Best Steel-String Acoustic Guitars of 2025

Nicole Kim Avatar
Nicole Kim
Last Updated: Jan 14, 2025

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

Steel-string acoustic guitars are a popular choice for musicians of all levels and genres. Known for their bright and clear sound, these guitars are often used in folk, country, and rock music. They are made with a steel-stringed fretboard and typically have a larger body than classical guitars. Steel-string acoustics are commonly made with a solid wood top and laminate back and sides, providing a durable and resonant instrument that can withstand frequent use. These guitars are versatile and suitable for playing both rhythm and lead, making them a great choice for songwriting and live performances.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Bundle Cover #TOP 1
Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Bundle
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Yamaha FG800J NT Cover #TOP 2
Yamaha FG800J NT
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Cover #TOP 3
Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Steel-String Acoustic Guitars

Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Bundle

Natural
Bundle w/ Gig Bag
Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Bundle Cover
Fender Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar - Natural Bundle with Gig Bag, Strap, Strings, Picks, Fender Play Online Lessons, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD

The Fender Dreadnought Bundle is a great choice for beginners looking to start their musical journey. Its budget-friendly design offers impressive sound quality, ensuring you can enjoy playing without breaking the bank. Built with a sturdy all-laminate structure, it withstands the rigors of learning while providing a rich, full-bodied tone thanks to its scalloped bracing and mahogany neck. The slim neck and dark-stained maple fingerboard enhance playability, making it easier for you to practice and develop your skills comfortably. With everything you need included in one package, you can dive right into playing and learning.

What We Like
Great quality guitar
Perfect for beginners
Beautiful design
Good customer service
What We Don't Like
Minor tuning issues
Some accessory problems
#TOP 2

Yamaha FG800J NT

FG800J NT
Natural
Dreadnought
Yamaha FG800J NT Cover
Yamaha 6 String Beginner Solid Spruce Top Traditional Western Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar With Rosewood FIngerboard, Natural Finish, Right, (FG800J NT)

The Yamaha FG800J NT, also known as the Yamaha 6 String Acoustic Guitar, is a high-quality instrument designed for acoustic guitar enthusiasts. With its solid Sitka spruce top, this guitar produces rich and vibrant tones, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced players. The nato and mahogany back & sides provide excellent resonance and projection, ensuring that every note rings out with clarity. The rosewood fingerboard offers smooth playability, allowing you to effortlessly navigate the fretboard. The rosewood bridge enhances sustain and adds warmth to the sound. Additionally, the diecast chrome tuners ensure accurate and stable tuning, so you can focus on playing without worrying about constantly retuning. Overall, the Yamaha FG800J NT is a reliable and versatile instrument that delivers exceptional sound quality and playability.

What We Like
Great sound quality
Well-built and durable
Good value for money
Comfortable to play
Versatile for all skill levels
What We Don't Like
String spacing may feel cramped
Factory strings may need replacement
#TOP 3

Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

0971910021
Natural
Full
Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Cover
Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Beginner Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Includes Free Lessons, Natural

The Fender FA-25 Guitar is an excellent choice for beginners, whether young or old. Its dreadnought shape provides a rich, bold bass tone, making it perfect for genres like country, folk, and bluegrass. The guitar features an easy-to-hold "C" shaped neck and a walnut fingerboard, allowing for comfortable playing. With a lightweight all-laminate body, you can easily handle it during practice or performances. Plus, it comes with a free subscription to Fender Play, offering thousands of instructional videos to help you learn your favorite songs and enhance your skills.

What We Like
Great sound quality
Affordable price
Lightweight and portable
Beginner-friendly
Beautiful finish
What We Don't Like
Poor fret finishing
Minor adjustments needed
#TOP 4

Donner Acoustic Guitar Kit for Beginner

DAG-1C
Natural
41'' DAG-1C
Donner Acoustic Guitar Kit for Beginner Cover
Donner 41” Acoustic Guitar Bundle for Beginners Adults with Online Lesson, 4/4 Full Size Steel Acustica Guitarra with Gig Bag, Tuner, Strap, Strings, Picks, Capos, Cutaway, Natural, DAG-1C/DAD-110C

If you're a beginner looking for a complete guitar set, the Donner Acoustic Guitar Kit is an excellent choice. The kit includes everything you need to start playing right away, including a padded gig bag, strap, digital clip-on tuner, capo, pickguard, extra pack of strings, four picks, clean cloth, and Allen wrench. The craftsmanship is solid, with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and X bracing. The phosphor bronze strings with High Carbon Steel Hex Core and high hardness bridge saddle and plastic steel nut make tuning easy and help the guitar stay in tune. Additionally, the full size 41 inch cutaway body produces a rich, warm, and clear sound that is well balanced and perfect for all styles of music.

What We Like
Good quality for the price
Includes essential accessories
Solid craftsmanship
Easy to play
Great sound quality
What We Don't Like
Tuner may be non-functional
Strings might be rough
#TOP 5

Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany Acoustic Guitar

970110022
Mahogany
Guitar Only
Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany Acoustic Guitar Cover
Fender Acoustic Guitar, CD-60S, with 2-Year Warranty, Dreadnought Classic Design with Rounded Walnut Fingerboard, Glossed Finish, All-Mahogany Construction

The Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany Acoustic Guitar is perfect for individuals seeking a top-quality yet affordable dreadnought with exceptional playability and sound. It features a solid mahogany top with laminated mahogany back and sides, a 25.5" scale mahogany neck with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, and chrome die-cast tuners. The new easy-to-play neck and 12" fingerboard radius make it simple to play the guitar. Whether you want to play it on the couch, at the beach, or in the coffeehouse, this guitar has got you covered.

What We Like
Stunning appearance
Great sound quality
Good for beginners
Stays in tune well
Excellent craftsmanship
What We Don't Like
Action may be low for some
Initial tuning slightly off
#TOP 6

Fender FA-15 3/4 Scale Steel String Acoustic Guitar

0971170121
Natural
Fender FA-15 3/4 Scale Steel String Acoustic Guitar Cover
Fender FA-15 3/4 Scale Steel String Acoustic Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Natural, with Gig Bag

The Fender FA-15 3/4 Scale Steel String Acoustic Guitar features agathis top, sapele back and sides, and a smaller body style making it perfect for beginners or children. It comes with a gig bag, providing convenience for storage and transportation.

What We Like
Great for beginners
Beautiful design
Solid build quality
Perfect travel size
Nice sound
What We Don't Like
Inaccurate size information
Lacks second strap button
#TOP 7

Yamaha FG830 Acoustic Guitar

FG830 TBS
Tobacco Sunburst
Dreadnought
Yamaha FG830 Acoustic Guitar Cover
Yamaha FG830 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar, Tobacco Sunburst

The Yamaha FG830 Guitar is a high-quality steel-string acoustic guitar that offers exceptional sound and playability. With its solid Sitka Spruce top and rosewood back and sides, this guitar delivers a rich and resonant tone that is perfect for both beginners and experienced players. The rosewood fingerboard and bridge provide a smooth and comfortable playing experience, while the diecast tuners ensure accurate and stable tuning. Additionally, the adjustable truss rod allows you to easily adjust the neck to suit your playing style and preferences. Whether you're strumming chords or fingerpicking melodies, the Yamaha FG830 Guitar is a reliable and versatile instrument that will inspire you to create beautiful music.

What We Like
Rich, deep sound
Great build quality
Comfortable to play
Excellent value for price
Responsive customer service
What We Don't Like
Minor battery preference issue
Customer service challenges during exchange
#TOP 8

Fender CD-60 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

970110206
Black
Full
Fender CD-60 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Cover
Fender Acoustic Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, CD-60 Dreadnought V3 Classic Design with Rounded Walnut Fingerboard and Alloy Steel Strings, Glossed Black Finish, Spruce Top, Includes Hard-Shell Case

The Fender CD-60 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced players alike. With its dreadnought body style, spruce top with scalloped "X"-bracing, and mahogany back and sides, this guitar produces a nicely balanced tone and plenty of volume. The easy-to-play neck with rolled fingerboard edges and the walnut fingerboard and bridge make playing comfortable and enjoyable. It also includes a hardshell case for safe and convenient transport and storage.

What We Like
Great sound quality
Well-built and sturdy
Includes hard case
Excellent for beginners
Attractive design
What We Don't Like
Slight shipping damage
Sticker on pick guard
#TOP 9

Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar

Natural
Guitar
Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar Cover
Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar, Natural

The Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar is a compact guitar perfect for young players or those with smaller hands. This 3/4 sized guitar is modeled after the acclaimed Yamaha FG Series and features a smaller body and shorter neck. Crafted with a spruce top, it provides authentic acoustic tone and is great for use as a travel guitar when space is limited. The gig bag included ensures safe storage and easy transport.

What We Like
Good sound quality
Durable construction
Affordable price
Low action for easy playability
Great for children
What We Don't Like
Small size may feel tight
Long delivery time
#TOP 10

Yamaha GigMaker Standard Acoustic Guitar

GIGMAKER STD
Natural
Yamaha GigMaker Standard Acoustic Guitar Cover
Yamaha GigMaker Standard Acoustic Guitar w/ Gig Bag, Tuner, Strap and Picks - Natural

The Yamaha GigMaker Acoustic Guitar is an excellent choice for beginners, providing a fantastic playing experience right from the start. This complete package includes everything you need to get started, such as the F310 guitar, a gig bag for easy transport, a strap for comfort while playing, a clip-on tuner to keep your guitar in tune, and picks to enhance your playing. Crafted with a spruce top and sustainably-sourced tonewood, this guitar not only looks great but also produces a rich, resonant sound, making it an affordable yet high-quality option for aspiring musicians.

What We Like
Great value for beginners
High-quality craftsmanship
Includes useful extras
Crisp sound quality
Easy to play
What We Don't Like
Basic gig bag quality
Minor shipping issues reported
Buying Guide Image

A Buyer's Guide to Steel-String Acoustic Guitars

What is a Steel-String Acoustic Guitar?

A steel-string acoustic guitar is a type of guitar that has six steel strings and a hollow body. It is different from a classical guitar, which has nylon strings and a smaller body. Steel-string acoustic guitars are commonly used in many different styles of music, including folk, blues, and pop.

What to Consider When Choosing a Steel-String Acoustic Guitar

When choosing a steel-string acoustic guitar, there are several factors to consider. These include the size and shape of the guitar, the type of wood it is made of, and the quality of its construction.

One important factor to consider is the size and shape of the guitar. Steel-string acoustic guitars come in many different sizes and shapes, including dreadnought, jumbo, and parlor. Dreadnought guitars are the largest and have a deep, rich sound, while jumbo guitars are slightly smaller and have a more balanced sound. Parlor guitars are the smallest and have a bright, punchy sound.

Another factor to consider is the type of wood the guitar is made of. The most common woods used in the construction of steel-string acoustic guitars are spruce and mahogany. Spruce is a soft, lightweight wood that produces a bright, clear tone, while mahogany is a dense, heavy wood that produces a warm, rich tone.

Lastly, it is important to consider the quality of the guitar's construction. A well-constructed guitar will have a solid top, sturdy neck, and smooth-operating tuners. It will also have a polished finish that looks and feels good.

Where to Buy a Steel-String Acoustic Guitar

There are many different places to buy a steel-string acoustic guitar. These include music stores, online retailers, and auction websites.

Music stores are a great place to buy a steel-string acoustic guitar because they usually have a wide selection of guitars to choose from. They also have knowledgeable staff who can help you find the right guitar for your needs.

Online retailers, such as Amazon, also have a wide selection of steel-string acoustic guitars to choose from. The advantage of buying from an online retailer is that you can easily compare prices and read customer reviews before making a purchase.

Auction websites, such as eBay, are another option for buying a steel-string acoustic guitar. These websites allow you to bid on guitars that are being sold by individuals. The advantage of buying from an auction website is that you may be able to find a unique or vintage guitar at a lower price.

Conclusion

Choosing a steel-string acoustic guitar is an important decision. By considering factors such as the size and shape, the type of wood, and the quality of construction, you can find a guitar that suits your needs and your budget. Whether you buy from a music store, online retailer, or auction website, there are many options available to help you find the perfect steel-string acoustic guitar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are steel strings good for acoustic guitar?

Steel strings are a great option for acoustic guitars if you prefer a brighter, more metallic sound. They provide a punchier tone and are commonly used in genres like rock, bluegrass, and country music.

2. What is the benefit of a steel string guitar?

Steel-string guitars offer several benefits. They produce a crisp and bright tone, making them ideal for genres like rock, bluegrass, and country that require volume and power. Steel strings also provide more punch and projection compared to nylon strings.

3. What are the least painful acoustic guitar strings?

Nylon strings are considered the least painful on the fingers. They offer a softer and more mellow tone, making them a popular choice for many guitarists. Nylon strings are easier to press down and are often preferred by beginners or those who prioritize comfort.

4. Why is the steel guitar hard to play?

The steel guitar is considered one of the most difficult instruments to learn. Its setup with pedals and levers requires extensive knowledge. There are multiple standard tunings, and the string arrangement may seem non-intuitive. Mastering the steel guitar takes time, practice, and dedication.

5. Are steel-string guitars harder to play?

Steel-string guitars can be harder to play compared to nylon-string guitars. Steel strings require more finger pressure to produce sound, which can be challenging for beginners or those with less finger strength. However, many musicians prefer the sharper and louder sound that steel-string guitars produce.

6. What are the two types of steel guitars?

There are two main types of steel guitars: lap steel and pedal steel. Lap steel guitars are short-scale, square-neck electric guitars with six or more strings, while pedal steel guitars have additional pedals and levers for changing pitch and producing unique effects.

7. What are the two types of acoustic guitars?

There are two types of acoustic guitars: classical and modern (steel-string) guitars. Classical guitars have nylon strings and produce a mellow sound, while modern acoustic guitars have steel strings and offer a brighter and more powerful tone.

Editor's Notes

During our steel-string acoustic guitar research, we found 24 steel-string acoustic guitar products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 64,346 customer reviews through our big data system to write the steel-string acoustic guitars list. We found that most customers choose steel-string acoustic guitars with an average price of $156.52.

The steel-string acoustic guitars are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of steel-string acoustic guitars, including Fender, Yamaha, Donner. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 3,992 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Nicole Kim Avatar

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.

Steel-String Acoustic Guitars Comparison Table

#TOP1
#TOP2
#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
#TOP6
#TOP7
#TOP8
#TOP9
#TOP10
Brand Fender Yamaha Fender Donner Fender Fender YAMAHA Fender Yamaha YAMAHA
Body Material Engineered Wood Mahogany Basswood Spruce, Mahogany Wood Mahogany Sapele Rosewood Mahogany Engineered Wood Engineered Wood
Neck Material Type Nato Nato Wood Nato Wood Mahogany Mahogany Nato Wood Nato Mahogany Nato Nato
Color Natural Natural Natural Natural Mahogany Natural Tobacco Sunburst Black Natural Natural
Top Material Type Spruce Wood Spruce Wood Spruce Wood spruce Mahogany Wood Sapele Wood Spruce Rosewood, Mahogany Wood, Spruce Wood Spruce Spruce
Back Material Type Basswood Rosewood Laminated Basswood mahogany Mahogany Wood Sapele Wood Rosewood Mahogany Wood Mahogany Meranti
Fretboard Material Type Walnut Wood Rosewood Walnut Wood Purpleheart Mahogany Wood Walnut Wood Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood Rosewood
Hand Orientation Right Right Right Right Right Ambidextrous Right Right Ambidextrous Right
String Material Type - Phosphor Bronze Bronze Phosphor Bronze & High Carbon Steel Phosphor Bronze Nickel Alloy Steel Alloy Steel Bronze Alloy Steel
Guitar Bridge System Fixed Fixed - - Hard Tail Fixed Fixed Hard Tail Fixed -
Guitar Pickup Configuration - - S Combination S S - S Combination
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.9
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.4
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.2
ftb score rating icon 9.2
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 9.1
Where to Buy