Best Open Back Banjos of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Open back banjos are a type of banjo that have an open back instead of a resonator. This gives them a unique sound that is more mellow and subdued than resonator banjos. They are often used in traditional folk music and have a long history in American music. Open back banjos come in a variety of styles and sizes, from smaller models for beginners to larger, more professional-grade instruments. They are a great choice for anyone looking for a distinctive sound and a versatile instrument.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Vangoa 38 Inch Open Back Beginner Banjo Kit Cover #TOP 1
Vangoa 38 Inch Open Back Beginner Banjo Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Pyle 5 String Banjo Beginner Kit Cover #TOP 2
Pyle 5 String Banjo Beginner Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Lotmusic 26 Inch Sapele Banjolele with Kit Cover #TOP 3
Lotmusic 26 Inch Sapele Banjolele with Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Open Back Banjos

#TOP 1

Vangoa 38 Inch Open Back Beginner Banjo Kit

VBJ11-5
Maple Natural
Full
Vangoa 38 Inch Open Back Beginner Banjo Kit Cover
Vangoa 38 inches Open Back Banjo 5 String Full-size Beginner Banjo Kit with Frosted Remo Head, Geared 5th Tuner, Maple Banjoe, Natural

The Vangoa Beginner Banjo is a lightweight and portable instrument perfect for those new to playing. Its frosted Remo head offers a clear, crisp tone, enhancing your musical experience. With a beautiful design crafted from premium maple, this banjo is not only durable but also visually appealing. The adjustable coordinator rod and truss rod simplify tuning and adjustments, ensuring you can play with ease and confidence as you learn.

What We Like
Lightweight and easy to carry
Crisp, clear sound quality
Durable maple construction
Easy adjustments for tuning
#TOP 2

Pyle 5 String Banjo Beginner Kit

PBJ140
Red Burst
Full
Pyle 5 String Banjo Beginner Kit Cover
Pyle 5 String Banjo Remo Head, Banjos Beginner Kit, 39" Full Size, Open or Closed Back Instrument w/ 24 Brackets, Starter accessories, Geared 5th Tuner, Gig Bag, Extra Strings - Strap – Picks, Wrench

The Pyle 5 String Banjo is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced players. With its attachable Sapele wood resonator, you can easily enhance the sound quality, resulting in a richer tone. The Milky Skin Remo Head offers clarity and resonance, ensuring that your music is expressive and consistent. Additionally, the precise tuning system with 24 adjustable brackets allows you to achieve perfect pitch effortlessly. This complete 9-piece banjo set provides everything you need to get started on your musical journey.

What We Like
Rich, full sound quality
Complete beginner-friendly kit
Precise tuning for perfect pitch
Durable and polished finish
#TOP 3

Lotmusic 26 Inch Sapele Banjolele with Kit

lotmusic
CR2032
Chrome
26 inch
Lotmusic 26 Inch Sapele Banjolele with Kit Cover
Lotmusic Banjolele, Sapele Travel Banjolele 26 Inch 4 String Remo Drumhead Open Back with Beginner Kit Extra String Allen Wrench Tuner Sandpaper Ruler and Bag

The Lotmusic Banjolele features an open back design that produces a mellower, softer sound, perfect for those who prefer a warmer tone. Its chrome closed tuner machine ensures your instrument stays accurately tuned, making it easier for you to play in harmony. The Remo drumhead combined with a durable sapele body offers a rounded sound that enhances your musical experience. Additionally, the advanced two-way truss rod allows you to adjust the distance between the fingerboard and strings for optimal playability and comfort.

What We Like
Mellower, softer sound
Accurate tuning
Warm, round tone
Comfortable to play

Vangoa Left-handed 5-String Mahogany Banjo

VBJ-4L
White
38inch
Vangoa Left-handed 5-String Mahogany Banjo Cover
Vangoa Left-handed 5-String Banjo, Mahogany Open-back Banjo with Resonator, with Starter Manual & Beginner Kit

The Vangoa 5-String Banjo features a premium Africa Mahogany body that offers a professional tone for your performances. You will appreciate the top-quality Remo head, which ensures a stable sound with bright clarity. The adjustable truss rod allows you to achieve your ideal action and maintain perfect intonation, making playing more enjoyable. Additionally, its gorgeous glossy finish highlights the natural wood grain, providing both beauty and comfort while you play.

What We Like
Professional sound quality
Easy to adjust action
Beautiful natural wood finish
Includes comprehensive beginner kit
#TOP 5

Mulucky Full Size 5 String Banjo Kit

MB1101
MB1101
MB1101
Mulucky Full Size 5 String Banjo Kit Cover
Mulucky 5 String Banjo, Full Size with 24 Brackets, Open Back, Maple Banjos with Remo Head, Geared 5th Tuner, Gift Package with Beginner Kit - MB1101

The Mulucky 5 String Banjo offers a remarkable playing experience with its Remo head, providing a warm and retro tone that many players appreciate. The open-back design produces a softer sound, making it ideal for those who prefer a more mellow vibe. With 24 adjustable brackets, you can easily fine-tune the tension for a personalised sound. Additionally, the geared 5th tuner ensures accurate tuning, allowing you to play confidently without worrying about slippage.

What We Like
Warm, retro tone
Adjustable sound tension
Accurate tuning
Complete beginner kit

AKLOT Concert 23-Inch Banjo Ukulele with Gig Bag

MI2615
Maple
Banjo ukulele
AKLOT Concert 23-Inch Banjo Ukulele with Gig Bag Cover
Banjo Ukulele, AKLOT Concert 23 inch Remo Drumhead Open Back Maple Body 15:1 Advanced Tuner with Two Way Truss Rod Gig Bag Tuner String Strap Picks

The AKLOT Banjo Ukulele features an open back design that projects sound brightly, making it ideal for performances. Its Remo Fiberskyn drumhead produces a warm and plunky tone, reminiscent of Appalachian music, enhancing your playing experience. The advanced 15:1 geared tuner ensures accurate tuning, so you can stay in tune effortlessly. Additionally, the two-way truss rod allows you to customise the action, providing comfort while playing with carefully sanded frets on a low hard maple fingerboard.

What We Like
Bright sound projection
Warm, plunky tone
Accurate tuning
Customisable action
#TOP 7

Barnes & Mullins BJ350G Albert Open Back Banjo

BJ350G
Clear
Barnes & Mullins BJ350G Albert Open Back Banjo Cover
Barnes & Mullins BJ350G Albert Open Back 5 String Banjo

The BJ350G Albert Banjo is an open back 5 string banjo that provides a rich, warm tone ideal for both beginners and seasoned players. Its brass resonator with walnut rim not only enhances sound quality but also adds an elegant touch to its appearance. The Remo vellum head offers durability and a bright sound, ensuring your music resonates beautifully. With a mahogany neck, this banjo is comfortable to play and easy to handle, making it a great choice for long practice sessions.

What We Like
Rich, warm tone
Elegant brass resonator
Durable Remo vellum head
Comfortable mahogany neck
#TOP 8

Stagg BJW-OPEN 5 Mahogany Banjo

BJW-OPEN 5
Open Back
5 String
Stagg BJW-OPEN 5 Mahogany Banjo Cover
Stagg BJW-OPEN 5 Banjos

The Stagg BJW-OPEN Banjo is a five-string instrument crafted from quality mahogany, providing a warm and rich tone that is perfect for both beginners and seasoned players. Its glued nata neck offers stability and ease of play, making it comfortable to handle. With 22 frets on the rosewood fingerboard, you can explore a wide range of musical notes and styles. The striking black matt finish not only enhances its appearance but also adds to its durability, ensuring it stands the test of time.

What We Like
Quality mahogany construction
Comfortable glued neck
22 frets for versatility
Stylish black matt finish
#TOP 9

ADM 5 String 38" Banjo Beginner Kit

ADM
JB352-BGR
Bluish-Green
38 Inch
ADM 5 String 38" Banjo Beginner Kit Cover
ADM Banjo 5 String Full Size 38" Banjoes Set, Remo Drum Geared 5th Tuner Beginner Banjo Kit with Resonator Open Closed Back, Gift Package Free Lessons Starter Accessories for Adult Teens,Bluish-Green

The ADM Banjo Kit is designed for beginners, featuring a high-quality Remo drum head that produces a sweet and clear tone, making it easier for you to enjoy your music. The superior materials, including a black walnut fingerboard and sturdy sapele sides, ensure durability and a rich sound. With an economical kit, you receive essential accessories like a bag, digital tuner, and more, allowing you to get started without extra costs. The geared 5th tuner enhances tuning accuracy and playability, perfect for various music styles.

What We Like
High-quality sound clarity
Durable build materials
Complete beginner-friendly kit
Accurate tuning for playability
#TOP 10

VINTAGE Pilgrim Shady Grove Banjo with Maple Neck

VINTAGE
VPB003
Brown
VINTAGE Pilgrim Shady Grove Banjo with Maple Neck Cover
Pilgrim Shady Grove Open Back Banjo

The VINTAGE Shady Grove Banjo features a sturdy maple neck, providing durability and stability for your playing. This type of wood is known for its bright tone, enhancing your music's clarity. Additionally, the geared machine head ensures precise tuning, making it easier for you to maintain the perfect pitch. With these features, you can enjoy a more enjoyable playing experience, whether you are a beginner or an experienced musician. The combination of quality materials and craftsmanship makes this banjo a great choice for any player.

What We Like
Durable maple neck
Precise tuning with geared head
Bright tone for clarity
Great for all skill levels
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our open back banjo research, we found 17 open back banjo products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 7,839 customer reviews through our big data system to write the open back banjos list. We found that most customers choose open back banjos with an average price of £198.37.

The open back banjos are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of open back banjos, including vangoa, Pyle, lotmusic, Mulucky, Aklot.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.