Who else wants to find the best guitar string tuner for beginners?
Let’s face it.
Finding the best guitar string tuner for beginners can feel like a daunting task.
It’s hard to know which features beginners really need.
Plus, it’s hard to know where to start.
No one wants to buy the wrong tuner for their guitar.
That’s why we’ve reviewed some of the best ones for beginners.
Check it out!
The Best Guitar String Tuner for Beginners: Best Overall
TC Electronic PolyTune Clip
Are you interested in a tuner for beginners that’s straightforward to use, allows you to tune all your strings at once, and has a display that’s easy to read? Then check out the TC Electronic PolyTune Clip.
This headstock clip-on tuner features 3 different tuning modes and a vibrant LED display so it’s versatile and very easy to read.
Polyphonic mode lets you strum your guitar and see in real-time which strings are in tune and which ones aren’t.
This gives you the ability to quickly check your tuning and adjust on the fly.
Chromatic tuning mode lets you tune a single string at a time with a visual display that’s informative and easy to read.
With strobe mode, you have +/-.02 cents of tuning precision using a vibrant stroboscopic display so you can be as precise as you want.
Plus, this tuner is designed to switch modes automatically.
Finally, alternative tunings are supported, as well as a function to save and recall your own default tuning.
Pros
- Display Automatically Flips when Turned Upside Down
- Also Available in Black
Cons
- The On/Off Button can be Hard to Access
- Display Doesn’t Swivel
As you can see, the TC Electronic PolyTune Clip is a compact tuner that’s easy to use, has a bright LED display, and is very versatile.
We think you’ll find its compact size and straightforward design make it the best guitar string tuner for beginners out there.
Why wait? Click here and get yours today.
The Best Guitar String Tuner for Beginners: Best Budget
Fender FT-1 Pro Clip-On Tuner
Are you looking for a guitar tuner that’s easy to use, provides great accuracy, and is very easy on your budget? Then check out the Fender FT-1 Pro Clip-On Tuner.
This tuner clips on to your headstock and has modes for guitar, bass, ukulele, and violin, as well as a chromatic mode.
This means it’s very versatile and can be used to tune just about any instrument.
With accuracy up to 1 cent, this tuner ensures accurate tuning right at your fingertips.
The LCD screen is easy to see and the backlight changes to the color green when the string your tuning is in tune.
This makes keeping your guitar in tune straightforward and amazingly simple.
Finally, the dual-hinged clip is durable and simplifies keeping this tuner attached to your headstock.
Pros
- Simple, Straightforward Design
Cons
- Clip May be Difficult to Fit on Thicker Headstocks
As you can see, the Fender FT-1 Pro Clip-On Tuner delivers accurate tuning and a vivid LCD display in a no-nonsense package.
We think you’ll agree its simple, straightforward design and tuning versatility make it the best guitar string tuner for beginners on a budget.
Don’t hesitate! Click here and get yours today!
The Best Guitar String Tuner for Beginners: Best Runner-Up
Peterson StroboClip HD Tuner
Are you looking for a tuner that is incredibly accurate, simple to use, and has a screen that’s very easy to see? Then check out the Peterson StroboClip HD Tuner.
This is a chromatic tuner with a high-definition display that is straightforward and helps to make tuning straightforward.
Plus, it has a wide viewing angle and high-definition backlighting, so it’s easy to see even in direct sunlight.
It delivers phenomenal tuning accuracy up to 0.1 cent which means it’s exceptionally precise and ensures reliable tuning.
Since it’s a strobe tuner, the closer you get to being in tune, the slower the display spins which makes tuning easy and intuitive.
Drop tuning and capo tuning is fast, accurate, and a breeze thanks to Peterson’s transposition settings of up to 6 flat and 5 sharp.
The ultra-wide clamp has padded rubber jaws and provides 3 points of rotation so it won’t mar your instrument and can be adjusted to suit your needs.
Finally, Peterson provides over 50 preset Sweetened tuning presets that help you correct tuning issues in many instruments.
Pros
- Raised Buttons Easy to use
- Firmware can be Updated by USB
Cons
- Reports of Short Battery Life
As you can tell, the Peterson StroboClip HD Tuner delivers extremely accurate tuning, a high-performance display, and useful features.
We think you’ll agree its straightforward tuning process and easy to see display makes it the best guitar string tuner for beginners.
You’ve waited long enough! Click here and get yours now.
Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner
Best Under $30
KLIQ MetroPitch
The Best Guitar String Tuner for Beginners: FAQ
How long can I expect a guitar string tuner to last?
A quality guitar tuner can last a lifetime.
Since they typically don’t need service, a guitar tuner can be used for years.
The only real maintenance is changing batteries.
Outside of that, a guitar tuner that you buy today could last you for the rest of your playing life.
There are guitarists who purchased their tuner 25 years ago and are still using it!
Having said that, there are cases where you might want to buy a newer tuner or one with more features.
If you start with a very basic tuner, you might buy one that clips onto your headstock.
Later, you might decide to buy a more expensive model that plugs into a pedal board.
A basic tuner is still a great choice, and you can still use it after you upgrade.
Whatever tuner you choose, you can expect it to last for a long time.
Does a guitar string tuner for beginners need a lot of features?
Basic functions are covered by even the cheapest guitar string tuner.
It’s not necessary to have extra features, but some tuners often have extra functions that can be helpful.
For instance, a metronome is often helpful when learning guitar.
One feature that isn’t as helpful as it seems is a chromatic tuner.
While it’s a great function to have, it can be overkill since beginners often don’t know what they’d need it for.
A simple tuner with basic functionality is often the best choice for beginners, but do consider ones with more features.
It could save you the hassle of buying a second tuner with more functionality.
Also, as long as it has the basic functions, you can be certain that it will be useful.
So a simple tuner you buy today could become your backup tuner in the future or the tuner you take with you to gigs.
Why is the guitar string tuner display important?
Being able to see how out of tune your guitar is can help beginners learn to tune their guitars more easily.
It’s easy to get distracted by fancy outputs and designs, but they can make it easier to tune your guitar.
Being able to tune your guitar quickly is important, so consider buying a tuner that has a good display.
Some displays may have problems in bright light or be hard to see at odd angles.
While this may not be a big deal day to day, you may run into a situation where you can’t need to tune your guitar because you can’t read its display.
Again, this is where basic functionality is most important.
If your tuner has lots of whiz-bang features but the display is difficult to read, it’s not going to be as good of a tuner for a beginner as a less expensive model that has fewer features and a display that’s easy to read.
Is using a tuner hard for a beginner to learn?
Practicing tuning your guitar using a tuner will help you learn until it’s easy.
It’s a skill, so it will take a little time, but if you buy a tuner with a display that’s easy to read and has basic functions, you’ll be able to learn in no time.
That’s one of the downsides to buying a tuner with a lot of features: It can make it difficult for beginners to learn how to use it properly.
It can cause frustration and confusion and become a needless hassle.
But with time it’ll be a skill that’s natural and easy for you.
Plus, as time goes on, you’ll develop an “ear” and be able to tell when your guitar needs tuning and whether it’s flat or sharp by ear!
The basic tuner you buy today will help you to develop that skill and eventually tuning will be something you do without even thinking.
Tuning will become second nature to you and no longer seem confusing.
Do I need to spend a lot on a guitar tuner?
A quality tuner can be had for a low price although it may only have basic functions.
That’s fine though, because basic functions are all a beginner really needs.
A simple headstock tuner with a nice, big display will be more than adequate for all your needs.
If you decide you want to spend a bit more, you can buy a handheld tuner or a tuner with more features and functionality.
Eventually, you may want to buy a more expensive model or a different type of tuner, for instance, one that’s only for electric guitars and goes on a pedal board.
In that case, you will need to spend a bit more but it can be worth it if it fits your needs.
If you’re just starting though, you can buy a beginner string tuner for a very reasonable price.
JT currently resides in Southern California and has been playing the guitar since he was 13. He enjoys baking French pastries, drinking loose-leaf tea, and running Slackware Linux.
