Picking the best starter guitars is the single biggest decision a new player makes, and it is easy to get wrong. A guitar that hurts your fingers, refuses to stay in tune, or sounds thin will make you quit before you ever learn your first chord. This guide narrows the field to five proven beginner instruments that are in stock on Amazon right now, explains who each one suits, and shows you how to choose without wasting money.
New to this? Read How to Buy a Guitar: Your First Guitar Buying Guide first for the basics, then use the picks below.
I picked these models for playability, build quality, resale value and how forgiving they are for small hands. Every price below was checked on Amazon at the time of writing, but prices move, so confirm before you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Related: best high-end guitars, best guitars for kids, and best budget guitars.
Best Starter Guitars at a Glance
Short on time? This comparison table sums up the best starter guitars in this guide. Scroll down for the full reviews.
| Guitar | Type | Best for | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha FG800 | Acoustic (solid spruce top) | Best overall starter acoustic | About $280 |
| Squier Sonic Stratocaster | Electric (single-coil) | Best starter electric | About $250 |
| Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V | Electric (HSS) | Best for rock and versatility | Check current price |
| Fender FA-25 Dreadnought | Acoustic | Best budget starter | About $110 |
| Yamaha C40 | Classical (nylon strings) | Best for young or sore-fingered beginners | About $190 |
How to Choose the Best Starter Guitars for You
Before you look at specific models, settle three questions. Your answers will point you to the right guitar faster than any spec sheet.
Acoustic, Electric or Classical?
Choose the sound you want to play. If you dream of strumming campfire songs, start acoustic. If you want riffs and distortion, start electric. Classical guitars use soft nylon strings that are gentler on the fingertips, which makes them a smart choice for kids and for anyone who gets discouraged by finger soreness. Our guide on whether you should start with an acoustic guitar walks through the trade-offs in more detail.
Budget
You can find decent beginner guitars from roughly $100 to $300. Below that, many instruments have poorly cut nuts, high action and unreliable tuners, which makes learning harder. Above that, you are paying for tone upgrades you will not notice for a year or two. If you want to stretch further, see our roundup of the best acoustic guitars under $500.
Playability and Setup
Playability matters more than brand. Look for low, even string height, smooth fret edges, and tuners that hold pitch. A guitar that is cheap but properly set up beats an expensive one with high action. Many shops will do a basic setup for a modest fee, and it is often the best money you can spend in your first month. According to the Wikipedia overview of the guitar, the instrument family is defined by its fretted neck and six strings in standard tuning, so a well-built neck and accurate frets are what make any model comfortable to learn on.
1. Yamaha FG800: Best Overall Among the Best Starter Guitars
The Yamaha FG800 has been the default recommendation for beginner acoustics for good reason. It combines a solid spruce top with nato back and sides, which is unusual at this price. A solid top opens up and sounds richer as it ages, whereas laminate tops stay flat and boxy.
The scalloped bracing gives the guitar a surprisingly big, balanced tone for a dreadnought, and the neck is slim enough that most adults find chords comfortable. Yamaha’s factory quality control is consistent, so the guitar you receive is usually well set up out of the box.
- Pros: solid spruce top, strong projection, excellent build quality, holds its resale value.
- Cons: no cutaway, no pickup, and the dreadnought body is large for small players.
- Best for: adults and teens who want one acoustic that will last for years.
2. Squier Sonic Stratocaster: Best Starter Electric
If you want an electric, the Squier Sonic Stratocaster is among the best starter guitars you can buy. It delivers the classic Strat shape, a comfortable modern C-shaped neck and three single-coil pickups that cover everything from clean blues to crunchy rock. The five-way switch gives you a wide range of tones to experiment with while you learn how pickups work.
The body is lightweight and the maple fingerboard feels smooth. The Sonic is also easy to upgrade later, as pickups, tuners and pots are all standard Fender sizes. Remember that an electric needs an amplifier, so budget for one. Our list of the best beginner guitar amps has options for every budget.
- Pros: iconic design, versatile tones, light weight, affordable.
- Cons: single-coils can hum, and stock hardware is basic.
- Best for: beginners who want a flexible electric for pop, blues and rock.