Top 25 Budget Metal Guitars Under $150, $200, $300, $500, $1000

Let’s talk about metal guitars. If you are a fan of metal music, there are a couple of things you need from your guitar. In the majority of cases, you should go for a model with humbuckers, or at least an HSS combination (with a humbucker and two single-coils). 

Of course, you can easily find a perfect metal guitar if your budget is limitless, which is rarely the case. This is why I will go through some of the best metal guitars you can find, but for a significantly lower price. 

Not everyone can afford to buy high-end equipment, and buying on a budget is something that many beginners are faced with. There are still some great instruments you can find even if you don’t plan on spending a fortune on a guitar. 

Top 5 Budget Metal Guitars Under $150

The first category is for metal guitars under $150. This is the lowest possible price range, and going under $100 or less would be nearly impossible. But even if you find a guitar for a lower price, I wouldn’t suggest buying it. 

There is a point where it’s better to wait for a while than to buy whatever is available at your local store. 

Ibanez GIO Series GRX20Z

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Quality control is low
Great for beginners	Tremolo might be a problem for some
HSS	Quality of pickups
Comfortable	Jatoba fretboard

• Body: Poplar
• Neck: Maple with jatoba fretboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 12.01 inches (305 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HSS, Infinity
• Bridge: Tremolo, T106 tremolo

To start the list, we have Ibanez from the GIO series. Ibanez is one of the most popular guitars for beginners, especially for those who are into heavier genres. The guitar has an HSS configuration, which gives you the necessary boost in the bridge position. 

All things considered, this is one of the best options in this price range, and you won’t be getting a no-name guitar. Instead, you will get an Ibanez! Needless to say, this is a beginner model (maybe intermediate), and the quality is not exceptional. But it is well worth the money. 

Harley Benton SC-200

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Quality control is low
Great for beginners	Quality of pickups
HH	Can be uncomfortable
Les Paul shape

• Body: Poplar
• Neck: Maple with roseacer fretboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 13.78 inches (350 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HH, Classic Open humbuckers
• Bridge: Fixed, Tune-O-Matic bridge

The next one on the list comes from Harley Benton, and it is an SC-200 model. You can buy this guitar either on its own or in a package, and it is an excellent deal for all the beginners out there. The guitar has a Les Paul shape, which means that some people might find it uncomfortable. 

What makes it good for metal is that it has two humbuckers. Once again, the pickups aren’t that great since this is an entry-level guitar. 

Harley Benton BS-20BK

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Takes time to get used to shape
Great for beginners	Quality of pickups
HH	Can be uncomfortable
Metal shape (V)

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple with amaranth fretboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 24.72 inches (628 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 15.98 inches (406 mm)
• Frets: 24
• Pickups: HH, high-gain humbuckers
• Bridge: Fixed

Since some guitarists might argue that Les Paul is not a metal guitar, this should be a perfect choice for them. The guitar has a metal shape, which is unlike Strats and Les Pauls out there. You can easily play it while standing or sitting, but it can be a bit uncomfortable for some players. 

As for the quality, this is another entry-level guitar, and you shouldn’t expect something incredible. The guitar is still good, and it can sound even better with a couple of upgrades. 

Harley Benton Victory

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Might require setup
Great for beginners	Quality of pickups
HH
Metal shape

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple with roseacer fretboard, set-in
• Scale Length: 24.72 inches (628 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 13.78 inches (350 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HH, Classic Zebra ceramic humbuckers
• Bridge: Fixed, Tune-o-Matic bridge with string-through-body construction

Harley Benton is one of the growing companies that gained a lot of popularity due to its affordable models. Here, we have a version of the legendary V guitar, but for an affordable price. Flying V from Gibson, as well as its versions, have become rather popular among metal players, and this is a unique chance to get one of these guitars without spending too much money. 

The guitar is great for beginners and those with a bit more experience, and you get a Harley Benton. Keep in mind that playing this guitar while sitting requires getting used to it. 

Harley Benton Extreme-76

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Quality control is low
Great for beginners	Quality of pickups
HH
Metal shape

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple with blackwood fretboard, set-in
• Scale Length: 24.76 inches (629 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 13.78 inches (350 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HH, Classic Ceramic humbuckers
• Bridge: Fixed, Tune-o-Matic bridge

The last entry in this category is another guitar by Harley Benton. The reason why this brand is so popular in the under $150 category is that you can’t find anything better. Even if you would want to buy a Strat guitar, you wouldn’t be able to find a decent one in this price range. 

This model is inspired by Gibson Explorer and other similar metal guitars. Of course, it is more in line with ESP, but you get the idea. It has two humbuckers, three pots, and it’s great for metal. As for the quality, it is surprisingly good considering the price. Needless to say, it is not a professional instrument. 

Top 5 Budget Metal Guitars Under $200

The next category is for guitars between $150 and $200. Even though the price difference is $50, you would be surprised how much it changes everything. Here, we can notice a couple of well-known brands, and the category is no longer ruled by Harley Benton. 

Of course, as we increase the price, we can notice the increase in quality as well, and if you can afford to spend a bit more, these instruments can be an excellent choice. 

Donner DLP-124B

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Quality control is low
Great for beginners	Quality of pickups
HH	Tuners are not great
Comes with a kit

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple with laurel fretboard, set-in
• Scale Length: 24.75 inches (629 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 14 inches (355.6 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HH, Donner 202S humbuckers
• Bridge: Fixed

To start the category, we have a guitar by Donner. It is nearly impossible to create any type of budget list without mentioning this Chinese company. Donner has been dominating the budget market, and the quality of their gear and instruments is surprisingly good. 

This guitar is inspired by Les Paul, but it is significantly thinner. It has a HH combination, and you will get additional equipment with the package. 

Harley Benton SC-500

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Quality control is low
Great for beginners	Less metal-oriented
HH
Beautiful design

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple with blackwood fretboard, set-in
• Scale Length: 24.75 inches (628 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 13.78 inches (350 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HH, Vintage style humbuckers
• Bridge: Fixed, Tune-O-Matic bridge

Here, we have a Harley Benton SC-500. This is an improved version of the SC-200 I mentioned before, and the difference is more than obvious. You can choose between white and black models, but both come with vintage-style humbuckers and a HH combination. 

The guitar looks even more similar to Les Paul, and it is an excellent choice for your first guitar. Some elements of guitar might show that it is not an expensive model, but frets and neck are decent, and you can easily do a setup to make it even better. 

Jackson JS22 Dinky

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Quality control is low
Great for beginners	Humbuckers
HH
Tremolo

• Body: Poplar
• Neck: Maple with amaranth fretboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 12-16 inches (304-406.4 mm)
• Frets: 24
• Pickups: HH, Jackson high output humbuckers
• Bridge: 2 Point Fulcrum tremolo

The next one is a classic model from Jackson, and it’s a JS22 Dinky. This is a well-known guitar for beginners, and it is quite good. The guitar has two humbuckers, compound radius, and tremolo. 

If you are looking for a superstrat guitar, this is a great choice. Jackson has been around for quite a while, and models like Dinky are a huge part of music history. 

Jackson JS1X Rhoads Minion

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Quality control is low
Great for beginners	Humbuckers
HH
Tremolo

• Body: Poplar
• Neck: Maple with amaranth fretboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 12-16 inches (304-406.4 mm)
• Frets: 24
• Pickups: HH, Jackson high output humbuckers
• Bridge: 2 Point Fulcrum tremolo

This is a version of Jackson’s guitar designed for Randy Rhoads, and it is a bit smaller compared to the original. It is an excellent choice for all the fans out there, and it’s not just for beginners. Of course, the price range shows that it is still an entry-level instrument, but the quality has increased compared to the previous category. 

The guitar has a V shape with one end shorter, and it has two humbuckers and a tremolo. So, no Floyd Rose. 

Harley Benton Extreme-84

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Can be uncomfortable
Great for beginners	Not ideal pickups
HH
Metal shape

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with blackwood fretboard, set-in
• Scale Length: 24.76 inches (628 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 13.78 inches (350 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HH, Active HBZ Hi-Gain humbuckers
• Bridge: Fixed, Tune-o-Matic bridge

The last model in this category is another improved version of a guitar I mentioned before. This is also a version of Explorer guitar or similar models designed by ESP. The main difference here is that the Extreme-84 has active pickups, which will make a world of difference for your sound. 

Top 5 Budget Metal Guitars Under $300

The next price increase is a bit higher, and we can check out guitars between $200 and $300. We are getting near the point where you can find really good guitars for a reasonable price, and some of these models are more than decent. 

Needless to say, this is still in the budget category, and there are better options out there if you are willing to invest a bit more. But one thing we can notice besides popular brands is the increase in quality of materials. 

Squier Stratocaster HH Affinity

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Pickups are not as good
Great for beginners, and experienced players	It’s not a metal shape
HH
Stratocaster

• Body: Poplar
• Neck: Maple with laurel fretboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (647.7 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 9.5 inches (241.3 mm)
• Frets: 21, medium jumbo
• Pickups: HH, Fender Ceramic Humbucker
• Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo

Getting a Squier can be an excellent choice. These guitars, otherwise known as Fender SQ can be incredible based on the series. Here, we have a model from the Affinity series, and it has two humbuckers. This Strat is great for players who like both heavy metal and classic rock since the guitar is quite versatile. 

However, the pickups are not as good as on some other guitars, and they aren’t as powerful even though they are humbuckers. 

Yamaha Pacifica PAC012

Pros	Cons
Affordable	It’s not a metal shape
Great for beginners, and experienced players	Not the best quality of pickups
HSS
Comfortable

• Body: Agathis
• Neck: Maple with rosewood fretboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 13.75 inches (350 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HSS, Yamaha Ceramic pickups
• Bridge: Vintage Tremolo

This is another versatile guitar that’s not specifically designed for metal, but it can do quite well. Yamaha Pacifica has been one of the most popular guitars for beginners and intermediate players out there, and here, you have an HSS combination. 

Each three of the pickups are designed by Yamaha, and they sound good. Naturally, it all comes down to what type of metal you’re looking to play, and Pacifica can be great for any gentler type of metal. If you plan on playing something heavier, you might be better with an HH combination instead. 

Epiphone Les Paul VE

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Pickups are not as good
Great for beginners, and experienced players	It’s not a metal shape
HH	Can be uncomfortable
Les Paul shape	Bolt-on neck

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with Pau Ferro fretboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 24.75 inches (629 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 12 inches (304.8 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HH, Epiphone 650R Zebra Coil ceramic humbucker (neck) and Epiphone 700T Zebra Coil ceramic humbucker (bridge)
• Bridge: LockTone Tune-O-Matic bar with stop bar

The next one on the list is the Epiphone. This company is a part of Gibson, and they design budget versions of Gibson guitars. One of the main downsides of this Les Paul is that it has a bolt-on neck unlike the majority of Gibsons with glued-in necks. 

However, since it is a budget version, it can be a decent option for any Les Paul lover out there. Epiphone has two humbuckers, which gives it enough power to play heavier genres. 

ESP LTD EC-10

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Better pickups, but not ideal
Great for beginners, and experienced players	It’s not a metal shape
HH	Bolt-on neck
Modified Les Paul shape

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple with engineered hardwood fretboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 24.75 inches (628.75 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 13.78 inches (350 mm)
• Frets: 24, XJ frets
• Pickups: HH, Passive ESP designed LH-100B and LH-100N humbuckers
• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic and tailpiece bridge

Here we have a great metal guitar designed by ESP LTD. The first thing I should mention is that it has a bolt-on neck, which is not ideal for many people. But if you are used to Stratocaster, this shouldn’t be a problem. The primary reason I list this as a downside is that it is the first sign that the guitar is a budget model.

We can notice with more expensive models by ESP or Epiphone that the neck is set-in. Other than that, the guitar is great, it has a curved Les Paul shape which makes it a bit more comfortable for playing. 

Harley Benton SC-550 II

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Better pickups, but not ideal
Great for beginners, and experienced players
HH
Great design

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany with Pau Ferro fretboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 24.75 inches (628.75 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 13.78 inches (350 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HH, Tesla Opus-1 Alnico-5 humbuckers
• Bridge: DLX tune-o-Matic bridge

Now, we can notice the difference between cheaper and more expensive Harley Benton guitars. And this one looks amazing. The materials are great, and it is not often that you see mahogany for such a low price. 

The guitar is available in several colors, and this one is PAF or Paradise Amber Flame. Of course, you can check out different models and see which one you like the best. 

Top 5 Budget Metal Guitars Under $500

As we go up the price range, the quality becomes quite high, and here, we will take a look at guitars between $300 and $500. With this amount of money, you will be able to find great instruments. Naturally, they are still not professional levels, but they are more than enough for beginners, intermediate, and even advanced players. 

Furthermore, the options are incredible as well, and you can find almost any shape and type of guitar in this category. 

Ibanez RG450DX RG

Pros	Cons
Great price	Better pickups, but not ideal
Great for beginners, and experienced players
HH
Standard Ibanez design

• Body: Poplar
• Neck: Maple with rosewood fretboard, bolt-on (bound jatoba)
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 12 inches (304.8 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HH, Infinity pickups
• Bridge: FAT 6 bridge

Ibanez is a great company, and here, we can see something a bit better. The guitar looks great and plays incredibly well. It has a T106 Tremolo, and it has two humbuckers in HH combination.

The pickups are passive, and it has two Infinity humbuckers. It is a great guitar for both beginners and those with experience. The quality of pickups is not exceptional, but they are quite good considering the price.

Schecter Omen Extreme 6 STBLK

Pros	Cons
Great price	Better pickups, but not ideal
Great for beginners, and experienced players	Bolt-on
HH
Super Strat shape

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple with rosewood fretboard, bolt-on 
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 14 inches (355 mm)
• Frets: 24, X-jumbo
• Pickups: HH, Schecter Diamond Plus humbuckers
• Bridge: fixed, Tune-O-Matic w/ String Thru Body

Schecter is an incredible company that went quite far compared to what it did in the eighties. Today, you can notice numerous different and unique models, and they are perfect for metal. Here, we have Omen, which is a metal guitar with an HH combination and a fixed bridge. 

All things considered, this is a great guitar that sounds incredible. Other than that, I should mention that Diamond Plus humbuckers are great, but they are not in line with Seymour Duncan or EMG. 

Jackson JS32 Kelly Snow White

Pros	Cons
Great price	Better pickups, but not ideal
Great for beginners, and experienced players	Bolt-on
HH	Can be uncomfortable
Floyd Rose

• Body: Poplar
• Neck: Maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, amaranth fretboard 
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 12-16 inches (304.8 – 406.4 mm)
• Frets: 24, jumbo
• Pickups: HH, Jackson High Output humbuckers
• Bridge: Floyd Rose licensed double-locking tremolo

This is another guitar with a classic metal design. It is similar to Gibson’s Explorer, but there are a few differences between these two models. The guitar has two humbuckers, Floyd Rose, and it’s perfect for all the metal lovers out there. 

While the pickups are great, they might be something you’d want to change in the future. All things considered, this is an excellent guitar, especially if you consider the price. 

Schecter C-6

Pros	Cons
Great price	Better pickups, but not ideal
Great for beginners, and experienced players	Bolt-on
HH
Simplistic design

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 13.98 inches (355 mm)
• Frets: 24, jumbo
• Pickups: HH, Schecter Diamond Plus humbuckers
• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with string-guide

Another super Strat guitar on the list is by Schecter, and this is a more affordable model. If you are looking for a great metal guitar in this price range, Schecter is an excellent choice.

The guitar is quite simple, it has two pots and a switch, and the bridge is standard fixed Tune-O-Matic. It looks great, the design is pretty solid, and it’s easy to play.

Jackson Adrian Smith SDX

Pros	Cons
Great price	Cheaper version of the original
Great for beginners, and experienced players
HSS
Adrian Smith signature model

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple neck with maple fingerboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 12-16 inches (304.8 to 406.4 mm)
• Frets: 22, jumbo
• Pickups: HSS, Jackson
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Special tremolo

If you are a fan of Iron Maiden, then look no further. This is a signature model by Jackson, designed as a budget version of Adrian Smith’s guitar. There are a couple of differences between the original and this model, but considering that it is six times cheaper, it can be a perfect option.

The guitar has an HSS combination, and all three pickups are designed by Jackson. It sounds great, and it will give you that special Iron Maiden vibe. 

Top 5 Budget Metal Guitars Under $1000

The final category is for guitars between $500 and $1000. If you can afford to buy in this price range, the options are nearly limitless. Guitars here are exceptional, and they can be considered professional gear. 

There is little to no difference between a guitar costing $1000 and one three times more expensive. And truth be told, you can’t go wrong. The only thing that makes a difference here is your personal taste. So, try and find the model that you’ll enjoy. Once again, if you can afford to spend $1000 on a guitar, you’ll be able to find nearly any possible combination and design. 

Ibanez JEMJRWH

Pros	Cons
Great guitar	Cheaper version of the original
Great for beginners, and experienced players
HSH
Iconic JEM series

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple neck with jatoba fingerboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 15.75 inches (400 mm)
• Frets: 24, jumbo
• Pickups: HSH, Quantum
• Bridge: Floyd Rose, Double Locking tremolo bridge

To start the category, we have a model of guitar popularized by legendary Steve Vai. In fact, he is the person behind the design, and we can notice a couple of traditional elements of his guitars. Firstly, we have a Tree of Life inlay and a well-known “monkey grip.”

The reason for such a low price is that this is not the model he plays on stage, and it is a cheaper version with a similar design. 

ESP LTD GH-200

Pros	Cons
Great guitar
Great for beginners, and experienced players
HH
Floyd Rose

• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Maple neck with jatoba fingerboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 24.72 inches (628 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 13.78 inches (350 mm)
• Frets: 22, XJ
• Pickups: HH, ESP-designed LH-301N (neck) / LH-301B (bridge) humbuckers
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Special tremolo

Another signature model on the list, but this time, it is a guitar designed for Gary Holt. If you are not familiar with his career, Gary Holt played in Exodus and Slayer, and the guitar is a real treat for all the fans out there. 

It has a shape similar to Les Paul, but with a couple of differences. It also has a Floyd Rose and ESP-designed humbuckers. All things considered, it is an incredible guitar for all the fans out there, and there aren’t many flaws other than personal preferences. 

Fender Player Series Strat HS

Pros	Cons
Great guitar	Not really a metal shape
Great for beginners, and experienced players	Not for all types of metal
HSS
Comfortable

• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple neck with maple fingerboard, bolt-on
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 9.5 inches (241.3 mm)
• Frets: 22
• Pickups: HSS, Player AlNiCo II humbucker (bridge), and 2 New Player AlNiCo V single coils (middle & neck)
• Bridge: 2-point tremolo

Fender Strat is one of the most versatile guitars you can find on the market, and you can’t really go wrong if you decide to buy one. This is a Player Series of Stratocaster, and it is significantly cheaper compared to American Standard. 

However, you will get an HSS version with AlNiCo pickups, and it can be quite good. The main problem here is that not everyone is a fan of Strat, and they might want to go for a guitar that’s a bit heavier. 

Schecter Damien Platinum

Pros	Cons
Excellent quality
Great for beginners, and experienced players
HH, with EMGs
Comfortable

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, set-in
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 14 inches (356 mm)
• Frets: 24, X-jumbo
• Pickups: HH, EMG 81 (bridge) and 1x EMG 85 (neck) humbuckers
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Special tremolo

Schecter has proven over the years that it is an amazing company, and this model just proves it. It is a Strat-type guitar, with two humbuckers, but this time, we have EMG 81 in the bridge, and EMG 85 in the neck position. This is a rather popular combination, and you won’t need to worry about replacing pickups in the future. Keep in mind that EMGs are active and you will need to replace the battery after a while. 

As for the downsides, there isn’t anything I can say. The guitar is incredible, pickups are amazing, and the only issue you might have with it is if you don’t like how it looks. 

Kramer Guitars SM-1

Pros	Cons
Excellent quality
Great for beginners, and experienced players
HSS, with Seymour Duncan
Comfortable

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, neck-through-body
• Scale Length: 25.5 inches (648 mm)
• Fingerboard Radius: 14 inches (356 mm)
• Frets: 24, X-jumbo
• Pickups: HSS, Seymour Duncan SH-4 humbucker (bridge), and 2 Seymour Duncan Cool Rail HB single coils (middle and neck)
• Bridge: Floyd RoseTM 1000 Series Tremolo

Finally, we have a Kramer guitar, which is often an overlooked brand. The guitar has three Seymour Duncan pickups in the HSS configuration, it looks stunning, and sounds even better. There is an original Floyd Rose, and the design is exceptional. 

If you dislike Seymour Duncan for any reason, it is possible to find a model with EMGs and it’s even cheaper than this one. 

Conclusion

Buying an electric guitar for metal can be challenging, but it mostly comes down to how much you’re willing to spend. The cheapest models are under $150, and the quality is not so great. You might need to replace pickups if you aim to create a good sound. 

As you go up the price range, you can notice several different brands and models that are amazing. The safe spot is around $500, which allows you to choose between many different shapes and designs. 

Of course, if you can afford to pay around $1000, the options are nearly limitless. You can easily find a pro-level guitar, and won’t require any type of upgrades or improvements.

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Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API