Disclosure: Fency Music, linked on this page, is our sister store. Liverpool Music does not currently earn affiliate commission from any retailer mentioned here.

An acoustic guitar is the simplest way into music. There is nothing to plug in, nothing to charge and nothing to set up: you pick it up and play. That simplicity is why so many people start on one, and also why so many give up. A cheap acoustic with high strings and a bulky body can make your fingers hurt and your chords buzz, and a beginner will usually blame themselves rather than the guitar.

I am a songwriter, and I build FencyGuitar, a guitar learning app, so I care a lot about the guitars people learn on and which ones keep new players going. This list covers nine acoustic guitars that make sense for beginners in the UK, with prices checked in late October 2026, mostly at guitarguitar. The notes draw on specifications, owner reports and long standing reputation, and I will be honest about what each guitar gets wrong.

Top 3: Acoustic Guitars for Beginners

Below are all nine picks, followed by a guide to choosing a first acoustic, what else to buy and how to make it easier to play.

9 Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners Right Now

1. Yamaha F310

The Yamaha F310 is the guitar I would point most beginners towards first. It was £139 at guitarguitar, down from £168, and it has been a default recommendation for years. It is a full size dreadnought style guitar with a laminate top, and it is known for being well made for the money.

Reliable is the key word here. At this price, plenty of guitars have high action, rough frets or tuners that slip. The F310's reputation rests on being consistently fine: it stays in tune, sounds full and clear, and survives being knocked about. It is a little large for small players, and a laminate top will not sound as rich as a solid top, but those are fair compromises at £139.

The Yamaha F310 Acoustic Pack was £179 and adds a few basic accessories, which is handy as a gift.

Who should skip this: younger players and anyone who finds a big body uncomfortable.

2. Yamaha FS800

The Yamaha FS800 is the step up I would recommend if your budget allows. It was £299 at guitarguitar, though listed as stock arriving soon when I checked. It has a solid spruce top and a smaller concert style body than the F310, which makes it far more comfortable for many players.

A solid top is the single biggest upgrade in a budget acoustic. Solid wood vibrates more freely than laminate, which gives a richer sound that tends to improve as the guitar ages. The smaller body also sits better under your arm, especially when you are sitting on a sofa. For a guitar that could last for many years, it is excellent value.

The Yamaha FG800M, at £249, is the dreadnought alternative, also with a solid top, and it has a matt finish.

Who should skip this: players on the tightest budget, and anyone who wants a big booming strummer.

3. Fender CC-60S

The Fender CC-60S was £199 at guitarguitar. It has a solid spruce top and a concert size body, with a comfortable neck and an easy to handle shape. For anyone who finds a dreadnought too big, this is one of the best value options, and the solid top is a real advantage at this price.

Fender's acoustics do not carry the same reputation as its electrics, but the CC-60S is widely recommended for beginners. Its smaller body has a little less bass than a dreadnought, but it is balanced and clear, and it suits fingerpicking and singing along.

Who should skip this: players who want a loud, bass heavy strumming guitar.

Models Worth Checking Out

4. Epiphone J-45 Express 7/8

The Epiphone J-45 Express is a seven eighths size take on the famous Gibson J-45 shape, at £199 at guitarguitar. The smaller size makes it comfortable for younger players, smaller adults and anyone who wants a sofa guitar with a classic look.

It sits nicely between a full size guitar and a true travel guitar. It is small enough to be easy to hold and big enough to sound like a proper acoustic. The classic shoulders and sunburst finish are a big part of its appeal, and looks matter when you are trying to build a habit.

If you love the shape and want a full size version, the Epiphone J-45 Studio was £299 to £399.

Who should skip this: players who want the fullest possible sound.

5. Tanglewood Crossroads TC3

The Tanglewood Crossroads TC3 was £129 at guitarguitar. Tanglewood is a British brand with a strong reputation for budget acoustics, and the Crossroads range is its entry level line. It has a vintage inspired finish that suits folk and blues players, and it costs £10 less than the F310.

The Crossroads range is often recommended for players who want character on a small budget. Expect a basic laminate build and some variation between guitars, and check the action when it arrives.

Who should skip this: anyone who can stretch to a solid top.

6. EastCoast D1

The EastCoast D1 Satin Natural was £99 at guitarguitar, and the EastCoast G1 was £89 to £99. EastCoast is the shop's own brand, and these guitars are aimed at people who want to spend as little as possible while still buying from a shop with a returns policy.

At under £100, expectations need to be realistic. The sound will be fairly thin and the build basic. But a cheap guitar from a reputable shop is usually a better bet than a similar price from an unknown seller, because someone can check it before it ships. If you are buying for a child who may lose interest, it is a sensible way to test the water.

Who should skip this: anyone who is sure they want to learn. Spend the extra £40 on an F310.

7. Yamaha APX600

The Yamaha APX600 was £299 at guitarguitar, in several finishes. It is a slim bodied electro acoustic with a cutaway and a built in pickup, which makes it easy to plug into an amp or PA.

The slim body is the point for many beginners. It sits close to you and is more comfortable than a deep dreadnought, especially for smaller players. The pickup means it is ready for open mics when you are. The downside is a thinner unplugged sound than a full depth guitar of the same price, so it is best for players who plan to plug in.

Who should skip this: players who will only ever play unplugged at home.

8. Alvarez AF30

The Alvarez Artist Series AF30 Folk was £299 at guitarguitar, with a solid top and a comfortable folk body. Alvarez has a loyal following among players who want something a little different from the usual names. The dreadnought version, the AD30, is the same price.

Its folk size makes it a good choice for fingerpicking and singer songwriters, and the solid top gives it a warmer, more mature voice than many laminate guitars. It costs about the same as the Yamaha FS800, so try both if you can.

Who should skip this: beginners on tight budgets, who may not hear the difference yet.

9. Baby Taylor BT1

The Baby Taylor BT1 was £399 at guitarguitar, with a solid spruce top and a very small three quarter size body. It is expensive for a first guitar, but it is a real Taylor, and many players keep one for life as a travel and sofa guitar.

It suits older beginners who want something special, as well as gifts for players who are serious about learning. Our Taylor GS Mini vs Martin LX1E comparison covers it alongside other small guitars from the two brands.

Who should skip this: most beginners. The FS800 gives you a similar quality top for £100 less, in a bigger body.

Honourable Mentions

Cort GA1E Special Edition. A grand auditorium electro acoustic at £299, for players who want a cutaway and pickup.

Fender CD-60 V3. A budget dreadnought at £159, a little more than the F310, with a walnut fingerboard.

Taylor Academy and GS Mini models. Great step up guitars. Our best travel guitars roundup covers the GS Mini range.

Fivcil S1. If you want a step up in looks and feel from a smaller maker, Fency Music, our sister store, carries the Fivcil S1 Orchestra Model, a 40 inch acoustic in a gloss finish, with an optional pickup. It suits players who already know they will stick with the instrument.

How to Choose Your First Acoustic

Body size matters more than brand

A big dreadnought gives you volume and bass but can feel bulky. Concert, folk and orchestra models are smaller, sit closer and are easier to reach around. If you are under about five foot six, or you often play sitting on a sofa, try a smaller body.

Solid top or laminate

A laminate top is cheaper and more resistant to changes in humidity. A solid top sounds richer and improves with age, but needs a little more care. If your budget reaches £200, a solid top is usually worth it.

Neck and action

The action is the height of the strings above the frets. High action is the main reason acoustics feel hard to play. Look for a guitar with a comfortable neck, and be prepared to have the action lowered. Our guide on how to set up a cheap guitar explains how.

Steel or nylon strings

Most acoustics use steel strings, which sound bright and loud. Nylon string classical guitars are softer on the fingers but have wider necks. If you are drawn to fingerstyle, folk or classical music, a nylon guitar can be a gentle start. Our guide to nylon string guitars for steel string players explains the differences.

Electro acoustic or not

A built in pickup lets you plug into an amp or PA, which matters if you plan to play open mics. It also adds cost, and at this price you often pay for the pickup rather than the guitar. Our guide to the best acoustic guitar pickups shows how to add one later.

Left handed models

Left handed acoustics are limited at this price, but Epiphone and others list some models. Check availability before setting your heart on one.

Sizes for children

As a rough guide, children under about eight need a quarter or half size guitar, children from eight to eleven need a half or three quarter size, and most children over twelve can manage a small full size guitar. Always let the child hold it if you can.

What Else Do You Need?

A tuner. A clip on tuner is cheap and accurate. Phone apps work too, but they struggle in noisy rooms.

A capo. A capo makes hard songs easier and helps you sing in a key that suits your voice. Our guide to the best guitar capos covers the options.

Spare strings. Fresh strings make any acoustic sound better. Our guide to the best acoustic guitar strings covers the best sets. Custom light strings are kinder to sore fingers.

A gig bag and a stand. A bag protects the guitar, and a stand keeps it in sight, which makes you more likely to pick it up.

Picks. Buy a few different thicknesses. Thin picks are easier for strumming when you start.

A humidifier for solid wood. UK central heating dries guitars out in winter. If you buy a solid top, a simple soundhole humidifier is cheap protection.

Making a Cheap Acoustic Easier to Play

Lower the action. A setup by a local shop often makes the biggest difference. If you are comfortable with small adjustments, it can be done at home.

Fit lighter strings. Moving from a light to a custom light or extra light set makes a real difference to sore fingers.

Use a capo at the second or third fret. It shortens the distance between frets and lowers the tension, so chords are easier to hold.

Keep it in tune. New strings stretch for a few days. Tune every time you play.

Check the humidity. Dry rooms can make frets feel sharp and the action change. Keep the guitar away from radiators.

Your First Three Months

Learn three or four chords first. G, C, D and E minor cover thousands of songs.

Practise changing chords. Slow, clean changes matter more than speed. One minute of chord changes each day adds up quickly.

Play along with songs. Even simple strumming along with a track teaches timing and keeps it fun.

Keep sessions short. Ten to twenty minutes a day is plenty, and your fingertips need time to harden.

Sing if you want to. Singing while you play feels strange at first, but it is one of the most rewarding skills on an acoustic, and it is where many songs begin.

Capture ideas. If you stumble on something you like, record it on your phone. Our guide to recording guitar at home covers simple ways to do it.

Matching a Guitar to the Way You Play

Strumming pop and rock songs. A dreadnought gives you the volume and low end that strumming thrives on. The Yamaha F310, FG800M and Fender CD-60S all suit this style.

Fingerpicking. Smaller bodies such as concert and folk models respond well to a light touch, and their balanced tone keeps each note clear. Look at the Fender CC-60S, Yamaha FS800 or Alvarez AF30.

Singing while you play. A balanced guitar that does not boom sits better under your voice. Concert and orchestra sizes work well, and being able to rest your arm comfortably helps when you are concentrating on two things at once.

Songwriting. The guitar you keep by the sofa matters more than the one you keep in a case. As a songwriter, I think comfort is what counts here, because you want a guitar you will pick up for two minutes while the kettle boils. A smaller body is often the better choice.

Playing with friends. If you will play alongside other acoustics or a cajon, a dreadnought helps you be heard. If you will sing at open mics, an electro acoustic such as the Yamaha APX600 saves you buying a pickup later.

Blues and roots. Smaller guitars with a warm voice suit this music. The Epiphone J-45 Express and Tanglewood Crossroads both have the right look, too.

Looking After Your First Acoustic

Keep it away from radiators and windows. Sudden changes in temperature and humidity are the main risk to any acoustic. In a UK winter, central heating can dry a guitar out, and a solid top is more sensitive to this than a laminate one.

Use a stand or a case. A wall hanger or floor stand keeps the guitar out and ready. A case protects it when you are not playing for a while.

Wipe the strings after playing. A dry cloth removes sweat and makes strings last much longer.

Change the strings regularly. New strings make a cheap guitar sound far better. If yours sound dull and feel rough, it is time. Every couple of months is a sensible rhythm for a beginner who plays most days.

Loosen nothing without a reason. There is no need to detune an acoustic between sessions in normal conditions. Sudden changes in string tension are not good for the neck.

Buying in a Shop or Online

If you can get to a guitar shop, go. Holding a few sizes tells you more than any review, and staff can point out a guitar that has been well set up. Ask them to tune it and play a chord for you, then try it yourself sitting down, because that is how you will play most of the time.

If you buy online, use a UK retailer with a clear returns policy. When the guitar arrives, check the strings are not too high at the twelfth fret, look for sharp fret ends along the edge of the neck, and make sure the tuners turn smoothly. If something feels wrong, use the returns window rather than assuming you are the problem. Keep the packaging until you are sure.

New or Used?

A used acoustic can be great value, but it needs careful checking. Look for top cracks, lifting bridges and high action, which can be a sign of a neck that needs work. Our guide to buying a used guitar in the UK explains what to look for. For a complete beginner, a new guitar from a shop with a returns policy is often the safer choice, because you may not spot problems yet.

Acoustic or Electric First?

There is no wrong answer, but there is a useful rule: choose the instrument used in the music you love. If you dream of playing rock solos, an electric is more motivating and easier on the fingers. If you want to sing songs at home or around a campfire, an acoustic is hard to beat, and it needs no amp. Our guide to the best electric guitars for beginners covers the other route.

What I Don't Like About Beginner Acoustics

High action. Many cheap acoustics arrive with strings too far from the frets, which makes them harder to play than they should be.

Bulky bodies. Dreadnoughts are the default shape, even though many beginners would be happier with something smaller.

Thin sound under £150. Budget laminate guitars can sound boxy, especially compared with a solid top.

Variable quality. Two cheap guitars of the same model can differ noticeably. Buy from a shop that checks them, or be ready to use the returns policy.

Sore fingers. Steel strings hurt at first. That is normal, but it puts many beginners off in the first month.

Who Should Skip This List

FAQ

What is the best acoustic guitar for a beginner?

The best acoustic guitar for most beginners is the Yamaha F310 at around £139. It is reliable, stays in tune and sounds good for the money. If you can spend more, the Yamaha FS800 at £299 has a solid top and a more comfortable, smaller body.

What size acoustic guitar should a beginner buy?

Most adults can play a full size guitar, but many find a concert, folk or orchestra body more comfortable than a dreadnought. Smaller adults and teenagers should try a smaller body first. Children usually need a half or three quarter size, depending on their age and height.

Are solid top guitars worth it for beginners?

Yes, a solid top is worth it if your budget reaches around £200. Solid tops sound richer and improve with age, which makes the guitar more rewarding to play. Beginners on a tighter budget should not worry, though. A well made laminate guitar is still a perfectly good way to start.

Why does my acoustic guitar hurt my fingers?

An acoustic guitar hurts your fingers because steel strings are hard on soft fingertips, especially if the action is high. The pain usually eases after a few weeks as calluses form. Lighter strings, a lower action and a capo at the second or third fret all help a lot.

How much should I spend on a first acoustic guitar?

Most beginners should spend between £130 and £300 on a first acoustic guitar. Around £140 buys a reliable laminate guitar such as the Yamaha F310. Around £200 to £300 buys a solid top. Spending less risks a guitar that is hard to play, and spending more is rarely necessary.

The Bottom End

Most beginners will be very happy with a Yamaha F310. If you can spend a little more, a solid top guitar such as the Fender CC-60S or Yamaha FS800 will sound better and last longer. Choose a body size that feels comfortable, buy from a shop with a returns policy, and get the action checked. Then put new strings on it, keep it on a stand and play a little every day. Sore fingers pass quickly, and the songs stay with you for the rest of your life.