We’ve combed the internet to find the five best steel-string acoustic guitars for under $100. But first, let’s talk about what makes these instruments so great…
These are some of the best quality-to-dollar ratio guitars you’ll find on today’s market, with a wide range of tonal characteristics and playability. These are great for budding musicians who are looking to buy their first instrument or simply want an upgrade from their current guitar.
Steel-string or classical? Wooden or metal? These are the questions you need to ask yourself before deciding what kind of instrument to buy. Your budget also needs to be taken into consideration as well as the possibility that you may want a guitar for a short time and then give it up.
The best guitars within a reasonable price range can be a bit of a challenge to find. Although the cheapest ones may not have that many features or sounds, they are still better than buying something from a different guitar brand that costs 3-5 times as much.
Table of Contents
Buying Guide
The best acoustic guitar for under $100 in 2024 is really quite difficult to choose. There are so many options that it’s hard to know where to start.
Yamaha F310 – $99.95
The F310 is a great guitar for beginners, children, or acoustic guitar novices who are still in the process of learning. It is comfortable to hold and play, even for people with smaller hands. The build quality is solid and sturdy, with a spruce top and nato back and sides.
Epiphone Dove Pro – $99.99
The Epiphone Dove Pro is a great choice for beginning guitarists who want an acoustic guitar that is affordable and sounds great. It’s made of mahogany, has a spruce top, and comes with a plush-lined mahogany body.
5 Best Acoustic Guitars for Under $100
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Maestro by Gibson Full Size Acoustic Guitar Starter Pack, Amber
- Full Size Acoustic Guitar
- Select Wood
- Set Neck
- Diecast Tuners
- Chrome Hardware
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Gibson Acoustic Guitar Starter Pack is ideal for any beginner and includes everything you need to get started: The Maestro guitar with a natural finish and f-holes, a gig bag to protect your instrument, and an electronic tuner.
Pros :
- All the essentials you need to start playing guitar
- A great guitar at a great price
- Great for both beginners and experienced players
- Gig Bag included with a padded pocket for a laptop, instrument holder on the front cover, and straps so it can be carried on your back
Cons :
- Amber is light in color, so it may not be the best choice for performances
- Lacks a mini plug jack, meaning it can’t plug into most devices (not an issue with smartphones without headphone jacks)
2. Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar, Natural
- Features a Spruce Top
- Laminated Nato back & sides.
- Satin Finish
- Chrome covered Tuning Machines
- Rosewood Fretboard
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It’s no secret that guitarists prefer to play acoustics and for good reason. Acoustic guitars are lighter, with a better sound than their electric counterparts. However, most acoustic guitars are made with solid wood-topped backs and sides
Pros :
- The guitar is lightweight
- The guitar is easy to use
- Works well for either electric or acoustic instruments
Cons :
- Some people may not like the clear sound of the guitar
- The fretboard is made of rosewood, which can cause it to be slippery
- The little strip on the bridge was peeled off when it arrived
3. Jasmine S34C NEX Acoustic Guitar, Natural
- Gloss Natural
- Dreadnought body style
- Laminate Spruce top
- Sapele back and sides
- Rosewood Fingerboard
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A Jasmine s34c nx acoustic guitar, natural is a type of acoustic guitar that is often used in country and folk music.
Pros :
- Great sound with a beautiful finish
- Very well made, using high quality materials
- Comes with a free strap and picks
Cons :
- The guitar’s strings are the only thing that makes it sound good
- You have to tune it really often because the sound doesn’t stay in tune for a long time
- The frets are high and hard to reach, so you can’t play a lot of chords with your fingers unless you’re tall or have big hands
4. Rogue RA-090 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Black
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rogue RA-090 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Black is Rogue guitar with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides.
Pros :
- Comes equipped with high quality Fishman electronics.
- Has a selectable magnetic or piezo pickup system which will make it easy to plug in when you want to play live.
- The preamp is adjustable and can also be turned off when playing unplugged.
- Features a beautiful mahogany body and natural gloss finish that looks elegant and sleek.
Cons :
- No case is included
- Fixed bridge forces you to tune with action or saddle (it’s always best to tune by the nut)
- Fretboard radius is too narrow for notes on lower strings
5. Best Choice Products 38in Beginner All-Wood Acoustic Guitar Starter Kit w/Gig Bag, Digital Tuner, 6 Celluloid Picks, Nylon Strings, Capo, Cloth, Strap w/Pick Holder – Blue
- COMPLETE ALL-IN-ONE GUITAR KIT: No need to buy any additional accessories; this all-inclusive set comes with a gig bag, guitar strap with pick holder,...
- ULTIMATE BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE GUITAR: This handcrafted acoustic guitar is designed with a classic shape, elegant finish, and features a beautiful...
- FIT FOR ALL AGES: Playing guitar is easy with 6 accessories, and a classic acoustic guitar shape for a comfortable experience, perfect for teenagers...
- CLASSIC DESIGN: Guitar has been upgraded with a closer proximity between the fretboard and strings, reducing finger fatigue so you can jam out for...
- EASY TO PLAY: Learning to play on this guitar is easy with nylon strings that are easier to hold down, reduce damage on the guitar bridge, and stay in...
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The best way to learn guitar is through a proper beginner’s kit. This package is designed for total beginners and includes everything you need to get started playing right out of the box.
Pros :
- This guitar starter kit comes with a twelve month warranty
- It has high quality
- It is affordable
- It has a playable pick guard and an adjustable neck
Cons :
- The string height may be too low for some people. If you have long fingers, you might have trouble playing the guitar.
Conclusion :
Our list was made with the intention to give you a variety of cheap guitars under $100. We know that it can be hard to find guitars, so here are our top 5 choices for the best acoustic steel strings out there.
FAQ:
Q: What is the best guitar for $100 or under?
A: Top 7 Best Acoustic Guitars Under 100 Dollars of 2024 Squier by Fender SA-150 Acoustic Guitar. The Squier SA-150 is a full-size steel-string dreadnought acoustic guitar designed by Fender, a major guitar brand that has the reputation of … Jameson Acoustic Electric Cutaway Guitar. The Jameson guitar is a full-size steel-string acoustic electric guitar. … Jasmine S35 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar. … More items…
Q: What is the best acoustic guitar?
A: BEST OF 2024: The Best Acoustic Guitarist pits some of the … one long-standing Australian acoustic behemoth… The Australian titan of acoustic guitar takes your top spot for 2024. He didn’t feature in last year’s list, yet has roared back to claim …
Q: What acoustic guitar brands are underrated?
A: Underrated. Of all the manufacturers from the 50s until now, in our opinion, Rickenbacker is the most underrated of all of the best guitar brands. They play beautifully, look great, and have that ‘ring’ of a sound that is unmistakable. Before you get too excited, they don’t come particularly cheap. But they do come particularly good.
Q: What are the top 5 acoustic guitars?
A: Martin D-28. The Martin D-28 has become almost synonymous with the acoustic guitar,and chances are,if you picture someone playing an acoustic,you’re unwittingly imagining this in their hands. Gibson J-45. … Gibson J-200. … Taylor 214ce. … Cordoba C5 Acoustic Nylon String. … It’s Not Always a Popularity Contest. … Learn Guitar With Online Guitar Lessons. …