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Looking for the best cellos for beginners? Want to find the best student cello?
The cello is a beautiful instrument that can also be a lot of fun to play. If you want to get started with this unique and gorgeous instrument then you need to find a high-quality cello that is ideal for learning. Learning the cello can be tricky but it can also be very rewarding once you get a handle on it.
While cellos can be pretty pricey, there are some great options out there that are affordable and that provide everything a beginner needs to get started.
Lucky for you, we’re here to assist. Below we’ll give you our list of the best cellos for beginners.
Top Cellos For Students – Quick View
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Cecilio CCO-100 Student Cello | Check Price on Amazon |
 | D Z Strad Cello Model 101 Student Cello | Check Price on Amazon |
 | D'Luca MC100 Student Cello | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Eastar EVC-1 4/4 Acoustic Cello | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Cecilio CCO-500 Student Cello | Check Price on Amazon |
How Much Do Cellos Cost?
If you’ve looked at the available cellos that are on the market today, then you may have realized that there’s a wide price range that you can choose from. Fortunately, student cellos are more affordable and may only cost you a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars.
Mid-range cellos can cost $2,000 or more while the highest-quality professional cellos can cost over $10,000.
Student Vs Professional Cellos
Although you can play the same notes on cellos of any quality level including beginner, intermediate, and professional instruments, there are some differences between each of these. Here’s a basic overview of each level of the cello:
- Beginner: Beginner cellos are aimed towards a student demographic and will be machine-made rather than hand-crafted. While they may not sound as nice as professional instruments, most beginners won’t notice the difference. The price will also be much lower, so players of any budget can afford them.
- Intermediate: Intermediate cellos feature higher-quality woods and the craftsmanship will be a bit more involved compared to beginner cellos. This is a great choice of cello for players who already have some experience under their belt and want to advance to the next level of instrument tone and playability.
- Professional: Professional cellos are constructed with the utmost level of care and will feature expensive wood and professional setup. These cellos will have been handcrafted with high attention to detail and the level of craftsmanship will be much more advanced compared to student cellos.
What Size Cello Should a Beginner Buy?
If you’re a beginner cello student, you’ll want to think carefully about the size of the cello you purchase when starting out. Typically, you’ll want to take your age into consideration when choosing a cello as well as the length of your arm, your finger span, and your height.
Generally speaking, here are the cello sizes that a student should choose based on their age:
- 1/10: Ideal for children who are between 4 and 6 years old
- 1/8: Ideal for children who are between 5 and 7 years old
- 1/4: Ideal for children who are between 7 and 9 years old
- 1/2: Ideal for kids who are between 9-11 years old
- 3/4: Ideal for kids who are between 11-15 years old
- 7/8: Ideal for teens older than 15 and adults with smaller hands
- 4/4: Ideal for most adult players
Best Cellos For Beginners – REVIEWED
Ready to see our top cello recommendations? Here’s our list.
1. Cecilio CCO-100 Student Cello
The first cello on our list is the Cecilio CCO-100 Student Cello. This is the best beginner cello you’re likely to find today.
The Cecilio CCO-100 is a full-size cello that has a great looking natural look and a luster varnish finish. While the price is very reasonable, it also offers a surprising level of quality. The cello has a spruce top that is also crack-proof and doesn’t take damage too easily.
If you want the full package, this is a great cello to consider because it comes with a full set of accessories including a bow, rosin, horsehair, and strings. The cello also comes with a padded case that is very lightweight and super easy to carry. This instrument offers everything a beginner is likely to need to start playing the instrument.
2. D Z Strad Cello Model 101 Student Cello
The D Z Strad Cello Model 101 Student Cello is the next instrument on our list of the best cellos for students. This is a hand-oil-varnished student cello that simply looks great. The cello has an antique look due to its dark, red gold lacquer finish. Additionally, the cello includes a Brazilwood bow made of authentic white horsehair.
This cello can be bought in full size or in a variety of smaller versions as well, so you’ll be able to find the perfect size for your needs. You’ll be happy to learn that this cello has a nice low tone that sounds pretty great overall.
While this cello is very high-quality, it’s also pretty expensive compared to some other student cellos that are out there. However, for anybody who wants a top-of-the-line student cello, this D Z Strad instrument makes a great choice.
3. D’Luca MC100 Student Cello
The D’Luca MC100 Student Cello is another great cello for students and beginners. The D’Luca MC100 is a cello that has a beautiful look and is sure to turn heads. It’s available in 4/4, 3/4, 1/4, and 1/2 size versions.
The cello has sides, a back, and a neck made of maple and also features a nice-looking rosewood fingerboard. This cello boasts plenty of durabilities and is built well.
This cello comes with a great accessories package that is perfect for beginners and students. Accessories include a chromatic tuner, a horsehair bow, and a rosin cake.
While this is a bit of a pricier cello, it’s one of the best student cellos out there and its quality will be well worth it for serious beginners.
4. Eastar EVC-1 4/4 Acoustic Cello
The Easter EVC-1 Acoustic Cello is another great product for beginners. Although this is a relatively cheap cello, it offers a high level of quality and is built well.
This is a 4/4 full-size acoustic cello that features a natural matte varnish and has a gorgeous body. It also has spruce wood panels along with maple backboards and side plates.
The EVC-1 is a handmade instrument that was made with quality materials and also offers players a full and clean, resonant sound. Beginners will love this instrument as it offers superior playability and comes with everything students will need to get started. The instrument comes with a Mongolian horsehair bow, rosin, extra strings, and a variety of other accessories.
If you’re looking for the best cello for beginners, you need to give this one a serious look. Beginners who want to start playing the cello can’t find many packages that offer better value than this one.
5. Cecilio CCO-500 4/4 Beginner Cello
Another offering by Cecilio, the Cecilio CCo-500 4/4 Cello is the last on our list of the best cellos for beginners and students.
This beautiful beginner cello offers a great quality build at a really reasonable price. The instrument has a great natural wood color and high-luster varnish and boasts a really nice-looking appearance.
The instrument features a flamed maple construction along with a hand-carved solid spruce top. The fingerboard and pegs of this cello feature ebony construction and have a great feel to them. This cello comes with plenty of extras including a hard and soft case along with a bow, rosin, bridge, cello stand, and extra strings.
While this cello is slightly pricier than the other Cecilio cello mentioned above, it’s still a great choice for a student cellist overall.
Deciding on the Ideal Instrument for Your Needs
If you’re looking for the best cellos for beginners, you need to take a hard look at the instruments listed above. These are some of the best cellos on the market today and each offers quite a bit to the student player.
Looking for a great violin instead? Check out our list of the best fiddles and violins for beginners now.
Hi, I’m Harrison! I created this website to help musicians navigate the ins and outs of their craft and to help them choose new instruments and gear to add to their collection. I have 15 years of experience as a guitarist and singer and have also played many other instruments throughout the years including the bass guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica.