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  4. 10 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners UK 2024 | Audio Engineer Reviewed
  • 10 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners UK 2024 | Audio Engineer Reviewed 1
  • 10 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners UK 2024 | Audio Engineer Reviewed 2
  • 10 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners UK 2024 | Audio Engineer Reviewed 3
  • 10 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners UK 2024 | Audio Engineer Reviewed 4
  • 10 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners UK 2024 | Audio Engineer Reviewed 5

10 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners UK 2024 | Audio Engineer Reviewed

Buying an acoustic guitar is one of the most exciting prospects for any budding player. It's the critical 'make or break' stepping stone that sets you up for certain success or potential disenchantment through an unsuitable instrument. Brands like Yamaha, Stretton Payne, Epiphone and Donner all build beginner guitars with success solely in mind. 


We've compiled ten top-notch beginner guitars from Amazon and Argos, to suit both buyers on a budget and those wanting to invest in something special. From dreadnaughts to classical guitars, there's a perfect beginner acoustic for everyone's unique size and story. Many of our picks also come with all the accessories needed to hit the ground running!

Last updated 25/03/2024
Alex Shepherd
Expert
Audio Engineer
Alex Shepherd

Alex is a passionate and experienced engineer in the music industry with six years of experience working in the field of Studio and Live production and engineering. Specialising in Live Engineering, he always aims to ensure the highest quality of audio is provided for his clients' performances and advises all newcomers to the field on what equipment and production methods are best required in order for the optimum end result.

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Table of Contents

With Specialist Advice From Audio Engineer Alex Shepherd

With Specialist Advice From Audio Engineer Alex Shepherd

Alex is a passionate and experienced engineer in the music industry with six years of experience working in the field of Studio and Live production and engineering.


Specialising in Live Engineering, he always aims to ensure the highest quality of audio is provided for his clients' performances and advises all newcomers to the field on what equipment and production methods are best required in order for the optimum end result.


For more information on the services that Alex offers, take a look at his LinkedIn profile here.

How to Choose an Acoustic Guitar for Beginners in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Pick a Type and Size That Suits the Playing You Wish to Do
  2. Select Guitars With Low-Mid String Action As They'll Be Easier to Press Down on
  3. Consider the Neck Width as This Can Affect Playing Comfort if You Have Smaller Hands
  4. Make Sure the Guitar Is Made From Recognised Tonewoods Wherever Possible
1

Pick a Type and Size That Suits the Playing You Wish to Do

Pick a Type and Size That Suits the Playing You Wish to Do

Classical Guitars Are Small Bodied With Nylon Strings Making Them Less Daunting for Learning

Classical guitars are an extremely beginner-friendly choice, and most people's first acoustic is a classical guitar whether they realise it or not. This is because they always have nylon strings which can be a real godsend when starting out as your fingers won't be in as much pain, ensuring you'll be able to play for longer.


They are also small-bodied guitars, which can be a huge advantage as you won't have such a hard time reaching the frets, making them a good option for children ready for a full-sized guitar. It also won't seem like such an impossible prospect to wrangle the guitar into a comfortable, easy position to play.

Choose the Widely Popular Dreadnaught for Its Versatility and Clean Acoustic Sound

Dreadnaughts are full-sized, steel-stringed guitars that produce a clean acoustic sound. so if you're still growing and subsequently don't have enviable, elongated fingers then maybe it's not the ideal first acoustic for you. If you're a little older or have played electric guitars, its good volume projection and strong bass sound incredible.


There's a wide range of dreadnaught guitars these days that are priced well for starting out. So if you want to get straight into a legitimate-sounding piece of kit, or are thinking of performing live, then the dreadnaught is for you.

Go For a Compact Parlor Guitar for Something Easy to Handle and Travel With

A parlor is simply any guitar that is less than a full size. 3/4 and 1/2 size guitars are common along with guitaleles and ukeleles. These smaller guitars can suit children as they will be able to reach all the necessary elements of the guitar with ease, and hopefully, style!


Parlors typically come equipped with steel strings. If this doesn't sit well with you, there's always the option of the aforementioned guitaleles or ukeleles, which usually have wound strings. Wound strings have a nylon core and flexible metal exterior, which makes them easier on the fingers and good at producing lower notes.


Parlors can also be a clever choice if you're on the move but due to their smaller size, they won't have the same full sound as a dreadnaught. Having a parlor guitar kicking around to take on trips or to lessons is never a bad idea!


Why not take a look at some ukeleles as well?

2

Select Guitars With Low-Mid String Action As They'll Be Easier to Press Down on When Learning

Select Guitars With Low-Mid String Action As They'll Be Easier to Press Down on When Learning

The action of a guitar is the distance between the strings and the fretboard, typically measured on the 12th fret. A low action guitar is a good idea as it will make the strings easier to press down. This will help to stem finger soreness and hand fatigue which can be key to a beginner's success and longevity, as they won't become fearful of their guitar and the pain it may cause.


However, having action that is too low will result in an incessant buzzing when strumming chords, as the strings will be pressing down on other frets ruining the sound completely. So, it's important to buy a guitar with the correct low action for learning. 


Everyone has a different opinion on what constitutes 'low action' and it really comes down to the type of guitar and how it feels and sounds for a particular player. You can rest assured that all models from the reputable brands on our list have built guitars with low-medium action suited for learning.

3

Consider the Neck Width as This Can Affect Playing Comfort if You Have Smaller Hands

Consider the Neck Width as This Can Affect Playing Comfort if You Have Smaller Hands

The neck width, or 'nut width' as it's sometimes referred to, is the width of the neck measured at the nut of the guitar, which is at the end of the fingerboard. Neck width can again come down to personal preference but generally, a smaller neck width would suit a player with smaller hands and arms


For steel-stringed acoustic guitars, the standard neck width usually sits at 43 mm with the larger end reaching 48 mm. Classical guitars are a little wider at 52 mm, but the smaller body size allows for them to be played by beginners as reaching the top frets is still achievable despite the wider neck.


If you're looking to learn multiple instruments, consider trying out a digital piano!

4

Make Sure the Guitar Is Made From Recognised Tonewoods Wherever Possible, Like Mahogany, Cedar or Sitka Spruce

Make Sure the Guitar Is Made From Recognised Tonewoods Wherever Possible, Like Mahogany, Cedar or Sitka Spruce

Acoustic guitars are made from a variety of different wood types. These woods are termed 'tonewoods' as they give the guitar a certain tone and resonance. Ensuring an acoustic is made from recognised, tried and tested tonewoods is going to ensure its longevity and the quality of sound that it emanates. 


Some popular tonewoods to look out for are mahogany, cedar, sitka spruce and rosewood. These quality tonewoods will give your guitar a desirable and appreciated sound that will beckon a crowd wherever you start strumming. You can also consider laminated wood if you're working with a tight budget.

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10 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Epiphone

Dreadnaught Acoustic GuitarDR-100

Epiphone Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar 1

£139.00

High Mid

A Vintage Design With Quality Tonewoods

2

Yamaha

Full Size Steel String Acoustic GuitarF310

Yamaha Full Size Steel String Acoustic Guitar 1

£124.49

High Mid

Yamaha's Award Winning Beginner Guitar

3

Winzz

3/4 Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar Pack

Winzz 3/4 Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar Pack 1

£78.99

Mid

Get on Your Way With a 3/4 Parlor and Impressive Starter Pack

4

Stretton Payne

Full Size Dreadnaught With Starter Pack

Stretton Payne Full Size Dreadnaught With Starter Pack 1

£129.99

High Mid

A High-Spec Dreadnaught With an All-Spruce Tonewood Body

5

Yamaha

Full Size Classical GuitarC40M11

Yamaha Full Size Classical Guitar 1

£129.00

High Mid

The Supremely Built Classical to Invest In

6

Yamaha

Acoustic GuitaleleGL1

Yamaha Acoustic Guitalele 1

£74.47

Mid

The Perfect Travelling Guitalele With an Emphasis on Quality

7

Donner

Cutaway Acoustic Beginner Guitar PackageDAG-1CS

Donner Cutaway Acoustic Beginner Guitar Package 1

£85.99

Mid

A Beginner's Dreadnaught With the Whole Kit and Caboodle

8

3rd Avenue

Rocket Full Size Classical Guitar Starter Pack

3rd Avenue Rocket Full Size Classical Guitar Starter Pack 1

£61.00

Low Mid

A Great First Full-Sized Classical Guitar for Kids

9

Martin Smith

Full Size Acoustic Guitar With AccessoriesW-101-N-PK

Martin Smith Full Size Acoustic Guitar With Accessories 1

£55.98

Low Mid

A Cheap Dreadnaught That Comes With All the Trimmings

10

Music Alley

1/2 Size Classical Acoustic GuitarMA-34-N

Music Alley 1/2 Size Classical Acoustic Guitar 1

£27.07

Low

Lightweight, Easy to Handle, and Ideal for Children

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

EpiphoneDreadnaught Acoustic GuitarDR-100

Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Dreadnaught Acoustic Guitar 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£139.00
High Mid
Reference price
£139.00
High Mid

A Vintage Design With Quality Tonewoods

Epiphone has created a guitar of beauty with the DR-100. A vintage-styled dreadnaught with rich, quality tonewoods of spruce and mahogany give this guitar a sound that can be appreciated by beginners and experienced guitar players alike. 


It is Epiphone's best-selling acoustic guitar because it puts an emphasis on quality while tailoring the design toward learning. This is evident through the slim neck and low action, ensuring ease of playing while starting out. This is a simply splendid instrument that comes highly regarded and recommended from novices to advanced players for its quality of sound knowing no barriers.

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No.2

YamahaFull Size Steel String Acoustic GuitarF310

Full Size Steel String Acoustic Guitar 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Full Size Steel String Acoustic Guitar 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Full Size Steel String Acoustic Guitar 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£124.49
High Mid
Reference price
£124.49
High Mid

Yamaha's Award Winning Beginner Guitar

This is Yamaha's multi-award winning F310 guitar for beginners. It has a western-style body constructed from high-quality rosewood, which not only looks great but gives the guitar a responsive and refined sound. 


It also benefits from a slim neck and low string action, making it ideal for beginners learning the guitar ropes. The fact that it is so well crafted with learning at the very forefront of its design makes this instrument from the iconic Yamaha brand an absolute stand out pick for a first acoustic guitar.

No.3

Winzz3/4 Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar Pack

3/4 Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar Pack 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
3/4 Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar Pack 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
3/4 Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar Pack 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
3/4 Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar Pack 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£78.99
Mid
Reference price
£78.99
Mid

Get on Your Way With a 3/4 Parlor and Impressive Starter Pack

This 3/4 sized guitar from Winzz will have you hitting all the right notes in no time. At 99 cm, it's a perfectly-sized parlor designed with beginners in mind. It comes with a full starter pack of spare strings, a tuner, picks, a strap, a capo, a sturdy guitar bag and even a hand exerciser! 


The action is set to the lowest professionally possible to enable ease of playing without any pesky fret buzz. The body is made of 100% linden plywood, which gives the guitar a high resonance, with a warm and bright sound.

No.4

Stretton PayneFull Size Dreadnaught With Starter Pack

Full Size Dreadnaught With Starter Pack 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Full Size Dreadnaught With Starter Pack 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Full Size Dreadnaught With Starter Pack 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£129.99
High Mid
Reference price
£129.99
High Mid

A High-Spec Dreadnaught With an All-Spruce Tonewood Body

Stretton Payne's full-sized dreadnaught comes highly recommended and for good reason. The all-spruce tonewood top and body gives the guitar a sweet and smooth sound with a warm depth that you would typically expect from a more expensive model of guitar.


This dreadnaught will set any beginner on the right trajectory, allowing you to learn with a high-quality guitar that is beginner-focused with low action. It's also accompanied by all the accessories to get you started such as a bag, tuner, picks, strap and spare strings. What a steal!

No.5

YamahaFull Size Classical GuitarC40M11

Full Size Classical Guitar 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Full Size Classical Guitar 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Full Size Classical Guitar 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£129.00
High Mid
Reference price
£129.00
High Mid

The Supremely Built Classical to Invest In

Another option from trusty brand Yamaha is this full-sized classical guitar made with high-quality tonewoods of spruce, meranti and nato. These all come together to bring you a warm, balanced sound, and once again, a clear response to high and low notes.


The classical size and nylon strings make it an easy guitar to learn with. Yamaha has crafted an absolutely beautiful instrument with this one, so it's no surprise it has reviewers raving about its quality-for-price ratio on Amazon. This is definitely a classical guitar to invest in if budget isn't a problem for you

No.6

YamahaAcoustic GuitaleleGL1

Acoustic Guitalele 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Acoustic Guitalele 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Acoustic Guitalele 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£74.47
Mid
Reference price
£74.47
Mid

The Perfect Travelling Guitalele With an Emphasis on Quality

Our next pick from Yamaha is the perfect travelling companion. It is a parlor-sized guitar at 70 cm in length and is referred to as a 'guitalele' – which is, you guessed it, a hybrid of a guitar and ukulele. The nylon string set enables longer practice time as your fingers won't pay the price for learning.


The sitka spruce top and meranti sides and back give the guitalele a balanced tone with a clear response from high to low notes. There's no need to worry about it getting damaged when travelling about as it is accompanied by a Yamaha fitted gig bag. A reliable, easy guitar for travelling and practising alike. 

No.7

DonnerCutaway Acoustic Beginner Guitar PackageDAG-1CS

Cutaway Acoustic Beginner Guitar Package 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Cutaway Acoustic Beginner Guitar Package 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Cutaway Acoustic Beginner Guitar Package 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£85.99
Mid
Reference price
£85.99
Mid

A Beginner's Dreadnaught With the Whole Kit and Caboodle

Donner has really pulled out all the stops with this one. The full-sized dreadnaught comes with an assortment of accessories to help you get started. It includes a gig bag, a capo, a strap, a tuner, four picks and a polishing cloth, just in case you can't put it down at lunch.


It also boasts a sitka spruce top with laminated mahogany sides and back. The slim neck with low action is a telling sign that it'll be easy to learn with. This is a great guitar with a complete starter kit aimed at any avid beginner looking to hear a resonance straight off the bat

No.8

3rd AvenueRocket Full Size Classical Guitar Starter Pack

Rocket Full Size Classical Guitar Starter Pack 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£61.00
Low Mid
Reference price
£61.00
Low Mid

A Great First Full-Sized Classical Guitar for Kids

This classical guitar from 3rd Avenue hits all the right notes, especially on price! It is a full-sized classical guitar that's recommended for children over the age of 11, though there are smaller versions available should you prefer. 


Another great bargain pack, this one comes with a capo, a pick and soft case to guarantee against any unwanted damage in transit. The nylon strings make it easy to play and the linden wood body gives it a classic guitar look and assures it's nice and lightweight. Some users have mentioned that the action could be lower, though. 

No.9

Martin SmithFull Size Acoustic Guitar With AccessoriesW-101-N-PK

Full Size Acoustic Guitar With Accessories 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Full Size Acoustic Guitar With Accessories 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Full Size Acoustic Guitar With Accessories 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£55.98
Low Mid

A Cheap Dreadnaught That Comes With All the Trimmings

This guitar may not win awards for quality, but it still comes highly recommended for its modest price. This bundle includes all the necessary starter accessories, including an electronic tuner, a stand, spare strings, a strap, two plectrums and a carry bag.


It's a full-sized dreadnaught meaning most adults and big kids will feel right at home holding and playing this instrument. It has a small neck width of 42 mm too, which makes finding notes much easier when starting out. The basswood construction makes it lightweight while holding on to a rich tone. 

No.10

Music Alley1/2 Size Classical Acoustic GuitarMA-34-N

Reference price
£27.07
Low

Lightweight, Easy to Handle, and Ideal for Children

This 1/2 size classical guitar from Music Alley is a solid, easy choice for kids wanting a first guitar. Its nylon strings will help children ease their fingers into practising for prolonged periods of time.


The low action on the strings coupled with the narrow neck width will also ensure children's hands won't strain too much when reaching for chords and strumming. The swamp ash wood used for the body gives it a very lightweight feel, making this little number a cheap and cheerful first guitar. The only downside is that they might outgrow it quite quickly!

Why Choose Acoustic Over Electric Guitars as a Beginner

Why Choose Acoustic Over Electric Guitars as a Beginner

Acoustic guitars are generally recommended for beginners as they are cheaper, easier to transport and unlike electric guitars, they don't require you to buy extra equipment like amplifiers, cables and pedals in order to play them. These things can always come later if your new hobby becomes more serious. 


Even if you would like to eventually master playing electric, it is still recommended to learn the basics on an acoustic before potentially going down the plugged-in route. So for these reasons, we have chosen to focus on acoustic guitars for beginners in this article.


Written and researched by Connor Macanally

Top 5 Acoustic Guitars for Beginners

No. 1: EpiphoneDreadnaught Acoustic GuitarDR-100

No. 2: YamahaFull Size Steel String Acoustic GuitarF310

No. 3: Winzz3/4 Size Beginner Acoustic Guitar Pack

No. 4: Stretton PayneFull Size Dreadnaught With Starter Pack

No. 5: YamahaFull Size Classical GuitarC40M11

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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