10 Best Guitars 2025 in the United States

The Fender Squier Stratocaster in Surf Green is a great choice for beginners looking for a classic electric guitar feel and sound. It features the iconic Stratocaster body shape, which is slim and lightweight—making it comfortable to hold and play for extended periods without tiring your hands or arms. The body and neck are made from poplar and maple woods, which are common in guitars and provide a balanced tone. Its laurel fretboard is smooth and helps with easy finger movement. The neck has a slim C-shaped profile, designed to fit comfortably in your hand, which helps beginners get started without feeling cramped.

This guitar comes with three single-coil pickups (S-S-S), offering a versatile range of sounds from bright and clear to warm tones, suitable for many music styles. The tremolo bridge adds expressive options like pitch bending, which can make playing more fun and dynamic. The tuning machines are sealed, meaning your guitar will stay in tune better and require less frequent adjustments. What makes this bundle especially attractive for new players is that it includes all necessary accessories: an amplifier, gig bag for easy transport, cable, strap, picks, and even an instructional video to help you learn. This all-in-one package provides good value and convenience so you can start playing right away.

A potential drawback is that poplar wood is generally less resonant compared to more expensive woods, so the tone might not be as rich or complex as higher-end guitars. Also, while the Squier Stratocaster is well-suited for beginners, intermediate players might eventually want to upgrade for better hardware and pickups. The weight is moderate at around 9 pounds, which is not heavy but still something to consider for younger players. This guitar bundle serves as an excellent starter kit offering classic looks, decent sound quality, and comfortable playability, making it ideal for new guitarists eager to explore electric guitar playing without a big upfront investment.

The Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is designed specifically for beginners, making it a solid choice for anyone just starting out, whether they are kids or adults. Its dreadnought body shape produces a bold and rich bass tone, ideal for genres like country, folk, and bluegrass, which is a strength for newcomers wanting to explore these styles. The lightweight, all-laminate construction enhances playability, and the 'C' shaped neck along with the walnut fingerboard ensures a comfortable grip, making it easier for beginners to practice for longer periods.

One of the standout features is the inclusion of a free subscription to Fender Play, which offers thousands of instructional videos. This is a fantastic resource for beginners, as it allows them to learn at their own pace and play songs they love from the start.

The materials used—like laminated basswood for the back and sides and spruce for the top—are adequate for a beginner guitar but may not provide the same depth of sound as higher-end solid wood guitars. This guitar is best suited for right-handed players, which could limit accessibility for left-handed individuals. The 2-year warranty is a comforting assurance of quality, although some players might find it a bit short compared to others offering longer coverage.

The Yamaha FG800J NT is a solid choice for beginners looking to dive into the world of acoustic guitars. Its dreadnought body shape offers a robust sound, with the solid spruce top delivering a bright and balanced tone, perfect for strumming chords or fingerpicking. The use of nato and mahogany for the back and sides contributes to a warm, resonant sound, making it enjoyable to play and listen to. With a comfortable rosewood fingerboard, players will find it easy to navigate the frets, enhancing playability and comfort—a crucial aspect for new players.

However, while the FG800J excels in many areas, there are some potential drawbacks. The larger dreadnought body can be a bit cumbersome for smaller players or children, which might hinder their comfort during long practice sessions. Additionally, while the materials used are of good quality, the guitar's construction is primarily aimed at beginners; more advanced players might find it lacking in certain tonal complexities and features that higher-end models offer.

For new guitarists seeking a reliable and well-crafted instrument to facilitate their learning journey, the Yamaha FG800J NT stands out as a commendable option.