Getting your guitar in tune is step number one to creating great music. With the best guitar tuner, you can easily tick this essential box, ensuring more cohesive and meaningful music.
Best Clip-On Tuners | Product Image Best Clip-On Tuners | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
94 | 9500+ | ||||
93 | 4700+ | ||||
92 | 5900+ | ||||
92 | 2500+ |
Best Pedal Tuners | Product Image Best Pedal Tuners | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
98 | 140+ | ||||
96 | 3400+ | ||||
96 | 5600+ |
Best Handheld Tuner | Product Image Best Handheld Tuner | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
92 | 2500+ |
*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
Guitar tuners are critical pieces of gear, they let you tune your instrument efficiently before playing. Good acoustic guitar tuners give you visual feedback on your tuning, which is useful when setting up and, even more importantly, as you’re playing.
Tuners for guitar are available in many formats, including clip-on, pedal, and handheld. This is to accommodate different setups.
This guide features the best acoustic guitar tuners based on current market sentiments.
Whether you play Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Bass, or Ukulele, we have recommendations to suit your tuning needs.
The Best Guitar Tuners: Clip-On Tuners
These have become the most popular form factor for guitarists, as they’re small and easy to carry around with you. They also tend to be quite inexpensive compared to other types, which means many guitarists can easily buy a couple of them at a time.
The Best Guitar Tuners: Clip on Form
Designed primarily for acoustic instruments, the Snark ST-2 can also tune electric guitars. And thanks to its vibration sensor and built-in microphone, you can use this guitar tuner to tune instruments other than guitars.
You can tune instruments like ukuleles, saxophones, or clarinets. You can even tune those it cannot clip onto, as the ST-2 functions similarly to a handheld tuner.
Other features of the Snark ST-2 include a 360-degree swivel, power-saving mode, and transpose tuning. It has a silent metronome, which is weird since metronomes are supposed to be heard.
The swivel joint that holds the display in place is also prone to getting knocked off. So, be careful when clipping or removing it. While it hasn’t happened to me, some people have reported that theirs has broken.
Snark advises against clipping the ST-2 on instruments with sensitive finishes. It can damage instruments with nitrocellulose lacquer, oil finish, polyurethane, and French polish.
The Snark ST-2 has been the best guitar tuner for acoustic for years when it comes to clip-on headstock tuners. Its strong market performance and affordable price tag make it a valuable tool for guitarists and multi-instrumentalists.
- Tuning Accuracy: Not Provided
- Tuning Range: Not Provided
- Reference Pitch: 415Hz-466Hz calibration
- Tuning Modes: Guitar, Chromatic, Flat Tuning, Transpose Modes, Built-in Mic
- Display: Full color, 360° rotation
- Power Supply: CR2032 Lithium Battery
- Battery Life: Not Provided
- Dimensions: 1.8″ x 1.8″ x 3.5″
- Weight: 1.27 ounces
Rating Source Highlight
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.
Given its more affordable price than the ST-2, this guitar tuner lacks a built-in mic, which is needed for tuning other instruments.
Nonetheless, it provides the same essential features for tuning your guitar. This guitar tuner functions as a chromatic tuning device, allows for flat tuning, and works with a capo and capo chart.
While the Snark SN-1X does not have special modes for alternate tunings, such as DADGAD, you can still tune to those in chromatic mode.
Additionally, it includes a tap tempo metronome that offers visual cues of the beat, which is not very useful.
Some users have reported that the plastic case becomes sticky to the touch after more than a year of use, although I haven’t encountered this issue.
The Snark SN-1X is the cheapest guitar tuner on this list. It may lack some fancy features, but it does the job expected of an acoustic guitar tuner at a very affordable cost.
- Tuning Accuracy: Not Provided
- Tuning Range: Not Provided
- Reference Pitch: 415Hz-466Hz calibration
- Tuning Modes: Guitar, Chromatic, Flat Tuning, and Transpose Modes
- Display: Full color, 360° rotation
- Power Supply: CR2032 Lithium battery
- Battery Life: Not Provided
- Dimensions: 1.8″ x 1.8″ x 3.5″
- Weight: 1.6 ounces
Rating Source Highlight
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.
Polytuning lets you quickly see which strings are out of tune. However, this feature only works on this clip-on guitar tuner version for standard tuning.
It also works as a regular chromatic tuner, showing one note at a time, and when used in strobe tuner mode, it has a very high accuracy of ±0.02 cents.
And while some clip-on tuners struggle with the guitar’s low or high E strings, the PolyTune Clip reads them all well.
I’m happy tuning one string at a time, as you can only turn one tuning peg at a time. So, for me, the extra cost isn’t worth it, but many other guitarists disagree, as you can see from the very high ratings they have given it.
Similar to its pedal format, the TC Electronic PolyTune Clip also has a capo mode, which is handy for capo’ed songs. But this mode only works with the capo up to the 7th fret.
It only folds in one direction too, which can be limiting as well, especially if you have a cramped headstock.
That said, it has an excellent display that is bright enough to see even under stage lights. The clip is made from metal, making it more reliable than some cheaper ones with plastic clips.
If you’re looking for a clip-on and are interested in trying the polytune feature, this is the one to get.
- Tuning Accuracy: Strobe Mode: ±0.02 cent, Chromatic Mode: ±0.5 cent, Polyphonic Mode: ±1 cent
- Tuning Range: A0 (27.5 hZ) to C8 (4186 Hz)
- Reference Pitch: A4 = 435 to 445
- Tuning Modes: 1. Polyphonic, 2. Chromatic, 3. Strobe
- Display: Ultra-bright color
- Power Supply: CR2032 lithium battery
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Dimensions: 0.98″ (25 mm) x 2.36″ (60 mm) x 1.1″ (28 mm)
- Weight: 1.13 oz (32 g)
Rating Source Highlight
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.
Despite being a household name when it comes to pedal tuners, Peterson just got into the clip-on tuner game in the 2010s.
This guitar tuner tunes with a tenth-of-a-cent accuracy, similar to all Peterson Strobe Tuners. So, it’s easy to say this is the best clip-on tuner unit for tuning accuracy.
Its high-definition screen allows you to see nicely even when standing upright. It offers over 50 sweetened (custom) tunings and alternate temperaments for various string and wind instruments.
The soft, rubber-lined jaws protect your instrument’s finish while ensuring a firm grip for good signal tracking.
As someone who collects clip-on tuners and has experience as a classical piano tuner, I find the StroboClip HD particularly useful for showing tuning drift, especially with old strings.
Its ultra-wide clamp accommodates various instruments and mounting locations. This is handy for tuning orchestral instruments.
The raised power button and positive-click tactile buttons make it easy to adjust settings, even in dark or noisy environments.
I also appreciate the sweetened tunings for electric bass, which help me get a more accurate tuning when cross-referencing harmonics isn’t practical.
There are a couple of areas where the StroboClip HD could be improved. Having changeable color modes would make it easier to see in bright lights or sunlight, similar to the Peterson StroboStomp HD model.
Additionally, the need for a micro-sized Phillips screwdriver to change the battery can be inconvenient, especially during gigs.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the StroboClip HD is still the most accurate clip-on tuner and tracks accurately at up to 16 Hz. This ensures smooth tuning and precise intonation setups, making it the best tuner for acoustic guitar in this format.
- Tuning Accuracy: 0.1 cents
- Tuning Range: C0-B6
- Reference Pitch: Concert A = 390Hz-490Hz
- Tuning Modes: 50+
- Display: Strobe, HD backlit LCD display
- Power Supply: 1 CR2032 (included)
- Battery Life: Not Provided
- Dimensions: 1.75″ x 2.4″ x 1.2″
- Weight: 1.3 oz
Rating Source Highlight
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.
The Best Guitar Tuners: Pedal Form
Although clip-on tuners are all the rage these days, there are still many guitarists who prefer to have their guitar tuner on their pedalboard. The advantages are that they mute the signal when tuning, are less susceptible to interference from any noise on stage than clip-on guitar tuners, and some guitarists don’t like the look of having something on their headstock while playing in front of an audience.
The StroboStomp Mini retains all the highly acclaimed StroboStomp HD features while opting for a more compact form.
These mini-size and top-mounted jacks save space on crowded pedalboards. It also has new additions like Power Up Mute State.
The StroboStomp Mini still features a high-definition LCD strobe display with an adjustable LED backlight, the same as the StroboStomp HD.
This color customization serves two purposes: one is to give you the color or appearance you desire, and the second is to prompt you with sweetener or tuning settings changes.
It’s a valuable feature for easy visibility in various lighting conditions, especially during gigs. Color also prompts you with tuning changes, which is very useful with pedal tuners that have a lot of functions, such as this one.
The high-definition display is accurate to 1/10th of a cent, making it the ultimate guitar tuner in the pedal category. It has an adjustable Concert A Reference from 390Hz to 490Hz and transposition settings from -5 to +6 half steps.
Additionally, the StroboStomp Mini includes a PURE buffer mode to preserve your instrument’s sound clarity, making it ideal for extensive pedalboards and long cable runs.
Its pop-less switch lets you quickly switch to bypass modes when muting, and the always-on Monitor Mode lets you check your tuning on the fly without muting your signal.
With over 80 sweetened tunings, the StroboStomp Mini is not your typical pedal tuner. This tuning flexibility allows you to quickly access complex tunings without changing guitars.
The StroboStomp Mini guitar tuner is designed to provide the best tuning accuracy and came from Peterson, which exclusively produces tuners. It’s safe to say that it is the ultimate pedal guitar tuner as of this writing.
- Tuning Accuracy: 0.1 Cent
- Tuning Range: C0 – A#8
- Reference Pitch: Concert A = 390Hz to 490Hz
- Tuning Modes: 80+
- Display: 224 Strobe Segments
- Bypass: Yes
- Power Supply: 9VDC Negative Center Pin / USB-C Bus
- Battery Life: Not Provided
- Dimensions: 94mm x 46mm x 33.5mm (without switch)
- Weight: 0.56 lb (8.9 oz)
Rating Source Highlight
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.
Polytune’s innovative tuning mode lets the pedal detect multiple pitches, enabling you to tune all your strings simultaneously.
The TC Electronic PolyTune 3 continues with this technology and also includes additional features such as switchable true bypass and buffered bypass via internal DIP switches.
Other features comprise alternate tuning modes. You can choose capo mode, which is useful for transposing keys in songs.
Its drop D tuning also lets you down-tune your low E string for some heavy stuff. However, I find this unnecessary, as you can just tune your low E string to D.
It is equipped with a smart LED display that adjusts brightness automatically based on the environment’s lighting. But it can be challenging to see when standing up, as it’s also quite flickery.
A minor drawback of the Polytune 3 is that it was slower to register the bass note than a regular guitar note. Another is that you’ll need to unscrew its bottom casing to access the DIP switch.
Polyphonic tuning is a quick and convenient way to tune, especially during performance breaks. The PolyTune 3 offers this innovative feature and more traditional, accurate tuning modes.
- Tuning Accuracy: ±0.5 cent (Chromatic), ±0.02 cent (Strobe)
- Tuning Range: E0 (20.6 Hz)–C8 (4186 Hz)
- Reference Pitch: Switchable
- Tuning Modes: Capo, Drop Tuning, and PolyTune
- Display: LED
- Bypass: Switchable True Bypass or Buffered
- Power Supply: 9V Battery, Optional 9V DC Power Supply
- Battery Life: Not Specified
- Dimensions: 2.8″ (72 mm) x 4.8″ (122 mm) x 2.0″ (50 mm)
- Weight: 9.6 oz (272 g)
Rating Source Highlight
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.
The Boss TU-3 is the successor to the highly popular TU-2, with improvements where they matter most, such as in the LED light brightness and in tuning accuracy down to plus or minus a cent.
When activated in its default setting, it mutes your guitar signal, which I instinctively do in between songs to block out annoying electrical noise and the occasional accidental strum. I often find myself tuning in a single set and correcting strings that were knocked off tune due to bends or aggressive strumming.
On the other hand, its buffered output option always keeps the pedal on. This means you can make quick tunings anytime, even without the need to turn the pedal on or off.
As a power supply, the optional PCS-20A Parallel Daisy Chain DC Cord (Link to Amazon) allows you to power up to 7 other pedals when using the tuner with the PSA-120S power adapter (Link to Amazon).
I have experimented with this setup, powering other pedals with the TU-3 via its input and output power with a Mooer 9V daisy chain power supply. Still, I have yet to see the benefit of this configuration instead of just powering all my pedals straight from the daisy chain—or at least with the power supply I have that is not the official Boss one.
The TU-3 is primarily designed to tune electric guitars (or acoustic guitars with a pickup) and bass. It also supports 7-string guitars and 5- or 6-string basses.
It also has a chromatic mode, allowing you to hypothetically tune any instrument compatible with a 1/4″ input within its tuning range of C0 (16.35 Hz)–C8 (4186 Hz).
You can change the brightness of the lights by holding the left button, and you can scroll through the different modes with the right button.
I am delighted by how well this pedal works. If I could only bring one pedal to the stage, it would be this one.
- Tuning Accuracy: ±1 cent
- Tuning Range: C0 (16.35Hz)–C8 (4186Hz)
- Reference Pitch: A4 = 436 to 445 Hz (1 Hz step)
- Tuning Modes: Chromatic and Guitar/Bass Mode (tune by string number, with support for 7-string guitars and 6-string basses)
- Display: 21-segment LED meter with brightness control
- Bypass: Buffered
- Power Supply: DC 9 V: Dry battery 6F22 (9 V) type (carbon), Dry battery 6LR61 (9 V) type (alkaline), AC Adaptor (PSA series: optional)—can supply power for up to 7 Boss pedals
- Battery Life: Not specified
- Dimensions: 2-7/8″ (73 mm) x 5-1/8″ (129 mm) x 2-3/8″ (59 mm)
- Weight: 14 oz (390 g)
Rating Source Highlight
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.
The Best Guitar Tuners: Handheld Form
The Korg CA-50 is a handheld guitar tuner powered by batteries. It has a needle-type LCD interface and a wide tuning range to handle different types of instruments.
It comes with a reference tone for tuning by ear or for ear training. Aside from guitars, it can be used as a double bass tuner, a classical guitar tuner, a vocal tuner, and more.
The tuning range of the Korg CA-50 is adjustable (410Hz–480Hz), and it has a power-saving feature that automatically turns the unit off when there is no activity.
Regardless, with just 2 x AAA batteries, you’ll get up to 135 hours of use, which is a long time for a tuner.
The built-in mic works well for picking up acoustic guitar sounds. However, if the sound source is weak, the virtual needle on the screen may be jittery.
In such cases, an additional clip-on contact mic, like the Korg CM200BK (Link to Amazon), can be used for quieter instruments such as a soprano ukulele.
The small kickstand on the back is a convenient feature of the Korg CA-50. This allows for easy screen viewing while tuning in a seated position.
This guitar tuner is a more traditional and affordable option. If you need a handheld, battery-powered tuner, the Korg CA-50 might be the right choice.
- Tuning Accuracy: ±1 cent
- Tuning Range: A0-C8 (27.5-4186 Hz)
- Reference Pitch: C4-C5 = 261.63-523.25Hz
- Tuning Modes: Meter, Sound Out
- Display: LCD
- Bypass: Buffered Bypass
- Power Supply: Not Applicable
- Battery Life: 2 x AAA (up to 135 hours)
- Dimensions: 0.67″ x 2.64″ x 3.94″
- Weight: 2.86oz
Rating Source Highlight
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm’s adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Guitar Tuner
What Does ‘Cent’ Mean?
A semitone is divided into 100 cents on a logarithmic scale. A semitone is the difference in pitch between adjacent frets on a guitar. The accuracy of guitar tuners is measured in cents.
Speed
The faster the tuner displays your current tuning, the quicker it is for you to make adjustments. Modern polyphonic tuning also helps you tune quickly, allowing you to silent-tune multiple strings during short breaks within songs. Strings tuned this way can be a bit imperfect, though, so it is still better to take your time to fine-tune.
Accuracy
Most guitar tuners are accurate enough for tuning in a live context. But when it comes to recording or working on your guitar’s setup, you’ll need a guitar tuner that’s as accurate as possible. Guitar tuners measure audio by its frequency, just as each note corresponds to a specific frequency. You can see all the details in a note frequency chart.
Acoustic Guitars Without Pickups
Tuners are must-have Guitar Accessories if you want your acoustic guitar to play in tune.
Because you can’t plug them into a tuner, you need one that captures vibrations directly.
The best deals to get for traditional acoustic guitars are clip-on tuners, soundhole tuners, or handheld guitar tuners with built-in or attachable mic.
Electric or Acoustic Guitars with Pickups
You can use all types of guitar tuners with these (other than soundhole tuners on electric guitars). Most guitarists in this situation prefer clip-on or pedal-on tuners. Pedal tuners give you more reliability, given the high build quality that they generally have. Clip-on tuners aren’t as reliable, but are cheaper and more convenient to use and store.
Chromatic & Other Tuning Modes
If you use custom tunings, such as DADGAD, for example, then you’ll either need a tuner that has specific tuning modes that cater to the alternates you use or you will generally need one that supports chromatic scale tuning. Some more expensive guitar tuners have many alternate tuning pre-programmed and some will let you create user presets. Some even allow you to fine-tune the pitch of your electric guitar in ways that regular tuners can’t do, like going for 432 Hz tuning. These types of tuners are also ideal for tuning 12-string guitars. Some instruments come with an automatic guitar tuner via mechanized tuners. However, this technology is not precise or reliable enough for more guitarists to adopt.
Silent Tuning
With clip-on tuners, you can turn your electric guitar’s volume down because they pick up the vibrations directly through your headstock. Even small clip-on tuners like the D’Addario NS Micro Universal can provide accurate silent tuning.
Pedal and Rackmount guitar tuners have mute options, which allows your bandmates to hear each other without having to deal with tuning noise. The downside is that they will require cable connection.
Versatility
Handheld guitar tuners typically have both built-in mics and a 1/4″ input that you can plug into so they work with just about every type of musical instrument. They can be used as a piano tuner, cello tuner, violin tuner, and more. Clip-ons are also quite versatile, working with most fretted instruments, and some even work with non-fretted stringed instruments and some also with brass instruments. If you forgot your guitar tuner but have a computer on hand, you can use an online guitar tuner or tune with your phone via a guitar tuner app with auto tune features for quick alternative tuning changes.
Learn here how to tune one step down, or let us walk you through the best method for 7-string tuning.
Best Acoustic Guitar Tuner Selection Methodology
The first Edition was published in 2017. The current edition was published on July 28, 2024.
We began by looking at the top-selling and top customer-rated best guitar tuner lists of the major American online music gear retailers. We then short-listed 47 tuners that cover the main types for further analysis. This process involved collecting information from over 102,800 different sources, including the most recent customer and expert reviews and forum discussions. All these data were then processed via the Gearank Algorithm to produce a Gearank Rating score out of 100 for each guitar tuner. Finally, I selected the highest-rated tuners in each category to recommend above. For more information about our methods please read 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, Research.
Alden Acosta: Boss TU-3 Review
Jason Horton: Supplemental writing, Editing, and Illustrating.
Media / Image Credit
Main/Top Image: Produced by Gearank.com using photographs of the TC Electronic Polytune 3, Korg CA-50, and Snark SN-1X.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials, or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers, except for the Boss TU-3 Power photograph, which was taken by Alden Acosta.
Best Guitar Tuners Related Guides and Articles
Best Cheap Guitar Pickups for Strat, Tele and Les Paul
5 Best Guitar Cables for Studio Recording & Live Performance
7 Best Guitar Strap Locks in the World | Gearank
The Best Bass Strings (Light, Medium & Heavy Gauge) 2024
Best Guitar Capo – Trigger, C-Clamp, Partial, and Screw Types
Complete Guide to the Best Guitar Stands 2024 – All Types
Comments:
10 responses
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We have removed the Korg PB05 Pitchblack Pro Rackmount Tuner from the recommended list above due to it having been discontinued.
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As a result of publishing our July 2022 Edition, the Snark ST-8 came off the recommended list above.
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Publication of our September 2021 Edition resulted in the following tuners coming off the recommended list above:
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Our November 2020 update resulted in the following tuners coming off the recommended list above, but you can still see our analysis of them:
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The following tuners were removed from our recommended list due to being discontinued, but you can still read our analysis of them:
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Today we removed the following tuner from the recommended list above due to a lack of availability: TC Electronic Polytune 2 Pedal Tuner
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As a result of the April 2018 update of this category the following guitar tuners came off our recommended list above:
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Would you rate the newer TC Electronic PolyTune 3 higher than the the Boss TU-3?
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We have recently rated the PolyTune 3 and you can see its ratings in the Music Gear Database.
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We haven’t rated the PolyTune 3 yet so I can’t say, I can say it’s been getting good reviews so far.
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Acoustic Guitar Tuners
- The Best Electric Guitar Strings
- The Best Acoustic Guitar Strings
- The Best Guitar Straps
- The Best Guitar Capos
- The Best Guitar Stands
- The Best Acoustic Guitar Cases and Gig Bags
- The Best Guitar Humidifiers & Case Hygrometers
- The Best Guitar / Instrument Cables
- The Best Wireless Guitar Systems
- The Best Guitar Headphone Amps
Disclosure
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
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.
Drawing from my experience in performing and recording, I teach guitar and bass and mentor young artists to be better musicians.
Contributors
Alden Acosta: Boss TU-3 Review
Jason Horton: Supplemental writing, Editing and Illustrating.
Media
Main/Top Image: Produced by Gearank.com using photographs of the TC Electronic Polytune 3, Korg CA-50 and Snark SN-1X.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers except for the Boss TU-3 Power photograph which was taken by Alden Acosta.
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