One of the most important things about electric guitars is to have a comfortable playing experience.
So, if you have smaller hands, you should find a guitar that meets your needs.
Luckily, in this day and age, you have plenty of options at your disposal – from premium quality guitars to affordable beginner-friendly electric guitars.
To help you find what you need, we rounded up the best electric guitars for small hands you can buy right now.
Let’s dive in!
1. Fender Player Telecaster – Overall best electric guitar for small hands
When it comes to top picks for best electric guitars for small hands, the Fender Player Telecaster is usually on the list.
Well, that comes as no surprise – Fender is a reputable brand known for making top-quality guitars.
And the Telecaster is by far one of the most popular guitar designs.
The Fender Player Telecaster is a perfect guitar for players with small hands because it has a slim neck.
The neck profile is a modern C (an asymmetrical design), and the neck ergonomics are really amazing, so it’s very easy and comfortable to play.
Since this is a full-sized guitar, it’s a good choice for adult players.
In terms of materials and construction, the Fender Player Telecaster is a modern take on a classic.
All in all, it’s everything you need for an enjoyable playing experience.
2. Epiphone G-400 Pro Electric Guitar – Best for playability
The Epiphone G-400 Pro Electric Guitar is a great choice for guitar players with small hands.
It’s an impressive electric guitar in so many ways, but especially in terms of playability.
The Epiphone G-400 also offers a fantastic imitation of the SG’s sound, and with the distortion applied, it’s ideal for playing Black Sabbath, AC/DC, or Cream classics.
There’s a Tune-O Matic bridge which provides tuning stability, as well as a two-tone, two-volume, and a pickup selector switch to round out the hardware.
This is also a good budget-friendly option since you can buy it for less than $500.
Plus, it looks great, and there are several finishes to choose from.
3. Squier Mini Strat – Best smaller-sized guitar
The Squier Mini Strat is an ideal guitar for those searching for smaller-sized electric guitars.
Owned by Fender, Squier is known for making top-notch guitars that won’t disappoint you.
And the Mini Strat will definitely meet your expectations, regardless of your level.
It has a thin and lightweight body and an easy-to-play “C”-shaped neck profile.
It features a trio of Squier single-coil pickups with 5-way switching for sonic variety, as well as a hardtail bridge for solid tuning stability.
It’s also low-priced, so it’s a good choice for anyone on a budget.
4. Fender Player Mustang 90 – Excellent build quality
Fender Player Mustang 90 is another fantastic electric guitar for small hands.
It’s a 24″ scale length guitar with a comfortable “C”-shaped maple neck.
It features two Mustang MP90 pickups, and it’s capable of producing powerful sound.
It has a 5″-radius maple fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and a six-saddle string-through-body hardtail Strat bridge with bent steel saddles.
All in all, it’s no wonder that this is one of Fender’s most popular electric guitars for players with smaller hands.
It offers great playability and tone, and it’s made of quality materials.
This is a type of guitar that will serve you well for many years to come, and you should definitely give it a chance.
5. Ibanez Mikro GRGM21 – Best on a budget
Another guitar you should check out is the Ibanez Mikro GRGM21.
This is a perfect budget electric guitar for smaller hands – you can find it for less than $200!
Although it’s a reduced-scale guitar, it boasts a full 24 frets and a lightning-fast GRGM neck.
It also has a narrow nut, which ultimately makes it a great choice for anybody with smaller hands.
Plus, it comes set up with comfortable .010” strings.
In terms of build quality, it’s well-made and durable, even though the latest version is made with poplar.
But it generally sounds good, and since it’s equipped with a pair of ceramic humbuckers and a 5-way selector switch, it provides a range of great tones.
6. EVH Frankenstein Relic – Most popular guitar
Eddie Van Halen’s iconic and revered Frankenstein is probably one of the most recognizable electric guitars ever.
EVH created the Relic Series with three fresh Frankenstein models that deconstruct the iconic striped colorway of Van Halen’s original model.
So, if you want to be a part of music history and own a guitar directly inspired by Van Halen’s iconic Frankie, the EVH Frankenstein Relic is a guitar for you.
Since it has an ultra-slim neck, the EVH Frankenstein Relic is a top choice for players with small hands.
At just over 7lb, it’s also incredibly lightweight, even though it’s a full-size guitar with 22 jumbo frets.
The nut is relatively slim though, and the neck profile is an ultra-slim C shape.
It also provides cool features such as the Floyd Rose trem with locking nut.
7. Squier Bullet Mustang HH – Best for beginners
The Squier Bullet Mustang is considered to be one of the best electric guitars in the market.
It’s an excellent choice for beginners and guitar learners with smaller hands.
Since it’s relatively small and lightweight, it’s suitable for kids as well.
It’s surprisingly cheap yet well-made and versatile, and although it’s an entry-level electric guitar, it has a lot to offer.
It has a maple neck, basswood body, Indian laurel fingerboard, and a beautiful finish.
In addition, it’s equipped with humbucking pickups, a comfortable C-shaped neck, a modern 12’’ radius fingerboard, and a six-saddle hardtail bridge.
The Squier Bullet Mustang is also very comfortable to play, providing excellent playability and tuning stability.
All in all, it’s a perfect first guitar and a reliable instrument for anyone with smaller hands.
8. Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR – Unique look
If you’re searching for an electric guitar that will make you stand out from the crowd, you should take a closer look at the Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR.
It features a poplar body with a sculpted shredder’s cut heel for quick access to the upper frets.
In combination with the bolt-on maple neck with scarf joint, it’s very easy to play.
It also features rolled edges, 24 jumbo frets, and inverted pearloid sharkfin inlays as well as the 12″-16″ compound radius fingerboard ideal for heavy chording and fast solos.
But one of the most distinctive features of the Jackson X Series Dinky DK3XR is its appearance
Although its look might not be for everyone, this guitar will certainly turn heads.
Plus, it offers great value for money, and it will certainly help you work on your guitar skills.
9. Epiphone Power Players Les Paul – Best for younger players
The Power Players Collection offers trimmed-down versions of the famous Les Paul and SG.
This version is suitable for younger players as well as more experienced players searching for a travel electric guitar.
The Epiphone Power Players Les Paul is directly inspired by the Gibson Les Paul shape, but it has a 22.73” scale length and a slightly smaller mahogany body.
It features a bolt-on mahogany neck with a sculpted heel for improved upper fret access.
And it’s powered by a pair of authentic Epiphone humbuckers which provide a rich Les Paul tone.
All things considered, this is a perfect learning guitar and a fantastic model for players with small hands.
10. Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster – Good value for money
Inspired by 1950s-era Stratocaster models, the Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster provides top performance and a comfortable playing experience.
It’s available in 2-color Sunburst, Black, Fiesta Red, and White Blonde finish, and all of them look great.
But this beginner-friendly electric guitar has a lot to offer in terms of sound and build quality as well.
It’s made of quality materials, featuring a pine body, maple neck, and maple fingerboard.
It’s also well set-up so you don’t have to waste your time on getting it ready once you take it out of the box.
And thanks to its “C”-shaped neck profile and a 9.5″-radius fingerboard and narrow-tall frets, it’s comfortable and easy to play.
On top of that, it’s reasonably priced.
How to Choose the Best Electric Guitar for Small Hands
We hope our list of the best electric guitars for smaller hands helped you narrow down your search.
Fortunately, there are many great models to choose from.
But each guitar model for small hands comes with its own characteristics.
The thing is, guitars for small hands are basically the same as other ‘standard’ guitars – the only difference is the size of their components.
They usually have smaller necks and bodies, narrower nut widths, and shorter scale lengths.
But the rest is the same – pickups, strings, a headstock, and so on.
That said, when choosing the best electric guitar for you, you need to think about what type of guitar you want.
For instance, you should make sure the guitar is made of quality materials.
The appearance is another factor – do you prefer distinctive, colorful guitars or classic, vintage electric guitars?
Your level of experience is also something to consider, as some guitars are suitable for beginners and others are designed with professional guitar players in mind.
You can also think about what you intend to use it for – do you want to improve your guitar skills and have a reliable instrument to practice with, or do you want to buy a workhorse guitar that will accompany you on your upcoming tour?
So, it all depends on your priorities and goals.
When it comes to features to look for in an electric guitar for small hands, there are several factors to pay attention to.
Narrow nut
Generally, nut width refers to the length of the nut from one end to the other horizontally across the fretboard.
When it comes to the best guitars for small hands, you’ll come across narrower nuts, as that means the neck isn’t very wide.
And when the neck isn’t wide, it’s easier to play chords as you don’t have to stretch your fingers.
That said, nut width plays a crucial role here, and a narrow nut will allow you to play faster and more accurately.
Neck profile
The neck profile is another element that affects the comfort and playability of an electric guitar.
Ideally, you should look for a guitar with a fast neck, a slim neck, or an asymmetrical neck.
D profiles are usually the most comfortable for smaller hands, as well as slim profile C shapes.
Generally, a C-shaped neck profile is one of the most common neck profiles, having a comfortable oval profile that works well for most playing styles.
The V-shaped neck comes in two popular versions – a more rounded “soft” V, and a more pointed “hard” V, often used in classical instruments too.
The third popular neck shape is the U-shaped neck profile – it’s chunky and rounded, and it’s ideal for players with larger hands.
Scale length
Scale length determines how much of the string vibrates when played open.
Many guitar manufacturers feature guitars with a shorter scale length for guitar players with small hands – this can make playing the guitar significantly easier, although this is not always the case, as the fretboard is another important factor.
Nevertheless, a shorter scale length usually means less stretching to play chords as well as shorter distances during runs.
But full-scale guitars can also be a good option for guitar learners with small hands – they just need to have the right nut width and neck profile.
Body shape
Generally, there are two main categories of electric guitars: single-cutaway and double-cutaway guitars.
A single-cutaway guitar sounds warmer and fuller, and it’s usually 4-5 lbs heavier than a double-cut guitar.
Double-cut guitars will provide you with better upper fret access, and they tend to be lighter and more comfortable.
The number of cutaways on an electric guitar also has an effect on the overall tone, but we’re not talking about a huge difference.
However, the shape of the electric guitar will determine how you feel while you’re playing it; so, make sure you find a comfortable guitar that fits you well.
String gauge
String gauge affects the playability and comfort of players with smaller hands as well.
Light gauges (ideally no more than .010”) are an excellent choice – they will help you avoid excess tension.
Excess tension can lead to accelerated playing fatigue and discomfort, and it can make playing with expression a lot more difficult.
Also, try to change strings often as fresher strings are easier to bend and play.
What About Materials?
The type of wood used to make a guitar affects the overall tone and sound, as well as its weight, playability, and durability.
Generally, the denser the wood, the better sustain an instrument will have.
Therefore, some of the woods used to make electric guitars include well-seasoned hardwoods like maple, walnut, ash, alder, and mahogany for the solid body.
Mahogany is a warm, resonant tonewood, and it’s often used by Gibson.
Some manufacturers combine it with a brighter wood such as maple to bring out higher-range frequencies.
Fender often uses alder, a timber that provides an even frequency response, and for a smaller number of instruments they use ash.
Basswood is another popular choice because it’s easily sourced; it’s a cheaper option, but it has a nice warm and resonant tone.
Best Brands for Electric Guitars for Small Hands
If you want to buy a reliable electric guitar for small hands that won’t let you down, you should opt for a reputable brand.
Some of the most popular guitar brands known for making guitars for smaller hands include Epiphone and Squier.
Epiphone has been making reasonably priced electric guitars of all shapes and sizes since the late 19th century.
Squier is a popular choice for players looking for an affordable way to experience a Fender guitar.
Some other brands we mentioned today include, and all of them make good-quality guitars worth checking out.
How Much Should You Spend on Your Electric Guitar?
Just like they vary in body shapes and build quality, electric guitars vary in price.
Beginner guitars usually cost between $100 to $400, while high-end guitars cost more than $1000.
But most electric guitars fall in the $600 to $900 price range.
Smaller guitars can also be less expensive than their standard-sized counterparts, but that depends on the manufacturer.
Either way, you don’t have to buy an expensive electric guitar if you’re just starting out, and fortunately, there are many great beginner electric guitars available in the market right now.
So, it all comes down to your level, budget, and goals.
Best Electric Guitars for Small Hands – Final Thoughts
Even if you’re an adult learner with smaller hands, there are many great models for you to choose from.
Choosing the best electric guitar for you is not easy though, but we hope our reviews helped you clear things up.
At the end of the day, if your guitar feels comfortable and easy to play, you’ll be able to improve your skills in a quicker and more enjoyable way.
