Button Accordion roundup
The Best Button Accordions for the Money
Getting good value from a button accordion purchase means matching the instrument's specification to what you actually intend to play, then spending enough — but only enough — to get reliable reeds, decent bellows and an action that rewards practice. Spending too little usually results in an instrument that discourages progress; spending on features you will not use for years wastes money better saved for lessons.
Entry Level: Under £250
At this price point, you are looking at basic single-row melodeons from Hohner (the Hohner Compadre range) and unbranded Chinese imports. Quality is variable. Hohner's entry models have a long production history and are playable out of the box, though the reed response at soft dynamics is limited compared with mid-range instruments. Chinese imports require careful checking before purchase — some are adequate for early practice, others are not. If buying at this level, use a reputable dealer who offers a returns policy.
Mid Range: £300–£700
This is where the choice significantly improves. The Hohner Corona II and the Weltmeister Achat are well-established instruments at the lower end of this range. Moving up toward the £500–700 mark, instruments from smaller Italian makers begin to appear — notably used Paolo Soprani and Castagnari models, which represent exceptional value when purchased from a specialist dealer or player upgrading to a higher-end instrument. An instrument in this category will last years and rarely needs anything beyond routine maintenance.
Professional Level: £800 and Above
Castagnari's Tommy and Ami models, Saltarelle instruments, and hand-crafted Italian diatonic accordions occupy this territory. For chromatic instruments, quality Weltmeister and Scandinavian-market instruments appear here. At this level, reed quality and consistency, bellows responsiveness and build finish are all significantly above the mid-range. A button accordion at this level suits players who are gigging or recording and need an instrument that performs reliably under repeated use. See the buyer's guide for the full purchasing checklist. The overview article explains all of the key design concepts, and the beginner's guide covers everything a new player needs to know.
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