When discussing acoustic instruments, there tends to be a lot of talk about tonewoods, and the best beginner classical guitars are no exception. The wood from which an instrument is made has an impact on what it sounds like. Solid wood vibrates more freely so resonates better and sounds richer. Laminated or layered wood doesn’t quite sound as good but is usually cheaper.
Some of the best beginner classical guitars feature a solid top, with layered back and sides. This is a nice balance between good sound and affordability.
The two most common tops you’ll see here are spruce and cedar. Spruce tends to be brighter sounding, and can project really well. You'll get a good amount of clarity and note separation – it’s also lighter in color so will be different visually. Cedar is often fuller and warmer, or darker sounding. It’s also usually very responsive so will react to whatever your plucking/picking hand is doing, making it a popular choice for beginner guitars.