What’s the best used guitar for a beginner: acoustic or electric?

An acoustic keeps the starting setup straightforward: you don’t need an amp to hear yourself properly. The Best-value used acoustic guitars list is a useful starting point, but prioritise comfortable string height and a body size you can sit with easily.

An electric makes sense if your favourite music centres on electric guitar. Budget for amplification or a suitable headphone setup as well as the instrument, and use the Top 10 best-value used electric guitars list to build a shortlist rather than choosing on looks alone.

Whichever route you take, check for cracks, loose hardware and notes that buzz or choke out. If possible, take an experienced player along and allow for a setup: a comfortable, reliable guitar is a better first buy than a fancy badge with problems.