Whether you are beginning your search because your youngster has asked about it or you are simply looking for an extracurricular activity to keep them busy, learning a musical instrument is always a good choice.
One of the most popular choices is the guitar, and there are a lot of options out there on the market. In fact, you may get overwhelmed by just looking at the selection available.
To help you out, because we know you have limited time, we thought we would pull together some information you may need on some of the best electric guitars for kids.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Electric Guitars For Kids
Table of Contents
How to Size an Electric Guitar
When selecting a guitar for a child, the size may be one of the most important things that you will have to deal with; but how do you size a guitar for a child? If your child is over 12, using a normal-sized electric guitar may be a great idea, as they will be able to grow into it and get more use from it.
When you are looking at a smaller model, you will want to look for a guitar that is designed at ¾ size, which will have a shorter scale. You will need to also pay attention to the child’s height. If they are tall for their age, you may be able to go with a normal model, as well.
Can Kids Play Any Electric Guitar?
Technically, the answer is yes. However, you really need to think about the size as discussed above, as well as their level of experience. If they are novices or even intermediate players, you may want to go with a guitar that is easier to set up and dial in.
You will also want to think about the chance that they may grow out of the guitar phase, and that means that the more expensive options may not be a great idea.
What Should I Look For When Buying an Electric Guitar?
You want to pick the perfect guitar for your young budding guitarist. You want one that will make the process easy and allow them to play as much as they need to in order to develop their skills. There are many features that make up a good guitar for kids, and we have broken them down in the following sections to help you out with your selection.
Quality
You want to get the most bang for your buck, and the way to do that is to really inspect the quality. Make sure there are no dents, gashes, broken knobs, or jagged frets
Neck
You will want to inspect the neck for any flaws, as well. Make sure that it is smooth and straight. This will ensure proper playability and sound quality.
Action
This refers to the amount of space between the strings and the neck. When first learning, you will want to look for a guitar with low action. This means it will take less pressure to press the strings down, which will make it easier for the kiddos to practice.
Tone
Tone is all about how long the note radiates after playing it. When the kids are learning to play a tune, the longer the tone the better, as this will help them develop an ear for music.
Comparison Chart of the Best Electric Guitars For Kids
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Review of the Best Electric Guitars For Kids
Now that you have a little idea of what to look for as you work your way through this decision-making process, it is time to look at our list of the best electric guitars for kids.
Best Overall:
Squier by Fender Mini Strat Electric Guitar
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have a lot to say about this miniature version of the iconic Stratocaster. Most feel that it is designed perfectly for the beginning youth with its light weight, compact design, and basic sound. Though there are some that feel the action maybe a little on the high side, for the most part, these customers would definitely recommend this guitar.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Your first guitar is special, and just because it is your first doesn’t mean you want to skimp on the quality of the hardware included in the design. For us, that is what stands out with this guitar. From the iconic bridge to the single-coil pickups, this kids' guitar offers great sound.
Who Will Use This Most
Though any kid would be able to use this guitar, there are a few that would get the most out of this amazing guitar. If you travel a lot, your youngster may still want to jam out or practice, and this model is perfect for that.
Bottom Line
As always, Fender delivers another amazing model that only serves to add to its reputation. By sticking to their tradition of using high-quality materials and paying attention to the details, they have crafted the best kids' electric guitar on the market today.
Best for the Money:
Rise by Sawtooth ST-RISE-ST-3/4
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers who have recently purchased this item have a lot of good things to say about the guitar itself. There have been some who have found fault with the quality of the accessories included in the pack, but even they have to agree with the rest of the buyers that you are certainly getting a lot for a budget-friendly price, which makes this a great starter guitar.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Looks are definitely not the most important thing when dealing with instruments of any type, but for us, that is what really stands out about this guitar. The design looks like a professional guitar just shrunk down a little, and that can give your kid a sense of confidence in their playing ability.
Who Will Use This Most
The sound of the instrument is important, but, at an early age, you may find your kids focus wandering from their new instrument if it doesn't look cool. There is no way that this will happen with this guitar, and if your kid is about the look as much as the sound, this guitar is perfect for them.
Bottom Line
If you are purchasing a new guitar for your youngster, then you may not want to spend a lot of money for fear the zeal will dwindle with this hobby. Even with you looking for a budget-friendly option, you still want to give them a nice-sounding guitar so that they can hear their progress. For that purpose, this guitar is a perfect choice.
Best Kids Left Handed Electric Guitar:
SX RST 3/4 LH 3TS
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Not unlike many kits offered nowadays, many of the parents that have recently purchased this guitar have questions about the quality of the amp, but the guitar is a different thing. Most of them note that the sound quality is nice for the price, and they absolutely love the headphone jack that can be used to keep the level of noise down in the house.
Why it Stands Out to Us
With the right hand being the most dominant, the lefties of the world are often overlooked, so what really stands out to us is that this guitar comes available in a left-handed version. This is great, especially for youths that are looking to begin learning guitar and need to feel comfortable while doing so.
Who Will Use This Most
The beginning lefty guitarist who is just starting to figure out finger placement will definitely get the most out of this guitar. It is hard enough to deal with a world built for the righties, and trying to learn on a guitar that is not designed for you can be frustrating; so, the fact that this is a left-handed model will be helpful to many young musicians.
Bottom Line
There are a lot of reasons that this is easily the best left-handed kid guitar available. The design and build of the model make it is easy to hold for extended hours, which is perfect for that practice session or lesson.
Best Kids Red Electric Guitar:
Squier by Fender Affinity Series Telecaster in Race Red
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This classic-looking Fender certainly has a lot of fans. Not only do they love the look, but the fact that you get the iconic Fender sound in a nice kid-friendly option is amazing. The jack does pose a few concerns, though, as many feel that it comes loose easily, but even this doesn’t detract from all the benefits according to these customers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The color is so brilliant that it drew us to choose this as the best red kids guitar out there. Along with this rich color, you also get a Fender Telecaster that brings with it decades of reputation and a patented sound.
Who Will Use This Most
This guitar is really best suited for the beginner to intermediate youth that is looking for a model that will let them share their new skills with the family. This guitar will have the rookies rocking out the party and will allow them to feel proud as they gain all those compliments.
Bottom Line
The bright color will have your rocker standing out amongst the rest of his buddies who are all trying to learn the scales and chords they can use to become the rocker they know they are. Along with the look, the Fender is easy to use and is an iconic guitar that will help the kids learn while looking cool doing it.
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This unit is well-reviewed, in part because of the amazing sound and build of the unit. There are some concerns about the quality of the items that come in the kit, but the guitar itself is highly recommended.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The overall design of this guitar greatly impressed us, as well as that brilliant pink body. The use of high-grade electronics along with a stylish design that is crafted in lightweight materials makes this a great option for almost every novice guitarist out there.
Who Will Use This Most
This brilliantly-colored guitar is designed with a contoured body that will make it easy to hold for extended hours. The true rock sound that this guitar gives off is perfect for that aspiring young rockstar in your home.
Bottom Line
Even if you are not sure how to build a chord progression yet, you want to have a guitar that shows everyone your vibe and feel. This guitar from Davidson can do that, and that is why it is easily one of the best options for your kid's first guitar.
6. Yamaha Gigmaker EG Electric Guitar
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Though there have been some complaints of buzzing when hitting certain frets, on a whole, most guitarists or parents that have recently invested in this guitar have a lot of great things to say. They love the easy-to-adjust knobs and the fact there is no need to sand down the frets.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There is a lot to love about this guitar, but the thing that stood out to us most was the control system built into the model. With a 5-way switch and two master knobs, it is easy to dial this guitar in to the sound the guitarist needs or wants to experiment with.
Who Will Use This Most
This guitar is great for the beginner who is looking for a guitar that offers great sound, especially if they are looking for a model that is perfect for home practice. The ease of use and construction give this product all the quality that has come to be associated with the name Yamaha.
Bottom Line
Not only does this guitar look cool, but it sounds good, too. Crafted with lightweight materials and fitted with easy-to-use controls, this Yamaha guitar is by far one of the best options available for the mini-rockers of the world.
Advantages of Teaching Kids Electric Guitar
There are a lot of advantages that your child can benefit from by learning on an electric guitar. Here are some of them:
- They are just easier to learn. The action is usually lower than an acoustic, and they often have thinner strings, which will be easier for kids to practice with.
- There is more fret access. It is a smaller body than an acoustic, so they will be able to reach more frets, which means more notes, and that may make it more enjoyable.
- The versatility of sound from the built-in effects, as well as the access to an amp, will keep the kids engaged.
- Headphones can be plugged into the amp, which means that their practice session will be less noisy.
- Learning a musical instrument of any kind will help teach patience, can help with math, and will help build confidence as they master the skill.
Even with the advantages, there are also a few disadvantages that we think you should know, as well:
- Strings tend to break easier and more often with electric guitars, as they are thinner and often get played harder.
- Hardware and mechanism can wear out or break.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying?
There are some things that you should know before purchasing the electric guitar for your kid's new foray into the musical world.
Specs
You will want to understand the way a guitar works and the components that can be used to craft them. Understanding a little about tonewoods, which are what the body and neck of the guitar are crafted with, can help you make the perfect purchase. Knowing that, when you are looking at these guitars, you will want to go for a smaller scale so that your child will be able to handle the neck length and hit all the notes they need to will also help you out a bit.
Budget
You also need to know how much you are willing to spend. There are plenty of great budget-friendly guitars that come bundled with accessories that will round out your child’s learning experience and save you money.
Accessories
Lastly, buying the electric guitar is nice, but you will need to make sure you get everything you need to go with it. This is why the bundles we mentioned above are so amazing. If you are not going with a bundle, you will want to make sure you at least get a strap, a guitar cable, a small amp, and a tuner.
Conclusion
With all the information and options we have laid out above, we are sure you are ready to find the best electric guitar for them your kid's particular musical needs. By understanding what to look at and with a firm base of options, all that is left is to pick the guitar and let your youngsters start their path to rockstar status.
