11 Must Have Guitar Accessories – Best of 2021

| Last Updated: December 26, 2021

Every guitar player has some must-have accessories that help them during their performance. Some prefer them because they are easy to use or have unique features; some purely prefer them because they improve the overall experience. Here is a quick, must-have top accessories guide, which will help you not only improve your performance, but also protect your guitar at all times!

How to Choose an Accessory You’ll Really Use

Whether you are a beginner or a professional, guitar accessories are often difficult to choose, given the wide variety of them on the market. Here is a quick guide on how to select the one you really need:

Must-Have Accessories for All Guitar Players

Some accessories are not optional at all. Strings, picks, straps, and tuners are all must-have accessories. Whether you are a professional or beginner, you should have some picks on hand just in case. Another necessary gadget is straps, unless you plan always to play sitting.

They often come in handy even when you do, so take your time checking our section with the best straps out there. Lastly, strings and tuners; it’s elementary to see why you need them. Strings are a must-have if you intend to actually play your guitar and not only look at it. And tuners, well, playing an out-of-tune guitar is not fun/pleasing at all.  

‘Maybe’ Accessories for Guitar Players

Guitar cases, gig bags, and stands are in the ‘maybe’ section. Most likely, your guitar already came with a case, so it is easy to see why it is in the ‘maybe’ section. However, if you are a gigging musician looking for much higher quality and resistance, please check out our favorite model. 

‘Try-it-Out’ Accessories

Such accessories include tools to change your strings, strap locks, and humidifiers. Although it is not difficult to change your strings, you might find it much easier to go for an ‘all-in-one’ tool like the one we reviewed below. Additionally, strap locks ensure double-protection and, if you do not use a humidifier yet, you should definitely try it out!

Comparison of the Best Guitar Accessories

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Best overall guitar accessory.
  • Frequency range perfect for guitar and bass.
  • Rotates 360 degrees, can be used on either back or front of the headstock.
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  • Perfect for electric and acoustic guitars.
  • High-quality and durable with a wood finish.
  • Includes 5 guitar picks, extremely easy to use and convenient.
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  • Best guitar accessory for the money.
  • An indispensable tool for quick changes in an ergonomic size .
  • All-in-one string changer – built-in clippers, peg winder and bridge pin puller.
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  • Best guitar tuner.
  • Ease to use and convenient for quick tuning.
  • Extremely fast and accurate with a colorful display.
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  • Best guitar gig bag.
  • 0.3 inches thick padding, soft and waterproof fabric.
  • Dual shoulder straps, three handles, and two exterior pouches.
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Review of the Best Guitar Accessories

Let’s take a look at some of the best guitar accessories of the year:

Best Overall:
Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner

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PROS

  • Very convenient to use.
  • Tuning is accurate and quick.
  • Extremely easy to use and simple design.
  • Tap tempo metronome, use the arrows to adjust.
  • High-definition colored display with 360 degree swivel head.

CONS

  • Poor quality control.
  • Might break easily; turn it with extra care.
  • Design is rather weak, as it is made from plastic parts.

What Recent Buyers Report

This product is easy to use, convenient, and accurate. It can be used on various instruments apart from guitars, but the tuner head is relatively sensitive, and it can break easily if not handled with care. It is a high-precision tuner and user-friendly due to its multicolored high-definition display.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This clip-on tuner stands out from the crowd due to its well-calibrated, fast, highly accurate tune. The HD display is multicolored and bright. It can also be adjusted up to 360 degrees due to the integrated swivel head, without the chance of slipping off the guitar due to the gripped clip that remains fixed in place.

Who Will Use This Most

This tuner is great for a wide range of instruments. Considering its convenience and ease of use, this is perfect for both beginners and professionals. For beginners, the tuning is effortless and quick. Professionals can also benefit from this product because it allows tuning a wide range of instruments, and it has high precision levels.

Bottom Line

Overall, Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner is a great tuner for your guitar. If you want to learn how to tune your instrument or you need one in your performance, this is the best option on the market. You might want to pay attention when you turn around the tuner head, as it is quite sensitive.

Runner-up: 
WINGO Guitar Capo

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PROS

  • Great value/price ratio.
  • Durable and highly reliable.
  • Eliminates string buzz and has good tension.
  • Beautiful wood finish with a strong spring action.
  • Perfect intonation comes with 5 bonus medium picks.

CONS

  • Reduced maneuverability.
  • Grip spring might be too strong.
  • Too short for some classical guitars.

What Recent Buyers Report

This capo is exceptionally sturdy and reliable. It eliminates any fret buzz, and it is perfect to use on both acoustic and electric guitar. It is easy to use, and it has a fantastic wood finish. In addition to this, it comes with 5 medium picks.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This is our runner-up accessory for multiple reasons. It is versatile and has a very balanced tone that results in highly clear tones with strong spring. It includes a thick silicone pad to increase guitar protection, and it has an exquisite design with a unique wood finish.

Who Will Use This Most

This product is excellent for both acoustic and electric guitars, although for some thicker classical guitars it might be too short. It is easy to use, accurate and reliable, therefore a great accessory for both novices and professionals.

Bottom Line

The WINGO Guitar Capo is a great addition for musicians. It does not only eliminate any fret buzz, but it also has a beautiful design, and it is made from high-quality, durable materials. The spring is hard and overall, it offers you perfect intonation.

Best for the Money:
D’Addario Accessories Pro-Winder Guitar String Winder and Cutter

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PROS

  • Ergonomic design easily fits in the case.
  • Hardened steel clippers for enhanced durability.
  • Easy to use and comfortable for quick string change.
  • Highly versatile and suitable for different instruments, especially guitars.
  • 3-in-1 multifunctional tool, with clippers, bridge pin puller, and peg winder.

CONS

  • Light materials.
  • Hinge is not very smooth.
  • May need a quality check.

What Recent Buyers Report

This product comes at a competitive price. The string cutter does what is supposed to do, and the blades are sharp. The bridge pin puller helps you to yank out the bridge pins efficiently after some practice, and the winder has a nice design.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The D’Addario Pro-Winder String Winder and Cutter stands out from the crowd through its 3-in-1 design, which eliminates the need for having different accessories. The ergonomic build is easy to use and saves space in your case, adding extra value, especially for the traveling musician.

Who Will Use This Most

This multi-use tool is best for traveling, as you can easily pack it into your case, saving space. The integrated cutter is used to cut the old strings and remove them quickly, or to cut the new strings if they have excess length, while the bridge pin puller helps you to remove stubborn pins easily. Lastly, the pro-winder seats itself on a variety of peg winder sizes and shapes, with an easy-to-use handle.

Bottom Line

Overall, the D’Addario Pro-Winder String Winder and Cutter is the perfect accessory on the go, which helps you to change your guitar’s strings easily and effortless. The ergonomic design saves space, and it is straightforward to use, reducing the need for additional tools and accessories.

Best Tuner:
KLIQ UberTuner - Clip-On Tuner

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PROS

  • Power save features.
  • Easy to use – suitable for beginners.
  • Fully-colored display, easy to interpret.
  • Highly sensitive tuner for fast and precise tuning.
  • Highly durable and robust design for long-term use.

CONS

  • Poor quality control.
  • Reports about the short life of the battery.
  • A bit more expensive compared to other offers.

What Recent Buyers Report

KLIQ UberTuner is exceptionally accurate and better built compared to other alternatives on the market. It feels sturdy, substantial, bigger, and brighter than other comparable tuners, and it is a long-lasting product. It is also highly responsive and easy to use. Extremely useful if you play a lot and you usually do quick tuning checks on your instruments.

Why it Stands Out to Us

KLIQ UberTuner is a quick and high precision tuner for your instruments. It comes with an advanced microprocessor and a Piezo sensor, which ensures high quality and precise tuning every single time. With a super bright display, this product is very easy to use, showing you clearly if your instrument is flat, sharp, or dead-on.

Who Will Use This Most

Anyone looking to tune their instruments quickly would tremendously benefit from this tuner. The display is chromatic, and it shows whether you are flat, dead-on, or sharp from any angle, with 3 points of adjustment for the screen. Additionally, it is highly reliable with a durable and robust build.

Bottom Line

Overall, KLIQ UberTuner is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a great tuner that is highly durable and reliable. The screen is colorful and bright, and it is easy to use even by beginners.

Best Gig Bag:
CAHAYA Thick Padding Waterproof Gig Bag

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PROS

  • Lightweight, comfortable, and convenient.
  • Loop handle so you can hang it on the wall.
  • Ultra-durable and shock-proof rubber bottom.
  • Spacey, it includes two exterior pouches for your favorite guitar accessories.
  • Highly reliable case for 39-41 inch guitars with durable, soft, waterproof fabrics.

CONS

  • Not suitable for dreadnought.
  • A little tight for the full-sized acoustic guitar.
  • Straps could be improved (might be too narrow for some).

What Recent Buyers Report

This guitar case is exceptional, considering the ratio between price and quality. It is lightweight and extremely spacious, primarily due to the front and back pockets where you can fit anything from music books to pedals and tuners. During rain, the guitar remains absolutely dry.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This CAHAYA guitar case is yet another excellent accessory for musicians. It comes with thick padding for extra protection, extremely soft and waterproof. The dual shoulder straps are adjustable, and it has three handles for increased convenience, allowing you to handle your guitar easily. You can also fit in your other accessories, such as tuners, cables, pedals, and many more, either in the front or back pouches.

Who Will Use This Most

This high-value guitar is perfect for anyone who wants to protect their investment. Ultra-durable, this case ensures full-time protection due to thicker, softer padding and an enhanced shock-proof bottom. It is lightweight but durable and long-lasting, perfect for the gigging musician.

Bottom Line

Overall, this guitar case is one of the best available on the market, and it comes at a highly competitive price. Whether you want to transport your guitar or purely store it in a case, this might be the perfect choice for you. It is strong and durable, yet lightweight and extremely spacious. Waterproof and shockproof are definitely two characteristics you need for the safety of your instrument!

Best Guitar Strap:
TIMBREGEAR Extreme Comfort Acoustic Guitar Strap

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PROS

  • Two pick holders.
  • Attractive, beautiful design.
  • Highly comfortable and reliable.
  • Comes with a pair of strap locks and buttons.
  • High-quality, long-lasting straps made from thick cotton.

CONS

  • Reverse side is black.
  • Pick holders not so accessible.
  • Pick holder could have been lower towards the end of the strap.

What Recent Buyers Report

These straps are extremely impressive; they have high standards of quality, with a thick fabric that ensures support at all times. It also comes with a pick holder at the end, which comes as a pleasant surprise.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Ensure the ultimate musical experience with these new cotton straps, which balance quality, durability, and comfort, all coming in a visually pleasing design. They are colorful and made with careful attention to detail; however, we like them the most due to their upscale comfort and quality.

Who Will Use This Most

These straps are the best for the gigging musician or those who play for longer hours. They ensure comfort, and they are so durable they will last through many hours of play. Additionally, they provide your maximum comfort every second, and it will complete your performance with an extra touch of fashion.

Bottom Line

The TIMBREGEAR Extreme Comfort Acoustic Guitar Strap is made to feed the professional musician within you and make you look like a superstar. With this fresh design, comfort and durability are extremely surprising. To top it off, they also come with a free strap button and strap locks!

Best Guitar Strap Locks:
Honbay Rubber Strap Locks

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PROS

  • 20-pack black rubber strap locks.
  • Affordable price, good quality control.
  • Easy to install, convenient, and simple to use.
  • Can be placed on top of existing strap buttons.
  • Ensures extra protection, no mechanism involved, so high reliability.

CONS

  • Simple design.
  • Comes only in large batches of 20.
  • Not as complex as other non-rubber strap locks.

What Recent Buyers Report

These rubber strap locks are excellent money-savers, and they quickly and conveniently lock your straps in place. There are no modifications needed, they are simplistic, and the quality control is suitable. They are reliable and durable.

Why it Stands Out to Us

These premium strap locks are rubbery, black, and come in a pack of 20. They are easy to use; all you need to do is slip them over the strap buttons you already have. The thick rubber is the perfect choice if you do not wish to install strap locks on your vintage instruments.

Who Will Use This Most

Any guitarist could use the extra protection given by these strap locks. They can be easily placed on top of your strap buttons for double protection. Accessible to everyone, these economical strap locks are suitable for anyone looking to protect their investment.

Bottom Line

Overall, Honbay Strap Locks lock your straps in a matter of seconds. They are easy and convenient to use, as you do not need any connectors or additional accessories. All you need to do is slip them on top of your strap buttons. They also come in a pack of 20, so you can easily replace them whenever you need to.

Best Guitar Humidifier:
D’Addario Humidipak Automatic Humidity Control System

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PROS

  • No maintenance required.
  • Protects against humidity damages.
  • Comes with 3 humidipaks (2-6 months life).
  • No manual adjustment needed; it adjusts automatically.
  • Built to maintain a constant level of 45%-50% humidity level.

CONS

  • Inconsistent quality.
  • Some do not fit smaller guitars.
  • Inadequate packaging (non-airtight bag).

What Recent Buyers Report

This humidifier is a great update compared to traditional ones. It is reliable and long-lasting, and they can be recharged for free. Extremely easy to use, this humidifier is affordable and an excellent choice for anyone living in both dry and humid environments.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This humidity control device for your guitar is our top pick due to its excellent and highly reliable features. It maintains a stable and constant 45-50% humidity level within the guitar case, protecting it against cracking and other damages as a result of high humidity. It is also easy to use, given that it does not need any manual adjustments. It is a great choice for anyone worried about humidity levels damaging their guitar.

Who Will Use This Most

This device is not only for professional players but also for beginners living in a high humidity environment. Excessive humidity can easily crack and damage your guitar, but this device protects it by maintaining 45-50% humidity within the instrument’s case. It is user-friendly, needs no adjusting, and makes use of the latest technologies to add or deplete moisture within your instrument’s case automatically.

Bottom Line

Overall, this product is a fantastic addition to your guitar accessories. Now you do not need to be worried or anxious about the level of humidity within your guitar case. The two-way humidity technology makes sure that it can either add moisture when needed or removes it when not, making it perfect for both dry and humid environments!

Best Guitar Stand:
Hercules GS414B A/G Guitar Stand

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PROS

  • High-quality and durable.
  • Adjustable, safe, and secure.
  • Comfort grip with locking pins.
  • Auto grip system ensures highest safety standards for your guitar.
  • Uses special foam that protects the finish of your guitar in all contact points.

CONS

  • Poor quality control.
  • Plastic handles could be improved.
  • Comfort grip should have a rubbery finish for better manipulation.

What Recent Buyers Report

This product is easy to install, and it is the perfect choice if you do not want your guitar to hang on the wall anymore. Easy to use and sturdy, this guitar stand is convenient and comfortable.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This stand is our top pick for this list because it blends in three security systems. Working together they ensure high protection for your guitar at all times: the auto grip system, the comfort grip, and the foam rubber on all contact points. It also has locking pins on the comfort grip so you can easily adjust its height.

Who Will Use This Most

This guitar stand is perfect for any musician who does not want their guitar to be hung up on the walls. It is sturdy, safe, and secure, ensuring the protection of your instrument at all times. It is easy to use, and there are no tools or installation needed, therefore it is perfect for novices.

Bottom Line

Overall, this product is great. There have been issues with handle quality; however, the manufacturer made changes based on reviews, and the product is sturdier and more reliable than ever. Additionally, it is easy to use and convenient, an excellent accessory for any guitar player!

Best Guitar Strings:
Elixir Strings 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

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PROS

  • Bronze wrap wire.
  • Bright, crisp, and deep tones.
  • Protected from dust, sweat, and debris.
  • Anti-rust plating, smooth feel, and high playability.
  • Uses ultra-thin NANOWEB coating, providing high comfort and long life.

CONS

  • Acoustic guitar only.
  • Poor quality control.
  • Might seem too bright for some players (depends on taste).

What Recent Buyers Report

These strings give out a bright, deep tone that enhance the quality of your performance. They last almost twice as long as many other brands, and they are easy on fingers, perfect for both beginners and professionals. Additionally, they use nanoweb coating, not polyweb, which means that you can barely feel the coating and it’s much more comfortable to play.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Elixir Acoustic Guitar strings come with an 80/20 bronze wrap and a light nanoweb coating. They come in different varieties, ranging from extra light to medium. They have crisp, bright tones (light gauge), and the ultra-thin coating ensures high durability and resistance to pressure and time.

Who Will Use This Most

These strings are perfect for musicians who favor crisp, bright tones. While they have a thin nanoweb coating, they still have the sound qualities of traditional uncoated strings. They have extended tone life, eliminate finger squeak, and feel very smooth.

Bottom Line

Among the best guitar strings available, these Elixir strings are the best accessories for your acoustic guitar. Bright, crisp tones are unhindered by the extremely thin coating, which is so thin you will not even notice it. The main benefit is that the thin coating extends the string life and reduces finger squeaks.

Best Guitar Picks:
D’Addario Accessories Pearl Celluloid Guitar Picks

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PROS

  • Comfortable play.
  • Nice grip, anti-slip.
  • Nice design with strong colors.
  • Easy to handle and smooth feel.
  • Premium quality for a prolonged use.

CONS

  • Might feel a bit thin.
  • Wear out quicker than extra thick ones.
  • Celluloid favors slipping compared to other materials.

What Recent Buyers Report

These picks feel very comfortable and release strong sounds. They have a nice grip and a smooth feel, making them easy to handle. The assorted dimensions pack is great for experiencing which one suits you best, and they are very sturdy, without slipping around in your hands.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Last but not least, these guitar picks are our favorites. They come in packs of 8 light, 9 medium, and 8 heavy, and they have the standard shape we all love for easy play. In addition to this, the picks are designed using top-quality celluloid, which offers not only a pleasing design but also a natural feel and fat, warm tones.

Who Will Use This Most

These high-quality guitar picks are perfect for anyone, especially for beginners. They are easy to use, comfortable, and take little practice to get used to. They are also extremely durable and have a long life due to high-quality celluloid, thus they are perfect for professionals who play long hours.

Bottom Line

Overall, these guitar picks are the best choice if you want the high-quality and smooth feel of well designed picks. The vivid colors are incredibly beneficial even in the unfortunate event where you might drop one on the ground, as they will stand out from the background. They also come in 8- or 9- packs, so you have plenty of them!

Conclusion

Overall, this article introduced you to the top accessories for guitar players. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, you will find some use here! Our chosen products are high-quality, easy to use, and have an extended life. You should definitely check them out; you will be amazed!



Hi there, my name is Craig. I took over Gear Savvy in mid-2019 and have had a blast writing content about music ever since. My role here is to steer the ship and ensure readers have the best information available for learning a thing or two. When I’m not working on content, I’m a husband and a dad. I enjoy spending time with my family, playing guitar, or messing around in my woodshop.