Best Acoustic Guitar Under $500: Top 5 Picks
In this guide, we’ll review five of the top contenders: the Guild OM-240E, Alvarez AF60, Breedlove Discovery Concert Edge Burst, Yamaha FS830, and Eastman PCH2-OM. Each of these guitars brings something unique to the table, making them excellent choices for beginners, students, and even experienced players looking for a dependable second instrument.
What to Look for in an Acoustic Guitar Under $500
When narrowing down your choices, here are the key features that separate a good guitar from a great one in this price range:
Solid Top Construction: A solid spruce or cedar top generally provides richer tone than all-laminate guitars.
Tonewood Selection: Mahogany, rosewood, and spruce blends can shape the guitar’s warmth, clarity, and sustain.
Comfortable Neck & Scale: Nut width and scale length influence ease of play, especially for beginners.
Bracing Patterns: The way the guitar’s top is supported affects volume and resonance.
Extra Features: Electronics, case/gig bag, and upgraded hardware (like bone nuts and saddles) add long-term value.
Guild OM-140CE
The Guild OM-240E offers Guild’s legendary craftsmanship in an affordable package. Its standout feature is the archback design, which increases projection and tonal depth. With a solid Sitka spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, and a bone nut and saddle, this model punches well above its price.
Playability is smooth thanks to its comfortable neck profile, and the built-in Guild/Fishman electronics make it gig-ready. While the tone leans brighter with less bass response, the overall clarity and projection are excellent. The only drawback is that it doesn’t come with a case.
Alvarez AD60
The Alvarez AD60 from the Artist Series is a strong contender for players seeking warm, full-bodied sound. With a solid A+ Sitka spruce top and forward-shifted FS6 bracing, it delivers surprising depth and volume. Its 1.75-inch nut width and 24.8-inch scale make it comfortable for fingerstyle players.
Other highlights include a bone nut and saddle and multiple finish options. While it doesn’t include built-in electronics (unless you upgrade to the E1 version) or a case, the tonal quality makes this one of the best acoustic guitars under $500 for sound-focused players.
Breedlove Discovery Concert Edge Burst
Breedlove stands out for its sustainably sourced tonewoods and player-friendly designs. The Discovery Concert Edge Burst pairs a solid European spruce top with African mahogany ecotone laminate back and sides, creating balanced, even tones across the frequency range.
Its slim neck profile feels almost electric-like, making it ideal for beginners transitioning from electric guitar. A pinless bridge makes restringing easier, and the Fishman Presys pickup with tuner is a premium addition in this price range. While it uses Tusk instead of bone for the nut and saddle and doesn’t include a gig bag, its comfort and sustainability focus make it a standout choice.
Yamaha FS830
The Yamaha FS830 proves that you don’t have to spend much to get a professional-sounding guitar. At around $379, it’s the most affordable option on this list. Yamaha’s legendary quality control ensures consistency, making this model an easy recommendation for first-time buyers.
The FS830 features a solid spruce top with laminate rosewood back and sides, scalloped bracing for rich overtones, and a NATO neck. Tonally, it offers impressive warmth and fullness, rivaling more expensive guitars. The only downsides are its plastic nut and saddle and slightly high factory setup, but these can be adjusted. Overall, this is one of the best budget-friendly guitars you can buy and one many players keep for years.
Eastman PCH2-OM
The Eastman PCH2-OM may be the most premium-feeling option under $500. It features a solid thermocured Sitka spruce top that provides a vintage-inspired tone usually found on much more expensive guitars. Combined with rosewood laminate back and sides, a bone nut and saddle, and pearl inlays, it delivers incredible value.
Unlike many in this price range, it includes a deluxe padded gig bag and comes with Eastman’s lifetime warranty. While it lacks built-in electronics, its superior tone and playability more than make up for it. Many consider it the best acoustic guitar under $500 overall.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best acoustic guitar under $500 no longer means sacrificing tone or build quality. Whether you prefer the projection of the Guild OM-240E, the full-bodied warmth of the Alvarez AF60, the eco-friendly comfort of the Breedlove Discovery Concert Edge Burst, the budget reliability of the Yamaha FS830, or the vintage-inspired craftsmanship of the Eastman PCH2-OM, each of these models proves that you can get professional-level features at a beginner-friendly price.
Why These Guitars Are Worth Considering
One of the biggest challenges for new guitarists is finding an instrument that balances affordability, tone, and long-term reliability. Many budget guitars sound fine at first but lack the durability or playability to inspire growth over time. What sets these guitars apart, and makes them called the best acoustic guitar under $500, is the thoughtful craftsmanship and smart design choices made by respected brands. From Guild’s innovative archback design to Eastman’s use of thermocured tops, each guitar demonstrates that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for price. Features like bone nuts and saddles, scalloped bracing, or high-quality electronics are rarely found in this price range, yet several of these models include them. This makes them not only strong beginner options but also great backups or travel guitars for experienced players. When you invest in one of these instruments, you’re getting more than an entry-level guitar—you’re stepping into a sound and feel that can inspire music for years.
FAQs
What is the best acoustic guitar under $500 for beginners?
The Yamaha FS830 is one of the most reliable beginner options thanks to its consistency, tone, and affordability.
Which guitar under $500 has the best electronics?
The Breedlove Discovery Concert Edge Burst includes a high-quality Fishman Presys system with a built-in tuner.
Do any of these guitars come with a case?
The Eastman PCH2-OM includes a deluxe padded gig bag, while the others typically do not.
Are bone nuts and saddles important?
Yes—bone transfers sound better than plastic, improving sustain and clarity. That’s why models like the Guild, Alvarez, and Eastman stand out.
