Best Electric Guitars Under $150 (2026): 3 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 28, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through the Amazon links on this page costs you nothing extra. Full disclosure
The Donner DST-80 leads this list as Best Overall: a 39-inch beginner kit with a 5W amp, gig bag, tuner, capo, strap, picks and extra strings in the box. The Glarry GTL follows as a semi-hollow guitar with HS pickups, and the Monoprice Cali Classic adds a solid body with 22 frets and a 1-year warranty.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- New players who want a guitar, amp and tuner in one box: DONNER DST-80 Electric Guitar 39” Beginner Electric See pick 1
- Players who want a semi-hollow body with an F hole: GLARRY 39" GTL Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar See pick 2More picks: Best Hollow Body Electric Guitar
- Beginners who want a solid body guitar: Monoprice Cali Classic Electric Guitar See pick 3More picks: Best Electric Guitar for Beginners
The 3 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
DONNER DST-80 Electric Guitar 39” Beginner Electric
- Amp included
- Case or gig bag included
- Tuner included
- Pickup layout: SSS
It earns Best Overall as a complete beginner kit: a 39-inch guitar with SSS pickups, a 5-way switch and a 5W amp in the box.
Who it suits
- New players who want a guitar, amp and tuner in one box
- Beginners who want free online lessons with the kit
Skip it if
- You want a rosewood fingerboard instead of HPL
- You want more than 5 watts from the included amp
The box holds the DST-80 guitar, a custom 5W amp with Classic and Overdrive settings, a gig bag, capo, strap, extra strings, a digital tuner, an amp cable and picks, plus access to free online lessons. It has an SSS pickup configuration with a 5-way switch, tone and volume controls, a tremolo bridge, a maple neck and a Manchurian Ash body. The amp adds a 1/8-inch auxiliary input for media players.
2Runner-Up
It holds Runner-Up as a 39-inch semi-hollow guitar with HS pickups, a 3-way switch and a bag, strap and amp cord in the box.
Who it suits
- Players who want a semi-hollow body with an F hole
- Players who want a bag, strap and amp cord included
Skip it if
- You want a guitar under 9 lb
- You want SSS pickups instead of HS pickups
The GTL has an F hole semi-hollow body in basswood with a rosewood fingerboard and a white pearl pickguard. Two pickups control the neck and bridge through a 3-way switch, with 1 volume knob and 1 tone knob. The box holds the guitar, a portable bag, a shoulder strap and an amp cord.
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 as a solid body guitar with SSS pickups, 22 frets and a gig bag in the box.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a solid body guitar
- Players who want a 25.5-inch scale length
Skip it if
- You want a semi-hollow body
- You want more than 22 frets
The Cali Classic is a double-cutaway solid body guitar with three single-coil pickups, a maple neck and a 25.5-inch scale length. It has 22 frets, 6 strings and a hard tail bridge, and the box holds a gig bag. It carries a 1-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Amp included | Frets | Case or gig bag included | Tuner included | Pickup layout | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DONNER DST-80 Electric Guitar 39” Beginner Electric | Yes | Not stated | Yes | Yes | SSS | Not stated | Not stated |
| GLARRY 39" GTL Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | 9 lb | Not stated |
| Monoprice Cali Classic Electric Guitar | Not stated | 22 | Yes | Not stated | SSS | 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 guitars under $150
Kit or guitar only: check the box
Start with what comes in the box. The Donner kit is the only one here with an amp in the box, plus a tuner, capo, strap, picks, extra strings and an amp cable. The Glarry box holds a bag, a shoulder strap and an amp cord, while the Monoprice box holds a gig bag. If you already own an amp, the box matters less, and the guitar itself decides the pick.
SSS, HS and semi-hollow versus solid
Pickup layout and body shape are the two specs to compare first. The Donner and the Monoprice use SSS layouts with three single-coil pickups, while the Glarry uses an HS layout with two pickups, one for the neck and one for the bridge. Body shape differs too: the Glarry is semi-hollow with an F hole, while the Monoprice is a solid body with a double cutaway. The Donner has a 5-way switch and the Glarry has a 3-way switch for its pickups.
Check size, frets and scale length
The Donner and the Glarry are 39-inch guitars, while the Monoprice is a full-size guitar with 22 frets and a 25.5-inch scale length. Scale length is the distance from nut to bridge, and frets mark the note positions along the neck. Compare the 39-inch size against the full-size Monoprice before buying, and check the fret count if you play high up the neck.
Frequently asked questions
Do these guitars come with a gig bag?
Yes. The Donner kit includes a gig bag, the Glarry includes a portable bag, and the Monoprice includes a gig bag.
Which guitar here includes an amp?
The Donner kit is the only one here with a 5W amp in the box, with Classic and Overdrive settings and a 1/8-inch auxiliary input.
What is the difference between SSS and HS pickups?
SSS means three single-coil pickups, as on the Donner and the Monoprice. HS means two pickups, as on the Glarry, one for the neck and one for the bridge.
What size are these guitars?
The Donner and the Glarry are 39-inch guitars, and the Monoprice is a full-size guitar with a 25.5-inch scale length.
Gear that goes with it
Best Guitar AmpTop pick: Positive Grid Spark 2 50W Smart Guitar
Best Guitar PedalTop pick: Donner Tuner Pedal
Best Guitar CordTop pick: JSAUX Guitar Cable 10 ft
Best Guitar StringsTop pick: D'Addario EJ16-3D Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar StringsMore electric guitars guides
Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 28, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.