7 Best Autoharps for Beginners – Read Before You Buy!
Folkstrings.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small commission.
Last Updated on June 22, 2026 by folkstrings
I’ll be straight with you about this list. I started out planning to find ten autoharps worth recommending, the way the title of this page has always promised. After actually digging through the current Amazon listings, checking which models are still in stock, and reading through real reviews rather than just specs, I could only find seven I’d genuinely stand behind. Oscar Schmidt is, realistically, the only brand making autoharps in any real volume right now — so this isn’t a brand-diversity problem, it’s a “some of their own listings are better than others” problem. A few of the old listings I’d have included a couple of years ago have since gone out of stock entirely, and a couple of others had so few reviews I wasn’t comfortable vouching for them.
So here are the seven I’d actually point a beginner toward, in order of who they suit best.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar Schmidt 21 Chord Maple Body | Best overall | 4.3 (140) | Check Price → |
| OS21C with Padded Gig Bag | Best value bundle | 4.6 (27) | Check Price → |
| OS11021FNE Flame Maple | Best premium | 4.8 (21) | Check Price → |
| OS21CQTR Quilted Maple | Best unique design | 4.4 (14) | Check Price → |
| OS73CE 1930s Reissue w/Pickup | Best for amplified play | 4.5 (13) | Check Price → |
| OS73C Black | Best classic finish | 4.3 (17) | Check Price → |
| OS21CQTBL Blue | Best colour option | 4.0 (45) | Check Price → |
1. Oscar Schmidt 21 Chord Maple Body Autoharp — Best Overall
If you only read one entry on this list, make it this one. With 140 reviews it’s the most-reviewed autoharp on Amazon by a wide margin, and the feedback is consistent: people find it easy to learn on, well-built, and good value at this price point. The maple body gives a warm, balanced tone that works for most styles, and the rock maple pin block means it actually holds its tuning rather than drifting every session.
- Maple body with a warm, balanced tone that suits most playing styles
- Rock maple pin block keeps it holding tune well over time
- 4.3 stars across 140 reviews — the most-reviewed model in this guide by a wide margin
- Reviewers specifically note it’s easy to learn on, suitable for true beginners
2. Oscar Schmidt OS21C with Padded Gig Bag — Best Value Bundle
This one bundles in a padded gig bag, tuner, polish, and tool, which matters more than it sounds — a gig bag alone usually runs $40-50 if you buy it separately. Reviewers describe it as a solid instrument with good sound, and the bundle makes it a sensible pick if you don’t already have a case lying around.
- Comes with a padded gig bag, tuner, polish, and tool included in the price
- 21 chords, classic spruce top construction
- Reviewers call it a solid instrument with good sound for the price
- Sensible pick if you don’t want to buy a case separately
3. Oscar Schmidt OS11021FNE Flame Maple — Best Premium Pick
At 4.8 stars, this is the highest-rated autoharp in this guide. The flame maple top gives a noticeably richer, more resonant tone than the standard maple models, and it comes with a built-in pickup if you want to play amplified or record. It’s a real step up in price, but if you already know the autoharp is something you’re sticking with, this is the one I’d put the extra money toward.
- 4.8 stars across 21 reviews — the highest-rated model in this guide
- Flame maple top with a noticeably richer, more resonant tone
- Built-in pickup for amplified or recorded playing
- Worth the jump up in price if you’re committing to the instrument long-term
4. Oscar Schmidt OS21CQTR Quilted Maple — Best Unique Design
The quilted maple top with a red stain makes this one stand out visually from the rest of the Oscar Schmidt range, without venturing into premium pricing. It still has the rock maple pin block for tuning stability and the standard 21 chords — you’re paying for the look here, not a meaningfully different instrument underneath.
- Quilted maple top with a red stain — stands out visually from the standard models
- 4.4 stars across 14 reviews
- 21 chords, rock maple pin block for tuning stability
- A good option if you want something a little different without paying premium prices
5. Oscar Schmidt OS73CE 1930s Reissue with Pickup — Best for Amplified Play
This is a reissue of Oscar Schmidt’s 1930s design, built with 36 strings and 21 chords, and it comes with a pickup designed specifically for amplified or recorded playing. If you already know you’ll be playing through an amp or recording rather than just practicing acoustically at home, this is the one in this guide built for that.
- Built-in pickup designed specifically for amplified or recorded playing
- 36 strings, 21 chords — a reissue of Oscar Schmidt’s 1930s design
- 13 reviews, consistently positive on build quality
- The one to pick if you know you’ll be playing through an amp or recording
6. Oscar Schmidt OS73C Autoharp, Black — Best Classic Finish
A more traditional build than the maple models, with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It comes with a gig bag included, and at 4.3 stars across 17 reviews it sits as a solid middle-ground option if you want a classic look without paying premium prices.
- Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides — a more traditional build than the maple models
- 4.3 stars across 17 reviews
- Comes with a gig bag for storage and transport
- A good middle-ground pick if you want a classic look without the premium price tag
7. Oscar Schmidt OS21CQTBL Autoharp, Blue — Best Colour Option
Reviewers consistently mention the colour and the overall sound positively here. Worth knowing honestly: a handful of reviews flag issues specifically with the included tuner, not the instrument itself — if that happens, a basic clip-on tuner from your local music shop sorts it out for a few dollars. Otherwise this is a solid pick if the look matters to you as much as the sound.
- Quilted maple top with a striking blue finish
- 4.0 stars across 45 reviews — reviewers love the colour and overall sound
- Worth knowing: a handful of reviewers report issues with the included tuner specifically, not the instrument itself
- A solid pick if the look matters to you as much as the sound
What to Look For Before You Buy
21 chords is the standard for beginners. Some models offer fewer or more, but 21 chords covers the vast majority of folk, bluegrass, and pop songs you’ll want to play early on. Don’t pay extra for additional chords until you actually know you need them.
Acoustic vs. acoustic/electric. If you’re planning to play live or record, a built-in pickup saves you from buying and fitting one later. If you’re just playing at home, it’s not worth paying extra for.
Check what’s included. Some listings bundle in a gig bag, tuner, and tools; others are the instrument alone. Factor that into the price comparison — a $50 difference can disappear once you account for a case you’d have had to buy separately anyway.
Once you’ve got one, you’ll want to know how to keep it in tune, and which chords to learn first. If you want to round it out properly, I’ve also put together a full accessories guide covering picks, straps, and cases.
Worth knowing: the used autoharp market is genuinely good. A secondhand Oscar Schmidt in solid condition will often outperform a new budget alternative at the same price, and Reverb tends to have a decent mix of used and occasionally rarer models you won’t find on Amazon at all.
Browse autoharps on Reverb →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best autoharp for a true beginner?
Why are almost all of these Oscar Schmidt?
Should I buy a new autoharp or a used one?
Do I need an acoustic/electric model as a beginner?
Conclusion
Oscar Schmidt dominates this market, but that doesn’t mean every model is equally worth your money — the difference between the best and worst-reviewed options here is real. Start with the 21 Chord Maple Body if you want the safest, most-proven option, or look at the bundle if you’d rather not buy a case separately. Once you’ve got one, the chords guide and tuning guide are the next things worth reading.
Author Profile
- Daniel Johnstone is an English writer and folk musician who has been playing stringed instruments for over twenty years. He started on guitar as a teenager before working his way through cavaco, tenor guitar, autoharp, mountain dulcimer, and harp. He founded Folkstrings.com to provide practical, experience-based buying advice for folk instrument players at every level — the kind of guidance he always wished had existed when he was finding his feet.
Latest entries
AsianJune 21, 2026What Is the Sarod Instrument?
ViolinJune 21, 2026How Hard Is It to Learn the Violin?
ViolinJune 21, 2026Is Violin Harder Than Guitar?
OudJune 21, 2026How Hard Is It to Play the Oud?
