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10 Best Acoustic Guitars For Beginners 2025 in the United States

#8
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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Black Bundle with Gig Bag, Tuner, Strap, Strings, String Winder, Picks, Fender Play Online Lessons, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,369
Action
Brand Reputation

Most important from
3053 reviews

Action
The guitar's action is great, making it easy to play bar chords on the low frets, which is perfect for beginners.
Brand Reputation
Fender makes quality guitars with a beautiful sound, perfect for beginners.

The Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Bundle is an excellent choice for beginners. The full-size dreadnought body shape provides a rich, full sound that is well-balanced for various music styles. The guitar is built with durable materials, including a lindenwood top and mahogany back and sides, making it robust enough for new players who might handle it roughly.

The neck, made of mahogany with a maple fingerboard, is slim and easy to play, which is great for those just starting out. However, laminate construction might not offer the same resonance as solid wood guitars. The included accessories such as a gig bag, tuner, strap, strings, string winder, and picks ensure you have everything you need to start playing right away.

Fender Play online lessons and an instructional DVD offer valuable guidance, making the learning process easier. One potential downside is the lack of electronics, which means you can't plug it into an amplifier for louder play. Nonetheless, Fender's reputable brand name and comprehensive beginner-friendly bundle make this guitar a strong contender for new players.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,369
Action
Brand Reputation

Most important from
3053 reviews

Action
The guitar's action is great, making it easy to play bar chords on the low frets, which is perfect for beginners.
Brand Reputation
Fender makes quality guitars with a beautiful sound, perfect for beginners.
#2

Fender Alternative Series Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Kit, Beginner Guitar Kit, with 2-Year Warranty, Includes Padded Gig Bag, Guitar Stand, Guitar Strap, and More, Natural

Rating
9.7
Body Shape
Tonewood

Most important from
1328 reviews

Body Shape
This guitar offers a full-size, standard build that’s perfect as a starter instrument for beginners.
Tonewood
The clean, bright tone suits a variety of acoustic styles like folk and country, supporting diverse musical interests.

The Fender Alternative Series Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Kit is a solid choice for beginner players who want a full-size, easy-to-play acoustic guitar. Its dreadnought body shape gives it a rich, bold sound ideal for styles like country, folk, or bluegrass. The guitar’s top is made from spruce, which helps produce a bright and clear tone, while the basswood body keeps it lightweight and comfortable to hold. The "C"-shaped neck with a walnut fingerboard is designed for smooth playability, making it easier for new players to form chords and move along the fretboard. The scale length of 25.3 inches is standard, providing a familiar feel for most players. Fender includes sealed-gear tuners for stable tuning, though this model does not have built-in electronics, so it’s better suited for purely acoustic playing.

A nice bonus with this kit is the inclusion of a padded gig bag, stand, strap, picks, and extra strings, which means beginners get everything they need to start playing right away. Additionally, the kit comes with a subscription to Fender Play, offering video lessons that can help accelerate learning. Being made in China and using basswood for the body may mean the tone is not as rich or resonant as higher-end guitars with solid wood bodies. However, given its price and beginner-friendly design, this guitar provides great value. It is a dependable entry-level instrument with useful extras that can support a new player’s journey.

Rating
9.7
Body Shape
Tonewood

Most important from
1328 reviews

Body Shape
This guitar offers a full-size, standard build that’s perfect as a starter instrument for beginners.
Tonewood
The clean, bright tone suits a variety of acoustic styles like folk and country, supporting diverse musical interests.
#3

YAMAHA FS800 Small Body Solid Top Acoustic Guitar, Natural, Concert

Rating
8.5
Body Shape
Tonewood
Neck Profile

Most important from
2253 reviews

Body Shape
Its slightly smaller, concert-sized body makes it comfortable to hold and play, especially for those who prefer a more manageable guitar size.
Tonewood
The sound is bright and clear with good depth, though the tonal character can be shaped significantly by string choice.
Neck Profile
The neck feels comfortable and smooth, with an adjustable truss rod that helps maintain ideal string tension, reducing finger strain during play.
Action
Out of the box, the guitar can benefit from a professional setup and string replacement to optimize action and sound, enhancing playability and tonal depth.
Electronics
While the guitar lacks built-in electronics, it excels as an unplugged instrument for practice and casual playing.
Brand Reputation
Despite a minor risk of shipping damage, customer service and replacements ensure a satisfactory purchase experience.

The Yamaha FS800 is a great choice for beginner acoustic guitar players, especially those who prefer a smaller, more comfortable body shape. Its concert-sized body is easier to hold and play, which helps new learners build confidence. The solid Sitka spruce top offers clear, bright sound quality that usually improves with time, unlike laminate tops found on cheaper guitars. The back and sides use Nato wood, which is a good, budget-friendly alternative to more expensive tonewoods and still provides decent tone.

The rosewood fingerboard and bridge feel smooth to play and add a nice touch of warmth to the sound. The neck has an adjustable truss rod, allowing for neck curvature adjustments to keep the strings feeling just right, helping reduce finger strain—a key factor for beginners. The guitar weighs about 5.75 pounds, making it light enough to carry around comfortably. However, it doesn’t come with built-in electronics, so it’s best suited for practicing and playing unplugged at home rather than live performances or recording.

Yamaha has a strong reputation for reliable, well-made instruments, and this model is especially popular among beginners. One minor downside is the Nato wood, which isn’t as rich sounding as mahogany or rosewood back and sides, but this is expected at this price range. If you want a beginner guitar that’s easy to play, sounds good unplugged, and won’t overwhelm you with size, the Yamaha FS800 is a solid, affordable option.

Rating
8.5
Body Shape
Tonewood
Neck Profile

Most important from
2253 reviews

Body Shape
Its slightly smaller, concert-sized body makes it comfortable to hold and play, especially for those who prefer a more manageable guitar size.
Tonewood
The sound is bright and clear with good depth, though the tonal character can be shaped significantly by string choice.
Neck Profile
The neck feels comfortable and smooth, with an adjustable truss rod that helps maintain ideal string tension, reducing finger strain during play.
Action
Out of the box, the guitar can benefit from a professional setup and string replacement to optimize action and sound, enhancing playability and tonal depth.
Electronics
While the guitar lacks built-in electronics, it excels as an unplugged instrument for practice and casual playing.
Brand Reputation
Despite a minor risk of shipping damage, customer service and replacements ensure a satisfactory purchase experience.

Buying Guide for the Best Acoustic Guitars For Beginners

Choosing the right acoustic guitar as a beginner can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. The key is to find a guitar that feels comfortable, sounds good, and motivates you to play. Here are some important specifications to consider when selecting an acoustic guitar for beginners, along with explanations to help you understand their significance and how to choose the best fit for your needs.
Body ShapeThe body shape of an acoustic guitar affects both its sound and comfort. Common shapes include dreadnought, concert, and parlor. Dreadnought guitars are larger and produce a louder, bass-heavy sound, making them great for strumming and playing with others. Concert and parlor guitars are smaller, offering a more balanced tone and easier handling, which can be ideal for fingerpicking and smaller players. Beginners should consider their body size and playing style when choosing a body shape.
TonewoodTonewood refers to the type of wood used to construct the guitar, which influences its sound. Common tonewoods include spruce, mahogany, and cedar. Spruce is light and strong, providing a bright and clear tone, making it a popular choice for beginners. Mahogany offers a warmer, more resonant sound, while cedar provides a softer, mellower tone. Beginners should choose a tonewood that matches their preferred sound and playing style.
Neck ProfileThe neck profile describes the shape and thickness of the guitar's neck, affecting playability and comfort. Common profiles include C-shaped, V-shaped, and U-shaped. C-shaped necks are rounded and generally more comfortable for beginners, while V-shaped necks have a more pronounced ridge, and U-shaped necks are thicker and more substantial. Beginners should try different neck profiles to find one that feels comfortable in their hand.
Scale LengthScale length is the distance between the guitar's nut and the bridge, affecting string tension and playability. Shorter scale lengths (around 24 inches) result in lower string tension, making the guitar easier to play, which can be beneficial for beginners. Longer scale lengths (around 25.5 inches) provide a brighter tone and more string tension. Beginners should consider their hand strength and comfort when choosing a scale length.
ActionAction refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard. Lower action makes the guitar easier to play, as less pressure is needed to press the strings down. Higher action can produce a clearer sound but may be harder for beginners to play. Beginners should look for a guitar with low to medium action to ensure a comfortable playing experience.
ElectronicsSome acoustic guitars come with built-in electronics, allowing them to be amplified. This can be useful for beginners who plan to perform or record. However, purely acoustic guitars without electronics are often simpler and more affordable. Beginners should consider whether they need the option to amplify their guitar when deciding on electronics.
Brand ReputationThe reputation of the guitar brand can be an indicator of quality and reliability. Established brands often have a history of producing well-made instruments and offer good customer support. Beginners should research and consider reputable brands to ensure they are getting a reliable guitar that will last.

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