Best travel guitars 2023: top acoustic and electric travel guitars for portability and performance
Us guitarists are supremely lucky – we already play an instrument that we can take and play anywhere with us. But the best travel guitars enhance and refine that concept further to offer the ultimate in portability without compromising on tone and playability.
Whether you want a more compact guitar to take with you on holiday or work trips, or are simply looking for something smaller for playing at home, there are some high quality choices out there for all budgets. We’ve selected the very best and they’re a surprisingly varied group of guitars – from full-scale electric guitars to ¾-size acoustic electrics.
There’s a good reason for this variety; a travel guitar needs to be portable, of course, but how it achieves that can be decided by a number of factors. We’ve taken them all into consideration with our choices for the best travel guitars you can buy right now. You can find our top picks below, and if you need any further guidance, head straight for our buying advice section at the bottom of the page.
Best travel guitars: Guitar World recommends
Over a decade after the design’s launch, the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa (opens in new tab) is still a benchmark when it comes to travel guitars. Now including Taylor’s Expression System with on-board tuner, it’s a great guitar for home, away, gigging, recording, songwriting… it could easily become your favorite.
The Yamaha CSF3M (opens in new tab) is a rarity; a travel acoustic guitar featuring solid back and sides at a very competitive price. Like the GS Mini, it sounds much bigger than its smaller scale implies and combined with a comfortable, roomy neck experience, it’s another travel guitar that’s great for a wide range of players and needs.
That said, the Little Martin LX1E (opens in new tab) and Guild Jumbo Junior (opens in new tab) also have a lot to offer from some big-name brands on a relative budget.
Best travel guitars: Product guide
(Image credit: Yamaha )
Mục Lục
1. Yamaha CSF3M
The best solid wood acoustic electric travel guitar
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type:
Electro-acoustic
Scale length:
23.6”
Top:
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Back and sides:
solid mahogany
Neck:
Nato
Fingerboard:
Rosewood
Frets:
20
Electronics:
Yamaha passive SRT piezo
Finish:
Vintage Natural, Tobacco Sunburst (pictured)
Bag included:
Yes
View at Amazon
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View at Amazon
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View at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Impressive build quality with solid woods
+
Great for recording with
+
Great neck for chords and fingerstyle
Reasons to avoid
–
No onboard EQ
Although Yamaha doesn’t market its CSF series explicitly as ‘travel guitars’, they have created a class-leading example with this short-scale folk electro-acoustic guitar. Solid woods and a 105mm body depth combine to set it apart from much of the competition.
We found a rich tonal character and impressive projection with a 16-inch radius neck that feels roomy and works well for both fingerstyle and chord work. The Yamaha passive piezo pickup here offers no onboard preamp but impresses with a pleasing reflection of the CSF3M’s strengths.
Rounding out the package here is Yamaha’s hard bag to provide a reassuringly protective case for a guitar that should provide you years of inspiration, at home or on the go.
(Image credit: Press Material)
2. Martin LX1E Little Martin
Arguably the most famous travel guitar of all time
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
(opens in new tab)
Specifications
Type:
Electro-acoustic
Scale length:
23”
Top:
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Back and sides:
Mahogany Pattern HPL Textured Finish
Neck:
Rust Birch Laminate
Fingerboard:
Richlite
Frets:
20
Electronics:
Fishman Sonitone
Finish:
Natural
Bag included:
Yes
View at Gear 4 Music
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Preorder at Andertons
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Check Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Affordable for a Martin
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Great pickup
Reasons to avoid
–
Some may not like the composite neck
A firm favorite of Ed Sheeran – although he has made a move to Lowden in recent years – the Martin LX1E is Martin’s pint-sized offering (and one of our top picks for the best 3/4 acoustic guitars), delivering the outstanding built quality you’d expect from the acoustic giant and a quality amplified sound.
This guitar is made with a solid Sitka spruce top and high-pressure laminate back and sides, as well as a composite neck. It may not have the elegant looks of the D-28 or HD-35, but it is incredibly strong and damn near indestructible. This mighty little guitar will undoubtedly handle any of the harsh conditions bestowed upon it.
Read our full Martin LX1E Little Martin review
(Image credit: Taylor)
3. Taylor GS Mini-e Koa
The best all-round acoustic travel guitar
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type:
Electro-acoustic
Scale length:
23.5”
Top:
Solid koa top
Back and sides:
Koa laminate
Neck:
sapele
Fingerboard:
Ebony
Frets:
20
Electronics:
ES-B
Finish:
Varnish
Bag included:
Yes
View at Andertons
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View at Thomann
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Check Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Small guitar with a big sound
+
Taylor’s build quality is consistently high
+
Excellent pickup system and gigbag
Reasons to avoid
–
If you don’t like the Koa’s look there’s plenty of other options
Taylor’s GS Mini was ahead of most of the pack when it launched in 2010, and it still stands up as a masterful design from the company’s design wizard Andy Powers. It’s a benchmark example of a guitar that sounds far fuller than its dimensions – aided by the slight arch of its back.
With spruce and mahogany options proving popular, the Koa stands out for the visual clout of its dramatic figuring. A solid top, layered back and sides, sapele neck and ebony fingerboard provide a rich tonal recipe here. With Taylor’s Expression System preamp system (including a handy tuner) and the high quality included gigbag rounding out a superb package for one of the company’s best value models.
Left-handed models are available too – yay!
(Image credit: Guild)
4. Guild Jumbo Junior
Fit for The King
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
(opens in new tab)
Specifications
Type:
Electro-acoustic
Scale length:
23.75”
Top:
Solid Sitka Spruce
Back and sides:
Mahogany
Neck:
Mahogany
Fingerboard:
Pau Ferro
Frets:
19
Electronics:
Fishman AP-1
Finish:
Natural
Bag included:
No
View at Amazon
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
Solid top
+
Great tone
+
Classy styling
Reasons to avoid
–
You might not want the electronics
Guild knows a thing or two about acoustic guitars, specifically the jumbo-bodied variety. Here, we get Guild’s iconic jumbo, but shrunk-down to a more portable format. It’s got a solid Sitka spruce top, and mahogany back and sides – the former arched to aid in resonance and projection.
Adding to this, the JJ comes equipped with a Fishman AP-1 system so you can plug-in for gigs and quick recording. Tonally, it’s a punchy little strummer with some classic looks from an iconic brand.
(Image credit: Yamaha)
5. Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar
The best travel guitar for silent practice and live tones
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type:
Acoustically silent electro-acoustic with onboard effects
Scale length:
25”
Body:
Mahogany body with rosewood and maple frame
Neck:
Mahogany
Fingerboard:
Rosewood
Frets:
20
Electronics:
ES-B
Finish:
Gloss
Bag included:
Yes
View at Andertons
(opens in new tab)
View at Gear 4 Music
(opens in new tab)
View at Thomann
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
Impressive plugged-in sounds
+
Folds down for portability
+
Electric playability
Reasons to avoid
–
The unusual design may be off-putting for traditionalists
The Silent Guitar is an unusual proposition with a detachable frame for folding down. It’s also designed to be plugged in for amplification or via headphones – it makes very little acoustic sound of its own. This has the advantage for quiet practice but the Silent Guitar’s SRT and pickup blend system also shines via a PA or acoustic combo live for surprisingly organic tones to mimic a real acoustic being mic’d.
Its low action, 43mm nut width and slim neck will suit electric guitar players, if they can accept its untraditional looks. Onboard chorus and reverb further enhance the SLG200S’s usability as a travelling companion.
(Image credit: Blackstar)
6. Blackstar Carry-On
The best travel electric guitar on this list
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type:
Singlecut travel electric
Scale length:
20.7”
Body:
Okoume
Neck:
Okoume
Fingerboard:
Laurel
Frets:
19
Electronics:
Mini humbucker
Finish:
Gloss black or white top
Bag included:
Yes
View at Thomann
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View at Andertons
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View at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
Excellent one-piece design
+
Very portable
+
Good tones for practice
Reasons to avoid
–
Pickup lacks a little bite
Blackstar have made a guitar!? Yes indeed, the guitar amp company joined forces with fellow Brits Gordon Smith Guitars on a down-sized electric; 20.7-inch scale with a ukulele-sized body is certainly compact but the result stacks up comfortably well with a full-size neck.
It’s a one piece body and neck design to aid resonance and we really like design touches like the tortoiseshell-like plastic binding and the playing comfort of the matt neck, sides and back. It’s also great to see a coil-split on the humbucker pickup for tonal versatility through an amp – you can even buy the Carry-on as a package with Blackstar’s Fly3 mini amp.
Read the full Blackstar Carry-On Deluxe Pack review
(Image credit: Traveler Guitar)
7. Traveler Guitar LTD EC-1
The best travel guitar for metal players
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type:
Travel-size electric with built-in headphone amp
Scale length:
24.75”
Body:
Mahogany
Neck:
Mahogany
Fingerboard:
Black walnut
Frets:
22 jumbo
Electronics:
ESP-designed active humbucker, four-channel headphone amp
Finish:
Vintage Black or Snow White
Bag included:
Yes
View at Thomann
(opens in new tab)
View at Thomann
(opens in new tab)
View at Amazon
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
An acclaimed ESP design in compact form
+
Full scale
+
Onboard headphone amp
Reasons to avoid
–
No built-in tuner
Another collaboration between two successful guitar brands, Traveler already have a formidable reputation for electric travel guitars and ESP build some of the finest guitars for heavy rock and metal around with its EC series; the LTD EC-1 is the combination of those skills.
The full-scale singlecut model first surfaced in 2016 and is now available in Vintage Black with gold hardware – a Traveler design calling card is to cut down on overall length by placing locking tuners within the body design. The pickup here is an ESP-designed active humbucker, so it’s ideal for higher gain tones and cutting lead work with the inbuilt headphone amp. It even features a bevelled cutaway for higher fret access.
(Image credit: Yamaha)
8. Yamaha APXT2
The teeny tiny APX with a big amplified sound
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type:
Electro-acoustic
Scale length:
22 13/16″
Top:
Spruce
Back and sides:
Locally Sourced Tonewood
Neck:
Locally Sourced Tonewood
Fingerboard:
Rosewood
Frets:
20
Electronics:
SYSTEM68
Finish:
Dark Red Burst, Natural, Black, Old Violin Sunburst
Bag included:
Yes
View at Gear 4 Music
(opens in new tab)
View at Amazon
(opens in new tab)
View at Amazon
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
Plays like an APX
+
Nice range of colors
Reasons to avoid
–
Feels a little on the cheap side
This is the third entry for Yamaha on this list, but we felt it needed to be included. Yamaha has taken their ever-popular APX and shrunk it down to create the APXT2. This 3/4 sized acoustic is one of the smallest on this list, measuring in at only 34 inches, and will happily fit in most traveling situations.
The onboard pickup is surprisingly good on the APXT2 and offers a tone far greater than the unplugged sound. The preamp also comes with a handy built-in guitar tuner, meaning you don’t have to pack any extra gear. The satin finish not only looks great but is very smooth to play. In fact, the whole neck is very familiar, and if you have played Yamaha guitars in the past, then you’ll get on with how this feels. It also comes in a range of different colors, just like its big brother, the APX500.
So if you are a fan of the APX series or are looking for a unique-looking travel guitar, then it’s worth checking these out.
(Image credit: Lowden)
9. Sheeran By Lowden S03
One of the best cutaway travel acoustics
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type:
Cutaway electro-acoustic
Scale length:
24.8”
Top:
Solid cedar top
Back and sides:
Layered rosewood / mahogany / rosewood / mahogany back and sides
Neck:
Mahogany
Fingerboard:
Ebony
Frets:
20
Electronics:
LR Baggs Element VTC
Finish:
Satin
Bag included:
Yes
Check Amazon
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
Made in Northern Ireland with Lowden build quality
+
Great plugged-in sounds
+
Bigger sounds than you might expect
Reasons to avoid
–
Sheeran’s prominent name on headstock may put some players off
Whatever you think of Ed Sheeran’s music, he has great taste in luthier’s. George Lowden actually designed the Wee Lowden travel-size guitar for the songwriter and their friendship blossomed into a full series of guitars in 2019.
The S03 had a refresh in 2021 – the ‘S’ stands for small body and the latest 24.8-inch scale model features a solid cedar top but with a rosewood and mahogany layering at the back and sides this time. An impressively full sound is matched with the quality of the LR Baggs VTC system for plugging in, and with the cutaway design this is one of the best travel-size acoustics for live performance.
Read the full Sheeran By Lowden SO3 review
Best travel guitars: Buying advice
(Image credit: Future)
What makes a great travel guitar?
Why you can trust Guitar World
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
A travel guitar’s portability can be due to a smaller body, lighter weight and shorter scale (this is the distance from the guitar’s nut to its saddle) but a guitar can still be great for carrying around with you and have a full-scale.
Having said that, acoustic travel guitars tend to have a shorter scale and smaller bodies to be portable, but they will still be tuned and play like a regular guitar. Indeed, the best travel guitars we have selected in this guide all shine for their playability as well as tone so they don’t take much getting used to.
Electric travel guitars can usually plug into guitar amps and PAs but some have their own inbuilt amps to use headphones with, making them all-in-one practice tools.
Can I gig with a travel guitar?
Absolutely, and many acoustic travel guitars include inbuilt pickups and preamps to allow for this. Ed Sheeran is one of the most famous living guitarists on the planet and uses a small-scale travel guitar onstage and in the studio. He likes them so much he’s even got his own series of them now.
Even electric travel guitars designed for headphone practice can be used with amps if you wish, so they could be a great choice for travelling to jams or impromptu gigs with.
What is the best travel guitar for me?
All travel guitars are portable and all the guitars are great to play; but all excel in different ways. For example, some are going to be better for gigging with, while others are great for practice with headphones. So consider what you need from a travel guitar; do you want an acoustic or electric guitar? Would you like to use it for recording? The best news is whatever your needs, we’ve got the right travel guitar for you in this guide.
Find out more about how we make our recommendations and how we test each of the products in our buyer’s guides.
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