Best Mandolins Under $500 in 2021 [Reviews]

Are you looking for the best mandolins under $500? If you have been looking, then you must have noticed that finding a suitable mandolin is not as easy as it seems. There are a lot of options available that leave most people confused.

Luckily, you have found your way to this comprehensive review of the 6 best mandolins under $500 in 2021. I will walk you through some of the top choices in the market that offer long-lasting services and excellent sounds.

Hopefully, you should find the perfect mandolin under $500 after reading the extensive reviews. Note that all the mandolins in the next section will offer nothing but high performance for this price range. Well, let us get started on this transformative journey.

The 6 Best Mandolins Under $500 in 2021 [Reviews]:

1. Seagull S8 Acoustic Mandolin

The first instrument that we will be looking at is the Seagull S8 Acoustic Mandolin. It is a professional-grade mandolin that encompasses a wide range of features to get you nothing but the best performance. Note that this is a well-built model with a compact design that gets you rich and deep sounds.

The high-quality solid Sitka Spruce top and hand-finished maple neck ensure that you get a resilient and durable instrument at an affordable price. The clarity of the sound is further amplified by the Maple back.

Note that the Seagull S8 Acoustic Mandolin also includes a durable and beautiful S-Line gig bag that is fully padded. Moving around with your mandolin is, therefore, made simpler and faster. Understand that you will need to carry your mandolin around constantly.

The custom semi-gloss polish finish gives you a professional and modern look. If you were worried about comfort when playing the instrument, the Seagull S8 Acoustic Mandolin features lightweight construction. You can easily handle your instrument while playing your favorite tunes.

What I love about the Seagull S8 Acoustic Mandolin is the simplistic design. Everything about this mandolin is designed to ensure that you can easily set up and use the device. If you are a beginner, the Seagull S8 Acoustic Mandolin is an ideal choice.

Pros

• Simple, beautiful design
• Clear and bright sounds,
• Looks professional

Cons

• Average quality strings

2. Timeless A5 Mandolin

The Timeless A5 Mandolin is an impressive instrument that includes a lot of interesting features. The solid curves maple sides and back ensure that you get nothing but clear and bright sounds. You will, certainly, enjoy every moment of playing this mandolin.

The cast tailpiece gives you an appealing appearance that makes the entire instrument even more admirable. The appearance of your instrument is an important factor that cannot be overlooked. Having a beautiful instrument gives you the confidence you need to perform.

What gives this mandolin a unique appearance is the neutral c-shaped neck that pairs beautifully with the ebony fingerboard. Understand that both features also get you more playability and comfort when using your instrument.

The high-quality workmanship of this mandolin ensures that it will never go out of style. What I particularly liked was the genuine grained viroid bonding that ensures you get a long-lasting instrument.

The Timeless A5 Mandolin is a high-quality instrument that produces bright and clear sounds. It is an ideal choice for both beginners and professionals who are looking for a high0end model at an affordable price.

Pros

• Impressive design
• Affordable price
• Quality construction
• Bright and clear sounds
• Included case

Cons

• Set up needs to be done by a professional

3. APC Portugal Octave Mandolin

If you are looking for a sleek, design mandolin, the APC Portugal Octave Mandolin is an ideal option. You get a 1.4-kilogram mandolin that features a Massive Epicea top material and Sapelli back material construction.

The APC Portugal Octave Mandolin is a sturdy mandolin that gives you long-lasting services under constant use. It is, therefore, an excellent purchase for beginners who are enthusiastic about the mandolin. Equally, this instrument is easy to use and tune.

However, you need to handle this instrument with extra care. Understand that a bad fall and you could risk breaking it. Understand that replacing or fixing a broken mandolin is a nightmare that you should avoid at all costs.

What will surprise you is the sound of this instrument. Note that the tuners are quite impressive compared to similar products. You will enjoy creating new tones with this impressive mandolin due to the rich and deep sounds.

Finally, this mandolin does not come with a case, bag, or strings. You will need to purchase the above items separately. Ensure that you consider the extra purchases when buying the APC Portugal Octave Mandolin.

Pros

• Good quality finish
• Sturdy construction
• Lightweight design
• Deep, rich sounds

Cons

• Bag, case, and strings not included

4. F5 Mandolin Handcrafted by Sandi

The F5 Mandolin Handcrafted by Sandi is a brand-new mandolin that features high-quality construction. The soundboard is constructed from high-quality spruce that ensures a deep and rich sound whenever you play the instrument.

The hornbeam neck and body wood give you a sturdy construction that guarantees long-lasting services. What fascinated me about the F5 Mandolin Handcrafted by Sandi is the ebony fingerboard that provides bright sound tones.

To top it all off, this impressive mandolin comes with a handcrafted Hardcase. Understand that you get a plywood Hardcase that is specially designed for this beautiful piece. Note that most mandolins in this price range do not get to have a handcrafted case. You can, therefore, comfortably carry your mandolin with you during trips and camps.

If you are looking for a high-0end handcrafted mandolin, the F5 Mandolin Handcrafted by Sandi is an excellent choice. You get to a unique mandolin that comes with its very own handcrafted Hardcase. It is quite a bargain considering that everything is tailored to suit the needs of a professional.

Note that this is not an ideal buy if you love fancy equipment. However, if you are more about practicality rather than the quality of the finish, you will enjoy playing this instrument.

Pros

• Sturdy construction
• Excellent sound
• Vintage look
• Handcrafted case

Cons

• Not a quality finish

5. APC Portugal Octave Mandolin (M0C308-APC

Do you need a sturdy mandolin that can handle everyday use? The APC Portugal Octave Mandolin (M0C308-APC is an excellent choice if you are a regular player. The Ovangkol back material and Massive Epicea top ensure that you get long-lasting services with this instrument.

The high gloss finish of the APC Portugal Octave Mandolin (M0C308-APC ensures that you always stand out when performing. Understand that this mandolin is handmade to ensure you get bright and colorful sounds. Using this instrument, you can quickly learn how to shift between the different tunes that you enjoy.

What I found rather interesting about the APC Portugal Octave Mandolin (M0C308-APC is its lightweight construction. You get a mandolin that is easy to move around while traveling or camping. Understand that you need to play your mandolin regularly if you intend to become a professional.

Note that you will have to purchase a case, bag, and strings separately. If you are on a budget, then you need to consider these extra accessories before making a purchase. Understand that all the above accessories are a necessity.

Pros

• Good quality construction
• Bright and colorful sounds
• High gloss finish

Cons

• No bag, case, or strings included

6. Morgan Monroe MDAM-300 Mandolin

The Morgan Monroe MDAM-300 Mandolin wraps up our list of the top 6 mandolins for under $500. However, it is a high-end mandolin that produces bright and clear sounds. The solid brown mahogany construction ensures that you get long-lasting services with this instrument.

On purchase, you also get a deluxe hard-shell case from Morgan Monroe. This is a wonderful accessory that ensures you can enjoy playing your mandolin while on the move. If you are the type of player who likes taking the mandolin everywhere you go, the Morgan Monroe MDAM-300 Mandolin is an excellent choice.

What I particularly loved about this model is the free $35 value lesson that comes with your purchase. Yes, you get to enjoy a free 30-minute lesson in your home, via Skype, or in a TRMC studio. How cool is that? If you are a beginner, you can take advantage of this one-time offer.

The Ashton Bailey Tailpiece ensures that you get nothing but high performances from this instrument. Note that this mandolin also comes with gold hardware to give you a professional and classic look. You get a beautiful design mandolin that offers a rich sound, which is quite impressive.

The Morgan Monroe MDAM-300 Mandolin is great for both professionals and beginners. You will get to enjoy creating tunes and playing around with your instrument.

Pros

• Free $35 value lesson
• Sturdy construction
• Gold hardware
• Solid back, sides, and top

Cons

• Limited stock

Conclusion

Our comprehensive review should help you pick out the best mandolins under $500 in the market. Understand that you need a mandolin that compliments your music style. Ensures that you go through our review to help you figure which mandolin will best serve you.

Related Guide:

• The 6 Best Mandolins Under $2000 in 2021 [Reviews]
• The Best Mandolins under $1500 in 2021 [Review]
• The 8 Best Mandolin Under $1000 Dollars (Review)