Choosing a high quality instrument from the start will make a huge difference in your guitar learning journey.
Because a guitar that’s too heavy, constantly out of tune, or uncomfortable to press strings down on can make practice feel like torture – and cause you to avoid it altogether (ask me how I know).
But a guitar that fits your hands, feels good to play, and sounds fun right away?
Total. Game. Changer!
I wrote this beginner electric guitar guide based on our own family’s experience playing (and owning) a lot of different guitars.
And since my husband and I both play, we have different perspectives on what to look for in an instrument based on what and how we play!
He’s 6″3 and primarily plays lead guitar (rock and metal), while I’m 5″6 and play a mixture of finger style, rhythm, and slide (folk, worship, and blues).
I’m also teaching our kids, ages 8 and 4, to play the guitar as part of our homeschool so I’ve included suggestions for kids in this post as well.
So, whether you’ll be teaching or learning alongside your kids, or even working on a new hobby that’s just for you, I hope that these recommendations help you find an electric guitar that inspires you to actually play every day.
Keep reading for comfortable, budget-friendly, and quality options for both adults and kids that are learning guitar from scratch!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I could earn a commission if you make a purchase using them. This comes at no additional cost to you and all opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting our family and helping me to create more homeschool and music education content!
What Makes a Great Beginner Electric Guitar?
Before we get into recommendations, here’s what really matters for first-time players – and how to avoid wasting money on something that makes you feel like this is going to be a hopeless endeavour!
Comfort & Playability Matter Most
If the guitar feels awkward, you won’t want to practice.
Period!
Beginners do best with:
- A lighter body – especially true for kids and petite adults
- A slimmer neck that’s easy to wrap your hand around
- Strings that aren’t too high off the fretboard – this is called the action and it makes a HUGE difference
Quality Without a Huge Price Tag
You don’t need to spend $1,000 on a Fender or Gibson when you’re starting out.
There are a ton of great beginner electric guitars available for just a couple of hundred dollars and they’ll last you for years as you grow in your guitar abilities.
After having owned more than two dozen guitars ourselves, these are what we’d consider to be the best beginner-friendly electric guitar brands:
- Squier (Fender’s beginner line)
- Epiphone (Gibson’s beginner line)
- Yamaha
- Ibanez
- Donner (easily the most budget-friendly with their all in one bundles)
Choose Simple, Non-Overwhelming Controls
Just a volume knob, tone knob, and a pickup switch is plenty for new players.
You don’t need more than that to start.
Looks Matter
Tell a kid they get to practice on a purple, pink, or sparkly blue guitar and they’ll be excited about guitar practice every time.
And let’s be honest, as adults we’re not that much different, haha.
My daughter just wasn’t motivated by the inexpensive classical guitar I first brought home for her but things changed when she got a pink Squire Mini Stratocaster.
At 8 years old, she’s learned how to play a handful of songs by memory and is able to follow along when we use sheet music or Chordify together now too.
Best Beginner Electric Guitars for Adults & Teens
All of the guitars below are easy to play, budget-friendly, and recommended based on our experience as both teachers and students.
1. Squier Stratocaster – Best Overall for Beginners
There’s a reason the guitar emoji on your phone is a Stratocaster.
This is easily the best beginner electric guitar for most adults and teens!
And the Squier Stratocaster is a classic for a reason.
It’s lightweight, comfortable, and incredibly versatile whether you want to play country music, worship, pop, rock, or blues.
Why beginners love it:
- Slim, comfortable neck
- Lightweight body
- Tons of color options
- Affordable and reliable
My first guitar ever was a Squier Stratocaster and my go to electric guitar today is still a Stratocaster.
As a woman with a small frame and small hands (I wear a children’s size large glove, haha) the body and neck of Stratocasters is especially comfortable for me but my larger framed husband really enjoys playing this guitar too!
Stratocasters have really simple controls compared to some other guitars which makes them super beginner friendly.
There’s one master volume knob that controls all of your single-coil pickups (pickups are the things that “pick up” the vibration of strings and turn it into sound) and two tone knobs (give you the option to make your guitar’s sound darker or brighter).
The Stratocaster’s 5-way position switch is also really simple to learn – moving it left to right changes which of your guitars pickups are active (neck, middle, or bridge, or a combination of two of them).
Our top overall pick for a Squier Stratocaster is this one.
This set is reasonably priced and comes with everything you need to start playing electric guitar including a Squire Affinity Stratocaster, amp, instrument cable, tuner, gig bag, picks, and even a strap.
You can just get the guitar itself but for about a hundred dollars more, the bundle is easily the best value and takes the guess work out of shopping around for everything else.
If a tight budget is your biggest obstacle in getting started with guitar though, this Debut Series Stratocaster and amp combo is a really good choice.
While its more of an entry level guitar and doesn’t have quite the same long term value as an Affinity Strat, its absolutely good enough to learn and build confidence on as you decide whether or not electric guitar is something you’ll stick with.
2. Epiphone Les Paul Special II – Best for Rock Lovers
If you or your child love blues, modern, classic, or alternative rock music, this guitar is a great choice that has more power behind it.
Compared to Stratocasters, the Les Paul is heavier and has a wider neck but the sound is thicker.
The Les Paul uses humbucker pickups which give the guitar a warmer, more powerful tone that’s great for heavier worship styles and a ton of classic riffs.
Sweet Child of Mine comes to mind!
Humbuckers are known for their thick, warm tone, and reduced noise, so it makes them great for styles of music that use distortion, sustain, and other big, full guitar sounds.
Slide guitar sounds amazing on guitars like this too.
The Les Paul also has a shorter scaled length which can help with string tension and makes it easier to bend strings.
Why it’s great:
- Warm, punchy tone
- Super durable
- Classic comfortable Les Paul shape
The Epiphone Les Paul Special II is a great guitar for beginners – especially those that want to focus on learning to play lead guitar.
This was my husband’s first electric guitar.
3. Ibanez GIO Series GRX70QA – Best for Small Hands
This is a great guitar for kids ages 10 to 14 as well as anyone with smaller hands.
Ibanez’s GIO line is designed to be a more affordable option for new musicians – my sister played an Ibanez GIO bass guitar when she was in high school and it’s still a great instrument after 20 years.
Here’s what it looks like.
Now back to the 6 string.
Like the Squire Stratocaster, the Ibanez GIO GRX70QA has a similar style comfortable body and slim fast neck.
The pickups are different from the Strat though – this guitar has an HSH pickup configuration (humbucker-single-humbucker) while the Strat has three single coil pickups.
This makes it a super diverse instrument that’s great for jazz, metal, and heavier rock styles with high-gain but that single coil means your guitar is capable of good clean tones as well.
Why you’ll love it:
- Very slim, fast neck
- Lightweight
- Comes in gorgeous transparent sunburst finishes (the purple is stunning!)
- Exceptional tuners for the price point
4. Yamaha PACIFICA 112V – Best Quality Under $400
This guitar is a great choice for those who want something that will last years without needing an upgrade.
Like the Ibanez, the body style is Stratocaster inspired but it has an SSH pickup configuration (single-single-humbucker).
As we’ve already gone over a couple of times, single coil pickups are great for blues, pop, worship and other soft music genres while humbuckers are an ideal choice for jazz, heavier rock, and metal styles.
Why this guitar is great for beginners:
- Great craftsmanship
- Versatile tone
- Comfortable for both adults and teens
- Decent resale value
This is one of the highest quality guitars on our list and it comes in plenty of beautiful colors.
5. Squier Sonic Mustang – Best for Petite Adults and Kids (Ages 7 to 12)
The Mustang is one of the best starter electric guitars for smaller adults and kids thanks to its shorter 24-inch scale length.
You can get it with either two single coil pickups or two humbucker pickups depending on your style of music.
Why we love it:
- Shorter neck makes it easier to reach chords
- Lightweight
- Fun colors (my oldest and I adore the pink one!)
- Easy for small hands
This guitar is one of the most comfortable ones on our list for ladies to play.
More music and guitar tips:
- 7 Must-Know Basic Guitar Chords for Beginners (That You Can Play Hundreds of Songs With!)
- Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars Under $500 (Complete Guide for Adults & Kids)
- How to Create an Inspiring Music Room in Your Home: Complete Guide for Big and Small Spaces
- 25 Easy Worship Songs You Can Play With Simple Guitar Chords
Best Beginner Electric Guitar Amps
You’ll need an amp to hear your electric guitar!
I’d recommend either the affordably priced Fender Frontman 10G amp or if you want something portable and battery powered, go with the Boss Katana Mini.
To connect your guitar to the amp, you’ll need an instrument cable.
This one is a great option for beginners and it’s super affordable.
Best Electric Guitar Starter Kits (Everything Included!)
If you want a one-and-done purchase without hunting for accessories, these packs are fantastic.
1. Squier Stratocaster Bundle with Fender Frontman 15G Amp
- Includes guitar, quality practice amp, instrument cable, tuner, guitar strap, padded gig bag, and picks
- Excellent long term option for beginners that want room for growth
- Good resale value
2. Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Starter Pack
- Includes guitar, practice amp, instrument cable, stand, extra strings, padded gig bag, and guitar strap
- Inexpensive and reliable guitar
- Ideal for beginners who don’t want to invest too much to start
3. Yamaha Gigmaker Electric Pack
- Includes guitar, practice amp, instrument cable, gig bag, picks, and guitar strap
- Fantastic craftsmanship
- Great long-term value overall
4. Donner DST-152 Starter Kit
This is another incredible option if you’re on a tight budget and prefer everything in one box.
The set comes with:
- Guitar
- Amp
- Strap
- Picks
- Gig bag
- Cable
- Tuner
- Capo
- Free Online Lessons
Its an amazing set with everything a beginner needs to get going and the least expensive bundle option on our list!
Best Beginner Electric Guitars for Kids
Choosing a 3/4 size electric guitar is one of the best ways to set up kids for success.
Smaller guitars like this mean that they have:
- Smaller bodies feel more comfortable for a smaller person
- Lighter overall weight that makes it easier for kids to hold the guitar properly
- Slimmer necks that make chord transitions easier
- Shorter scale length means less stretch for small hands
- Lightweight bodies make for better posture and less fatigue
- Lower string tension makes fretting easier and causes less finger soreness later on
Choosing the right size guitar from the get go will make a huge difference for your child.
On a recent music store trip, we saw a cute pink Gretsch and had to try it, of course – the guitar has a 24.75″ scale length.
Here’s how it fit on my 8 year old daughter.
You can see the neck is too long for her to comfortably reach the first fret (she has her left hand on the second fret in the photo above).
While at the music store, we also came across an Epiphone Les Paul Junior with a scale length of 22.73″.
Here’s my girl holding this guitar.
You can see it fits her small frame and lap much better than the larger guitar!
So, with all of that said, here are three kid-friendly electric guitars that are reliable, budget-conscious, and a perfect size for young beginners.
1. Squier Mini Strat – Best Overall Electric for Kids
A true classic in a kid-size package, the Mini Strat is lightweight, affordable, and easy for children ages 7 to 10 to handle.
It has a slim neck, short scale length, and fun color options that make young players excited to pick it up.
My daughter loves her mini strat – here she is jamming in her pj’s in our home music studio.
We’re a music first thing in the morning kind of family, haha!
2. Ibanez Mikro – Best for Rock-Loving Kids
The Ibanez Mikro is slightly more powerful and modern-sounding than the Mini Strat, with a fast neck and punchy pickups that older kids love.
It’s perfect for kids ages 7 to 12 who want a guitar that feels a little “cooler” and delivers big rock tone in a small package.
This is a really fun guitar for kids and even adults to play.
3. Jackson Minion Dinky – Best for Kids Who Want Something Flashy
The Jackson Minion is bold, lightweight, and incredibly fun to play, making it great for kids who love a more edgy aesthetic.
Despite its small size, it has surprising power and sustain, and the shorter scale makes chord shapes easier for young beginners.
I had a Jackson guitar just like this one and loved it.
A Note on Learning Guitar For Kids Under 7 Years Old
If you’re child is 7 years old or above, keep reading this post.
Otherwise, I’d recommend checking out my Loog review instead – this little three string guitar is a fantastic option for children 6 years old and younger since it doesn’t require making the same full chord shapes as a traditional 6 string guitar.
Since it only has 3 strings, the fret board is narrower and allows young kids to reach all strings much more easily.
This is something that builds confidence early on.
My oldest says she didn’t find the switch to a 6 string guitar that difficult after she played her Loog for a couple of years.
More music ideas to spark your creativity:
- Here’s the Best Way to Learn Guitar (and Actually Keep It Up)
- Play 50+ Easy Guitar Songs with Just 2 or 3 Chords Each!
- What is a Capo? Why New Guitarists Need to Have One of These Things
- 60 Most Inspiring Music Quotes for New Musicians and Teachers
What Size Electric Guitar Should You Buy?
Choosing the right size guitar makes a big difference.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Adults + Teens (13+)
- Full-size electric guitar
- Standard 24.75″ to 25.5″ scale lengths
Our top overall electric guitar pick for adults and teens is this Squier Stratocaster bundle.
At that price point, its an unbeatable value that includes everything you need to start playing electric guitar on day one.
Kids Ages 10 to 12
- Short-scale guitars like the Squier Mustang (24″ scale length)
- Lightweight body helps them play longer
We recommend the Squier Sonic Mustang – this guitar is comfortable and easy to play, especially for those with smaller hands.
Its available in fun colors too.
Kids Ages 7 to 10
- 3/4-size guitars (22.75″ scale length)
- Easy to hold and less overwhelming
We recommend this guitar – its budget-friendly and the comfort and beautiful design gets kids excited about learning to play guitar. The fact that its available in pink really motivated my daughter, haha.
Must-Have Accessories for Beginner Electric Guitarists
These make practice easier and protect your guitar (and your sanity).
Clip-On Tuner
Huge must-have.
Apps work… but not well for noisy homes.
Try the Snark Clip-On Tuner – we have the rechargeable one.
Small Practice Amp
Beginner-friendly options:
Guitar Picks
Start with light picks – they make strumming easier and cleaner for beginners!
I really like these ones.
Wall Hook or Stand
A simple stand will keep your guitar out of harm’s way – ask us how many times ours had been knocked over on the couch before we switched to wall hooks.
So that said, I can’t recommend these hooks enough!
Unlike most wall hooks, they have a locking mechanism so even if someone did bump into it, it wouldn’t fall off the wall or get knocked over like a guitar stand could.
Here’s what my acoustic space looks like.
Optional Beginner Electric Guitar Accessories
Capo
Not essential for electric guitar but they can be helpful if you find yourself playing a lot of chords or rhythm parts too.
This is the one I have and really like – I like that its even and doesn’t dive to one side like most capos.
I keep our capos next to my slides on this concert mug I’ve filled with guitar picks of different sizes.
It’s a simple way to stay organized and keep things together.
Related: What is a Guitar Capo? And How Do You Use It?
Guitar Strap
You don’t need a strap to start since you’ll probably be sitting as you start learning.
But if you do want one, get something that’s easily adjustable like this one.
Gig Bag
Unless you’ll be going to lessons or playing with others, you really don’t need a gig bag.
If you do want one, this simple gig bag is high quality and nicely padded for the price point.
Final Thoughts on Learning Electric Guitar for Beginners
Whether you plan on learning alongside your kids or being their biggest fan from the couch, electric guitar is an incredibly fun hobby to bring into your homeschool and/or family life!
Choosing the right beginner guitar from the start will make everything easier too – smoother chords, faster progress, and way fewer “my fingers hurt” complaints.
Because believe me, I’ve been there myself too!
Cheering you on and wishing your family so much joy in your music journey!
If you need help choosing between two guitars, just drop a comment – I’m happy to help!
– Nikki
