Do you dream of shredding solos like your favorite rock stars? Maybe you just want to strum a few cool riffs around a campfire. Whatever your musical ambition, an electric guitar is the key. But when you walk into a music store or browse online, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So many brands, shapes, and prices! It seems like choosing your very first electric guitar is almost as hard as learning your first power chord.
This confusion stops right now. Picking the wrong starter guitar can lead to frustration, making you want to quit before you even start. You need an instrument that feels good, sounds decent, and won’t empty your wallet. That’s exactly what we are here to fix.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down the essential features, explain confusing terms, and point you toward the best beginner electric guitars available today. By the time you finish reading, you will feel confident choosing the perfect axe to begin your musical journey.
Top Beginner Electric Guitar Recommendations
No. 1
Best Choice Products 39in Full Size Beginner Electric Guitar Starter Kit w/Case, Strap, 10W Amp, Strings, Pick, Tremolo Bar - Jet Black
- COMPLETE ALL-IN-ONE GUITAR KIT: No need to purchase any additional accessories, this all-inclusive set comes with an amplifier and cable, a nylon carrying case, extra strings, a pick, whammy bar, and a shoulder strap with an attached pick holder
- ULTIMATE BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE GUITAR: Your electric guitar set comes ready to play right out of the box and is custom designed and hand crafted to convert vibration to a electric sound for you to embellish with fun features
- CUSTOM DESIGN: New model features a quality paint finish, custom black tuning pegs, and accented binding for a sleek, sophisticated electric guitar look
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR SOUND: Rock out and experiment with different styles and genres of music with adjustable sound to play anything from blues to rock; the tremolo bridge system allows you to bend the pitch as you play or use the removable whammy bar
- QUALITY SOUND: Custom designed and hand crafted with a composite fretboard and maple neck to convert vibrations to a rich, rock sound in your guitar with 3 single coil pickups, a tremolo bridge system and a removable, matching color whammy bar; OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 39"(L) x 10.5"(W) x 2"(H)
No. 2
DONNER DST-80 Electric Guitar 39” Beginner Electric Guitar Kit with Amp, Classic SSS Pickup Complete with Gig Bag, Tuner, Capo, Strap, Picks, and Free Online Lessons
- COMPLETE BEGINNER’S PACKAGE：Open the box, and you’re ready to play. This beginner kits includes the DST-80 electric guitar, custom 5W amplifier, durable gig bag, capo, strap, extra strings, digital tuner, amp cable, picks, and access to free online lessons from Donner to help you grow and shine
- CUSTOM AMP FOR ANY GROOVE：The custom 5W amp offers Classic and Overdrive settings, plus a 1/8" auxiliary input to connect with media players or CDs for jamming along. It’s your ultimate sidekick for practice, parties, or performances
- CLASSIC TONES, ENDLESS ZONES：With its classic SSS pickup configuration and 5-way switch, this electric guitar delivers bright, dynamic tones—ideal for country, blues, and funk, and perfect for exploring timeless sounds. Tone and volume controls add versatility to match any style, helping you unlock your inner guitar legend
- BUILT FOR COMFORT：This beginner electric guitar features an ultra-slim, comfortable C-shaped neck and satin matte finish, plus an easy-to-use circuit system, premium pickguard, and vintage tremolo bridge for a smooth, natural feel
- PERFECT FOR ALL, UNIQUE FOR YOU：Whether for kids or adult, beginner or seasoned, this all-inclusive set is the ideal way to kickstart your rock journey. Crafted from premium Manchurian Ash with an open matte finish, each guitar is uniquely beautiful and makes an unforgettable present for any occasion, from Christmas to birthdays
No. 3
AKLOT Beginner Electric Guitar Kit: 10W Amp, Coil-Split HSS Pickups, Lesson Book, Roasted Maple Neck, Gig Bag, Tuner, Strap, Picks, Stryde Violet Venom
- Inspire Your Start: Every great guitarist starts somewhere—and Stryde is designed to be that unforgettable first. Whether you're just picking up music or reigniting an old dream, it makes that beginning feel exciting, achievable, and fun. With fat lows, snappy highs, and plenty of attack, this guitar doesn’t just play well—it sounds like something you want to keep playing. Because your first guitar shouldn’t just be functional—it should make you feel like a musician.
- Tone For Everyone: One guitar. So many sounds. With five pickup positions and a coil-split switch, Stryde unlocks a complete tone palette—from chime to growl. Coil-Split ON: 1st position (Neck): neck single-coil only. 2nd: neck + middle single-coil. 3rd: middle only. 4th: middle + both coils of the humbucker. 5th: full humbucker mode (both coils active). Coil-Split OFF: 1st: neck single-coil. 2nd: neck + middle. 3rd: middle. 4th: middle + split bridge coil. 5th: bridge split coil only. This gives you glassy cleans, funky mids, and punchy leads in one instrument. Perfect for classic rock, indie, funk, or whatever tone you're chasing today.
- Play Effortlessly Fast: Learning should feel natural—not like a fight. Stryde’s smooth roasted maple neck and jatoba fingerboard let your fingers move freely, with just the right grip and glide. It features nickel-silver frets for reliable durability, and the pairing with jatoba helps prevent warping and fret edge protrusion over time—no sharp ends, no discomfort. From open chords to blazing solos, you’ll feel ready for anything.
- Timeless Strat Sound: You’ve heard that sound a thousand times—bright, expressive, full of character. That’s the magic of a great Strat-style tone. With ceramic pickups in an HSS setup, Stryde delivers bell-like cleans, percussive mids, and a fat, saturated bridge drive. Whether you're laying down rhythm tracks or cutting a lead line, every position has a distinct, gig-ready voice.
- Built To Last: When you’re learning something new, you need gear that won’t let you down. Stryde’s roasted maple headstock resists warping, sealed chrome tuners keep your tuning tight, and the poplar body is light yet resonant. A chrome string retainer bar adds extra string pressure for stable tuning across bends and tremolo use. Just focus on playing—and let your guitar do the rest.
No. 4
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar, Beginner Guitar, with 2-Year Warranty, Includes Free Lessons, Black with Matte Finish
- One Squier Debut Series Stratocaster electric guitar – a perfect beginner guitar for all ages
- Designed by the most trusted name in guitar and backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
- This beginner guitar comes with a subscription to Fender Play that includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos to build your skills by playing the songs you love, all with no additional cost
- Designed for beginners, the Squier Debut Series Fender Stratocaster includes a super-comfortable "c" shaped neck, laurel fingerboard and thin, lightweight body for more comfort and playability.
- The Squier Debut Series Strat features three single-coil pickups with 5-way switching that offers a wide range of classic Strat tones, and the tremlolo bridge and removeable arm allows for excting string-bending effects
No. 5
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar Kit, Beginner Guitar Kit, with 2-Year Warranty, with Padded Gig Bag, Frontman 10G Amp, Strap, and More, Includes Free Lessons, Black
- One Squier Debut Series Stratocaster electric guitar, Frontman 10G amp, a padded gig bag, a strap, a cable, picks, a guitar stand, and an extra set of strings
- Designed by the most trusted name in guitar and backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
- This beginner guitar kit is perfect for all ages, and it comes with a free subscription to Fender Play which includes free lessons to build your skills by playing the songs you love
- Designed for beginners, the Squier Debut Series features the iconic Fender Stratocaster in three signature colors--Black, Dakota Red and 2-Tone Sunburst; this guitar includes a super-comfortable "c" shaped neck, laurel fingerboard and thin, lightweight body for more comfort and playability.
- The Squier Debut Series Strat features three single-coil pickups with 5-way switching that offers a wide range of classic Strat tones
No. 6
Enya XMARI Smart Electric Guitar with Built-in DSP Effects, 4 Presets, USB-C OTG Recording, Headphone Output, Custom Ceramic Pickups, Carbon Fiber Body, with Gig Bag, Strap, Cable & Picks
- A More Accessible Smart Electric Guitar: XMARI is an accessible smart electric guitar with 4 onboard presets (clean, overdrive, distortion, lead hi-gain), powered by a potent DSP and years of experience and talent in audio algorithms. Each preset can be easily customised through the ENYA MUSIC App. Gigging, recording, creating and noodling, this guitar does them all. Experience the true convenience and charm of smart guitars, but at a very accessible price point.
- Practical Connectivity: The XMARI smart electric guitar offers various but practical connectivity options: OTG recording to capture instant creative sparks; a Headphone Jack for your silent, solitary guitar time; Bluetooth for backing track playback; and a 6.35 mm output jack for any other proper guitar scenarios. The convenience provided by these connectivities is something that regular electric guitars would never offer.
- A Hybrid Build: The XMARI smart electric guitar is built out of 3 different materials: carbon fiber composite for the body, European maple for the neck, and Richlite for the fretboard. The combination of these 3 materials achieves a perfect balance among acoustic characteristics, overall resonance, and durability, which is unusual but practical and effective for electric guitars at this price level.
- A Solid Electric Guitar: In addition to the smart features, XMARI is a solid electric guitar. The super-strat configuration fits all music styles seamlessly. The custom ceramic SSH pickup set gets you from sparkling clean to roaring drive. 2-point locking tremolo bridge will add that extra flavor to your playing. Frets are all polished with round ends for a smooth hand feel. It's indeed a solid-built electric guitar.
- Complete Ready-to-Play Package: Everything you need to start playing is in the box: XMARI Guitar, Gig Bag, Strap, Picks, 6.35mm Audio Cable, Charging Cable, Extra Strings, Cloth, and Adjustment Wrench.
No. 7
AKLOT 36-inch Kids Electric Guitar: 3/4 Size Mini Electric Guitar Kit with Solid Body, 1.5 In Neck Width for Beginners, 10W Amp, Gig Bag, String, Strap, Cable, Picks,Lesson Book (SugarBlush Cream)
- Ignite Your Child’s Musical Journey: The AKLOT Brightlet Electric Guitar Kit comes complete with everything your child needs to start their musical journey: a 36-inch electric guitar, a 10W mini amplifier(with headphone jack for silent practice), gig bag, strap, capo, lesson book, user manual, 1/4in cable, pick, polishing cloth, and digital tuner. No extra purchases are required — just unbox and start playing!
- Perfect 36in Size for Kids: After extensive research and surveys with children of various body types, we’ve carefully crafted the 36-inch body of the AKLOT Brightlet, perfectly suited for American kids. This guitar offers the ideal balance of comfort and ease, sitting perfectly between the 30in and 39in sizes — not too short, not too long, making it the perfect fit for growing kids. We understand that a guitar that’s too short can lead to tuning instability, while one that’s too long can make practice feel overwhelming. That’s why we designed this 36-inch guitar to solve both problems, ensuring your child can learn and grow without feeling fatigued or frustrated.
- Narrower Nut Width (1.5-inch): Traditional kids' electric guitars typically have a 1.65-inch nut width, but we've designed ours with a 1.5-inch nut width, making it perfect for small hands. This design allows kids to comfortably grip the neck and easily reach the 5th and 6th strings. It enables them to play chords and notes comfortably without strain, making learning more enjoyable and efficient.
- Reliable Tuning Stability: The AKLOT Brightlet features solid tuning stability with its 22.83-inch scale length, hardtail bridge, and string tree. This scale length also reduces string tension, making the strings easier to press and play. For added versatility, you can swap out the strings for heavier gauges, such as 10-46 or 11-49, to increase string tension and achieve a different feel and tone. Whether your child is practicing at home or performing on stage, they can count on this guitar to stay in tune, even after long practice sessions. It's designed to make learning and playing more comfortable for young hands.
- The Perfect Gift for Any Occasion: Want to give a gift that keeps on giving? The AKLOT Brightlet is perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or any special occasion. Beyond just a guitar, it’s a gateway to creativity, helping your child discover their love for music, develop new skills, and experience the excitement of playing their own electric guitar — all while having fun.
No. 8
Best Choice Products 39in Full Size Beginner Electric Guitar Starter Kit w/Case, Strap, 10W Amp, Strings, Pick, Tremolo Bar - Hollywood Blue
- COMPLETE ALL-IN-ONE GUITAR KIT: No need to purchase any additional accessories, this all-inclusive set comes with an amplifier and cable, a nylon carrying case, extra strings, a pick, whammy bar, and a shoulder strap with an attached pick holder
- ULTIMATE BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE GUITAR: Your electric guitar set comes ready to play right out of the box and is custom designed and hand crafted to convert vibration to a electric sound for you to embellish with fun features
- CUSTOM DESIGN: New model features a quality paint finish, custom black tuning pegs, and accented binding for a sleek, sophisticated electric guitar look
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR SOUND: Rock out and experiment with different styles and genres of music with adjustable sound to play anything from blues to rock; the tremolo bridge system allows you to bend the pitch as you play or use the removable whammy bar
- QUALITY SOUND: Custom designed and hand crafted with a composite fretboard and maple neck to convert vibrations to a rich, rock sound in your guitar with 3 single coil pickups, a tremolo bridge system and a removable, matching color whammy bar; OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 39"(L) x 10.5"(W) x 2"(H)
The Beginner Electric Guitar Buying Guide: Strum Your First Riffs
Ready to plug in and rock out? Choosing your first electric guitar can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry! This guide breaks down what you need to know so you can pick the perfect starter axe without breaking the bank.
Key Features for Beginners
When you look at beginner electric guitars, focus on these important parts. These features make learning easier and more fun.
Playability and Comfort
- Neck Shape: Look for a “C” or “U” shaped neck. These shapes fit comfortably in most beginner hands. A thin neck is easier to grip when learning chords.
- Weight: Heavy guitars tire your shoulder quickly. Aim for a guitar that feels light enough to hold while standing for 30 minutes.
- Action: This is the string height above the fretboard. Low action means you press down less hard. High action hurts your fingers quickly. Good beginner guitars have decent, low action.
Electronics and Sound
- Pickups: Pickups capture the string vibration and turn it into sound. Beginners usually find guitars with Humbuckers (two coils) or a mix of Humbuckers and Single Coils (HSS setup) best. Humbuckers sound thick and are great for rock music.
- Tuners (Machine Heads): These knobs tune the strings. Good tuners hold the pitch well. Cheap tuners let the guitar go out of tune constantly. Test them gently to see if they move smoothly.
Important Materials Matter
The wood used in the guitar affects its sound and durability. You do not need the most expensive woods, but quality matters.
Body and Neck Wood
- Body: Most affordable guitars use woods like Basswood or Agathis. These woods keep the guitar light and produce a balanced tone. Solid wood bodies are better than laminated (layered) ones.
- Neck: Maple is the standard wood for necks. It is strong and resists warping.
Fretboard Material
The fretboard is where your fingers land. Rosewood and Maple are common. Rosewood feels smooth. Maple often has a clear, bright sound. Ensure the frets (the metal bars) are smooth and do not stick out the sides of the neck.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all budget guitars are built the same. A few small details show if a guitar is well-made or cheap.
Quality Boosters
- Finish: A smooth, even paint job shows attention to detail.
- Hardware: Metal parts (like the bridge and strap buttons) should feel solid, not flimsy.
- Setup: A professional setup makes a cheap guitar feel expensive. Many good brands offer a basic factory setup.
Quality Reducers
- Fret buzz (when the string hits a fret it shouldn’t) is a major quality reducer.
- Tuning instability means the guitar fights you instead of helping you learn.
- Rough edges on the neck or body frustrate new players.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about what kind of music you want to play first. This helps narrow your choices.
Styles and Shapes
- Stratocaster Style (S-Style): These are often versatile. They suit pop, blues, and light rock well. They usually feel comfortable sitting down.
- Les Paul Style (LP-Style): These usually have humbucker pickups, making them perfect for heavier rock and distortion. They can sometimes be a bit heavier.
Your first guitar should encourage you to pick it up every day. If it is too hard to play or sounds bad, you will likely quit. Choose an instrument that inspires you!
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Beginner Electric Guitars
Q: What is the absolute minimum budget I need for a decent starter electric guitar?
A: You should aim for a budget between $150 and $300 for a quality guitar package (sometimes including an amp). Anything much cheaper often leads to frustration.
Q: Do I need an amplifier right away?
A: Yes. Electric guitars produce very little sound without one. You need an amplifier and a cable to hear yourself properly and practice effectively.
Q: Should I buy a guitar package deal or separate pieces?
A: Package deals are convenient for beginners. They include the guitar, amp, cable, and picks. However, the included amp is often very basic. Separate purchases usually result in better quality but cost more.
Q: What is the difference between a Squier and an Epiphone?
A: Squier makes beginner versions of Fender guitars (like Stratocasters). Epiphone makes beginner versions of Gibson guitars (like Les Pauls). Both are excellent starting brands.
Q: How often should I tune my new guitar?
A: New guitars need tuning often, sometimes every time you play for the first few weeks. The strings stretch as they settle in. Once settled, tune it before every practice session.
Q: Do I need special strings for a beginner guitar?
A: Most beginners start with “light” gauge strings. These are thinner and easier to press down than heavy strings, saving your fingertips pain while building calluses.
Q: What is “fret buzz” and how do I fix it?
A: Fret buzz happens when a string vibrates against a metal fret bar when it should not. This usually means the action is too low or the neck needs adjustment. A guitar technician can fix this easily.
Q: Can I use my guitar for metal music right away?
A: Yes, if you choose a guitar with humbucker pickups (like an LP style). You will also need an amplifier capable of producing distortion or “overdrive” sounds.
Q: What size guitar should I buy if I am small or young?
A: Look for 3/4 size or “short scale” guitars. These have shorter necks and smaller bodies, making them much easier for smaller players to handle comfortably.
Q: Should I buy a used guitar as my first one?
A: Buying used saves money, but it is risky for a beginner. You cannot easily spot neck damage or wiring issues. If you buy used, take an experienced guitar player with you to check it first.