The Best Mandolins for the Money

The right mandolin at any budget is one that plays in tune, stays in tune, has comfortable action and rewards the time put into it. These recommendations reflect instruments that deliver consistently at each price level — not the cheapest possible option, but the ones that give the most back.

Best Budget Option: Rogue RA-100D

For players who want to try the instrument before committing to a significant spend, the Rogue RA-100D and similar entry-level A-style instruments offer a workable starting point below £120. Build quality is basic and the factory setup will likely need professional attention, but the fundamentals — neck angle, body construction, tuning peg layout — are adequate. Best treated as a test instrument rather than a long-term companion, but it does the job when budget is a hard constraint.

Best Entry-Mid Mandolin: Kentucky KM-150

The Kentucky KM-150 is the mandolin most beginners are pointed towards in this price range, and for good reason. It has a solid spruce top, maple back and sides, and enclosed tuning machines that hold well. The factory setup is better than most at this price. For folk sessions, Irish traditional music and general learning, it is reliable and forgiving without being dull. A consistent recommendation at the £200–£280 range and a strong first mandolin to keep long-term.

Best Mid-Range Mandolin: Eastman MD315

Eastman's MD315 is where the mandolin starts to feel like a genuine musical tool rather than a learner's aid. The solid spruce top and maple back are hand-graduated, giving a more complex, resonant tone than laminate-topped competitors. The neck profile is comfortable, the fretwork is clean and the factory setup is well-executed. At £350–£450 it sits in the sweet spot for committed players who want an instrument that will keep up with their development for years. The F-style MD515 offers similar quality with the scroll body at a modest additional cost.

Best for Bluegrass: The Loar LM-600

The Loar's LM-600 occupies an interesting position — it is an F-style instrument at a price that makes it accessible to intermediate players who need the look and general feel of a bluegrass-oriented design without the cost of a Collings or Northfield. Carved solid spruce top, hand-crafted construction and an open-back headstock give it a period-appropriate character. Not the equal of a professional-level instrument, but distinctly better than most at its price point and well-suited to players working in a bluegrass or old-time context.

Best Professional Choice: Eastman MD615

At the upper mid-range, Eastman's MD615 competes with instruments that cost significantly more. Carved solid spruce top, hand-graduated maple back and sides, high-quality tuners and consistently excellent build standards. Players who have outgrown their beginner or intermediate mandolin and need something that will handle recording and professional gigging without compromise should start here. The tonal balance is exceptionally well-controlled — bright without harshness, warm without muddiness.

Best for Folk and Sessions: The Loar LM-310F

For players who primarily play folk sessions, Irish traditional music or singer-songwriter contexts and want something lighter in the hand than the fuller F-style designs, the LM-310F offers a A-style body with a slightly warmer voicing than the Kentucky KM-150. The solid spruce top and vintage sunburst finish give it a character that suits the genre. Comfortable for extended session playing and a step up in tone from the entry-level tier.

For advice on what to look for when buying, the buyer's guide covers the key specifications in detail. The overview article explains how the different body styles and designs compare.

The Bottom Line

For most players, the Eastman MD315 is the best-value mandolin in this survey — an instrument that will last and improve with the player. The Kentucky KM-150 is the safe entry-level choice; The Loar LM-600 for those drawn to bluegrass or F-style aesthetics at a reasonable mid-range price.

Frequently Asked Questions