Guitar tuners are absolutely essential tools for guitarists, and buying a proper tuner is probably the first thing a guitar player should do after returning from the store with their first guitar.
While apps can transform smartphones into tuners, they still have limitations, and in real-world scenarios, an actual tuner remains the best option. We’ve even done a comparison between all the tuners that we had on hand for this review and found out that even the most accurate apps, like the one for PC paired with a quality microphone, cannot compete with a proper tuner like a Peterson StroboClip HD.
Additionally, the cost of tuners is relatively low, making the cheapest model on this list accessible to most people. But since you’re already here, we’re guessing you don’t need any convincing that you need a tuner, so let’s get on with this list.
As a little note – because these types of lists usually suck and are nowadays just random bunches of words generated by AI with no human input – we actually bought most of the tuners mentioned here with our own money and tested them out personally. We had one more tuner (not mentioned here), which, upon arriving, ended up being a disappointment, even though reviews online say it’s good.
Short Lesson on Guitar Tuners
We assume most of you will want to skip straight to the list, but there are some things that you have to know about guitar tuners. First and foremost, you need to know what types of guitar tuners exist, both by function and by the way they operate
Types of Guitar Tuners by Function
Clip-on Tuners: These tuners clip onto a guitar’s headstock, and they measure the accuracy of the note with a built-in sensor called the “Piezo” sensor. They are excellent for tuning acoustic/classical guitars, particularly in loud environments.
Standalone Tuners: These tuners are basically small standalone devices that usually have a built-in microphone and, in some cases, a jack input. In our opinion, the affordable ones are usually not that great and should be avoided. They are on par with a phone app.
Pedal Tuners: Pedal tuners are the types of tuners that stand on the ground, and you plug your guitar directly into them. They are what most professional guitar players use during live gigs.
Types of Guitar Tuners by the Way They Tune
Chromatic Tuners: A chromatic tuner tunes to any note from the chromatic scale, one string at a time. (E, B, D, G, A, and E are all notes from the chromatic scale, of course).
Polyphonic Tuners: These tuners allow you to tune all strings at once. While the concept is intriguing, the majority of guitarists typically favor tuning each string individually.
Strobe Tuners: These tuners are basically like chromatic tuners, but more precise. They use a rotating disc and stroboscopic display to show the tuning with a high degree of accuracy, with the motion on the display indicating whether the note is sharp or flat.
Key Things to Look in a Guitar Tuner
In our experience, there are three things to consider when searching for a guitar tuner. Those are precision, display quality, and build quality.
Precision
If the purpose of the tuner is to tune the guitar, then it should obviously be accurate. Otherwise, we’d all be playing the wrong notes, and we’d all sound different.
On paper, most tuners offer accuracy up to +/- 1 cent, which is basically like splitting the space between the frets on your guitar neck into 100 partitions. A visual representation of 1 cent is one of those partitions.
So 1 cent is more than enough. We all probably “de-tune” strings by more than 1 cent just by pressing them down with our fingers.
However, even with such accuracy, some tuners are inconsistent. So when we say precision, we mean accuracy paired with consistent results. That’s what you should look for.
Display Quality
A quality display is vital for usability in different lighting conditions. In the photo below, we compared the Snark SN-8 with a Peterson StroboClip HD under direct sunlight.
The Snark was almost completely unusable, while on the Peterson you could actually see whether you’re in tune or not.
So, when we look out for a good tuner, we look for a great display. What’s the point of a tuner if it cannot convey information to you at all times?
Build Quality
Obviously, when you buy something, you want it to last so you don’t have to buy it again. All of the tuners presented here were, in our opinion, built to last – even the cheapest Snark.
The Best Guitar Tuners Currently on the Market in 2024
1. Peterson StroboClip HD
BEST OVERALL
Peterson StroboClip HD is, in our opinion, the only guitar tuner you’ll really ever need in your life. It works on every type of guitar, it’s easy to use, and it’s very precise and consistent.
However, no guitar tuner is perfect, so let us explain to you some of the bad things about it and why, overall, the good things still prevail.
Premium Quality
The Peterson StroboClipHD is made from really good materials. We’ve all been spoiled with the quality of our iPhones and Samsungs, but the world of guitar tuners is not as refined as the world of smartphones. You don’t get aluminum and titanium; you get bad plastic, good plastic, and occasionally some sort of metal alloy.
StroboClipHD was made from that good plastic, and you can tell just by holding it that this is a premium-quality product. There are some jagged edges, but nothing worth complaining about that much.
However, we must mention that the protection on the display is pretty much the same hardness as an old Tamagotchi. Not good at all!
Decent Battery Life
It came as a surprise to us that the battery in the Peterson StroboClipHD lasts a pretty long time. For some reason, the first bar goes on pretty quickly, and the second one follows also fairly quickly, but we’ve been on the last bar for months now.
The main reason for this is that the tuner turns off automatically when you stop tuning, which saves a lot of battery life.
One small minus is that the process of installing the battery could’ve been done better. As we explained in our full review of the Peterson, you have to unscrew the circular cover on the back of the tuner, which isn’t that easy to do if you don’t have tougher nails or a proper tool.
Display Quality
The Peterson StroboClipHD has a great display. Again, we’ve been spoiled with the quality of the screens on our smartphones, but when it comes to guitar tuners, we haven’t seen a clip-on tuner with a better display than this.
Even in the photo above, which was taken on a summer day in direct sunlight, you can clearly see which note you’re tuning and how far from being in tune you are.
Easy and Precise Tuning
The process of tuning your guitar on the Peterson just feels so much better and more precise than on a regular chromatic tuner. Strobe tuners are really something special, and if you have the means, go get yourself one.
As you can see in the video above, you have these strobe patterns shown on the display in two separate rows, and you don’t stop tuning your guitar until the strobe stops spinning.
Things We Didn’t Care about on the Peterson StroboClipHD
There are some things that we just didn’t care about on the Peterson StroboClipHD.
For instance, Peterson really pushes hard their “Sweetened” tunings feature. This is basically a bunch of presets that one would use in really specific scenarios. For example, you can tune your guitar specifically for using a capo, or you can tune your guitar to play better at higher frets, to be better intonated.
Maybe we’re old-fashioned, but we really couldn’t care for this less. But if you yourself are into this sort of stuff, then that’s even better – one more reason to get the StroboClip!
Also, the way you adjust the “head” of the tuner is sort of fiddly, and sometimes you’ll not be sure whether there’s still place for adjustment or whether you’re on the brink of breaking it.
Final Verdict
As we’ve already said in the opening paragraph, we really think the Peterson StroboClip is the best guitar tuner on the market, and in my time owning it, we never wished to have another tuner.
It’s good for beginners, it’s better for professionals, it’s a perfect acoustic guitar tuner, and it’s amazing for anyone doing any sort of guitar fixing.
To read our full in-depth review of the Peterson StroboClip HD click here.
Note: Since we wrote this, Peterson released a refreshed version of this tuner, called the StroboClipHDC. We recommend that you get that instead, as it has an even better display and a rechargeable battery. Everything else is pretty much the same as the old version.
2. Boss TU-3 Pedal Tuner
BEST PEDAL TUNER
If you’re not really into clip-on tuners, but you still want a good, reliable, and precise tuner, the Boss TU-3 is the tuner to buy.
This is pretty much what the pros use, and it’s the tuner that you want to have on your pedalboard if you’re performing live or you often play standing up.
But let’s see why exactly the Boss TU-3 became such a popular choice among guitar players, why we think it’s the best pedal tuner out there, and also what some of the bad things about it are.
It’s Robust
If you ever owned any type of Boss pedal, you know that they are made to last. Their stomp pedal design has become such a classic in the world of guitar gear, and for a good reason.
It just works, and its durability has been tested out through the decades, basically since the 70s.
The Boss TU-3 is basically a tuner packed into that timeless design that is proven to be durable and can withstand almost any amount of violence. And you really do need that in a pedal tuner, because you’re going to end up stomping on that thing with your foot, and you don’t want something to break.
Battery Life Sucks
One thing that sucks about this tuner is that you just won’t have a good time if you plan to use it with a battery. For some reason, and we went over this in our full review of the TU-3, the battery drains even when the tuner is off and the cable is plugged in. We don’t know whether this is just a physics thing, but in any case, it’s a horrible flaw in our opinion.
So, if you’re getting a TU-3, or any pedal tuner for that matter, always use it with a power adapter. Or better yet, buy one of those pedalboard power supply banks and power it through that.
The Display is Made to Be Visible in Any Scenario
One of the main reasons we recommend this tuner is its display and how effectively it conveys information to the player.
Many guitar tuners nowadays have digital LCD displays, which sometimes are just not good enough – especially in direct sunlight.
Boss solved that problem by having a separate way for the guitarist to see how far off they are from being in tune. Above the normal LCD display, they added a bunch of LEDs, which all light up separately and are very easy to see even in worst-case scenarios.
Also, the tuner has a high-contrast mode, which, in our opinion, should always be on anyways.
Final Verdict
There’s really not too much to talk about when it comes to the Boss TU-3. This tuner is simple, reliable, and classic and will not let you down.
It’s been used by the pros for a reason, and if you see yourself as a type of guitar player who likes playing standing up, you often practice with the band and play live, we don’t see what else you would want from a guitar tuner.
If you want to read more about this tuner, you can also check out our full in-depth review of the Boss TU-3 here.
3. Snark ST-8
BEST BUDGET OPTION
Just because two of our top guitar tuners are both premium, relatively highly priced tuners, we decided to search for a tuner that would be good for someone on a budget.
Nowadays, there are a lot of those on the market, and it’s hard to tell which are crap and which are good. After using the Snark ST-8 for around 3 years now, we think we found the perfect one.
Perfect Balance Between Quality and Cost
The Snark SN-8 is made of plastic, and while it doesn’t project the same type of build quality as the Peterson StroboClip HD, it’s actually not that bad. Especially at this price point.
The design is very simple and pleasing, and we were surprised to learn that the tuner is bigger in size than the Peterson.
The Display Is Good (But Far From Perfect)
The display on the Snark ST-8 looks amazing, as long as you’re not viewing it under direct sunlight.
If you look at the image above, you’ll see that while on the Peterson you can see the note and the strobe pattern, on the Snark it becomes very hard to tell what’s going on.
It looks better on camera than it does in real life because you always have to chase the perfect angle with your eyes to be able to see what’s going on on the display.
The Tuner is Highly Adjustable
One thing that Snark does right, and perhaps even better than Peterson, is how they designed the mechanism by which you adjust the “head” of the tuner.
As you can see in the photo above, both ends of the middle part have these balls, which can rotate 360 degrees. This means that you adjust the tuner however you like it, practically with no limitations.
Using the Tuner is Simple and Convenient
Ever since we bought this tuner, which was around three years ago, it’s been sitting on the headstock of of a classical Joan Cashimira guitar. We never take it off, and we replaced the battery only once.
What we want to say by that is that the Snark ST-8 is just so easy to use, and it doesn’t get in your way. You pick up your guitar, you notice a string or two are out of tune, you turn on the tuner, and within seconds you’re good to go.
It Has a Metronome (and it Sucks)
The Snark ST-8 comes with a built-in metronome. As we explained in my full review of the Snark, this feature is, in our opinion, just a gimmick. This so-called metronome works by showing you a heart icon on the display, and the way you keep time is by looking at the heart, which is blinking at the set tempo.
We have not seen something so useless and so poorly executed in our life; it’s a complete disaster. But this is a tuner, not a metronome, so all is forgiven.
Final Verdict
At this price point, every guitarist should just get a bunch of Snark tuners so as to always have one on hand. They are just so convenient to have, and they don’t cost that much at all.
And while we still think that the Peterson StroboClip is the king of guitar tuners, we won’t recommend it to everyone. If we’re talking to a beginner or someone who’s taking the guitar more casually, we’re more inclined to go with the Snark.
Don’t forget to also check out our full in-depth review of the Snark ST-8 here.
Tips to Get the Most out of Your Guitar Tuner
1. Always Tune Up!
When tuning a string on your guitar, always sneak up to the note from behind. In other words, don’t chase the note by releasing the tension of the string, but by increasing it. Always tune up, not down!
You should do this because when you tune down, strings tend to skip because there’s friction involved.
2. Be Mindful of Tuner Placement
Whether you’re using a clip-on tuner or a standalone tuner, be mindful of where and how you place it.
A clip-on tuner should be attached firmly to the headstock of your guitar, with both the upper and the lower parts of the “claw” completely touching the surface.
If you’re using a standalone tuner or your phone with an app, be mindful of where the microphone is on the tuner. Try to place the microphone near the place where the strings resonate the most – around the middle of the guitar’s neck.
3. Evaluate the Quality of Your Tuning Pegs
One crucial thing about being able to tune your guitar precisely and to keep it there is the tuning pegs on your guitar.
Cheap guitars come with cheap tuning pegs, and you have to account for that. If you have to re-tune your guitar every time it’s been sitting for a few hours, replacing the tuning pegs is something to consider.
4. Lubricate at Friction Points
Aside from the tuning pegs, friction also plays a big part in how stable the guitar is when it comes to keeping in tune.
Many guitar luthiers use graphite lubricants like this one from MusicNomad at the points on the guitar where strings cause friction. Most importantly, at the nut, the string trees, and on some models, the bridge saddles.
Advice on App-Based Tuners
As we already mentioned, we have nothing against app tuners. However, in most cases, an actual tuner will be better.
But, we see nothing wrong with using an app (we like GuitarTuna ourselves). If it helps you to learn, if it causes fewer people to quit playing the guitar because of frustration, we can’t see why anyone would hate this method of tuning or be a snob about it.
Other Tuners We Tried and/or Wish To Try
In our search for the best guitar tuner, we tried a bunch of different tuners.
We tried the Korg GA-40, which we had on the first version of this page published years ago. However, things have changed since then, and now we don’t see how it’s better than a phone with an app like GuitarTuna.
We also briefly tried the very popular TC Electronics PolyTune, and we intend to buy one and do a full review, but they are hard to come by in this part of the world.
We tried the Korg Pitchblack, both the old version and the new Pitchblack X. In our opinion, the Boss TU-3 is just a miles better pedal tuner.
We really wish to get our hands on a Korg OT120, which could be an actual good standalone tuner. We’re also interested in getting and writing a review on the Peterson StroboStomp to see how it compares to the Boss TU-3.
Conclusion
After testing all these tuners, we can say that we’re pretty happy with our list. We definitely plan on reviewing more tuners in the future, particularly those mentioned in the last section, but we think these three will do for now.
We can honestly say that we tried and tested all these tuners, and we hate seeing articles online that just post a bunch of random stuff on a page and call it a review. We also don’t see a point in recommending dozens of tuners like most of those websites do, because it’s really not that complicated.
A guitar tuner is made to do a simple thing – to help you with tuning your guitar. The only question that one should ask themselves when buying one is how they would want their tuner to work. Would they like a clip-on tuner, a tuner with a microphone, or a tuner that has a jack input?
We plan on updating this list, as we’ve done since we published the first version in 2013.
If you have any questions or you’d like to share your experience with a particular tuner, or perhaps recommend one we should review, please leave a comment below.
Just got a restring. Got home, checked the tune. Turned 1 string and snap! Why??!!
Acoustic or electric? Which string?
i have a D’Darario sound hole Tuner I simply love. easy tuning with the sound hole preference. reasonable in price.
Hi Dan, thanks for your great review! I have the TC Electronics Polytune clip-on. I’m very happy with it and use it only as a string-by-string tuner. It’s very compact, good readable screen and in the rehearsal studio it’s a breeze to get in tune between songs (if needed). I will, however, look into purchasing the Peterson tuner for my other guitar. Cheers, John G.
Pues…..
Yo estoy buscando mi afinador ideal, y creo que va ser un pitchblack Advance, tuve un polytune 3 de pedal , lo vendí porque no me molo nada que la cuando la luz verde esta en el medio te dice que esta afinado pero tiene diferente intensidad de color verde para decir que está casi afinado o bien afinado y eso era un descontrol sobre todo el la cuerda E grabe que al final nunca quedaba bien afinada. m
Me compre un Peterson de pedal y realmente afina bien pero me sobra todo lo demás y cuando las cuerdas son viejas ya empieza a bailar para todos los lados, aun así afina genial pero raya un poco, creo que el pitchblack Advance es rápido afina genial y no te rayas, lo malo es encontrarlo ya que como sacaron el X que me parece una caca por los leds, el boss no me mola porque lo quiero true bypass, no buffer que colorea un huevo y mal , ya se que esta el waza pero los led como que no me molan nada no se ve bien con la luz tan intensa que tiene.
Lo mas seguro es que venda mi Peterson y me pille un pitblack Advance , si lo doy encontrado claro, tuve un pitchblack normal y lo vendí para comprarme el tc Polytune 3 bufff vaya equivocación jajajaj pero ya aprendi.
Que opinas del Advance lo probó alguien?
Back in my day we tuned by ear! These fancy tuners are overkill just learn your instrument and save your money
Sure, but what do you say to someone just starting out? Don’t play guitar until you’ve learned to tune it by ear? No need to gate-keep.
Fair point, start with a tuner, but train your ear as you go. Its a skill thatll serve you well in the long run. No gatekeeping, just sage advice. 👍
That I can agree with, it’s obviously good to train your ear, but that takes time. And a tuner can actually help with that, as long as you don’t rely too much on it.
Thanks for this review. Sounds like Peterson is what I’m after. I used Korg and Boss tuners for about ten years, then switched to Snark about four years ago. I reached a breaking point today. I’m so fed up with Snark tuners and their painful lack of accuracy… that “approximately-in-tune-but-not-really-at-all” level of of tuning they provide.
No problem, glad you found something useful in it. You’ll notice a difference when using the Peterson for sure. What version of the Snark were you using btw?
I wouldn’t know precisely… I’m sorry. It isn’t a black one like the one in the photos. Mine is blue and it just reads “Snark” on top, not “Super Tight”.
Sounds like you have the SN1X. Now I wonder if it’s really that bad compared to the SN-8. I’ll try to test it out.
The strobo clip is really great. It gets my cheap guitars dialed in really well. Unfortunately i have to buy a new one since mine was stolen last week. I feel as bad about that being taken as i do the money that was taken
I tune my guitars in sort of a different way. First I tune with a Snark clip on to get a basic tune up and then I switch to my Peterson clip on strobe tuner to fine tune each string. If my guitar is way out of tune starting with the strobe is a nightmare. That thing is spinning so fast it makes me dizzy. If you are an ace using the strobe then skip the snark and just use that. Snark tuners look really cheap in appearance but they work like a champ.
Very interesting. I did not encounter the same issue, to be honest, but I think you’re onto something that I didn’t really consider. I always tune roughly by ear first, and then I adjust with the tuner. So I think for people who don’t do that, Snark (or any non-strobe tuner) could be a better choice because it’s arguably easier to do that first tune when you have a fresh set of strings. Peterson can be tricky in that scenario, as you explained.
I’m considering buying the Boss. You can’t beat the industry standard.
I agree. Hope you’re gonna be happy with it and that it serves you well!
In the end I bought one of the new TC poly tune clip on tuners. It’s really good.
ground guitar is great :) love all the details of who used what :). good job
I have the Boss TU-3, and I just got a pedal that beats it. The Peterson VSS-C StroboStomp Classic Tuner. It’s 200 bucks, but well worth it. The intonation is dead nuts perfect on all my guitars now. Wish I’d had one of these 30 years ago. Buy it.
I heard great things about that tuner and I see that most reviews are positive. Unfortunately, Peterson is so hard to buy anywhere outside the US. Too bad, I’d really like to review it.
What about Sonic Research’s Turbo Tuner?
Interesting tuner, and from what I’ve heard – very, very accurate. Worth checking out for sure, and I like the fact that it’s made in the US by a small company.
The BOSS floor tuners are accurate. But unless they have changed their MO, these are not true bypass (as is nothing BOSS makes), so they tend to suck tone right off the bat. I like the looks of the GoGo floor tuner … you can see it from six feet away and seems pretty bright in the dark. No, I have not personally used one, but were I to buy a floor tuner, that would be it.
They all have buffers built-in, but in any case, I don’t think this is something an average player should worry about. In a blind experiment, I doubt many people would be able to tell the difference.
GoGo is indeed very nice!
I wish there were an area that said which, out of all these, are the most accurate..after all, that is the point at the end of the day. The Boss tuner being on everyone’s board, while true, doesn’t tell me if that or the strobe tuner would get me ‘perfectly’ for studio work while also being useable onstage..
Good idea – I’m definitely gonna try and point out the accuracy more clearly in the revised edition of this list which is currently in the works.
On a short note I’ve been hearing good things about the Turbo Tuner from Sonic Research which claims to have +/- .02 cents accuracy (haven’t tried it personally), and the StroboStomp from Peterson which claims +/- 0.1 cent accuracy. Maybe check those out if you’re concerned about the Boss (which is indeed a far better fit for stage use than studio). Dan.
Jesus, man. Took you 13 minutes to reply at 4am lol. That’s outstandingly impressive. I’ll be sure and check out your next edition of this list. Thanks for the advice, man!
Yeah, no problem! Thank you for the feedback, and good luck with choosing the right tuner. Dan.
TC Electronics and Hardwire make better floor tuners as does Korg. I use the TC but the others are just as good. You just can’t beat a polyphonic if you just need to tweak between songs.
TC is great, Digitech Hardwire I think has a worse display than the Boss – otherwise, they are pretty much the same. Korg Pitichblack I think is good, but it’s a matter of personal taste.
Great comprehensive review. You happened to include many of the tuners I had in mind. If you could add polyphonic tuners, you’d really round it out. Thanks!
Thanks, I’m planning on testing some in the future, although I think tuning string by string is still superior.