Best electric guitars 2024: our top picks for every playing style, ability and budget

Close up of an electric guitar's strings and pickups
(Image credit: Future)

Finding the best electric guitar is difficult but at the same time, thoroughly exciting. The term 'best' means different things to different people, and it's the subjective nature of this that makes the task so much harder – as well as the task of putting together this guide. For some players, the best electric guitar is something simple and utilitarian, and for others, it's a guitar that is dressed to the nines in a fancy paint job and has every conceivable gadget onboard.

In this round-up, we'll be showing you what we think are the best electric guitars you can currently get your hands on. This product list covers a vast price range, not just premium models - if you are looking for that, you may want to check our guide to the best high-end electric guitars.

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Ratings scorecard
TestResultsScore
Playability Excellent neck profile that will suit most players★★★★★
ToneClassic Fender chime with plenty of bite★★★★★
Build quality Very well finished★★★★★
Value for moneyGreat value - you get a lot of guitar for your money★★★★★
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TestResultsScore
Playability Slim neck, great for beginners★★★★☆
ToneNot your classic Fender tones, but great for rock★★★★☆
Build quality Finished to a decent standard considering the price★★★★☆
Value for moneyGreat value★★★★★
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TestResultsScore
Playability The Wide Thin neck isn't for everyone★★★★☆
ToneVery versatile★★★★★
Build quality Finished to an excellent standard★★★★★
Value for moneySuperb value at this price★★★★★
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TestResultsScore
Playability Comfortable '60s neck profile should fit most hands★★★★☆
ToneNot the most versatile★★★★☆
Build quality Finished to a good standard★★★★★
Value for moneyWell worth the price★★★★★
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Ratings scorecard
TestResultsScore
Playability The neck may be too thin for some★★★★☆
ToneNot that versatile★★★★☆
Build quality Finished very well★★★★★
Value for moneyDefinitely worth the price★★★★★
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Ratings scorecard
TestResultsScore
Playability Highly playable, but the body is rather large★★★★☆
ToneSuper versatile tonally★★★★★
Build quality Finished very well★★★★★
Value for moneyIt's fairly expensive★★★★☆
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Playability Flat fingerboard is ideal for shred, but not much else★★★★☆
ToneNails high-gain tones★★★★★
Build quality Finished very well★★★★★
Value for moneyHas a premium price tag, but is worth it★★★★☆
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Ratings scorecard
TestResultsScore
Playability Small neck great for little hands★★★★★
ToneFairly authentic Strat tones★★★★☆
Build quality Finished to a decent standard ★★★★☆
Value for moneyVery much worth the price★★★★★
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Ratings scorecard
TestResultsScore
Playability Very playable despite being a 7-string★★★★★
ToneGreat for metal, but not much else★★★★☆
Build quality Finished very well★★★★★
Value for moneyWorth the price★★★★★
Reverend Billy Corgan Z-One
Body: Alder | Neck: Roasted maple | Pickups: Railhammer humbuckers

Reverend Billy Corgan Z-One
Body: Alder | Neck: Roasted maple | Pickups: Railhammer humbuckers

Smashing Pumpkins frontman, Billy Corgan, has been a keen endorsee of Reverend guitars for over six years, and this latest iteration of his signature axe is his third to date – and we think it might be the best. 

This stunningly beautiful offset is designed with the Alt rocker's heavier songs in mind, employing a set of newly designed Railhammer Z-One pickups to achieve a mid-focused sound that seriously packs a punch. 

Guitar World's Score: 5/5

Read the full Reverend Billy Corgan Z-One review

Fender American Performer Stratocaster
Body: Alder | Neck: Maple | Pickups: Yosemite single-coils/humbucker

Fender American Performer Stratocaster
Body: Alder | Neck: Maple | Pickups: Yosemite single-coils/humbucker

For many players, there comes a time when they want to branch out. To try new styles of playing, sounds or genres. And, while it would be nice to have specific guitars for each of these styles, sometimes that isn't possible. 

So we look for a jack of all trades. The Fender American Performer Stratocaster is one such guitar.

Offering the dual benefits of classic single-coil Fender attack, with the extra heft of a bridge humbucker, we get a guitar that can handle most styles of music with ease.

Guitar World's Score: 4/5

Read our full Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS review

Fender American Ultra Telecaster
Body: Alder | Neck: Maple | Pickups: Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele

Fender American Ultra Telecaster
Body: Alder | Neck: Maple | Pickups: Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele

Launched in November 2019, Fender’s American Ultra Series visited sweeping changes across its Californian-built premium production line: noiseless pickups as standard, “Modern D” neck profiles, sculpted neck heels. Fingerboards now had a compound 10”-14” fingerboard radius, rolled edges and medium-jumbo frets for a contemporary feel.

Tone-wise, the bridge pickup is classic Telecaster, weapons-grade treble, bright, articulate, and takes on a really musical Nashville crunch with more gain. The neck rounds out the attack, while you might well find the bouncy sweet spot with both pickups in parallel. 

Guitar World's Score: 4.5/5

Read the full Fender American Ultra Telecaster review

Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Body: Mahogany| Neck: Mahogany | Pickups: Alnico classic humbuckers

Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Body: Mahogany| Neck: Mahogany | Pickups: Alnico classic humbuckers

When we're talking value, one guitar instantly springs to mind. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard has been the go-to guitar for thousands of players over the years, and for good reason. Put simply, this guitar ticks a lot of boxes. We found it to be exceptionally well-made, sounds great and, importantly, it won't break the bank.

For many players, this guitar hits the perfect sweet spot between quality, price and performance. It's why you see so many people graduate to it as their first 'serious' axe, and why you see so many on the weekend warrior circuit. If a bona fide Gibson is out of reach financially, you can't go far wrong with one of these.

Guitar World's Score: 4.5/5

Read the full Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s review

Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 SSS 2PT CM
Body: Alder| Neck: Maple | Pickups: Seymour Duncan Custom Hot Rails/ Flat Strat

Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 SSS 2PT CM
Body: Alder| Neck: Maple | Pickups: Seymour Duncan Custom Hot Rails/ Flat Strat

The original Superstrat returns and we think it's never looked better. This is one where we are best ignoring the name on the headstock and getting our heads around a guitar that offers lightning-quick playability, heavy-duty humbucker tones, the snap and twang of a Strat, and a boutique feel, all for around a grand.

The stacked bridge ‘bucker is a modern classic that’ll eat up high-gain and squeal when needed, but is also rich in detail. The Strat pickups in the middle and neck positions allow you to sell the illusion that it really does say Fender on that Stratocaster headstock.

Guitar World's Score: 4.5/5

Read the full Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 SSS 2PT CM review

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Daryl Robertson
Daryl Robertson

Daryl is a Senior Deals Writer at Guitar World, where he creates and maintains our 200+ buyer's guides, finds the best deals on guitar products, and tests the latest gear. His reviews have been featured in prominent publications like Total Guitar, Future Music magazine, and MusicRadar.com.

During his career, he has been lucky enough to talk to many of his musical heroes, having interviewed Slash and members of The Offspring, Foo Fighters, Sum 41, Thrice, and more. In a past life, Daryl worked in music retail. For a little under a decade, he advised everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned pros on the right gear for their needs. 

Chris Corfield author image
Chris Corfield

Chris Corfield is a journalist with over 12 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands including Orange Amplification, MusicRadar, Guitar World, Total Guitar and Dawsons Music. Chris loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar gear and synths, to microphones and music production hardware.

James Farmer bio
James Farmer

James is a freelance writer and former Junior Deals Writer at Guitar World. Before writing, James worked as a guitar salesman at a local music store, so he knows a thing or two about matching people with their perfect instruments. James also has experience working in other areas of the music trade, having briefly worked for online music distributor, RouteNote. James is a guitarist, bassist and drummer and has also toured the UK and Europe with his old band Hypophora.

Recent updates

08/08/24: We have made a few changes to the guide. Most notably, we changed our top pick overall to the fantastic Fender Vintera II '60s Telecaster.

21/02/24: This guide was given a full update with an all-new list of guitars and a few navigational tweaks to make it easier to find the best electric guitar for you.

01/11/23: 
As well as auditing the products to make sure the list is up to date with the very best electric guitars around, we've also given this page a fresh new look, improving the navigation to make it easier than ever to find the right model for you. Want to get to the good stuff without reading walls of text? Use the "quick list" section to get to know our top choices without any fuss. There are also links to read a more detailed review of each model if you'd like to learn more.

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