Best Sitars of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Sitars are a type of stringed musical instrument that originated in India and are commonly used in classical Indian music. They have a long neck with frets and a gourd-shaped body, which is often intricately decorated. The strings are plucked with a plectrum, and the sitar produces a unique sound that is both melodic and rhythmic. Sitars are highly regarded for their versatility and ability to evoke emotion through their music. They are popular among musicians around the world and are often used in fusion music, adding a distinctive flavour to the sound.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Electric Sitar Shri Ravi Shankar Style Tun Wood Cover #TOP 1
Electric Sitar Shri Ravi Shankar Style Tun Wood
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Persian Quality Setar by Nava Musical Instrument Cover #TOP 2
Persian Quality Setar by Nava Musical Instrument
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Karuna Sitar Strings with Drawstring Bag Cover #TOP 3
Karuna Sitar Strings with Drawstring Bag
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Sitars

#TOP 1

Electric Sitar Shri Ravi Shankar Style Tun Wood

Multicolor
Electric Sitar Shri Ravi Shankar Style Tun Wood Cover
INDIAN HANDMADE ~ ELECTRIC SITAR SHRI RAVI SHANKAR STYLE DESIGNER TUN WOOD FREE STRING & MIZRAB

The Brass-India Electric Sitar is a versatile instrument that can be played acoustically or electrically. It features a full cedar wood construction, ensuring durability and consistent tuning, which enhances your playing experience. With real bone bridges and brass frets, you will enjoy superior sound quality. Additionally, the sitar comes with acoustic strings and a spare electric string set, allowing you to easily switch to electric mode by simply changing three brass strings. This flexibility is perfect for musicians looking to explore different styles.

What We Like
Versatile acoustic-electric functionality
Durable cedar wood construction
High-quality bone and brass materials
Easy string conversion
#TOP 2

Persian Quality Setar by Nava Musical Instrument

Persian Quality Setar by Nava Musical Instrument Cover
Persian Quality Setar Sehtar String Musical Instrument

The Nava Setar Instrument is a beautifully crafted Persian musical piece, featuring a bowl made from mulberry wood and a neck of walnut, ensuring rich sound quality. Its 86 cm length and 66 cm string length provide a comfortable playing experience. You will appreciate the softness of the included case, which helps protect your instrument during transport. Additionally, the extra strings ensure that you are always prepared for your next performance, giving you peace of mind.

What We Like
High-quality materials
Comfortable size for playing
Includes protective soft case
Extra strings for convenience
#TOP 3

Karuna Sitar Strings with Drawstring Bag

Non - Branded
Bronze
Karuna Sitar Strings with Drawstring Bag Cover
Karuna Sitar Strings set with an attractive drawstring bag. String set includes 7 Main Strings + Tarafdar (Sympathetic/Resonator Strings). Ideal for Acoustic or Electric Sitar.

The Karuna Sitar Strings offer a complete set featuring 7 main strings along with 11 Tarafdar or sympathetic strings, making it perfect for both acoustic and electric sitars. Each string is individually packed, ensuring convenience during installation, especially since each sitar is handmade and unique. The strings are designed to complement Ravi Shankar styles, allowing you to explore traditional sounds. Additionally, they arrive in gift-ready packaging, making them an excellent choice for any sitar enthusiast in your life.

What We Like
Complete set for easy installation
Gift-ready packaging
Suitable for Ravi Shankar styles
Individually packed strings
Made in India
#TOP 4

High Quality Setar with Hard Case

NS-207
Brown
High Quality Setar with Hard Case Cover
Quality Setar String Musical Instrument With HARD CASE NS-207

The SALA MÜZIK Setar is a beautifully crafted Persian musical instrument, measuring 86 cm in length. Its lightweight design at 0.355 kg makes it easy to handle, allowing you to play for extended periods without discomfort. The bowl is made from mulberry, which enhances the instrument's tonal quality, while the walnut neck provides durability and stability. With extra strings included, you will have everything you need to keep your setar in perfect playing condition, ensuring you can enjoy your music making experience to the fullest.

What We Like
High-quality materials
Lightweight and easy to handle
Includes extra strings
Durable hard case
#TOP 5

Sohrab Persian Setar with Soft Cover

Sohrab
NS-207
Brown
Sohrab Persian Setar with Soft Cover Cover
Sohrab Persian Setar, Citar, Sehtar, Sitar with Soft Cover

The Sohrab Setar is a beautifully crafted Persian instrument that features a 65cm bridge to nut length, making it perfect for producing rich, resonant sounds. The bowl is made from mulberry, which enhances the tonal quality, while the walnut neck provides durability and a comfortable grip. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced musician, the soft cover ensures that your instrument remains protected during transport. With this setar, you can enjoy a blend of tradition and quality in your musical pursuits.

What We Like
High-quality materials used
Rich, resonant sound
Durable walnut neck
Soft cover for protection
#TOP 6

18 String Set for Karuna Indian Sitar

Multi color
18 String Set for Karuna Indian Sitar Cover
Full set of 18 Top Branded Karuna Indian Sitar Strings 7+11 includes Tarafdar (Sympathetic Strings)

The Karuna Sitar Strings Set offers a complete collection of 18 authentic Indian strings, ensuring you have everything needed for your sitar. With five main strings, two chikari, and eleven sympathetic strings, you can create rich, resonant sounds that enhance your musical experience. Each string comes retail packaged, making it easy for you to store and replace them when necessary. This full set is perfect for both beginners and experienced players, providing convenience and quality for your performances.

What We Like
Full 18 string set
Authentic Indian strings
Retail packaged for convenience
Includes sympathetic strings
#TOP 7

Ellora Sitar Strings and Tarabh Set

Gold
Ellora Sitar Strings and Tarabh Set Cover
Ellora Complete Set Of Sitar Strings And Sympathetic Tarabh 7+13 German Roselu

The Ellora Sitar Strings are a complete set designed for enhanced musical performance. Featuring 7 main strings and 13 sympathetic strings, this set allows you to create rich, resonant sounds. The German Rosellu material ensures durability and excellent tone quality, making it a reliable choice for musicians. Additionally, the option for a customised set means you can tailor it to your personal preferences, ensuring a perfect fit for your musical style. With worldwide delivery, you can enjoy these strings no matter where you are.

What We Like
Complete set for enhanced sound
Durable German Rosellu material
Customised set available
Worldwide delivery offered
#TOP 8

Ravi Shankar Style Fully Tuned Sitar

Black
50 x 11 x 13 cm
Ravi Shankar Style Fully Tuned Sitar Cover
INDIAN MAHARAJA Ravi Shankar Style Sitar - Half Decorated with Fibre Box

The Ravi Shankar Sitar is a professional quality instrument, fully tuned to ensure that you enjoy a magnificent acoustic sound. This sitar is designed in the style of the legendary Ravi Shankar, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced players. The craftsmanship delivers a rich tonal quality that enhances your musical experience. Additionally, it comes in a convenient fibre box, providing protection and ease of transport, so you can take your music wherever you go.

What We Like
Magnificent acoustic sound
Professional quality instrument
Convenient fibre box included
Fully tuned for ease of use
#TOP 9

Lightweight Hard Case for Persian Setar

Lightweight Hard Case for Persian Setar Cover
Hard Case for Persian Setar Sehtar Sitar

The SALA MÜZIK Hard Case is designed specifically for Persian Setars, measuring 88 cm in length and featuring a 16x16 cm bowl. Its lightweight construction, at just 1 kg, makes it incredibly easy to transport, ensuring you can take your instrument anywhere with minimal effort. The solid handle and shoulder strap provide convenient carrying options, allowing you to move around freely. Additionally, the suspension cushions keep your Setar safely centred and suspended, protecting it from potential damage during travel.

What We Like
Lightweight for easy travel
Convenient shoulder strap
Suspension cushions for protection
Suitable for various Persian Setars
#TOP 10

La Bella Sitar Plain Steel and Goldine Strings

La Bella
ST30
La Bella Sitar Plain Steel and Goldine Strings Cover
La Bella Sitar Plain Steel - Plain Goldine - Loop-Ends

The La Bella Sitar Strings boast excellent quality and performance, making them an ideal choice for sitar enthusiasts. With a combination of plain steel and plain golden alloy loop-ends, these strings offer a rich sound and durability. The carefully selected string gauges, including .012P and .016PG, enhance playability, allowing you to express your musicality effortlessly. Made in the USA, these strings come packaged with MAP Technology, ensuring they remain fresh and ready for your next performance.

What We Like
High-quality materials
Durable string options
Optimised for performance
Fresh packaging technology
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are sitars made from?

Sitar used by the Indian musician, Ravi Shankar. Made of teak, gourds (the two resonators), metal (the strings) and bone (the inlaid decoration). The sitar is a long-necked string instrument with both primary and supplementary strings, taughtened at the top of the neck by plugs.

2. How much does a sitar cost?

Sitars range in price from just about $300 to over $1,000 USD depending on brand name, quality of construction, condition, and other factors.

3. What does Chordophone mean in music?

chordophone, any of a class of musical instruments in which a stretched, vibrating string produces the initial sound. The five basic types are bows, harps, lutes, lyres, and zithers. The name chordophone replaces the term stringed instrument when a precise, acoustically based designation is required.

4. Is sitar difficult to learn?

The sitar has different strings for different tunes, as well as harp like "drone strings" that are not meant to be fretted, and tuning and even knowing the theory of the instrument is tough.

Editor's Notes

During our sitar research, we found 28 sitar products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,556 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sitars list. We found that most customers choose sitars with an average price of £88.41.

The sitars are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sitars, including Brass-India, Non - Branded, Sohrab, Terrapin Trading, Vadyam. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 43 consumers with an average rating of 4.2.

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.