A capo is a very convenient tool making it easier to play the guitar, but more importantly, it allows you to change your sound and play different keys.
You can find a variety of options for high-quality capos in the market from different brands.
Of the ten capos included in this list, the Shubb S1 Deluxe Capo emerged as the best among the best.
This excellent capo with patented closing action applies the ideal pressure on the strings producing a pleasing buzz-free sound.
However, it might not be the perfect match for everybody, so we included nine other capos that are the best in their own right.
Contents
The Best Capos for Acoustic & Electric Guitar
- Shubb S1 Deluxe Capo – Best Capo Overall
- G7th Performance – Best Innovative Capo
- Dunlop 83CB – Best Capo for Curved Fingerboards
- D’Addario NS Tri-Action – Best 6-String Capo
- Fender Phoenix Guitar Capo – Best Value Capo
- Taylor 6-string Guitar Capo – Best Capo for Excellent Tone and Intonation
- Ernie Ball Axis Capo – Best Versatile Capo for All Guitars
- Kyser Quick-Change Capo – Best Capo for Acoustic and Electric Guitars
- Shubb C1 Standard Capo – Best Capo for Rock-Solid Intonation
- Paige Clik Guitar Capo – Best Capo for Wide Profile Guitars
Also Great | Editor's Choice | Budget Pick |
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Shubb S1 Deluxe Capo
Playing the guitar to suit your style has never been easier with the stellar Shubb S1 Deluxe Capo with its patented closing action.
It applies firm and ideal pressure on your fretboard every time, saving you from any annoying buzzing and ringing.
The soft rubber pads of the Shubb capo works like your fingertips applying even and firm pressure on your strings without pulling your strings too hard out of tune.
Aside from giving it a sleek finish, the stainless-steel material of this capo also makes it extra durable.
Shubb capos are also very easy to use.
One flip of the lever is all you need to lock the capo in place or to remove it.
The Shubb S1 Deluxe Capo and its excellent intonation, easy installation, and guaranteed durability is the best capo you can find in the market today.
Pros
- Solid stainless steel capo
- Patented closing action
- Applies firm and even pressure
- Soft rubber pads
- Easy installation
Cons
- Difficult to use on guitars with a thicker neck
G7th Performance
The G7th Performance and its brilliant and innovative design stand out, winning the heart of many guitarists.
It uses G7ths’s ingenious patented Adaptive Radius Technology (ART), allowing the capo to adjust to each string individually.
Thicker strings require more tension, while thinner ones require relatively less tension.
ART can sense and differentiate between the thicker and thinner strings and proceeds to apply the needed pressure accordingly, giving you the perfect intonation.
With the squeeze-and-release technology of this capo, it slides up and down on the neck of your guitar effortlessly.
The G7th Performance Capo is also very durable with its zinc alloy material.
Its silicon neck pad and side guards also protect and avoid any damage to the guitar.
Pros
- Patented Adaptive Radius Technology
- Applies ideal and firm pressure on each string
- Easy to use and adjust
- Silicon neck pad and side guards
Cons
- A bit pricey
Dunlop 83CB
The Dunlop 83CB Trigger capo is the perfect capo for guitarists looking for an accurate capo at a very affordable price.
While this capo is priced lower than other brands, its features and functionality are top-notched.
The Dunlop 83 CB provides accurate clamping for acoustic guitars and curved fretboards.
If you play the acoustic guitar, you will love this capo designed for positive and accurate clamping.
It also has a low-profile design that allows you to move and play unhindered while at the same time protecting your guitar from any scratches.
You can also rely on its durability.
The Dunlop 83CB uses an aircraft aluminum construction which is lightweight and very reliable.
Anybody who is on a budget, but wants nothing but only the best capo that does the job right should consider getting the Dunlop 83 CB.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Accurate clamping
- Aircraft aluminum construction
- Low-profile design
Cons
- Tension might be a bit strong than other brands
D’Addario NS Tri-Action
The D’Addario NS Tri-Action is what they call a state-of-the-art capo.
This capo is perfect for 6-string acoustic and electric guitars with curved fretboards.
The best thing about it is that it guarantees buzz-free sound with a perfect tune.
It features a micrometer tension adjustment with direct horizontal pressure.
This capo technology applies pressure accordingly and evenly across the fretboard for an in-tune performance and eliminates the need for frequent retuning.
Its aircraft-grade aluminum construction also guarantees the reliability and durability of the capo.
The lightweight design also makes it easier to work with and use.
With its hassle-free operation and Tri-Action geometry, you can easily clamp and adjust the capo on your guitar.
It is comfortable on the hands and even has an integrated pick holder for your convenience.
With its great features, no wonder that it is among the best capos you can find in the market today.
Pros
- Micrometer tension adjustment
- Applies ideal and even pressure
- Durable
- Easy to use and adjust
- Assures buzz-free performance
Cons
- Pick holder is flimsy
Fender Phoenix Guitar Capo
If you need a capo that gets the job done but is tight on the budget, the Fender Phoenix Guitar Capo is the perfect and less expensive alternative.
The Fender Phoenix capo comes with top-notched features that can compare with other expensive capos.
It is an excellent capo with rock-solid tuning capability that assures a satisfactory and in-tune performance.
With its versatile shape, it can fit snugly on any guitar neck shape, so you can easily switch guitars and fit the capo on mid-performance.
Its single-hand operation also makes it very convenient.
The durable aluminum construction of the capo is also noteworthy.
The sleek and lightweight profile of the capo hardly takes any space or adds weight to your gig bag.
With its guaranteed smooth operation and reliability, it is not surprising that this capo is among the favorites of guitarists.
Pros
- Affordable capo
- Reliable and durable
- Assures in-tune performance
- Lightweight
- Easy to operate
Cons
- Too much tension
Taylor 6-string Guitar Capo
The Taylor 6-string guitar capo is very reliable and comes with excellent features that are the reason why it belongs to the list of best capos.
It uses high-grade nickel with guaranteed durability and reliability that can last for a long time.
This yoke-style capo features a capo technology that provides even and ideal pressure across the fretboard, ensuring an in-tune guitar.
It keeps the buzz at bay and provides excellent intonation for satisfactory performance.
The high-quality clamp is very easy to put on and get off.
While some people may frown upon its price, its quality and reliability are worth it.
If you have the budget and want to get your hands on a high-quality capo, then you should consider getting the Taylor 6-string guitar capo.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Applies even pressure on the fretboard
- Easy installation
- Reliable
Cons
- Hard to move back and forth on the fretboard
Ernie Ball Axis Capo
One of the issues when choosing a capo is that capos are usually designed for a specific type of guitar, and fretboards
But with the Ernie Ball Axis capo, that is not a problem.
This Axis capo features a design that fits most guitar styles.
You can use it for a flat fretboard and even a radiused one.
Its dual radius design and precision molder rubber pads ensure that the capo gives firm and even pressure on any fretboard – flat and curved alike.
It even fits smaller to wider fretboards ranging from a typical ukulele to a whole 7-string guitar.
The capo is made of aluminum and rubber construction for guaranteed durability.
With its single-handed operation, you can make easy and quick adjustments on your instrument mid-gig.
If you want a capo that you can use across different guitars, the Ernie Ball Axis capo is the perfect capo for you.
Pros
- Versatile capo
- Fits flat and curved fretboards
- Works with up to 7 string guitars
- Durable construction
Cons
- Bulky
Kyser Quick-Change Capo
The Kyser Quick-Change Capo is a professional quality capo expertly designed to help acoustic and electric guitar players achieve a more satisfying intonation and pitch.
This capo is known for its simplicity and straightforward operation.
It clamps firmly on the fretboard, applying even pressure across it, fixing the pitch and tone of your guitar.
With its one-handed operation, you can easily unclip the capo and reposition it on your instrument.
Both experts and beginners find it easy to adjust the capo and move it back and forth on the fretboard.
The padded arm of the capo allows you to confidently use it without having to worry about damaging your fingerboard.
This capo looks good and is built to last, not to mention its affordable price.
With its smooth operation and quality, this capo is worth every buck.
Pros
- Professional quality capo
- Easy to use and reposition
- Perfect for experts and beginners alike
- Padded arm
- Durable construction
Cons
- Difficult to fit on thicker neck shapes
Shubb C1 Standard Capo
If you still haven’t found the perfect capo for your guitar, then you might want to look at the Shubb C1 standard capo.
While most capos might end up messing up your instrument’s intonation, the Shubb C1 standard capo does not, as it was expertly engineered to work like the human hands.
It features a soft rubber pad and closing action that applies ideal pressure on your fretboard without pulling too much on the strings, so it does not mess with its intonation.
It eliminates the need for you to retune it every time you remove and attach the capo.
One flip of a lever is all you need to lock the capo in place or to remove it.
You can move and adjust it whenever you need to.
With its professional quality capos, it isn’t surprising that Shubb has been a favorite for nearly 40 years now.
Pros
- Works like the human hand
- Perfect intonation
- Easy installation
- Sleek and lightweight design
Cons
- It does not clamp onto the headstock
Paige Clik Guitar Capo
The Paige Clik guitar capo has an innovative design and capo technology that you will surely love.
It features an advanced quick-release mechanism designed for acoustic guitars with a wider profile.
With a controllable direct-center tension and precision adjustment, the capo applies the ideal pressure on the center of the strings for that perfect intonation and buzz-free performance.
What’s even better is that it applies less pressure, barely changing the tune of your instrument.
The capo works with a single-handed action allowing you to slide it with ease across the fretboard.
You can even store it behind the nut when you are not using it.
The finish-safe tubing also protects your instrument from all contact points.
Its innovative design, reliability, durability, and simplicity easily make this capo a perfect accessory for improving your gig.
Pros
- Innovative design
- Controllable tension
- Precision adjustment
- Easy to install and use
Cons
- Priced higher compared to other brands
Buying Guide
You might be overwhelmed by all these talks about capos and their features.
Especially if you are a beginner, you might not even know what to look for in a capo.
Below is the list of features and considerations you need to remember when shopping for a capo that will fit your style.
Type of Instrument
Which instrument will you be using a capo?
Are you using an acoustic guitar?
A ukulele or a 7-string instrument?
There are different capos for a whole variety of stringed instruments.
When searching for a capo on the market, you have to make sure that the capo you are eyeing will work on the instrument that you play.
Product descriptions usually include this information.
But if there is none indicated, then it is best to assume that a capo is for ‘normal’ use for the standard electric and acoustic guitars.
Curved or Flat Fingerboards
On a similar note, guitars may vary on their radiused fingerboards.
Some guitars have curved fingerboards, so you need a capo with a curvature on them too.
Other fingerboards are flat with little to no curvature at all.
In turn, you will need to find a capo with a straighter edge to cover the flat fretboard.
It is a matter of knowing your type of instrument and finding the perfect fit for it.
Ease of Use
One of the crucial things to consider when buying a capo is how easy it is to take the capo on and off the fretboard.
Some capos need both hands to fix it in the fretboard, while some only require a single-handed action.
Other capos only require you to squeeze the trigger handles to release or attach the capo.
While some have the clamp mechanism using a lever to secure the capo in place.
Find what works better for you.
Size and Weight
Capos are smaller compared to a lot of things.
They don’t take much space or weigh too much.
However, other players might see capos as an eye-sore, so they go for smaller ones that are less noticeable and will not come in the way when they’re playing.
Larger capos are bulkier and weigh more, and some players could do away with the extra weight on their bag.
Pressure
It is essential to determine if your capo is applying the right amount of pressure on your strings.
The amount of pressure affects the sound of your instrument and your overall performance.
Some capos allow you to change the pressure accordingly, while others don’t have such features.
Look for a capo that gives you the pressure that perfectly fits your guitar.
Storage
Some capos can be attached to the top of the guitar’s headstock when not in use.
This is very convenient and will help you avoid misplacing or losing your capo.
FAQs
What exactly is a capo?
A capo is a small accessory that works like a clamp for your guitar.
It is attached to the neck of a guitar to change the pitch of the strings when playing.
What is a capo used for?
A capo changes the pitch of your guitar.
It shortens the length of the playable strings of your instrument, thereby raising the pitch of your strings.
Simply, it allows you to play different keys without having to learn a new series of chords.
Do beginners need a capo?
Beginners don’t need a capo although it can be useful for them.
Beginners should first work on the basics of playing the guitar.
Skipping it and proceeding to use a capo immediately might only hinder progress.
It is better to learn the guitar properly and only use the capo when needed.
Is paying with a capo cheating?
It is not cheating when your main goal is to produce the sound that you need.
However, if you use the capo because you are too lazy to learn the basics of the guitar, then you are cheating yourself.
Conclusion
Capos are great tools that are very useful for our guitar players.
It can help you create new sounds and improve your overall playing style.
You have already seen ten of the best capos available in the market.
You now also know what the important considerations are when shopping for a capo.
We hope that we have answered most of your questions regarding capos.
Now go and choose a capo that fits your style and play your heart out.
Your pick for top spot I’m sure took very little discussion. The Shubb S1 is a no brainer pick for all the reasons you listed. I’ve owned nearly every capo on this list including the pricy Taylor capo. I got a little excited a few years back when I got a Taylor 214 CE and I couldn’t resist the capo. Yes it’s a challenge to move along the fretboard. But the root cause, it’s plain hard to remove period. I would trust it’s tuning stability all day long. I was disappointed they couldn’t engineer a better opening and closing system. Especially at a price that doubles the Shubb S1 which is clearly superior.
I’m glad you listed the Dunlop Trigger Capo. It’s a total workhorse that will last a long time. If they ever add a tensioner to it, I could see Shubb getting a run for their money. The Dunlop and the Kyser Quick change were many of our first capos. And there was a good reason. Solid quality at a reasonable price. I can’t say anything bad about either.
Love any D’Addario from their line of capos with tensioners. (Seeing a pattern here?) They offer several styles. They’re quite electric guitar friendly as well. But where D’Addario really shines is the oft ignored and at times hard to find small instruments capos. Availability has not been an issue since D’Addario started offering them. They have the best quality capos for Ukuleles. And they have an even smaller capo used for both Banjo and Mandolin. Controllable tension on these smaller offerings make D’Addario the Small Instrument Capo King. And they will remain in the top spot for some time as I’ve yet to see any others that come close to D’Addarios quality and design. Tuning stability on a mandolin can often be like cat herding as you chase your own tail. Thankfully D’Addario has it on lock. (Pun intended)