10 Best Guitars For Beginners 2025 in the United States

The Fender Alternative Series Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Kit is a solid choice for beginners looking for a full-size acoustic guitar with classic styling and easy playability. The dreadnought body shape offers a rich, bold bass tone, suitable for genres like country, folk, and bluegrass, which many new players enjoy exploring. Its spruce top and basswood back provide warm sound quality without being overpowering. The neck is designed with a comfortable "C" shape and walnut fingerboard, making it easier for beginners to form chords without finger strain. This guitar uses nickel strings that balance durability and smooth playability, and the string action is generally light, helping reduce finger discomfort when pressing down the strings. The sealed-gear tuning machines ensure good tuning stability, so your guitar stays in tune longer during practice sessions.

A nice bonus in this kit is the inclusion of a padded gig bag, guitar stand, strap, picks, and extra strings, which covers most beginner needs right out of the box. Additionally, the Fender Play subscription offers structured lessons, a helpful feature for those starting from scratch. The guitar’s body size might feel a bit large for younger players or those with smaller hands, and the basswood back, while decent, is less resonant than higher-end tonewoods. Also, being a right-handed guitar limits options for left-handed players.

Priced with value in mind, this kit suits beginners who want a reliable, comfortable guitar with supportive learning tools included.

The Martin D-28 is a classic dreadnought acoustic guitar known for its rich sound and quality build. It features a spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides, which contribute to its strong, resonant tone. The dreadnought body shape offers a full, powerful sound but might feel large for younger players or those with smaller hands. Its neck is made from carbon fiber and has an ebony fingerboard, which generally offers smooth playability.

The guitar uses 6 phosphor bronze strings, which provide a warm tone and are common for beginners, though they might be a bit tougher on fingers compared to lighter gauge strings often recommended for those just starting out. Martin guitars typically have good setup out of the box, aiding easier playability and tuning stability. The D-28’s fixed bridge system and high-quality build help it stay in tune well, which benefits players seeking less hassle in tuning.

One consideration is its weight at 17.6 pounds, which is heavier than many beginner guitars and might be less comfortable for extended playing sessions. Additionally, the price and reputation of the Martin D-28 position it more for intermediate to professional players rather than entry-level. For those committed to learning and valuing a top-quality instrument from the start, it can be a rewarding choice.

The Fender FA-25N is a 3/4 size nylon-string acoustic guitar designed especially for beginners and players with smaller hands, including kids. Its smaller body and shorter scale length (23.3") make it easier to hold and play, which is great for new learners who might find full-size guitars intimidating. The neck has a comfortable "C" shape and a slightly narrower width, helping beginners form chords without too much finger strain. Nylon strings are softer than steel strings, which means they are gentler on fingers and reduce discomfort for those just starting out.

The tuning machines are open-gear style, which generally offer reliable tuning stability, although beginners might need to tune more frequently at first. The guitar uses tonewoods like sapele for the back and agathis for the top, contributing to a warm but somewhat basic sound quality typical for entry-level instruments. The action (the distance between the strings and fretboard) is set up to be beginner-friendly, allowing easier pressing of strings, though some might prefer slight adjustments as skills improve.

One nice bonus is the inclusion of three months of free online lessons with Fender Play, which supports learning beyond just the instrument. While the FA-25N doesn’t match the tone or build quality of higher-end guitars, it delivers solid playability and value for those starting out, especially younger players or anyone looking for a comfortable, easy-to-play guitar. If you want a beginner guitar that’s gentle on fingers and sized just right for small hands, this Fender is a solid choice.