Plenty of players want to plug into an amp or PA without dropping serious money on a guitar. Under 300 dollars, the budget is tight, so the goal is a model that gets the basics right rather than one that wows you with looks.
At this level you’re mostly seeing layered or laminated woods, and quality swings a lot between brands. The good news is that makers like Fender and Ibanez sell genuinely giggable guitars in this range, and many toss in a gig bag so you save another purchase.
We picked nine acoustic-electric guitars that play above their price and ranked them on tone, build, neck feel, and preamp quality. There’s a fit here for a first plug-in guitar or a reliable open-mic backup.
Here’s how they line up.
Quick Comparison Chart
| # | Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Fender CD-60SCE | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 2 |  |
Alvarez RF26CE Folk/OM | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 3 |  |
Jasmine JD-39CE J-Series | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 4 |  |
Ovation Applause AE44II | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 5 |  |
Ibanez V70CE | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 6 |  |
Oscar Schmidt OG10CE | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 7 |  |
Washburn EA12B-A Festival Mini Jumbo | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 8 |  |
Fender FA-235E Concert | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 9 |  |
Lag Tramontane T100ASCE | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
Body Shapes Carry the Budget
Under 300, the spread of shapes does the differentiating: the Ovation’s synthetic roundback, the Washburn’s mini jumbo, folk and concert bodies from Alvarez and Fender, and the Lag’s slim-line auditorium for players who hate bulk.
The Fender CD-60SCE leads with the only solid mahogany top in the group, and the Jasmine JD-39CE sweetens its price with a hardshell case thrown in.
1. Fender CD-60SCE
Fender CD-60SCE
All-mahogany dreadnought cutaway with a solid top, Fishman preamp, and an easy-playing rolled-edge neck.
Pros
- Solid mahogany top with scalloped X-bracing
- Genuine Fishman Classic Design pickup and preamp
- Rolled fingerboard edges for a comfortable grip
- Backed by a 2-year warranty
Cons
- Often needs a fret setup straight out of the box
- Fretboard can react to dry, cold weather
Fender is the most recognizable name in guitars, and the CD-60SCE shows why the company earns that reputation even at the budget end. It’s an all-mahogany dreadnought with a solid top and scalloped X-bracing, so it produces the bold, rich low end that dreadnought players love, and the cutaway opens up easy access to the upper frets.
The standout feature is the genuine Fishman Classic Design pickup and preamp, which sounds noticeably more natural plugged in than the no-name systems on cheaper guitars. The neck has rolled fingerboard edges that feel broken-in from day one, and the whole package is backed by a 2-year warranty.
Like a lot of guitars in this range it benefits from a quick setup out of the box, but once dialed in it’s hard to beat.
2. Alvarez RF26CE Folk/OM
Alvarez RF26CE Folk/OM
Spruce-and-mahogany OM cutaway with scalloped bracing, a slim neck, and a deluxe padded gig bag included.
Pros
- Pro-level features from the Regent entry-level line
- Scalloped bracing and PPS bone nut and saddle
- Slim neck profile is easy to hold and fret
- Comes with a deluxe 15mm padded gig bag
Cons
- Onboard tuner is only so-so
- Top is laminate rather than fully solid
Alvarez built its name making instruments for serious players, and the RF26CE brings a surprising amount of that pedigree to an entry-level price. It uses an Orchestra Model body in spruce and mahogany, with scalloped bracing and a PPS synthetic bone nut and saddle that together coax a full, open tone out of the smaller body.
The slightly slimmer neck profile makes it especially friendly for fingerstyle work and players with smaller hands.
This is the pick for fingerpickers who want pro-level specs without the pro-level price. Alvarez also includes a deluxe 15mm duo-foam padded gig bag, so you’ve protection for transport right out of the gate.
The onboard tuner is the weak link, but the guitar itself is one of the best-sounding instruments here.
3. Jasmine JD-39CE J-Series
Jasmine JD-39CE J-Series
Dreadnought with Advanced X-bracing, slim neck, B-Band preamp with tuner, and a deluxe hardshell case.
Pros
- Includes a deluxe hardshell case at this price
- Spruce top with Jasmine Advanced X-bracing
- Slim neck profile for easy handling
- B-Band M-450T preamp with built-in tuner
Cons
- Factory strings aren't great
- Needs more initial setup than some rivals
Jasmine may not carry the same prestige as Fender or Ibanez, but the JD-39CE delivers outstanding value, and it’s the only guitar on this list that ships with a deluxe hardshell case. That alone can save you fifty bucks or more.
The spruce top uses Jasmine’s Advanced X-bracing, which shifts the pattern toward the soundhole for a richer, better-defined voice.
The slim neck profile and 24 3/4-inch scale make it comfortable for beginners and fingerstyle players alike, and the B-Band M-450T preamp with built-in tuner keeps you in tune on stage. The factory strings are nothing special and the guitar needs a bit of initial setup, but for the money the overall package is tough to argue with.
4. Ovation Applause AE44II
Ovation Applause AE44II
Distinctive Lyrachord roundback cutaway with a layered spruce top and Ovation's onboard CE304T preamp.
Pros
- Tough Lyrachord roundback resists wear and damage
- Layered spruce top with multi-port soundhole design
- Onboard CE304T preamp dialed in for the body
- Die-cast tuning machines hold pitch well
Cons
- Rounded back can be awkward to hold while seated
- Bulky body may not fit every case
The Ovation Applause is the oddball of this roundup in the best way. Instead of a traditional wooden back, it uses Ovation’s signature Lyrachord roundback, a tough composite bowl that resists the dings and cracks that plague budget acoustics.
Pair that with a layered spruce top and the brand’s multi-port soundhole design and you get a distinctive voice that sits somewhere between acoustic and electric.
The onboard CE304T preamp is tuned specifically for this body, and the die-cast tuners hold pitch reliably. The trade-off is ergonomic: the rounded back can slide around on your leg when you play seated, and the bulky body doesn’t fit every standard case.
If you can live with that, it’s a durable, road-ready instrument.
5. Ibanez V70CE
Ibanez V70CE
Spruce-top dreadnought cutaway with mahogany body, slim neck, and a 2-band AEQ-200 preamp for plug-in tone.
Pros
- Spruce top over mahogany sides and back
- Narrow neck is comfortable for new players
- AEQ-200 preamp with handy 2-band EQ
- Holds tune well thanks to solid tuning pegs
Cons
- Case isn't included
- Gloss body shows fingerprints and scratches
The Ibanez V70CE has been a go-to first acoustic-electric for years, and it’s easy to see why. It pairs a spruce top with mahogany sides and back for a clear, balanced tone, and the narrow Ibanez neck is one of the most beginner-friendly profiles in this price bracket.
New players moving over from electric guitar will feel right at home.
Electronics come courtesy of an AEQ-200 preamp with a simple 2-band EQ, enough to shape your sound without overcomplicating things. It holds tune well thanks to solid tuning pegs.
Two caveats: no case is included, and the glossy finish shows every fingerprint and scratch, so a cloth and a little care go a long way.
6. Oscar Schmidt OG10CE
Oscar Schmidt OG10CE
Concert-size cutaway with adjustable truss rod, a Meet-10 preamp and tuner, and a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Concert size is comfortable for fingerstyle players
- Fully adjustable truss rod for setup tweaks
- Meet-10 preamp and tuner built in
- Chrome die-cast tuners and a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Out-of-box tone can be slightly uneven
- Factory strings may need replacing early
Oscar Schmidt has a long history with blues and country players, and the OG10CE carries that tradition into a comfortable concert-size body. The smaller shape makes it a natural for fingerstyle and for anyone who finds a full dreadnought unwieldy.
A fully adjustable truss rod means you, or a tech, can fine-tune the action to taste.
The Meet-10 preamp and tuner handle the plug-in duties, and the chrome die-cast tuners keep things stable. Best of all, Oscar Schmidt backs it with a lifetime warranty, which is rare at this price.
The out-of-box tone can be a little uneven and the stock strings may not last long, but a fresh set transforms it.
7. Washburn EA12B-A Festival Mini Jumbo
Washburn EA12B-A Festival Mini Jumbo
Mini jumbo cutaway with quarter-sawn Sitka bracing, D'Addario strings, and a 2-way truss rod neck.
Pros
- Mini jumbo body delivers big, booming tone
- Quarter-sawn scalloped Sitka spruce bracing
- Ships with D'Addario EXP-16 phosphor bronze strings
- Mahogany neck with a 2-way truss rod
Cons
- No hardshell case included
- Onboard tuner and pickup are basic
If you want a bigger, louder voice without a full-size jumbo, the Washburn EA12B-A is built for you. The mini jumbo cutaway body delivers that signature booming projection in a shape that’s still manageable to hold, and the quarter-sawn scalloped Sitka spruce bracing keeps the top responsive and lively.
Washburn ships it with D’Addario EXP-16 phosphor bronze strings, a genuine upgrade over the generic strings on most budget guitars, and the mahogany neck uses a 2-way truss rod for stable setup. There’s no hardshell case included, and the onboard tuner and pickup are merely functional rather than impressive, but the acoustic tone is a real highlight.
8. Fender FA-235E Concert
Fender FA-235E Concert
Compact concert-body acoustic-electric from Fender, well suited to complex chords and seated playing.
Pros
- Smaller concert body is easy to handle seated
- Tapered waist gives a defined, focused tone
- Great fit for fingerstyle and complex chords
- Trusted Fender build at a budget price
Cons
- Stock strings can sound tinny until swapped
- Frets may need leveling to kill buzz
Fender’s second appearance on this list is the FA-235E, a compact concert-body acoustic-electric aimed at players who prefer a smaller, more focused instrument. The tapered waist and reduced body give it a defined, articulate tone that suits complex chords and fingerstyle passages, and the size makes it genuinely comfortable to play sitting down.
It carries the dependable Fender build quality you’d expect, and it’s a popular choice for beginners and intermediate players hitting open mics. As with several guitars here, the stock strings can sound a bit tinny until you swap them, and the frets may want a quick level to chase out any buzz.
Sort those minor points and you have a tidy little gigging acoustic.
9. Lag Tramontane T100ASCE
Lag Tramontane T100ASCE
Slim-line auditorium cutaway in brown sunburst, built for low-strain playing and a balanced acoustic voice.
Pros
- Slim-line auditorium body is easy to play
- Cutaway gives clear access to upper frets
- Balanced, even tone unplugged or amplified
- Attractive brown sunburst finish
Cons
- Strings can buzz fresh out of the box
- Body feels a touch more fragile than rivals
Lag is a French brand that flies under the radar in the States, but the Tramontane T100ASCE is a perfectly capable budget option that rounds out our list. It’s a slim-line auditorium cutaway finished in an attractive brown sunburst, and the trimmer body depth makes it easy to wrap around and play for long stretches without fatigue.
The auditorium shape gives a balanced, even response that translates well whether you’re playing unplugged or running through the onboard electronics, and the cutaway keeps the upper frets within reach. Like most guitars at this price it can arrive with a bit of string buzz that a setup resolves, and the body feels slightly more delicate than some rivals, so treat it with a little care.
Video Reviews
More demos worth a watch:
Final Thoughts
The Fender CD-60SCE is our top pick, and it isn’t especially close. A solid mahogany top, scalloped X-bracing, a genuine Fishman preamp, and that comfortable rolled-edge neck add up to an instrument that sounds and feels like it costs more than it does.
For most players shopping under $300, it’s the safest bet on the list.
If you spend most of your time fingerpicking, the Alvarez RF26CE is the one to beat. Its Orchestra Model body and scalloped bracing produce a full, open tone, the slim neck is friendly to fret, and the included gig bag sweetens the deal.
Value hunters, meanwhile, should look hard at the Jasmine JD-39CE, which is the only guitar here that comes with a hardshell case.
Whichever you choose, remember that almost any acoustic-electric in this range improves dramatically with a fresh set of strings and a basic setup. Spend a little time, or a few dollars at a local shop, getting the action and intonation right, and these budget guitars will reward you for years.
If you’re still deciding between body shapes and woods, browse our full guide to acoustic-electric guitars before you buy.
