Best Acoustic Guitar Under 200 | A to Z Review + Buyers Guide

If you have landed on this page, then you are looking for an affordable acoustic guitar that will help you learn and master the craft. My list of best acoustic guitar under 200 has a bunch of highly-rated models that not only cater to those first-timers. But also work as perfect workhorse models for the seasoned guitarists out there who want to leave their high-end ones at home.

best acoustic guitar under 200

Most of these models are perfect for the road journey to play at the beach or a campfire; moreover, if you want to buy guitar along with accessories, then check out the guitar beginners kit to save your money and research.

That being said, one must not expect the same quality of the expensive models, since this list will give you those that are sound satisfactory and are excellent value for the money you pay. Depending on your specific budget and other preferences, this chart will make the perfect stop to help you with your research.

REVIEW OF BEST ACOUSTIC GUITAR UNDER 200

1) FENDER FA-115 ACOUSTIC GUITAR BUNDLE WITH GIG BAG

Fender - Best acoustic guitar under 200

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Laminated finish.
  • Spruce top.
  • Dreadnought body.
  • Rosewood fingerboard.
  • White dot inlays.
  • Gigbag.
  • Shoulder strap.
  • Picks.
  • Digital tuner.
  • Instructional DVD.

Are you having trouble finding the perfect guitar to whip out during your journeys or parties? Are you looking for the best acoustic guitar under 200 that is not only affordable but has high-quality sound?

Look no further as Fender, with its incredibly affordable bundle, is your answer. Although you may be wondering about Fender being more established in acoustic guitars, they also have some solid acoustic guitar models that are worth the hype. 

This particular bundle is perfect for first-timers and includes everything you need to start your journey. Right from a sturdy gig bag to protect the instrument during travel, shoulder strap, spare strings, picks, a digital clip-on tuner, and finally an instructional DVD to get you started on your journey. 

Additionally, the dreadnought body has a full bided bright tone, so you never have to compromise on the sound.

Pros

  • No set up needed.
  • Useful accessories.
  • Bright tone.
  • Sturdy body.
  • Value for the price.

Cons

  • May need frequent tuning.

2) DONNER DAG-1C - BEST BEGINNER ACOUSTIC GUITAR UNDER 200

Donner - Best acoustic guitar under 200

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • 41’’ dreadnought.
  • Cutaway design.
  • Right-handed orientation.
  • Spruce top.
  • Mahogany back.
  • Gigbag.
  • Shoulder strap.
  • Capo.
  • Brass strings.
  • Digital tuner.
  • Polishing cloth.

Something that looks great sounds vibrant, and something comfortable seems like a good package deal, doesn’t it? This Donner cutaway dreadnought guitar with its classic bold features fits the bill perfectly and it is another best acoustic guitar under 200.

With a sating finish and a spruce top, and mahogany back, you know the resonance is going to be more than satisfactory. Add bronze and medium gauze strings with scalloped bracing, and you do not only get a comfortable feel and a high volume but also optimum tonal flexibility.

The tuning pegs you get with this instrument are sealed alloy that has gone intonation and never loses their tone, so you will not need to tune them frequently.

You get a good guitar with useful accessories like a gig bag, capo, strap, tuner, strings, batteries picks, and a polishing cloth so you can start your guitar journey effectively.

Pros

  • Superior craftsmanship.
  • Comfortable body.
  • Value for money.
  • Warm sound.
  • Beginners kit included.

Cons

  • Metal strings can be tricky for a beginner.

3) YAMAHA C40II - BEST ACOUSTIC GUITAR FOR CONCERTS

Yamaha - Best acoustic guitar under 200

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Full scale.
  • Spruce top.
  • Laminated.
  • Glossy finish.
  • Meranti back and side.
  • Rosewood fingerboard.

Any acoustic list is incomplete without an impressive Yamaha model, so here goes Yamaha’s sweet-sounding resonant classical guitar that has the most comfortable and smooth playability factor especially, if you are a first-timer classical guitar are the best. This is one of those highly rated models that lives up to its hype and the best acoustic guitar under 200.

The level of high-quality craftsmanship will surprise you to give that the tone and performance match its exterior making it a perfect bargain you do not want to miss. With its compact body and scale, it has been tailor-built for beginners, and those with smaller hands for optimum comfort.

On the hardware front, it has a smooth glossy spruce top for great tonal projection with meranti back and sides. It comes with a rosewood fretboard with rounded edges and a comfortable neck that allows simple quick transitions.

Pros

  • Excellent craftsmanship.
  • Superior sound quality.
  • Attractive design.
  • Comfortable body.
  • Tonal control.
  • Perfect for beginners.

Cons

  • The action can too high for some.

4) JASMINE 6 STRING MATTE SUNBURST ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Jasmine - Best acoustic guitar under 200

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Matte finish.
  • Sunburst body.
  • Spruce top.
  • Advanced X bracing.
  • Agathis back and sides.
  • Chrome tuners.
  • Full body binding.

If you know Takamine, then you know Jasmine, its affordable little sister range that is a trustworthy competitor in the market, especially in this price range. It has a dreadnought body with a bold full sound that is not only easy to play, but the features make it look and feel high end.

On the hardware front, you get a durable and resonance spruce top with an Agathis back and the classic Jasmin's x bracing. It has a luxurious matte finish that is soft to touch and a narrow neck to improve access across the frets.

You also get tight chrome tuners that hold their tune longer. You have the option of adding the beginners kit to this guitar for a low price, especially if you are starting. Put merely, Takamine knows how to build a guitar, and you will not go wrong with this one. 

Pros

  • Good sound quality.
  • Attractive.
  • Affordable.
  • Solid-body.
  • Good volume.

Cons

  • Strings may need replacing.

5) IBANEZ - BEST ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR

Ibanez - Best acoustic guitar under 200

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Double cutaway body.
  • Mahogany neck.
  • Spruce top.
  • 2 band EQ.
  • Onboard tuner.
  • Ibanez preamp.
  • Chrome tuners.
  • Ibanez coated strings.
  • Under saddle pickup.
  • Black and white rosette.

High quality build, easy to travel with, excellent sound, perfect intonation, and need I say more? This Ibanez model is close to perfect. This model is often picked up by electric guitarists looking for acoustic resonance but does not be mistaken, as it has an impressive boom unplugged and the full tones you expect from an acoustic guitar.

The best part of this guitar is the Ivorex nut that produces those clear highs and amplified the lows even better. You also get a built-in tuner with Ibanez pickup and a two-band EQ that helps you shape the tone and hold better control of the sound you produce. It features a Talan cutaway body with a mahogany neck and a spruce top.

It also comes with die-cast tuners that retain their tune and black and white rosette. Although this may not be the perfect guitar for first-timers, this is a model you need in your collection.

Pros

  • Stays in tune.
  • Perfect sound.
  • Tonal control.
  • Good resonance.
  • Low action.
  • Good intonation.

Cons

  • Will need a bit of warm-up to adapt to your style.

6) EPIPHONE PRO-1 PLUS EAPPNACH1-15 - MOST STYLISH ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Epiphone

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Solid top.
  • Adjustable truss rod.
  • Additional wrench.
  • 3 colour options.
  • Humidifier.
  • Online classes.

This is famous for being one of the most comfortable acoustic guitars out there. It is built in such a way that it fits in your hands and moulds perfectly so that you do not have to struggle especially to the frets higher up.

Additionally, the frets are built wider and it is easier to press the strings to reduce the friction and overall fatigue of playing is reduced drastically.

We have already spoken about easy playability, now let us focus on the fun learning part. This guitar comes with free online lessons that you can get started and also a humidifier so that no matter the weather, your guitar never loses its sound.

It has a solid top with an adjustable truss rod and a wrench, no fret buzz whatsoever, low action without any adjustments, and the attractive finish looks classic and well made. So this is another best acoustic guitar under 200 in the list.

Pros

  • Very comfortable.
  • Low action.
  • No set up needed.
  • Broad frets.
  • Free online lessons and humidifier.

Cons

  • Not the loudest on the list.

7) CORDOBA C3M - BEST CLASSICAL GUITAR UNDER 200

Cordoba

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Full scale classical.
  • Cedar top.
  • Mahogany back.
  • Rosewood fingerboard.
  • Satin finish.
  • Hand veneered rosette.
  • Two-way truss rod.
  • Savarez cristal corum strings.

Next up in my list of best acoustic guitar under 200 comes the Cordoba C3M classical guitar. Cordoba knows how to make a good acoustic guitar and the Iberia series is the oldest with C3M being one of the most popular handcrafted models.

If you are into Spanish fingerpicking, then this is the perfect guitar for you. It has a solid cedar top, rosewood fingerboard, mahogany back, hand veneered rosette, nickel tuners, and Spanish fan bracing that gives it a traditional retro feel.

The natural satin finish feels comfortable to hold and the Savarez cristal strings are easy to press with high tenacity and sweet tone. It also features a two-way truss rod to adjust your neck and a highly responsive soundhole for that acoustic resonance and boom.

You will never go wrong with this lightweight beauty drenched in heritage, and this is the kind of model that will last you for years to come.

Pros

  • Comes with hard case and humidifier.
  • Perfect for beginners.
  • Classic aesthetic.
  • Low action.
  • Value for price.

Cons

  • Dents a bit easier.

8) WASHBURN CLASSICAL SERIES C5CE - BEST BUDGET ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Washburn

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Natural finish.
  • Spruce top.
  • Rosewood fingerboard.
  • Mahogany neck.
  • Catalpa back.
  • EVT electronics.
  • Bronze wound nylon strings.
  • Adjustable truss rod.

I am ending the list of best acoustic guitar under 200 with another classic acoustic guitar from the cult brand Washburn. If you want a no-nonsense acoustic guitar that does its job well, and sounds perfect unplugged with the option of a pickup system then this is the best. It looks and feels comfortable, is well made and built to perfection. 

The cutaway neck is designed especially for making fret transitions simpler and the broader fretboard is perfect for beginners and those with larger hands who don't do well with narrow necks. Since it is classical, and you get soft nylon strings that have high tension.

On the hardware front, it has a spruce top that projects well and has good resonance with a sturdy mahogany neck, catalpa back, and an adjustable truss rod with a wrench to adjust the neck.

Pros

  • Spacious fretboard.
  • Comfortable strings.
  • Bright tone.
  • Good for beginners.
  • Excellent craftsmanship.

Cons

  • Plugged sound is not very impressive

FActors to be considered:

A few key points to remember before you go ahead will be to:

  • Confirm the kind of strings you want; nylon or metal. Both have their own sounds and advantages so choose wisely.
  • Watch out for the genre you want to focus on more.
  • If you are a beginner, buy an acoustic-electric carefully as they could get a bit complicated.
  • Avoid plastic as much as possible as they do not help with the tone much.
  • Finally, choose good tonewoods.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, your search for the best acoustic guitar under 200 will be a fun thing. In most cases, you will like the first one you find on the internet, a common mistake. Check a few models and test them out at shops to see if it is the right sound and if the body is comfortable enough for you.

You will have to focus on other criteria if you are looking for a travel acoustic guitar or a practice model. If you have completely gone through my chart, then you know there are many versatile and suitable quality models out there that do not need significant investment and look and sound perfect.

Having any one of the guitars mentioned above will be a valuable contribution to your collection and one you will not regret.

If your budget is strict, then go ahead, but you can always stretch it out a little more. And get a whole other spectrum of options if you are looking for something long term. Whatever you choose, good luck on your journey.

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