Best 5 String Beginner Banjo (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Nov 1, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The Vangoa Banjo 5 String leads this list for new players: a full-size 38-inch banjo with a Remo head, a resonator back, a truss rod and a kit with a bag, tuner, strap, pickup, strings and picks. The Kmise weighs 9.9 lb, the AKLOT weighs 6.2 lb, the Pyle weighs 9.2 lb, and the Deering weighs less than 5 lb.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- New players who want a complete beginner kit: Vangoa Banjo 5 String Full Size Banjos See pick 1More picks: Best Banjo for Beginners
- New players who want an open or closed back option: Kmise Banjo 5 String Banjos See pick 2
- New players who want a bridge placement ruler included: AKLOT Full-Sized Banjo Set: 38’’ 5 String See pick 3
- New players who want a 39-inch banjo: Pyle 5 String Banjo See pick 4
- New players who want a banjo made in the USA: Deering Goodtime Deco 5-String Banjo See pick 5
Want the full range? Best Banjo ranks the top banjos for every buyer, or browse all 24 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Vangoa Banjo 5 String Full Size Banjos
- Resonator back
- Brackets not stated in the listing
- Case or gig bag included
- Strings: 5
It holds Best Overall with a Remo head, a resonator back, a mahogany neck and a full beginner kit in the box.
Who it suits
- New players who want a complete beginner kit
- Players who want a Remo head and resonator back
Skip it if
- You want a banjo longer than 38 inches
- You want a banjo under 6.2 lb
The banjo has a Remo drum head, a mahogany neck, sides and back, and a truss rod for adjusting string height. The kit holds a bag, a tuner, a strap, a pickup, extra strings and picks. It weighs 6.2 lb.
2Runner-Up
Kmise Banjo 5 String Banjos
- Resonator back
- Brackets not stated in the listing
- Case or gig bag included
- Strings: 5
- 6-month warranty stated
It earns Runner-Up with a removable resonator back, a chrome armrest and a padded gig bag in the kit.
Who it suits
- New players who want an open or closed back option
- Players who want a padded gig bag included
Skip it if
- You want a banjo under 9.9 lb
- You want a banjo under 38 inches
The banjo has a removable sapele back cover, an okoume neck and a polished chrome armrest. The kit holds a padded nylon gig bag, a shoulder strap, extra strings, a digital clip-on tuner, a polishing cloth, an allen wrench and metal finger picks. It weighs 9.9 lb and carries a 6-month warranty.
3Also Great
AKLOT Full-Sized Banjo Set: 38’’ 5 String
- Resonator back
- Brackets: 24
- Case or gig bag included
- Strings: 5
- 2 year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a Remo head, a removable resonator, a geared 5th tuner and 24 brackets.
Who it suits
- New players who want a bridge placement ruler included
- Players who want 24 brackets holding head tension
Skip it if
- You want a banjo under 6.2 lb
- You want a banjo longer than 38 inches
The banjo has a Remo drumhead, a mahogany resonator and neck, a purpleheart fretboard and a geared 5th tuner. The 24 brackets hold head tension, and the resonator comes off for an open back. The kit holds a thickened gig bag, a nylon strap, a digital tuner, extra strings, finger picks, a pickup, a bridge ruler, an instruction book, a tuning wrench, a wipe cloth and sandpaper. It weighs 6.2 lb and carries a 2-year warranty.
4Also Great
Pyle 5 String Banjo
- Resonator back
- Brackets: 24
- Case or gig bag included
- Strings: 5
- 1 year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a 39-inch body, a 13.2-inch Remo head and 24 chrome brackets.
Who it suits
- New players who want a 39-inch banjo
- Players who want 22 frets and a geared 5th peg
Skip it if
- You want a banjo under 9.2 lb
- You want a banjo shorter than 39 inches
The banjo has a 13.2-inch Remo head, 22 frets, 24 chrome brackets and a geared 5th string peg. The sapele resonator comes off for an open back, and the kit holds a zip-up gig bag, a shoulder strap, an extra string set, 3 banjo picks, a wall hanger, a wrench set and a cleaning cloth. It weighs 9.2 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
5Also Great
Deering Goodtime Deco 5-String Banjo
- Resonator back not stated in the listing
- Brackets not stated in the listing
- Strings: 5
- 6 year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a 3-ply maple rim, a steel coordinator rod and a 6-year warranty.
Who it suits
- New players who want a banjo made in the USA
- Players who want a 6-year warranty
Skip it if
- You want a banjo with more than 5 strings
- You want a banjo heavier than 5 lb
The banjo is made in the U.S.A. with a 3-ply violin grade maple rim, bronze powder hardware and art deco hardwood inlays and peghead engraving. A steel coordinator rod allows easy adjustments, and the banjo weighs less than 5 lb. It carries a 6-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Resonator back | Brackets | Case or gig bag included | Strings | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vangoa Banjo 5 String Full Size Banjos | Yes | Not stated | Yes | 5 | 6.2 lb | Not stated |
| Kmise Banjo 5 String Banjos | Yes | Not stated | Yes | 5 | 9.9 lb | 6-month |
| AKLOT Full-Sized Banjo Set: 38’’ 5 String | Yes | 24 | Yes | 5 | 6.2 lb | 2 year |
| Pyle 5 String Banjo | Yes | 24 | Yes | 5 | 9.2 lb | 1 year |
| Deering Goodtime Deco 5-String Banjo | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 5 | Not stated | 6 year |
How we ranked these banjos
Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Resonator back weight 2
- Brackets weight 1
- Case or gig bag included weight 1
Buying advice: 5 string beginner banjo
Check the resonator and the back
A resonator back closes the back of the banjo, while an open back leaves it open. The Kmise, AKLOT and Pyle banjos have a removable resonator, so one banjo covers both setups. The Vangoa banjo has a closed back with a resonator. Check whether the resonator comes off before buying, since only some kits list a removable back.
Count the kit contents before buying
Beginner kits differ in what comes in the box. The AKLOT kit holds a bridge ruler, an instruction book and sandpaper alongside the usual bag, strap, tuner, strings and picks. The Pyle kit holds a wall hanger with its bag, strap, strings, picks, wrench set and cleaning cloth. A tuner appears in the Vangoa, Kmise and AKLOT kits, and a strap and picks appear in the Vangoa, Kmise, AKLOT and Pyle kits.
Weigh the banjo and the warranty
Weights here run from less than 5 lb on the Deering to 9.9 lb on the Kmise, so check the weight if the banjo will be held for long sessions. Warranty terms also differ: the Deering carries a 6-year warranty, the AKLOT carries a 2-year warranty, the Pyle carries a 1-year warranty and the Kmise carries a 6-month warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Do beginner banjos come with a tuner?
The Vangoa, Kmise and AKLOT kits include a tuner. Compare the kit lists to see what else comes in each box.
What does a removable resonator do?
A removable resonator lets one banjo switch between a closed back and an open back. The Kmise, AKLOT and Pyle banjos list a removable resonator.
How many strings does a beginner banjo have?
All five banjos here have 5 strings. The AKLOT and Pyle banjos list a geared 5th tuner or peg.
Do these banjos include a gig bag?
The Vangoa, Kmise, AKLOT and Pyle kits include a bag.
Gear that goes with it
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Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Nov 1, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.