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Best Electric Guitar Sets Under $500 2025

Affordable electric guitar sets under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Beginners For First Electric Guitar For Complete Setup For Budget-Conscious For Gift Purchase For All-in-One Solution
BRANDS: Harley Benton Squier Thomann
Harley Benton SC-Custom III LH VBK Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Harley Benton SC-Custom III LH VBK Set

by Harley Benton
Beginners Complete Setup First Electric Guitar
Key Feature:
• More affordable than buying separately
✓ PROS
  • • Everything needed to start playing
  • • Great for beginners and gifts
✗ CONS
  • • Individual components may be lower quality
  • • May include unnecessary accessories

Harley Benton SC-Custom III LH VBK Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-Custom III LH VBK*Electric...

⭐ 4.7/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 603132
$486
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 II PAF Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton SC-550 II PAF Bundle

by Harley Benton
Complete Setup Beginners First Electric Guitar
Key Feature:
• Convenient one-purchase solution
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and gifts
  • • Components designed to work together
✗ CONS
  • • Less flexibility in component choice
  • • Upgrade path can be expensive

Harley Benton SC-550 II PAF Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-550 II PAF*Electric Guitar*Deluxe...

⭐ 4.4/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 522760
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-Junior Faded Cherry Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton SC-Junior Faded Cherry Set

by Harley Benton
All-in-One Solution Budget-Conscious Gift Purchase
Key Feature:
• Components designed to work together
✓ PROS
  • • Everything needed to start playing
  • • Components designed to work together
✗ CONS
  • • Individual components may be lower quality
  • • Upgrade path can be expensive

Harley Benton SC-Junior Faded Cherry Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-Junior Faded Cherry*Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 580077
$395
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Santos Series C-40SCE N Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton Santos Series C-40SCE N Bundle

by Harley Benton
Beginners All-in-One Solution Gift Purchase
Key Feature:
• Everything needed to start playing
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and gifts
  • • Everything needed to start playing
✗ CONS
  • • Individual components may be lower quality
  • • Less flexibility in component choice

Harley Benton Santos Series C-40SCE N Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Santos Series C-40SCE NT*Classical...

⭐ 5.0/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 539230
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton DC-Junior Pelham Blue Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton DC-Junior Pelham Blue Bundle

by Harley Benton
All-in-One Solution First Electric Guitar Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Convenient one-purchase solution
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and gifts
  • • Convenient one-purchase solution
✗ CONS
  • • Less flexibility in component choice
  • • Not customized to specific needs

Harley Benton DC-Junior Pelham Blue Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton DC-Junior Pelham Blue*Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 514647
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series Set

by Harley Benton
All-in-One Solution First Electric Guitar Beginners
Key Feature:
• Components designed to work together
✓ PROS
  • • Everything needed to start playing
  • • Convenient one-purchase solution
✗ CONS
  • • Less flexibility in component choice
  • • Upgrade path can be expensive

Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 561026
$351
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Fusion-III LH HSH EB FB Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton Fusion-III LH HSH EB FB Set

by Harley Benton
Beginners All-in-One Solution Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners and gifts
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and gifts
  • • More affordable than buying separately
✗ CONS
  • • Individual components may be lower quality
  • • May include unnecessary accessories

Harley Benton Fusion-III LH HSH EB FB Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Fusion-III LH HSH EB FBB*Electric...

⭐ 4.7/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 566952
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton CST-24HB TOL Tobacco Fl Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton CST-24HB TOL Tobacco Fl Set

by Harley Benton
Complete Setup Beginners Gift Purchase
Key Feature:
• Everything needed to start playing
✓ PROS
  • • Convenient one-purchase solution
  • • Everything needed to start playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less flexibility in component choice
  • • Not customized to specific needs

Harley Benton CST-24HB TOL Tobacco Fl Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CST-24HB TOL Tobacco Flame*Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 566788
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton DC-Junior Faded Cherry Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton DC-Junior Faded Cherry Bundle

by Harley Benton
Complete Setup Gift Purchase Budget-Conscious
Key Feature:
• Components designed to work together
✓ PROS
  • • Everything needed to start playing
  • • Convenient one-purchase solution
✗ CONS
  • • Individual components may be lower quality
  • • Not customized to specific needs

Harley Benton DC-Junior Faded Cherry Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton DC-Junior Faded Cherry*Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 514578
$406
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-550 II FTF Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton SC-550 II FTF Set

by Harley Benton
Beginners All-in-One Solution Gift Purchase
Key Feature:
• Convenient one-purchase solution
✓ PROS
  • • Everything needed to start playing
  • • Convenient one-purchase solution
✗ CONS
  • • Not customized to specific needs
  • • Upgrade path can be expensive

Harley Benton SC-550 II FTF Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-550 II FTF*Electric Guitar*Deluxe...

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 566782
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton CST-24T LH Paradise Fla Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton CST-24T LH Paradise Fla Set

by Harley Benton
Complete Setup Budget-Conscious Beginners
Key Feature:
• More affordable than buying separately
✓ PROS
  • • Components designed to work together
  • • More affordable than buying separately
✗ CONS
  • • May include unnecessary accessories
  • • Upgrade path can be expensive

Harley Benton CST-24T LH Paradise Fla Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CST-24T LH Paradise Flame*Electric...

⭐ 5.0/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 603577
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB BK Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB BK Set

by Harley Benton
Complete Setup First Electric Guitar All-in-One Solution
Key Feature:
• Convenient one-purchase solution
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and gifts
  • • Everything needed to start playing
✗ CONS
  • • Not customized to specific needs
  • • Less flexibility in component choice

Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB BK Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB BK*Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 600137
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton CST-24T LH Purple Burst Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton CST-24T LH Purple Burst Bundle

by Harley Benton
Budget-Conscious All-in-One Solution Beginners
Key Feature:
• Everything needed to start playing
✓ PROS
  • • Convenient one-purchase solution
  • • Everything needed to start playing
✗ CONS
  • • May include unnecessary accessories
  • • Upgrade path can be expensive

Harley Benton CST-24T LH Purple Burst Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CST-24T LH Purple Burst*Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 581217
$428
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley Bundle

by Harley Benton
First Electric Guitar Gift Purchase Beginners
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners and gifts
✓ PROS
  • • More affordable than buying separately
  • • Convenient one-purchase solution
✗ CONS
  • • Not customized to specific needs
  • • May include unnecessary accessories

Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton ST-70 Black Paisley*Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 479496
$340
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton SC-1000LH SBK Progressi Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Harley Benton SC-1000LH SBK Progressi Set

by Harley Benton
Gift Purchase All-in-One Solution Budget-Conscious
Key Feature:
• More affordable than buying separately
✓ PROS
  • • Everything needed to start playing
  • • Components designed to work together
✗ CONS
  • • May include unnecessary accessories
  • • Upgrade path can be expensive

Harley Benton SC-1000LH SBK Progressi Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-1000LH SBK Progressive...

⭐ 4.7/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 561005
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Electric Guitar Sets

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced electric guitar sets typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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