You’ve probably noticed that finding the best acoustic guitars under $200 can be a challenge.
If you’ve done any research, you’ve probably noted that the different options can be confusing, and the process can be very frustrating.
It’s even more difficult to find the right guitar that fits your budget without any hassles.
We’ll help you, with no headaches. Just think, for under $200 you can have a great guitar that you’ll treasure always.
Just check this list, and we’re sure you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.
Additionally, we’ve broken up each suggestion into regular acoustic guitars and acoustic guitars with a cutaway.
If you like the looks, the shape, or you just want to play the higher frets easier, an acoustic with a cutaway is a great option.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $200: Best Overall
Yamaha FG800
If you’re looking for the best acoustic guitar under $200, then you can’t go wrong with the Yamaha FG800.
It’s got a traditional dreadnought body shape with a solid spruce top and nato/okoume back and sides. As a result, it has the bright, full tone of a classic acoustic guitar.
Additionally, the FG800 has a new type of bracing that will give you a punchier tone, and better projection overall.
The neck is nato with a radius of 15.75″ and is in a shape that’s slim with rounded edges so the neck is very comfortable and easy for beginners to play.
Also the fretboard is made of walnut with 20 frets and small dot inlays so it’s got a simple, solid look and an enhanced tone.
Finally, the walnut bridge and chrome tuners will improve your tone, and make staying in tune effortless.
Pros
- High Quality Guitar at a Bargain Price
- Slightly Thinner Body with Better Projection
Cons
- People With Large Hands May Find Neck a Bit Small
- Plastic Nut/Saddle
The Yamaha FG800 is a great value acoustic guitar with an amazing feel and an even better sound.
You’ll find it meets all your expectations, and then some. Click here to get yours
Orangewood Rey Mahogany
If you’re looking for the best acoustic guitar with a cutout for under $200, you can’t go wrong with the Orangewood Rey Mahogany.
It’s in the grand auditorium shape with a cutaway, so it has plenty of volume, and a full tone as well as being easy to play up the fretboard.
The top, back and sides are layered mahogany, which cuts down on feedback and has a very bright sound, with plenty of resonance and sustain.
Additionally it has a mahogany neck in a “C” shape making it suitable for almost all styles of playing.
The fretboard is hybrid wood and has 20 frets, small dot inlays and a genuine bone nut. As a result you’ll get a better tone, and a straightforward old school look that complements the darker wood of the guitar.
Finally, the bridge is also made of hybrid wood, and has a bone saddle which will improve your overall sound.
Pros
- Also Available with a Spruce Top
- Bone Nut/Saddle
- Includes Premium Gig Bag
- Comes with Optional Pickguard
- Available with Accessory Pack
Cons
- Comes with Medium Sized Strings Which may be Hard on Beginners Fingers
- Only Comes in Right Hand Model
- Hybrid Wood Fretboard/Bridge not Everyone’s Cup of Tea
The Orangewood Rey Mahogany is an excellent guitar for the money, and comes in at a price that can’t be beat.
Additionally, each guitar receives a professional setup in Los Angeles before shipping so you should be able to play right out of the box. You can click here to get yours.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $200: Best Budget
Donner DAG-1B
If you’re on a budget, and are looking for an acoustic guitar, it’s hard to go wrong with the Donner DAG-1B.
It’s a full-size acoustic guitar with a dreadnought shaped body so you’ll get plenty of volume with a warm and vibrant tone
Also it has an African spruce top with African mahogany back and sides so it’s full and resonant with plenty of low end, and bright highs.
The neck is in a “C” shape with an ebony fretboard and dot inlays and 20 frets so it’ll be easy and straightforward to play.
Finally, it comes with a gig bag, strap, cap, digital tuner, an extra set of strings, polishing cloth, and a set of guitar picks.
Pros
- Includes Gigbag and Accessories
- Available in 2 Finishes
Cons
- Ebony Fretboard?
- Plastic Nut and saddle
The Donner DAG-1B is an excellent budget acoustic guitar that has everything you need to get started playing.
Its matte black finish, and dreadnought body size make it perfect for playing all kinds of styles of music. You can get yours here.
Jasmine S-34C
If you’re looking for the best budget acoustic guitar, and have to have a cutaway, you can’t go wrong with the Jasmine S-34C.
It’s got a grand orchestra shape with a Venetian cutaway so it’s comfortable and easy to reach the higher frets.
The body has a select spruce top and sapele back and sides so it has a tone that’s bright, warm and full. Additionally it’s built with Jasmine’s Advanced “X” bracing so it has a more open sound, with better definition.
The nato neck is slim with a smooth satin finish that maximizes resonance and gives you improved sound quality.
Finally, the fretboard is rosewood, as is the bridge, and has 20 frets, pearloid dot inlays and a radius of 12″ so it’s comfortable, and easy to play all the way up the fretboard.
Pros
- Great Value for a Great Quality Guitar
- Strap Button Location Gives You Better Balance and Comfort
Cons
- Plastic Nut and Saddle
The Jasmine S-34C has a rich, and balanced tone, and is a great budget option whether you’re a beginner or and old pro.
Additionally, the grand auditorium shape is a nice balance between size and volume, and is friendly for beginners. It’s a great guitar for the price, and you can get yours here.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $200: Best 3/4 Size
Yamaha APXT2
If you’re looking for a 3/4 sized acoustic guitar that’s compact, portable, and under $200, then check out the Yamaha APXT2.
First, it has a compact cutaway shape with a depth of less than 3″ so it’s portable, comfortable and easy to play all the way up the fretboard.
Second, the body has a spruce top and “Locally-Sourced Tonewood” back and sides, so you’ll get a great, resonant sound and a bright tone.
The neck is also made from “Locally-Sourced Tonewood” and has a standard shape with 15.75″ radius. As a result you’ll have an easy to play neck that’s comfortable for beginners or pros.
Equally important is the rosewood fretboard which has 21 frets, and small dot inlays, so it has a refined look, and a classic tone.
Finally, you’ll easily be able to shape your tone, thanks to the SYSTEM68 preamp and A.R.T. pickup. In fact they will ensure a more natural tone with plenty of dynamic range.
Also, the onboard tuner will make staying in tune effortless.
Pros
- Available in 4 Finishes
- Includes Gig Bag
Cons
- Plastic Nut and Saddle
- “Locally-Sourced Tonewood” Means They use Whatever Wood at Hand
The Yamaha APXT2 is a 3/4 sized guitar that’s perfect for travelling, or just jamming on the couch.
It’s smaller size also makes it perfect for young beginners, or anyone with small hands. It’s a great value, and you can get yours here.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $200: Best For Travel
Tanglewood Winterleaf TW2T Mahogany
If you’re looking for a travel sized guitar with a great tone, then try the Tanglewood Winterleaf TW2 T Mahogany.
It has a small body with a mahogany top, and mahogany back and sides so it’s got plenty of volume, with lots of punch, and very bright highs, with thick lows and full mids.
Additionally, the neck is made of mahogany and is shaped comfortably, especially for players that have smaller hands.
The rosewood fretboard has 19 frets, small dot inlays, and a NuBone nut, so you’ll have a better tone, and a straightforward, classic look.
Finally, the bridge is also made of rosewood with a compensated NuBone saddle while the headstock has small chrome die cast tuners, so you’ll easily stay intonated, and in tune, while looking great.
Pros
- Comes Strung with D’Addario Strings
- Comes with Gig Bag
- NuBone Nut and Saddle
Cons
- May Have Rough Fret Ends
The Tanglewood Winterleaf TW2 T Mahogany guitar is a travel ready guitar that’s perfect for travelling, or anyone who’s more comfortable playing a smaller guitar.
It’s got a great, punchy tone, and is great value for the money. You can get yours here.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $200: Best Classical
Cordoba CP100 Guitar Pack
If you’re looking for a classical guitar for under $200, the Cordoba CP100 Guitar Pack is an excellent choice.
It’s a full sized guitar in the standard classical guitar shape, so it’s great for beginners to learn on, or old pros to enjoy playing.
The body has a spruce top with nato back and sides which gives it a clear, bright sound, that’s resonant, full and classic.
The neck is also nato wood and has dots on the side so you can easily identify what fret you’re playing on.
Additionally, the rosewood fretboard has 19 frets so it’ll have a full tone, be easy to learn on, and enjoyable to play.
Finally, the bridge is also made of rosewood, ensuring a high quality, and the kit includes a digital clip-on tuner, 2 picks and a guitar lesson book.
Pros
- Includes Gig Bag
- Comes Strung with Savarez Strings
Cons
- Plastic Nut/Saddle
The Cordoba CP100 Guitar Pack comes with everything you’ll need to get started playing classical guitar.
It’s an ideal guitar for anyone just starting out, as well as guitarist looking to branch out, and you can get yours here.
Hola! Music Full Size Cutaway Classical Guitar
If you’re looking for the best classical guitar under $200 that’s got a cutaway, try the Hola! Music Full Size Cutaway Classical Guitar.
It’s got a classical guitar shape with a large cutaway for easy access to the higher frets.
The body has a spruce top with mahogany back and sides so it has a bright and full sound, with plenty of mids, and great lows.
The neck is mahogany and is slightly thinner than a standard classical guitar making it easier for beginners to play. Additionally the neck includes a truss rod, so you can easily adjust your neck’s action.
The fretboard is made of walnut and has 19 frets and a TUSQ nut so you’ll have an enhanced and mellow tone.
Finally, the bridge is also made of walnut, with a TUSQ saddle, which will enhance your tone even more.
Pros
- Comes Strung with Savarez Premium Nylon Strings
- Also Available in 1/2 and 3/4 Sizes
- Includes Padded Gig Bag
- Comes with 2 Free Months of Guitar Lessons
Cons
- May Have Slightly Rough Fret Ends
The Hola! Music Full Size Cutaway Classical Guitar is a perfect guitar for a beginner since the nylon strings will be easier on the fingers, and the wide fretboard leaves more finger room when learning chords.
It’s a great value, especially considering they’re using real TUSQ parts, and a real pleasure to play, and you can get yours here.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $200: Best Under $100
Jasmine S-35 Acoustic Guitar
If you’re looking for an inexpensive guitar that’s especially good for a beginner, then you want to try the Jasmine S35.
It has a dreadnought-shaped body with a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides so it has a warm, full sound that’s bright and clear with plenty of volume.
The nato neck has a slim profile and a 12″ radius so it’s comfortable for beginners, as well as anyone with smaller hands.
Additionally, it features a rosewood fretboard that has 20 frets and Pearloid dot inlays giving it a simple look and improving your overall tone.
Finally, the bridge is rosewood, with a compensated saddle adding to your tone.
Pros
- Available in Multiple Finishes
- Low Price, Good Quality
- Full Body Binding
- Jasmine’s Advanced “X” Bracing Improves Tone
Cons
- Synthetic Bone Nut and Saddle
All in all, the Jasmine S-35 is a great value and a great option for a first guitar.
If you’re looking for a great quality guitar at an affordable price you can get yours by clicking here.
Best Acoustic Guitars Under $200: FAQ
- What kind of strings do I need?
- See this post here.
- How do I tune my guitar?
- See this post here.
- What about the best acoustic guitars under $300?
- See this post here.
- What about the best acoustic guitars under $500?
- See this post here.
Tips and Tricks
You’ve got your new guitar! Congratulations! Now what?
Change the Strings on Your New Guitar for Better Sound
The strings on your new guitar may be a year old, which means your guitar won’t sound its best. Changing the strings will improve your sound.
Only Adjust the Truss Rod After Letting the Guitar Acclimate
After receiving your guitar, give it at least 24 hours for the wood to fully reach the temperature of your home. Oftentimes, a guitar that has fret buzz, or dead spots hasn’t fully warmed/cooled from travel, and will “self adjust” once the wood has a chance to fully expand/contract.
JT currently resides in Southern California and has been playing the guitar since he was 13. He enjoys baking French pastries, drinking loose-leaf tea, and running Slackware Linux.