Best Solid Electric Guitars of 2026

"As a first-time guitar buyer, I found the Fender Stratocaster to be a fantastic entry-level instrument. It played well right out of the box with proper action and tuning stability, which made things much easier as a beginner. I appreciated not having to do any setup, and while some of the hardware is basic, it's a solid platform for future upgrades. The only minor issue was my pickguard, which had a very subtle reddish hue, but it's hardly noticeable. Overall, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone starting out."

"I picked this up as a student wanting to finally learn guitar, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. The price was unbeatable, the sound is great for beginners, and the build quality is impressive. It fits perfectly in my apartment, is easy to keep on a stand, and is comfortable to play. Highly recommend for any student or new guitarist."

"My son was after a guitar similar to what Mark Knopfler used, and after researching, he settled on this Stratocaster. The sound is crisp, and the finish exceeded our expectations. Most importantly, the price made it accessible, and we truly feel we got a lot of value for the money. My son hasn't stopped playing it since it arrived."

"I’ve played guitar for decades and treated myself to this for my birthday. Right out of the box, the setup and action were fantastic—I barely had to touch it. The color and finish are top-notch, and the neck feels balanced and comfortable. I was so satisfied that I bought another one as a gift. In my opinion, this is a must-have for both beginners and experienced players. The quality far exceeds what you’d expect at this price point."

"I’ve owned high-end guitars and didn’t expect much for this price, but I was blown away. The action and intonation were spot on, and the neck and fretwork rivaled guitars that cost much more. Even compared to my Epiphone Custom Shop SG, this guitar holds its own. All I did was change the strings and add strap locks, and now I’m considering other models from this brand. These are seriously impressive instruments for the money."

"I purchased this mainly for its affordability and resemblance to my Gibson SG, and it did not disappoint. The build quality is excellent, and the paint and hardware are flawless. The guitar was set up well and ready to play, with no sharp edges or unsafe spots, which was important to me since my granddaughter is around. For the price, it’s a fantastic deal and a solid value."

"I was really surprised by how well-built and lightweight this guitar is. After a bit of setup, it became my go-to instrument. The playability is excellent, and the finish looks even better in person. For the price, I couldn't be happier!"

"As a gigging musician, I needed something comfortable for long sets, and the Fesley FLP-350 is almost a pound lighter than my other guitars. The tone is outstanding, and it cuts through the mix with ease. The only thing I changed was the strings, and that made a big difference. Highly recommend it to anyone, pro or beginner."

"I bought this guitar for my son to learn on, and I'm impressed with the solid build and easy playability. It's affordable without sacrificing quality, and now even my other son wants one. Definitely a great investment for beginners and families."

"I was honestly surprised by how good this guitar is for the price. The lightweight feel and matte finish look fantastic, and the neck is smooth and comfortable. The frets are well-finished, and the classic Tele twang is there. It’s a perfect mod platform—I bought it to upgrade, but it’s already playable straight from the box. For beginners, I think this is probably the best value out there."

"As someone who’s played for decades, I expected a cheap instrument but got a beautiful, fully playable guitar right out of the box. The fretwork is excellent, the neck feels great, and the tuners and bridge work just fine. It even arrived well set up and in tune. For what I paid, I’m amazed—I’d recommend it to anyone, whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned player looking for a reliable backup."

"I picked up the Squier Debut Telecaster in matte black and found it to be a solid value for the money. The finish is attractive, and it’s easy to upgrade parts if you want to. The only minor drawbacks are the plastic nut and tuners, which I’ll swap out eventually, but nothing major. If you can do a basic setup or have it done, it’s a great buy."

"I picked up this guitar during a sale for just over $50 and was honestly surprised by its solid construction and impressive sound quality. After a quick setup and swapping in better strings, the playability exceeded my expectations. It's lightweight and the neck is fast, making it a great choice for beginners or even as a backup for more advanced players."

"As someone who is getting back into guitar after years, I really appreciate how easy this instrument is to play right out of the box. The color was even better in person than online, and it feels much more expensive than it is. All the included accessories work well, especially the tuner and strap. Perfect for someone starting out or picking it back up."

"I was genuinely amazed by the playability and value of this guitar—I expected it to be more of a decorative piece for the price, but it's actually a solid instrument. The tuners aren't the smoothest, but they hold tuning well. Overall, it's well worth the modest investment and exceeded my expectations."

"I've had DR Pure Blues on all my electrics for years, and they never let me down. The warm, vintage sound is just incredible, and the fact that they’re pure nickel on a round core makes a real difference. I love how easy they are to bend, and they feel gentle on my frets. With different gauges for each guitar, I’ve found exactly the tone I want. Honestly, I don’t see myself switching to any other brand."

"I’ve tested tons of strings, but DRs stand out for quality and tone. They last much longer than most brands and are super reliable—I rarely ever break one. Plus, they’re affordable and always made in America. For me, these are the best strings you can get for the price."

"After swapping from other brands, I noticed my guitar sustains better and has a fuller tone with these DR strings. They’re comfortable to play, and even after hours of practice, my fingers aren’t wrecked anymore. The difference is clear, especially if you play often. Highly recommended for both clean and dirty tones!"

"As a left-handed player with a disability, I found the Jackson Black Matt Electric Guitar to be a true game-changer. The attention to detail, especially the notched low E string, made it easier for me to play, and the sound and build quality have far exceeded my expectations. For the price, I don’t think you can find a better instrument—it’s opened up a new world of music for me."

"Having owned several guitars over $600, I still find myself reaching for this Jackson constantly. The sound, build quality, and looks are top-notch, and even though it might benefit from a setup, it easily rivals guitars twice its price."

"I picked up the Jackson JS22 as my first guitar, and the setup was almost perfect right out of the box. The satin black finish is flawless, and it’s so comfortable to play. For the cost, it’s a fantastic choice for beginners—I’d pick it over a Fender or Ibanez in this range."

"I bought this set for my daughter and was surprised by the overall quality of the guitar and amp. The setup was decent, everything worked right out of the box, and it even included decent strings. The only letdown was the cable, but that's typical for affordable kits. This is a fantastic choice for beginners, and I'd recommend it."

"As someone who's just starting out, I found this set to be perfect for beginners and even intermediate players. The guitar and amp both work well, and the price for everything included is hard to beat. It was exactly what I needed to see if I’d stick with playing guitar."

"I picked this kit up for my own project guitar, and I was impressed with the amp's power and the guitar's playability out of the box. There were a few minor things like some sharp fret ends and a dry fretboard, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a little attention. For a starter, this package offers great value and room to upgrade."

"I own over 20 guitars, mostly high-end brands like Fender, Gibson, and Martin, and I was genuinely surprised by this Ibanez GRX 6. It plays and sounds just as good as guitars costing much more. The finish is flawless, and the HSH pickup setup gives me five distinct, usable tones. The guitar arrived almost in tune and required minimal setup. Even the tuners are smooth and the stock strings are decent. I’d absolutely recommend this to anyone wanting a great-looking, great-playing guitar without breaking the bank."

"I bought this Ibanez as a budget-friendly travel guitar, expecting to have to swap out parts or deal with issues. Instead, I found the build quality exceeded my expectations. It stays in tune well after stretching the strings, and the pickups sound surprisingly good for this price. For practicing on the road or in a hotel room, it’s perfect. Packaging was secure, and the setup from Sweetwater was nearly spot-on. Overall, an excellent buy for $200."

"As someone with a background in acoustics, I wasn’t sure what to expect from an electric guitar, especially a $200 model. But I was blown away. The action is so good I can play faster and more comfortably than ever—perfect for the African music styles I love. The ergonomic body fits well, and the balance is just right. I run it through software amps and it still sounds fantastic. This is an affordable instrument that truly delivers."

"I've tried plenty of brands over the years, from Gibson to Firefly, and honestly, the Fesley guitar exceeds my expectations in every way. The matte finish feels amazing, it looks fantastic, and the setup was perfect right out of the box. The craftsmanship is top-notch—even the inside cavities are clean, and the pickups sound much better than many pricier guitars I've owned. For under $150, this guitar is a total steal. I highly recommend it for beginners or even seasoned players. The only thing I'd possibly change is upgrading the tuners, but even those are decent for the price."

"As someone who's been collecting guitars since the '70s, I can say this Fesley model is far beyond what I expected in this price range. The intonation was spot-on, it survived shipping perfectly, and the playability is outstanding. The strings are decent and it stays in tune well. I've bought guitars that cost over $1,000 that weren't set up this well out of the box. I honestly can't believe they can sell this for under $100. Told my son to grab one before the price goes up!"

"I picked up the Fesley camo model after returning a couple of disappointing budget guitars, and I have to say, this was the best decision I made. The guitar is solid, looks awesome, and plays beautifully. The only tweaks I needed were to lower the action and fine-tune the intonation, both easy fixes. For the money, nothing else comes close."