Best acoustic guitar strings 2024: Find your favourite | MusicRadar

Our pick of the best acoustic guitar strings for your style and budget from Elixir, Ernie Ball, Martin, D'Addario, and more

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If you've found yourself searching for the best acoustic guitar strings there might be a few reasons you've landed here. Perhaps you're bored of your regular strings and fancy a change, or maybe you're new to the acoustic guitar and looking for a bit of advice on what's right for you. I've been playing guitar for over 20 years now, and have all types of acoustics in my collection from travel guitars to classical guitars, so let me guide you on what you should choose for your acoustic.

Strings are an incredibly personal thing, and when I'm choosing a set the most important factor is the gauge. While strings from different manufacturers might feel slightly different, a string is a string at the end of the day. Changing your brand of strings may impart some slight differences, but changing gauge will make a world of difference in the playability and sound of your instrument. I go into this in much more depth in the FAQs section of this article, so definitely give that a look if you want to understand more about your string gauge.

The other major factor you'll have to account for is coated versus uncoated strings. Again, there's a noticeable difference in feel and sound between these two types of strings. To my ear, a coated string sounds ever so slightly duller than a non-coated one, but I wouldn't have anything else on my gigging acoustic as they last so long. For my at-home sofa guitar or recording however, it's got to be a non-coated string for me as that's where sound is of the utmost importance.

Making this decision for yourself might feel difficult, and that's why most players tend to stick with what they know. That said, I can honestly recommend trying out new strings regularly, and different gauges on all of your guitars as it can totally change the sound and playability, which can be seriously inspiring if you feel like you're stuck in a rut. Below I've picked out six of the best acoustic guitar strings available right now for you, each best suited to a different task. Let's get to it.

Best overall

Material: 80/20 bronzeCoating: Nanoweb

+ Great sound+ Long-lasting- Not cheap

All of my gigging acoustic guitars have a set of Elixirs on them. If you want something that will last, then there's not much better than these, and regular wiping down after you're done makes them last even longer.

Admittedly there is a 'feel' to them that might seem alien if you're coming from an uncoated string, but out of all the sets I've tried these are as close to a traditional string feel as it gets.

The sound is slightly muted compared to some of the non-coated strings here, but unless you're recording with a condenser mic it's doubtful you'll notice the difference. They can also be a great choice for an acoustic that's too bright, as the sound is a little more toned down.

Best beginner

Material: Phosphor BronzeCoating: N/A

+ Value for money+ Loads of gauges- Not long-lasting

I've been using EJ16s for years now, in fact, they were the first set of acoustic strings I bought for myself back when Blink 182 and Sum 41 were tearing up the charts.

I still use them now thanks to their excellent combo of value for money and the huge range of gauges. It makes them great for trying out different sets on different acoustics to get the best playability from your instrument.

Sound-wise they're fantastic too, giving a nice open voice to any acoustic they're fitted to. The only real downside with these is that they won't last that long as they're uncoated, but at this price, it's not a huge deal if you don't mind changing strings regularly.

Best budget

Material: 80/20 BronzeCoating: N/A

+ Super cheap+ Balanced sound- Finger squeak

I pretty much exclusively use Ernie Ball electric guitar strings, and their Slinky range is probably one of the best-known string brands out there but for some reason, they seldom get love for their acoustic strings.

The Ernie Ball Earthwood range is a great dirt-cheap option that is more than capable if you're on a budget. I don't use them all that much to be totally honest, but I'd definitely recommend them for a beginner looking for their first string set.

Overall the sound of these strings is fantastic, although I find them a little squeaky with finger noise compared to some others here. If you want to try out a bunch of different gauges without spending loads, these are the perfect choice.

Best fingerpicking

Material: Nickel CopperCoating: N/A

+ Warm tone+ Good value- Not the brightest

While there's no specific set of strings that are required for fingerpicking, I prefer a set that's a little less clanky and trebly for my fingerstyle acoustics.

The Martin Retro set ticks that box perfectly, providing a much warmer tone out of the packet than a regular set. This is down to the nickel/copper wrap that differs from others on this list, providing a more toned-down sound.

I found them surprisingly long-lasting for a non-coated string and while I appreciate not everyone will love that warmer sound, I think they're a great choice for the fingerpickers out there.

Best 12-string

Material: Phosphor BronzeCoating: Nanoweb+ Beds in quick+ Long lasting- Expensive

Not many players enjoy restringing their guitars, but doing it with a 12-string is an absolute pain. I only have one 12-string in my collection at the moment, but you can bet I dread every time it needs a restring.

My main reason for loving Elixir's on my 12-string is that the coated strings lengthen the amount of time between string changes. They're not cheap, but I'll happily pay the price to win back some valuable time.

I really love the sound on a 12-string too. Too many overtones can be really noticeable on a 12-string guitar, but with the Elixir's they're slightly more muted due to the coating, and they settle in a lot quicker than a regular, uncoated set.

Best nylon

Material: Nylon, Silver-Plated CopperCoating: N/A

+ Warm sound+ Balanced tension- Some prefer high tension

If you’re restringing a classical instrument, I think the D’Addario EJ45 Pro-Arte nylon guitar strings are some of the best in the game. Two of my classical guitars are currently strung with a set of these, and they do an excellent job.

D’Addario uses a multi-filament nylon core, which in plain English means a consistent response and warm tone. The treble strings are clear but not overbearing, making it easier to get a balanced sound when you're fingerpicking.

I prefer the normal tension set, which gives me a nice balance between playability and projection. You might prefer the volume of a higher tension set, particularly if playing purely acoustically, and D’Addario does offer a set if you want more volume from your classical guitar.

The gauge of a string refers to its thickness or diameter - the bigger the gauge, the thicker the string. This has an impact on the playability and tone of your guitar, as well as how you play it.

Guitar strings are measured in 1/000th of an inch, and packaged in sets that are typically referred to by their thinnest string, the high E. So a “set of 12s” will have a high E string that has a 12 gauge, measuring 0.012 inches across its diameter.

Thicker strings will generally sound fuller. They tend to be louder than thinner strings and will have a rounded, bassy low end. They’re more durable than thinner strings, which is a major pro - but there are drawbacks.

If you’re still building up strength in your fretting hand, then thick gauges can make for a pretty challenging playing experience - especially if you like to bend strings and play fast runs. If you’re a heavy-handed strummer or like to tune down though, thicker string gauges are your friend.

Lighter gauge strings are a bit easier to fret and bend, and they sound a lot brighter. The trade-off is that you lose some of that deep bottom end. For some players, it’s worth it. But not all.

Take a look at your guitar. If you’ve got a smaller-bodied acoustic guitar, then lighter gauge strings might complement the sound better. Likewise, if you’re the proud owner of a dreadnought or jumbo-sized acoustic, then thick strings might do the job. There’s no hard and fast rule though. Some people use heavier strings on smaller-bodied guitars to add more depth and vice versa. Experiment with it!

If you’re a beginner acoustic guitar player, it’s important to make sure that you’re using the most appropriate strings for you. You’ll want to find strings that toe the line between playability and tone, so it’s important to understand string gauges and the difference they make to your sound and playing experience.

These are some of the most common generic acoustic guitar string gauges. There will likely be some variation between brands, and some brands produce hybrid sets, but follow this as a general guide and you’ll never be far off the money.

Extra light: .010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047

Custom light: .011 .015 .023 .032 .042 .052

Light: .012 .016 .025 .032 .042 .054

Medium: .013 .017 .026 .035 .045 .056

Heavy: .014 .018 .027 .039 .049 .059

If you’re playing in standard tuning, we’d recommend you use Extra Light or Custom Light strings. These may be referred to as ‘a set of 10s’ or ‘a set of 11s’ - and will offer a bright, punchy tone with a fairly low amount of string tension - meaning they’re easier to play. As you become more comfortable on your acoustic guitar, we’d suggest you try out some heavier strings - but there’s no need to go super heavy unless your style of playing calls for it.

It’s worth noting that if you play an electric guitar too, the names of each gauge will be pretty different. We’d avoid comparing acoustic and electric guitar gauges, as acoustic guitars generally need heavier strings to sound their best.

Knowing when to restring your acoustic guitar largely depends on how much you play your acoustic guitar, but as a rule, we recommend you restring your acoustic guitar every couple of months at the very least. This will keep your instrument feeling and sounding it's very best. If you use coated strings, you might get some extra life out of them - but once your strings start to sound and look dull, it’s time for a change.

Acoustic guitar strings are commonly made of bronze, phosphor bronze, brass, nickel, silk, and steel.

Each material has its own timbre. Bronze sounds bright, with bell-like clarity and a wide treble-forward frequency response. As the name suggests, phosphor bronze sees phosphor added to the alloy to slow oxidation and extend string life. Phosphor bronze strings tend to sound a little darker and warmer than bronze.

Brass strings have plenty of top-end jangle, and nickel strings have a warmer tone making them an excellent vintage choice, as does monel – a nickel-based alloy that many guitarists swear by for getting the best out of their tonewood.

Long story short, yes they are. Nylon guitar strings are referred to as having high or low tension, with high-tension strings offering a heavier feel and low tension an easier-to-play feel. Even ‘high’ tension strings have less tension than a steel or bronze set - and it’s one of the main reasons why so many people start on a nylon string classical guitar.

In a set of classical strings, the top three strings are made from clear or rectified nylon, with the bottom three typically using bronze or silver-plated copper wire wrapped around a multi-filament core. You’ll only need nylon (sometimes known as ‘classical’) strings if you’ve got a classical guitar - and it’s important that you don’t get mixed up between nylon and steel strings. The difference in string tension means that if you put steel strings on a classical guitar, you run the risk of seriously damaging your instrument.

When I'm testing acoustic guitar strings, it's important that I put them through their paces over a fair amount of time to make sure they are right for your acoustic guitar.

I start by stringing up my acoustic guitar with a fresh set of strings and seeing how long they take to wear or 'bed' in. The purpose of this test is to see how long it takes for a set of strings to become fully stretched and stable in their tuning. The best sets of guitar strings will do this over the course of a few hours, requiring a little playing before they're fully settled.

Next, I'll test how the strings feel under my fingers. I'm looking for smooth strings that don't have any imperfections that will impede my playing. In the case of coated strings, I'd rather not feel the coating, but to be totally honest this hasn't happened to me yet. Coated strings pretty much always feel slightly different from uncoated ones.

Corrosion is one reason anyone should need to change their strings, so to test the usable life of the strings we'll keep the strings on our guitar for as long as possible and take note of when they start to discolor, tarnish and lose their spark.

All during the testing phase I'll be listening to how the strings sound. Through different playing styles, different songs, and different environments I'll have one ear out to see how the strings react, and also how they change over time.

I've listened to a lot of different acoustic guitars and string sets over the years, so I've got plenty of experience backing up my deductions. Ultimately the sound of something is my opinion, and I'm always aware that what sounds good to my ear might not to another musician.

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Jonathan Horsley has been writing about guitars and guitar culture since 2005, playing them since 1990, and regularly contributes to MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitar World. He uses Jazz III nylon picks, 10s during the week, 9s at the weekend, and shamefully still struggles with rhythm figure one of Van Halen’s Panama.

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