Best Electric Guitars Under 200 For Newbies And Professionals

Looking for something to practice? Are you just planning to dip your toe in the world of electric guitars? If your answer is yes, then this is the right place to come to on either of those accounts. My list of best electric guitars under 200 below includes a list of the best most affordable electric guitars in this range that not only look good but also sound the part.

Or if you are wondering for an authentic electric guitar for flawless look and performance, then checkout the pro's guitars listed in this site.

You will be surprised by the impressive models the market has to offer, which is why I have nitpicked a few, that are highly rated made by brands that have been around for decades, and know what makes a good instrument.

REVIEW OF Best electric guitars under 200

1) Squier by Fender - best Hard Tail Electric Guitar

Best electric guitars under 200

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Poplar body.
  • Laurel fingerboard.
  • Single coil humbucking pickup.
  • 22.75-inch scale.
  • Satin neck finish.
  • Hardtail bridge system.
  • C shaped neck.
  • Ply white pickguard.

Nothing says quality and affordability like Squier, so there is no surprise that I am starting out my list of best electric guitars under 200 with this classic Stratocaster.

Let us start with the sound that has the classic Fender tone to it, along with the much-needed brightness, and sharpness that you would expect from this brand.

Completely and authentically designed by Fender, this single-coil model has a lightweight poplar body with a C shaped neck with a satin finish. The best part of this neck is apart from the retro feel, it is comfortable for all body types as well as playing styles.

For good steadiness and sustain, it has a hard tail bridge that has a humbucking pickup system for that fat full-bodied sound. To kick things off if you are a beginner, you can get access to Fender play that is a very useful online platform for learning, chord sheets, songs from all genres, and more.

Pros

  • Full-bodied sound.
  • Classic Fender.
  • Easy playability.
  • Good tenacity.
  • Very affordable.

Cons

  • Tuning can get time-consuming.

2) Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012 - best electric guitar for sparring

Best electric guitars under 200

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Sunburst finish.
  • Agathis body.
  • Maple neck.
  • Rosewood fretboard.
  • 5-way switch.
  • Tone controls.
  • Tremolo bridge.
  • Dual single-coil humbucking.
  • Sonokeling fingerboard.

Not many consider Yamaha to be a budget option, but their Pacifica series is a highly rated set of models, that will not form a dent in your bank account. If I need to describe this model in two words, it will be control and versatility.

It has a comfortable double-cutaway body that allows access to all the parts of the fretboard, a lightweight solid Agathis body, a soft rosewood fretboard, and a maple neck with a satin finish.

Speaking of the sound, you get complete control over it with the 5-way selector switch that allows you to shape the tone with enough flexibility. 

It also comes with a tremolo bridge with two single-coil humbucking pickups that will allow you to go from clean to distorted smoothly with range and clarity to give you the complete satisfactory package. So don't miss this one as it is also one of the best electric guitars under 200 which offers you amazing features.

Pros

  • Tonal flexibility.
  • Good range.
  • Clear sound.
  • Comfortable body.
  • Versatile.

Cons

  • The amp is only decent.
  • Needs a bit of set up.

3) Ibanez 6 String - best Solid-Body Electric Guitar

Best electric guitars under 200

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Poplar body.
  • New Zealand pine fingerboard.
  • White dot inlays.
  • 5-way toggle switch.
  • Tremolo bridge.
  • Maple neck.
  • Quilted art grain finish.
  • High output Infinity R humbucking pickup.

Ibanez 6 string solid-body electric guitar is one of the best electric guitars under 200 in my list. There is a lot to know about the fundamentals of electric guitars, and if you are someone who hasn’t yet played their first chord can’t be expected to figure it all out in the beginning. 

To help you with it, we simply put, this guitar should be at the top of your considerations when looking for a budget beginner model. It has an attitude, it has style, and it also has the sound to match it. 

On the hardware front, it has a green burst poplar body with a quilted grain art top coat, soft New Zealand pine fingerboard with inlays, and a fast narrow neck that is comfortable to play irrespective of your playing style.

Coming to its sound, we get a high-intensity R humbucking pickup system that has a clear propelled sound and a 5-way toggle switch that gives you complete flexibility to choose the tone you need across the varied spectrum and shape it according to your preferences.

Finally, the tremolo bridge caps it to give you a stylish classy model that plays like a charm, and sits comfortably within your budget. 

Pros

  • Value for the price.
  • Perfect for beginners.
  • Good intonation.
  • Comfortable body.
  • Many tonal options.

Cons

  • Frets need readjusting for lower action.

4) Dean Vendetta XM - best electric guitar for beginners

Best electric guitars under 200

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Vendetta paulownia body.
  • Maple neck.
  • Satin finish.
  • Rosewood fretboard.
  • Volume and tonal control.
  • 3-way toggle switch.
  • Humbucking pickup system
  • Dual-action truss rod.
  • Right-handed orientation.
  • Bolt-on construction.
  • Sealed die-cast tuners.

If you love rock, then this beginner electric guitar is for you. There are no two ways about it, this simple electric guitar is built for heavy rock, and it does it brilliantly. Few consider this due to its simplicity, but that is the main appeal. Why bother for many mediocre features when you can get a few brilliant features?

You not only get a three-way toggle switch, but also volume and tonal controls for optimum versatility. It also comes with dual humbucking pickups, and a tremolo bridge for pitch variation effects.

Speaking of its hardware, it has a double-cutaway paulownia body with a rosewood fretboard with dot inlays, maple neck, and Dean’s classic winged headstock design.

With over 40 years of creating solid guitars for musicians who expect nothing less, your sound is in good hands. So overall this is one of the best electric guitars under 200 and I recommend this for beginners.

Pros

  • Lightweight body.
  • Narrow neck.
  • Hard rock sound.
  • Comfortable body.
  • Attractive design.

Cons

  • The bottom half of the frets can get a bit sharp.

5) Leo Jaymz Full Size Single Cut Electric Guitar - with Amazing US Flag Sticker on Curved Top

Best electric guitars under 200

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Mahogany body.
  • Rosewood fretboard.
  • C shaped maple neck.
  • Humbucking pickup.
  • Hardtail bridge.
  • Grover machine heads.
  • 5-layer ABS binding.
  • US flag sunburst.
  • 3-way selector switch.
  • Volume and tonal controls.

Next up in my list of best electric guitars under 200 comes the Leo Jaymz full size cut single electric guitar. A single cut beauty with the US flag embossed on top for all the patriots out there that look beautiful under the stage lights.

Speaking of its hardware, it has five layers of ABS binding over the sturdy mahogany body. It also features a set in C shaped maple neck perfect for access to all the frets and comfortable to play. The Grover tuners help increase intonation and maintain tonal stability for a longer time.

Additionally, you get dual volume and tonal controls with a three-way selector switch to shape your tone. The pearl inlays on the soft rosewood fretboard, complete the look of this eye-catching electric guitar that you will not regret having in your collection.

Pros

  • Comes with a padded gig bag.
  • Sturdy tuners.
  • Attractive body.
  • Comfortable neck.
  • Resonant.

Cons

  • Needs to be readjusted for lower action.

6) Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry Sunburst

EPIPHONE LES PAUL SPECIAL

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Heritage cherry burst finish.
  • D Profile neck.
  • Rosewood fretboard.
  • Humbucker pickup configuration.
  • Okume neck.
  • Mahogany body.
  • Tune-o-Matic bridge system.
  • 3-way toggle switch.

This is one of the best selling models from the Gibson subsidiary Epiphone that is not only famous for its perfect price point, but also for being the perfect beginners' tool with the iconic Les Paul tone.

This is one of the few beginner guitars also used by professionals, and seasoned performers to better their stage sound when on the road.

It features a sturdy cherry sunburst mahogany body with chrome hardware, a rosewood fretboard, and an okume neck that has a 1960s D profile. On the electronics front, you get an open coil humbucking pickup and a 3-way toggle switch with an intensive non-rotating output jack. 

You also get staggering sustain with its stop-bar tailpiece and the tune-o-Matic bridge for excellent intonation. So what do you wait for grab this piece as it is also one of the best electric guitars under 200 in my list.

Pros

  • Both dexterities.
  • Comfortable body.
  • Fast neck.
  • Punchy sound.
  • Versatile tonality.

Cons

  • May need frequent tuning.

7) JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22-7 - best electric guitar for metal

JS SERIES DINKY ARCH TOP JS22-7

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Poplar shape.
  • Satin finish.
  • Jackson humbucking pickup.
  • String through the body.
  • Maple neck.
  • Amaranth fingerboard.
  • Hardtail bridge system.
  • Three-way toggle switch.
  • Volume and tonal controls.
  • Sealed die-cast tuners.
  • Dual-action truss rod.

Whether you are into hard rock or metal, this Jackson dinky will do it for you. On its hardware, one looks at it and you know it is an elegant good looking model that would easily suit beginners and seasoned players alike.

It has a standard basswood body that has a cutaway design for comfort and access to al the jumbo frets with a single maple piece neck for quick transitions, a hard tail string through the body bridge system, and an Amaranth fingerboard.

On the sound front, it has a clear low end with the classic Jackson sound and optimum resonance with flexile volume and tonal controls so you never have to compromise on clarity whether you want it distorted or clean.

Pros

  • Value for money.
  • Perfect for beginners.
  • Jackson tone.
  • Versatile sound.
  • Fast and sturdy.

Cons

  • Needs a bit of set up.

8) Sawtooth ES Series - best ST Style Electric Guitar

SAWTOOTH ES SERIES

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Sycamore body.
  • Maple C shaped neck.
  • Rosewood fretboard.
  • S truss rod.
  • 5-way toggle switch.
  • Dual tonal and single volume control.
  • 3 single-coil pickup.
  • White dot inlays.
  • Finish options.
  • Tremolo system.
  • Chrome pickguard.

If you are a beginner looking for an electric guitar, then check out the Sawtooth ES series ST style electric guitar which is one of the best electric guitars under 200 especially for beginners. 

Sawtooth has become synonymous with its stylish designs over the years, with an ardent following of those who want guitars built for the stage at an affordable price point. These sleek beauties have a retro vibe to them, and in terms of sound, have the much-needed boom with versatility.

What more do you need? It has a lightweight sycamore body with many finish options with a C shaped neck that helps access all of the 22 jumbo frets, a tortoise pickguard, and a rosewood fretboard. This model needs no hassle of setting up and can be played right out of the box.

On the electronics front, you get three classic single-coil pickups, and a tremolo bridge with good master tonal and volume controls and a five-way toggle switch.

Pros

  • Attractive design.
  • Value for money.
  • Perfect for beginners.
  • Lightweight body.
  • Low action.

Cons

  • Tuner can get tricky

9) ESP LTD EC-10 KIT Electric Guitar with Gig Bag, Black

ESP LTD EC-10

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Basswood body.
  • Chrome hardware.
  • Volume, tone, and toggle switch.
  • U shaped neck.
  • Maple neck.
  • Rosewood fretboard.
  • ESP dual humbucker pickups.
  • Single cutaway.
  • Tune-o-Matic bridge and tailpiece.

A smooth playable neck, excellent rock sound, and affordable. That is exactly what this ESP LTD model is. It has a beautiful black solid basswood body that has a single-cutaway feature and a glossy finish.

It features a rosewood fretboard, a maple neck and jumbo frets for quick transitions and a tune-o-Matic bridge that holds the tune for longer time.

On the electronics and sound front, we get dual ESP passive humbucking pickups placed at the bridge. It has a neck that aid with the volume especially, if you play metal and hard rock while still keeping the mellow warm sound when you don’t need the distortion.

With over 40 years of expertise under their belt, you can rest assured that they build solid instruments with superior quality. This is one of the affordable and best electric guitars under 200 in my list.

Pros

  • Comes with a gig bag.
  • High quality.
  • Affordable.
  • Versatile sound.
  • Playable neck.

Cons

  • Slight fret buzz.

10) Stagg S300 - best small hand electric guitar

STAGG S300

PRODUCT DETAILS


  • Alder body.
  • Natural and gloss finish.
  • Rosewood fretboard and neck.
  • Tremolo bridge system.
  • 3 single-coil pickups.
  • Right-handed configuration.
  • ¾ the normal scale.

Moving on to the end of the list of best electric guitars under 200 comes the Stagg S300 6 string electric guitar. This mini stag is exactly what you expect from the brand Stagg, a versatile brilliant sounding instrument that looks the part.

It has a lightweight alder body that has a natural glossy finish that looks classy with a soft rosewood fretboard and a bolt-on maple neck.

It comes with a tremolo bridge system, and 3 single-coil pickups that have a bright sound and good intonation. The high-quality sound also emanates from the solid wood used to build a body that gives the much-needed resonance and vibrato.

The thick fretboard makes the entire experience of playing that much simpler and enjoyable. At the end of the day, this is a good electric guitar for any, irrespective of your style or level of play.

Pros

  • For all playing levels.
  • Flexible tonality.
  • High-quality sound.
  • Attractive finish.
  • Value for the price.

Cons

  • Strings may need replacing.

CONCLUSION

So this was all about the best electric guitars under 200. I have done the legwork for you and listed the best electric guitars in this article. Now it is your turn to choose the right one for you. 

Be clear-headed with your needs, and go through trial and error, which will make your whole shopping experience simple. 

Also share your views about this article in the comment section 🙂

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