Best Acoustic Guitar Under $300 For 2023

Acoustic guitars are one of the most popular instruments in the world. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, you want to ensure that you get the best quality for your money. In 2023, finding the best acoustic guitar under $300 is a daunting task, especially when there are so many options available in the market. But don’t worry, as we have done the research for you.

Best Acoustic Guitar Under $300

In this article, we will help you find the best acoustic guitar under $300 for 2023. We have analyzed various aspects such as sound quality, build quality, playability, and affordability to bring you the best options that offer the best value for your money. So whether you’re looking for a guitar to learn on, practice with, or perform with, you’ll find the perfect option for your needs in our list of the best acoustic guitars under $300 for 2023.

1. YAMAHA FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar – Best Affordable Acoustic Guitars for Beginners

Overview

Whatever the style of your music, there’s a top acoustic guitar that fits your taste. This guitar is affordable and has an amazing sound. I love how it stays in tune, so I always keep a clip-on tuner with me to ensure the best sound. A clip-on guitar tuner picks up the instrument’s vibrations and helps tune it to perfection.

One of the reasons I bought this guitar is because of its great sound and vintage look. I have a fondness for vintage items and this guitar fits the bill. It was also within my budget of $200-400 and came as a pleasant surprise. The neck was perfectly adjusted with a professional setup, which made it an even better fit for me.

Which Features Make it Shine?

• Solid Sitka spruce top
• Nato back & sides
• Rosewood fingerboard & bridge
• Diecast tuners
• An adjustable truss rod
• Phosphor Bronze strings material

Built & Tonel Quality

The 800 Series belongs to a group of low to mid-range acoustic guitars that are known for their loud and strong sound. Despite their affordability, these guitars are considered some of the best value-for-money options for beginner guitarists. Yamaha’s R&D Division has used cutting-edge acoustic analysis technology to evaluate and optimize the sound of these guitars. This technology allows Yamaha’s engineers to design the best bracing patterns based on simulation and analysis, rather than relying solely on traditional methods.

The Yamaha FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar is a standout option, especially for its low price point. It features a solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides, scalloped bracing, nato neck, and rosewood fingerboard, which contribute to its rich overtones and wonderfully warm sound. Additionally, the guitar is carefully crafted with great attention to detail, using only the best quality materials, and subjected to rigorous quality control processes. This results in a durable, high-quality instrument with great playability and musical tone, making it a popular choice among guitarists seeking a great playing experience without breaking the bank.

Best for whom?

As a brand, we manufacture both dreadnought and concert guitars, so you can purchase either one depending on your preference. It is important to note that the size and comfort level will play a role in your decision. Typically, a concert size is more suitable for smaller individuals, while a dreadnought is bigger. This acoustic guitar, priced under $150, is specially designed for beginner guitar players. It is a modestly priced option that will last you well beyond the early stages of playing.

Why I am suggesting YAMAHA FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar?

I recommend this best full-size and solid-wood acoustic guitar for beginners. It features a newly developed scalloped bracing pattern, which can be found in the 800 Series. This pattern enhances the durability of the top board and produces a more natural sound from your instrument. It’s an ideal acoustic structure for beginners looking for a high-quality instrument.

2. Antonio Giuliani Acoustic Guitar- Best Dreadnought Guitar under $300

Overview

Once, I was searching the internet for the best dreadnought acoustic guitar and I stumbled upon the Antonio Giuliani acoustic guitar. As a beginner guitar student, I was looking for my first guitar and was searching for an upgrade. To my surprise, the Antonio Giuliani acoustic guitar was the upgraded option I was looking for.

This classical guitar had many standout features and soon became my companion. I experienced it as the best craftsmanship guitar, with a great tone and playability. The small acoustic guitar was well-crafted, with a satin finish and full rich sound that held its tune perfectly. Overall, I was impressed with its performance.

Which Features Make it Shine?

• Professional Setup
• One-piece mahogany neck
• Laminated ribbon Sapele mahogany top, back, and sides
• Pre-installed strap buttons
• Solid cedar top
• Dual-action truss rod
• Nylon strap
• 20 medium frets, sealed tuners

Tonal & Built Quality

This Antonio Giuliani DN-2 Protégé acoustic guitar is set up by experienced luthiers in the USA with a focus on the body, frets, truss rods, saddle, and action to ensure optimal playability on all strings. With a 23 5/8 inch scale length, it is the perfect size for travel and small hands. The one-piece mahogany neck and laminated Sapele mahogany top, back, and sides contribute to its long-lasting quality and musical appeal.

This guitar features professionally installed D’Addario strings and an extra set of Portland backup strings for exceptional tone quality. The result is an even, balanced tone and bright sound with great projection. The 25.5 inch scale dreadnought cutaway body style enhances its deep and bold tone, making it a great choice for musicians seeking amazing tone quality in an acoustic guitar.

Best for whom?

The Antonio Giuliani acoustic guitar is the best student guitar under $300 that has better tonal and built quality. Because this Antonio Giuliani guitar is well-known for its traditional and fine Spanish craftsmanship quality. So, this guitar will make difference in the experience of students while playing music with this thoughtfully constructed guitar. But I had already seen the players who were also getting advanced lessons from this guitar.

Why I am suggesting Antonio Giuliani Acoustic Guitar?

I suggest this guitar for its handmade construction. The final assembly and setup are completed by professionally trained luthiers in Washington state, ensuring top-notch quality. This handmade guitar is set up with exceptional attention to detail, offering versatility and great playability

3. Alvarez Artist Series AF30 Folk Guitar- Best Folk Acoustic Guitar under 300 dollars

Overview

I was looking for a good acoustic guitar for camping but didn’t want to spend a lot of money. After doing some research, I found the Alvarez Artist Series AF30 Folk Guitar, which is the best acoustic guitar for under $300. I discovered that it’s also one of the best options for camping because of its excellent sound and price. The sound quality is fantastic, thanks to its folk guitar features. I had a lot of fun playing with friends during camping nights with this guitar.

The sound of this acoustic guitar is better than the Martin Mini. The Martin can sound a little too much like a banjo and is too small for my fingers. The Alvarez Artist Series AF30 Folk Guitar, on the other hand, is great for travelling or camping. This affordable guitar is great for beginners, as well as kids, providing more room for their fingers. However, it may still be too wide for some kids with a shorter reach. Nevertheless, it’s a perfect acoustic guitar for children aged eight and above.

Which Features Make it Shine?

• Solid Sitka spruce top
• Hand-sanded, scalloped bracing
• Mahogany back and sides
• Dovetail neck joint
• FST2M bracing system

Tonal & Built Quality

The sound of this guitar is warm, open, and powerful, making it an attractive option for purchase. Both the treble and bass registers of this acoustic guitar series are balanced, giving the guitar a responsive feel when played. To keep the sound quality, treat it gently and it will respond to even the lightest strum or pick. This is a great guitar option under $300, delivering sound comparable to Yamaha L series acoustic guitars. It is also a good choice for players with larger fingers, as it offers a wider space at an affordable price.

On the other hand, this guitar is made with hand-selected, quarter-sawn solid ‘A’ grade Sitka spruce and cedar tops, ensuring consistent quality and durability. The fine grain and stiffness of the tops not only enhance the appearance but also contribute to the strength of the guitar.

Best for whom?

The AF30 is a folk-style acoustic guitar that is the best budget-friendly option for beginner players. The Alvarez Artist Series AF30 Folk Guitar is not only visually appealing but also great for those who want a stylish instrument. This new Artist Series guitar comes in a wide range of shapes, wood options, and colors, including standard OM and dreadnought models. Additionally, there’s a left-handed version available for each shape option.

Why I am suggesting Alvarez Artist Series AF30 Folk Guitar?

I am suggesting this acoustic guitar for its top-notch components: a forward-shifted X brace design and an FST2M bracing system. These work together to create a tone and playing experience not often found in affordable instruments. The forward-shifted X braces and FST2M bracing system enhance the soundboard, which can be optimized with a solid maple bridge plate for added strength and projection. The result is a guitar that delivers both quality and value

4. Yamaha APXT2 3/4-Size Acoustic- Electric Guitar-Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Overview

I had heard many reviews that the Yamaha APXT2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar had a chemical odor when first opened. I was concerned because some people are highly sensitive to chemical off-gassing, which can cause unpleasantness. However, when I had a chance to review the guitar, I only noticed a faint smell of stain or varnish. This was not a cause for concern.

After my review, I found that these rumors were false. The varying storage and shipping conditions can lead to these negative reviews. Despite these, I was pleasantly surprised with this great-toned acoustic instrument. It was a good purchase that met my expectations

Which Features Make it Shine?

• Spruce Top
• Rosewood Fingerboard & Bridge
• System 68 Pick-Up
• Volume and Tone Controls
• Black ABS Bridge Pins
• Adjustable Guitar Bridge System

Tonal & Built Quality

The Yamaha APXT2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a compact body guitar that offers both acoustic and electric capabilities. It is a 3/4 size APX series acoustic guitar that provides full-fledged electric acoustic sound wherever you go. With its built-in contact pickup, you can easily plug in the guitar to an amplifier and fill the room with sound.

This acoustic guitar is constructed with a popular tonewood, spruce, on its top and features a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. This makes it the ideal smaller-bodied, solid-wood acoustic guitar for beginners to learn and play comfortably.

In addition, the locally sourced back and sides of the tonewood make this guitar both eco-friendly and budget-friendly, typically costing under $300. The scale length of 22 13/16 inches is perfect for players of any skill level.

Furthermore, the Yamaha APXT2 3/4-Size Acoustic-Electric Guitar boasts great string balance and a beautiful tone. Its compact size and easy-to-play fretboard make it one of the best acoustic guitars for players with smaller hands.

Best for whom?

This laptop has a thinner sound due to the small size of the sound box. Therefore, it is ideal for intermediate and beginner musicians who prefer a lighter sound when playing or listening to music on an acoustic guitar.

Why I am suggesting Yamaha APXT2 3/4-Size Acoustic-Electric Guitar?

I recommend this acoustic guitar for its contact pickup system. It features a compact, one-way active preamp and ART-based contact pickup that delivers a natural acoustic tone. The pickup also includes a mid-boost EQ and a precision chromatic tuner for sound shaping. The guitar has a microphone that captures lows, mids, and body resonance for a great amplified sound. This acoustic guitar is perfect for vacations, campfires, and road trips.

5. Fender CD-60S Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Overview

After spending a couple of years playing the Fender CD-60S, which is a solid top dreadnought acoustic guitar, I am recommending it again as an entry-level guitar to learn. I have always loved the sound of this guitar because of its great playability and tonal balance. The beautiful sound ranges from deep low notes to clear midrange and crisp high notes.

Moreover, the guitar is aesthetically pleasing due to its gorgeous design. It is beautifully constructed with deep brown mahogany wood and has a gloss finish. Additionally, I found it easy to play due to the neck’s rolled fingerboard edges, which provide a comfortable playing experience.

Which Features Make it Shine?

• Quality solid spruce top
• Dreadnought body style
• Mahogany back and sides
• Responds well to any acoustic playing style
• Fixed Guitar bridge system
• Solid spruce top with scalloped “X”-bracing

Tonal & Built Quality

This is one of the best dreadnought acoustic guitars known for its loud, bold, and rich tones. The CD-60 delivers on all three parameters for better tonal quality. The scalloped and X-bracing design of this guitar also plays a big role in delivering bolder tones.

The guitar is well-constructed and can be purchased for under $300 due to its classic pairing of mahogany back and sides with spruce on top. It boasts top-notch playability, making it a versatile and lively choice. The style, sound, and affordability of this acoustic guitar make it a hard-to-beat option.

Best for whom?

The Fender CD-60S Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is an excellent choice for players seeking a bright, loud sound for strumming and plucking. This model is ideal for beginners who want a durable guitar with great sound quality. Even veteran guitarists will find this guitar to be a great backup option. For under $300, this model is outstanding, offering top-notch quality and a fantastic set of accessories.

Why I am suggesting Fender CD-60S Solid Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar?

I recommend this entry-level acoustic guitar for its easy-to-play neck. The rolled fingerboard edges make the instrument comfortable to hold, creating an incredibly comfortable fret-hand feel. This makes it ideal for both beginner players and experienced professionals alike.

6. Fender FA-125 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar- Best Budget Acoustic Guitar under 300

Overview

As Christmas is an event where everyone wants to gift the best to their friends, I decided to surprise my friend who was fond of guitar and music but didn’t know how to play. I purchased a Fender FA-125 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar for him. To my excitement, he started tuning it fairly well after installing a battery in the tuner. Although the acoustic guitar did have some minor professional oversights, it didn’t detract from its performance.

In addition, the Fender FA-125 Acoustic Guitar is also great for learning, so my friend will probably seek lessons to maximize his playing abilities. The guitar also boasts a great sound and playability, thanks to its metal strings. It’s rare to find such tonal quality for under $300.

Which Features Make it Shine?

• Laminated Spruce Top
• Nato Wood neck material type
• Laminated Basswood Back and Sides
• Walnut Wood fingerboard material type
• A thin and lightweight body

Tonal & Built Quality

The Fender FA-125 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar produces an excellent sound, thanks to its modern 3+3 headstock and Viking bridge design. These features make the guitar easy to play and enhance its sound quality, making it a budget-friendly and ideal choice for beginner and developing players.

The guitar features a smooth-playing nato neck that adds to its lively tone. Additionally, the guitar is available in a bundle that includes a tuner, hard case, strings, strap, picks, and an Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD, providing all the essentials for getting started.

Best for whom?

The Fender FA-125 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is one of the best, less-expensive solid-body acoustic guitars. It’s an ideal choice for beginners and young students who want to start playing. The smaller body size makes it a great option for travellers, allowing you to play music on the road or while camping. This package also includes a tuner, hard case, strings, strap, picks, and an Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD.

Why I am suggesting Fender FA-125 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar?

I recommend this budget-friendly acoustic guitar for its metal strings. The guitar delivers good sound and playability thanks to these metal strings, which feature a unique distressed finish around the pickguard. Despite its imperfections, this guitar represents a great value for beginner players under $300.

7. Washburn Bella Tono 6 String Acoustic or Electric Guitar- Best Right-handed Acoustic Guitar for Beginners

Overview

This acoustic guitar has the added feature of being electric, but I hadn’t tested it plugged in yet. I didn’t have an amplifier available, so I played it unplugged first. To my surprise, even unplugged it had a loud and resonant sound. However, playing it through an amplifier can sometimes result in a distorted sound if the volume is too high.

When playing this guitar as an acoustic, the sound is beautiful, but it’s important to choose the right setting when plugging it in to avoid distortion. One major downside is that it doesn’t come with a protective case. Despite this, I am happy with my purchase because it has a good sound, an attractive appearance, and a low action. Additionally, the guitar holds its tune well and the electric tuner is easy to use.

Which Features Make it Shine?

• Acoustic-Electric Guitar
• Studio Body Design
• Onboard Barcus Berry LX4 Preamp
• Gloss Charcoal Burst Color
• The Exotic Wood Vine Pattern Fretboard
• Stunning Figured Walnut Back and Sides
• D’Addario EXP-16 Light Set Phosphor Bronze Strings

Tonal & Built Quality

The Washburn Bella Tono 6 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar is eye-catching in its gloss charcoal burst color. Its beauty is further enhanced by the exotic wood vine pattern inlay on the ebony fretboard, along with the stunning figured walnut back and sides.

The strings are D’Addario EXP-16, which are considered a light set of phosphor bronze strings and produce excellent sound. I highly recommend this guitar for new players, as it has the tone and build quality of a guitar that would typically cost between $400 to $500.

Best for whom?

The Vite S9V acoustic guitar boasts a focused sound and a comfortable feel, making it easier for right-handed players to reach all the notes on the fretboard. Expert or professional players often recommend right-handed guitars to left-handed players, but left-handed players can also play well with right-handed guitars with some extra effort.

Why I am suggesting Washburn Bella Tono 6 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar?

I recommend the Washburn Bella Tono 6 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar due to its Studio Body Design. This design provides a comfortable playing experience and helps maintain focused mids, tight lows, and clear highs, which are usually associated with larger body sizes.

This acoustic guitar is suitable for intermediate and new players, with its amazing scale length of 25.5 inches. The satin-finished, modern “C” profile of the Okoume neck feels smooth and cozy in the hands, providing a familiar feel for the player.

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