Buyer’s Guides
Our “best of” roundups — the gear we’d actually buy at each budget, ranked and explained by players who use it.
GuitarsThe Best Intermediate Electric Guitars (2026)Ready to step up from your first guitar? The mid-priced electrics that deliver real build quality, tone and versatility for $450–$900.
GuitarsThe Best Guitars for Metal (2026)Fast necks, hot pickups and tuning stability for the heavy stuff — the metal guitars we'd actually gig, from budget shredders to pro machines.
PedalsThe Best Reverb Pedals (2026)From a simple spring to vast ambient washes — the reverb pedals we'd actually put on our boards, ranked for every budget and style.
AmpsThe Best Tube Amps Under $1000 (2026)Real valve tone you can afford — the best tube combos under a grand for blues, rock, metal and everything in between.
PedalsThe Best Delay Pedals (2026)Warm analog echo, pristine digital repeats and studio-grade multi-engine machines — the delays we'd buy at every budget.
PedalsThe Best Fuzz Pedals (2026)From wall-of-sound sustain to gated chaos — the fuzz pedals we'd actually put on our boards, ranked for every style and budget.
GuitarsThe Best Acoustic Guitars for Beginners (2026)Solid-top acoustics that sound and play far better than their price — the ones we'd actually hand a new player, at every budget.
AmpsThe Best Practice Amps for Home & Learning (2026)Great-sounding amps for bedrooms, desks and small gigs — including the smart amps that actually help you practise.
GuitarsThe Best Electric Guitars for Beginners (2026)The electric guitars we’d actually put in a beginner’s hands — at every budget from $100 to a confident first “proper” guitar.
PedalsThe Best Overdrive & Distortion Pedals (2026)From transparent boosts to full-on distortion — the dirt pedals we’d actually put on our boards, ranked for every budget and style.