The best acoustic guitar strings can completely transform your playing experience, giving you better tone, smoother playability, and a connection to your instrument that feels just right.
Best Acoustic Guitar Strings | Best Acoustic Guitar Strings Product Image | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
Author's Pick  | 92 | 2475+ | |||
Extra Light Gauge  | 94 | 1975+ | |||
Light Gauge  | 95 | 12850+ | |||
Medium Gauge  | 96 | 3900+ | |||
Heavy Gauge  | 91 | 1000+ |
*Gearank = Rating score out of 100.
**Sources = Number of gear owner and user opinions analyzed for these product Gearank Ratings.
Research Process: How Gearank Works
Strings are more than just a part of your guitarโtheyโre where your sound starts, shaping everything from your toneโs warmth to the way your fingers glide across the fretboard. Whether youโre a seasoned pro or just starting out, finding the right set of strings can make all the difference.
Weโve put together an unbiased list of the top acoustic guitar strings based on real-world feedback and trusted reviews. From easy-to-play Light and Extra Light gauges, perfect for beginners or those who value comfort, to fuller-sounding Medium and Heavy sets for experienced players, thereโs something here for everyone.
Whether youโre strumming away on stage or practicing fingerpicking at home, youโll find options tailored to your style and needs.
Not sure where to start? A good rule of thumb is to stick with guitar string gauges similar to what came with your guitar, but experimenting can be fun. Sometimes, switching to a different gauge or material can unlock new tonal possibilities or make playing feel even better.
Just remember, if youโre plaiyng a classical guitar, youโll need the best classical guitar strings, not regular acoustic ones.
Whatever you choose, the right acoustic guitar strings can breathe new life into your guitar and help you play your best.
I chose this particular set for its great balance of tones. A bass that is very audible yet not overpowering, and a treble that is vibrant.
Martin MM12 Retro (Light)
These strings offer a warm, balanced tone that complements vintage and modern acoustic guitars alike. Ideal for players seeking classic sound with excellent playability.
Pros:
- Natural guitar wood tones.
- Good bass response and a full-sounding treble.
- Ideal for toning down overly bright guitars.
- Suitable for Martins and Guilds, among others.
- Results vary with different guitar models.
- Still susceptible to micro corrosion.
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The Martin Retro MM12 Acoustic Guitar Strings are made from a solid nickel/copper alloy. This helps to reduce pick attack and allows the natural sound of your guitar’s tonewoods to come through more clearly.
It’s particularly beneficial if you want your guitar’s inherent qualities to shine through while playing unplugged or amplified.
They use Martinโs proprietary Monel wrap wire, known for its corrosion resistance. It means you can expect them to last longer and maintain their quality sound over time.
It’s still more susceptible to microcorrosion relative to coated guitar strings. But it is more durable compared to uncoated, and nickel strings.
The sound profile of the Martin Retro light strings is quite distinctive. These strings provide a warm, natural tone that is rich and clear.
I noticed that it has just the right balance of tones. The bass is easily distinguishable without being too overpowering. The treble is clear and articulate but not too bright as well.
However, it’s worth noting that some guitarists may find its sound to be a bit metallic or “tinny,” which might not suit every guitar or playing style.
In terms of durability and playability, these strings generally perform well. Being a light gauge set, it’s easy on the hands, which is important if you want to bend strings. String life is above average, and I’m happy with its consistent performance. I share the same positive sentiment that this string set gets in the market.
These strings hold their tuning really well and have a decent feel, which is easier on your fingers.
Overall, the Martin MM12 Retro is a reliable choice for owners of traditional acoustic guitars.
- Gauge: Extra Light (012, .015, .025, .031, .041, .054)
- Core Material: Steel
- Winding Material: Monel (nickel/copper)
- Winding Type: Round Wound
- Coated: No
Best Acoustic Guitar Strings – Extra Light Gauge
For this section, we considered sets of strings ranging in gauge from .010 to .047/.050. Acoustic guitar extra light strings are the lightest guitar strings you can equip your instrument with.
Elixir Polyweb 80/20 Bronze (Extra Light)
Known for their extended lifespan, these strings deliver a bright, crisp tone with a smooth, comfortable feel. Perfect for light strumming and fingerpicking.
Pros:
- Bright, crisp tone with excellent clarity.
- Polyweb coating extends string life significantly.
- Smooth feel reduces finger noise and playing fatigue.
- Ideal for fingerpicking and light strumming.
- Coating slightly dampens resonance.
- Extra-light gauge isnโt suited for heavy playing styles.
- Higher price compared to uncoated strings.
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The Elixir Polyweb 80/20 Bronze Extra Light strings are a fantastic option for guitarists who value bright, crisp tones and effortless playability. Their ultra-thin Polyweb coating reduces finger noise and extends the lifespan of the strings, making them perfect for players who want consistent tone without frequent restringing. These strings excel in fingerpicking and light strumming styles, delivering a sparkling clarity that complements acoustic guitars beautifully.
One of the standout features of these strings is their comfortable, smooth feel. The Polyweb coating adds a silky layer that makes slides easier, reducing fatigue during longer playing sessions. Additionally, the coating minimizes string corrosion, so the strings retain their fresh tone much longer than uncoated options. This makes them ideal for players who live in humid environments or simply want to stretch the time between string changes.
However, these strings do have some drawbacks. The coating slightly dampens their resonance, which might not appeal to players who prefer a more natural or uncoated sound. Additionally, their extra-light gauge isnโt well-suited for heavy strumming or more aggressive playing styles, as they can feel too loose or lack the punch and volume needed. That said, for players seeking long-lasting, bright-sounding strings with a buttery feel, the Elixir Polyweb 80/20 Bronze Extra Light set is a solid choice.
- Gauge: Extra Light (.010, .014, .023, .030, .039, .047)
- Core Material: Steel
- Winding Material: 80/20 Bronze
- Winding Type: Round Wound
- Coated: Yes
Best Acoustic Guitar Strings – Light Gauge
Elixir Strings Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze (Light)
These strings provide a warm, rich tone with excellent durability thanks to their Nanoweb coating. A great choice for versatile acoustic players.
Pros:
- Long lasting
- Excellent tone, clarity, and warmth.
- Good resonance.
- Smooth feel.
- Good packaging.
- Expensive.
- Can be too smooth (slippery) for some.
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The Elixir Strings Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze Medium is a set of medium gauge coated strings. It shares the same specifications as other Nanoweb strings, including the type of coating used.
The Nanoweb coat is thinner than Elixir’s Polyweb coat though, which results in minor differences in feel and tone.
The thinner Nanoweb coat dampens the sound less, resulting in a brighter tone compared to Polyweb sets.
Due to its slightly thicker gauge, this set is a bit louder and has a warmer sound compared to lighter guitar strings. It also maintains the longevity provided by Elixir’s string-coating technology.
Elixir assures users that this set offers the same protection from dirt and grime, prolonging the life of the strings.
This longevity is why Elixir strings are considered great value sets. It also offsets their higher price compared to non-coated sets.
If you are looking for a set of medium gauge acoustic strings that lasts long, consider choosing one made by the pioneers of string coating-Elixir Nanoweb Strings.
- Gauge: Light (.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053)
- Core Material: Steel
- Winding Material: Phosphor Bronze
- Winding Type: Round Wound
- Coated: Yes
Acoustic Guitar Strings – Medium Gauge
Elixir Strings Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze (Medium)
Combining robust projection and long-lasting tone, these strings are ideal for players who prefer a slightly heavier feel. Their durability ensures consistent performance over time.
Pros:
- Clear, warm, and fuller tone
- Good sustain
- Less finger squeak
- Reliable and consistent quality
- Good packaging
- Higher tension
- Stiff strings
Weโre reader-supported. When you click product links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
The Elixir Strings Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze Medium is a set of medium gauge coated strings. It shares the same specifications as other Nanoweb strings, including the type of coating used.
The Nanoweb coat is thinner than Elixir’s Polyweb coat though, which results in minor differences in feel and tone.
The thinner Nanoweb coat dampens the sound less, resulting in a brighter tone compared to Polyweb sets.
Due to its slightly thicker gauge, this phosphor bronze string set is a bit louder and has a warmer sound compared to lighter guitar strings. It also maintains the longevity provided by Elixir’s string-coating technology.
Elixir assures users that this set offers the same protection from dirt and grime, prolonging the life of the strings.
This longevity is why Elixir strings are considered great value sets. It also offsets their higher price compared to non-coated sets.
If you are looking for a set of medium gauge acoustic strings that lasts long, consider choosing one made by the pioneers of string coating-Elixir Nanoweb Strings.
- Gauge: Medium (.013, .017, .026, .035, .045, .056)
- Core Material: Steel
- Winding Material: Phosphor Bronze
- Winding Type: Round Wound
- Coated: Yes
Acoustic Guitar Strings – Heavy Gauge
D’Addario EJ18 PB (Heavy)
These heavy-gauge strings offer bold, resonant tone with enhanced stability for aggressive playing styles. Designed for players who demand maximum volume and durability.
Pros:
- Big and fat tone
- Increased harmonic content, projection, and resonance.
- Good for the drop, half-step down tuning, and other alternate tunings.
- Hard to break.
- Consistent quality from D’Addario.
- Good packaging.
- Can be used for baritone guitars.
- Sounds a bit metallic and unpleasant.
- Stiff strings require extra fretting and playing effort.
- Not for smaller / lighter acoustics because of increased string tension.
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Heavy gauge strings are not as popular because they are harder to play and can possibly damage guitars not designed for high string tension.
As I mentioned in the intro, acoustic guitars are made with the string gauge in mind. Not all guitars can handle thicker strings. So, it’s best to check with the manufacturer to see if your acoustic guitar is compatible with heavy gauge sets.
Despite the drawbacks, some players still use heavy sets for extra projection and resonance. This set provides a big, fat sound that lighter strings can’t match.
Experienced players, especially those into flat-picking and heavy strumming, know when and how to use this set to achieve the warmth, sustain, and harmonics it offers.
However, you could always down-tune your guitar to reduce the tension. For a more familiar feel, use a capo. This will enable you to play first-position chord shapes in standard tuning.
The EJ18 from D’addario is made with the same stainless steel core and quality standards as their other popular string sets.
It also comes in corrosion-resistant packaging, which is great as it can be stored for an extended period and not deteriorate in quality.
If you’re aiming to achieve a higher volume on your acoustic guitar and are into mostly strumming, then the EJ18 should be your top choice. But, be sure to confirm its compatibility with your guitar first.
- Gauge: Heavy (.014, .018, .027, .039, .049, .059)
- Core Material: Steel
- Winding Material: Phosphor Bronze
- Winding Type: Round Wound
- Coated: No
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Acoustic Guitar Strings
There’s a lot that goes into choosing guitar strings, especially when it comes to acoustic guitars.ย You need to understand how gauge and materials interact with your guitar to create your tone. To figure out which strings are best for your acoustic guitar.ย You then have to balance your tone preferences with the playability you’re looking for. In this section, we’ll discuss how these factors work, clarify important questions, and get some practical string choice tips.
Single Sets vs. Buying in Bulk
In this guide, we’ve presented single sets of strings, but in most cases, these strings will be available in larger packs. When you buy larger packs, you save a few bucks per set, with your savings increasing the more sets that are in the pack. So if you want to get good value out of acoustic guitar string deals, you ought to go for bulk packages.
Most manufacturers sell three-set packs. But some (Ernie Ball being a notable example) produce packs with 10 sets of strings. You have to pay more for bulk packages, but you get a better return on your money in the long run.
Since strings aren’t aged rapidly through oxidation, you won’t have to worry about them going bad while they’re in the package. They’ll age a bit, but it’ll take years before it’s really noticeable. The main thing that will damage your strings is the oils on your fingers, particularly if you don’t wipe down your strings after playing.
Acoustic Guitar String Gauges Explained
As you’ve probably noticed, manufacturers include words like “light,” “medium,” and “heavyโ when they talk about their strings. This refers to the guitar string gauges, or string thickness.
Thicker strings are harder to press down and have a warmer sound, while thinner strings are easier to press down and have a brighter tone.ย Thicker strings are louder and perform better when strummed. If you’re guitar style requires heavy strumming, or if you play some slide, then consider going for thicker strings. Thinner strings are quieter and have a higher tendency to break when strummed forcefully.
Light gauge strings provide a good balance of tone and playability. This is the reason why they are considered the best strings for an acoustic guitar and the go-to gauge for most guitarists. Extra-light gauge strings have lower string tension, which makes them much easier to play, but they tend to have a trebly sound. Their trebly sound may not be ideal for some, but their easy playability makes them the best strings for acoustic guitar solos.
Below is a rough estimate for different gauges, including extra-light, custom light, light, medium, and heavy. The sizes are organized from thinnest to thickest. One thing to keep in mind is that companies occasionally label the gauge of their strings relative to each other. So strings that one brand calls the light, another brand may call extra light. Because of this, there’s some variance in how some brands classify different gauges.
Typical String Gauge for Acoustic Guitar from High E to Low E
Standard String Gauge for Acoustic Guitar from High E to Low E
| String | E | B | G | D | A | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Light | .010 | .014 | .023 | .030 | .039 | .047 |
| Custom Light | .011 | .014 | .023 | .032 | .042 | .052 |
| Light | .012 | .016 | .025 | .032 | .042 | .054 |
| Medium | .013 | .017 | .026 | .035 | .045 | .056 |
| Heavy | .014 | .018 | .027 | .039 | .049 | .059 |
Most Commonly Used String Materials
Below are the materials most commonly used in acoustic guitar strings. Different materials are used occasionally, but the four listed below encompass the vast majority of what you’re going to encounter.
Phosphor Bronze
Without getting too far into the technicalities, phosphor bronze is a bronze alloy. This is a combination of metals commonly used for acoustic guitar strings. These strings have a balanced tone with a warm low-end and a strong mid-range presence. Phosphor bronze is the most commonly found string, which makes sense because it’s arguably the most all rounder. There isn’t really a genre that these strings don’t perform well in, though 80/20 or silk and steel strings may be a better fit depending on your preferences.
80/20 Bronze (Also Called Brass)
80/20 bronze, which is also commonly called brass, is a lot brighter sounding than phosphor bronze. It has less of a bass presence, so your guitar will cut through a mix (be heard better in a band) better than it would if you were using phosphor bronze strings.Our only word of caution is that if you play a guitar that already sounds trebly, 80/20 strings might not be the ideal fit for you. 80/20 strings can make some guitars sound thin, and smaller guitars especially so. However, dreadnought-sized instruments (if you’re not sure what this is, see our list of acoustic guitar sizes) usually don’t suffer from this. Another alternative is Nickel Bronze acoustic strings, they have less zing and sound warmer and fuller.
Silk and Steel
Silk and steel strings are steel acoustic guitar strings, which are essentially the middle ground between a standard acoustic guitar string and a nylon string. They’re composed of three layers: a silver-plated bronze (or tin) alloy for the outer winding, a layer of nylon in the middle, and a thin wire in the center. Silk and steel strings have a much more mellow tone than either phosphor bronze or 80/20. Because of their construction, they’re also significantly easier to fret because it takes less pressure to push down the strings. This is part of the reason why they’re popular with fingerstyle and folk guitarists. Unfortunately, they are not quite as popular as phosphor bronze or 80/20 strings.
Coated vs. Non-Coated
Here is simple coated acoustic guitar string buying advice. When you hear people talk about โcoated strings,”ย they’re talking about strings that are coated with a plastic-based polymer.ย This coating helps to increase the longevity of the strings. However, coated strings are also more expensive, generally twice the price of traditional strings.
As a rough estimate, they last twice as long, so you may not really be saving anything by going with coated strings. The main benefit, though, is that you won’t have to Change Your Strings quite as often. Note that this is my personal experience; yours may be different.
The coatings used on strings also alter the tone. They generally cause a roll-off in the high-end response, resulting in a darker sound when compared to uncoated strings. In some cases, this actually works out pretty well, as coated strings can tame the high-end guitars that are too bright. Likewise, coated strings may not be a great choice for guitars that are darkly voiced. Though of course, this is all a matter of personal preference.
How To Match Your Strings to Your Playing Style
Because you can’t tweak your tone on an acoustic guitar to the extent that you can on an electric guitar, your choice of string is going to be a key element in your tone and the response of your instrument. It’s also a balancing act because you have to weigh the tone you want against the tone of your guitar and how you play. This means that the strings on an acoustic guitar play a bigger role in the overall tone and feel of the instrument.
So the first question is: What do you play? If you’re a strummer, you may find that heavier strings work in your favor. You’ll get more volume and a warmer tone, which is great for accompanying vocals. If your style of playing involves melodic lead lines, you may find that medium gauge strings are the best combination of playability and volume. Finally, finger stylists generally prefer lighter gauge strings. The techniques used in the genre require more complex fretting, which can make higher gauges unmanageable. For a beginner, the softer feel of light gauge strings makes them the best strings for acoustic guitar.
So, what about materials? Well, generally, the livelier the genre you’re playing, the brighter the strings you’re going to want. So if you’re a Bluegrass guitarist, for example, you may want to look at 80/20 bronze strings. On the other hand, if you play more mellow music, you’ll get good results with phosphor bronze.
While your choice of string is going to vary based on how you play, your taste (which will change over time), and your guitar, here’s a quick reference table if you’re still not sure which type of string is going to work best for you.
| Genre | Gauge | String Material |
|---|---|---|
| Folk | Medium to Heavy | Phosphor Bronze or Silk and Steel |
| Bluegrass / Country | Light to Medium | 80/20 Bronze/Brass |
| Finger Style | Extra-Light to Light | Phosphor Bronze or Silk and Steel |
| Jazz | Medium to Heavy | Phosphor Bronze |
| Singer Songwriter / Misc | Medium to Heavy | Phosphor Bronze |
Best Guitar Strings for Acoustic Selection Methodology
The first Edition was published in 2017. This current edition was published in January 2025.
There are well over a thousand different bundles of acoustic string sets available to buy online just in the USA, let alone the rest of the world. This fact makes this one of the most challenging music gear categories to provide professional guidance. In order to tame the massive numbers involved, we used a tight statistical sampling approach. We only short-listed string sets with very high ratings at a select group of leading online American retailers and only those with a comparatively large number of rating sources.
Our selection criteria included:
- Single sets for 6-string acoustic guitarsโindividual stringsโand sets for 12-string guitars were not included.
- Had to be designed for guitars with a standard register; EG: Baritone strings were excluded.
- Custom or mixed-gauge sets were excluded.
- Had to be available from a major online retailer based in the USA.
This resulted in a manageable shortlist representative of the most popular brands. Some highly regarded but lesser-known brands were therefore not included. You can browse most of the strings we’ve rated in the Music Gear Database.
This edition’s shortlist included 42 sets of strings from the following brands: Cleartone, D’Addario, DR, Elixir, Ernie Ball, Fender, GHS, Godin, Ibanez, John Pearse, and Martin. This entailed the collection and analysis of over 132,400 sources. It includes ratings, reviews, and forum discussions. We processed it with the Gearank Algorithm to produce a rating score out of 100 for each short-listed set. We chose only the highest-rated options to recommend in each of the following gauges: Extra Light, Light, Medium, and Heavy.
Also featured in this guide is the Author’s Pick section, which features my current string choice.
You can read bout the other acoustic guitar string that I use in my full review of the GHS BB20X.
For more information about our methods, see How Gearank Works.
About the Author and Contributors
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide’s production – click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
Lead Author & Researcher
Contributors
Jerome Arcon: Supplemental Writing and Product Research.
Jason Horton: Editing and Illustrating.
Media / Image Credit
Main/Top Image: Created by Gearank.com using photographs of the Martin MA540, Ernie Ball 2006 Earthwood, Elixir Polyweb 80/20 Bronze Extra Light, D’Addario EJ10, and Martin Lifespan MA540T string sets.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials, or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers.
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Comments:
11 responses
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As a result of publishing our November 2022 Edition, the following sets of strings came off the recommended list above:
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The following sets of strings were removed from our recommended list when we published the June 2022 Edition:
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Publication of our December 2021 Edition resulted in the following string set coming off the recommended list above: D’Addario EJ12.
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Our February 2021 update resulted in the following sets of strings coming off the recommended list above:
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The Gibson SAG-MB10 Masterbuilt Premium Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings have been removed from the recommended list above due to being discontinued.
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The following sets of strings came off our recommended list as a result of our February 2020 update:
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The following strings have been removed from the recommended list above due to being discontinued:
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The following have been removed from the recommended list above due to a lack of availability:
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This article is about best known strings or the best acoustic guitar strings? Thomastik Infeld strings anyone?
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As mentioned in the Best Acoustic Guitar Strings Selection Methodology section above we only put a set of strings on our short-list if they had both high ratings and a large number of ratings – so popularity did play much more of a role than it usually does in our guides.
Thomastik have made it onto short-lists for other types of strings and we have recommended them in our guide to The Best Bass Strings.
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Best Acoustic Guitar Strings
Disclosure
Author & Contributors
Alexander Briones
I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.
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