10 Best Acoustic Electric Guitars

The Fender FA-25CE Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is designed with beginners in mind, making it a suitable choice for those just starting out, whether they're kids or adults. Its dreadnought body shape is known for delivering a bold and rich bass tone, which is particularly good for genres like country, folk, or bluegrass. Constructed with an all-laminate body and a walnut fingerboard, this guitar offers durability and a smooth playing experience. Its 'C' shaped neck profile is comfortable, making it easier for beginners to learn and improve their skills.

The guitar is equipped with onboard Fender FE-A2 electronics, simplifying amplification with an included tuner and controls for adjusting volume and tone. This feature is advantageous for players who want to amplify their sound for performances or practice sessions.

Weighing just 350 grams, the guitar is lightweight, which is great for younger or smaller players. Fender backs this guitar with a two-year limited warranty, ensuring peace of mind regarding defects in materials and workmanship. Given its accessible price and user-friendly features, the FA-25CE is an excellent entry-level option.

The Fender CD-60SCE is an acoustic-electric guitar designed with the needs of beginner to intermediate players in mind. Its dreadnought body shape, paired with a Venetian cutaway, offers both a full sound and easy access to higher frets, making it versatile for various playing styles and settings, whether you're strumming by the campfire or performing at a coffeehouse.

The guitar's solid spruce top is a standard choice in the industry due to its noteworthy strength and vibrant sound, supporting a range of playing techniques from aggressive strumming to gentle fingerpicking. The mahogany back and sides complement this with warmth and depth, enhancing the overall tonal quality.

One of the standout features is the Fishman preamp and tuner system, which allows for seamless amplified performance. This system is praised for maintaining the guitar's rich acoustic tone while providing players the convenience of easy tuning and sound adjustments on the go. The neck of the CD-60SCE is crafted to be 'easy-to-play,' with a comfortable profile and walnut fingerboard. This design choice ensures a smooth playing experience, which is particularly beneficial for those still developing their technique or for seasoned players seeking comfort.

However, some might prefer a different tonewood than the walnut used for the fingerboard, as it can affect the brightness and sustain differently compared to more traditional choices like rosewood. Additionally, while the solid spruce top and mahogany body are excellent for sound, players looking for more exotic tonewoods might need to look elsewhere.

In essence, the Fender CD-60SCE stands out for its playability and sound quality in its price range, making it a solid choice for upcoming guitarists keen on exploring acoustic-electrics, especially those who appreciate the classic Fender style coupled with modern conveniences such as built-in electronics.

The Donner HUSH-I Guitar is a compact and versatile option for those who need an acoustic-electric guitar that's perfect for travel. Its ultra-lightweight and headless design make it ideal for musicians on the move, as it easily fits into an airplane overhead bin. The use of mahogany for the body, neck, and top ensures a warm and resonant tone, though the tonewood might not appeal to those seeking a brighter sound. The built-in preamp system allows for quiet practice through headphones and offers connectivity options for amps, making it great for practicing anytime without disturbing others.

This guitar includes several thoughtful features for comfortable playability. The asymmetrical neck profile helps reduce wrist strain during long sessions, and the round frets are beginner-friendly, preventing finger cuts. However, the absence of a traditional headstock might take some getting used to for those accustomed to standard guitars. The hidden tuning keys and removable frames are practical, but some might find them a bit fiddly if they're not used to this design.

It offers customizable sound options with a 2-stage EQ and volume knobs, though the sound quality might not match the depth of more traditional acoustic-electric guitars. This guitar is particularly suited to those who prioritize portability and need a practice instrument with good functionality. It may not fully satisfy professional musicians looking for the highest sound quality in live performances, and the design could be polarizing, appealing most to travel-focused players or those needing a quiet practice solution.