build quality 74
Value for money 88
Overall Score 78
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Ibanez's 2020 ARTWOOD series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Okoume top
  • Okoume back
  • Okoume sides
  • Nyatoh neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman S-Core (Preamp/Active)
  • Thermo Aged Ovangkol bridge
  • Acoustic AC Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Ibanez's 2020 ARTWOOD series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Okoume top
  • Okoume back
  • Okoume sides
  • Nyatoh neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman S-Core (Preamp/Active)
  • Thermo Aged Ovangkol bridge
  • Acoustic AC Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AC340CE
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

6. Epiphone Dove Studio

Compare
Epiphone Dove Studio
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logoAmazon logo
Playability 77
Sound 85
Build quality 74
Value for money 89
Overall Score 79

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Slightly sharp (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logoAmazon logo
  • From Epiphone's 2012 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Select Maple back
  • Select Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonicore (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Laurel bridge
  • Acoustic SlimTaper D Set neck
  • 20 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Rotomatic 14:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Epiphone's 2012 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Select Maple back
  • Select Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonicore (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Laurel bridge
  • Acoustic SlimTaper D Set neck
  • 20 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Rotomatic 14:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Dove Studio
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Plastic Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

7. Taylor BT1e

Compare
Taylor BT1e
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 82
Sound 84
Build quality 70
Value for money 89
Overall Score 79

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (7 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Taylor's 2017 Baby Taylor series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 22.75"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Layered Walnut back
  • Layered Walnut sides
  • Hard Rock Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: ES-B Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Die-Cast Chrome tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Taylor's 2017 Baby Taylor series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 22.75"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Layered Walnut back
  • Layered Walnut sides
  • Hard Rock Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: ES-B Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Die-Cast Chrome tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor BT1e
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

8. Harley Benton CLMJ-15MCE

Compare
Harley Benton CLMJ-15MCE
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 82
Sound 83
Build quality 67
Value for money 92
Overall Score 77
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Harley Benton's 2019 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 23.504"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Okoume top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonicore system (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic Oval modified C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • DLX die-cast chrome machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Harley Benton's 2019 Custom Line series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 23.504"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Okoume top
  • Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Sonicore system (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic Oval modified C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • DLX die-cast chrome machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton CLMJ-15MCE
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Plastic Saddle
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • Laminated Top Wood
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

9. Guild Jumbo Junior Mahogany

Compare
Guild Jumbo Junior Mahogany
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 78
Sound 83
Build quality 70
Value for money 87
Overall Score 77
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Guild's 2017 Westerly Collection series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 23.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Guild/Fishman GT-1 with Volume and Tone controls (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Guild GBB1 Butterbean Tuning Machines 16:1 Nickel tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Guild's 2017 Westerly Collection series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 23.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Guild/Fishman GT-1 with Volume and Tone controls (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Guild GBB1 Butterbean Tuning Machines 16:1 Nickel tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Guild Jumbo Junior Mahogany
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

10. Alvarez LJ2CESHB

Compare
Alvarez LJ2CESHB
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 82
Sound 85
Build quality 67
Value for money 88
Overall Score 78
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Alvarez's 2021 Artist series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 23.622"'' scale
  • 14.96" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid A+ Sitka Spruce top
  • African Mahogany back
  • African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish neck
  • Engineered Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: SYS250 EQ with Backlit Tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Engineered Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Die Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Alvarez's 2021 Artist series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 23.622"'' scale
  • 14.96" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid A+ Sitka Spruce top
  • African Mahogany back
  • African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish neck
  • Engineered Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: SYS250 EQ with Backlit Tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Engineered Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Die Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez LJ2CESHB
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Filter ResultsClear all filters×
Price
  • General
    Brand
    Country of Origin
    For Hand Size
    Great for
    Handedness
    Max Weight
    • Type desired range in pounds (lbs):
    String Material
    Strings
    Body
    Back Wood
    Body Finish
    Body Shape
    Body Type
    Top Wood
    Comfortability
    Decorative Top
    Saddle Material
    Sides Wood
    Neck
    Custom 12th Fret Inlay
    Fret Material
      Fret Size
      Fretboard Radius
      Fretboard Wood
      Headstock
      Inlay Material
      Inlay Position
      Inlay Shape
      Luminescent Sidedots
      Neck Joint
      Neck Profile
      Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
      • Type desired range in inches:
      Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
      • Type desired range in inches:
      Neck Wood
      Number of Frets
      Nut Material
      Nut Width
      Playstyle
      Scale Length
      Electronics
      Bridge Pickups Brand
      Neck Pickups Brand
        Pickup Mods
        Pickups Power
        Hardware
        Hardware Color
        Strap Lock
        Tuners Type
          By Score
          Build Quality Score
            Build Quality Score
          • Type desired score
          Features Score
            Features Score
          • Type desired score
          Material Quality Score
            Material Quality Score
          • Type desired score
          Pickups Quality Score
            Pickups Quality Score
          • Type desired score
          Playability Score
            Playability Score
          • Type desired score
          Quality Control Score
            Quality Control Score
          • Type desired score
          Sound Score
            Sound Score
          • Type desired score
          Value for Money Score
            Value for Money Score
          • Type desired score
          Versatility Score
            Versatility Score
          • Type desired score