The 10 Best Guitars for Women: Full Review & Buying Guide

Are you looking for the best guitars for women? You’re in the right place.

You might think—aren’t guitars universal for all genders?

While this is true, certain guitars will suit the female form. In fact, lightweight and slim profile guitars are ideal for smaller people in general.

We’re not talking about stereotypical colors here. We’re talking top-performing guitars for players of a slighter build.

Whether it’s a folky acoustic or a-rockin’ electric. You’ll find one that’ll excel in playability—whatever your budget.

The Best Acoustic Guitars for Women

• Martin LX1E Little Martin – Editor’s Choice
• Yamaha FS800 – Best for Beginners
• Takamine GN93 CE NEX – Best for the Money
• PRS SE Angelus A50E – Premium Pick
• Taylor Baby Mahogany BT2 – Best for Small Hands

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Martin LX1E Little Martin – The Best Women’s Acoustic Guitar

First, let’s look at our pick for the overall best women’s acoustic guitar. Earning the pinnacle of Editors Choice is the Martin LX1E.

When you’re playing a Martin, you’re playing an instrument steeped in history. Founded in 1833, these instruments are legendary.

Whether it be Civil War soldiers strumming around a campfire or under the spotlight on MTV Unplugged. Martin’s have played a supporting role throughout history. From Elvis to Dylan. History speaks for itself.

If you’re a green-conscious player, Martins are worthy of your attention. Working alongside the Rainforest Alliance, the LX1E includes sustainable wood certified parts.

So, Martin is a premium brand in acoustic guitars. But where does the LX1E sit in such an illustrious catalog?

Some might be wary to find it isn’t a product of the Pennsylvania factory. But this Mexican built acoustic is everything you’d expect of a Martin.

The tonewoods are prime quality, look at the solid Sitka spruce top. The careful selection of woods contributes to its complete and resonate sound. It’s a versatile tone that’s at home in everything from contemporary pop to classical.

So where does it fall short?

This is a guitar with a rhythm guitarist in mind. When fingerpicking and strumming, there’s slick playability. You’ll struggle to find a better shine and roundness to your chords.

But from the 14th fret upwards, things become a little more tricky. So if you want to bend high notes, look elsewhere.

Coming in 34″ in length, this is a ¾ length guitar. It’s a travel-sized option, making it a great small guitar for women. 

Amanda Shires, Elle King, and Gabrielle Aplin are avid users of Martins, so you’ll be in good company. The LX1E is your affordable entry into the wonderful world of Martins. So if you want your rhythm with a professional sheen. You’ve found the one.

Pros:

• ¾ size guitar
• Fishman Sonitone pickup
• Sustainable wood certificate
• Full rounded and resonate tone
• Legendary Martin craftsmanship

Cons:

• Playability beyond 14th fret

Yamaha FS800 – Best Acoustic Guitar for Female Beginners

Make no qualms about it. One of the most appealing features of the FS800 is its price tag.

In this price bracket, it’s advised to tread with care. Being attracted to price alone is a sure-fire way to waste money with guitars that won’t perform.

But the FS800 is an exception to the rule. Not only cheap, but it also has many graces.

Its smaller size makes it an optimal pick for a player with a slighter build and beginners. The scaled-down dreadnaught body is also thinner. If you struggle with deeper guitars, you’ll be able to reach over the FS800 body.

Throw in the smooth walnut fingerboard that’s easy on the fingertips. You’ve got comfort and playability, which will help you when starting.

Thin guitars do lack in the low-end department. As with FS800, there’s a distinct lack of warmth. While the absence of the low frequencies might be off-putting, it can have advantages.

It allows the top-end to illuminate, and it does with crisp clarity. The pinpoint accuracy of high frequencies lends it as a prime choice in certain genres. This tone will excel in bluegrass, folk, and country.

At this price point, a beginner can get their hands on a great sounding guitar. But it isn’t only the emerging guitarist that can reap the benefits. This guitar is a great studio tool for recording fingerpicking styles.

While it might not cater for a guitarist requiring a full sound spectrum. You’re getting some serious bang for the buck and a perfect way to begin your guitar journey.

Pros:

• Affordability
• Smooth walnut fingerboard
• Thin body for increased playability
• Crisp and clear high-end frequencies

Cons:

• Lack of depth in tone

Takamine GN93 CE NEX – Best Women’s Guitar for the Money

What makes this Takamine the best value for money?

Well, it’s an all-rounder. Every fine detail on this guitar makes it the complete buy.

It’s full-size. So if you’re uncomfortable with the restrictions of ¾ sized guitars. You have the freedom to move along the neck.

While the scale length is 25.4″, the body is smaller than most, making it easier to reach over the top edge of the guitar. For a player with a delicate build, this gives you the best of both worlds. You have the advantages of a full-size neck, but increased body playability.

If your playing involves running down the neck, the cutaway allows unfettered access to high notes. But it’ll also sound at ease plucking and strumming chords.

Then there’s the opportunity to plug and play. The popular TK-40D preamp gives you ease of connectivity in live and studio scenarios.

This guitar offers a clear tone. But the preamp allows you to sculpt your sound to suit. Using the 3-band EQ you can duck and dive frequencies until it sits how you want.

Also, the TK-40D has a built-in tuner. It’s a pleasant touch—no more juggling handheld tuners.

Are there any downsides to this guitar?

The fret wires can protrude a little too much from the fretboard. You may find this uncomfortable if your playing involves a lot of ups and down the neck.

A luthier can always file these down if you find it uncomfortable.

On balance, this guitar offers fantastic value for money. The connectivity and complete tone ensure this guitar is a jack of all trades.

Pros:

• Resonate solid spruce top
• Small single-cutaway body
• Full-size guitar (25.4” scale length)
• 3-piece black walnut and maple body back
• TK-40D Preamp with 3-band EQ and built-in tuner

Cons:

• Sharp fret edges

PRS SE Angelus A50E – Premium Pick

The PRS SE Angelus A50E has a premium price tag, but the beautiful tone alone is worth every dime.

Its crisp top end has detail and air that’s bound to entice ears. The low-end frequencies are warm but without muddiness. There’s an expert balance to the spectrum delivering a classic rounded acoustic tone.

In attempts to keep costs down, some manufacturers throw in cheap stock pickups.

But the time-honored sound doesn’t diminish when you’re plugged into an amp or PA system. Thanks to the top of the range Fishman GT1 pick up system, the natural sound of the A50E translates to an audience.

A selling point for this electro-acoustic option is the position of the pickup. Hidden under the saddle, the electronics are out of sight. A nice touch if you find pickup controls invasive or not so easy on the eye.

To alter the tone and volume of the pickups, you must reach behind the upper part of the soundhole. You might find this awkward and prefer the dials to be on hand and placed on top. Whether this feature is a pro or a con is all down to preference.

The material list warrants the price bracket. Maple back and sides with the tried and tested spruce top bring the punch. Ebony fingerboard and bridge offers smooth playability. The iconic bird inlays are abalone complimenting the rosette detailing. Even the nut is genuine bone.

For a guitar in the sub $1000 category, this is a standout performer. While it might seem like a big outlay, the sound and material list are worthy of a more expensive tag.

Pros:

• Balanced sound
• Fishman GT1 pickups
• Under saddle pickup dials
• Maple back and sides with a spruce top
• Mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard

Cons:

• Expensive for beginner

Taylor Baby Mahogany BT2 – Best Acoustic Guitar for Girls with Small Hands

Taylor is royalty in the world of acoustics. Their price can reflect this—we’re talking $4,000 plus.

So it’s surprising to see a Taylor available at such a price.

What gives!?

Well, it’s 100% a Taylor. It’s crafted in a way that reminds us why we revere the brand. This isn’t a throwaway guitar that’ll be firewood in a few years. It’s built to last.

Constructed of all-mahogany, the body resonates with warmth. It chimes and glistens with a transparent translucence. You could hear it complimenting a folk performance.

So while it’s a beginner’s guitar, it has longevity. You won’t be moving on once you’ve learned a few chords.

The standout reason for the price tag must be its size. Should’ve guessed, BT is an abbreviation for ‘Baby Taylor’ after all.

The pint-size dreadnought is one of the smaller ¾ guitars. The origins of this come from a desire to create a guitar for kids and travelers. They did what they set out because it’s ideal for these users.

But its appeals are further than this niche group.

Innovative guitarists have discovered it to be much more. By high stringing the BT2, it’s quite the dandy lap slide. And this is where this guitar can be fun. It embraces alternative tunings and offers an alternative flavor to the norm.

The BT2 is a guitar worthy of sitting on a professional collection. Pop it in the corner of your studio and it’ll invite colorful experimentation.

The downsides are the two screws on the 16th fret. Not only do they look cheap, but it doesn’t give you faith in the neck’s stability. Some reports suggest intonation can suffer.

Weighing up the pros and cons. You’re getting a high-quality Taylor at a bargain price and one that even the smallest hands can play.

Pros:

• Affordability
• Taylor brand 
• ¾ size guitar
• Responds well to use with slide
• Midrange punch with “bluesy edge”

Cons:

• Two visible screws on the 16th fret

The Best Electric Guitars for Women

• PRS SE Standard 24 – Editor’s Pick
• Yamaha Pacifica PAC012DLX – Best for Beginners
• Fender Player Stratocaster – Premium Pick
• Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Telecaster – Best for the Money
• Ibanez S Series S521 – Best for Small Hands

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PRS SE Standard 24 – The Best Women’s Electric Guitar

What about electric guitars? If you want to crank the volume like Joan Jett— let’s look at some options.

The Custom 24 is one of the brand’s most iconic creations. It’s a popular choice but comes at a premium price.

The Standard 24 is the solution for the more budget-conscious player. It recreates the basic design of the Custom 24 but costs less.

So how does it hold up?

The more you dive into the SE Standard 24, you’ll find it’s much like its more expensive counterpart. So what are the differences?

They’re very slight. The Korean-made Custom has contoured edges, as opposed to the Indonesian made Standard. There’s also a difference in nut materials used.

Its major variation could be one of this guitars’ biggest charms. The Standard is lighter. The lightweight design makes it a more manageable package for smaller built performers.

So all things considered—it’s a bargain.

If you’re a fan of PRS guitars, this is your entry-level option. At one glance you’ll recognize it as a PRS. The unmistakable shape, the iconic PRS mother-of-pearl bird inlays—it’s a quintessential PRS.

You’ll enjoy all the benefits of what you expect of a PRS. The double-cut solid body is all mahogany. The rosewood fingerboard and maple neck are smooth, so you’ll be able to slide up to the 24th fret with ease.

It sounds like an amalgamation of Fender and Les Paul. So if you’re finding your sound, you’ll have wriggle room. That said, if you’re sold on a bright twang sound, a Fender might be a better call.

But this guitar is a winner. The top value and comfort of playing the PRS SE Standard 24 make it the Editors Choice.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Smooth playability
• Unmistakable PRS design
• Mother-of-pearl bird inlays
• Entry-level price for PRS guitar

Cons:

• Cheap nut material

Yamaha Pacifica PAC012DLX – Best Electric Guitar for Female Beginners

It’s a common tale. An enthusiastic beginner outlays big bucks on an ax, only to find learning guitar is not for them. Gathering dust, it becomes an expensive ornament.

So if you’re a beginner, don’t break the bank.

You’ll struggle to find a cheaper electric guitar than the PAC012 Pacifica. This price point alone makes it an ideal entry-level guitar for a beginner.

Beyond the cost, why will it work for the beginner with a small frame?

Playability is on the menu with the Yamaha PAC012DLX Pacifica. The neck is flat and quick to play. That’ll give you a fighting chance with chord changes when at the start of your journey.

The controls are simple to understand. With simple tone and volume dials, your brain won’t overload. Dialing in your required tone won’t seem like algebra.

It’s shaped like a Strat, but with more angular edges. The horns are sharper, like a modern twist on a classic design.

You’ll have a whammy bar on hand. This is a significant feature for a beginner because it’s fun! After all, we should enjoy learning.

At such a cheap price, this guitar will have its pitfalls. An area that keeps pricing so low is its pickups. These are stock pickups and are cheap, so don’t expect precise articulation.

You might need to upgrade pickups when you’re smashing out hits in the studio. But this is an entry-level guitar that’s manageable for anyone with small hands.

Pros:

• Affordability
• Whammy Bar
• Modern looking guitar
• Simple tone and volume controls
• Flat and fast neck for increased playability

Cons:

• Cheap stock pickups

Fender Player Stratocaster – Premium Pick

Dating back to 1946, Fender is one of the most celebrated guitar manufacturers of all time.

The Stratocaster, or ‘Strat’ as it’s known, first came onto the scene in 1954. To this very day, it’s a mainstay throughout guitar culture.

Everything that you want from the original Strat is on this guitar. The sleek, contoured body made it revolutionary in comfort. The Player has these curves handcrafted to the original specifications.

In some ways, not much has changed. But there are a few updates on the Player serving as an evolution.

Regardless of playing style, the neck is the pinnacle of playability. The modern “C” shaped profile has a radius of 9.5″ and with jumbo frets—it’s a smooth, manageable experience.

Under stage lights, when things get a little sweaty. The satin neck won’t cause stickiness if you’ve got clammy hands. It’s a stage-ready guitar.

The ‘Strat’ sound is the cornerstone of many genres. The Alnico 5 pickups contribute to the authentic punch, snap, and chime. Further emphasized by the alder body providing upper mid-range sparkle. It’s a timeless tone.

Is there anything else to consider?

Some reports reveal that the fret edges are sharp. In particular, this poses an issue if you keep your guitars in cold conditions. A cold temperature can cause the neck to shrink, leaving the edges exposed.

The Strat appears slung around the neck of the world’s greatest guitarists. Bonnie Raitt is a prime example of who has been faithful to this guitar and rocked it throughout her career. Is there a better endorsement?

The Strat is a master of the bell-like upper frequencies. If you’re hoping to get a deeper tone, there’ll be better alternatives. But without a doubt, this guitar is a road-ready authentic pick.

Pros:

• Traditional Strat design
• Smooth neck playability
• Timeless authentic Strat sound
• 3 Player Series Alnico 5 pickups
• Fender “Synchronized Tremolo” vibrato bridge

Cons:

• Sharp fret edges

Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Telecaster – Best Women’s Electric Guitar for the Money

The Classic Vibe ’50s Telecaster is the definition of value for money. Add another few hundred bucks onto the price tag and you wouldn’t be short-changed.

So let’s look at why it’s such good value.

First, there’s the maple neck. This has a “C” shape profile. The eagle-eyed reader might notice this resembles the neck on the premium pick. Diving deeper. Premium Fender Telecasters that retail at approx $2,000, have necks made of the same material.

With a scale length of 25.5″ and fingerboard radius of 9.5″ it echoes models like the 75th Anniversary Telecaster.

So you’ll have similar neck playability of Fender’s retailing at way more! You don’t need me to say—high priced Fenders play very well.

So far, so good!

The Vibe 50s Tele is one for the vintage lover. Do you listen to music from the golden era of rock-and-roll? Do you want to replicate that warm country twang?

This is your guitar.

Let’s talk about the pinewood body. The choice of this wood is a further nod to the past. The original Fender Tele prototype featured a pine body—what else would you expect?

So where does it fall short?

Although the stock tuning keys look the part, they can be inconsistent across the strings. The input jack can be a little loose upon arrival. But this is not the case for all, and if this applies to you, it’s an inexpensive fix.

The Squire Tele is a no-frills solid guitar that’ll have you playing with snarl and twang. It’s not a complex guitar, nor does it try to reinvent the wheel.

But if you’re looking for a vintage feel without the expense of an original. This guitar excels! In fact, the biggest difference from Fenders might be the Squire name on the headstock.

Pros:

• Value for money
• Narrow Tall frets
• Vintage Tele sound
• Maple “C” profile neck playability
• Woodgrain finish in Butterscotch or White Blonde

Cons:

• Loose input jack

Ibanez S Series S521 – Best Electric Guitar for Girls with Small Hands

The S521s one of the longest-serving models in Ibanez’s collection.

We often consider the S series a go-to for a player with smaller hands.

See, Ibanez is a pioneer of the ultra-thin neck. The Wizard III is a neck of response and speed. The 24 jumbo frets will fight your corner too. Smaller fingers will get inside the frets.

The S521 is light, and when you’re comfortable, you can expect to get results.

Have a look at the body and ready yourself to have your mind blown. See, it’s quite outstanding how thin it is. Sleek and slight would do it an injustice. It’s razor-thin.

Anyone with a petite build will find this guitar a lot easier to navigate but it loses nothing in tone.

The S521 has exceptional sustain. It’s a sound feature that makes it a versatile guitar at home in genres like progressive to pop.

Out of the box, it might need a few tweaks of intonation. While this is a downside, the 6 individual saddles make this a quick fix. The saddles allow for individual string height change for accurate intonation.

The S521 goes beyond sleek. So if you want a thin, manageable guitar at an affordable price. This guitar has full-size capabilities in a streamlined package.

Pros:

• Affordability
• High note sustain
• Thin lightweight body
• 5 switch for tonal variety
• Wizard III neck playability

Cons:

• Intonation might need tweaking

How to Choose the Best Guitar for Women – Buyer’s Guide

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Electric Vs Acoustic

When starting, it’s one of the biggest quandaries. Acoustic or electric?

There’s no right or wrong answer here. It’s down to your needs.

Acoustic guitars are a superb choice for beginners because of their simplicity. You’re ready to go out of the box.

Electric guitars need extra purchases like cables and amplification. But an electric guitar is the foundation to building your rig. You can add pedals to sculpt your sound.

The biggest deciding factor will be your music taste. If you want to thrash high-gain metal. You’ll have to go electric. But for delicate folk sentimentalities, go acoustic.

Size

Finding the best size guitar for women can be slightly different depending on your frame. While most women are completely fine with a full-sized guitar, you might want to consider different body styles, shapes, scale lengths, and necks to make sure you’re buying a guitar that is comfortable for you. 

Body Style

The body of a guitar will be what draws you in. You should base your choice on visuals. Whatever your gender, you’ll want to look cool!

But here are other factors worth considering.

The dimensions will have a significant impact on comfort. It’s worth noting the depth, as this is often overlooked. Ensure your elbow can pass the front edge.

Are you playing rhythm or lead? A cutaway body will help your play higher notes if you plan to perform a rousing solo.

Have you got a tone in mind? If you want versatility, consider guitars with more tonal switches. With increased combinations, you’ll have more opportunities to shape the tone.

Then there are other features like a whammy bar. There’s plenty to ponder. But if you’ve got a body that’s comfortable to play with and you find it easy on the eye. You’re onto a winner!

Scale Length

Scale length is the distance between the nut and the bridge.

Anything below 24 ¾″ is a short scale, whereas a long scale is 25″ and over.

The scale length will have a massive effect on the feel of the guitar. It’s advisable to try a few different lengths to see which one suits your build.

Ensure you can reach the top of the headstock as a starting point. This is a simple method to guarantee you’re at comfort with the scale length.

Neck Radius

Measuring the neck radius isn’t as obvious as wrapping a tape measure around the frets.

The neck of a guitar has a curvature between the high and low E strings. To measure the neck radius, imagine a circle corresponding with the curvature. The radius of the circle is the neck radius.

Electric guitars have a radius of 7.25″ and 14″.

If you have small hands, the neck is all-important. You’ll be fighting a losing battle trying to navigate a neck the size of a baseball bat.

Materials & Build Quality

Inspecting build quality can be difficult. With heaps of specifications to look through. How do you know if the quality is good?

It’s a generalization, but American-made guitars should have no concerns in this area.

This doesn’t mean that guitars built in other countries will be bad. But they might take more inspection.

Have a look at the material list. If you see woods that appear on American built guitars, it signals that the foundations are good. 

There has been an infiltration of fake guitars on the market. Although it might save you bucks, be wary as they won’t perform.

It seems obvious, but look for trusted brands and buy from reputable sites.

GuitarAdvise.com will always link you to safe sellers. These outlets will stock top brands and maximize the chance of high build quality.

Should they not fit the bill? Their favorable return policies will be your friend.

Playability

Playability is all about how easy the guitar is to play. Many factors contribute to playability.

Some of which you don’t need to worry about if you’re buying from new. For example, old strings can be uncomfortable to play.

Different gauge strings can heighten comfort. This can depend on playing style, and it might take some trial and error to find your favorite.

Neck size and body size will vary from brand to brand. You may find bulkier guitars easier. Others might find smaller guitars for girls better. This often depends on the build of the player.

If you like a certain brand but it isn’t working, reach out to a professional technician for support. A guitar setup can personalize your guitar to suit your playing requirements.

It isn’t a one size fits all approach. Playability is all about comfort. So the best way to find out is to give the guitar a test drive. Is it easy to play chords or perform a riff?

This is once again where stores with a good warranty will come in handy. You can always return the guitar should it not meet your playability demands.

Sound

All guitars will have unique tones. So which one is right for you?

The best way to decide is to consider which genre you’ll play. Some guitars will work well in a specific genre. High sustain guitars lend themselves to metal or progressive for example.

Consider the pickups. They capture the energy and affect the sound. Some offer warmth in the low end, while others offer a modern clarity.

Is there a guitarist you’re trying to emulate? Cast an eye on some live footage and see what they’re playing.

Price

Have a price and stick to it.

If you’ve set your heart on a Fender but it’s out of budget, consider a Squire. Same with Gibson, look at its cheaper brother Epiphone for inspiration.

Whether you’re paying over $1,000 or under $500. You’ll want value for money. In reality, this should be easy. But a higher price doesn’t always mean the highest quality.

You can get an amazing guitar without breaking the bank.

Conclusion

There we have it—the best guitars for women.

Whether you’re inspired by the folk sentiments of Joni Mitchell or the rock grit of PJ Harvey. There’s a guitar here for you. 

I hope this article has given you the conviction to find the guitar that’s right for you.