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In this article, we’re going to be discussing what the 14 best guitar tuner pedals are, that exist in 2021.
Before we go straight into talking about each product featured in the list, we’re first going to address what a guitar tuner pedal is, and how it works.
So without further ado, let’s talk guitar tuner processing pedals.
What Is A Guitar Tuner Pedal? and What Makes the Best Tuner Pedal?
Guitar Tuner Pedals are physical hardware units that provide real-time instructional direction for the user on how to tune their guitar.
The pedal itself is commonly integrated within a guitar effects pedal setup, usually alongside other guitar effects pedals, which are linked together.
A lot of guitar effects pedals will provide what is known as “True Bypass”, which allows for a signal to pass through other hardware units in the sequence without signal interference or diminishment. If you’re on stage then true bypass should be a must have with your pedal tuner.
Guitar Tuners are one of the most used pedals around, as it’s highly important that a guitarist keeps his/her guitar in tune at all times.
Therefore, you’ll see them being used in both a studio environment and a live performance environment.
How does a Guitar tuner pedal actually work?
A guitar tuner will analyze the inputted signals frequency (Hz), which is then directly compared to the pre-programmed frequency ranges and co-relating frequency note name i.e A4, C5, etc. Guitar tuners will come in both a clip-on tuner and a pedal tuner, but pedal tuners are much more advanced in terms of functionality, so they’re always our #1 pick.
A guitar tuner pedal which is tuned to ‘standard tuning’ will be tuned to the following frequency of notes:
6 String Guitar: E2 – 82.41hz, A2 – 110.00hz, D3 – 146.83hz, G3 – 196.00hz, B3 – 246.94hz, E4 – 329.63hz
When engaged, once the guitarist plucks each string, the guitar tuner will automatically detect the input signal’s frequency to the nearest musical note that the string is oscillating at. A clip-on tuner just doesn’t have this ability.
Any deviation from the nearest semi-tone (half-note) will be indicated on the tuner’s interface.
The tuner will usually include display instructions to either tighten or loosen the guitar’s tuning pegs until the target frequency is detected.
However, it is important to note that the tuner provides instructions for the guitarist to tune the guitar to the nearest semi-tone, which may not be the desired frequency in situations where either the guitar is severely out-of-tune, or the required tuning is very different from the current one.
Although this should be easy for you to work out, if you know your ABCs, have a sense of pitch and also know the stretching limits of your guitar strings.
Ok, so that’s enough about the basics of how a guitar tuner pedal works, let’s get to talking about the best guitar tuner pedals of 2020.
All of the guitar tuners below are featured amongst Amazon’s Bestseller list, and hence they are ALL fantastic choices, so you simply cannot go wrong with choosing any of these pedals. We won’t be featuring any clip-on tuner reviews on this page.
Your final decision should be based on which pedal has the unique features and visual aesthetic that you would prefer.
As always, we’ve arranged the units below based on price, from least expensive to most expensive.
Alongside this, we’ve featured our own insight into each unit’s technical features and general value for money, to try and provide the best insight for you to choose the right guitar tuner that fits your needs and requirements.
With that being said, let’s get into talking about the Top Guitar Tuner Pedals.
Best Guitar Tuner Pedals
Mugig Chromatic Tuner Pedal For Guitar
Features
- Mini Chromatic Tuner for Guitar and Bass
- Extremely affordable price – less than $20
- Easy to use
- Does not indicate the exact tuning precision information
- High visibility with the red and green LEDs that are used
- The unit displays the octave to the user (A real plus for those who are not familiar with certain tunings)
- Does not indicate what the exact tuning range is
- The unit requires a 9v DC power supply to function (this is not included) – you can get one here – Buy on Amazon
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range: Unknown
- Precision Accuracy Unknown
- Calibration Range: 440 Hz (Standard Tuning)
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- We’re unsure if a battery is included, considering the price we highly doubt it
- Weight: 0.35lbs
- Dimensions : 4.3″ x 2.3″ x 2.0″ inches
SUMMARY
Ok, so you may have noticed that we have stated ‘Unknown’ for both the Tuning Range and Precision Accuracy of this pedal, and so if the brand Mugig has not provided core data on the tuner’s tuning range and accuracy, why have we featured it in our list?
Well, as anyone who reads our blog knows, we like to accommodate our lists for every type of reader, and we couldn’t help but take notice of the wealth of positive reviews surrounding this pedal on Amazon.
It averages a 4* rating from over 23 Amazon customer reviews, and although this might not be that many, we definitely wanted to feature it within our list as it’s the least expensive pedal.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a guitar tuner pedal around the price of under $20, this may be the one for you.
It’s also very hard to make too many comments on this, given the fact that the company isn’t so specific on the technical specifications of the unit.
Other than this, there’s simply not much to say about this pedal, it fulfills one requirement which is that it’s incredibly affordable.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
For the price, we simply cannot recommend any improvements.
We’d be surprised if the company is even making much of a profit now, and therefore any additional features, modifications or enhancements to this pedal would simply be unprofitable at its current price.
Therefore this pedal is perfect as it is.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This pedal is for the guitarist/bassist who’s on a major budget.
It would be perfect for the musician who’s in need of a cheap back-up tuner pedal. If you’re someone where budget is extremely important, then these might be the idea pedal tuners for your needs!
Unfortunately, there are no video demonstrations of this tuner pedal in action. But feel free to check out the customer reviews on Amazon.
Rowin Guitar Tuner Processing Pedal
Features
- Portable chromatic tuner for guitar & bass (including 7 string guitar & 5 string bass)
- Analog circuitry
- Solid metal construction, with high-quality zinc alloy
- Medium/High visibility LED lights
- Accurate pitch tuning within +-0.1 cent with its accurate strobe tuning mode
- Rather tuning frequency range: A0 (27.50hz) – C8 (4186hz)
- When in operation, the tuner automatically mutes the signal output, making sure the audience doesn’t hear
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range of A0(12.00hz) – C8(4186hz)
- Accuracy of +-0.1 cent
- Calibration Range: 440 Hz (Standard Tuning)
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- A 9V Power Supply is not included but required for operation, therefore you can get one here – Buy on Amazon
- Weight: 0.55 lbs
- Dimensions : 3.74″ x 1.88″ x 1.77″ inches
SUMMARY
This tuner pedal by Rowin is a close second in being the cheapest tuner pedal for under $20.
For the price, we don’t expect the world, and nor should you, but to be honest, this is a solid tuner for a bassist who’s looking for a low-cost solution.
The pedal is suitable for electric guitars (including 7 string) alongside bass guitars (including 5 string) and is built from a strong zinc alloy.
As you can see from the technical specifications, this pedal provides accurate pitch tuning and a good tuning frequency range.
All in all, it was surprising to see that in a pedal this cheap.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
For the price, there’s nothing we can particularly say we would improve, as we think adding additional features & functionality would directly implicate on its cost.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
It should be noted that this pedal has only had a handful of customer reviews (12 to be specific as of the present date) and therefore the sample size is not large enough to provide an accurate representation to the exact quality of the tuner.
However, from these 12 reviews, it has averaged a 4.5* review.
Therefore, for the musician who wants to spend around $20 and potentially take a gamble, this tuner could well be for you.
My advice is to read the individual amazon reviews thoroughly in order to get a more detailed impression of the benefits and limitations of it.
Unfortunately, there are no video demonstrations of this tuner pedal in action. But feel free to check out the customer reviews on Amazon.
Donner DT-1 Chromatic Tuner Pedal
Features
- Chromatic Guitar Tuner Pedal
- Engineered by KLIQ Audio
- Aluminum metal chassis construction
- LCD screen – Blue and White
- Quick and easy to use (plug and play)
- Mutes input signal when engaged
- Supports a wide frequency tuning range (27.5hz-4186hz)
- True Bypass – True bypass is a huge help if you’re on stage!
- Requires standard 9v battery power supply to operate
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range: A0(27.5hz) – C8(4186hz)
- Pitch Accuracy: +-1 cent
- Calibration Range: Does not specify if it supports calibration (no controls to suggest so)
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- 9v Power Supply is needed for pedal operation (Not Included), Here’s a link to a suitable 9v Power Supply recommendation – Buy on Amazon
- Weight: 0.43lbs
- Dimensions : 4.8″ x 2.4″ x 2.6″ inches
SUMMARY
The Donner Dt-1 tuning processor is another low-cost pedal, costing just $19.99.
It has a lightweight yet sturdy aluminum construction and is able to provide True Bypass, meaning there is no signal diminishment or interference when the unit is not engaged. True Bypass is a must have if you’re concerned with interference or any sound distortion.
The unit provides accurate pitch tuning, within +-1 cent.
Although this is not the most accurate result that we’ve seen when comparing it to other tuner pedals within the same price range, but it still does a great job.
This unit really stands out in its wide frequency tuning range, with it being able to tune from 27.5hz through to 4186hz.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
There are four main issues that we have with this pedal, both are extremely minor issues.
Firstly, the unit does not have an internal battery, and hence must be powered off a 9v power supply.
Secondly, the unit does not come with a 9v power supply, however, considering the price (and other tuner pedals around this price-point) we cannot expect it to come with this…
It simply wouldn’t be profitable for the company to provide one at this overall price.
Thirdly, we realize that most guitarists will at some stage want to tune to different tunings, the most common being drop tunings.
However, the Donner DT-1 does not look to support pitch calibration unlike other pedals around this price i.e the KLIQ TinyTune and the Tomsline AT-07.
Finally, we aren’t so keen on the blue and white display.
When comparing against other pedals within this price-range, their color display is more visible and readable to the eye, especially in darker environments.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
Although this is a great pedal, for us there are simply other pedals that we would prefer over this, i.e the KLIQ Tinytune or Tomsline AT-07 as they both provide the same tuning range provides tuning calibration and ensures better tuning precision.
However, for those who prefer the Donner DT-1 for any reason, make no mistake that it is certainly a good choice…
Hence why it has a 4* average rating on Amazon from over 500 customer reviews.
Monoprice 611220 Chromatic Pedal Tuner
Features
- Chromatic tuner manufactured by Monoprice
- Very inexpensive
- Decent metal chassis construction
- 2 TS outputs: 1 normal (doesn’t mute output when engaged), 1 bypass (mutes output when engaged)
- Pitch tuning within +-1 cent
- Rather a decent tuning frequency range: A0 (27.5hz) – C8 (4186hz)
- Includes a 1-year manufacturers warranty*
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range: (12.00hz) – (4186hz)
- Accuracy: Within +-1 cent
- Calibration Range: 436-450 Hz (in 1 Hz steps)
- 1/4″ jack input
- 2 x 1/4″ jack output (1 normal, 1 bypass)
- This pedal tuner runs on a 9V battery (not included), you can also use a 9V Power Supply (not included), therefore you can get one here – Buy on Amazon
- Weight: 0.61 lbs
- Dimensions : 4.8″ x 3.3″ x 2.1″ inches
SUMMARY
The Monoprice guitar tuner is another budget-priced solution.
One of the unique features of this pedal tuner is the 2 jack outputs, where the guitarist can output two signals, one where the output signal is muted when the tuner is engaged (making it ideal for the FOH in an on-stage environment) and the second being where the output signal is still delivered whilst the pedal tuner is engaged (ideal for the monitors desk, so the signal can be fed back to your in-ear monitors, ensuring that you can hear the tuning changes that you make.
The pedal is powered by a 9v alkaline battery, or a heavy-duty battery, although this is not included within the package…
Which when considering the price, it’s understandable.
It can also be powered through using a 9v DC power adapter, which is not included, but I’ve linked to where you can buy a good quality, affordable one.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
As we’ve noted with other pedals around this price, it’s hard to say what we’d improve knowing that this would directly affect the selling price.
However, when comparing this unit to other tuners, it’s apparent that the tuning precision accuracy (+-1 cent) is a little less than others, with the KLIQ Tinytune’s precision being +-0.5 cent.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This processor has an average review rating of 4.2* from 65 customer reviews, therefore this is definitely a good choice for those who may want a more budget-priced tuner.
A potential selling-point of this pedal tuner is the fact that it has two outputs, one which provides the signal output when the pedal is engaged, and one that mutes the signal when the pedal tuner is engaged.
This may well be useful for some guitarists, hence if you require this feature, this is the pedal for you.
My advice is to read the individual amazon reviews thoroughly in order to get a more detailed impression of the benefits and limitations of it.
Tomsline AT-07 Chromatic Guitar Tuner Pedal
Features
- Chromatic guitar tuner pedal manufactured by Tomsline Engineering
- Suitable for guitar (6/7 string) and bass (4-6 string)
- Fairly inexpensive being below $25
- Very small in size
- True Bypass – True bypass is a great thing to have if you’re on stage!
- Decent die-cast aluminum chassis
- Ability to change calibration pitches (430hz to 450hz) and 4 steps half flat options
- Powered by a 9v adapter
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range: 27.50Hz (A0) – 4186Hz (C8)
- Accuracy: Within +-0.5 cents
- Calibration Range: 430-450 Hz (in 1 Hz steps)
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- A 9V Power Supply is not included but required for operation, therefore you can get one here – Buy on Amazon
- Weight: 0.3 lbs
- Dimensions : 3.6″ x 1.5″ x 1.2″ inches
SUMMARY
The Tomsline guitar tuner (which also provides bass tuning) claims to be very versatile in it’s tuning ability, being suitable for 6/7 string guitars alongside 4-6 string bass tuning.
The pedal tuner is another budget-priced option, for the guitarist who potentially wants a backup tuner pedal for the road, or just doesn’t want to spend too much $.
A great feature of this tuner is that it provides a good tuning calibration range, allowing the user to change it between 430hz – 450hz, offering 1-4 semitones flat.
This makes it ideal for the guitarist who’s looking for a tuner to support drop tunings.
Tomsline has really done well in making this pedal tuner look aesthetically pleasing, and because they’ve put some thought into the design of this both from a structural and aesthetic standpoint, it also offers good display visibility.
However, being a budget-priced tuner, it’s safe to say that you cannot expect everything…
This does not include a battery, and hence you’ll need a 9v power adapter to operate it.
This 9v power adapter is not included and hence we have provided a suitable recommendation in the ‘technical specifications’ section above.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
As we’ve noted with other pedals around this price, it’s hard to say what we’d improve knowing that this would directly affect the selling price.
However, Tomsline The Tomsline Aroma (AT-07) is almost identical in the features it provides and it’s aesthetic appearance to the KLIQ Tinytune, which we love!
Providing the same tuning range, calibration settings, and tuning precision. Hence, there’s not much we would improve.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This processor has an average review rating of 4.2* from 125 customer reviews, therefore this is definitely a good choice for those who may want a more budget-priced tuner.
It’s almost identical to the KLIQ Tinytune, and therefore whichever you decide to purchase out of these two, it’s certainly a good choice.
Donner Deluxe Chromatic Guitar Tuner Pedal
Features
- Chromatic Guitar Tuner Pedal
- Engineered by Donner
- Very rugged metal chassis
- Attractive white casing and sleek display
- Clear LED Display
- Quick and easy to use (plug and play)
- Mutes input signal when engaged
- Supports an extremely wide frequency tuning range (12hz-4186hz)
- True Bypass – I’d recommend true bypass if you’re performing on stage.
- Requires standard 9v battery power supply to operate
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range: 12hz – 4186hz
- Pitch Accuracy: +-0.1 cent
- Calibration Range: 440 Hz (Standard Tuning)
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- 9v Power Supply is needed for pedal operation (Not Included), Here’s a link to a suitable 9v Power Supply recommendation –Buy on Amazon
- Weight: 0.55lbs
- Dimensions : 5.0″ x 4.7″ x 2.6″ inches
SUMMARY
The Donner Deluxe guitar tuner pedal is a FANTASTIC choice if you’re after a high-quality tuner that provides an extremely large tuning range.
It accommodates for slightly lower frequencies (below 24.5hz) than the previous tuners, and although this sounds good, your guitar strings will not be oscillating at this frequency.
However, this additional sub-bass range may be useful if you’re looking for a bass tuner pedal as it will accommodate for these frequencies a little better.
The Donner Deluxe processer really shines in its ability to tune so accurately, with its tuning precision being within an astonishing +-0.1 cent.
With that being said, you can rest assured that this pedal will keep your electric guitar/electro-acoustic guitar in tune, and with true bypass you don’t have to worry about any interference as you’re doing it!
Additionally, to these functions, this pedal is incredibly pleasing to the eye, offering a sleek aesthetic casing and visually attractive LED display.
This LED display is also highly visible, especially in darker environments making it perfect for on-stage use and in-studio use.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
Similarly to the other low-cost, small tuner pedals, this unit does not come with a physical battery and hence requires a 9v power supply to operate.
It too does not include the 9v power supply, so this must be purchased separately, which I’ve linked to above.
Considering the price of this processor is less than $30, it’s understandable why they do not include this.
This pedal does not provide tuning calibration, which is a slight disappointment as other pedals such as the KLIQ Tinytune and Tomsline AT-07 support this.
Other than this, it’s simply a great guitar tuner.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This pedal has scored a 4.2* average from over 70+ amazon customer reviews.
Therefore it’s clear that this pedal is definitely a solid choice.
If you’re looking for superior tuning frequency precision & accuracy, alongside a very wide tuning frequency range, this tuner is the ideal choice.
XGuitarx X9 Chromatic Guitar Tuner Pedal
Features
- Chromatic Guitar Tuner Pedal
- Engineered by xGuitarx
- Rugged metal chassis
- Clear LCD Display
- Quick and easy to use (plug and play)
- Mutes input signal when engaged
- Supports a wide frequency tuning range (27.5hz-4186hz)
- Requires standard 9v battery power supply to operate
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range: A0(27.5hz) – C8(4186hz)
- Pitch Accuracy: +-0.5 cent
- Calibration Range: 430hz – 450hz
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- 9v Power Supply is needed for pedal operation (Not Included), Here’s a link to a suitable 9v Power Supply recommendation – Buy on Amazon
- Weight: 0.5lbs
- Dimensions : 3.7″ x 1.2″ x 1.5″ inches
SUMMARY
The xGuitarx X9 is another very affordable guitar tuner pedal, priced at less than $30.
It has many similar features to the previous two pedals, matching the KLIQ Tinytune pedal almost exactly in the functions it provides.
It provides very accurate pitching precision, with its accuracy being between +-0.5 cents, offers pitch calibration from 430-450hz which means that it can support up to 4 semitones down tuning.
And finally, this pedal has a tuning range from 27.5hz – 4186hz which is also great!
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
Similarly to the other low-cost, small tuner pedals, this unit does not come with a physical battery and hence requires a 9v power supply to operate.
It too does not include the 9v power supply, so this must be purchased separately, which I’ve linked to above.
Considering the price of this processor being less than $30, it’s understandable why they do not include this.
Finally, when comparing this unit to the similarly priced KLIQ Tinytune pedal, the xGuitarx X9 does not offer the same display interface options, such as the tuning calibration frequency in Hz.
This information is especially useful as it tells the guitarist/bassist what tuning calibration the pedal is currently set to.
For us, the red LED is a little bland and uninteresting unlike the multicolored interface on the KLIQ Tinytune… We’re just being honest here.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This pedal has scored a 4.5* average from over 250+ Amazon customer reviews.
Therefore it’s clear that this pedal is definitely a solid choice.
We would recommend this to someone looking for a generally inexpensive guitar tuner that is efficient and effective.
However, we personally prefer the KLIQ Tinytune tuner pedal, as the interface is a little nicer.
Unfortunately, there are no video demonstrations of this tuner pedal in action.
But feel free to check out the customer reviews on Amazon.
KLIQ TinyTune Guitar Tuner Pedal
Features
- Chromatic Guitar Tuner Pedal
- Engineered by KLIQ Audio
- Sleek aesthetic design & lightweight
- Rugged metal chassis construction
- Bright, Large LCD screen for great visibility
- Quick and easy to use (plug and play)
- Mutes input signal when engaged
- Supports drop/flat tunings up to 4 semitones below standard pitch
- Heavy-duty on/off footswitch to ensure the purposeful operation
- Comes with a 3M hook & loop fastener for immediate attachment to the guitar pedalboard.
- Requires standard 9v battery power supply to operate
- Link to Owners Manual
Technical Specifications
- Tuning Range: A0 (27.5hz) through to C8 (4186hz).
- Pitch Accuracy: +-0.5 cent
- Calibration Range: 430-450 Hz (in 1 Hz steps)
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- 9v Power Supply is needed for pedal operation (Not Included), Here’s a link to a suitable 9v Power Supply recommendation – Buy on Amazon
- Weight: 0.27lbs
- Dimensions : 3.7″ x 1.2″ x 1.5″ inches
SUMMARY
The KLIQ tuner is a fantastic guitar tuner pedal when taking all of its features and cost into account.
It has a high-quality, durable metal construction and manages to maintain it’s solid feel despite its small size and incredibly lightweight.
The pedal has a large, bright LCD screen interface, making it perfect for use within dark environments such as on-stage or within a recording studio setting.
The pedal is highly accurate in it’s tuning ability, given that it will only deviate by +-0.5 cents and is able to accommodate for you guitarists that are fans of drop tunings, with the processor being capable of tunings up to 4 semitones below standard pitch.
This unit really stands out in its wide frequency tuning range, with it being able to tune from 27.5hz through to 4186hz.
Also, it provides users with the capability to change the tuning calibration settings, with the pedal supporting tunings up to 4 semitones flat, making it perfect for guitarists looking for a tuner that supports drop tunings.
This processor has a heavy-duty footswitch to ensure that it is only engaged when purposely pressed by the user, and when this is engaged, it will provide full sound muting.
Oh and we almost forgot to mention, this pedal comes with a 3M hook and loop cable so that you can place it securely on your pedalboard, so you can get playing almost immediately.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
Ok, so this pedal is awesome but here’s what we didn’t like so much.
Since this pedal is so small, there is simply no physical room for a battery, hence why it requires a 9v power supply.
However, we can see why KLIQ has done this as guitarists simply don’t want a tuner pedal to take up a lot of their pedal-board space…
Therefore we think that KLIQ made the right compromisation here.
However, we do wish that the 9v power supply was included, but given the ultra-low price of the pedal, we can understand why it isn’t included.
The last minor issue we have is that it does not retain any non-440hz tuning frequency once the pedal is shut down (power is cut off).
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This guitar tuner is ideal for any guitarist looking for a low-cost tuner, which simply offers everything you need minus the 9v power supply.
It has good construction, is lightweight and provides accurate and visible tuning.
What more could you want?
There’s no surprise that this pedal has a 4.5* average review from over 500 Amazon customer reviews.
Snark SN-10S Pedal Tuner
Features
- Chromatic guitar tuner pedal manufactured by Tomsline Engineering
- Mid-Priced at $34.99
- Large-sized bright display, ideal for live shows
- Provides pitch calibration & displays this on-screen
- True Bypass – I’d recommend true bypass for stage performances.
- Muted Output signal when the tuner is engaged
- Decent die-cast aluminum chassis
- Powered by a 9v battery (included) and/or 9v power adapter (not included)
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range: N/A
- Accuracy: N/A
- Calibration Range: 415-466 Hz
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- Works with a 9v battery (included), also works with a 9V Power Supply (not included), therefore you can get one here – Buy on Amazon
- Weight: 0.3 lbs
- Dimensions : 3.6″ x 1.5″ x 1.2″ inches
SUMMARY
The Snark SN-10S is a slightly more mid-priced guitar tuning pedal, being $34.99.
With that being said, there are some benefits of this additional expensive compared to some of the more budget-priced options.
Firstly, the Snark SN-10S pedal can be optionally powered by its 9v battery which is included, or a 9v power supply (not included).
We highly recommend purchasing a reliable power supply, as this will be required to recharge the internal battery and ensure that your tuner pedal doesn’t run out of power whilst on-stage.
Another nice feature of the SN-10S is the fact that it provides both ‘pitch-up’ and ‘pitch-down’ pitch calibration, which is unique to the previous pedals that we have included.
Also, it displays the pitch calibration setting on-screen so that you’re aware of the current setting…
Another great feature!
A wonderful feature about the Snark SN-10S, and potentially the ultimate selling point is its ability to provide pitch calibration from 415-466 Hz, this is the largest range of calibration that we’ve seen in all of the pedals featured in this list.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
For the price, there’s simply not much that we would improve…
This pedal has it all, a fantastic display, rugged build quality and a whoppingly large pitch-calibration range (for all you guitarists/bassists who love drop tuning).
Although not technically an improvement on the pedal, we wish that Snark was more specific on the technical specifications of this unit, as we’ve not been able to find out the tuning range or pitch accuracy, but we’re certain (from the product’s amazing customer reviews, and the video demonstration below) that the specs are positive.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This processor has an average review rating of 4.3* from 145 customer reviews, and therefore it’s certainly a crowd-pleaser.
We would definitely recommend this pedal for those guitarists looking for a low/mid-range affordable guitar tuner pedal.
This unit really excels in its ability to provide a wide range of pitch calibration for guitarists who require this.
D’Addario Chromatic Pedal Tuner For Guitar
Features
- Chromatic tuner pedal by D’Addario
- 32-bit processor for tuning responsiveness
- Slim & Lightweight
- Rugged Aluminum chassis
- Provides tuning calibration
- High visibility display
- Includes a 9v battery, but does not include a 9v power adapter, we recommend purchasing this one – Buy on Amazon
- True Bypass – True bypass is pretty much a must have!
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range: Not Specified
- Pitch Accuracy: +-0.5 cent
- Calibration Range: Provides pitch calibration
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- Weight: 0.75 lbs
- Dimensions : 2.8″ x 2.3″ x 5.8″ inches
SUMMARY
The D’Addario tuning pedal is priced more towards the mid/ high-end market, is nearly $70. D’Addario is a well-known brand within the guitar equipment industry and hence we can understand why they’re pricing their tuner within this range, considering their wealth of experience.
As for the tuner itself, how does it compare against the other competitors on the market?
Well, it provides a 32-bit processor that ensures speedy tuning, which is especially helpful if you’re on-stage and require fast tuning. Along with this, with true bypass it will provide less interference than those without true bypass.
The pedal tuners display is also very nice, providing clear visibility and making it easy to use in dark environments.
However, as for the other technical specifications, the D’Addario doesn’t provide anything special.
With some budget-priced pedal’s actually showing more impressive pitch precision accuracy.
Overall, we think there are better choices that you can find in this list.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
We would like to see D’Addario publish all of the technical specifications of this tuner before we make a concise list of potential improvements. If you’re looking for the best guitar pedal tuners I’d go with a more well reviewed product.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This pedal has scored a 3.9* average from over 26+ amazon customer reviews.
Therefore it still falls into the category of a good tuner pedal!
Although there are better tuner pedals in this list.
Korg Pitchblack Guitar Tuner Pedal
Features
- Guitar chromatic tuner pedal for guitar
- This pedal has a wide enough frequency response to also be appropriate for bass.
- Aluminum die-cast metal casing with a blacked-out finish
- Accurate pitch tuning within +-1 cent
- Has 11-segment LED meter for accurate tuning instructions
- High visibility with red and green LEDs, especially against the pedal’s black finish.
- Large tuning frequency range: E0 (20.60hZ) – C8 (4186hz)
- Able to calibrate for different tuning setups
- When in operation, the tuner automatically mutes the signal output, making sure the audience doesn’t hear
- This guitar tuner can be run on 2 internal AA batteries, but you can also use a 9v DC power supply. As far as we can tell, Korg does not include this, and therefore you can get one here – Buy on Amazon
- True Bypass – Big plus for true bypass
- Owners Manual
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range: C0(20.60hz) – C8(4186hz)
- Accuracy: +-1 cent
- Calibration Range: 436hz – 445 Hz
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- Weight: 0.61 lbs
- Dimensions : 7.3″ x 3.3″ x 2.5″ inches
SUMMARY
Korg is another company that has been around in the realm of guitar effects for quite some time now.
With that being said, the Korg Pitchblack pedal tuner certainly demonstrates the brand’s wealth of experience, with this tuning pedal being a solid contender within or list of the best guitar tuner pedals.
First impressions of the pedal really show that Korg has taken time into designing this, mainly from a structural standpoint, as it feels particularly solid, and will likely last a long time, even if it takes a few knocks.
Something quite subtle but makes a huge difference to a pedal is the feel of it, and the stompbox feels strong and rigid, so you don’t need to worry about engaging this pedal by accident whilst on-stage.
The unit has a range of display options, including mirror, strobe modes which can be personalized for your preference in the speed of which they oscillate.
The Pitchblack is similar to other tuners in the way that it provides accurate tuning precision, as they note it to be within +-1 cent.
However, there are cheaper pedals (KLIQ Tinytune & xGuitarx X9) that provide even more accurate tuning precision.
A great feature of the Korg Pitchblack tuner pedal is the fact that it can be run on 2 AA batteries (Win, Win!), and therefore it can be used for up to 5 hours (from a full charge) but remember to bring some back-ups just in case…
This makes it ideal for situations where you may not have access to plug sockets…
Yes believe it or not some venues struggle to provide plug sockets for you guitarists and bassists.
With this being said, you will still need to purchase a 9v power supply, as we are not aware that this is included.
We have linked to a great one above (in the technical specs).
The pedal’s overall frequency range is generally quite good, but yet again there are other pedals that have a larger frequency range, some of which are also less expensive (KLIQ TinyTune… Yes we’re a large fan of this one, mainly due to the price and it’s featured).
However, this pedal is built by Korg, and hence you know that the circuitry in this unit is going to be high quality.
Another great feature of this pedal is the display.
The red and green LED’s really stand out against the matte black material finish, meaning that you’ll definitely be able to see this on-stage.
Also, the fact it has 11 different segments of LEDs means that you’re able to tune more accurately.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
Ok, so there’s a recurring theme here, we seem to be comparing these units an awful lot against the cheaper guitar tuning pedals that we’ve featured within this list.
And the reason for this is simply that the low-cost tuning pedals go above and beyond in providing higher accuracy precision, more attractive design and, for some, more importantly, a much more affordable cost.
Yes, I’m comparing it to the KLIQ Tinytune again, and rightfully so, because we’re here, to be honest, and recommend the pedal that simply provides all the goods.
Although this unit provides the ability to calibrate for different tunings, the range is more limited than other units we’ve featured (436hz – 445hz).
Also, I would like to see the Korg Pitchblack unit includes the tuning calibration settings on screen, permanently.
This information is especially useful as it tells the guitarist/bassist what tuning calibration the pedal is currently set to, especially during a live performance.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This pedal has scored a 4.5* average from over 350+ Amazon customer reviews.
Therefore please make no mistake that it is a great option if you’re swayed by some of the pedal’s features.
Unfortunately, however, we think that this pedal is caught between better competitors and well explains why.
If you’re looking for a premium-priced (around $100) guitar tuner from a trustworthy brand, the Boss TU-3 is a better option in our opinion as it comes with a 5-years manufacturer’s warranty and they’ve been around for years.
And if you’re looking for the ability to do simultaneous tuning, the Polytune 3 is a better option still.
And on the other hand, if you’re after cheap and cheerful, but also demonstrating high quality and a lot of customer satisfaction, the KLIQ Tinytune is your pedal.
TC Electronic Polytune 2 Mini Guitar Tuning Pedal
Features
- Mini chromatic tuner pedal for guitar and bass
- A very reputable brand, known for its excellence in manufacturing tuner pedals
- Includes Polytune Technology – Ability to tune all strings simultaneously
- High visibility retina display
- Also, have a ‘value bundle’ which includes a 3-pack of studio cable and a 9v power supply
- Strobe tuning
- Sleek-looking metal casing
- Accurate pitch tuning within +-0.1 cent
- Stores user preferences with relation to tuning modes
- Supports drop tunings and capo tuning modes
- High visibility with red and green LEDs, especially against the pedal’s black finish.
- Rather tuning frequency range: A0 (27.5hz) – C8 (4186hz)
- When in operation, the tuner automatically mutes the signal output, making sure the audience doesn’t hear
- The ‘value bundle’ includes a power supply, but if you want to purchase this separately, here it is – Buy on Amazon
- True Bypass – Huge plus with true bypass
- Owners Manual
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range of A0(27.50hz) – C8(4186hz)
- Accuracy of +-0.1 cent
- Calibration Range: 440 Hz (Standard Tuning)
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- Weight: 0.35 lbs
- Dimensions : 2.0″ x 3.66″ x 1.77″ inches
SUMMARY
TC Electronic Polytune is a well-known brand in the guitar/bass tuner industry.
Although they’re not a particularly old company, they’ve certainly made an impression on the market, and have developed themselves and taken their own piece of the tuner market.
Before talking about the exact specifications of the TC Electronic Polytune 2 Mini tuner pedal, it’s important to understand that TC Electronic Polytune entered the market with an innovative idea, to tune a guitar’s strings simultaneously, instead of sequentially.
They have actually patented this unique technology, and it has become instrumental (pardon the pun) in allowing musicians to tune their guitar and bass guitars quickly on-stage, with near-to-perfect pitch accuracy and precision.
The TC Electronic Polytune 2 Mini features this technology, making it a very popular tuner pedal that just so happens to be very portable in size.
Alongside this, the TC Electronic Polytune mini features an ultra-bright retina display, so you don’t need to worry about visibility when it comes to this tuner pedal.
We think that the TC Electronic Polytune mini looks particularly sleek, and this may be important for some guitarists/bassists, as you’ll be looking at this pedal every time you get up on stage, and before and after every recording take in the studio…
Therefore, it ticks the box when it comes to aesthetic design. A hugely important factor is the tuning capability and accuracy of the pedal.
And the TC Electronic Polytune 2 Mini certainly does not disappoint, with its +-0.1 cent tuning precision, it’s safe to say that you’ll be in perfect tune by the end of using this pedal…
Or too close to tell the difference. Another incredibly useful feature of this pedal is the fact that it provides the ability to save user-specified tuning modes.
Overall, we’re particularly impressed with this guitar tuner and think it’s a great option if you’re looking for a premium quality, compact, well-built tuner with plenty of features.
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
This is a difficult question because this pedal has so many features and fantastic aspects, it’s clear to see that TC Electronic Polytune has tried their absolute best with this pedal and therefore it’s very hard to fault it!
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This pedal has scored a 4.4* average from over 330+ Amazon customer reviews.
This confirms that customers are happy with the pedal and the features that Polytune have provided, making it a great option for someone who wants a small tuner pedal which can provide simultaneous string tuning, this is the one for you!
However, for those who like Polytune but want a larger-sized version, take a look further down the list at the Polytune 3 tuner pedal.
Boss TU3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal
Features
- Guitar chromatic tuner pedal for guitar
- Incredibly strong metal casing, with durable foot pedal
- Accurate pitch tuning with less than 1% deviation
- Supports electric guitar (even 7-string guitar) & bass guitar, including the 6-string bass
- 21-segment high visibility LED display for dark environments
- Supports flat/drop tunings up to 6 semitones below standard tuning
- Large tuning frequency range: C0 (16.35hZ) – C8 (4186hz)
- When in operation, the tuner automatically mutes the signal output, making sure the audience doesn’t hear
- Includes 9v power supply + can run off 9v battery alone (perfect for those without a plug socket)
- Buffered Bypass
- Includes 5-year Manufacturers Warranty
- Owners Manual
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range: C0(16.35hz) – C8(4186hz)
- Pitch Accuracy: +-1 cent
- Calibration Range: Supports up to 6-semitones below standard tuning
- 1/4″ jack input
- 2 x 1/4″ jack output (normal & bypassed)
- Weight: 1.0lbs
- Dimensions : 4.0″ x 3.0″ x 6.0″ inches
Summary
Boss has been known as the industry leader in effects pedal manufacturing for over 40 years now.
Hence it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing and they have a wealth of manufacturing experience to prove it.
One of the best aspects of Boss as a brand is their Kaizen approach they take to product innovation.
They’re constantly updating and upgrading their product lines with new versions, including new features and getting rid of old features and potential defects.
The Boss TU product range is no different, and with this pedal being the TU-3 they have released two previous versions.
Let’s talk about the pedal itself, well it’s definitely priced steeper than other pedals that we’ve featured in this list.
However, unlike other pedals, the TU-3 includes a nice 5 years manufacturer warranty as with all products that Boss provides.
Alongside this, like typical boss pedals, it’s built to last for years and years, making it ideal for the gigging/touring musician.
Additionally, the major selling point of this over other pedals that we have mentioned is the fact that it can be run from 9v battery power alone.
This means that if you don’t have access to a plug, it isn’t game over!
The pedal’s overall frequency range is rather extensive, being from C0 (16.35hz) – C8 (4186hz), which considering the price should be expected.
The fantastic selling point of this pedal is the fact that it can provide drop tunings of up to 6 semi-tones, and also provides 2 outputs, one which mutes the output signal when engaged, the other which does not.
The pedal also has a bright LED display mode for visibility during uses in dark environments and has a few different tuning display modes including Strobe (take a look at the video demonstration to see how this works).
WHAT WOULD WE IMPROVE?
Finally, when comparing this unit to the similarly priced KLIQ Tinytune pedal, the Boss TU-3 does not offer the same display interface options, such as the tuning calibration frequency in Hz.
This information is especially useful as it tells the guitarist/bassist what tuning calibration the pedal is currently set to.
Also, we think that the display screen could be slightly larger and for those who potentially have worse eyesight and maybe tall, it might be a little more challenging to see in comparison to other units we’ve featured…
However, make no mistake it’s still very visible, it’s just we would prefer it to be a little larger.
Other then this, it’s simply a very good guitar tuner.
WHO WOULD WE RECOMMEND THIS UNIT FOR
This pedal has scored a 4.5* average from over 170+ Amazon customer reviews.
Therefore it’s clear that this pedal is definitely a solid choice.
If you’re looking for a premium-priced tuner that has a 5-year manufacturer warranty, can take a few knocks and is suitable for both touring and a studio environment, this is your ideal choice.
TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Polyphonic LED Guitar Tuner Pedal
Features
- Chromatic pedal tuner by Polytune Technology
- A brand that specializes in building pedal tuners
- Includes Polytune Technology – Ability to tune all strings simultaneously (Polyphonic Tuning)
- Analog circuitry
- Compact in size
- High visibility retina display (Bright LEDs)
- USB Port for system updates
- Provides multiple tuning modes
- Sleek-looking metal casing
- Accurate pitch tuning within +-0.1 cent
- Stores user preferences with relation to tuning modes, even when powered down
- Supports drop tunings and capo tuning modes
- High visibility with red and green LEDs, especially against the pedal’s black finish.
- Rather tuning frequency range: A0 (27.5hz) – C8 (4186hz)
- When in operation, the tuner automatically mutes the signal output, making sure the audience doesn’t hear
- Includes a 9v battery, but does not include a 9v power adapter, we recommend purchasing this one – Buy on Amazon
- True Bypass – True bypass is a must have if you’re on stage.
- Owners Manual
Technical Specifications
- Tuning range of A0(27.50hz) – C8(4186hz)
- Accuracy of +-0.1 cent
- Calibration Range: 440 Hz (Standard Tuning)
- 1/4″ jack input
- 1/4″ jack output
- Weight: 0.6 lbs
- Dimensions : 5.0″ x 3.4″ x 2.1″ inches
Summary
Polytune is a well-known brand in the guitar/bass tuner industry with the Polytune 2 and Polytune 3.
Although they’re not a particularly old company, they’ve certainly made an impression on the market, and have developed themselves and taken their own piece of the tuner market.
Before talking about the exact specifications of the Polytune 3 tuner pedal, it’s important to understand that Polytune entered the market with an innovative idea, to tune a guitar’s strings simultaneously, instead of sequentially.
They have actually patented this unique technology, and it has become instrumental (pardon the pun) in allowing musicians to tune their guitar and bass guitars quickly on-stage, with near-to-perfect pitch accuracy and precision.
The TC Electronic Polytune 3 features this technology, making it a very popular pedal tuner that just so happens to be very portable in size.
Alongside this, the TC Electronic Polytune 3 features an ultra-bright retina display, so you don’t need to worry about visibility when it comes to this tuner pedal. It also features true bypass which ensures limited interference and keeps everything in check.
We think that the TC Electronic Polytune 3 looks particularly sleek, and this may be important for some guitarists/bassists, as you’ll be looking at this pedal every time you get up on stage, and before and after every recording take in the studio…
Therefore, it ticks the box when it comes to aesthetic design. A hugely important factor is the tuning capability and accuracy of the pedal.
And the Polytune 3 Mini certainly does not disappoint, with its +-0.1 cent tuning precision, it’s safe to say that you’ll be in perfect tune by the end of using this pedal…
Or too close to tell the difference.
Another incredibly useful feature of this pedal is the fact that it provides the ability to save user-specified tuning modes, so even when the unit is powered down, it still retains the information that you previously programmed.
Overall, we’re particularly impressed with this tuner and think it’s a great option if you’re looking for a premium quality, compact, well-built tuner with true bypass and plenty of other features.
What would we improve?
This is a difficult question because this pedal has so many features and fantastic aspects, it’s clear to see that Polytune has tried their absolute best with this pedal and therefore it’s very hard to fault it!
Who would we recommend this unit for
This pedal has scored a 4.6* average from over 32+ amazon customer reviews.
This confirms that customers are happy with the pedal and the features that Polytune have provided, making it a great option for someone who wants a reliable pedal tuner which can provide simultaneous string tuning, this is the one for you! If you’re looking for the best tuner pedal on our list, then this should probably be your choice!
In Conclusion, which guitar tuner pedals do we recommend?
As with all of our conclusive recommendations, we like to accommodate every reader of our articles and hence we make recommendations based on different factors that we think are most important, such as features, price, size, etc.
Therefore we hope that you find our recommendations useful and find the best tuner pedal for you.
Price
Budget – The ideal guitar pedal tuners for someone on a budget, but not wanting to miss out on fantastic features, high-quality circuitry, and sleek design. A clip-on tuner is about the same price as some of these products but they lack the functionality, so there’s not much of an upside to them. There’s no surprise that this pedal has a 4.5* average review from over 500 Amazon customer reviews, so you can rest assured that you’ll be impressed when you buy this.
- Check out the KLIQ TinyTune Guitar Tuner Pedals – $ – Budget Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best budget guitar tuner pedal]
Additionally, there is a pedal by Tomsline which is almost identical to the KLIQ Tinytune (other than the branding), this pedal is also a fantastic option Tomsline AT-07.
Low/Mid-Range – The ideal guitar pedal tuner for a musician looking for a mid-range priced option. Check out the
- Snark SN-10S Pedal Tuner – $$ – Moderately Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best mid-budget tuner with internal battery]
Premium Quality, Premium Price – The ideal guitar tuning pedals for a musician looking for premium-standard quality, for a premium price. We know that some of you just want to hear a trusted brand you’re familiar with such as Boss, and with their 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, you really cannot go wrong! The pedal is awesome and the amazon reviews (4.5* average from over 170+ amazon customer reviews) really vouch for this. Check out the
- Boss TU3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal – $$$$ – Premium Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best Premium-Priced with 5 Year Warranty]
Premium Quality, Premium Price, Simultaneous Tuning Technology – Another fantastic pedal for those looking for premium, high-quality circuitry and extensive features such as their patented ‘Polytune Technology’, offering simultaneous string tuning is the
- TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Polyphonic LED Guitar Tuner Pedal – $$$$ – Premium Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best premium tuner with polyphonic tuning]
Features
Battery Powered – For those looking for pedals that are battery powered, hence you don’t need to use a plug socket to use them. Check out both the
- Boss TU3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal – $$$$ – Premium Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best Premium-Priced with 5 Year Warranty]
- Korg Pitchblack Guitar Tuner Pedal – $$$ – Mid-Range Priced – Buy on Amazon
Simultaneous Tuning Technology – For that guitarist who wants to tune their guitars quickly, you can use TC Electronic Polytune’s simultaneous tuning technology. Depending on your size requirement with the Polytune 2 Mini being smaller, Check out the
- TC Electronic Polytune 2 Mini Guitar Tuning Pedal – $$$$ – Premium Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best mini tuner with polyphonic tuning]
- TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Polyphonic LED Guitar Tuner Pedal – $$$$ – Premium Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best premium tuner with polyphonic tuning]
Stores tuning modes (even when powered-down) – For those guitarists who want to be able to program their pedal tuners and forget about it. Check out the
- TC Electronic Polytune 2 Mini Guitar Tuning Pedal – $$$$ – Premium Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best mini tuner with polyphonic tuning]
- TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Polyphonic LED Guitar Tuner Pedal – $$$$ – Premium Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best premium tuner with polyphonic tuning]
Size – For the guitarist who doesn’t have a lot of room for guitar tuner pedals, as his/her rig is reserved for the likes of distortion, delay, and other pedals. The TC Electronic Polytune 2 Mini is your perfect match. It’s small in size, offers simultaneous string tuning and has an incredibly visible retina screen. Check out the
- TC Electronic Polytune 2 Mini Guitar Tuning Pedal – $$$$ – Premium Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best mini tuner with polyphonic tuning]
Visibility– For the guitarist who wants the best guitar pedal tuners that provides a high visibility display, Check out the Polytune 3 – $98.98. It comes with a high visibility retina display, meaning that you’ll see the screen no matter the angle you’re looking from.
- TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Polyphonic LED Guitar Tuner Pedal – $$$$ – Premium Priced – Buy on Amazon [Best premium tuner with polyphonic tuning]
