A beginner guitar is an instrument that's inexpensive and functional, designed for ease of use and playability for new players rather than for professional, high-fidelity performance. These guitars are often mass-produced with lower-quality materials, which results in a more affordable price point. Key features to look for include comfortable action (string height), a straight neck with smooth frets, and either a nylon-string acoustic for softer feel or a steel-string acoustic or electric guitar for specific sounds.