An onboard preset system allows users to save and switch between custom configurations for everything from alternate tunings to playing with a capo, each made distinct by selectable LED colors. Because strobe designs allow granular pitch control and high-resolution tracking, this design is more favorable for achieving precise tuning than traditional interfaces.īesides accommodating traditional acoustic-electric and electric guitars, the StroboStomp HD features modes for a host of other instruments including banjo, bass, 7-string guitar, harp, and orchestral instruments. Unlike tuners that utilize a moving needle or other linear display system to guide users’ pitch, this tuner uses a strobe display that rotates like a carousel, alternating its speed and direction until the perfect pitch is reached. Its pitch detection is accurate to one-tenth of a cent, or roughly 1/1000 of the space between two neighboring notes, allowing users to achieve one of the most accurate tuning experiences possible. The StroboStomp HD from Peterson is a classic strobe tuner stompbox with pro-level features like switchable tuning modes and an incredibly bright LCD display that’s visible in direct sunlight. Requires a connection to the instrument.LCD visibility limited to direct angles.Accommodates orchestral instruments and other stringed instruments.135 “sweetened” presets compensate for instruments’ natural inconsistencies.Bright and precise strobe display for high-accuracy tuning.Power type: 9-volt DC power supply (sold separately), 9-volt battery (included).Why it made the cut: This guitar tuner pedal features a huge, easy-to-read display and fine accuracy down to one-tenth of a cent in pitch. The best guitar tuners: Reviews & Recommendations Best overall: Peterson StroboStomp HD Finally, the Roadie 3, my smart tuner pick, tunes guitars automatically and is therefore in a league of its own. Clip-on tuners are more portable and are the ideal choice for acoustic instruments, while pedal tuners are slightly more reliable due to their electronic connection to an instrument. This list comprises some of the most reliable, robust, and flexible options on the market that are priced within reach of the average user.įorm factor: Guitar tuners come primarily in clip-on and pedal form, both of which are represented in this list and are suited for different types of use. Thus, it’s better to avoid skimping on a tuner if you want a quick and accurate reading that won’t let you down in professional settings. Value: While tuners aren’t the most expensive musical tools out there, they’re still an essential piece of equipment for any guitarist. The only exception is my value pick, the Snark ST-8, which is a fantastic tuner but does not have published accuracy readings. In other words, expect these tuners to provide pitch accuracy down to one-tenth of a cent, or one-thousandth of the space between two notes. When compiling this list, I aimed to choose the most versatile and user-friendly guitar tuners for every common musical situation.Īccuracy: Accurate pitch detection is the most important feature of any good guitar tuner, and almost all of the tuners on this list operate with a 1 percent maximum margin of error. As an audio engineer, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist, I have decades of experience with guitars. Guitar tuners come in many different forms, and each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Best smart: Roadie 3 Automatic Guitar Tuner.Best pedal: TC Electronic Polytune 3 Mini.We’ll break down some of the best guitar tuners on the market and go over what to consider when making a purchase.

Some unique designs of the guitar tuners even use motors and sensors to automate the process entirely.

Many feature jacks and switches for compatibility with electric instruments, while others utilize clip-on designs to pick up vibrations from acoustic instruments. The best guitar tuners are incredibly precise devices that “hear” or receive sound from an instrument via a pickup or microphone, compare it to the intended note, and guide users to make tuning adjustments via a display. No instrument stays in tune naturally everything from changes in weather and humidity to the simple rigors of everyday use can alter a guitar’s tuning and prevent it from producing a musician’s intended harmony. Of all the potential tools at a guitarist’s disposal, the guitar tuner is perhaps the most irreplaceable.

Electric and acoustic guitar tuner