Best 6 String Banjo (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through the Amazon links on this page costs you nothing extra. Full disclosure

The AKLOT 5-string banjo leads this list with a 38-inch full-size build, a Remo head and a removable resonator for open-back or closed-back playing. Its set adds a pickup, a tuner, a bag, a strap and picks for all levels.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	AKLOT 5-String Banjo Deluxe Set: 38-Inch Full-Size	Check on Amazon
2	Runner-Up	Vangoa LEFT-HANDED Banjo 5 String Mahogany Open	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	Stagg	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	Deering Goodtime Two Resonator 5-String Banjo	Check on Amazon
5	Also Great	LEVEL5 Semi-Automatic Drywall Banjo Taping Tool	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Players who want a removable resonator banjo: AKLOT 5-String Banjo Deluxe Set: 38-Inch Full-Size See pick 1
Left-handed players who want a mahogany banjo: Vangoa LEFT-HANDED Banjo 5 String Mahogany Open See pick 2
Players who want a 6-string banjo: Stagg See pick 3
Beginners who want a resonator banjo for bluegrass: Deering Goodtime Two Resonator 5-String Banjo See pick 4More picks: Best Banjo for Bluegrass
Drywall finishers who want an aluminum taping tool: LEVEL5 Semi-Automatic Drywall Banjo Taping Tool See pick 5More picks: Best Banjo for Drywall

Want the full range? Best Banjo ranks the top banjos for every buyer, or browse all 24 guides.

The 5 picks, ranked

1Best Overall

AKLOT 5-String Banjo Deluxe Set: 38-Inch Full-Size

Resonator back
Case or gig bag included
Strings: 5
1-year warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall with a Remo head, a removable resonator and a 38-inch full-size build.

Who it suits

Players who want a removable resonator banjo
Players who want a complete accessory set

Skip it if

You want more than 5 strings
You want a banjo under 6.4 lb in weight

A Remo head with 24 brackets sits on a 38-inch full-size banjo with a tiger-striped okoume arched back. The resonator fits for focused forward sound or removes for open-back playing, and a three-piece Nato neck carries a rosewood fretboard. The set adds a padded gig bag, a nylon strap, a digital tuner, spare strings, a pickup and a bridge, and it carries a 1-year warranty.

2Runner-Up

Vangoa LEFT-HANDED Banjo 5 String Mahogany Open

Resonator back
Brackets: 24
Case or gig bag included
Strings: 5

9.5Spec score View on Amazon

It holds Runner-Up with a left-handed mahogany build, a Remo head and 24 brackets.

Who it suits

Left-handed players who want a mahogany banjo
Beginners who want a beginner kit with a manual

Skip it if

You want more than 5 strings
You want a banjo under 8 lb in weight

A left-handed mahogany full-size banjo with a removable arched resonator gives a Remo Weatherking frosted head with 24 chrome brackets. A geared 5th string peg with a white jade knob joins an adjustable truss rod for neck adjustments. The beginner kit adds a manual, tuners, spare strings, fingerpicks, a cleaning cloth, a wrench and a pickup.

3Also Great

Stagg

Resonator back not stated in the listing
Case or gig bag included not stated in the listing
Strings: 6
1 year warranty stated

9.2Spec score View on Amazon

It holds Also Great with 6 strings, a mahogany body and a rosewood fingerboard.

Who it suits

Players who want a 6-string banjo
Players who want a rosewood fingerboard

Skip it if

You want more than 6 strings
You want a banjo with 5 strings

A mahogany banjo with 6 strings gives a rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays and a coordinator rod. A maple bridge with an ebony saddle completes the setup, and it carries a 1-year warranty.

4Also Great

Deering Goodtime Two Resonator 5-String Banjo

Resonator back
Case or gig bag included not stated in the listing
Strings: 5
One year warranty stated

9.1Spec score View on Amazon

It holds Also Great with a resonator, a 3-ply maple rim and a 6-pound build.

Who it suits

Beginners who want a resonator banjo for bluegrass
Players who want a lightweight 6-pound banjo

Skip it if

You want more than 5 strings
You want a banjo under 6 lb in weight

A resonator banjo with a 3-ply violin grade maple rim gives a Remo top frosted head with hardwood bowtie inlays. Light gauge loop end strings ring over a maple body, and the banjo weighs 6 pounds. It is made in the USA and carries a one-year warranty.

5Also Great

LEVEL5 Semi-Automatic Drywall Banjo Taping Tool

Resonator back not stated in the listing
Case or gig bag included not stated in the listing
Strings: 5

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

It holds Also Great with an aircraft-grade aluminum body, a flow gate and a tape cutter.

Who it suits

Drywall finishers who want an aluminum taping tool
Users who want a flow gate with a tape cutter

Skip it if

You want a tool under 5.9 lb in weight
You want a taping tool with 2 tape cutters

A semi-automatic drywall taping tool with an aircraft-grade aluminum body applies joint compound and tape over flat drywall seams. A flow gate with an integrated tape cutter adjusts the compound flow, and a hinged cover opens wide for cleaning. Anodized surfaces resist corrosion, and the tool weighs 5.9 pounds.

Side by side

Product	Resonator back	Brackets	Case or gig bag included	Strings	Weight	Warranty
AKLOT 5-String Banjo Deluxe Set: 38-Inch Full-Size	Yes	Not stated	Yes	5	6.4 lb	1-year
Vangoa LEFT-HANDED Banjo 5 String Mahogany Open	Yes	24	Yes	5	8 lb	Not stated
Stagg	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	6	Not stated	1 year
Deering Goodtime Two Resonator 5-String Banjo	Yes	Not stated	Not stated	5	6 lb	one year
LEVEL5 Semi-Automatic Drywall Banjo Taping Tool	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	5	5.9 lb	Not stated

How we ranked these banjos

Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and 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: 6 string banjo

Count strings before you buy

String count decides the playing style a banjo supports. The AKLOT, Vangoa and Deering banjos give 5 strings each, and the Stagg gives 6 strings. The LEVEL5 pick is a drywall taping tool, not a musical instrument, so set it aside when shopping for an instrument. Check the string count on each pick against the style you play.

Compare resonator and open backs

A resonator reflects sound forward, while an open back spreads sound in all directions. The AKLOT resonator fits for focused forward sound or removes for open-back playing, and the Vangoa resonator removes for a mellower open-back tone. The Deering gives a resonator for projection of sound. Match the back style to the playing setting you use most.

Weigh kits, weight and warranty

Kits decide what else arrives with the banjo. The AKLOT set adds a gig bag, a strap, a tuner, spare strings, a pickup and a bridge, and the Vangoa kit adds a manual, tuners, strings, fingerpicks and a pickup. Weight also differs: the AKLOT weighs 6.4 pounds, the Vangoa weighs 8 pounds, and the Deering weighs 6 pounds. The AKLOT and Stagg carry a 1-year warranty, and the Deering carries a one-year warranty.

Frequently asked questions

Which pick here is a 6-string banjo?

The Stagg gives 6 strings with a mahogany body, a rosewood fingerboard and a maple bridge with an ebony saddle. The AKLOT, Vangoa and Deering picks give 5 strings each, so choose the Stagg for a 6-string setup.

What does a resonator do on a banjo?

A resonator reflects sound forward for a focused tone, and removing it gives an open-back tone. The AKLOT resonator fits or removes for two tones, and the Vangoa resonator removes for a mellower open-back tone.

Is the LEVEL5 pick a musical banjo?

No. The LEVEL5 pick is a semi-automatic drywall taping tool that applies joint compound and tape over drywall seams.

What comes with the AKLOT banjo set?

The AKLOT set adds a padded gig bag, a nylon strap, a digital tuner, spare strings, a metal finger guard, a pickup, a bridge and a beginner's guidebook. It also adds a tuning key, a polishing cloth, sandpaper and an accessory pouch.