The Best Guitar Tuners for 2024 - A Buyer's Guide

If there’s one thing that matters most when picking up your guitar, whether you’re on stage with your band ready to smash a live set or practising at home with backing tracks and finger exercises, it’s being in tune. No matter how insanely good you are, no matter if you’re a sweep-picking maestro or know every scale and mode inside out, if it’s not in tune it just won’t sound right. That’s why a good tuner is key (see what we did there?).

With more options out there than ever before, choosing the right tuner for your style and setup can feel like more of a challenge than it needs to be. From clip-on tuners that are all about convenience and portability, to mini tuners that free up space on your pedalboard, and highly precise strobe tuners for ultimate accuracy, there’s something out there for every guitarist.

Before you dive into our rundown of the best guitar tuners for 2024, think about what you need most from your tuner. Are you looking for a quick and easy solution for live performances, or do you need pinpoint precision for recording sessions?

Take a moment to think about where and how you'll be using your tuner the most. If you're always on the go or playing live, a clip-on tuner is a solid choice to throw into your gig bag. Like the name suggests, these handy little tuners attach right to your guitar's headstock, making it super easy to tune up quickly between songs without messing around with cables or pedals.

For guitarists that appreciate a clean-looking pedalboard, mini tuners can be a game-changer. These compact tuners offer all the functionality you’ll need, while saving valuable space and fitting right in with your other pedals. They’re usually super responsive and have bright displays, so you can always stay in tune throughout gigs and practice sessions.

If you’re all about precision, especially when recording, you might want to look into getting a strobe tuner. These are the gold standard for accuracy, letting you get your tuning just right. Yes, they can be a bit pricier, but if you’re serious about your sound, they’re worth it.

Budget is always important to keep in mind. There are plenty of great tuners out there that won’t empty your wallet. Look for ones that offer good features and solid performance at a price that works for you.

Also, think about any extra features that might come in handy. Some tuners have built-in metronomes, alternative tuning modes, or even connect to mobile apps. These can add a lot of value depending on what you need. 

Or, if you fancy adding a host of new tones and effects to your arsenal at the same time, there are plenty of multi-effects pedals that have an integrated tuner onboard - dozens of birds with one stone!

By keeping these things in mind, you'll be set to pick the tuner that fits your needs perfectly. Now, let’s dive into our list of the best guitar tuners for 2024.

If you’re after a cheap tuner that does the job well and fits right into your pedalboard setup, you simply can’t go wrong with Big Top’s Chromatic Mini Tuner. A big LED display that defies the pedal’s size and a hard-wearing metal frame mean this tuner is ideal for frenetic live shows, solo noodling and just about everything in between.

For the multi-instrumentalist, a clip-on tuner is probably the most snappy solution for keeping everything pitch perfect - and the TOURTECH TTA-T02 is more than up to the task. Just clip it onto the headstock of your guitar, violin, or ukelele and you’re ready to go. The backlit screen means tuning up on a dimly-lit stage shouldn’t be a problem, but if you’d prefer a colour screen, check out the TTA-T01 - it’s only a few quid more and offers that extra pop of colour and clarity.

We all know there’s nothing more grating to gig-goers and fellow musicians than listening to a guitarist tuning up between every song. With the Electro Harmonix EHX 2020, you never need to worry about that. A quick press and you can tune up straight away, and the tuner automatically mutes the guitar to keep it all smooth and professional. 

It’s got a wide tuning range and three flat tuning modes too, so you can easily tune down 1/2 step, a whole step, or a minor third. That makes it a cracking choice both for those who like to holiday away from standard EADGBE, as well as Nirvana cover bands! 

How’s this for the ultimate space saving tuning solution? At just 2.2cm wide and with a depth to match, the Pedaltrain SST is only slightly wider than a guitar lead. It takes up virtually no space on a pedalboard, which is great news no matter how big or small your setup is. Put simply, if you’re the kind of guitarist that likes to get experimental with sound, but doesn’t want to swap out an effects pedal for a bulky tuner, this is the answer.

If you’re looking for a chromatic tuner that’s road-ready and reliable, the Boss TU-3W Waza Craft is, well, the boss. It offers the reliable performance that the classic TU-3 is known for, but with upgraded components for an even purer signal. 

It’s got a super clear 21-segment LED meter to tune up quickly without having to crouch down and squint to see how close to the mark you are, and it automatically mutes your signal when activated. Elsewhere, it supports multiple tuning modes, including flat tunings, and is built to withstand the dings and knocks that naturally come with touring.

However, we’ve also got to give a shout out to the D’Addario Chromatic Pedal Tuner Plus too. Not only does it have a high-quality signal buffer that maintains sound quality across long cables and effects pedal chains, but it also features a programmable countdown timer! That means if you’re playing a live set, you can keep track of how long you’ve got left without constantly turning to bandmates. 

For session musicians, recording artists and general perfectionists, strobe tuners are the crème de la crème. And the Peterson StroboStomp HD tuner is just about the best of the bunch. Make no mistake, this pedal is jaw-droppingly accurate (we’re talking to a 1000th of a fret), so guesswork and rushed tuning by ear are things of the past. We also love that you can change the display colour to suit your style - it’s especially useful if you’re used to fighting a losing battle with stage lighting. 

If you need a tuner but you want to add a ton more effects to your setup at the same time, a multi-effects pedal is perhaps the most practical way to go about it. Boss has built an unbeatable reputation over the past few decades for making quality multi-effects pedals, and the latest iteration, the Boss ME-90, is a true standout.

Not only is a top-notch tuner bundled in, but you also get an impressive array of effects. With 24-bit AD/DA conversion and 32-bit floating-point processing, the sound quality the ME-90 offers is nothing short of exceptional. The HD tuner does everything you want it to, and the easy-to-use interface makes switching between different effects and amp models breezy. There really is no limit with this pedal.

Ready to add a shiny new guitar tuner to your setup? Whatever you’re looking for from your guitar tuner, we’ve got it! Check out our full range of guitar tuners to suit every need, style and budget.