Offering unparalleled expression and creativity, the electric guitar has captured the hearts of many and shaped modern music. From Buddy Holly and Jimi Hendrix to Kurt Cobain and today's players like Tim Henson and Jim Root, its influence is undeniable. In this guide, we break down the best electric guitars on the market, from iconic designs to modern-day classics, redefining what a six-string can do.
We know that the term "best electric guitar" is very subjective. Some players are looking for a workhorse that can easily handle the harsh conditions of the road, while others are seeking a beautifully handcrafted instrument that looks just as good as it sounds.
The best electric guitar varies for each player, from a seasoned professional with decades of experience to a beginner seeking their first entry into the world of six strings. From the traditional bluesman to the modern-day metalhead, the electric guitar is an all-encompassing behemoth, housing players of all stripes with styles as different as chalk and cheese.
As such, we've covered a lot of ground in our list of the best electric guitars currently available. So, whether you're an experienced shredder, or you've always fancied dipping a toe into the sonic landscape of jazz, rock, or blues, we've got you covered. Regardless of price or style, all the guitars on this list are gig-worthy, can record well, and are built to a very high standard.
- Looking for epic guitar gear bargains? We’re tracking all of this year’s biggest savings on our Black Friday guitar deals page.
Our top picks
If you wanted to start playing the electric guitar back in the day, your choice of weapons was very limited. Today, however, there are more entry-level guitars than you can shake a stick at - with lots of them looking almost identical to their more expensive counterparts.
This new and improved entry-level Yamaha is as simple as it comes, choosing to forgo fancy features in favor of a fairly no-nonsense approach. This striking horned axe is reminiscent of the old-school Yamaha SG, giving you the look and vibe of this cult classic at a far more affordable price.
It's easy to think we've seen every possible shape for an electric guitar, but then along comes Reverend with the Double Agent. The love child of a Telecaster and Les Paul, with maybe a little offset thrown in there for good measure, this is a truly striking looking guitar.
Best for beginners
If you wanted to start playing the electric guitar back in the day, your choice of weapons was very limited. Today, however, there are more entry-level guitars than you can shake a stick at - with lots of them looking almost identical to their more expensive counterparts.
Our pick for the best beginner option has to be the Squier Affinity Telecaster Deluxe. This lightweight starter guitar draws inspiration from the classic ‘72 Fender Deluxe Telecaster and is loaded with a set of Squier humbuckers, delivering bags of rich, rock tones. The slim and comfortable C-shaped neck profile is incredibly playable and is a great jumping-off point for most players.
It’s hard to believe just how affordable this stylish guitar is. It may have a wallet-friendly price, but it certainly doesn’t scrimp on quality - or playability for that matter. This is one of our top choices for the best electric guitars under $500.
Best on a budget
This new and improved entry-level Yamaha is as simple as it comes, choosing to forgo fancy features in favor of a fairly no-nonsense approach. This striking horned axe is reminiscent of the old-school Yamaha SG, giving you the look and vibe of this cult classic at a far more affordable price.
Housing two pretty high output humbuckers, the Revstar RSE20 most definitely brings the noise, making it the perfect choice for hard rock, punk, or even metal. There’s also a Dry switch that enhances the top end a little, and controls the low end. The chambered mahogany body is light and resonant so is ideal for gigging, while the reshaped neck profile is a joy to play.
If you are looking for a back-to-basics rock and roll machine that would break the bank, then definitely consider the Yamaha Revstar RSE20.
Best affordable semi-hollow
It's hard to deny how good an ES-335 sounds. They are full-bodied, rich, and bell-like in their tone, but one stumbling block some players have is the excessive size of the instrument. That's why Gibson introduced the ES-339 in 2007. This kept everything players loved about its big brother but shrunk the body down to a more manageable size.
Epiphone now offers the pint-sized hollow-body at a far more affordable price and doesn't scrimp on the quality. The Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers do a surprisingly good job at recreating the PAF tone, and the rounded neck profile is incredibly satisfying to play. You have to constantly remind yourself that this guitar is under $/£500 while playing it.
The Epiphone ES 339 may not be the flashiest - or indeed the most expensive guitar on this list - but its tasteful looks, unmatched comfort, and glorious tone mean it can most definitely hang with the big boys in this guide.
Best budget singlecut
The ESP Eclipse may have started life as a tribute to another very famous single-cut but it has gone on to develop a following all of its own. While a full-fat EC can cost a pretty penny, the LTD EC-256 allows you to get the bone-crushing tone of its big brother, at a much more manageable price and is a valuable alternative to an Epiphone Les Paul.
The beginner-friendly guitar market is a fiercely competitive one. Still, this stylish, well-built guitar carves out its own place, delivering the single-cut tone you’d expect but in a slimmed-down and lightweight package.
We also have the inclusion of a coil-split, which allows you to turn this hard rocker into the ultimate clean machine with a pull of the tone control. So, if you’re looking for a versatile LP-style axe, that’s extremely friendly on your wallet, then look no further than the ESP LTD EC-256.
Best for country
Gretsch guitars can sometimes get overlooked by many players who think that they are just a one-trick pony used for country twang. Well, it’s simply not true. Yes, Gretsch does the country thing better than most, but they can do so much more - go ask Billy Duffy.
Over the last few years, the Gretsch Electromatic range has been going from strength to strength, with the release of new models, exciting new finishes, and updated revoiced pickups. One of the most popular from this range is the G5622T - and it’s easy to see why.
The addition of the center block gives the Gretsch an added power and aggression not present in the fully hollow options. While the dual Black Top Broad’Tron™ humbucking pickups deliver the classic Gretsch chime you’d expect while retaining the guitar’s natural dynamics. It just wouldn’t be a Gretsch if it didn’t sport the iconic Bigsby, and the one on offer here works very well staying in tune beautifully - and adds just the right amount of wobble to your chords and lead lines.
Best mid-priced
It's easy to think we've seen every possible shape for an electric guitar, but then along comes Reverend with the Double Agent. The love child of a Telecaster and Les Paul, with maybe a little offset thrown in there for good measure, this is a truly striking looking guitar.
The South Korean guitar not only looks different but is also concealing a number of tone-shaping features, such as a treble bleed circuit to maintain your high-end when rolling off the volume and a passive bass roll-off control for tightening up the low-end.
This is also the only guitar on this list made from the mythical Korina - also known as White Limba. Arguably most famous for being the original material for the '58 Gibson Explorer and Flying V, this alluring wood is famed for its lightweight and resonant qualities. So if you are looking for something a little different, then you should definitely check one of these out.
Best Superstrat
This high-performance super-Strat style guitar caters to a massive range of players. Shredders will rejoice at the hand-rubbed, speed neck profile and heel cut, while its more traditional body style and overall aesthetic appeal to a much wider audience.
The humbucker is medium output, with strong bass frequencies and a slight mid-scoop. It’s enough for chunky metal tones, but dynamic and responsive enough for blues, rock, soul - even pop. Having the two single coils, and the five-way pickup selector allows for an array of chimey and glassy tones as well. High-quality hardware, including locking tuners ensure great tuning stability and plenty of resonance.
The Charvel DK24 is super versatile and boasts amazing playability and great looks, earning its place on our list of the best electric guitars.
Best Telecaster
The Telecaster truly is a timeless guitar; nothing exemplifies this more than how little has changed over the years - if we don't count a name change and a very brief stint with no name at all. So many players have fallen for the Tele's bright, articulate attack and singing upper-mids that mean it's heard in even the densest of mixes.
This Mexican-made Vintera II Telecaster is an excellent homage to the iconic 60s models. Featuring a rosewood fingerboard—a significant upgrade from the pau ferro used in the first iteration—the Vintera II beautifully captures its vintage inspiration. Expect plenty of bite and twang from the bridge pickup, alongside mellow warmth in the neck pickup position, with some great sounds in between, too.
The guitar boasts a period-correct and comfortable early 60s C neck profile, vintage-style frets and a 7.25” fingerboard radius lending it an old school feel.
Best for rock
The Gibson SG - the horned devil that has been the best-selling Gibson Guitar of all time. This solid mahogany guitar has not just been a firm favorite of Angus Young, but also Derek Truck, Tony Iommi, and Frank Zappa.
We don’t need to tell you that the SG was released in 1961, as a direct response to the dwindling sales of the Les Paul, as this is pretty much common knowledge at this point, but one thing a lot of players get wrong about the Gibson’s “Solid Guitar”, is they think it’s just a slimmed-down LP. Well, in fact, the feel and - more importantly - sound completely different. Hence why both have earned a spot on our list.
The Gibson SG Standard has a tighter bottom-end and more pronounced upper mids and means it cuts like a knife on stage - not to mention it is significantly lighter! This year’s version of the iconic guitar features a ‘60s rounded neck profile, bound rosewood fingerboard, long tenon, and of course a solid mahogany body.
Best Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster is arguably the most versatile guitar of all time. The three-pickups and five-way switch offer a range of tones you simply can't achieve on other guitars - with clever switching and parlor tricks, you can get close, but you can't nail those Strat tones perfectly without a genuine Stratocaster.
The American Pro II is the sequel to the acclaimed guitar released in 2017. Like most second installments, this guitar is very similar to its predecessor, with a few minor changes. The popular "deep C" neck now sports rolled edges for a more comfortable feel, making it even easier to play those Jimi chords with your thumb.
The newly updated V-Mod II single-coil pickups offer all the tones you'd expect from a high-quality Strat, while the redesigned 2-point tremolo with a cold-rolled steel block increases sustain and clarity.
Best premium
Whether Yamaha is making guitars, pianos, trumpets, mixing desks, or motorbikes they do it to the absolute highest standard - and nothing showcases this more than the Yamaha SA2200. This elegantly turned-out hollowbody proudly wears its influence on its sleeve, but strays from the proven formula slightly with the addition of immaculate gold hardware and heavily flamed Sycamore body. However, traditionalists will be happy to hear that there is a maple center block present at the heart of this classy guitar, and it provides the much-needed mid-range push and feedback-busting qualities you'd expect from an ES-style guitar.
The mahogany neck feels thin, fast, and insanely playable. This is the type of guitar you could play for hours and hours without fatigue - which you will want to do once you plug it in! The ebony fingerboard carries on the theme of high-end and luxury, while the split block inlays clearly take inspiration from the likes of the ES-345.
Suppose you are in the market for a reliable, well-built, gorgeous semi-hollow guitar. In that case, Yamaha SA2200 is one of the best around. It really does have it all - the sound, the look, the feel - and certainly gives the Gibson a run for its money.
Best Les Paul
Originally released in 1952 - albeit in a very different guise - the Les Paul has gone on to define rock 'n' roll and become a cultural icon. Gibson has taken a back-to-basics approach with the Les Paul Standard '60s and released a guitar that harkens back to the golden era of this stunning single-cut. Featuring Gibson's tried and true combination of a solid mahogany body, an elegant flame-maple top, and a highly playable slim taper neck.
This guitar behaves exactly how you would expect for a Gibson Les Paul, offering an intense amount of sustain, and righteous mid-range bark. This is capped off with the classic Tune-O-Matic bridge, aluminum stop bar tailpiece, Grover Rotomatic "Kidney" tuners, and gold top-hat knobs with silver reflectors completing the 1960s aesthetic.
Bringing the noise is a set of Burstbucker 61R/61T pickups. These Alnico V pickups are dripping with vintage mojo and offer a clear, punchy tone that can't help but invoke sounds of rock royalty.
Best signature
This has to be one of the most unique-looking guitars on the market today. Its hour-glass figure is reminiscent of the Gibson Firebird but more angular and futuristic - maybe if Ray Dietrich designed hover cars, this is the guitar he would have made.
It's not all about the looks, though. This striking guitar has a pretty impressive list of specs. The Okoume body - similar to the more traditional mahogany - is complemented by the figured roasted maple neck and jet black ebony fingerboard. The gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax gives the neck an incredibly smooth feel. Trust us, this is one of the best feeling guitars you'll ever play - it's effortless.
At the center of this guitar is a trio of gold-foil-ish pickups. Like the original St Vincent, these pickups are actually mini-humbuckers, not true gold-foils. Don't be disappointed, though, as there's plenty of top-end and harmonic content in these mighty little pickups to give you the complex tone you're looking for. So if you are looking for a truly unique guitar that's deceptively versatile and effortless to play, then this might be the guitar for you.
Best for versatility
The latest offering from Paul Reed Smith guitars is a marvel of engineering, beautifully combining artful looks with practical features, resulting in one of the most versatile PRS guitars we've ever played.
At the heart of the guitar sits the PRS Narrowfield, sandwiched between two 58/15 LT humbuckers - a deadly combination that certainly delivers a massive range of tones. The Narrowfield delivers the single-coil clarity and bite, with the added benefit of zero hum, whereas the two humbuckers could easily bring the house down. In case that wasn't enough, the 5-way position switch, and dual toggle switches mean you can have 12 different tones!
This guitar is available in a jaw-dropping 19 finishes! From Charcoal Burst and Faded Whale Blue to the delicious Dark Cherry Sunburst there really is a finish to suit every player’s tastes. The smooth mahogany neck isn’t too dissimilar to a vintage style Gibson and feels suitability reassuring in your hands.
Read our full PRS Special Semi-Hollow review
Best for metal
When it comes to high-performance, shred-friendly guitars, Jackson makes some of the most celebrated on the market and the new American Series Soloist SL3 proves why.
This sharp axe is designed with speed in mind and with a laser focus on playability.
The through-body three-piece maple neck with graphite reinforcement is flat, smooth and perfectly set up for gravity-defying legato runs, while the trio of Seymour Duncan pickups at its core deliver the unadulterated ‘80s tone you are searching for.
Many players won’t see the Soloist as a classic. And, okay, it may not have the prestige of a Gibson Les Paul or Fender Stratocaster, but in the world of guitar acrobatics and virtuosos, the Soloist carries far more weight than those two guitar icons ever could.
Read our full Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 review
Best electric guitars: Buying advice
Choosing the best electric guitar for you
You can trust Guitar Player. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
As they say; beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this can be applied when looking for the best electric guitar. What might be the best for one person, won’t necessarily be right for another. However, all the instruments on this list sound great, are reliable and will tick a range of metaphorical boxes for players with a specific set of needs.
Consider your budget
To find the best electric guitar for you, it’s worth making a few careful considerations before parting with your cash. Initially, you might think that the best electric guitar has to be expensive - this isn’t the case, as proven by some of the great, more budget-friendly options on our list. If you’re just starting out playing, then you probably won’t benefit from some of the features on many top-end models, so you needn’t spend loads to get a great electric guitar.
Decide on body shape
When you're picking out an electric guitar, you'll mostly come across three main body shapes: single-cut, double-cut, and offset. Each has its ups and downs, but it really boils down to what feels comfy to you. Single-cuts, like the iconic Gibson Les Paul, have a bit more wood, giving them a chunkier, richer tone that many people love.
Double-cuts, such as the Fender Stratocaster, are great for getting easy access to the higher frets. They're usually very comfortable and more ergonomic, having better access to the upper frets, making them super popular. Offset guitars, like the Fender Jaguar or Jazzmaster, have an asymmetrical shape. They might look a bit odd, but they're often really comfortable, especially when you're sitting down. The Jazzmaster, for example, was designed with seated playing in mind.
Identify your sound
Think about what sound you’re after. There are no hard and fast rules about using certain guitars for specific types of music; in a nutshell, any guitar can be used for anything - it’s all down to the player. That said, you’ll often see some of the biggest rock guitarists in the world favouring the likes of a Gibson Les Paul or SG; country players are often drawn to the twang of a Fender Telecaster; semi-hollow and hollowbody guitars are great for jazz and blues, and the likes of the Fender Strat is great for pretty much anything.
Pickups play the biggest part in your guitar’s sound. There are various different styles of pickup, all with their own unique tonal characteristics, but they can largely be split up into single-coils, humbuckers and P-90s. Our list of the best electric guitars features instruments with a variety of pickups so there’s sure to be something that suits you. Some even feature different pickup types within the same guitar allowing you to get a range of different sounds all in one instrument.
If you know your own playing style, and you like to stay in that lane, then you won’t need too many tonal options. For example, a guitar with two humbuckers and a three-way pickup selector might have everything you need. However, if you’re playing different types of music, and want a single guitar to tackle it all, then look for something that has the ability to yield different sounds. This might be in the form of coil split, or tapped humbuckers, as seen on the LTD EC-256, different pickup styles like on the Reverend, or clever switching systems, like the one on board the Fender Ultra Jazzmaster.
Consider going leftfield
If you’re adding a new guitar to an existing collection, then perhaps consider something different to what you’ve already got - that way, you can cover more ground, sonically. Say if you’ve already got a Les Paul, then going for a Strat or Tele, for example, is going to provide you with a whole different palette of tones.
Neck profile and fingerboard radius
Neck profile is another thing to think about, as this can directly affect playability. What’s best for you boils down to personal preference, though many fast lead or shred-style players feel more at home with a thinner neck profile, while others find a chunkier, more vintage or rounded profile better. Fingerboard radius can also play a part in how the guitar feels in your fretted hand, so that’s worth keeping an eye on too.
How we test products
At Guitar Player, we live and breathe everything guitar related. It's our passion and we certainly hope this passion comes through in our buyer's guides. Everyone at Guitar Player is an expert in their field and we draw on this knowledge and experience when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best electric guitars available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
When making our lists, we pay careful consideration to everything from budget to feature set, playability and durability to come up with an accurate representation of the best electric guitars available right now.
Read more on how we test gear and services at Guitar Player.
Related buying guides
- Freshen up your tone with the best electric guitar strings
- Plug in with one of the best guitar cables
- Unplug with our pick of the best acoustic guitars
- Get the best of both worlds with the best acoustic electric guitars
- Take a look at the best Martin guitars
- Want an affordable amp? Well, here are the best guitar amps under $1,000
- Nail the tone for cheaper with the best guitar amps under $500
- Save some cash with the best acoustic guitars under $500
