Best Banjo for Beginners: My Top Picks Across Every Budget

Last Updated on June 10, 2026 by folkstrings

The banjo has been at the heart of American folk music for well over a century — Appalachian old-time, bluegrass, country, even Celtic-influenced picking styles. It’s an instrument with real personality, and for anyone drawn to acoustic folk music, learning it opens up a repertoire that nothing else quite touches.

I’ve put together this guide to take a newcomer through the options that genuinely make sense for a first instrument. The beginner banjo market is crowded with lookalike kits, so I’ve focused on the four that have clear reasons to exist at their price points.

• Best budget open-back: AKLOT — clean maple tone, lighter build, ideal for folk and old-time styles
• Best overall value: Ashthorpe — highest customer rating in the beginner price range, removable resonator
• Best full kit: Vangoa — most reviewed beginner banjo on Amazon, comes with everything included
• If you’re serious about sticking with it: Deering Goodtime — made in the USA, the benchmark that teachers recommend

Open-Back or Resonator — Which Do You Need?

This is the first decision, and it matters more than brand. An open-back banjo has no back plate — the drum is exposed, giving a softer, more mellow tone that projects gently. It’s the traditional choice for old-time, clawhammer, and folk styles, and it’s lighter to hold. A resonator banjo has a closed back that reflects sound forward, producing more volume and a brighter, more cutting tone. Resonator banjos are the standard in bluegrass, where you need projection to cut through other instruments.

Both the Ashthorpe and Vangoa below are shipped as resonator banjos but can be converted to open-back by removing the back plate — which gives you flexibility if you’re not sure yet which direction you’ll go. The AKLOT is open-back only. The Deering Goodtime is open-back, which reflects Deering’s deep roots in old-time and folk playing.

1. AKLOT 5-String Open Back — Best Budget Pick

The AKLOT is an all-maple open-back banjo with a Remo head, and it represents the clearest value proposition in the sub-$150 range. Maple gives a bright, clear tone. The open-back design is naturally suited to folk and old-time styles — softer than a resonator banjo, easier to play at home without filling a room. The adjustable truss rod and 2-way neck adjustment mean it’s set up with more thought than you’d expect at this price.

What you should know going in: the included picks are basic and worth replacing, and the 5th string peg can be stiff out of the box. Neither is unusual for this price range and both are easy fixes. The 652 reviews and 4.6 stars across them suggest this is a genuinely usable instrument, not just cheap packaging.

2. Ashthorpe 5-String — Best Overall Value

The Ashthorpe earns its 4.7 stars honestly. The build quality at this price point is notably good — a mahogany neck with a purpleheart fretboard, a geared 5th string tuner (typically found on more expensive banjos), and a Remo head. One reviewer who owns a Deering bought this as a second banjo for a second home. That’s a meaningful endorsement. The resonator can be removed to play open-back, which adds flexibility as your style develops.

The surprise is how well it’s finished for the price. Multiple reviews specifically mention the neck grain, the glossy body, and the padded gig bag as better than expected. Tuning needs a bit of settling in when new — normal for any banjo — but holds well once broken in.

3. Vangoa 5-String with Resonator — Best Complete Kit

The Vangoa is the most reviewed beginner banjo on Amazon — over 1,300 ratings — and it comes with a genuinely comprehensive starter kit: bag, tuner, strap, pickup, strings, picks, and a cleaning cloth. If you want to unbox and have everything you need in one purchase, this is the option. The Remo head and mahogany build are solid, and the removable resonator means you can play it as either style.

The honest caveat: some reviewers mention tuning stability issues and a small number report neck problems. It’s worth reading a range of reviews before buying. The sheer number of reviews (and the 72% 5-star rate) suggests these are minority experiences, but they’re worth being aware of. For most beginners, this will be a perfectly functional first instrument.

4. Deering Goodtime — For Those Who Are Serious About It

The Deering Goodtime is the banjo that music teachers recommend when a student asks what to buy if they’re committed to learning properly. It’s made in Spring Valley, California by a family company that has been building banjos since 1975. The difference between the Goodtime and the options above isn’t just about materials — it’s about the setup. Deering instruments arrive with accurate intonation, a well-cut nut, proper fret work. A beginner on a Deering spends their time learning to play, not fighting the instrument.

At $599 it’s a significant investment for something you’re still learning. The case for it is simple: if you stop playing after six months, you can sell a Deering for close to what you paid. If you keep playing, you won’t need to upgrade for years. It’s an open-back instrument, which puts it firmly in the folk and old-time tradition.

What to Know Before You Buy

A few things worth knowing going into a first banjo purchase:

• All new banjos need tuning patience. Strings stretch for the first week or two. This isn’t a fault — it’s just how string instruments behave when new. Tune it every session and it will settle down.
• The bridge is not glued in. On most banjos, the bridge is held in place only by string tension. It can shift in transit. Banjo setup guides and YouTube videos can walk you through repositioning it correctly — it’s easy once you know how.
• You will want different picks. Finger picks and thumb picks take some adjustment. The picks included with most starter kits are basic. It’s worth picking up a set of National-style metal/plastic picks separately.
• Open-back is quieter than resonator. This isn’t a disadvantage — for home practice and folk styles it’s often preferable. Factor it into your choice based on where you’ll be playing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best banjo for a complete beginner?

The Ashthorpe is the best starting point for most people — it has the highest customer satisfaction rating in the beginner price range, comes with a good gig bag, and includes a geared 5th string tuner that cheaper banjos leave out. If budget is the primary concern, the AKLOT is a solid choice under $150.

Should a beginner get an open-back or resonator banjo?

For folk, old-time, and clawhammer styles — open-back. For bluegrass — resonator. If you’re not sure which direction you’ll go, the Ashthorpe and Vangoa both have removable resonators, letting you try both.

Is the Deering Goodtime worth the extra money for a beginner?

If you’re confident you’ll stick with it, yes. It’s the benchmark beginner banjo that teachers and serious players point to, holds its resale value well, and removes every instrument-quality obstacle from the learning process. If you’re unsure about commitment, the Ashthorpe at $173.99 is a wiser starting point.

What is a 5-string banjo used for?

The 5-string banjo is the standard banjo used in folk, bluegrass, old-time, and country music. The fifth string — a short drone string on the side of the neck — is one of its defining characteristics and gives it the characteristic rolling sound associated with banjo playing. All four banjos on this list are 5-string instruments.