Start with an acoustic or electric guitar under $200, depending on the music you want to play

A beginner's first guitar should be affordable enough that you won't regret it if you stop playing, comfortable enough that your fingers don't hurt after ten minutes, and built well enough that it stays in tune. You do not need a famous brand or an expensive instrument. A solid beginner acoustic or beginner electric from a maker like Yamaha, Fender, Squier, or Ibanez will do all three things for $150 to $250.

The choice between acoustic and electric depends on what music you actually want to play. If you want to play folk, country, or singer-songwriter music, start with acoustic. If you want to play rock, metal, blues, or pop, start with electric. Do not buy acoustic because you think it is "more serious" or electric because you think it is "cooler"—buy the one that matches the songs you want to learn. You will practice more if you like what you hear.

Key Takeaways

  • Acoustic and electric guitars are equally valid starting points; choose based on the music you want to play, not on what sounds more "real."
  • A beginner guitar should cost $150 to $250 and come from a maker with a track record of building playable instruments at that price point.
  • The most important feature is that the strings sit close to the fretboard (low action) so your fingers do not hurt when you press down.
  • You will need a tuner, a strap, and a stand or wall mount; budget another $50 to $80 for these items.
  • A guitar that stays in tune and does not buzz when you play is more important than a guitar that sounds expensive.

What to look for when you hold a beginner guitar

When you pick up a guitar in a store, check three things before you decide. First, hold it like you are about to play—does it feel heavy or awkward in your lap? A guitar that is too big or too heavy will tire your arm and make practice miserable. For most adults, a standard full-size acoustic or electric is fine. If you are small-framed or under 5'6", a three-quarter-size acoustic or a smaller electric body (like a Fender Mustang or Squier Stratocaster Junior) will be more comfortable.

Second, press down on the strings at the first fret and look at how far the strings sit above the fretboard. This distance is called action. If the strings are more than a quarter-inch above the fretboard, your fingers will hurt and you will quit. Low action is a beginner's best friend. Many cheap guitars come with high action from the factory, so this is worth checking in person rather than ordering online.

Third, play a few open chords and listen for buzzing. If the strings rattle against the frets when you play, the neck is warped or the frets are uneven. A little buzz is normal on a cheap guitar, but if it is loud enough to hear over the note itself, keep looking. You can have a guitar's action lowered by a technician later, but that costs $50 to $150—better to start with one that does not need it.

Acoustic guitars for beginners

A beginner acoustic guitar should have a solid spruce or cedar top (the front face that vibrates to make sound) and laminated back and sides. You will see this written as "solid top" or "spruce top" on the product page. Laminated wood is cheaper and more durable, so it is fine for the back and sides. A solid top sounds better and is worth the small price difference.

Good beginner acoustics include the Yamaha FG800 (around $200), the Fender FA-100 (around $180), and the Ibanez AW54 (around $200). All three have low action, stay in tune reasonably well, and sound clear enough that you will enjoy playing them. Avoid very cheap guitars from unknown brands—they often have high action and necks that warp after a few months.

Acoustic guitars are harder on your fingers than electrics because the strings are thicker and sit higher off the fretboard. Your fingertips will hurt for the first two weeks no matter what guitar you buy. This is normal and goes away as your skin toughens. If you are worried about pain, an electric guitar is a gentler introduction, but do not let pain alone push you toward electric—many beginners quit because they chose the wrong style of music.

Electric guitars for beginners

A beginner electric guitar needs an amplifier to be heard, so budget $150 to $200 for the guitar and another $80 to $150 for a small practice amp. A 10-watt or 20-watt amp is loud enough for a bedroom and small enough to move around. The Fender Mustang Micro (around $100) or Boss Katana-50 (around $150) are solid choices that sound good at low volume.

Good beginner electric guitars include the Squier Stratocaster (around $200), the Squier Telecaster (around $200), and the Ibanez GRX70 (around $150). All three are based on designs that have worked for decades, come with decent pickups, and are straightforward to play. The Stratocaster has a curved body that sits comfortably against your chest. The Telecaster is flatter and lighter. The Ibanez has a thinner neck that many beginners find easier to grip. Play all three if you can and pick the one that feels best in your hands.

Electric strings are thinner and softer than acoustic strings, so your fingers will hurt less. The trade-off is that you need to plug in to hear yourself play, which means you need an amp and a cable. If you live in an apartment or share a wall with neighbors, a headphone amp (which costs $30 to $60) lets you practice silently.

What else you need to buy

A guitar alone is not enough. You will need a digital tuner (around $15 to $30) to keep your guitar in tune while you learn. A clip-on tuner that attaches to the headstock is easiest for beginners. You will also need a strap (around $10 to $20) so you can play standing up, and a stand or wall mount (around $15 to $40) to keep the guitar safe when you are not playing it. Do not lean a guitar against a wall or lay it on a bed—it will fall and crack.

A capo (around $10) is a clamp that holds down all the strings at once, letting you change the key of a song without learning new chord shapes. You will use this constantly. A music stand (around $15 to $30) holds sheet music or chord charts while you play. A metronome (free as an app, or $20 to $40 as a device) helps you keep time while you practice.

You do not need picks, strings, or a case right away. Picks are cheap and come with many guitars. Strings last several months if you play a few times a week. A case is nice but not essential—a gig bag (a padded backpack-style case, around $30 to $60) is cheaper and works fine for a beginner.

Where to buy a beginner guitar

Buy in person at a music store if you can. You need to hold the guitar, check the action, and listen to it before you commit. A salesperson can also adjust the truss rod or bridge to lower the action if needed, which is worth paying a little extra for. If no music store is near you, order from a maker's website or from a large retailer like Sweetwater or Musician's Friend, which often offer free return shipping if the guitar does not feel right when it arrives.

Do not buy from a pawn shop or secondhand unless you know guitars well enough to spot a warped neck or dead frets. A used guitar can be a good deal, but a bad one will waste your money and your time. If you are buying used, bring someone who plays guitar with you, or pay a technician $30 to $50 to inspect it before you hand over cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cheap guitar going to make me want to quit?

Not if it plays well. A $200 guitar from Yamaha or Fender will feel and sound better than a $500 guitar from a brand you have never heard of. The brand name matters less than the action, the tuning stability, and whether the neck is straight. Play the guitar before you buy it, and you will know.

Should I buy a guitar bundle that comes with a strap and picks?

Bundles are usually a waste. The strap and picks are cheap, and you can buy them separately for less than the bundle costs. The only exception is if the bundle includes a decent tuner and stand—those items have real value. Check the price of the guitar alone and compare it to the bundle price.

What is the difference between a Stratocaster and a Telecaster?

A Stratocaster has a curved, contoured body and three pickups. A Telecaster has a flat, slab-like body and two pickups. Stratocasters are more comfortable to play sitting down. Telecasters are lighter and have a brighter, twangier sound. Both are equally good for beginners—pick the one that feels better in your hands.

Can I learn on a nylon-string classical guitar instead?

Yes, if you want to play classical or flamenco music. Nylon strings are gentler on your fingers than steel strings, so they hurt less at first. The downside is that the neck is wider, which makes chord shapes harder to learn. If you want to play pop, rock, or folk, start with steel strings instead.

Do I need to buy an expensive guitar later, or will a beginner guitar last?

A beginner guitar will last for years if you take care of it. Many players keep their first guitar forever. You might want to upgrade later for a better sound or different features, but that is a choice, not a necessity. Focus on learning first, and worry about upgrading after you have played for a year or two.