Best Bouzoukis of 2026
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Bouzoukis are a type of stringed musical instrument that originated in Greece. They have a long neck and a pear-shaped body, with four or six strings that are typically tuned in pairs. Bouzoukis are commonly used in traditional Greek music, but have also been adopted by musicians in other genres such as folk and world music. They are played by plucking or strumming the strings, and can produce a range of sounds from soft and melodic to fast and rhythmic. Bouzoukis come in a variety of sizes and styles, and are often crafted with intricate designs and decorations.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Bouzoukis
Crossrock Fiberglass Case for Greek Bouzouki
Crossrock Bouzouki Case is a durable and reliable option for protecting your Greek bouzouki. The super thick high-density padding with silk-like grey lining ensures a snug fit to your instrument, while the heavy-duty latches and hardware keep your precious instrument safe. The leather handle and removable shoulder straps make it comfortable and easy to take your case on the road, and the interior storage compartment offers secure hideaways for accessories. Whether you're a professional musician or a beginner, Crossrock Bouzouki Case is a great choice to keep your instrument safe and secure.
Gold Tone BZ-500 Bouzouki
The Gold Tone BZ-500 Bouzouki is a high-quality instrument designed for bouzouki enthusiasts. With a solid Spruce top, this bouzouki produces a rich and resonant sound that will captivate your audience. The brass cast tailpiece adds a touch of elegance to the instrument, while the mahogany back and sides provide durability and stability. The intonated bridge ensures accurate tuning, allowing you to play in perfect harmony with other musicians. The satin finish not only enhances the visual appeal of the bouzouki but also provides a smooth and comfortable playing experience. Whether you are a professional musician or a beginner, the Gold Tone BZ-500 Bouzouki is a reliable and versatile instrument that will meet all your musical needs.
Batking 10-String Bouzouki
The Batking Bouzouki Guitar features a solid spruce top that enhances the brightness and expressiveness of its sound, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced players. The high-quality ebony bridge adds stability and improves sound quality, allowing you to enjoy a richer tone. With multiple EQ modes, you can easily adjust the sound according to your preferences, providing flexibility for various music styles. Weighing around 2kg, this bouzouki is manageable and comfortable to play, ensuring you can enjoy long practice sessions without discomfort.
Sala Muzik MSB-202 Greek Bouzouki
The Sala Muzik Bouzouki offers a beautiful mix of walnut and maple wood for the bowl, giving you a rich and lively sound that’s perfect for deep, balanced music. Its face is made from solid spruce, a wood known for great resonance, which helps your notes ring clear and full. The delicate abalone designs add a lovely artistic touch, making the instrument visually stunning. Plus, the stainless steel tailpiece keeps your strings secure and stable, so you can play confidently without worrying about tuning issues. This bouzouki is designed to give you both beauty and reliable performance.
Trinity College TM-375 Bouzouki
The Trinity College TM-375 Bouzouki is a top-quality instrument that captures the essence of traditional Celtic music. With its solid Sitka spruce top and round soundhole, it delivers a bell-bright attack and a distinctive Celtic sound. The solid maple back and sides produce crisp high notes and resonant mid-range tones, adding depth and richness to your playing. The slim mahogany neck offers fast and easy action, allowing you to play with speed and precision. Additionally, the choice East Indian rosewood fingerboard ensures smooth playability, making it a joy to play for hours on end. Whether you're a professional musician or a beginner, the Trinity College TM-375 Bouzouki with its elegant design and high-quality construction is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to explore the world of Irish music.
Batking Bouzouki with EQ
The Batking Bouzouki is designed with a solid red pine top and sapele back and sides, enhancing the instrument's sound quality for a brighter and more expressive tone. The high-quality ebony bridge ensures stability and better sound transmission, allowing you to enjoy a richer musical experience. With multiple EQ modes, you can easily adjust the sound to fit your preferences or performance needs. Weighing around 1.5kg and featuring a 35mm nut length, this bouzouki is both portable and comfortable to play, making it a great choice for musicians of all levels.
A&B Crystal Collection Bouzouki 3D Engraved Crystal
The A&B Bouzouki Crystal is a beautifully crafted keepsake made in Canada with care and attention to detail. This unique piece showcases a 3D engraving of the traditional Greek string instrument, the bouzouki, highlighting its intricate Ottoman/Balkan-style neck. The crystal is illuminated, making it a stunning decorative item that adds charm to any room. It also makes a thoughtful and special gift. Each design is exclusive to the AB Crystal Collection and is created by first making a detailed 3D model, which skilled technicians then engrave into the crystal using advanced laser technology. You'll also get a free round LED base light to enhance its glowing effect.
SALA MÜZIK ALETLERI MSB-304 8-String Greek Bouzouki
The SALA MSB-304 Bouzouki offers an impressive sound with its special design and low action, making it easier for you to play smoothly. Its black body, decorated with 19 walnut stripes and acrylic inlays, gives it a stylish and unique look. The solid spruce face features beautiful abalone designs, adding both durability and an elegant touch. The ebony fretboard and bridge provide a smooth playing surface and strong support for the strings. With a truss rod installed, you can easily adjust the neck for your comfort and better playability. This handmade instrument is designed to enhance your musical experience with quality and style.
UNOSELL Mastex Magnetic Pickup for Greek Bouzouki
The UNOSELL Bouzouki Pickup is a magnetic pickup designed specifically for Greek bouzoukis. This device helps you amplify the sound of your instrument, making it easier to perform in larger spaces or record your music. Since it’s magnetic, it captures the vibrations of the strings accurately, giving you clear and natural sound quality. When you purchase this product, you receive one unit, so you can quickly install it on your bouzouki and enjoy enhanced sound without any hassle. It’s a simple and effective way to boost your playing experience.
UNOSELL Bouzouki Gig Bag
The UNOSELL Bouzouki Bag is designed specifically to fit and protect your bouzouki. This gig bag provides a practical way to carry your instrument safely, keeping it secure during transport. Its professional quality ensures durability, giving you confidence that your bouzouki is well-protected from bumps and scratches. Whether you are heading to a gig, practice, or rehearsal, this bag offers convenience by making it easier to carry your bouzouki around. With the UNOSELL Bouzouki Bag, you can focus more on your music and less on worrying about your instrument’s safety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between a bouzouki and a mandolin?
The main differences between a bouzouki and a mandolin lie in their scale length, string gauge, and resulting tone. Bouzoukis are typically longer scale instruments with lighter gauge strings, producing a zingier tone. They are often used for accompaniment and are commonly tuned GDAD. Bouzoukis typically have a flat top and flat back with an oval soundhole, although there are also archtop versions.
2. Is it hard to play the bouzouki?
Playing the bouzouki can come with some unique challenges, but overall, it is generally easier to learn compared to the acoustic guitar. However, if you are new to fretted string instruments, all of them will feel challenging initially. With practice and dedication, you can become proficient in playing the bouzouki.
3. What is the difference between a bouzouki and an Irish bouzouki?
The 'Irish' bouzouki has a brighter and more open sound compared to the traditional bouzouki. It is also easier to hold. The scale length of the Irish bouzouki is generally slightly shorter than Greek bouzoukis. The distinction between the bouzouki and the octave mandola (also known as an octave mandolin) has become blurred, as the only difference lies in the neck length.
4. Is a bouzouki tuned like a mandolin?
No, a bouzouki is tuned differently from a mandolin. It has a longer scale length of around 25 inches and is tuned an octave below the mandolin. The bouzouki has double courses of strings, with the bottom two in octaves like a 12-string guitar, and the upper strings in unison.
During our bouzouki research, we found 24 bouzouki products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 2,611 customer reviews through our big data system to write the bouzoukis list. We found that most customers choose bouzoukis with an average price of $290.21.
The bouzoukis are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of bouzoukis, including Crossrock, Gold Tone, Batking, Sala Muzik, Trinity College. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Nicole Kim has been a music teacher and a private piano instructor for six years now. She is a very talented musician who plays piano to a high standard and won several awards in international piano competitions. Lately, she has been sharing her music expertise online, giving incredible tips on how to select the right musical instruments.