With the best guitar capo, you can quickly transpose familiar chord shapes up the frets. It is a nice tool for beginners but also useful for experienced guitarists who play outside of the standard tuning setup.
Best 6 String Guitar Capos | Best 6 String Guitar Capos Product Image | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
97 | 6300+ | ||||
96 | 5300+ | ||||
96 | 8400+ | ||||
96 | 200+ | ||||
96 | 5700+ |
Best 12 String Guitar Capos | Best 12 String Guitar Capos) Product Image | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
94 | 1700+ |
*Gearank = Rating score out of 100.
**Sources = Number of gear owner and user opinions analyzed for these product Gearank Ratings.
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The primary use of capos is to play easy first position chords at higher frets. But a good capo for guitar is also a great tool for expanding your options and encouraging new and creative ways of playing the guitar.
It’s especially helpful when experimenting with alternate tunings. It allows you to change your guitar’s tuning or pitch without actually turning the tuning pegs.
Capos continue to be a standard issue tool for guitarists, especially acoustic players, although electric guitar players benefit just as much.
Be it for covering iconic songs that were originally played with a capo, or for making originals that go beyond the usual standard tuning, finding the best capo can make a huge difference.
However, not all guitar capos are the same. Choosing the right one for your guitar neck can be the difference between finding a good guitar capo and one that falls short in performance.
Here, we feature the top-rated 6-string and 12-string guitar capos on the market based on actual user ratings and review data.
You can also jump to “Things to Consider Before You Buy a Capo” at the end of the article to help you better understand what separates the good ones from the bad.
This section will cover different capos and how spring loaded capos compare to other designs. This will help you make an informed choice to avoid issues on your guitar like unnecessary wear or fret buzz.
Best Guitar Capos – Six String Guitars
The spring-loaded design of the Kyser Quick-Change Capo lets you change keys quickly even with just one hand. This can be a real advantage during a busy performance.
This capo is made from lightweight aluminum and is durable enough to stand up to regular use. It’s versatile too—while it’s primarily designed for guitars, you can use it on other stringed instruments like the cello to cover certain strings.
That said, the Kyser KG6B can apply a lot of pressure to the strings. This can sometimes cause notes to go sharp or lead to unnecessary wear on your frets.
Unlike guitar capos such as the D’Addario NS Tri-Action or Shubb, the KG6B doesn’t allow you to fine-tune clamping pressure.
This means that it might not be the best fit for every guitar, especially those with higher action or different string tensions.
It would be helpful to look at a guitar parts diagram to understand how different capo designs might interact with various parts of your guitar, especially with the frets and neck profile.
In terms of playability, the design of the Kyser KG6B can sometimes get in the way, particularly when playing chords like F or C.
It’s something to keep in mind if you frequently use those chord shapes.
Despite these points, many players still rely on the Kyser for its affordability, durability, and straightforward operation.
Overall, the Kyser Quick-Change capo does its job well. However, it’s still worth considering how its pressure and fit align with your guitar and playing style.
- Clamping Mechanism: Torsion spring trigger
- Materials: Aluminum
- Tension Adjustment: None
- Suitable for: 6-string Acoustic, Nylon String and Electric guitars
Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, the S1 Deluxe is more robust than the nickel-plated brass found in the Standard series, like the C1.
This guitar capo is designed to fit most steel-string acoustic and electric guitars, making it a versatile option for most guitars.
Although it’s now mass produced in China, Shubb maintains strict quality control based on its original US design specs, ensuring top-notch build quality.
One of the key features of the S1 Deluxe is its adjustable tension mechanism, which uses a combination of a thumbscrew and roller.
It allows you to fine tune its grip on the guitar neck. This helps in avoiding the heavy clamping pressure that some trigger-style guitar capos apply, which can lead to issues such as intonation or fret wear.
The S1 Deluxe, instead, presses the strings more gently, close to when applying pressure while playing a barre chord. It also helps keep your guitar in tune without buzzing or sharp notes.
With no springs to wear out, the S1 Deluxe is a good long-term guitar capo option. Its rubber sleeve might eventually need replacing after extensive use, though. But, that’s an easy fix, with parts readily available from retailers or directly from Shubb.
The S1 Deluxe, similar to the C1, however, requires two hands to operate. This can be a bit of a hassle if you need to make quick capo changes during a performance.
It also doesn’t slide easily along the neck. So, if you often switch capo positions mid-song, it might not be the best capo for you.
And despite being suitable for most guitars, the pressure of the S1 Deluxe might be more than you’d want for nylon-string guitars, even with the tension dialed down.
Overall, if you’re looking for one of the best capos that’s durable and reliable for long-term use, the S1 Deluxe is a solid choice.
- Clamping Mechanism: Screw and Roller (proprietary design)
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Tension Adjustment: Screw
- Suitable for: 6-string Acoustic, Electric guitars, Nylon (debatable)
Shubb is well-regarded for its innovations in capo design, especially with their C-clamp models, which offer utility and ease comparable to trigger-style guitar capos.
Originally, the Shubb C1 Standard series used a pointed plastic piece for tightening. Then, later models introduced a wheeled mechanism, which significantly improved performance.
With the Shubb C1, it features this wheel mechanism paired with a screw, allowing for quick clamping and precise tension adjustments. This design is also incorporated into Shubb’s other Standard series to enhance adjustability.
This flexibility helps minimize tuning problems by avoiding excessive pressure on the strings. It ensures that the capo fits various neck shapes and sizes without stressing the guitar’s neck or the capo itself.
The Shubb C1 typically requires two hands to operate. This can be less convenient for quick adjustments during a performance compared to trigger-style guitar capos.
Additionally, the design can scratch your guitar’s neck, if not used with care.
Overall, the Shubb C1 is a solid choice if you need a capo that accommodates different string actions, fret heights, or nut slot depths.
But if you’re looking for something easier to apply and lets you move the capo quickly, you might want to explore other options.
- Clamping Mechanism: Screw and Roller (proprietary design)
- Materials: Nickel-plated Brass, Proprietary foam padding
- Tension Adjustment: Screw
- Suitable for: 6-string Acoustic, Nylon String and Electric guitars
The Shubb C1N impressed me from the get go with its adjustable clamping tension. It gave me good and consistent intonation, substantially better than the spring-loaded trigger style guitar capos that I’ve been using.
Adjusting clamping tension is done via a thumbscrew, it lets me dial in just the right amount of pressure on the strings. As you tighten the screw, it pushes a roller mechanism upwards, which in turn gradually tightens the capo’s grip on the neck. The screw does not actually secure the capo on the neck, rather, the capo is locked in place via the bottom part of the clamp through a well implemented roller mechanism. With this, I can avoid intonation issues due to excessive pressure on the strings, and I don’t have to loosen the screw to move the capo up and down the neck.
While this design makes it easier to clamp and de-clamp, you still have to make minor adjustments as you move the capo further up or down the neck. This means that it’s not a good choice for those who need to move the capo instantly while performing songs.
Tension variability also makes this capo compatible with different neck profiles, which is a big deal for me, given that I have guitars with varying neck shapes. I’ve used it on all of my main guitars, and I’m pleased with the results. This includes a Strat, a Les Paul, a Martin OM, and a Parlor. I’ve also tested it on a Super Strat with a thinner neck, and it works just as well.
Another important advantage that this mechanism has is that it applies even pressure to the strings, in a way that does not pull them sideways. This is a common problem I encounter when using trigger style guitar capos, with the Shubb C1N’s mechanism, this has become a non-issue.
I am a bit concerned about its limited rubber contact points, which results in more exposed solid parts that could accidentally hit my guitar. But this may be a design choice, to better manage the weight and size of the capo.
All in all, the Shubb C1 is a great capo and it gets my thumbs up. I highly recommend it, especially for those who have sensitive ears and want a capo that doesn’t cause intonation issues.
- Clamping Mechanism: Screw and Roller (proprietary design)
- Materials: Nickel-plated Brass, Proprietary rubber foam padding
- Tension Adjustment: Screw
- Suitable for: 6-string Acoustic and Electric guitars
D’Addario combines the ease of one-hand clamping with the ability to fine-tune clamping pressure in the NS Tri-Action Capo.
These features are ideal for capo changes within a song as well as matching your guitar’s string height and gauge. It also helps maintain tuning stability and prevents string buzz.
Using this capo is simple: just squeeze the trigger to open the clamp, place it on the fretboard, and adjust the tension with the thumbscrew.
The spring mechanism has a limit on how much you can reduce the tension, though. This could be a factor if your guitar has tall frets.
Finding the right balance is key to avoiding any buzzing or intonation issues.
While you can clamp this capo onto the headstock when not in use, it’s not highly recommended as it might damage your guitar.
Also, the reverse trigger design is easy to adapt but might feel a bit different if you’re used to traditional guitar capos.
The built-in pick holder on the NS Tri-Action Capo, is a nice touch too, as it keeps your pick close at hand.
Overall, the D’Addario NS Tri-Action Capo is a practical choice for guitarists seeking both convenience and adjustability, making it a good guitar capo for various playing needs.
- Clamping Mechanism: Clamp with Micrometer Tension Adjustment
- Materials: Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
- Tension Adjustment: Screw
- Suitable for: 6-string Acoustic, Nylon String and Electric guitars
Best Guitar Capo – 12 String Guitar
The only difference between a 6 and 12-string capo is that a 12-string capo applies tension across a wider surface area and applies more force. While you can use a 6-string capo on a 12-string instrument, it probably won’t have enough pressure to allow the strings to ring out. Some 12-string guitar capos produce too much force for a 6-string instrument, causing the strings to go out of tune.
Kyser capos are well-regarded for their reliability, affordability, and availability. This particular model is designed specifically with 12-string guitars in mind.
At first, it may look similar to Kyser’s Quick-Change capo. But, this one is tailored to meet the size and tension needs that come with the 12 strings, ensuring a secure grip across all strings.
Its trigger-style, spring-loaded design is straightforward—just pull the trigger to release. Move it to the desired fret, and let go to clamp it down.
It’s a familiar design that most guitarists will find easy to use. However, because 12-string guitars require more clamping pressure, this capo comes with a stronger spring.
While this effectively eliminates buzzing, it also makes moving the capo between frets more difficult. This is especially true if you need to change keys quickly.
The stiff spring can be tough on your hands, and it might not loosen up much over time. So, this is something to consider if you don’t have a strong grip.
Fret position is another factor to watch out for. To get all the strings to ring out clearly, you’ll need to position the capo just right, usually closer to the next fret.
If it’s not in the right spot, you might notice the lower E strings sounding a bit muffled.
I also have some concerns about the distracting and bulky appearance of the capo when it’s clamped on a guitar. However, being able to see exactly where the capo is can be beneficial for if you use a Capo Chart.
Another downside, unlike other trigger capos, is that there’s no easy way to adjust the tension.
While you can technically tweak it by bending the lower clamp, it’s not the most practical solution, especially if you switch between different guitars or frets often.
Overall, if you have a 12-string guitar and need a capo that securely grips and minimizes buzzing, the Kyser is the best capo for 12-string guitar and gets the job done well.
Just keep in mind the stiff spring and the need for precise fret placement.
- Clamping Mechanism: Torsion spring trigger
- Materials: Aluminum
- Tension Adjustment: none
- Suitable for: 12-string Acoustic or Electric guitars
Things to Consider Before You Buy the Best Guitar Capo
To find the best guitar capo for your instrument, whether you’re looking for the best-rated guitar capo or a good capo for everyday use, there are a few things you will need to know. The sections below outline some key things to keep in mind before you make a purchase.
The Types of Capos
There are three main types of capos you will run across: trigger/spring-loaded, C-Clamp/variable tension, and partial. Each type of guitar capo has its pros and cons, so it’s important to know the difference between them before you commit to buying anything.
Trigger / Spring Loaded Capo
Trigger capos are the most popular type of capo. You open the guitar capo by squeezing the trigger portion (which compresses the spring), and then when you release the trigger, the spring extends and maintains the capo’s tension.
These capos are easy to use because all you have to do is squeeze the trigger mechanism to remove and place it. Because they’re so simple, they’re arguably the best capos for beginners. However, unlike C-Clamp capos, you can’t adjust the tension. If the guitar capo is too tight, it will make your guitar sound out of tune, and if it’s too loose, it will make your strings buzz.
C-Clamp / Variable Tension Capo
With C-Clamp / Variable Tension Capos, you manually adjust the tension by turning a thumbscrew. The cool thing about these capos is that you can adjust the tension on your instrument. So, you won’t have to re-tune it when you use it (again, this depends on the guitar). These capos have a quick-release mechanism to release the guitar capo from the neck, though they’re still harder to put on/take off than a trigger capo. A good example of this guitar capo would be models by Shubb.
Another benefit of this type is that it’s easy to use with a nylon string or electric guitar because you can dial in a tension appropriate for the strings you’re using. Most trigger-style capos are designed for acoustic guitars, so they may exert too much pressure on nylon or (most) electric strings.
Partial Capo
Partial capos only cover some strings on an instrument. They’re commonly used by finger-style guitarists to change the notes they can play in the bassline of a piece. These capos aren’t as practical as the other two options, but they’re a good addition to your collection of gear if you’re a finger-style musician who wants to experiment with unique open strings in different keys.
Which is the Best Capo for my Stringed Instrument?
Best Capo for Acoustic Guitar
Most capos are designed with steel string acoustic guitars in mind, so you won’t have to worry much about compatibility. Do note that your guitar’s setup and action may affect the way the guitar capo interacts with the tuning. Look for a guitar capo that has softer padding or a tension adjuster.
Best Capo for Electric Guitar
Electric guitar players use thinner gauges of string and lower action. This makes capos with tighter springs problematic since the thinner strings will get sharp in pitch. Opt to choose capos that have lighter springs. Tension-adjustable capos can also be used but might be too inconvenient for live use to put on and remove. A good guitar capo will stay in place on your fret board even when utilizing string bending.
Best Capo for Classical Guitar
Classical guitars have lower string tension and wider fretboards than steel-string acoustic guitars. Some capos may not fit the width of the fretboard or exert the right amount of pressure. Some manufacturers offer models specifically for classical guitars, so if you find a model of guitar capo you like from our list, you might want to check if the manufacturer also offers a classical guitar alternative.
Best Capo for Ukulele
Ukuleles usually don’t have any problems with tuning or tension since their frets are small. Some guitar capo designs have the foam at a specific angle, so they might overshoot the strings when positioned incorrectly. This guide has a “Features” section for each guitar capo we’ve recommended, where we indicate whether the product is compatible with ukuleles. Take note of this when selecting the one to buy.
Best Capo for 12 String Guitar
12-string guitars have wider fretboards, and since the strings are doubled up, they require more tension to clamp down on the strings. There are capos specific to 12-string, but capos with enough width and tension may also be used. Do take note of which ones in our guide are said to exert more pressure – it may be a con for some musical instruments, but it is usually much better when used on 12-string guitars.
Mason Hoberg’s Opinion on Buying an Expensive Capo
This is just a personal opinion, so take it as you will, but I don’t think you don’t need to drop a lot of cash to get a good first capo. You can get a perfectly functional guitar capo for under $20. When you buy an expensive guitar capo, you generally pay for tone retention and a moderate reduction in tuning issues. Capos tend to somewhat reduce the tone of a guitar because they dampen the vibration of the strings. However, the difference between a high-end guitar capo and an entry-level one isn’t dramatic enough to justify the increased cost for most beginning musicians.
Best Guitar Capo Selection Methodology
The first edition was published in 2017. The current edition was published on August 26, 2024
After examining all the widely available and popular capos available at major American music gear stores, we put the most promising 27 models on our short-list for closer examination – you can see most of them in the Music Gear Database. We then gathered relevant reviews, ratings, videos, and forum comments that discuss them, including the most recent ones. This also entailed gathering 99,300 sources, a 27.7% increase over the previous edition. All these data were then processed via the Gearank Algorithm to produce our rating scores out of 100, which we used to select the highest-rated ones to recommend above. For more information about our methods, see How Gearank Works.
Note that if you play a banjo, capos for banjos are not considered in this guide.
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, Research.
Mason Hoberg: Supplemental writing.
Raphael Pulgar: Supplemental writing.
Jason Horton: Editing and illustrating.
Media / Image Credit
Main/Top Image: Original photograph by James Kim, modified by Gearank.com, and both the original and modified versions are available for anyone to copy and modify under the terms of the Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials, or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers, except for the C1N Roller and Screw and C1N on 4 Guitars which were photographed by the author.
The video has been embedded in accordance with YouTube’s Terms of Service.
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Comments:
10 responses
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Publication of our August 2022 Edition resulted in the following capos coming off the recommended list above:
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Your article looks good but it doesn’t show specific capo’s (or their sizes) for ukuleles. They are all guitar capos that can be used on ukuleles. The main problem is that guitar capos are nearly always too big for ukuleles therefore don’t sit or fit right. I have 2 questions – 1) Are there any specific ukulele capos? and 1) Will the Wingo JX-09 fit a small ukulele / what size is it?
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I’ve found a cheap PLASTIC guitar capo best for my uke as it weighs so little. Metal capos make your guitar a little neck heavy and your Uke very neck heavy! A plastic spring capo is great.
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For ukulele players, this is just a clickbait waste of time. You should be embarrassed that you can’t be bothered to look at ukulele capos, but you can add ukulele words to the page to try and confuse people into reading this unhelpful review page. I won’t be back here again.
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There are many capos that are designed to be used with both guitars and ukuleles and we have recommended the WinGo JX-09 above which most definitely can be used with ukes.
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Our September 2020 update resulted in the following capos coming off the recommended list above, but you can still read our analysis of them:
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As a result of the September 2019 update to this guide the following capos came off the recommended list above, but you can still see our analysis of them:
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Hey, you guys missed the best capo made: the Phil Elliott Elite. Nothing comes close to its compactness, workmanship and ability to hug the fret.
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We didn’t miss Elliott Capos, they didn’t meet our availability criteria as listed in the Methodology section above.
For the most part, we don’t include boutique brands in our guides, however we’ll take your suggestion on-board and we may expand the eligibility criteria when we next revise this category.
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I got the G7th, but the Newport model a few months back and it works great – can’t speak to the Performance 2. Using on a Yamaha acoustic.
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