Best Mandolins of 2025

Joseph Hubbard Avatar
Joseph Hubbard
Last Updated: Jan 6, 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Mandolins are a type of stringed musical instrument that are commonly used in folk, bluegrass, and classical music. They have a distinctive sound that is characterized by their bright, twangy tone and their unique tuning. Mandolins typically have four pairs of strings, which are tuned in unison, and they are played with a pick or plectrum. They are popular among musicians of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals, and are available in a variety of styles and designs to suit different tastes and playing styles. Whether you're looking to learn a new instrument or add to your collection, mandolins are a great choice for any music lover.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Ibanez M510 Acoustic Mandolin Cover #TOP 1
Ibanez M510 Acoustic Mandolin
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Ibanez F-Style Mandolin, Brown Sunburst High Gloss Cover #TOP 2
Ibanez F-Style Mandolin, Brown Sunburst High Gloss
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Donner DML-100B Mandolin Cover #TOP 3
Donner DML-100B Mandolin
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Mandolins

#TOP 1

Ibanez M510 Acoustic Mandolin

M510OVS
Ibanez M510 Acoustic Mandolin Cover
Ibanez M510OVS Acoustic Mandolin in Vintage Sunburst

The Ibanez M510 Mandolin offers a blend of quality and craftsmanship that is sure to enhance your musical experience. Its X bracing provides excellent support for the top, resulting in a fuller and more resonant sound. The elegant ivory binding adds a touch of sophistication while also protecting the edges of the instrument. With a rosewood saddle, you can expect improved tone and playability, making it easier for you to express your musical ideas. Plus, the 20 frets give you ample range for playing a variety of melodies, allowing you to explore different musical styles with ease.

What We Like
Rich, resonant sound
Elegant design
Improved tone quality
Versatile playing range
#TOP 2

Ibanez F-Style Mandolin, Brown Sunburst High Gloss

M522SBS
Brown Sunburst
Ibanez F-Style Mandolin, Brown Sunburst High Gloss Cover
Ibanez M522SBS F-Style Acoustic Brown Sunburst Mandolin

The Ibanez F-Style Mandolin features a solid spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, and a mahogany neck. The F-Style body shape and gold die-cast tuners with pearloid knobs make it a stylish and high-quality mandolin. This mandolin is perfect for musicians who are looking for a professional-grade instrument that delivers a rich, warm tone and comfortable playing experience.

What We Like
Stylish F-Style body shape
High-quality solid spruce top
Comfortable playing experience with a mahogany neck
#TOP 3

Donner DML-100B Mandolin

EC1207
Black
10 x 62 x 36cm
Donner DML-100B Mandolin Cover
Donner A Style Mandolin Instrument Black Beginner Adult Acoustic Mandolin Musical Instrument Mahogany 8 String, Bundle With Tuner String Bag Guitar Picks, DML-100B

Introducing the Donner DML-100B Mandolin, a beginner-friendly instrument that offers exceptional sound and craftsmanship. With its mahogany body, this mandolin provides a rich and warm tone that is perfect for all styles of music. The AAA African Mahogany construction ensures durability and stability, while the chrome plated open gear tuners make tuning a breeze. The carved patterned tailpiece adds a touch of elegance to the instrument, and the adjustable compensating bridge allows for easy adjustments. The Donner Mandolin Bundle includes everything a beginner needs, such as a gig bag, strings, digital clip-on tuner, polishing cloth, and guitar picks. This instrument is not only a great choice for beginners, but also makes for a wonderful gift for any occasion. The Donner DML-100B Mandolin offers excellent quality and value at an affordable price.

What We Like
Mahogany Body
Rich Warm Sound
Exquisite Craftsmanship
#TOP 4

Red Acoustic Electric Mandolin by Vangoa

VMD40CE-RE
Redburst
Red Acoustic Electric Mandolin by Vangoa Cover
Vangoa Mandolin Musical Instrument A Style Acoustic Electric Mandolin Instrument, 8 Strings Mahogany Mandolin for Beginner Adults Teens, Cherry Red

The Red Acoustic Electric Mandolin by Vangoa is a suitable instrument for all music styles, with a mahogany body, solid wood bridge, chrome plated gear tuners and tailpiece. It delivers a warm and bright sound. The package includes guitar picks, a Vangoa sticker, digital clip-on tuner, extra strings, strap and padded gig bag, making it a perfect option for beginners.

What We Like
Comes with a padded gig bag for portability
Offers a one-year warranty to protect against damage or defects
Includes guitar picks, a tuner and extra strings to get started right away
#TOP 5

ADM A-Style Mandolin Kit

adm
JM110A-26-GBK
Drak Black
ADM A-Style Mandolin Kit Cover
ADM Acoustic Mandolin Instrument Kit Music A Style for Kids Students Adults Wood Mandolins Beginner Set With Bag, Tuner, EQ, Strap, Strings, Picks and Hanger, Drak Black

The ADM Mandolin Kit is designed for musicians of all skill levels. Its exquisite craftsmanship features quality maple wood, providing a beautiful finish and a lightweight feel. You’ll find it easy to play, thanks to its right-hand design and a wider range of 20 frets, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced players. The included chrome-plated tuners ensure that your mandolin stays in tune, allowing you to focus on making music. With everything you need to start playing right out of the box, this kit offers incredible value and convenience for anyone looking to explore the world of mandolin.

What We Like
Quality craftsmanship
Lightweight and easy to play
Includes essential accessories
Great for all ages
#TOP 6

Oscar Schmidt OM40LH Left Handed Mandolin

OM40LH-O
Gold
Oscar Schmidt OM40LH Left Handed Mandolin Cover
Oscar Schmidt OM40LH Left Handed F-Style Mandolin, Tobacco Sunburst Lefty

The Oscar Schmidt Left Handed Mandolin is designed specifically for left-handed players, making it an ideal choice for those who find traditional instruments challenging to play. Its F-style body, often favored for its aesthetic and tonal qualities, provides a rich sound that enhances your music. The top is crafted from select spruce, ensuring excellent resonance, while the maple back and sides contribute to a balanced tone. With a mahogany neck, you’ll enjoy comfortable playability, allowing you to practice and perform with ease.

What We Like
Designed for left-handed players
F-style body for rich sound
Select spruce top for resonance
Comfortable mahogany neck
#TOP 7

Vangoa F-Style 29-Fret Acoustic Mandolin

F-Style Sunburst
Vangoa F-Style 29-Fret Acoustic Mandolin Cover
Vangoa F-Style Mandolins Instrument 29-Fret, 8 String Acoustic Mandolin With Protective Plate, for Beginner Adults, Sunburst

The Vangoa F-Style Mandolin is a stunning instrument designed for both aesthetics and sound. Its arch back body, available in sunburst or natural gloss, adds a unique touch to your music experience. With premium strings, this mandolin produces a bright and rich tone, enhancing your playing enjoyment. The quality AAA mahogany body provides warmth and excellent high-end response, making it perfect for various musical styles. Additionally, the pre-installed pickguard protects the instrument from scratches, so you can play with confidence and ease.

What We Like
Beautiful design
Rich, clear tone
Durable craftsmanship
Scratch protection
#TOP 8

Stagg M50E Mandolin

M50 E
Redburst
Stagg M50E Mandolin Cover
Stagg M50E Acoustic-Electric Bluegrass Mandolin with Nato Top - Redburst

The Stagg M50E Acoustic-Electric Mandolin is a high-quality instrument designed for bluegrass musicians. With its nato back and sides, it offers a warm and rich tone that is perfect for traditional bluegrass music. The nato neck provides excellent stability and durability, ensuring that the mandolin will last for years to come. The rosewood fingerboard adds to the overall playability of the instrument, allowing for smooth and comfortable fretting. The eye-catching red burst finish adds a touch of style to the mandolin, making it stand out on stage. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, the Stagg M50E Acoustic-Electric Mandolin is a reliable and versatile instrument that will enhance your bluegrass performances.

What We Like
Warm and rich tone
Durable and stable
Eye-catching red burst finish
#TOP 9

LOMUTY 8 String Acoustic Mandolin

LOMUTY 8 String Acoustic Mandolin Cover
LOMUTY A Style Mandolin Instrument, 8 String Acoustic Mandolin, Useful for Mahogany Wood Mandolins Beginners Adult or Kid

The LOMUTY Acoustic Mandolin is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced players. Its all-mahogany construction ensures a lightweight design while producing a bright and crisp sound, perfect for various music styles. You’ll appreciate the handmade craftsmanship, which allows for good sound articulation. With easy-to-tune chrome-plated tuners and an adjustable bridge, this mandolin makes tuning and adjustments hassle-free. Plus, the included gig bag protects your instrument, making it easy to carry around and play without discomfort.

What We Like
Lightweight and durable
Easy tuning and adjustments
Includes protective gig bag
Great for all skill levels
#TOP 10

Trinity College TM-325 Mandolin

Trinity College
TM-325
Natural Top
Trinity College TM-325 Mandolin Cover
Trinity College TM-325 Standard Celtic Octave Mandolin with Gig Bag - Natural Top

The Trinity Mandolin features a solid Sitka spruce top that delivers a bright, clear sound, perfect for Celtic music. Its solid maple back and sides enhance the overall tone, providing crisp highs and rich mids that will elevate your playing experience. The slim mahogany neck allows for quick and easy playing, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned musicians. Additionally, the Santos rosewood fingerboard ensures a smooth touch, enabling you to glide effortlessly over the frets. This combination of features makes the Trinity Mandolin an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy playing with comfort and style.

What We Like
Bright, clear sound
Crisp highs and rich mids
Easy playability
Durable construction
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is a mandolin harder than a guitar?

Compared to a guitar, playing the mandolin generally requires less finger strength and flexibility. The guitar has more strings, heavier gauge strings, larger frets to stretch, and more strings to contend with, making it inherently more difficult for some. However, the difficulty of playing an instrument ultimately depends on the individual's skill level and experience.

2. What are the three types of mandolins?

The three most common types of mandolins are the Neapolitan or round-backed mandolin, the archtop mandolin, and the flat-backed mandolin. These different types have their own unique characteristics and tonal qualities, catering to different musical styles and preferences.

3. Can a mandolin be finger picked?

While mandolins are traditionally played with a flat pick, they can also be effectively played with hard plastic thumb and fingerpicks. Fingerpicking the mandolin can produce beautiful sounds. Although the finger picking techniques for mandolin are similar to guitar finger picking techniques, they have not been widely used.

4. Do you pluck or strum a mandolin?

Like other string instruments, playing the mandolin requires finger dexterity and hand coordination. One hand presses down on the strings on the fretboard to play the notes, while the other hand plucks or strums the strings. Mastering the contrasting movements of playing the mandolin can take time and practice.

5. Do mandolins get better with age?

According to experts, mandolins can improve in sound over time with regular playing. Playing or vibrating the instrument causes changes in the molecules of the wood, referred to as "opening up." Mandolins that are played frequently tend to sound better as they age. However, the quality of the mandolin and the craftsmanship also play a significant role in its overall sound and performance.

Editor's Notes

During our mandolin research, we found 24 mandolin products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 12,282 customer reviews through our big data system to write the mandolins list. We found that most customers choose mandolins with an average price of $280.90.

The mandolins are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of mandolins, including Ibanez, Donner, Vangoa, adm, Oscar Schmidt. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 3,272 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Joseph Hubbard Avatar

Joseph Hubbard is a music producer and runs a musical instrument store in Chicago. Joseph is happy to help others choose the instrument that best suits their needs. He loves everything related to music and often publishes articles related to music on key websites.