If you plan to take your guitar playing to the professional level, a guitar capo is an accessory you might need. However, thousands of guitar capos are on the market, making choosing the right one challenging. This article reviews seven of the best guitar capos we have found during our research. So, let’s get to it.
Comparison Chart
D’Addario Guitar Capo for Acoustic and Electric Guitar – NS Capo Lite – Adjustable Tension – Guitar Accessories – Works for 6 String Guitars – Lite – Black
Best Guitar Capo: Reviews
Nordic Essentials Deluxe Guitar Capo
This is a beautiful and high-quality spring-loaded guitar capo. It’s simple to use and reasonably priced.
Review
This is a spring-loaded guitar capo that you can easily operate it with a single hand. In addition, it allows you to reposition it very quickly and easily with one hand without having to disturb the tuning of your guitar.
The spring is strong enough to keep this capo securely in place. In addition, this steel spring also prevents fret buzzing. The high-quality padding provides excellent protection for the fretboard and the neck of the guitar, and the silicone pads are pretty durable and long-lasting.
This high-quality capo made out of premium-grade zinc alloy is durable enough to last for years. That said, it is surprisingly lightweight, weighing 2.1 ounces. If anything goes wrong with it, there’s a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Durable build
- Good warranty
- One-handed operation
- Easy to maneuver
- Good padding for protection
- No fret buzz
- Comes with a case
Cons
May put more pressure on one side than the other
Shubb Guitar Capo
This is a reasonably priced adjustable screw guitar capo. It’s easy to use, reliable, and durable.
Review
This guitar capo is an adjustable screw model, which is convenient because you can adjust it to the exact tension degree you need. In addition, you can adjust it tight enough so that the frets will not buzz.
In addition, you don’t need to readjust it from one use to the next. Once adjusted, just flip the lever back and forth to attach and detach it; you can just set it and forget it. The lever securely locks in place, and it won’t move around. However, you can’t operate it with one hand, but that’s the sacrifice you pay for reliability. It applies even pressure from all sides.
Moreover, rubber pads protect the fretboard and your guitar’s neck. The protective rubber padding also allows for a secure fit. We think this is a fantastic guitar capo for the price.
Pros
- Easy to adjust
- Snug and secure
- Set and forget
- Even pressure
- Protective rubber
Cons
It cannot be operated with a single hand
Donner Guitar Capo
This guitar capo from Donner is one of the most affordable guitar capos on our list. It might not be the best guitar capo, but it still gets the job done. On a side note, it comes with a few guitar picks.
Review
This is another spring-loaded guitar capo. It has a high-quality steel spring that applies a good deal of tension for a snug and secure fit; this capo shouldn’t move around while in use. In addition, the high-quality steel spring with internal memory has a great deal of fatigue resistance. It also won’t cause your fretboards to buzz, nor cause your guitar to go out of tune.
In addition, this spring-loaded guitar capo is easy to adjust with one hand. On a side note, it can be used on guitars, mandolins, banjos, and more.
Moreover, this capo has high-quality silicone padding to help it stay in place. It also protects the fretboard and neck of your guitar from scratches. Finally, the capo is made with high-quality aircraft-grade zinc alloy, a strong, durable, and lightweight material. It might not be an expensive guitar capo, but the quality is there.
Pros
- Easy one-handed operation
- Strong steel spring
- No fret buzz
- Keeps guitar in tune
- Durable design
- Fits guitars and other stringed instruments
Cons
Pressure can be a bit uneven
D’Addario Guitar Capo
This guitar capo can be used for various guitars and six-string instruments. In addition, this is one of the most inexpensive models on our list today. It features a simple design, but it does work.
Review
One thing worth noting about this guitar capo is the high-quality ABS thermoplastic composition. This is a particular type of plastic known for its durability. It might not be as durable as metal, but it still holds its own. In addition, this type of plastic is highly lightweight, and this is our lightest guitar capo.
This guitar capo uses a levered hinge to stay in place. You simply open it up and close it. It works more or less like a spring-loaded clamp.
This robust tension system ensures the guitar cable will stay in place; it also prevents the guitar from going out of tune and fret buzzing from occurring.
In addition, this capo comes with a micrometer dial, so you can easily adjust the tension as needed. Although it might not look like it, this particular guitar capo allows one-handed adjustment.
High-quality padding protects the fretboard and neck of your guitar and helps keep the guitar capo securely in place.
Pros
- High-quality plastic
- Decent durability
- Easy to use
- Fairly even tension
- Stays in place securely
- Good padding
Cons
- Not as durable as metal
- Takes some practice to get the tension right
Jim Dunlop Acoustic Trigger Guitar Capo
This trigger-style guitar capo can be used for 6 and 12-string guitars, which is uncommon. It is reasonably priced.
Review
This US-made guitar capo is made of high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum, making it as durable as possible. This means it should last a long time.
Aircraft-grade aluminum is very lightweight, and this guitar capo weighs just over 2 ounces, so it won’t weigh your guitar down.
The trigger-style guitar capo is very easy to operate – you can easily move it back and forth with one hand. It also features an ergonomic design that makes it easy to use.
This guitar capo provides a good amount of tension and will hold your strings down without causing the fretboard to buzz. On that note, the tension is relatively even.
This unit then also comes with high-quality padding to protect the fretboard and the neck of your guitar.
Pros
- Fairly durable
- Lightweight
- One-handed operation
- A good deal of tension
- Tension is fairly even
- Made in the US
- For 6 and 12-stringed guitars
Cons
The springs differ in tension
WINGO Guitar Capo
Here we have a very affordable yet high-quality and great-looking guitar capo that features a simple, easy-to-operate trigger design. On a side note, it comes with five guitar picks.
Review
This guitar capo looks like natural wood, but it’s made of high-grade aluminum alloy. This aluminum alloy is relatively durable, and it should last for quite a few years. In addition, aluminum alloy is lightweight, easy to work with, and won’t weigh your guitar down.
It also allows for one-handed use because of the trigger style. You don’t have to put your guitar down to move the capo on the fretboard.
The silicone padding helps keep this guitar capo in place. Moreover, it protects the fretboard and guitar neck from scratches and damage.
This guitar capo provides relatively even tension across the fretboard, which allows for excellent functionality. It shouldn’t cause your guitar to go out to the tune, and the fretboard should not buzz.
Pros
- Good price
- Fairly durable
- Lightweight
- Works for most guitars
- Easy one-handed use
- Fairly consistent tension
Cons
The padding wears down rather quickly
Kyser Quick-Change Capo
Our last capo is one of the most expensive on our list; however, it’s also one of the best. On a side note, it comes in 21 different colors.
Review
This guitar capo is made with high-quality aircraft-grade aluminum. This type of aluminum is extremely strong and should last for many years.
Although it may be strong, it’s also very lightweight. Surprisingly enough, this is one of the lightest units on the list today; it’s easy to operate and won’t weigh you down.
It is worth mentioning that this product is made in the US. Moreover, even better, it has a lifetime guarantee.
This is a simple spring-loaded guitar capo. The spring will keep the strings on your fretboard in place, yet, it is light enough to easily use it with one hand.
The spring applies relatively even pressure; this capo won’t move, and it won’t cause fretboard buzzing.
High-quality padding ensures that this capo won’t damage your guitar. In addition, this padding protects your guitar and helps keep the guitar capo securely in place.
Pros
- Very durable
- Very lightweight
- Ideal amount of tension
- Even tension
- Made in the US
- One-handed operation
Cons
Steel spring can rust
Buyer’s Guide
Before you shop for a guitar capo, there are a few essential considerations to keep in mind.
Types of Guitar Capos
There are different guitar capos, including strap capos, toggle capos, trigger capos, spring-loaded capos, adjustable screw capos, and yoke-style capos. Before you choose one, we recommend doing more research into the pros and cons of each style.
Full or Partial Capo
Also, consider whether you want a full or a partial capo. Generally, you need a full capo; however, a partial capo may do if you need to cover only a few strings.
Fretboard Radius
Look at the fretboard’s radius and ensure you get the right size and type of guitar capo. Some capos may be too small or too large for certain fretboards.
Guitar Neck Dimensions
Since the size of your guitar capo needs to fit your guitar neck, pay attention to the overall dimensions of your guitar’s neck.
String Spacing
This is something that many fail to consider, but the spacing of the strings is also critical when choosing a guitar capo. Some guitar capos have little indents in the padding for individual strings. If this is the case, you need to ensure it will fit your guitar.
Materials
The other thing to pay attention to is the material that the capo is made of. Our reviews show that they can be made of zinc alloy, aluminum, plastic, etc. Generally speaking, aircraft-grade aluminum is a good choice if you are going for durability and low weight.
FAQ
What Is a Guitar Capo?
A guitar capo is a small device you clamp on the neck of your guitar. It is designed to shorten the length of the strings, which raises the pitch of the strings.
How to Use a Capo For A Guitar?
These are straightforward devices. You clamp them onto the fretboard, then close the clamp to compress the strings.
Does Using a Capo Make Guitar Playing Easier?
Guitar capos are great for beginners to learn with. In addition, they can make playing various chords a little easier.
Can I Use a Capo On An Electric Guitar?
Yes, in fact, most guitar capos can be used with both acoustic and electric guitars.
Can You Leave a Capo On Your Guitar?
Although it may not damage your guitar, the springs or tension system in the capo may wear down if they are constantly in use. Therefore, it is not recommended to leave your guitar capo on your guitar when not in use.
Conclusion
If we were to recommend a single model as the best guitar capo, it would be the Kyser Quick-Change Capo. It might not be the cheapest, but the features are well worth the investment.
