Which Guitar Capo is Best?
Easiest: Kyser Quickchange
The Kyser Quick‑Change is the classic spring capo most players know. It's a strong, lightweight aluminum trigger capo with a steel spring, designed to be operated with one hand and parked on the headstock when not in use. It's made in the USA and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Because tension is fixed, it's extremely fast to use but not always perfectly optimized for every neck and string set. On some guitars, especially with lighter strings or very low action, the standard tension version can squeeze a little too hard and nudge the tuning sharp. Kyser also offers lower‑tension versions for more modern acoustics.
- ✓Simple: very easy to understand and use
- ✓Fast: change keys with one hand in a second or two
- ✓Widely available and reasonably priced
- ✓Durable metal construction with a soft, guitar‑safe pad
- ✓Lifetime guarantee; made in the USA
- ✓Separate versions for different instruments (acoustic, electric, etc.)
- ✗Fixed tension can cause slight tuning issues on some guitars
- ✗Not as "precise" as a screw‑adjustable capo
- ✗Standard version can feel a bit strong on light‑gauge strings
Best For
- Beginners who want a no‑fuss, grab‑and‑go capo
- Players who change capo position frequently during songs
- Anyone who prefers simplicity and speed over fine tuning of tension
Best Value: Shubb S1
The Shubb S1 is a screw‑adjustable capo that has become an industry standard since the early 1980s. It uses a stainless‑steel frame with a soft rubber pad, a thumb screw to set the tension, and an over‑center locking lever to clamp it on the neck.
You set the tension once for a given guitar so that all strings ring clearly without buzzing, then flip the lever to lock or release it. Because the tension is not determined by a fixed spring, it tends to cause fewer tuning problems than many trigger capos.
- ✓Adjustable tension via thumb screw
- ✓Over‑center lever is quick to flip on and off
- ✓Stainless‑steel construction is durable and resistant to wear
- ✓Very stable intonation when set correctly
- ✓Works on most steel‑string acoustic and electric guitars
- ✗Typically requires two hands to reposition
- ✗A bit slower to move than a spring‑loaded capo
- ✗May not fit some unusually thick or unusually shaped necks
Best For
- Players who want a good balance of price, build quality and tuning stability
- Anyone who hears their guitar go sharp with spring capos and wants more control over tension
- Players with several standard steel‑string guitars who don't want a separate capo for each one
Best Overall: G7th Performance 3
The G7th Performance 3 is a modern, premium capo that combines a squeeze‑on, squeeze‑off mechanism with an Adaptive Radius Technology (ART) string pad. The pad adapts to the actual curve of the fretboard, which helps distribute pressure more evenly across the strings and improves tuning stability.
You simply place the capo on the desired fret and squeeze until the strings ring clearly. The internal clutch holds at the tension you set. To remove it, you flip the release and lift it off. It's designed for quick, one‑handed repositioning and works well on a wide range of steel‑string acoustic and electric necks. Dedicated versions are available for some other instruments and 12‑string guitars.
- ✓Squeeze‑on mechanism with very fine control of tension
- ✓ART pad adapts to the neck radius for more even pressure
- ✓Excellent tuning stability when properly applied
- ✓Easy to move one‑handed once you're used to it
- ✓Premium look and feel with various finish options
- ✗More expensive than most basic capos
- ✗Slightly bulkier than minimalist designs
- ✗Some players may find the learning curve a bit steeper than a simple trigger capo
Best For
- Serious players who use a capo frequently and care about intonation
- Players with several different guitars who want one high‑quality capo that works well on all of them (with the correct model)
- Recording or performance situations where quick changes and good tuning both matter
Luxury: G7th Heritage
The G7th Heritage is a traditional yoke‑style capo built as a no‑compromise, premium tool. It's made from hand‑polished stainless steel and uses a screw to set the overall tension. Like the Performance 3, it uses an Adaptive Radius Technology pad to match the fretboard radius and apply even pressure across the strings.
Instead of clamping sideways, the Heritage slides over the neck from behind and tightens down evenly like a small yoke. This design helps it sit more out of the way of the fretting hand and distribute pressure very consistently. It's available in plain stainless as well as engraved and gold‑plated variants, and there is a matching leather case available.
- ✓Traditional yoke design with very precise screw‑adjustable tension
- ✓Stainless‑steel construction with excellent fit and finish
- ✓ART pad helps maintain tuning and avoid buzzing
- ✓Sits low and out of the way of the fretting hand
- ✓Built as a long‑term "buy once" piece of gear
- ✗Significantly more expensive than most capos
- ✗Slower to move than spring‑type designs
- ✗You have to choose the correct width model for your neck
Best For
- Professionals and frequent capo users who want the highest build quality
- Players with valuable or vintage instruments who want a capo that clamps very cleanly and safely
- Gift buyers looking for a top‑of‑the‑line capo that will likely last a lifetime
Most Beautiful: Thalia Capo
The Thalia capo is both a functional capo and a visual statement piece. The basic design is a metal reverse‑action capo with a spring mechanism, but the key differentiator is the system of interchangeable fretpads. You choose a pad that matches your guitar's fretboard radius so the capo applies even pressure across all strings.
Thalia offers many inlay tops using exotic woods and shells such as Hawaiian koa, abalone, and mother of pearl, along with various engraved and licensed designs. The capos are designed in the USA, use a mix of overseas manufacturing and US‑made inlays, and are assembled and tested in California. They also come with a lifetime warranty on the mechanical parts.
- ✓Interchangeable fretpads to match fretboard radius for better tuning
- ✓Wide variety of visually striking inlays and finishes
- ✓Works with many different guitars when set up with the correct pad (including 12‑string with appropriate high‑tension pads)
- ✓Reverse‑action design can be operated with the fretting hand
- ✓Lifetime mechanical warranty
- ✗Expensive compared to basic capos
- ✗Slightly more setup work (choosing and installing the right pad)
- ✗Heavier and flashier than minimalist designs, which some players may not prefer
Best For
- Players who care about both performance and aesthetics
- Owners of several guitars who are willing to set up different fretpads for each neck radius
- Gift buyers wanting a capo that looks as special as it feels
