Guitar Start Guide
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a guitar that’s genuinely nice to play. The best cheap guitars under $200 today are a world away from the wall-hanger junk of a decade ago — with the right pick and a quick setup, sub-$200 gets you an instrument that stays in tune, plays cleanly, and won’t quietly sabotage your progress. Here’s what to buy, and how to tell a bargain from a false economy.
Why some cheap guitars feel cheap (and others don’t)
The difference is rarely the wood — it’s the details. A guitar feels cheap when the action is sky-high, the tuners slip, the fret ends are sharp, or the neck is twisted. The good news is that most of these are either avoidable by buying a known brand, or fixable with a $40–$60 setup. Spend your money on a model with reliable hardware and a straight neck, and a modest setup turns it into something that punches well above its price.
Best cheap guitars under $200, compared
| Guitar | Type | Price bracket | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha FG800 (on sale) / FG80 | Acoustic | Top of this list; slips into budget on sale | Best-sounding budget acoustic |
| Squier Sonic Strat | Electric | Top of this list, and you still need an amp | Best budget electric |
| Fender FA-25 | Acoustic | Genuinely cheap | Rock-bottom acoustic budget |
| Yamaha C40 | Classical/nylon | Comfortably inside budget | Softest strings for the fingers |
| Jasmine S35 | Acoustic | Cheapest here | Cheapest playable option |
Street prices move constantly with sales and stock, so check each one before you buy — the Yamaha FG800 and the Squier Sonic in particular sit above this guide’s budget at full price and dip into it during promotions.
Check current prices on Amazon: Yamaha FG800 · Squier Sonic Stratocaster · Fender FA-25 · Yamaha C40 · Jasmine S35 →
Best budget acoustic: Yamaha FG800 / FG80
The FG800 is the guitar we recommend most often to beginners, and when it’s on sale it slips under $200. It has a solid spruce top — rare at this price — so it sounds fuller than laminate rivals and improves with age. Reliable tuning and consistent build quality mean you’re very unlikely to get a lemon. If it’s over budget, the FG80 or a used FG800 gets you most of the way there.
Best budget electric: Squier Sonic Strat
Fender’s Squier Sonic line brought a genuinely good Strat under $200. The neck is comfortable, it holds tune well for the money, and the three-pickup layout covers a huge range of sounds. Remember to budget for a small amp and cable, since an electric needs amplification — a starter pack can bundle these affordably.
Softest on the fingers: Yamaha C40 (nylon)
If sore fingertips are your worry, a nylon-string classical like the Yamaha C40 uses much softer strings and a wider neck. It won’t suit rock or pop strumming as naturally, but for classical, fingerstyle, or just easing into playing, it’s the gentlest start — and it sits comfortably inside a tight budget.
How to make a cheap guitar play like a pricey one
- Get a professional setup — it’s the single best money you can spend on a budget guitar.
- Fit fresh, lighter-gauge strings; factory strings are often old and stiff.
- Buy from a shop with a return policy so you can reject a bad individual unit.
- Check for a straight neck and even frets before you commit — or buy a brand with good QC.
- Keep a clip-on tuner on the headstock; in-tune practice sounds and feels better.
Want the fuller picture across both categories? Our best acoustic guitars for beginners and best electric guitars for beginners guides go deeper on each, and the best beginner guitars for 2026 roundup compares them together. Browse more in the guitar gear section.
Our overall pick under $200: the Yamaha FG800 (when it’s on sale) for acoustic and the Squier Sonic Strat for electric — both play well above their price once set up. Add a course like Jamorama and you’re ready to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a good guitar for under $200?
Yes. Models like the Yamaha FG800 and Squier Sonic Strat are genuinely good instruments at this price. A cheap setup makes them play even better, so a budget guitar is no barrier to learning properly.
Is it worth buying the cheapest guitar possible?
Not usually. The very cheapest guitars often have high action and poor tuning that make learning harder. Spending around $150–$200 on a reputable brand is the sweet spot for value.
Should I buy used to get more for my money?
A used mid-range guitar can beat a new budget one if you can check it over — straight neck, no fret buzz, stable tuning. If you’re unsure how to inspect it, a new guitar from a known brand is safer.
Does a cheap guitar sound bad?
Not anymore. A solid-top budget acoustic like the FG800 sounds surprisingly rich, and budget electrics sound great through a decent amp. Tone is mostly in the setup, the strings, and the player.
What to Read Next
- Best Beginner Guitars 2026: Acoustic & Electric Picks
- Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners (2026)
- Best Electric Guitars for Beginners (2026)
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