The Best Electric Guitars for Beginners

Choosing an electric guitar as a beginner—or for the beginner in your life—is no small task. With so many choices on the market, it can be difficult to discern what the best electric guitars for beginners are, compared to those better left on the shelf. We’ve collected over a dozen excellent picks, including traditional, tried-and-true models, as well as a handful of vibey instruments with effortless cool for virtually endless beginner inspiration.

Comparing the Best Electric Guitars for Beginners

Pricing as of July 2026*

The Best Electric Guitars for Beginners

Squier Sonic Stratocaster Limited-Edition Electric Guitar Pack

Why We Picked It: Including a guitar, amp and essential accessories, the Squier Sonic Stratocaster guitar pack has everything needed to get going.   

Key Features:

• Slim, player-friendly C-shaped neck

• Lightweight body for comfortable practice

• Six-saddle, vintage-style tremolo

Shop Now: Squier Sonic Stratocaster Limited-Edition Electric Guitar Pack With Fender Frontman 10G Amp

The Squier Sonic Stratocaster is the perfect entry-level instrument for fledgling musicians, sporting the iconic style and sound of one of the world’s most popular guitars. Its lightweight body and smoothly playable neck with narrow-tall frets encourage comfortable, extended practice sessions, particularly as you’re getting familiar with the instrument in the earliest stages. Using more affordable wood, pickups and hardware makes this a more budget-friendly, but no less inspiring, guitar than a Fender. This limited-edition pack features the Squier Sonic Strat, a Frontman 10G amplifier, instrument cable, strap, soft case and picks.

Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster

Why We Picked It: Squier’s Affinity Series Stratocaster offers a few refinements over the Sonic Strat, while keeping the cost appropriate for beginners.

Key Features:

• Lightweight poplar body

• Inviting C-shaped neck

• Modern two-point Synchronized Tremolo

Shop Now: Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar in Olympic White

Next up in the Squier line is the Affinity Series Stratocaster. While similar to the Sonic Strat above, the Affinity Series version features medium-jumbo frets and a more contemporary two-point Synchronized Tremolo bridge for superior action and tuning stability. Olympic White is also an attractive, classic Fender finish, sure to provoke a new generation of musicians to create with a legendary guitar in their hands. This top-reviewed model is a player favorite, gathering a cumulative score of 4.79/5 stars.

Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster

Why We Picked It: The Squier Classic Vibe series is a favorite among beginners and veterans—the ’50s Telecaster is certainly no exception.

Key Features:

• Inspired by the earliest Telecaster models from the 1950s

• Fully designed by Fender, including the pickups

• Vintage-tint gloss neck finish captures a tastefully aged vibe

Shop Now: Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar in White Blonde

The Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Telecaster in White Blonde is an incredible looking, feeling and sounding guitar, regardless of what stage you’re at in your playing career. Vintage-style appointments really help this model stand out against other beginner-friendly instruments, and its aesthetic alone is enough to inspire you to pick it up and play. With a slim C-shaped neck, 9.5" fretboard radius, narrow-tall frets and Fender-designed alnico single coils, the Classic Vibe ’50s Tele is easy to play and sounds like a guitar twice the price. A professional guitar tech compelled to leave a review noted, “This Tele is a great guitar for the price, and I would stack it up against any other Tele in quality.”

Fender Player II Stratocaster

Why We Picked It: Fender’s Player II Stratocaster is part of the long-standing, wildly popular Made in Mexico import line for beginning and intermediate guitarists.

Key Features:

• Modern C neck

• Alnico 5 single coil pickups in SSS configuration

• Smooth-action, two-point Synchronized Tremolo

Shop Now: Fender Player II Stratocaster Rosewood Fingerboard Electric Guitar in 3-Color Sunburst

A step up from the previous Squier models and a stellar instrument for beginners who are serious about guitar, the Fender Player II Stratocaster delivers upgraded wood, pickups, hardware and construction. Featuring modern Player Series Alnico 5 single coils, a fluidly playable Modern C neck with rolled fret edges and ultrastable ClassicGear tuning machines, the Player II Strat is a contemporary take on an immortal design. It still looks the part of a timeless guitar, but there are thoughtful modernizations appealing to today’s beginners and intermediates.

Fender Player II Telecaster

Why We Picked It: Classic country/rock twang meets modern innovation in the Fender Player II Telecaster.

Key Features:

• Modern C neck with rolled fret edges

• Player Series Alnico 5 Tele single-coil pickups

• Made in Mexico at the famous Ensenada factory

Shop Now: Fender Player II Telecaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar in Black

If you prefer the look and sound of a T-type guitar, the Player II Telecaster is an ideal entry into the Fender family. Its modified alnico single coils capture classic Tele essence, though they’re a little more powerful and growly to keep up with modern trends in rock ’n’ roll sonics. The string-through-body hardtail bridge and ClassicGear tuning machines offer stability in spades and pitch-perfect intonation, so you’ll spend more time playing and less time tuning. For the beginner or intermediate guitarist, the Fender Player II Telecaster is a standout choice.

Epiphone Les Paul Modern Pro

Why We Picked It: The Epiphone Les Paul Modern Pro is a Guitar Center exclusive, and it boasts a tremendous performance-to-value ratio.  

Key Features:

• Epiphone Alnico Classic pickups with push/pull coil splitting

• Solid mahogany body and maple top for classic LP tone

• Fast-playing, ’60s C-shaped SlimTaper neck profile

Shop Now: Epiphone Les Paul Modern Pro Electric Guitar in Metallic Gold

For new players looking to get their hands on a quality, affordable LP-style guitar, the Epiphone Les Paul Modern Pro is a strong contender for title of “best beginner single-cutaway classic.” It all starts with the solid mahogany body, maple top and set mahogany neck, constructing the timeless foundation on which legendary Les Paul tone is built. Open-coil, “zebra” Epiphone Alnico Classic humbuckers have a voice born for rock, and advanced electronics offer more tonal options than a standard Les Paul. Cream-colored plastics and a subtle worn finish also give this guitar the aesthetic appeal of a treasured vintage guitar.

Epiphone Casino

Why We Picked It: The Epiphone Casino has been a best-selling rock standard since 1961, made famous by the likes of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Howlin’ Wolf, Keith Richards, Noel Gallagher, Josh Homme and many others. 

Key Features:

• SlimTaper C-shaped neck profile

• Epiphone PRO P-90 pickups

• Uniquely voiced guitar for first-time players

Shop Now: Epiphone Casino Hollowbody Electric Guitar in Natural

The Stratocaster and Les Paul are ubiquitous choices among beginners, but the Epiphone Casino hollowbody is a discerning, tasteful pick. This thinline hollowbody is light and acoustically loud, making it not only comfortable to wield, but versatile enough to be practiced on without an amp. Plugged in, Epiphone PRO P-90 pickups offer the clarity of single coils and the richness of humbuckers—a distinct voice outside the norm. The worn matte stain gives the Casino a gorgeous look, too.

PRS SE CE24 Standard

Why We Picked It: The PRS SE CE24 is the most affordable Classic Electric (CE) model so far, known for its bolt-on neck construction and famed Paul Reed Smith playability.   

Key Features:

• Made-in-Indonesia model based on the flagship Custom 24

• PRS 85/15 “S” pickups with three-way toggle and push/pull tone knob

• Wide Thin neck carve with 10" radius

Shop Now: PRS SE CE24 Standard Satin Electric Guitar in Metallic Gold

The PRS SE CE24 Standard Satin is a pared-down Custom 24, combining design and manufacturing practices from import Student Edition (SE) models and their bolt-neck Classic Electric guitars. A top-notch axe for beginners, the SE CE24 features a PRS Patented tremolo, PRS-designed tuners and custom 85/15 “S” humbuckers boasting deep lows and soaring highs. Its thin satin finish lets the mahogany body resonate naturally. Fitted with a snappy, articulate bolt-on maple neck, the instrument is responsive and engaging to play. Overall, the PRS SE CE24 Standard Satin outclasses its price, and according to reviews, 100% of players would recommend one to a friend.

Jackson Dinky JS22

Why We Picked It: One of the most recognized Superstrat silhouettes of all time, the Jackson Dinky JS22 outfits metalheads with a killer starter guitar.  

Key Features:

• Famously undersized 7/8-scale Dinky body suits smaller players

• 12–16" compound-radius fretboard

• High-output ceramic Jackson humbuckers

Shop Now: Jackson Dinky JS22 DKA Arch Top Electric Guitar in Snow White

Born in 1986, the Jackson Dinky has been a shredder’s dream since day one, and the JS22 DKA brings high-octane playability and snarling saturated sounds to beginners on a budget. It’s never been easier to take home the iconic looks and feel of a genuine Dinky. The JS22 sports an arched-top poplar body, 24-fret amaranth fingerboard with aggressive sharkfin inlays and the iconic pointed Jackson headstock. Its synchronized fulcrum tremolo bridge provides just enough play for stylish flutters and bends, and it’s much easier for beginners to maintain than a floating system. The Jackson Dinky JS22 DKA is great for aspiring riff monsters—a consensus reached by 81 customers who’ve considered this a top-rated guitar at 4.49 stars.

Jackson JS22 Surfcaster

Why We Picked It: The Jackson JS22 Surfcaster is a sleeper rocking an old-school offset shape, but it’s built for all-out speed.  

Key Features:

• 22-fret, compound-radius neck

• Three-position pickup selector

• Hot humbuckers offer scorching tone

Shop Now: Jackson JS Series JS22 Surfcaster Electric Guitar in Snow White

The JS22 Surfcaster combines vintage aesthetics with signature Jackson performance suited to hard rock and metal players. Featuring a 12"–16" compound-radius fretboard, you can comfortably form chords and shred leads with equal ease anywhere on the neck. Sonically, the Surfcaster is fully outfitted for screaming high gain, but rolling off the volume knob cleans up its powerful humbuckers for softer styles of music, too. The Jackson JS22 Surfcaster’s timeless charm and contemporary playability make it a modern classic.        

Ibanez GIO GRGR131EX

Why We Picked It: The Gio GRGR131EX makes a bold monochromatic statement for extreme metal enthusiasts seeking elite Ibanez playability.     

Key Features:

• Unique purpleheart fingerboard wood

• Reverse headstock and upside-down sharktooth inlays look sharp

• Fixed bridge is easy on beginners for string changes

Shop Now: Ibanez GIO GRGR131EX GRG Series Electric Guitar in Flat Black

The Ibanez Gio series mission statement claims “a guitar doesn’t have to cost a bundle to sound good.” They seemingly forgot to add “and look great,” because the Ibanez GRGR131EX is one of the sleekest, meanest all-black metal guitars around, and it’s aimed at new players. Armed with a pair of Infinity R humbuckers, there are sundry tones on tap, including searing high gain and even Strat-like split-coil quack. Additionally, one of the greatest revelations to beginners is discovering drop D tuning. The reverse headstock in this case increases tension on the lowest string, keeping it tight and articulate should you decide to tune down.

Ibanez AZ Essentials AZES40

Why We Picked It: The Ibanez AZES40 caters directly to beginner and intermediate guitarists through a bevy of player-friendly appointments.  

Key Features:

• Rounded saddles eliminate sharp edges on the tremolo

• 25" scale length and 10" fretboard radius

• HSS pickup configuration for tonal variation

Shop Now: Ibanez AZ Essentials Electric Guitar in Purist Blue

Featuring a lightweight, contoured poplar body, a fast, semi-slim maple neck and a deep cutaway granting access to the upper frets, the Ibanez AZES40 is designed as an accessible instrument for players at any level. Outfitted with an Ibanez Accord humbucker at the bridge and a pair of Essentials single coils wired to the dyna-MIX9 switching system, there isn’t much this guitar can’t do tonally. It also sports an expressive T106 tremolo system with specially made round saddles, so there are no jagged metal pieces sticking out to snag your picking hand. One reviewer summed it up perfectly: “I’m a guitar snob … This is my most highly recommended starter guitar for a new or intermediate guitar player.”

Gretsch G5237 Electromatic Double Jet FT

Why It’s Cool: Another Guitar Center exclusive, the Gretsch G5237 brings inimitable style and tone to guitarists shopping for their first or second instrument.

Key Features:

• Eye-catching Surf Green finish with a painted white back

• Resonant chambered mahogany body

• Punchy, clear Black Top Filter’Tron pickups

Shop Now: Gretsch Guitars G5237 Electromatic Double Jet FT Electric Guitar in Surf Green and White

The Gretsch G5237 Electromatic Double Jet FT immediately grabs attention with its vibrant Surf Green finish and one-of-a-kind styling. Rev it up and go with a pair of Black Top Filter’Tron humbuckers, creating a quintessential Gretsch voice that’s wide, transparent, balanced and biting. Each pickup has its own dedicated volume knob, in addition to the master volume, so you can dial in an ideal blend of each for whatever sound you crave. The Gretsch G5237 electric guitar also has a shorter 24.6" scale length and middle-of-the-road 12" radius for additional beginner comfort and accessibility.

A Note on Maintaining Your Electric Guitar

Routine electric guitar maintenance is an easy way to ensure it always plays and sounds its best. Before you even get into the habit of changing strings, you can be proactive about their lifespan off the shelf by keeping them clean between sessions. When you eventually perform a string swap, there’s also the opportunity to clean and condition the fretboard. Check out Five Ways to Care for Your Electric Guitar for more basic, everyday tips—no experience necessary.

If you find your guitar’s factory setup leaves something to be desired, we’d also recommend having your beginner electric dialed in by one of our expert Repairs technicians. This is a surefire way to get it playing optimally out of the gate. A poor setup is an unnecessary obstacle, especially when you’re new to the instrument. 

As far as storing and transporting your brand-new electric is concerned, matching it to a proper hard case is the single best way to ensure its protection. We’ve also put together a complete guide showcasing the best cases for electric guitar.

Finally, though not directly related to maintenance or your guitar’s longevity, there is the consideration of amps. An amplifier allows you to plug your electric in, and it does a lot of the tonal heavy lifting. For beginners, a small, relatively inexpensive practice amp is ideal. Feel free to peruse How To Choose the Best Small Guitar Amplifier for a more in-depth look.

Time to Crank Out the Jams

Starting your journey with the electric guitar can be a little overwhelming. We’ve compiled many of our favorites—the best looking, sounding and playing guitars—to help you narrow the search. Whether you’re hoping to dive into the deep end of hard rock and metal with a Superstrat-style instrument, or explore the timeless sounds of a Strat, Tele or Les Paul, we’d encourage you to browse these choice picks from top brands.

Now, with an electric guitar in hand, you’ll also need several essentials. Don’t forget to check out amplifiers, tuners, instrument cables, picks and other accessories, so you’re fully equipped to embark on your musical voyage. Whatever you need, we have it.

Most importantly, you’re also encouraged to try out as many beginner electrics as you can at your local Guitar Center. Even if you plan to buy online, understanding the difference in feel (neck profiles, materials, fret size, etc.) and sound (single coil versus humbucker, for example) is critical to helping you decide. Our store Associates would be more than happy to assist, and you can also reach out to a Gear Adviser for a personalized online shopping experience.

If you really want to take an outstanding starter guitar over the top, you can have it professionally set up by a Guitar Center Repairs technician for maximum playability. When you’re all geared out, lessons are also available to get you up to speed.