What is the Best Capo?

There are many great options of Capos, from budget models to flagships ones from companies like G7th. Let our guide help you choose the right model for you.

What is the best capo? Which guitar capo should I buy? Questions asked by most guitarists at some point about this must-have accessory. With a seemingly endless range of capos currently on the market, it can be a world of confusion trying to pick the right one for your needs. Whilst far from an exhaustive list, we’ve tried to compile a few of the best choices currently available and list some of their pros and cons.

Budget Capos

At the lower priced end of the market, there are literally dozens of cheap and cheerful capos available. Some of these can be more of a hazard to your guitar than a help so it is wise to select carefully. 

Traditional ‘elastic’ capos are often sold as the ‘cheap’ option. These feature a plastic bar that sits across the strings with a strip of elastic wrapped around the back of the neck held in place with a pin and eyelet. Whilst these do technically work, they are prone to slipping and often don’t hold the strings down with equal tension, resulting in dead notes and loss of sustain. 

A far better budget option would be a capo such as the Kyser Pro-Am. This is a basic, but effective entry level model. Featuring a lightweight aluminium construction, the Pro-Am clamps across the neck of the guitar and is tightened by a knurled control knob. This allows for a much more accurate tension across the strings and helps to keep tuning stable.

Another highly regarded ‘budget’ option would be the Planet Waves NS Capo Lite. This is similar to the Kyser, but features a durable plastic construction and a micrometer adjustment system for even more accurate tension.

Midrange Capos

It is in the middle of the range that capos begin to become more varied in design. A popular style for quick and easy use is the ‘sprung’ capo.

This style of capo features a ‘trigger’ design whereby two levers, held by a heavy duty spring, are squeezed together to allow the capo to be attached to the guitar’s neck. This type of design allows the capo to be very quickly added and removed - ideal if changing between capoed and open tunings mid set. The only real disadvantage of this style is the lack of any adjustment and the occasional need to adjust the guitar’s tuning once the capo is in place. 

The main rival to sprung capos are ‘lever’ models. These use a tensioned lever to clamp the capo in place. They often include a control knob to adjust the amount of pressure on the strings. These are very effective and have long been a very popular choice amongst all levels of guitarist. 

Good midrange capos include the Dunlop Trigger Capo with its Electric and Acoustic options, the G7th Nashville and the Shubb C1.

Premium Capos

At top of the capo tree sit a handful of very well designed, highly engineered and high quality models. These all feature clever innovations and precision build quality to ensure the most accurate performance is achieved.

One such model is the G7th Newport Capo. This capo based on the old Shubb design but with the useful inclusion of a tensioning control. This allows for precise and accurate tension wherever the capo is placed.

Sitting head and shoulders above the competition, however, one capo has very quickly become the new industry standard and the choice for many guitarists the world over. The new, updated, G7th Performance Capo 3 is the pinnacle of capo design and features a revolutionary design that allows an infinite amount of control. With an award winning design, the Performance capo uses a clever clutch system and is easily squeezed into place with one hand allowing the guitarist to determine the exact amount of pressure to apply wherever on the neck it is placed. G7th even make a crystal adorned Performance Capo for those players whose budget allows it! 

As well as those listed here, there are many variations of capo to fit electric, acoustic, classical and 12 string guitars, as well as those aimed at banjo, ukulele and mandolin players. 

We always keep a large range of capos in our Harlow store. For any further information, please call us on 01279 432 900.