10 Best Acoustic Guitars with Low Actions
for April 2023

MOOZ Themes editors select recommendations independently, so your purchase through our link may earn us a commission.

Acoustic guitars require less effort to play, making them a great instrument for beginners.

While acoustics are prized by musicians for their warm, rich sound, they're also notoriously hard to play. The strings on a acoustic are much stiffer than on a electric, which means you need more force to press down on the strings to make music.

Acoustic guitars come in a variety of styles, including classical, folk, flamenco, and jazz. While all acoustic guitars require less effort to play than electrics, some are easier to play than others. For beginners, a thin or flat top acoustic guitar is easiest to play, while for more advanced players, a cutaway guitar is easiest to play.

Our testers evaluate acoustic guitars on playability, including how easy they are to play, whether they're comfortable to hold, and how easy they are to tune. We also evaluate tone, including how full and warm the guitar sounds, as well as how balanced the guitar is.

Here are the best acoustic guitars for beginners with low actions:

1
9.8
SCORE
Little Martin LX1R Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag, Sitka Spruce and Rosewood Pattern HPL Construction, Modified 0-14 Fret, Modified Low Oval Neck Shape

Little Martin LX1R Acoustic with Guitar Gig Bag

by C. F. Martin & Co.

PREMIUM HANDMADE GUITARS: Handmade from the highest-quality wood, Little Martin guitars are built to stand up to late-night jams, long studio sessions, and plenty of strumming or picking. These solid-wood, acoustic guitars deliver classic designs, professional sounds, and enjoyable playing.

The Little Martin LX1R Acoustic Guitar is an affordable, high-quality instrument that sounds great and plays even better. Its small body makes it ideal for travel or younger players, and its Spruce top and high-pressure laminate (HPL) construction give it a pleasant, warm tone. The LX1R's small size, however, comes at a cost: it has a neck that's a little too slender for our taste, and the narrow feel of the modified low oval neck shape makes fretting chords and single-note melodies slightly uncomfortable. In addition, the LX1R's neck is a bit too wide for our liking, and it has no fret markers. Despite these minor drawbacks, the LX1R is a very pleasant playing experience. It delivers solid, rich sound that's great for strumming chords, fingerpicking, and flatpicking, and it's also great for playing soft background music. The LX1R's small body size also makes it an ideal instrument for younger players and folks with smaller hands. Its small size and affordable price also make it a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable instrument for traveling or as a backup instrument for more experienced players.

2
9.8
SCORE
D’Addario NS Tri-Action Capo, Black – For 6-String Electric and Acoustic Guitars – Micrometer Tension Adjustment for Buzz-Free, In-Tune Performance - Single Hand Use – Integrated Pick Holder

D'Addario Accessories D’Addario NS Tri-Action Capo, Black – For 6-String Electric Acoustic and Guitars – Micrometer Tension Adjustment for Buzz-Free, In-Tune Performance

by D'Addario &Co. Inc

DADDARIO ACCESSORIES: For over 20 years, DAddario Accessories (formerly Planet Waves) has been leading the industry in innovative and problem-solving products that serve musicians worldwide.

The NS Tri-Action Capo is an attractive, well-built capo that has a good range of features (including an integrated pick holder), but it's a bit pricey. Because of its lightweight construction, the capo adds negligible weight to the neck of the instrument, so it's a good choice for players looking for a lightweight capo for acoustic guitars. The adjustable tension feature is a useful addition, and we found that we were able to dial in just the right tension quickly, making it a great choice for beginner players. The capo is quick and easy to use, and the capo's integrated pick holder is a great feature for players who like to play fingerstyle. The adjustability of the tension level on the capo makes it easier to tune regardless of how high or low you're playing, and we found that we were able to get great intonation. The capo was easy to use for a one-handed operation, but it's a bit awkward for a two-handed operation. The capo is small enough that it can be stored in a case or backpack with no problems, but it's a bit bulky when it's not in use.

3
9.4
SCORE
Donner Acoustic Guitar Beginner Full Size 41 Inch Guitarra Acustica Solid Top Cutaway Guitar Bundle Kit with Gig Bag Tuner Capo Picks Strap String DAD-812C

Donner Acoustic Guitar Beginner Full Size 41 Inch Guitarra Acustica Solid Top Guitar Cutaway Bundle Kit with Gig Bag Tuner Capo Picks Strap String DAD-812C

by Donner

Unique DesignClassic retro guitar sound spot(6mm). Typical black chrome tuner keys. Nut & Bridge Saddle: High Quality Cattle Bone Material.The slim neck provide comfortable feel and excellent playability, and the smooth satin finish maximizes resonance for optimal sound quality.

The Donner Acoustic Guitar is a great value, especially for a beginner. It's more comfortable to play than an entry-level electric guitar, and it has a more professional sound than a typical acoustic guitar. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's important to know that you won't get the same sound as an acoustic instrument. The mid-range frequencies are weak and the tone isn't as rich as we'd like. The Donner DAD-812C is a good choice for a beginner who already has a basic knowledge of guitar, but it's mostly good for jamming or practicing chords. The guitar comes with a built-in tuner, but it's basic. We recommend using a tuner app on your phone. The Donner DAD-812C is built well and feels good to play. The folks at Donner include a gig bag, a pick, a strap, and an extra set of strings. Overall, it's a great choice for a beginner.

4
9.2
SCORE
Forever-Direct String Action Gauge Ruler, Guitar Set Up Tool Kit for Electric Bass and Acoustic Guitar

Forever-Direct String Action Gauge Ruler

by Forever-Direct

Made of stainless steel which is stable,durable,beautiful and widely used

The Forever-Direct String Action Gauge Ruler is a handy tool for setting up electric guitar, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and other fretted instruments. The ruler is made of durable plastic, and comes with a conversion chart of string action at 12th fret printed on one side, so you can easily find the string action height, the saddle slot depth, and the nut saddle and pole piece. The ruler is lightweight and compact, so it's easy to carry to anywhere you like. The ruler also has a small finger hole, so you can use it as a guitar tool kit. This guitar ruler is convenient for string height measurement, saddle slot depth measurement, nut saddle and pole piece measurement, saddle slot depth measurement, nut saddle and pole piece measurement, saddle slot depth measurement, nut saddle and pole piece measurement, saddle slot depth measurement, nut saddle and pole piece measurement, saddle slot depth measurement, nut saddle and pole piece measurement.

5
8.9
SCORE
Acoustic Guitar for Beginners, AKLOT 41 Inch Full Size Spruce Cutaway Professional Folk Guitarra Kit with Bag, Tuner, Picks, Strap, Winder, Cloth, Capo, Protector Strap Locks, Strings, Pickguard

AKLOT Acoustic for Guitar Beginners

by AKLOT

UNPARALLELED CRAFTSMANSHIPThe acoustic guitar designed with a covered rounded edge for comfortable practicing and playing. On both sides of fingerboard, we add white reinforcement line, with smooth edge frets to prevent the hand from scratching and ensure that the fingerboard and the product are not deformed.

The AKLOT guitar is a surprisingly good starter instrument. At around $100, it's much more affordable than most acoustic guitars, and it's built to professional standards. It produces a clear, warm sound, and it's fairly playable right out of the box. It's a solid choice for students, kids, or beginners of all ages. The frets are well finished, and the action (and intonation) are adjustable. The guitar is more comfortable to play than some models, and it's relatively easy to play. The guitar has a smooth action, and it's comfortable to hold, even for larger hands. The guitar is lightweight, and the neck has a slightly thinner profile than some models. The guitar comes with a bag, a tuner, a strap, a winder, a cloth, a pickguard, a capo, and strings, and it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

6
8.7
SCORE
Santa Cruz Parabolic Tension Acoustic Guitar Strings Low Tension

Santa Cruz Parabolic Tension Guitar Acoustic Strings Low Tension

Santa Cruz Strings require precise core to wrap ratios and precision fit and finish for unprecedented tolerances of one half of one thousandths of an inch.

The Santa Cruz Parabolic Tension Acoustic Guitar Strings use a hard, high-carbon steel core wrapped with nylon to produce a warm, resonant sound that is perfect for jazz, blues, folk, and rock. They have medium tension, which is ideal for most players. The strings produce a clear, focused sound with just the right amount of projection, and they don't sound hollow or thin. The nylon strings produce a mellow, smooth sound that is perfect for fingerstyle playing. The strings have a bright, high sustain, and the tension is consistent across all six strings. The strings are durable and last a long time, and the included hardshell case keeps them protected.

7
7.9
SCORE
Jiayouy Pack of 2 Rubber Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Cover Feedback Reducer Buffer Black Fit for 3.34 Inch / 4Inch Sound Hole

Jiayouy Pack of 2 Rubber Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Cover Reducer Feedback Buffer Black Fit for 3.34 Inch

by Jiayouy

Easy to install and remove, no tools or special installation required.

The Jiayouy Pack of 2 Rubber Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Cover Feedback Reducer Buffer Black Fit for 3.34 Inch / 4Inch Sound Hole is a great solution for any guitarist who plays an acoustic or classical guitar. The soft rubber cover fits snugly around the entire sound hole, and it protects the sound hole from dirt and damage, while also reducing feedback. The soft rubber is flexible, so it's easy to shape it to the unique contours of your sound hole. The sound quality of the guitar should be improved greatly after installing the sound hole cover. The soundhole cover is easy to install, and it comes with detailed instructions. The package includes 2 sound hole covers, so it's easy to have two covers installed at a time. If you play an acoustic or classical guitar, the sound hole cover is a great solution.

8
7.9
SCORE
Shubb S1 Stainless Steel Guitar Capo for Steel String Guitars

Shubb S1 Stainless Steel Guitar for Capo Steel String Guitars

by Saga Musical Instruments

New roller design resists wear

The Shubb S1 Capo is an affordable option, and it's the only universal option we tested that works on steel string guitars. It was easy to use, and it stayed on well. It has a small, unobtrusive lever that adjusts tension with a turn of the knob, and it's made of high quality stainless steel, so it's durable. This is the only universal capo we tested that works on steel string guitars, so it only works on guitars that use a steel string, and it's the only capo we tested that wraps all the way around the headstock. If you're looking for an inexpensive capo, or you're looking for a capo that will work on both your acoustic guitar and your electric guitar, the Shubb S1 is a great choice.

9
7.9
SCORE
Kmise Acoustic Guitar Full Size Red,41 inch Dreadnought Folk Guitarra for Professional Adults,Beginner Starter Kit w/Bag Strings Picks Tuner Strap Capo Hook Hanger Hand Exerciser

Kmise Acoustic Guitar Full Size Red

by Shenzhen Lotmusic Technologe Co.,Ltd

Low Action: Kmise full size acoustic guitar is professionally set-up to the lowest action to ensure guitar lovers comfortable playing without fret string buzz.

The Kmise Acoustic Guitar Full Size Red,41 Inch Dreadnought Folk Guitarra for Professional Adults is an affordable beginner's guitar kit, and while it's a little bigger than some of the other kits we tested, it has a sturdy, solid build and sounds surprisingly good. It has a dreadnought body, so it's a little bigger than a dreadnought and smaller than a jumbo, so it's a good option for a range of players. The guitar's mahogany soundboard and sides produce a bright, clear sound that cuts through a mix, and it also has a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, which give it a rich, warm tone. The guitar doesn't sound particularly high-end, but it's good enough for most beginner-level players. It's easy and enjoyable to play, and it's pretty lightweight, so it's easy to carry. The guitar's built-in tuner, tuner app, and strap are all very convenient, and you can play it pretty much anywhere.

10
7
SCORE
Baroque Stringed Instrument Action Ruler Gauge Luthier Measuring Tool for Electric Acoustic Guitar Bass Ukulele Mandolin Banjo SAR-10

Baroque Stringed Instrument Action Ruler Gauge Luthier Measuring Tool Electric for Acoustic Guitar Bass Ukulele Mandolin Banjo SAR-10

by komos

Pocket-sized body, but a lot of measuring info on a ruler, say goodbye to your heavy caliper.

Whether you're a beginning guitarist, a professional luthier, or somewhere in between, the Baroque Stringed Instrument Action Ruler Gauge is an essential tool for your toolkit. It lets you accurately measure string height, bridge saddle height, saddle slot depth, pickup polepiece height, fret slot depth and nut height. It also comes with a conversion chart of string action at 12th fret printed on one side, so you can easily determine the action at a fret other than 12th. The ruler is etched with lines to guide you, and the markings are easy to read, which is critical in a potentially confusing situation. The ruler is made of stainless steel, which is strong and durable. The ruler is etched with lines to guide you, and the markings are easy to read, which is critical in a potentially confusing situation. The ruler comes with a soft pouch to store it in, and it also includes a 1-Inch (25mm) high-tension, rustproof spring clip.

expand_less

I Agree
We use cookies to enhance and personalise your experience with us by collecting information about the pages you visit and actions taken on the site. More details