Best PRS Guitars
Top 10 picks ranked by EJ Score
Our Top Picks
Looking for the prs guitars? We've ranked the top picks based on our EJ Score system, which combines professional critic reviews and real user feedback into a single score out of 100. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this list will help you find the right fit.
PRS’s perfect 5/5 from Guitar World is earned. The Modern Eagle V is a tonal chameleon that delivers everything from bell-like single-coil sparkle to full-range humbucker grind with perfectly balanced volume between modes. The electronics design is brilliant, offering classic…
Pros
- +17 different sounds via TCI Treble/Bass humbuckers, NS-01 single-coil middle, 5-way toggle, two coil-split mini toggles, and push/pull tone for all-three-pickup mode
- +Pull-switch on tone control allows all three pickups voiced together or neck/bridge combined for unique tonal combinations
- +Third mini-toggle changes volume pot value from 500k to 250k, providing a different palette of vintage-to-modern tones
Cons
- −Gloss black finish is mirror-perfect but shows fingerprints and playing marks after minimal use, requiring constant cleaning
- −Extremely limited production (200 of each color) makes finding one difficult and resale market unpredictable
This is the answer to skyrocketing guitar prices, period. At $549, the CE24 Standard Satin delivers build quality and playability that would cost double from any other manufacturer. Premier Guitar noted the midrange can get a little hot, but that’s…
Pros
- +Perfect 5/5 rating from Guitar World for build quality and playability out of the box
- +85/15 S humbuckers with push/pull coil-split deliver convincing single-coil tones and full-range humbucker grind
- +Same 10-inch radiused rosewood fretboard, 25-inch scale, and shallow violin carve as higher-tier CE models
Cons
- −Midrange bump can add harmonic clutter and stridency when playing chords at full volume
- −Bridge pickup in split-coil mode has less bite and muscle than a true Telecaster bridge pickup
Same stellar 5/5 Guitar World rating as the other MEV finishes. This is Paul Reed Smith’s modern benchmark guitar, combining time-tested maple-capped mahogany construction with forward-thinking electronics that put classic and new tones at your fingertips. The Charcoal finish is…
Pros
- +Dual TCI pickups with coil-splitting mini toggles deliver clear single-coil sparkle and full-range humbucker firepower with perfectly balanced volume
- +NS-01 middle single-coil enables quacky in-between sounds when flipping through the 5-way switch's veritable library of tones
- +Lightweight mahogany body with flame maple 10-Top provides firm tonal foundation with depth, richness, and cutting clarity
Cons
- −Push/pull tone control and multiple mini toggles require significant time investment to master all 17 available tones
- −Charcoal finish may show wear and fingerprints like other gloss MEV finishes, requiring regular maintenance
The PRS Custom 24 Piezo is a rare guitar that defies easy categorization, and that’s exactly why it works. This semi-hollow design with integrated piezo system represents PRS at their most ambitious—and they pulled it off. Guitar World awarded a…
Pros
- +Piezo vibrato system is genuinely innovative—balances magnetic and acoustic tones without compromise
- +Multi-voicing option (piezo plus magnetic) provides staggering tonal range from single instrument
- +Semi-hollow design with partial routing delivers tone and playability that satisfies studio and live demands
Cons
- −Piezo tone doesn't perfectly replicate acoustic guitar—it adds acoustic character rather than fooling ears
- −Premium pricing ($6020) limits appeal to professional and serious amateur players only
Proceed with caution. Limited data and middling scores make this a risky buy at $499. PRS has a track record, but this specific model needs more user validation. Best for: players who’ve tested it in person and know it fits…
Pros
- +Mahogany construction for rich sustain
- +Maple cap adds clarity and definition
- +Solid mid-range-tier build quality from PRS
Cons
- −Competes in crowded mid-range price bracket
- −May require setup out of the box for optimal playability
That perfect 100 community score from Sweetwater (based on actual purchasers, not hype) tells the real story. The Custom 24 has been PRS’s flagship for 40 years because it works—not because of marketing. This is the “I want one guitar…
Pros
- +85/15 pickups with 5-way switching deliver genuine tonal versatility from glassy cleans to saturated leads
- +10-Top flame maple grade is visually stunning—this looks like a custom shop instrument
- +Gen III tremolo design provides modern tuning stability with vintage fluidity—best of both worlds
Cons
- −At $5,490, you're in used Les Paul Standard or American Ultra Strat territory—this is a serious investment
- −PRS house sound isn't for everyone—if you want aggressive PAF grit or Strat spank specifically, look elsewhere
PRS Studio Electric Guitar – stands apart in the guitar world as a refined example of PRS’s commitment to excellence. It represents the upper echelon of what’s available at this price point, combining engineering expertise with thoughtful feature sets that…
Pros
- +Delivers what it promises without unnecessary complications.
- +Well-engineered for its category and price point.
- +Holds up well under regular use.
Cons
- −Pickup switching options are more limited than expected.
- −Build quality could be more consistent across units.
The Silver Sky is proof that John Mayer’s obsessive tweaking actually matters. This isn’t just a PRS-branded Strat—it’s a ground-up rethinking of what a Strat should be. The 635JM pickups sound like the best ’60s Strat you’ve never played, and…
Pros
- +635JM single-coils deliver classic Strat chime with more output and midrange presence than vintage-spec pickups
- +PRS locking tuners and precision nut eliminate tuning instability that plagues standard Strat tremolos
- +Reversed headstock provides better string angle and improved sustain on the lower strings
Cons
- −At $2,749, it's nearly double the price of an American Professional Strat for what's essentially refinement, not revolution
- −Some Strat purists reject the reversed headstock aesthetic and PRS branding on a Strat-style guitar
The PRS Studio is what happens when you take the Les Paul formula and refine it through a modern lens. The Pattern Thin neck is absurdly comfortable for lead work, and those 85/15 pickups are some of the most versatile…
Pros
- +85/15 humbuckers offer articulate clarity and dynamic response across the entire frequency range
- +Dual mini-toggle coil-split switches provide genuine single-coil tones without volume drop or thin sound
- +Pattern Thin neck carve is faster than Gibson necks while retaining enough meat for comfortable chord work
Cons
- −$4,830 puts this deep into custom shop territory—you're paying for the PRS name and Maryland craftsmanship
- −Antique White finish shows wear and dirt more obviously than darker colors, requiring more maintenance
The DGT is PRS at their best—immaculate build quality, musical pickups, and a neck that feels like it was custom-carved for your hand. Grissom spec’d this for blues, rock, and everything in between, and it delivers. But at $3,500+, you’re…
Pros
- +DGT humbuckers deliver vintage PAF warmth with clarity and articulation across all positions
- +PRS craftsmanship ensures flawless fretwork, setup, and playability out of the box
- +Traditional tremolo system provides subtle vibrato with excellent tuning stability
Cons
- −Premium pricing ($3,499+) places it in custom shop territory for competing brands
- −Vintage-voiced pickups may lack the output and aggression modern rock players expect
Side-by-Side Comparison
 PRS Modern Eagle V 10-Top Electric... |  PRS SE CE24 Standard Stoptail Satin... |  PRS Modern Eagle V 10-Top Electric... |  PRS Custom 24 Piezo 10-Top Electric... |  PRS SE CE24 Standard Satin Electric... |  PRS Custom 24 10-Top Electric Guitar... |  PRS Studio Electric Guitar - |  PRS Silver Sky Electric Guitar Venetian... |  PRS Studio Electric Guitar Antique White |  PRS DGT Electric Guitar - | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EJ Score | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 93 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Price | $5,900.00 | $549.00 | $5,900.00 | $6,020.00 | $499.00 | $5,490.00 | $4,830.00 | $2,749.00 | $4,830.00 | $4,000.00 |
The Bottom Line
That wraps up our picks for the prs guitars. Every product on this list has been evaluated through our EJ Score system, combining critic expertise with community feedback. Click through to any product page for the full breakdown of scores, specs, and reviews.