Best Electric Guitar Under $300 (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The GLARRY full-size kit is the lead pick for an electric guitar under 300: a 20W amp, an H-H-H pickup layout and a full accessory pack in the box. If you want a 7-string instead, the Grote Runner-Up brings an H-H layout, steel frets and a gig bag.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Beginners who want an amp and accessories in one box: GLARRY Full Size Electric Guitar for Music See pick 1More picks: Best Electric Guitar for Beginners
- Players who want a 7-string guitar: Grote Electric Guitar Solid Body LPYS-006 Maple See pick 2
- Players who want three single-coils on a hard tail bridge: Monoprice Cali Classic Electric Guitar See pick 3
- Players who want a semi-hollow body: IYV-IRK-300 Semi Hollow Electric Guitar 3T Sunburst See pick 4More picks: Best Hollow Body Electric Guitar
- Players who want a semi-hollow jazz body: IYV-IJZ-300A TSB Jazz Solid hollow-Body Electric Guitar See pick 5
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
GLARRY Full Size Electric Guitar for Music
- Amp included
- Case or gig bag included
- Pickup layout: H-H-H
- 1 year warranty stated
It earns Best Overall with a 20W amp, an H-H-H pickup layout and a complete accessory pack in the box.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want an amp and accessories in one box
- Players who want three humbuckers with a fixed bridge
Skip it if
- You want single-coil pickups instead of humbuckers
- You want a guitar without an amp in the box
The 20W amp joins a guitar bag, shoulder strap, 2 picks, tremolo arm, cable and spanner tool. The fixed bridge model carries a 1-year warranty.
2Runner-Up
Grote Electric Guitar Solid Body LPYS-006 Maple
- Case or gig bag included
- Pickup layout: H-H
It takes Runner-Up as a 7-string solid body with an H-H layout, steel frets and a gig bag.
Who it suits
- Players who want a 7-string guitar
- Players who want an H-H layout with a fixed bridge
Skip it if
- You want a semi-hollow body instead of solid
- You want single-coil pickups instead of humbuckers
The Grote LPYS-006 is a solid-body LP-style guitar with a maple print front, maple neck and rosewood fretboard. It has an H-H pickup layout, steel frets and 7 strings with a 1.65-inch nut width on a fixed bridge. A gig bag comes with the 7.5 lb guitar.
3Also Great
Monoprice Cali Classic Electric Guitar
- Frets: 22
- Case or gig bag included
- Pickup layout: SSS
- 1 year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with an SSS layout, 22 frets, a 25.5 scale and a double-cutaway solid body.
Who it suits
- Players who want three single-coils on a hard tail bridge
- Beginners who want a gig bag in the box
Skip it if
- You want humbuckers instead of single-coils
- You want a tremolo bridge instead of a hard tail
The Cali Classic is a double-cutaway solid body with three single-coil pickups, a maple neck and a basswood body. It has 22 frets, a 25.5-inch scale and a hard tail bridge with 6 strings. A gig bag comes with the guitar, and it carries a 1-year warranty.
4Also Great
IYV-IRK-300 Semi Hollow Electric Guitar 3T Sunburst
- Case or gig bag included not stated in the listing
- Pickup layout: H-H
It holds Also Great with a semi-hollow body, an H-H layout and a tremolo bridge.
Who it suits
- Players who want a semi-hollow body
- Players who want a tremolo bridge
Skip it if
- You want single-coil pickups instead of humbuckers
- You want a fixed bridge instead of a tremolo
The IRK-300 pairs a semi-hollow body with a maple top, basswood back and a maple neck with jatoba fretboard. It has an H-H pickup layout, a tremolo bridge and 6 strings on a 24.75 scale.
5Also Great
IYV-IJZ-300A TSB Jazz Solid hollow-Body Electric Guitar
- Case or gig bag included not stated in the listing
- Pickup layout: H-H
- 1-year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a semi-hollow jazz body, an H-H layout and a Tune-O-Matic bridge.
Who it suits
- Players who want a semi-hollow jazz body
- Players who want a Tune-O-Matic bridge
Skip it if
- You want single-coil pickups instead of humbuckers
- You want a tremolo bridge instead of a Tune-O-Matic
The IJZ-300A is a semi-hollow jazz-body guitar with an H-H pickup layout and a Tune-O-Matic bridge. It has a basswood body, a maple neck with jatoba fretboard and 6 strings on a 24.75 scale. The tobacco sunburst model carries a 1-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Amp included | Frets | Case or gig bag included | Tuner included | Pickup layout | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLARRY Full Size Electric Guitar for Music | Yes | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | H-H-H | Not stated | 1 year |
| Grote Electric Guitar Solid Body LPYS-006 Maple | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | H-H | 7.5 lb | Not stated |
| Monoprice Cali Classic Electric Guitar | Not stated | 22 | Yes | Not stated | SSS | Not stated | 1 year |
| IYV-IRK-300 Semi Hollow Electric Guitar 3T Sunburst | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | H-H | Not stated | Not stated |
| IYV-IJZ-300A TSB Jazz Solid hollow-Body Electric Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | H-H | Not stated | 1-year |
How we ranked these electric guitars
Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Amp included weight 2
- Frets weight 1
- Case or gig bag included weight 1
- Tuner included weight 1
Buying advice: electric guitar under 300
Match the pickup layout to your music
A humbucker uses two coils to cancel hum; a single-coil uses one. The GLARRY ST has an H-H-H layout, the Grote LPYS-006 has H-H, and both IYV models have H-H. The Monoprice Cali Classic has three single-coils.
Count the strings before you buy
Most electrics here have 6 strings, but one does not. The Grote LPYS-006 has 7 strings with a 1.65-inch nut width. The GLARRY ST, the Monoprice Cali Classic and both IYV models have 6 strings. If you play 6-string music, the 7-string adds a string you may not use.
Check the bridge and the scale
The bridge sets how you tune and bend. The GLARRY ST, the Grote LPYS-006 and the Monoprice Cali Classic have fixed or hard tail bridges. The IYV-IRK-300 has a tremolo bridge and the IYV-IJZ-300A has a Tune-O-Matic bridge. For scale, the Monoprice lists 25.5 inches and both IYV models list 24.75.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best electric guitar under 300?
The GLARRY full-size kit: 20W amp, H-H-H pickups and a full accessory pack.
Which guitar here has 7 strings?
The Grote LPYS-006. It pairs the 7-string layout with an H-H pickup pair and a gig bag.
Do any of these come with an amp?
The GLARRY ST ships a 20W amp in its kit; otherwise budget for a separate practice amp.
What is the difference between the two IYV models?
The IRK-300 is a semi-hollow with a tremolo bridge. The IJZ-300A is a semi-hollow jazz body with a Tune-O-Matic bridge.
Gear that goes with it
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Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.