Sleepy Man Banjos

Reviews

Banjo reviews

Hands-on verdicts from people who actually play. Each review covers tone, playability, build and who the banjo suits — so you can buy once and buy right.

Deering Goodtime 2 five-string resonator banjo
Best overall

Deering Goodtime 2

Deering · USA resonator
4.8/5
Editor's score
$679
Gold Tone CC-100R five-string resonator banjo
Best for beginners

Gold Tone CC-100R

Gold Tone · Maple resonator
4.6/5
Editor's score
$479
Recording King Dirty 30's five-string resonator banjo
Best value

Recording King Dirty 30's

Recording King · Resonator
4.5/5
Editor's score
$429
Deering Goodtime five-string open-back banjo
Best open-back

Deering Goodtime

Deering · USA open-back
4.7/5
Editor's score
$469
Epiphone MB-200 five-string resonator banjo
Budget resonator

Epiphone MB-200

Epiphone · Budget resonator
4.1/5
Editor's score
$349
Jameson five-string resonator banjo
Best budget

Jameson 5-String

Jameson · Budget resonator
3.9/5
Editor's score
$149
Ome Juniper five-string open-back banjo
Best boutique

Ome Juniper

Ome · Boulder, CO open-back
4.7/5
Editor's score
$2,500+
Gibson Mastertone five-string resonator banjo
The gold standard

Gibson Mastertone

Gibson · Bluegrass standard
4.9/5
Editor's score
$3,000+