Checklist · 13 picks · 5 categories
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Bedroom rockstar era starts here. An electric guitar needs a few friends before it makes a sound: an amp, a cable to connect them, and a tuner so your first riffs don't sound off.
MusicRadar's top beginner pick is the Yamaha Pacifica 112V, and it suggests a short-scale guitar like the Squier Sonic Mustang HH for smaller hands. You don't need a big amp to start: MusicRadar's desktop amps are small, light practice amps made for home. A headphone amp plugs straight into the guitar so you can practice through headphones, which your roommates will appreciate. Every pick comes from MusicRadar's guides to beginner electrics, desktop amps, cables, clip-on tuners and headphone amps, and each card shows the drawback it called out.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you want to strum without an amp or cables; the Guitar Starter Kit covers beginner acoustic guitars.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Nov 1, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha Pacifica 112V | mid | $300-500 | trying lots of styles before you pick a lane | 1 outlet |
| Squier Sonic Mustang HH | budget | $200-300 | smaller hands and easier string bends | 1 outlet |
| Epiphone Les Paul Studio | splurge | $500+ | adult beginners who want classic rock tone | 1 outlet |
Best electric guitarmid pick · 25.5 in scale
Best for trying lots of styles before you pick a lane
MusicRadar's best beginner electric guitar overall: outstanding build quality, versatile tones and a super playable neck make it almost the perfect beginner electric.
Heads up. Quite plain
1 outlet. MusicRadar best beginner electric guitar overall.
$300-500
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budget pick · 24 in scale
Best for smaller hands and easier string bends
MusicRadar's best beginner electric guitar for kids: a short scale that's comfortable for smaller hands, in loads of inspiring colors.
Heads up. Not ideal for taller people
1 outlet. MusicRadar best beginner electric guitar for kids.
$200-300
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splurge pick · 24.75 in scale
Best for adult beginners who want classic rock tone
MusicRadar's best beginner electric guitar for adults: an affordable rock 'n' roll classic with powerful pickups and a super comfortable neck.
Heads up. A little heavy for young players
1 outlet. MusicRadar best beginner electric guitar for adults.
$500+
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laney Lionheart Mini | budget | $50-100 | simple clean and overdrive sounds without menus | 1 outlet |
| Blackstar Fly 3 | budget | $50-100 | a pocket-size amp for your desk | 1 outlet |
| Positive Grid Spark Mini | mid | $200-300 | jamming along with backing tracks from an app | 1 outlet |
Best practice ampbudget pick · Desktop, 3-inch speaker
Best for simple clean and overdrive sounds without menus
MusicRadar's best beginner desktop amp: simple controls and a very attractive price make it an ideal choice for guitarists who are just starting out.
Heads up. The Tonebridge app subscription it comes with lasts only 3 months, and there are louder options
1 outlet. MusicRadar best beginner desktop amp.
$50-100
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budget pick · Desktop, 3-inch speaker
Best for a pocket-size amp for your desk
MusicRadar's best budget desktop amp: a tiny 3-watt amp with crisp sound, a fun delay and great overdrive tones.
Heads up. No Bluetooth
1 outlet. MusicRadar best budget desktop amp.
$50-100
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mid pick · Desktop
Best for jamming along with backing tracks from an app
MusicRadar's best desktop amp overall: a battery-powered 10-watt amp whose app unlocks thousands of tones, plus Smart Jam and Auto Chords for practice.
Heads up. Leans on the app, so skip it if you're not a fan of apps
1 outlet. MusicRadar best desktop amp overall.
$200-300
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fender Professional Series Instrument Cable | budget | $15-25 | your first cable, and a backup later | 1 outlet |
| Ernie Ball Braided Instrument Cable | mid | $25-50 | a tangle-free cable in a fun color | 1 outlet |
| Mogami Gold Series Guitar Cable | splurge | $50-100 | a cable you buy once | 1 outlet |
Best guitar cablebudget pick · 6 in to 25 ft
Best for your first cable, and a backup later
MusicRadar's best budget guitar cable: a fat-gauge cable that feels more premium than the price, in a PVC jacket designed not to tangle.
Heads up. Plated connectors
1 outlet. MusicRadar best budget guitar cable.
$15-25
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mid pick · 10 to 25 ft
Best for a tangle-free cable in a fun color
MusicRadar's best mid-priced guitar cable: a woven jacket that's less likely to tangle, with a low noise floor from its well-shielded build.
Heads up. Not available with two straight jacks, and you may want something nicer for the studio
1 outlet. MusicRadar best mid-priced guitar cable.
$25-50
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splurge pick · 3 to 25 ft
Best for a cable you buy once
MusicRadar's best guitar cable overall: a pro-standard cable from a company whose cables are used in recording and broadcast studios worldwide.
Heads up. Some may prefer a brighter color for the stage
1 outlet. MusicRadar best guitar cable overall.
$50-100
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Best clip-on tunerbudget pick · Clip-on
Best for a cheap, reliable first tuner
MusicRadar's best clip-on tuner on a budget: a no-frills, reliable tuner that handles the basics with swift tracking.
Heads up. Not exactly discreet on your headstock
1 outlet. MusicRadar best clip-on tuner on a budget.
$15-25
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budget pick · Clip-on
Best for leaving a tuner clipped on full time
MusicRadar's best discreet clip-on tuner: small, with a bright, easily readable display, and easy to leave on for good.
Heads up. Some players may prefer a larger screen
1 outlet. MusicRadar best discreet clip-on tuner.
$15-25
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Best headphone ampmid pick · Plugs into the guitar
Best for practicing late at night on headphones
MusicRadar's best headphone amp overall: probably the most you can get for the least outlay, with 12 amp models and built-in effects in a tiny plug-in unit.
1 outlet. MusicRadar best headphone amp overall.
$100-150
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splurge pick · Headphone amp
Best for feeling like you're playing with a full band
MusicRadar's best headphone amp for various effects: a wealth of amp models and world-class effects, plus a Stage Feel button that makes it sound like you're onstage with a band.
Heads up. You need the app to change effect levels, and there's no tap tempo on the device
1 outlet. MusicRadar best headphone amp for various effects.
$150-200
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
MusicRadar's top pick is the Yamaha Pacifica 112V, for its build quality, versatile tones and super playable neck. For smaller hands it recommends a short-scale guitar like the Squier Sonic Mustang HH, and for adult beginners the Epiphone Les Paul Studio, which it warns is a little heavy for young players.
A small desktop amp is plenty for home practice. MusicRadar calls the Laney Lionheart Mini ideal for beginners thanks to its simple controls and price, the Blackstar Fly 3 its budget pick, and the app-driven Positive Grid Spark Mini its best overall.
Yes, with a headphone amp. MusicRadar's top pick, the Fender Mustang Micro, plugs into your guitar and gives you 12 amp models through your headphones, plus Bluetooth for playing along to your music.