Wondering about the best acoustic guitars under 200 in 2022? Get to know everything from this complete buying guide from industry experts!
Learning how to play the guitar is such a pleasant experience when you have got a decent instrument to play and learn on. To get a decent instrument, you don’t need to spend a whole lot of fortune. Some people might start learning to play the guitar and later realize it’s not really for them.
Acoustic Guitar Buying Guides
So, we’ve come up with the 10 best acoustic guitars under 200 dollars/pound to stop you from spending a whole bunch of money on a guitar that you might not use. Let’s check them out without wasting any more time.
Our Top 3 Picks (At A Glance)
- Dreadnaught, Non-cutaway, Solid Spruce Top
- Nato/okume back and sides, Bracing pattern: Scalloped
- Body finish: Gloss Orientation: Right-handed, Nut width: 1.69" (43mm)
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, Neck wood: Nato, Scale length: 25"
- Other features include black and white body binding, die-cast tuners, and a tortoise pickguard
- Classic go-to Dreadnought Shape
- Select Spruce top
- Mahogany Body & Neck
- SlimTaper C-profile neck
- Epiphone Sloped Dovewing headstock
- Premium Die-Cast tuners
- Fender SA-150 Full Review
- The slim easy to play neck shape is perfect for beginners
- Steel-string acoustic guitars are traditional in folk, country, and blues
- Designed by Fender one of the most trusted and recognizable names in the musical instrument industry
- The traditional dreadnought body shape provides excellent tonal balance and projection
What Are The Best Acoustic Guitars Under 200?
First, let us know what are the 10 best acoustic guitars under 200 with the best purposes and a few specific features:
1. Best For Folk: Yamaha FG800
Solid Sitka spruce top, Nato back and sides, Rosewood fingerboard and bridge, tortoise pickguard.
2. Best For Reliability: Epiphone DR-100
Classic go-to dreadnought shape, Mahogany body and neck with select spruce top, SlimTaper neck profile.
3. Best For Traditional Music: Squier by Fender SA-150
Dreadnought basswood body with Mahogany back, Easy-to-play slim neck profile, and Mahogany fretboard.
4. Best For Big and Bold Sound: Jasmine S-35
Dreadnought body style with spruce top Jasmine Advanced “X” bracing, Agathis back and sides.
5. Best For Learners: Yamaha F325D
Dreadnought body with a laminated Spruce top, Nato neck with Rosewood fretboard, and Chrome tuners.
6. Best For Electric Players: Ibanez Talman TCY10
Talman double-cutaway body, Mahogany neck, Black and white multi-rosette, Ibanez chrome die-cast tuners.
7. Best For Looks: Epiphone PR-150
Spruce top with a mahogany neck, back, and sides, Rosewood fretboard, and Chrome hardware.
8. Best For Practice: AKLOT Acoustic Guitar
Full-size cutaway dreadnought body style, Available in 41″/38″ and 4/4, Sealed 1/18 gear tuning pegs, and a bunch of accessories.
9. Best For Robust Performance: Alvarez RD26
Spruce top, System standard scalloped “X” bracing pattern, SYS250 3-band equalizer w/ tuner.
10. Best For Low Budget: Huntington GA41PS Dreadnought
Full-size dreadnought body style, Adjustable truss rod, Resin nut and saddle, picks, strings, string winder.
Comparison Table (Best Acoustic Guitars Under 200)
- Body Body type: Dreadnaught, Cutaway: Non-cutaway, Top wood: Solid Spruce.
- Back & sides: Nato/okume, Bracing pattern: Scalloped, Body finish: Gloss, Orientation: Right-handed, Nut width: 1.69" (43mm).
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, Neck wood: Nato, Scale length: 25" Number of frets: 20.
- Neck finish: Matte, Electronics Pickup/preamp: No.
- Features one of the most popular tonewoods - solid Sitka spruce - for the top.
- Gives you a nice mellow tone with a slower response and keeps the guitar nice and lightweight.
- Songmaker DR-100 Features: Classic go-to Dreadnought Shape, Select Spruce top, and Mahogany Body & Neck
- Additional Details: SlimTaper C-profile neck, Epiphone Sloped Dovewing headstock, and Premium Die-Cast tuners
- Epiphone is one of America's oldest and most revered instrument makers. Since 1873, Epiphone has made instruments for every style of popular music.
- The slim easy to play neck shape is perfect for beginners
- Steel-string acoustic guitars are traditional in folk, country, and blues
- Designed by Fender one of the most trusted and recognizable names in the musical instrument industry
- The traditional dreadnought body shape provides excellent tonal balance and projection
- Read Fender SA-150 Full Review
- Features a Spruce Top
- Laminated Nato back & sides.
- Satin Finish
- Chrome covered Tuning Machines
- Rosewood Fretboard
- Perfect for students and beginners
- Dreadnought body
- Spruce top
- Rosewood fretboard
- Chrome tuners
- Body Shape: Talan Double Cutaway
- Neck: Mahogany Neck
- Back/Sides: Mahogany Back and Sides
- Top: Spruce Top
- Rosette: Black and White Multi Rosette
- Dreadnought style Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, Mahogany neck,
- Rosewood fretboard Chrome hardware
- For such an easy-to-afford guitar, the Epiphone PR-150 is a standout -- a perfect instrument to get started on
- The PR-150 sounds great and this Epiphone's sunburst finish gives it the look of a far more expensive guitar
- Full-size 41 inches guitar with spruce top and mahogany back and sides.
- The acoustic guitar chooses cutaway dreadnought body.
- Totally 20 Frets with Fret position marks at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 17th frets.
- The acoustic guitar comes with sealed 1/18 gear tuning pegs and stainless steel strings.
- Comes with a gig bag, digital clip-on tuner, strings, picks, strap, guitar capo, pickguard, string winder, and cleaning cloth.
- Spruce Top / Gloss Finish
- Mahogany Back & Sides / Gloss Finish
- Scalloped X Bracing
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- Chrome Die-cast Tuners
- Full Size GA41 Dreadnaught Steel Guitar in Redburst from Huntington
- Adjustable truss rod hand built using selected Linden, Basswood and Caltapa Wood
- Full 25.5" scale with covered geared low ratio tuning gears, resin nut and saddle, abs pickguard, inlayed fret dots and brass alloy medium frets
- Comes with 1 string winder, 2 complete sets of premium guitar strings and 3 premium guitar picks
- Perfect, affordable alternative for beginners or intermediate players
Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitars Under 200 (In-Depth Guide)
1. Best For Folk: Yamaha FG800
- Very affordable as well as great value
- Great tonal profile (balanced tone) and top-notch sound quality
- Yamaha’s quality craftsmanship with beautiful traditional design
- Solid top for better overall performance
- A lightweight guitar, making it good for travel
- Stays in tune for a longer time
- Nato back and sides, rosewood fingerboard
- Comfortable and easy to play
- A good number of positive customer feedback
- The perfect beginner guitar
- Great packaging
- Straight-forward design, which some guitarists may not like
- Some players find the action too high
- Not ideal for smaller hand players
- Some users complain about missing top strap button
Yamaha has been producing acoustic guitars for decades, and they've grown into one of the leading guitar builders in the world. The FG800 is a direct successor to the number one selling acoustic guitar of all time, the FG700S.
Key Features
- Constructed with the most popular tonewoods: Solid Sitka Spruce Top
- Gives an awesome mellow tone with a slower response rate
- Nato back and sides keep the guitar lightweight
- Rosewood fingerboard and bridge, die-cast tuners, tortoise pickguard
- Case sold separately
The top is made of solid Sitka spruce, and this is one of the reasons why the previous model was so immensely popular. You typically don't find a solid top guitar in this price range. Solid top guitars sound great straight out of the box. The tone is nice, full, and balanced, and that will improve as the wood matures.
One of the improvements that Yamaha has made on the FG800 is that they've enhanced the internal bracing of the guitar. The back and sides are made of NATO, which is also known as Eastern Mahogany. The neck is also made of NATO, and it has a nice smooth satin finish on the back, so your hand won't stick to it.
Verdict: Overall, the tone and the feel of this guitar are just awesome. For these reasons, this gem is our Editor's Choice with the highest rating in the best acoustic guitar under the 200 category.
2. Best For Reliability: Epiphone DR-100
- Great projection and sustain with decent sound
- SlimTaper neck profile for comfortable fretting
- Affordable priced great first guitar choice
- Reliable construction using quality materials
- Very durable, usually last for years to come
- Very versatile suits a wide range of genres
- Ambidextrous, incredible quality for the price
- No dead spots or buzz when strums, low action
- Warm and sweet sound with the Mahogany body
- Stable tuning does not require frequent tuning
- Available in various color options
- A great number of positive customer feedback
- A few sharp fret edges and no cutaway
- The plastic nut and saddle do not provide much sustain
- Weaker lower end tones, the finish can chip off easily
- The neck might become warped depending on the climate
- Lacks complexity of solid woods
Being a starter guitar, the Epiphone DR-100 is one of the most player-friendly guitars that could ever exist. It features upgraded tonewoods and retains a fast, slim neck, making it easy for beginners to play. It is also the premium pick on our list for some valid reasons.
Key Features
- Comes in the classic go-to dreadnought shape
- Mahogany body and neck with select spruce top
- SlimTaper neck profile and premium machine heads
- Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays
- Chrome hardware and case sold separately
The Epiphone DR-100 is a very straightforward and simple acoustic guitar. It comes with a select spruce top which is paired with a mahogany body and neck. As a result, it's able to produce heavy bass and a full-bodied acoustic tone.
The slim taper neck is equipped with a rosewood fingerboard and dot inlays. It can easily meet the body at the 15th fret. The bridge has been selected carefully so that it can stand up to the high tension points where the strings are aligning with the pin holders. Also, it can strengthen the neck from over-tension when tuning.
It features the well-known sloped dove-wing headstock. Along with the headstock, it also features die-cast hardware, including chrome tuners. The shape of this guitar is similar to a dreadnought. This shape gives it the ability to produce a well-balanced acoustic tone, which makes it perfect for rock, folk, or country players to use.
The volume it can produce will impress both beginner guitarists and songwriters and has an amazing acoustic sound. It's the produced volume that makes it easy to hear and play. Moreover, it includes D’addario 12, 16, 25, 34, 41, and 53 strings.
Verdict: History has shown that the Epiphone is one of America's oldest and most revered instrument makers. The company was founded in 1873, making them an integral part of popular music history since then with its wide array of styles for every genre imaginable. And, the Songmaker DR-100 is an awesome built from them for beginners in terms of features and reliability.
3. Best For Traditional Music: Squier by Fender SA-150
- High-quality sound with stable tuning
- Excellent tonal balance with good bass response
- Dynamic playability at an affordable price
- Durable and outstanding build quality
- Wonderful mahogany back and sides
- The natural finish multiplies the aesthetics
- Lightweight and great value for the price
- Build by a reputable and trustable brand
- Doesn't come with any accessories if bought as a standalone
- Many find all laminate construction as cons
- Small people might find it difficult to access higher frets due to the dreadnaught shape
As soon as you hear the name Fender, you know that it’s a quality product. Squier is the affordable line from Fender that's like a copy of their expensive models. It's one of the top-rated guitars under 100 in the market and our budget pick in today's list.
Key Features
- Dreadnought body style generates fantastic projection
- Produce an awesome tonal balance
- Easy to play slim neck profile
- A perfect pick for beginners
- Steel strings are suitable for folk, country, and blues
The guitar is crafted with laminated wood that delivers crisp sound quality. It's constructed with Lindenwood on top with laminated mahogany on the back and sides. The combination of both kinds of wood ensures a mellow rich tone that you'll love.
Fender incorporated the mahogany neck on the Squier SA-150. It has been used by Fender for a long time and, surprisingly, they have used this on this affordable model as well. The maple fretboard has been stained to give it a more aesthetic appearance.
Verdict: The guitar has a dreadnought-style body that produces a loud powerful tone. It may be a bit large for the juvenile players. However, it's suitable for players above 13 years of age. To sum up, this baby is an excellent buy if you're an entry-level player.
4. Best For Big And Bold Sound: Jasmine S-35
- Well balanced tone with durable and sleek playability
- Great look and comfortable to play
- A huge number of positive customer feedback
- Spruce top with a slim neck which is excellent for beginners
- Budget-friendly and great value for its price
- Chrome tuners enable the stability of tuning
- Laminated Nato back and sides offer a pleasing resonance
- Available as natural, matte sunburst, and black also
- There’s our favorite – a Rosewood fingerboard
- Sound is not for professional players
- Might not be suitable for the smaller player as it’s large and has no cutaway
- Though the resonance here is good, it’s not as high quality as if it were a solid spruce top
- Entry-level tuners, fragile
If you love the big, bold sound of the acoustic guitar, then hold your horses; you’re in for a treat. The Jasmine S35 is one of the most highly praised acoustic guitars in the market for both beginners and intermediate-level players.
Key Features
- Spruce top with Jasmine Advanced "X" Bracing
- Agathis back and sides with a slim neck profile
- Rosewood bridge and fingerboard
- Synthetic bone nut and saddle
It has a dreadnought body style, a standard style you’ll see on many acoustic guitars in the market. However, if you’re planning to get this one for your child, you should give this one a pass as it has a full-size design catered towards adults or teenagers.
The guitar has a spruce top design with Nato construction and Agathis on the back and sides. You may not get the mahogany to feel out of it, but it does the job well, considering its beginner-friendly specs. It has a satin finish that generates more natural sounds than the glossy finished guitars. This acoustic guitar comes with steel strings as well.
One of the most prominent features of the Jasmine S35 is its limited lifetime warranty. You can get the best value from this beginner guitar and make the most out of their amazing customer service. Also, it's one of the top-selling acoustic-electric guitars available out there.
Verdict: Overall, the Jasmine S-35 guitar is the perfect choice for any player looking to make their sound and look great! It has an excellent design with bold playing capabilities, all at a price that's hard not to be impressed by. Besides, one of the top reasons this guitar is at number 4 on our list despite being cheaper is the unbelievable number of feedback (more than 2.2k) it has gotten from real users around the globe. Absolutely real value!
5. Best For Learners: Yamaha F325D
- It won’t break your wallet and comes as a bundle
- Adequate action and not susceptible to humidity changes
- Doesn’t require frequent tuning and considerably durable/sturdy construction
- Easy to play, and comfortable to hold, making it ideal for beginners
- Delivers a loud and full sound, making it great value for money
- Dreadnought shape for better resonance, warm tone while strumming/picking
- Spruce and meranti tonewoods, adjustable truss rod on the neck
- Added pickguard to protect the finish
- Comes in two colors
- Not offered for left-handers
- Smaller hand players may find discomfort playing it
- Doesn’t have an electric output option
- Not an ideal gig guitar, lacks workmanship
- Inaccurate electric tuner, Doesn’t come with strap/case
It's challenging to find an affordable guitar with unrivaled quality. The Yamaha F325D is one of the rare gems that are not only cheap but also perform well. Although it's not the greatest-sounding acoustic guitar out there, it's a versatile all-rounder making it no. 5 on our list of best acoustic guitars under 200.
Key Features
- Full-size dreadnought style body shape
- Capable of producing a rich and bold sound
- Spruce top with rosewood fretboard
- Chrome tuners and tortoiseshell pickguard
- Perfect for students and beginners
- Case sold separately
This guitar comes in two colors: natural and tobacco sunburst. If you like the traditional look, then the natural color is the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, the sunburst will suit you if you like something more colorful.
If you think that the F325D has inferior quality just because it's cheap, then you're wrong. Yamaha makes no compromise with the quality as they ensure this budget guitar has the best craftsmanship, just like other premium guitars. It has a laminated spruce top with a Meranti body and sides that give the guitar a bright and resonant tonality.
Verdict: The F325D is ideal for beginners because it's not expensive, which is perfect for people just starting. Also, you can stay assured that the quality is more than enough. However, this doesn't mean the guitar isn't for advanced players. Its traditional design looks even more attractive for seasoned guitarists.
6. Best For Electric Players: Ibanez Talman TCY10
- Double cut design for a unique appearance
- High quality and durable material for a strong build
- Easy to adjust chrome tuners and bridge pins
- Onboard built-in preamp with tuners
- Double cutoff makes the playability far more superior
- Slim Ibanez neck profile for quick riffs and fast licks
- Beautiful sound, 2-band onboard EQ control system
- Great acoustic-electric guitar for traveling
- Has good action and maintains the tune very well
- Super value and great for a beginner, beautiful craftsmanship
- Available in unique transparent blue sunburst
- Some users complain about the low durability of the finish
- The design may be unsuitable for some in terms of looks and sound
- On-board preamp may not fully satisfy advanced players
- Weaker higher end, not the best sustain
Though The Ibanez Talman TCY10 Acoustic-Electric Guitar isn't the very best acoustic guitar in our top 10 acoustic guitars under the 200 review list, however, it still has some quality features which settle the guitar at number 6. This guitar is comparatively unique, and you'll understand why we've selected this after reading the review.
Key Features
- Talman double-cutaway body with a mahogany neck
- Spruce top with mahogany back and sides
- Black and white multi rosette
- Piezoelectric pickup configuration
- Case sold separately
The body of this guitar is made of mahogany back and sides. Their weight-to-strength ratio makes them extremely durable, and the X bracing on the top further confirms the guitar's reliability. It has a beautiful-looking rosewood 20-fret fingerboard supported by the mahogany neck.
When it comes to comfort, the guitar won't disappoint you at all. The guitar's double cutoff design offers the exact level of comfort as the single-cutaway guitars and even more! You'll be able to hold on to the guitar neck's foundation comfortably with all your fingers. Moreover, it features Ibanez Advantage bridge pins that also contribute to the guitar's comfort. These pins are much easier to take out compared to standard pins.
Verdict: TCY10 from Ibanez is a cool-looking feature-rich acoustic-electric mostly suitable for electric players for quick transitions. So, if you're looking for something very unique and unusual, then all of these great features make this guitar a great choice.
PS. If you can spend a little more fortune, we would recommend the Ibanez Altstar ALT30 (under 300) or the Yamaha APX600 (under 400) – especially designed for electric guitarists considerably with more sound, tone, and projection. The APX600 is featured as our Editor’s Choice for acoustic guitars under 400, though.
7. Best For Looks: Epiphone PR-150
- Durable build quality with solid construction
- Great sound quality and warm tone that’s bright to some extent as well
- Budget-friendly consistent design
- Easy and comfortable to play, good action
- Comes with a digital tuner, not a pitch pipe
- Excellent beginner guitar for the price
- Very good looking and aesthetic design
- Strings break too fast
- Some users complain about inconsistent tune
The PR-150 Acoustic Guitar from Epiphone is one of the industry's most well-known guitars and a stellar choice for beginners. This acoustic guitar is constructed from the finest quality tonewoods, eventually leading you to great sound. The body and the neck are constructed from Mahogany and rosewood, respectively.
Key Features
- Dreadnought style body for full tone
- Spruce top with Mahogany back and sides
- Mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard
- Chrome hardware
- Sunburst finish looks like a far more premium guitar
It's equipped with smooth frets and a slender neck. Therefore, you'll be able to use it very smoothly and comfortably, no matter what kind of experience you have. Besides, Mahogany and rosewood both are durable. So, you can expect this guitar to serve you for a long time. You can also expect to have an outstanding tonal quality from this product. It's capable of producing a crisp and clear sound with a great volume. As a result, you'll face no problem utilizing its high-quality sound for almost any style of music.
Verdict: Overall, as for the looks and design, it's a sweet-looking guitar. It comes with die-cast tuners, a tortoise-shell pickguard, and a vintage style. All of these additions make it look more stylish making it a solid number 7 on our list.
8. Best For Practice: AKLOT Acoustic Guitar
- Portable, budget-friendly with good playability
- Produce warm/quality sounds through the mahogany body structure
- Beautiful contrast between the dark sides/back against the natural blonde Spruce top/black headstock
- Special fingerboard for all kinds of humidity, round corner binding
- Smooth frets, relatively low action, extra strings included
- Comes with everything you would need to start guitar training
- Great piece for beginners or for travel, good packaging, good value
- Reasonable pricing, very proactive customer support
- It’s fragile which makes it prone to crack
- An additional color option is not available
- Strings break quickly
- QC issues
At number 8, we have the Aklot acoustic guitar bundle which is a great beginner guitar that comes with a lot of accessories for a nice budget price. It has a laminate body, the back and sides are Mahogany, the top is laminated spruce, and the neck is made of Okoume wood.
Key Features
- Full-size cutaway dreadnought body style 41 inches guitar
- Spruce top with Mahogany back and sides
- The harmonics are more resonant, while the sound is warm and clear
- Sealed 1/18 gear tuning pegs and stainless steel strings
- Covered rounded edge for comfortable playing and practicing
- Comes with a gig bag, clip-on tuner, picks, strap, capo, and more
The bridge and fretboard are listed as high-pressure laminate, which is a nice stable material. The edges of the fretboard are bound, so it makes it really comfortable to play. There aren't any sharp fret ends. The top and back are also bound, and the edges of the binding have been carefully rounded. Therefore, it's quite smooth and comfortable to play. It has two strap buttons, one at the end and one on the heel.
It also comes with a nice padded gig bag that has a big pocket, a place to secure the neck inside, a carrying handle, and backpack straps. Along with the gig bag, it also comes with a bag full of goodies such as a truss rod wrench, strap, pickguard, capo, extra set of strings, polishing cloth, string winder, and an electric tuner, and an assortment of picks.
Verdict: Overall, this Aklot acoustic guitar bundle is an epic bargain as you are getting all the necessary features and accessories that you need to start the learning journey and do practice on a consistent basis which makes this choice excellent for most beginners.
9. Best For Robust Performance: Alvarez RD26
- Nice tone for a starter guitar
- Every different sound is loud, clear, and distinct
- 20-fret rosewood fingerboard
- Chrome diecast tuners
- Bi-level bridge for sound intonation
- Easy to play since the strings are light
- Slim neck profile, good value
- Deluxe gig bag included
- Natural Gloss attractive finish for a classic look
- Ready to tune and play
- Some users complain about tuner was cocked at a weird angle
- Some users complain about circuitry issues when plugged in
- May need minor adjustments
The Alvarez RD26 is a high-quality entry-level guitar with so many features. Entry-level guitars are very difficult to play, so most of the time, students of the guitar, no matter what age, have a problem getting motivated. They don't sound very good or don't have that draw the high-end guitars possess.
Key Features
- Spruce top dreadnought body with a gloss finish
- Mahogany back and sides with a gloss finish
- System standard scalloped "X" bracing pattern
- Rosewood fingerboard with a fixed bridge
- SYS250 3-band equalizer with tuner
This classical-looking guitar comes with excellent design elements and top features that other high-end instruments actually have. Generally, laminated guitars have projecting difficulty. They usually sound very thin. However, the makers have put a high effort into the RD26, which results in good construction and components while maintaining an affordable price.
You can get this guitar in two different styles that include natural finish and sunburst finish. The top of the guitar has spruce wood and then Mahogany pretty much everywhere else. Under the soundboard, you have got a scalloped X bracing. It's made for players who want a big, robust guitar with a big, robust tone.
Verdict: Overall, the design of the guitar will keep new players focused and excited about their instruments from the very first day they start playing. You can also expect a robust performance and good playability from it as well.
10. Best For Low Budget: Huntington GA41PS Dreadnought
- Affordable price with a high-quality rigid body
- Ensures rich sound with a clear tone
- Gives off a professional look
- Comes with high-quality premium strings
- Adjustable hand-built truss rod
- Available in 4 eye-catchy finishes
- A bit heavier than some other guitars on the market
Finally, we have the Huntington GA41. Huntington has gained popularity in the market for producing a wide range of guitars. The guitars are suitable for both beginners and semi-skilled people. Huntington GA41PS Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is one of the top picks from this company and has recently caught the attention of enthusiasts.
Key Features
- Full-size GA41 Dreadnought steel guitar
- Hand-built adjustable truss rod using selected wood
- Low ratio tuning gears with resin nut and saddle
- Brass alloy medium frets with inlays fret dots
- Comes with a strings winder, picks, and premium extra strings
This acoustic guitar has a sturdy body with a size of 41”. Huntington gives off a professional look that you were always looking for in a guitar. It will eventually boost your confidence if you want to start from scratch. This acoustic guitar promises you a rich sound quality with a crisp and clear tone. The strings provided in this guitar are good enough for ensuring perfect strumming.
Verdict: Overall, the price is nonetheless affordable for both beginners and intermediate players. The kit comes along with a string winder, two sets of premium strings, and three picks. Overall, the Huntington GA41PS guitar has all the attributes that a beginner or a semi-pro guitarist looks for.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under 200 (Complete Buying Guide)
Choosing an acoustic guitar for under 200 depends on several factors. From the construction to the way it fits in your hands, there are a lot of factors to consider.
Body Style
The body style has an impact on the resonance and clarity of the sound an acoustic guitar is capable of producing. They’re of different types:
Jumbo: These guitars have a mixture of country and Western styles. They’re capable of producing a powerful, knee-wobbling sound with loud projection. However, they take some time to get used to it.
Dreadnought: Dreadnought guitars are square-bodied. Therefore, they can produce a driving sound popular with bluegrass and blues musicians.
Concert: These guitars are comfortable for most people. They can shine with fingerpicking and produce a bright, punchy sound.
Orchestra: They’re curvier than concerts. They can take bright sounds and deepen them.
Neck Profile
Acoustic guitars that cost around $200 usually feature three types of neck profiles: the “C” profile, the “U” profile, and the “V-neck” profile. If you have small hands, then you should buy one that features a C-shaped neck profile. Guitars with this profile are the thinnest.
If you prefer more comfort when playing, you should go for guitars equipped with a U-shaped neck. They can give less space between the palm of the fretting hand and the neck. In fact, with them, you’ll have no problem playing around with chords and progression.
On the other hand, the V-shaped neck guitars go for an angular approach, which may cost beginners some time to get accustomed to, especially if they’re holding a guitar for the first time.
Headstock
Headstocks are essential for holding tuning pegs. So, when you’re out purchasing one, make sure the one you’re purchasing has tuners that can stay in place when they’re being twisted. Otherwise, you’ll be tuning it forever.
Basic Tonewood Overview
The three most common wood types are used to craft a guitar: maple, Mahogany, and ash. At this price point, most guitars come out laminated; however, some are still offered in solid tops. So, for starters, you should look for solid top guitars. There are many manufacturers in the market that are now offering solid tops at this price point.
Fingerboard and Bridge
The materials used for constructing the fingerboard and bridge do have an effect on the sound. However, it’s minimal compared to the entire body of the guitar.
Simply speaking, the effects of the fingerboard and bridge materials can’t make or break a guitar’s sound. Still, if you want the best out of your guitar, it’s important to consider them before you make a purchase.
Overall Built Quality
Choosing a $200 acoustic guitar comes down to its overall built quality. Despite looking quite the same, all of them share significant differences, which can affect sound and playability.
So, you should first examine the guitar that has piqued your interest. You should also ask questions about the components it consists of, as well as look at the finish it’s covered with. If you don’t do that, then you might end up buying one that needs constant repairs.
Sound Quality
This is something you must consider. The market is filled with a gazillion different brands and models of acoustic guitars. All of them are capable of producing different yet beautiful qualities of sound.
If you love to play classical music, then you should opt for guitars with nylon strings. They can produce mellow and rich tones.
On the other hand, if you like playing blues and country or pop, it’s better to go for steel-string guitars. They can provide you with clear and crisp sounds, which are essential for performing blues, country, and pop.
Playability
This is another important factor you must consider when you’re buying an acoustic guitar. If you end up buying a guitar without considering its playability, you’ll have a hard time playing it. So, it’s important that you buy a guitar that has remarkable playability for a comfortable playing experience.
The Bests And Alternatives
What Cheap Acoustic Guitar is Best for Beginners? (Under $200)
Among the aforementioned 10 acoustic guitars, we think that the Fender SA-150 and Yamaha FG800 are two of the best for beginners. Beginners will have a great time using these as they’re comfortable to hold. Both produce great sounds. Overall, both of them are awesome guitars for a very reasonable price.
Best Alternative to a $200 Acoustic Guitar for a Lower Budget (Under $100)
The best alternative to a $200 acoustic guitar under $100 is the Ashthorpe Thinline Acoustic-Electric Guitar which is also our Editor’s Choice for that specific category. Don’t forget to check out our complete buying guide regarding the best acoustic guitars under 100, where we’ve featured our top 10 for a budget buy.
Best Alternative to a $200 Acoustic Guitar for a Higher Budget (Under $300)
The best alternative to a $200 acoustic guitar that costs around $300 is the Yamaha FG820 and Fender CD-60S. We have also featured a complete buying guide with in-depth reviews of the best acoustic guitars for under $300 here.
Have an even Bigger Budget? (Under $500)
If you’re looking for an acoustic guitar under a $500 budget, then you should go for the Seagull S6 Original.
Accessories That You Need With Your Acoustic Guitar
Accessories are an essential part of learning to play an acoustic guitar. Here are a couple of accessories that can help improve your guitar-playing skills:
Picks
Guitar picks are flat, plastic strumming devices. With their help, you’ll be able to pluck the strings of the guitar. Picks can give you the privilege of playing chords and scales with vibrancy from scratch. The sharpness and thickness of the pick will also influence your strumming tone.
Electric Tuners
Headstocks of acoustic guitars are normally equipped with six pegs. These pegs will let you change the pitch of each string. It’ll display where the tone lies in relation to the correct, in-tune frequency in order to remain in tune. It’ll also inform you whether you’re sharp, flat, or right on the money.
Straps
Straps are necessary for getting more mobility. They can help you perform in a comfortable way, especially when you’re performing while standing on your feet. They’ll protect you from any unwanted shoulder pains or stress of dropping the instrument.
Extra Strings
Extra strings can also help you improve your guitar-playing experience. They’re an important addition in case you ever find yourself in a situation where your old strings wore out or broke.
Gig Bag
If you have to travel frequently, you should consider getting a quality gig bag. Gig bags are lightweight, easily portable, and have soft padded cases. They can minimize potential damage to your guitar while storing or transporting it. With their assistance, you’ll also be able to carry the guitar with ease and comfort.
Pro Tips
- Keep away from trying the left-hand death grip
- Don’t go too fast instead just go slow
- Always make use of correct finger exercises
- Try playing difficult chords
- Maintain discipline with your practice
- Always remember the right-hand practice
FAQs
Q) Will a cheap acoustic guitar still sound good?
Ans: Yes, it will. The best thing about cheap acoustic guitars is that though they’re very cheap on a price basis, they can deliver spectacular sound and performance. However, it’s essential that you take care of them regularly to make them sound good.
Q) Which acoustic guitar material is the best?
Ans: Cedar is the best acoustic guitar material. It’s softwood that can generate a bright tone. It can respond quickly to a technique that favors light play. It’s commonly used for constructing tops of classical or flamenco guitars, as well as sides and backs.
Q) When do I need to change the strings of my guitar?
Ans: You need to change the strings once every 3 months or 100 hours of practice. However, if you’re late at doing that, then don’t worry, as strings are normally capable of lasting long. Besides, as long as they don’t break out, you can continue using them without changing them.
Q) Do I need a tuner with my acoustic guitar?
Ans: Obviously, you need a tuner with your acoustic guitar. Like other stringed instruments, guitars also need the help of tuners to be tuned in. Otherwise, you won’t get the range of tones you’d need to play anything meaningful.
Final Thoughts
Picking out your first acoustic guitar can be a daunting experience as there are so many brands, models, and accessories to choose from. It’s hard to know where to start when you’re considering purchasing an acoustic guitar that too under 200 dollars.
All of these 10 acoustic guitars that we’ve listed have incredible performance and super sound quality. We hope that our review of the best acoustic guitar under 200 will be an excellent choice for beginners and advanced players.