The best electric guitars for beginners have gotten easier and easier for me to identify over the years, because I keep coming back to the same brands and same models.
They're very consistent and very ideal with a good balance of price and quality. I never want to go too cheap because I believe that ruins the experience, but you obviously shouldn't spend big money on a beginner electric guitar. So my following five picks hit the happy medium between price and quality for aspiring guitarists who are just getting started.
Read more: Best electric guitars overall
5 Best Electric Guitars for Beginners (comparison section)
You only need two brands here: Squier and Epiphone. Here are the five electric guitars we recommend for beginners.
Guitar | Name | Rate | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Epiphone Les Paul Studio | 90.0 | |
 | Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 | 82.5 | |
 | Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster | 79.5 | |
 | Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster | 78.3 | |
 | Epiphone SG Standard | 77.4 |
1. Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
Best Overall Electric Guitar for Beginners
It's very difficult to distinguish from the Fender Player version Telecaster, with a Pine body and vintage-style bridge hardware. It's the experience of a nicer guitar with a beginner-friendly price.
It's nice enough to not ruin the experience, but cheap/accessible enough to be great for beginners. Image via Dial Musik
Squier Telecasters are more of a vintage style, but with some modern tweaks like a 9.5" fingerboard radius and C-shaped neck, which make it very comfortable to hold and easy to play. Image via Rivington Guitars
There are plenty of colors to pick from, similar to the Fender line, so you're getting the playability and aesthetics of a much nicer guitar. This helps the beginner guitar player stay more engaged and interested. Image via Rivington Guitars
2. Epiphone SG Standard
Best Beginner Electric for Those Interested in CLassic Rock
There are cheaper versions of the Epiphone SG Standard, but we recommend paying a little extra and going with the SG Standard core model with a Mahogany body and very warm, balanced tone profile
For heavier tones, distortion, and classic rock, the Epiphone SG Standard gives you a lot more than you pay for. Image via EpiphoneEspanol
Without the signage on the headstock, it's impossible to tell the Gibson and Epiphone versions apart. Image via Music Arms
The Epiphone SG Standard will out-live the beginner stage, so hang onto it for the more committed years. Image via Dusty Clark
3. Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster
Best for Beginner Interested in Blues and Lead Guitar
While we'd recommend staying away from the Squier Affinity models, the Classic Vibe series is actually quite good, so the Stratocaster is another great option alongside the '50s Tele we mentioned earlier.
Like the SG Standard, you won't be able to distinguish this guitar from a Fender Strat. Image via Nafiri Music
For blues, lead electric guitar, and more subtle styles, the Classic Vibe '50s Strat is one of my go-to recommendations. Image via Music Arms
For a beginner electric guitar, it's a little bit less of a features issue and more of an experience issue. The Classic Vibe series will definitely give you the experience with an acceptable beginner-level cost. Image via Music Arms
4. Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 (LT)
Best Electric For Beginners Who Want a Cheaper option
Whether Gibson or Epiphone, the Studio series is my favorite recommendation. Granted, the Studio E1 is a stripped down version of the core Studio model, which I'll cover next. However, it's also a lot cheaper than the other guitars we've listed, and I wanted to include at least one lower-tier bargain.
The Studio E1 is very affordable and still hails from one of my favorite electric guitar series of all time. Studio models are rarely a bad idea. Image via Music Arms
You do lose some of the aesthetics of the Core Epiphone Studio model, but it doesn't detract from the playability or the overall Les Paul look. Image via RockPizz Music
In my opinion, the red burst color looks a lot nicer, especially with the gloss finish. Image via RockPizz Music
5. Epiphone Les Paul Studio (the more expensive one)
Best for Beginners who are really serious about Being an electric guitar player
I get that the Epiphone Studio core model is at the top of what most would consider a beginner's price range. But if you're a beginner who is in the later stages of the early learning process or you're just very certain of your commitment to the instrument, the Studio core model is a solid option. This is one of my favorite electric guitar series, both the Gibson and Epiphone versions.
It's one of the highest-value electric guitars on the market, worth paying a bit extra. Image via Behngiepseng
The Studio E1 is pictured on the right, clearly not at the same level as its parent Studio. But both are fantastic values at their respective (though different) price points. Image via Mr. CD Instrumentos Musicales
These are great guitars for modifying and keeping in your arsenal, long after your beginner years are done. Image via Drive Guitar Shop
Like we've seen with the Epiphone SG, it's very difficult to tell it from the Gibson version of the same guitar. Image via Mr. CD Instrumentos Musicales
Closing Thoughts About Buying an Electric Guitar for a Beginner
You can get some analysis paralysis if you over-think this too much. That's partly why I've put together this page with more pictures and tried to give you a broad view of what to look for.
I mean, I didn't even have to mention more than two brands. So I would argue that keeping it simple is never a bad thing.
At the end of the day, just make sure you get something you like and is nice enough not to ruin your early experience with the electric guitar. Don't buy a $150 piece of junk. Spend a little extra and get something that looks and feels like a more substantive instrument.
If you're ready to level up from beginner electrics, check out our roundup on the best intermediate electric guitars.
For questions about our best electric guitars for beginners roundup, hit the comments section below and I'll help out as much as I can.
More Electric Guitar Roundups
Written by Guitar Chalk on Electrics & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Roundups
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