Best Electro Acoustic Guitars Under $300 for 2024

Finding a high-quality electro acoustic guitar under $300 can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first guitar or an experienced player seeking an affordable addition to your collection, there are plenty of great options available. After thorough research, analyzing product descriptions, and scanning customer reviews on Amazon, I’ve compiled a list of the best electro acoustic guitars under $300 for 2024. Each review highlights key features, pros, and cons based on real user experiences to help you make an informed decision.

1. Yamaha APX600

The Yamaha APX600 is a popular choice for its sleek design, great sound, and reliable electronics.

Key Features:

• Top: Spruce
• Back & Sides: Nato/Okume
• Neck: Nato with a rosewood fingerboard
• Electronics: System 65A preamp with an under-saddle piezo pickup
• Scale Length: 634mm (25 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Slim Body: The thin body design makes it comfortable to play, especially for beginners or those with smaller hands.
• Bright Sound: The spruce top provides a bright, clear tone that projects well.
• Quality Electronics: The System 65A preamp offers reliable amplification and includes an onboard tuner.
• Affordable Price: Offers excellent value for money given its quality construction and features.

Cons:

• Less Resonance: The slim body can result in less resonance and bass response compared to full-bodied guitars.
• Basic Preamp: While functional, the preamp system is quite basic and may not offer as much control as more advanced systems.

2. Fender FA-125CE

The Fender FA-125CE combines Fender’s iconic design with affordability, making it a great option for various playing styles.

Key Features:

• Top: Laminated spruce
• Back & Sides: Laminated basswood
• Neck: Nato with a walnut fingerboard
• Electronics: Fishman preamp system
• Scale Length: 643mm (25.3 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Versatile Sound: The laminated spruce top and basswood body provide a balanced tone suitable for different genres.
• Reliable Electronics: The Fishman preamp system offers good sound quality and control.
• Comfortable Neck: The nato neck and walnut fingerboard are smooth and comfortable to play.
• Attractive Design: The classic Fender design and gloss finish make it visually appealing.

Cons:

• Laminated Construction: The laminated top and body may not provide the same rich tone as solid wood options.
• Basic Electronics: The preamp system is functional but lacks advanced features.

3. Ibanez V70CE

The Ibanez V70CE is known for its solid build quality and versatile sound, making it a favorite among budget-conscious guitarists.

Key Features:

• Top: Spruce
• Back & Sides: Agathis
• Neck: Nato with a rosewood fingerboard
• Electronics: Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp with tuner
• Scale Length: 648mm (25.5 inches)
• Nut Width: 42mm (1.65 inches)
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Solid Construction: The spruce top and agathis body provide a durable build with a balanced tone.
• User-Friendly Electronics: The AEQ-2T preamp with onboard tuner is easy to use and reliable.
• Versatile Sound: The guitar offers a versatile sound that works well for various playing styles.
• Comfortable Playability: The neck profile and action make it easy to play.

Cons:

• Basic Tonewoods: Agathis is a budget-friendly wood that may not provide the same tonal quality as more premium woods.
• Mid-Range Emphasis: The guitar tends to emphasize mid-range frequencies, which may not suit all musical styles.

4. Epiphone PR-4E

The Epiphone PR-4E is an excellent choice for beginners, offering a complete package with great sound and build quality.

Key Features:

• Top: Select spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard
• Electronics: Epiphone passive pickup system
• Scale Length: 648mm (25.5 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Natural satin

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Rich Tone: The select spruce top and mahogany body provide a rich, warm tone.
• Complete Package: Often comes with accessories like a gig bag, strap, and picks, making it ideal for beginners.
• Comfortable Playability: The neck and action are well-suited for comfortable playing.
• Value for Money: Offers excellent value with its quality construction and included accessories.

Cons:

• Basic Electronics: The passive pickup system is functional but lacks the advanced features of more expensive models.
• Satin Finish: The satin finish may show wear more easily than gloss finishes.

5. Oscar Schmidt OG2CE

The Oscar Schmidt OG2CE is known for its affordability and solid performance, making it a great option for budget-conscious players.

Key Features:

• Top: Select spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard
• Electronics: Barcus Berry EQ4T preamp with tuner
• Scale Length: 648mm (25.5 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Balanced Tone: The select spruce top and mahogany body provide a balanced tone suitable for various music styles.
• Reliable Electronics: The Barcus Berry EQ4T preamp system offers good sound quality and control.
• Comfortable Neck: The neck profile and action make it easy to play, even for beginners.
• Affordable Price: Offers great value for its features and performance.

Cons:

• Basic Preamp: The preamp system is functional but may not offer as much control as more advanced systems.
• Gloss Finish: While attractive, the gloss finish may show fingerprints and smudges more easily.

6. Fender CD-60SCE

The Fender CD-60SCE is a versatile guitar that offers great sound and build quality, making it a top choice for many players.

Key Features:

• Top: Solid spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with a walnut fingerboard
• Electronics: Fishman preamp system
• Scale Length: 643mm (25.3 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Solid Spruce Top: Provides a bright, clear tone with excellent projection.
• Reliable Electronics: The Fishman preamp system offers good sound quality and control.
• Comfortable Neck: The neck and action are smooth and comfortable to play.
• High-Quality Construction: The solid wood top and quality craftsmanship ensure durability and great sound.

Cons:

• Higher Price: Slightly higher in price compared to other options on this list, but still under $300.
• Basic Electronics: The preamp system is functional but lacks advanced features.

7. Jasmine S34C NEX

The Jasmine S34C NEX is known for its affordability and easy playability, making it a great option for beginners.

Key Features:

• Top: Spruce
• Back & Sides: Sapele
• Neck: Nato with a rosewood fingerboard
• Electronics: Fishman Isys+ preamp with tuner
• Scale Length: 648mm (25.5 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Affordable Price: Offers great value for its features and performance.
• Easy Playability: The neck profile and action make it comfortable to play, especially for beginners.
• Reliable Electronics: The Fishman Isys+ preamp system provides good sound quality and includes an onboard tuner.
• Balanced Tone: The spruce top and sapele body provide a balanced tone suitable for various music styles.

Cons:

• Basic Tonewoods: The use of sapele instead of more premium tonewoods may affect the overall tonal quality.
• Basic Preamp: While functional, the preamp system is quite basic and may not offer as much control as more advanced systems.

8. Epiphone AJ-220SCE

The Epiphone AJ-220SCE offers a great combination of sound quality, playability, and affordability.

Key Features:

• Top: Solid spruce
• Back & Sides: Select mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard
• Electronics: Shadow Performer Tuner preamp system
• Scale Length: 648mm (25.5 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Solid Spruce Top: Provides a bright, clear tone with excellent projection.
• Reliable Electronics: The Shadow Performer Tuner preamp system offers good sound quality and control.
• Comfortable Neck: The neck and action are smooth and comfortable to play.
• High-Quality Construction: The solid wood top and quality craftsmanship ensure durability and great sound.

Cons:

• Higher Price: Slightly higher in price compared to other options on this list, but still under $300.
• Basic Electronics: The preamp system is functional but lacks advanced features.

9. Alvarez Regent Series RD26CE

The Alvarez Regent Series RD26CE is a well-rounded guitar that offers great sound, playability, and affordability.

Key Features:

• Top: Spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard
• Electronics: SYS250 preamp system with tuner
• Scale Length: 648mm (25.5 inches)
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.69 inches)
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Balanced Tone: The spruce top and mahogany body provide a balanced tone suitable for various music styles.
• Reliable Electronics: The SYS250 preamp system offers good sound quality and control.
• Comfortable Neck: The neck profile and action make it easy to play, even for beginners.
• Affordable Price: Offers great value for its features and performance.

Cons:

• Basic Preamp: The preamp system is functional but may not offer as much control as more advanced systems.
• Gloss Finish: While attractive, the gloss finish may show fingerprints and smudges more easily.

10. Takamine GD30CE

The Takamine GD30CE is a reliable and affordable electro acoustic guitar that offers great sound and build quality.

Key Features:

• Top: Solid spruce
• Back & Sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard
• Electronics: Takamine TP-4TD preamp system
• Scale Length: 648mm (25.5 inches)
• Nut Width: 42.5mm (1.67 inches)
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Model:

Pros:

• Solid Spruce Top: Provides a bright, clear tone with excellent projection.
• Reliable Electronics: The TP-4TD preamp system offers good sound quality and control.
• Comfortable Neck: The neck and action are smooth and comfortable to play.
• High-Quality Construction: The solid wood top and quality craftsmanship ensure durability and great sound.

Cons:

• Higher Price: Slightly higher in price compared to other options on this list, but still under $300.
• Basic Electronics: The preamp system is functional but lacks advanced features.

Choosing the right electro acoustic guitar under $300 depends on your specific needs, playing style, and preferences. The models reviewed here offer a range of options, from complete starter kits to more advanced setups. Each guitar has been carefully evaluated based on product descriptions and real customer feedback to provide a well-rounded assessment. Whether you prioritize tone quality, playability, or included accessories, there’s a guitar on this list that can meet your requirements without exceeding your budget.