Introduction
Looking for the best cheap electric guitar? You’re not alone. Every aspiring musician faces this challenge.
Being smart with your money is wise. But when shopping for affordable electric guitars, you need to be careful.
The “Cheap Guitar Trap”
Many budget guitars look great online but disappoint in person. Low price often means poor quality. This creates problems for new guitarists.
A poor-quality guitar can:
- Sound muddy or thin
- Go out of tune quickly
- Feel uncomfortable to play
- Break or wear out fast
Smart Budget Guitar Shopping
Don’t worry – you can find excellent inexpensive electric guitars. You just need to know what to look for.
This guide shows you the best budget guitars available today. Whether you’re looking for your first electric guitar or a practice guitar under 200, we’ve got you covered.
Key point: Affordable doesn’t have to mean bad, but it requires smart choices.
What’s The Best Cheap Electric Guitar Under 200
| Image | Guitar Model | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster |  (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Epiphone Les Paul Special-II E1 Electric Guitar |  (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Squier by Fender Telecaster |  (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Ibanez GIO RX 6-String Electric Guitar |  (4.6 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012DLX | (4.6 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11 |  (4.5 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Ibanez GRX20ZBKN |  (4.4 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster
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Price Range: $150-180
Best For: Beginners wanting classic Strat sound
The Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster brings legendary tone at an unbeatable price. This budget electric guitar delivers authentic Stratocaster sound without breaking the bank.
Key Features:
- Body Material: Lightweight basswood
- Neck: Maple, C-shape profile
- Pickups: 3 single-coil pickups
- Hardware: Chrome-plated tuners
- Bridge: Vintage-style tremolo
The lightweight body makes long practice sessions comfortable. The smooth neck feels great for beginners learning basic chords and lead techniques.
The classic 3 single-coil pickup configuration delivers that signature Strat sparkle. You get smooth jazz tones and punchy rock sounds. The vibrato bar adds expressive possibilities for advanced techniques.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly and reasonable quality for the price.
- Comfortable neck and lightweight.
- Classic Strat tones that cut through the mix.
Cons:
- Might need setup tweaks out of the box.
- Not as durable as higher-end models.
Epiphone Les Paul Special-II E1
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Price Range: $140-170
Best For: Rock and blues beginners
The Epiphone Les Paul Special-II dominates Epiphone’s budget guitar sales. Here’s why: it delivers amazing sound at an unbeatable price.
Key Features:
- Body Material: Okoume with basswood top
- Neck: Bolt-on mahogany neck
- Pickups: 2 open-coil humbuckers
- Hardware: Chrome-plated tuners
- Finish: Multiple color options available
The basswood body comes in multiple attractive colors. Its powerful humbuckers create rich, full tones perfect for rock and blues styles.
This starter guitar handles both clean and distorted sounds well. The humbucker pickups provide excellent sustain and reduced noise compared to single-coils.
Pros:
- Good Sound
- Affordable
- Beginner Friendly
Cons:
- Tuning Stability Issues
Squier by Fender Telecaster
Price Range: $160-190
Best For: Country, rock, and indie styles
The Squier Telecaster captures the authentic Telecaster character at a fraction of the cost. This affordable electric guitar delivers classic Tele twang and versatility.
Key Features:
- Body Material: Poplar body
- Neck: Maple neck with C-shape profile
- Pickups: 2 single-coil Telecaster pickups
- Hardware: Chrome-plated bridge and tuners
- Design: Single cutaway with pickguard
The maple neck features a comfortable C-shape profile. This makes chord changes easier for beginning players.
Simple yet powerful single-coil pickups create the tone guitarists love. The bridge pickup delivers bright, cutting tones. The neck pickup provides warmer, fuller sounds.
Pros:
- Good value for money
- Authentic Telecaster sound
- Wonderful build quality for the price
Cons:
- You’ll have to set it up in the beginning
- Sharp edges on the frets
Ibanez GIO RX 6-String Electric Guitar
Price Range: $130-160
Best For: Metal and hard rock beginners
Ibanez created the GIO series specifically for newcomers to electric guitar. The GIO RX offers aggressive looks with flexible tonal range.
Key Features:
- Body Material: Basswood body
- Neck: Maple neck with rosewood fretboard
- Pickups: 2 ceramic humbuckers
- Hardware: Chrome-plated hardware
- Frets: Jumbo frets for easier playing
The basswood body with rosewood fretboard creates a balanced tone. Jumbo frets make string bending easier for lead techniques.
Ceramic pickups offer the aggressive sound metal players want. You get plenty of output for distorted amp settings.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Beginner Friendly
Cons:
- Heavy
- Tuning Stability Issues
Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012DLX
Price Range: $170-200
Best For: All-around versatility
Yamaha’s reputation for quality extends to their budget guitars. The Pacifica PAC012DLX offers exceptional versatility in an affordable package.
Key Features:
- Body Material: Agathis body
- Neck: Bolt-on maple neck
- Pickups: H-S-S configuration (humbucker + 2 single-coils)
- Hardware: Vintage-style tremolo bridge
- Electronics: 5-way pickup selector
The H-S-S pickup configuration provides incredible versatility. You get humbucker power for rock and single-coil clarity for clean tones.
The vintage-style tremolo adds expressive possibilities. Build quality exceeds expectations for this price range.
Pros:
- Very comfortable
- Easy to play
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not the highest quality tonewood
- Not the best tuners
Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11
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Price Range: $140-170
Best For: Metal and shred guitar styles
The Jackson Dinky brings metal attitude at a budget price. This guitar targets players wanting aggressive styling and heavy tones.
Key Features:
- Body Material: Paulownia body
- Neck: Maple neck with rosewood fretboard
- Pickups: 2 high-output humbuckers
- Hardware: String-through bridge design
- Design: Double cutaway for upper fret access
The double cutaway design allows easy access to high frets. This helps players develop lead guitar techniques.
High-output humbuckers deliver crushing distorted tones. The string-through bridge improves sustain and tuning stability.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Beginner Friendly
Cons:
- Dents Easily
- Tuning Stability Issues
Ibanez GRX20ZBKN
If you want a character in your guitar, something that looks just like it sounds, you should probably go for the guitar the name of which stands for Black Night. Or maybe Black Knight? I’m not sure, but either way, character is what this instruments has an abundance of. 2 humbuckers and Alder body, Rosewood Fretboard and a look that Batman would drool at. What else does anyone want out of a guitar? Probably for it to sound as good as the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN. Go make Bruce Wayne proud and play the sound you hear when you’re driving down a dark highway in your pitch black car. Maybe, your sound will save somebody’s life as well.
Pros:
- Good Sound
- Affordable
- Beginner Friendly
Cons:
- Tuning Stability Issues
What to Look for in Budget Electric Guitars
Body Materials Explained
When shopping for cheap electric guitars, you’ll encounter several wood types:
Basswood
- Pros: Lightweight, balanced tone, affordable
- Cons: Soft wood can dent easily
- Best For: Most beginner electric guitars
Poplar
- Pros: Similar to basswood, slightly harder
- Cons: Plain grain requires painted finishes
- Best For: Telecaster-style guitars
Agathis
- Pros: Dense wood with good sustain
- Cons: Can be heavy
- Best For: Versatile playing styles
Pickup Types: Single-Coil vs Humbucker
Understanding pickup types helps you choose the right sound:
Single-Coil Pickups
- Sound: Bright, clear, articulate
- Best For: Country, blues, funk, indie rock
- Drawback: Can be noisy with high gain
Humbucker Pickups
- Sound: Warm, powerful, less noise
- Best For: Rock, metal, jazz
- Drawback: Can sound muddy in some contexts
H-S-S Configuration
- Sound: Best of both worlds
- Best For: Players wanting maximum versatility
- Found In: Yamaha Pacifica, some Stratocasters
Neck Considerations
The neck significantly affects playability:
Neck Profile
- C-Shape: Most common, comfortable for most players
- U-Shape: Thicker, preferred by some vintage enthusiasts
- Modern C: Slightly flatter, good for lead playing
Fretboard Materials
- Rosewood: Warm tone, smooth feel
- Maple: Bright tone, fast playing surface
- Indian Laurel: Affordable rosewood alternative
Hardware Quality
Even budget guitars need functional hardware:
Tuning Machines
- Look for sealed tuners when possible
- Open-gear tuners are acceptable but require more maintenance
- Cheap tuners are the most common upgrade need
Bridge Types
- Fixed Bridge: Most stable tuning, easiest maintenance
- Tremolo Bridge: Adds expression but affects tuning stability
- String-Through: Can improve sustain on some guitars
Best Cheap Electric Guitar for Different Styles
Best for Rock: Epiphone Les Paul Special-II
The humbucker pickups and solid construction make this ideal for rock tones. The sustain and warmth work perfectly with distorted amplifiers.
Best for Blues: Squier Telecaster
The single-coil pickups provide the clarity and bite that blues players love. The simple design keeps you focused on technique.
Best for Metal: Jackson Dinky JS11
High-output pickups and aggressive styling match metal aesthetics. The double cutaway aids in fast lead playing.
Best All-Around: Yamaha Pacifica PAC012DLX
The H-S-S pickup configuration handles any style. Yamaha’s build quality ensures reliability for years of playing.
Best Budget Option: Squier Strat
For players with extremely tight budgets, this provides genuine Stratocaster experience at the lowest price point.
Avoiding Common Beginner Guitar Mistakes
Don’t Focus Only on Price
The cheapest option isn’t always the best value. Spending slightly more often provides significantly better quality and playability.
Consider Used Guitars
A used mid-range guitar often provides better value than a new budget model. Check local music stores and online marketplaces.
Factor in Setup Costs
Budget guitars often need professional setup. Add $50-75 to your budget for this essential service.
Think About Amplification
Electric guitars need amplifiers. Consider starter packs that include basic amps, or budget for a small practice amp.
Essential Accessories for New Players
Must-Have Accessories
- Guitar picks (various thicknesses)
- Guitar cable for amp connection
- Guitar strap for comfortable playing
- Electronic tuner for accurate tuning
Helpful Additions
- Guitar stand for safe storage
- Spare strings for replacements
- Basic maintenance tools
- Metronome for timing practice
When to Upgrade Your Budget Guitar
Signs It’s Time to Upgrade
- Tuning stability becomes problematic
- Fret wear affects playability
- Pickup output no longer suits your style
- You’ve outgrown the guitar’s capabilities
What to Upgrade First
- Pickups provide the biggest tonal improvement
- Tuning machines solve stability issues
- Bridge upgrades can improve sustain
- Electronics reduce noise and improve switching
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much should I spend on my first electric guitar?
A: Budget $150-200 for a quality beginner electric guitar. This price range offers playable instruments that won’t frustrate your learning process.
Q: Do I need an expensive guitar to sound good?
A: No. While expensive guitars offer premium features, budget guitars can sound excellent with proper setup and good amplification.
Q: Should I buy a guitar starter pack?
A: Starter packs offer convenience and value for absolute beginners. They include guitar, amp, cable, picks, and sometimes lessons.
Q: How often do cheap guitars need maintenance?
A: Budget guitars may need more frequent adjustments. Expect to adjust tuning more often and possibly need professional setups every 6-12 months.
Q: Can I learn on a cheap electric guitar?
A: Absolutely. Many professional musicians started on budget instruments. Focus on learning technique rather than gear.
Conclusion
Finding the best cheap electric guitar under $200 requires balancing price, quality, and features. The guitars in this guide offer excellent value for beginning players.
The Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster provides classic tone and feel. The Epiphone Les Paul Special-II delivers rock power at an unbeatable price. For maximum versatility, choose the Yamaha Pacifica PAC012DLX.
Remember these key points:
- Don’t sacrifice playability for price alone
- Consider professional setup costs
- Think about your musical style preferences
- Budget for essential accessories
Your first electric guitar should inspire you to keep playing. Any guitar on this list will serve that purpose while providing excellent value for money.
Start your guitar journey today with confidence. These affordable electric guitars prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to sound great.
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