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10 Best Acoustic Guitars For Beginners 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

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

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,315
Action
Brand Reputation

Most important from
3087 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 by1,315
Action
Brand Reputation

Most important from
3087 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

Ashthorpe 38-inch Beginner Acoustic Guitar Package (Natural), Basic Starter Kit w/Gig Bag, Strings, Strap, Tuner, Pitch Pipe, Picks

Rating
9.7
Body Shape
Tonewood
Neck Profile

Most important from
8281 reviews

Body Shape
The guitar's smaller size and lightweight design make it perfect for children and beginners with smaller hands.
Tonewood
The warm tone and comfortable neck shape are ideal for learning basic chords and strumming techniques.
Neck Profile
The warm tone and comfortable neck shape are ideal for learning basic chords and strumming techniques.
Electronics
The included tuner and accessories work reliably, making it easy to start playing right away without extra purchases.
Brand Reputation
It offers a well-made, sturdy feel that matches more expensive beginner guitars, providing confidence in its quality.

The Ashthorpe 38-inch Beginner Acoustic Guitar Package is designed specifically for new players, especially teens and students. Its smaller size and lightweight build make it easier to hold and play, which is great if you’re just starting out and might find full-size guitars awkward. The guitar features 18 smooth frets and six steel strings, which is typical for acoustic guitars and good for learning basic chords and strumming. Made from laminated basswood for the top, back, and sides, this guitar offers a warm, versatile sound that can handle different playing styles, from soft strumming to louder flatpicking. While laminated basswood isn’t as rich or resonant as solid wood, it helps keep the guitar affordable and durable, which is important for beginners who may still be developing their playing skills.

The neck is also made of basswood and designed to be easy to hold. The package includes useful extras like a gig bag, strap, digital tuner, pitch pipe, picks, and extra strings, providing everything a beginner needs to start playing right away without additional purchases. The guitar does not have built-in electronics or pickups, making it best suited for acoustic practice rather than amplified performances.

Ashthorpe is recognized as a brand focused on affordable beginner instruments, and many beginners find this guitar reliable and good value. The sound and build quality may be limited compared to higher-end models, so it is more suited for those new to acoustic guitar. This guitar package offers playability, useful accessories, and decent sound at a budget-friendly price. It is ideal for learning and casual playing rather than professional quality or electric amplification.

Rating
9.7
Body Shape
Tonewood
Neck Profile

Most important from
8281 reviews

Body Shape
The guitar's smaller size and lightweight design make it perfect for children and beginners with smaller hands.
Tonewood
The warm tone and comfortable neck shape are ideal for learning basic chords and strumming techniques.
Neck Profile
The warm tone and comfortable neck shape are ideal for learning basic chords and strumming techniques.
Electronics
The included tuner and accessories work reliably, making it easy to start playing right away without extra purchases.
Brand Reputation
It offers a well-made, sturdy feel that matches more expensive beginner guitars, providing confidence in its quality.
#3

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

Rating
8.2
Body Shape
Tonewood
Neck Profile

Most important from
2270 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
8.2
Body Shape
Tonewood
Neck Profile

Most important from
2270 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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