It goes without saying that a guitar tuner is an essential component of any guitarist's rig. Whether you're jamming in your bedroom or taking to the stage, the best guitar tuner will help keep your guitar sounding pristine.
We've got a wide range of options in our best guitar tuner roundup, so it won't matter if you're a guitar beginner or a seasoned musician.
There are several different options on the market, and narrowing it down to just one can be tricky. That's why we've done the leg work for you and scoured the internet - rounding up the best guitar tuners for every need.
On a budget? Don't fret (pun intended), because our buyer's guide includes a range of options; from fairly inexpensive ones to some more premium prices.
And if you are new to guitar playing, we've got answers to some of the more popular questions below - so keep reading.
The best guitar tuners
Best for experienced guitarists
If you're looking for the best guitar tuner on the market, then you've found it. Sleek and compact, it's got a built-in bonafide buffer which will help ensure your sound remains crisp and clear. This tuner pedal also has three different tuning modes - including polyphonic, chromatic and strobe.
Pros: Incredibly fast tuner
Cons: Quite small in size
Best pedal guitar tuner
This is definitely the best pedal guitar tuner on the market and has plenty of features. It's excellent for playing small outside gigs as it has a high brightness mode, which enhances your visibility outdoors. It also supports 7-string guitars and features drop tuning, as well as the buffered bypass mode.
Pros: Great display
Cons: Doesn't have a polyphonic mode
Best guitar tuner for beginners
This one comes in seven fun different colours - so if you're in the market for a looper pedal that's a bit different, this Korg model might be the one for you. With a compact design, a decent tuning range and four different display modes (standard, strobe, half-strobe and mirror), this is an excellent choice for beginners.
Pros: Long battery life
Cons: Lacking extra features
Best value for price
This D'Addario tuner proves that guitar tuners don't need to be expensive to get the job done. This product features a good calibration range (between 435-455 Hz), a multicolour display and it's incredibly small and lightweight - perfect for anyone playing multiple gigs or travelling back and forth from a studio.
Pros: Very discreet
Cons: Can only be used on acoustic guitars
Best for professional guitarists
Without a doubt, this is the best rackmount tuner on the market. Aside from being ideal for live gigs, this guitar tuner features a bright and large 3D display, and a pretty high, as well as accurate, calibration. Don't let its size and design fool you, it's also impressively lightweight, making it very easy to transport.
Pros: Lightweight, bright display
Cons: Expensive
Best free guitar tuner
Available on both the App Store and Google Play, the Fender Guitar Tuner is an awesome and free way to tune your guitar without hassle. With options for manual and automatic tuning, it's great for beginners and seasoned guitarists alike. With 4.6 stars out of five and over 20,000 glowing reviews, it's easy to see why this app has made our best guitar tuner guide.
Pros: Free app
Cons: Not the best tuning accuracy for professionals
An excellent tuner pedal, this product is very compact and easy to transport. It's also quite sturdy, compatible with a 9V battery and has a clear and easy to read display.
Pros: Fairly cheap
Cons: Quite basic
What are the different types of guitar tuners?
There are three different types of guitar tuners - chromatic, polyphonic and strobe tuners. Chromatic tuners only allow you to play one note at a time whilst you tune, whereas polyphonic allows you to play six. Strobe tuners are by far the most accurate guitar tuners and are ideal for seasoned or professional guitar players.
What should I consider when buying a guitar tuner?
You should first consider your level. If you're a beginner, consider going for a more basic model and saving a little bit of money, such as the Korg Advanced Pedal Tuner. For the more experienced or professional guitarists, we'd suggest looking at the Korg PB05 Pro.
You should also consider transportability. If you're on the move a lot, you'll need a lightweight and easy to carry guitar tuner, such as the D'Addario Micro Sound Tuner.
What to read next?
Isabel Martins is a Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best, specialising in technology.
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