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Best Electric Guitar Under $100 2026

Playable beginner guitars that do not sacrifice quality. Used market delivers premium playability at unbeatable prices.

Updated

BEST OVERALL
Squier Bullet Stratocaster
$2 on Reverb
BEST VALUE
Squier Affinity Stratocaster
$2 on Reverb
BEST TONE
Epiphone Les Paul Special
$5 on Reverb
MOST AFFORDABLE
Squier Mini Stratocaster
$2 on Reverb

Under $100 electric guitars are all student-level instruments. The key differentiation is build quality and playability. Some sub-$100 guitars have fret ends that scratch your hand, high action that makes playing painful, and electronics that crackle. The best sub-$100 electrics come from Squier (Fender budget line) and reputable entry-level builders.

The used market is where under-$100 guitars shine. A $200 new Squier Affinity costs $100–$150 used, with any playability issues already corrected. We ranked 7 sub-$100 picks by tone, build quality, and beginner-friendliness.

The 7 Best Electric Guitar Under $100

#1

Squier Bullet Stratocaster

Budget beginner · Dual single-coil + humbucker$80–$130 used

Best for: Beginners who want a real Strat setup at the lowest price point

The Squier Bullet is the entry point to the Strat design. Thin neck, double-cutaway access to higher frets, pickup configuration balances clarity and punch. Basic hardware works reliably.

What to check used: Tuning machines are basic — drift is common but easy to live with or upgrade.

Available now

#2

Squier Affinity Stratocaster

Budget beginner · Three single-coil pickups$100–$150 used

Best for: Beginners who want the classic Strat single-coil tone without breaking the bank

A step up from the Bullet. Three true single-coils give you the genuine Strat tone that defined rock and blues. Thicker body than Bullet. Better fret ends and overall finish quality.

What to check used: Single coils hum when all are not selected — this is normal, not a defect.

Available now

#3

Epiphone Les Paul Special

Budget beginner · Dual humbuckers, slab body$90–$140 used

Best for: Beginners who want humbucker punch and the Les Paul aesthetic

Lightweight slab body (no top carving), dual humbuckers for a fat, full tone. Les Paul shape screams rock. The Special is heavier and thinner than Custom 24 but has great personality and presence.

What to check used: The slab body looks less fancy than real Les Pauls, but the sound is surprisingly good.

Available now

#4

Squier Mini Stratocaster

Compact beginner · Single-coil pickups, 24" scale$60–$90 used

Best for: Young players, small hands, or anyone who wants a genuine Strat feel in a smaller package

Same Strat design and single-coil tone, but shorter scale (24 inch vs 25.5 inch) and lighter overall. Great for teenagers or players with smaller hands. Does not sacrifice playability.

What to check used: Shorter scale means chords feel tighter — personal preference, not a flaw.

Available now

#5

Harley Benton ST-20

Budget compact · Dual single-coils$40–$65 used

Best for: Absolute minimum budget — throwaway learner guitar or bedroom player

German budget brand that appears in used markets. Basic Strat geometry, functional pickups, playable action. Does not feel cheap in hand. Good value for someone renting or unsure about commitment.

What to check used: Electronics and tuning stability are minimum-viable — acceptable for learning, frustrating for gigging.

Available now

#6

Squier Strat Pack (Guitar + Amp + Cable)

Bundle beginner · Affinity Strat + 10W amp$100–$150 used (if sold as complete bundle)

Best for: Complete beginners who need everything to start — guitar, amp, cable, strap

Often sold as a bundle on used markets. You get a functional Affinity Strat plus a small amp (usually 10W solid state, OK for bedrooms). The amp alone is worth $60 new.

What to check used: Bundled amps are cheap — upgrade after 3–6 months of serious practice.

Available now

#7

Oscar Schmidt OE20 Dreadnought Electric

Acoustic-electric hybrid · Piezo-style pickups, hollow body$70–$110 used

Best for: Players who want unplugged playability with electric amplification

A true acoustic-electric hybrid under $100 used. Hollow body means you can play unplugged and hear the natural tone. Plugged into an amp, it sounds like an acoustic guitar, not an electric. Great for singer-songwriters or folk-to-rock transitions.

What to check used: Feedback prone with high amp gain — designed for clean amplification, not distortion.

Available now

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I buy a used electric guitar under $100?

Used guitars are discounted 40–60% from list price. A $200 new guitar costs $80–$120 used. Many sub-$100 used guitars have already gone through their "learning phase" and had setup issues corrected by previous owners. Used is where beginners get the most playable gear for their budget.

Will a sub-$100 guitar sound bad?

No. The pickups, wood, and electronics on budget guitars are basic, but not bad. A well-played Squier Strat sounds like a Strat — bright, clear, classic rock tone. The difference between a $100 guitar and a $1,000 guitar is build quality, finish, and playability (action, fret crowning). Tone is 70% amp and technique. A $100 guitar through a good amp and played well beats a $1,000 guitar through a bad amp.

What should I check before buying a used sub-$100 guitar?

Inspect: (1) Frets for wear or unevenness — run your eye down the neck from the headstock. (2) Action (string height) — it should feel reasonable, not painfully high. (3) Electronics — plug in and test all pickups and volume knobs. (4) Tuning machines — they should turn smoothly. (5) No cracks in the body or headstock. (6) Neck straightness — sight down the neck to check for back-bow or forward-bow. Any of these are fixable, but they affect whether a guitar is "ready to play" or "needs setup."

Should I buy Squier or Epiphone?

Both are excellent for beginners. Squier (Fender budget line) excels at Strats and Telecasters — bright, clear single-coil tones. Epiphone (Gibson budget line) excels at Les Pauls and SGs — fat, punchy humbucker tones. Pick based on the tone and shape you want, not the brand. A Squier Strat and Epiphone Les Paul are equally good starting points; they just sound different.

What amp should I pair with a sub-$100 guitar?

For home practice: a 5–15W solid-state amp (Boss Katana Mini, Fender Mustang LT25) — $80–$150 new. For gigging later: save up for a bigger amp (30W+). The guitar and amp are a system — a great guitar through a cheap amp sounds worse than a budget guitar through a good amp. Invest proportionally.

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