What is the best beginner electric guitar? 

There are plenty of them out there, but you should familiarize yourself with their features and with what each guitar is capable of before deciding. Do you need something that’s lightweight and scaled down in size to make it more manageable to hold? Or are you interested in the bold sound of a full-size electric guitar, regardless of what it weighs? 

Once you know which features are most important to you, you’ll be better able to tell the top brands apart. Here’s what we recommend:

Top 10 Best Beginners Electric Guitars

1. Ibanez 6-String Solid Body Electric Guitar
2. Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster
3. Ibanez GRG 7-String Solid Body
4. Best Choice Electric Guitar Bundle
5. Squier by Fender Bullet Mustang in Blue
6. Squier by Fender Mini Stratocaster in Pink
7. Epiphone Les Paul Starter Pack
8. Donner DLP-124S Electric Guitar Bundle
9. Ibanez GRGM21BKN 3/4 Size Electric Guitar
10. Donner DST 1BL Left-Handed Electric

Our Top Pick of Best Beginnners Electric Guitar

1. Ibanez 6-String Solid Body Electric Guitar — $199.99

Low-profile bridges and distinct Ibanez design make the solid-body GRX a serious instrument for the beginning guitarist.

• Purpleheart fingerboard 
• Pearl inlay
• Classic Ibanez construction
• Slim neck for easier play

Beautiful Beginner Guitar at a Pleasing Price Point

This litte GRX is fully comparable to much pricier guitars and is backed by the iconic Ibanez brand. Beautiful sound and eye-catching design will please guitarists of most skill levels, including the novice. 

Pros

• Transparent quilted art body is available in blue burst, red burst, or black sunburst
• HSH pickup configuration offers variety of sound with no muddiness
• Medium-size frets simplify play
• Fat-6 tremolo bridge

Cons

• Solid body may be weighty for smaller players
• Hard case, amp, and cable not included

The Best of the Rest Beginner Electric Guitars

2. Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster — $199.99

Anything carrying the Fender name is a sure thing, and the Fender Squier Bullet Strat was designed with beginning players in mind. This bundle includes the iconic classic-inspired guitar, along with a nice assortment of accessories

• C-shaped neck
• Three single-coil pickups 
• 5-way switch
• Hardtail bridge

A Little Strat With a Big Voice

Get that famed Fender sound and classic look with the Bullet Stratocaster that’s perfectly designed for smaller players but suitable for every musician. 

Pros

• 21 medium jumbo frets for easy finger picking
• Includes gig bag, strap, tuner, and more
• Vintage styling
• Includes free trial of Fender Play

Cons

• Hard case, amp, and cable not included
• Professional setup recommended for best sound

3. Ibanez GRG 7-String Solid Body — $199.99

The Ibanez GRG7221 series features a double-cutaway design for easy playability of high frets as well as jumbo frets for beginning string benders. It’s a nice guitar for the novice player in your life. 

• Backed by the Ibanez brand
• HH configuration
• 3-way pickup switch
• 7-saddle string-through body

Powerful Guitar, Iconic Design

The GRG series of guitars crafted by Ibanez are affordable ways to own a piece of guitar history. Superior sound and extreme playability at an impressive price point make these guitars accessible and beloved by everyone. 

Pros

• Ibanez quality at an affordable price
• Solid poplar body
• Maple fretboard
• Infinity R pickups

Cons

• Heavy-weight, solid body design
• Accessories not included

4. Best Choice Electric Guitar Bundle — $188.99

The Best Choice electric guitar bundle offers a solid 4 & 1/2-star rating on Amazon from over 1,800 purchasers, making this one of the best-selling electric guitar bundles sold through the online retailer.  

• Amp and cable included
• Tons of accessories
• 39-inch electric guitar
• 22 frets

Full-Size Starter Pack

Though Best Choice is not a widely known brand, this starter set is an easy way to score a guitar and portable amp at a great price. 

Pros

• Includes everything needed to begin playing right out of the box
• Attractive, hardwood-body guitar with gloss finish
• Rosewood fretboard
• Whammy bar included

Cons

• Some purchasers mentioned poor construction
• May need frequent tuning
• Frets may need filed down
• Professional setup recommended

5. Squier by Fender Bullet Mustang in Blue — $179.99

Fender’s Bullet Mustang is a gorgeous, short-scale guitar designed especially for beginners. It’s a perfect introduction into the art of playing the electric guitar.

• Dual humbucking pickups
• Hardtail bridge
• Die-cast tuners
• Satin neck

Fender’s Guitar for Beginning Players

Your novice guitar player will be hooked for life once they experience Fender’s foray into the world of beginner guitar. Designed to feel as lovely as it plays, the Bullet Mustang has been optimized for the inexperienced player.

Pros

• Lightweight body design
• Shorter, 24-inch scale
• Satin neck
• Cutaway design

Cons

• Guitar only. Accessories not included
• Smaller-scale may be difficult for larger players to master

6. Squier by Fender Mini Stratocaster in Pink — $179.99

Fender’s mini stratocaster in pink is a delightful way to introduce your young guitarist to the art. Small-scale and easily managed, this little instrument will be a favorite for years to come. 

• SSS pickup configuration
• Hardtail bridge
• 22.75-inch scale
• Lightweight body design

Pretty Pink Powerhouse

Don’t let it’s cute appearance fool you, Fender’s mini strat packs a punch. Superior sound and the highest-quality construction make this little guitar a great option for beginning players. Available in blue, black, red, or pink.

Pros 

• Thin body design
• Die-cast tuners
• Indian laurel fingerboard
• Dynamic sound with rich, crisp tone

Cons

• Hardcase and accessories not included
• Smaller scale may be troublesome for larger adults

7. Epiphone Les Paul Starter Pack — $179.00

Epiphone’s parent company is Gibson, hence the high-quality of the Epiphone Les Paul starter pack, which is actually based on the iconic Gibson Les Paul but at a lower price point. 

• Solid alder body
• Medium jumbo frets
• Dual single-coil pickups
• Amp included

Own a Piece of Guitar History

The Epiphone Les Paul SL is a solid way to hook your novice guitarist on the art of making music. Sleek styling and design combine with needed accessories to make this starter pack a ridiculously good deal. 

Pros

• Accessories include portable amp, cable, gig bag, picks, and strap
• Available in seven colors, including vintage or heritage cherry sunburst, ebony, turquoise, sunset yellow, and Pacific blue
• Iconic Epiphone styling and sound at an affordable price

Cons

• Amp is battery operated
• Hard case not included

8. Donner DLP-124S Electric Guitar Bundle — $159.99

Donner’s electric guitar bundle features the Donner DLP-124S solid-body electric guitar, along with needed accessories to begin playing upon arrival. 

• Dual-humbucker configuration
• 3-way pickup switch
• Solid basswood body
• C-shaped maple neck

Quality Instrument, Affordable Price

Donner’s electric guitar gets rave reviews from those who have purchased it. In an attractive sunburst yellow finish with vintage design, it’s as pretty as it plays. 

Pros

• Includes gig bag, strap, and cable
• Separate pickup, volume, and tone controls
• 22 frets
• Die-cast tuners

Cons

• Amp not included
• Hard case not included

9. Ibanez GRGM21BKN 3/4 Size Electric Guitar — $149.99

The first compact guitar manufactured by Ibanez, the GRGM series, 3/4 electric guitar is a good choice for those searching for a best beginners electric guitar. 

• 22-inch scale
• Dual humbucking pickups
• 24 frets
• Hardtail bridge

A Small Guitar With Big Sound

Though it’s smaller in size, the Ibanez 3/4 guitar features all the same high-quality features and design that are classic to all Ibanez instruments. Easy for students to master, but equally fine for adults. 

Pros

• Available in left-hand option
• Solid mahogany body
• Rosewood fretboard
• Small scale

Cons

• Hard case and accessories sold separately
• Professional setup recommended
• Available only in black or white

10. Donner DST 1BL Left-Handed Electric — $140.00

The Donner 39-inch electric guitar for left-handed players offers superior quality and needed extras at a price that’s sure to please. 

• SSH pickup configuration
• Dual tone control knobs
• 20 frets
• Included portable amp

Nice Beginner Bundle

Donner’s foray into the world of left-handed playing kicks off with this 39-inch electric guitar that’s getting solid reviews. 

Pros

• Basswood body
• Mahogany top
• Tremolo bridge
• Includes portable amp, cable, gig bag, capo, strap, strings, tuner, picks

Cons

• Suitable for left-handed players only
• Warranty limited to one year
• Some purchasers had damage upon delivery

Before You Buy a Best Beginners Electric Guitar

There’s much to consider before buying your first electric guitar. How does it play? How does it look? Is it made by a reputable company? Is it affordable? Does it come with accessories such as gear tuners and extra strings? 

Our list of best beginners electric guitars will get you started on your search, and if you remember to buy a guitar that’s made from quality woods and that features dynamic pickups, you’re sure to end up happy with your purchase. 

If possible, test drive your new guitar before you commit, even if you eventually buy online. Head to your local guitar store to see which ones feel best in your hands and give you the sort of sound you prefer. And don’t forget the option of buying used. It’s possible to score amazing deals on used guitars so long as you understand the important features and what it is you’re looking for in an instrument.