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Music Software Bundles from Pluginboutique.com

Best Guitar Picks: Top 5 Choices for Every Guitarist

November 10, 2023 
BY DAN SPENCER
Last Updated on January 9, 2024

Striking the perfect chord isn't just about skill—it's also about the right tools. In the world of guitar, few accessories rival the importance of the humble guitar pick. Tiny yet mighty, the right pick can transform your playing.

That's why we've tuned up our expertise to bring you "Best Guitar Picks: Top 5 Choices for Every Guitarist," a streamlined guide to the finest plectrums on the market.

Whether you're a fingerstyle aficionado or a power-chord pro, join us as we unveil our top selections that cater to every style and preference. Let’s dive into the world of picks and find the one that resonates with your musical soul.

Included in this guide:

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Best Overall
Fender Premium Guitar Picks

Fender Premium Guitar Picks

  • Compatible with acoustic, bass, and mandolin guitars
  • Made with celluloid
  • Great color selection
4.8
Check Price
Runner-up
Jim Dunlop 449P.73 Max-Grip Guitar Pick

Jim Dunlop 449P.73 Max-Grip Guitar Pick

  • Made with nylon
  • MaxGrip technology for comfort and precision
  • Ideal for high speed strumming due to flexibility and durability
4.8
Check Price
Top Pick
Dunlop Tortex Standard Picks

Dunlop Tortex Standard Picks

  • Variety of gauges is great for beginners experimenting
  • Gauges are color-coded
  • Delrin with matte finish for excellent grip and sound
4.8
Check Price
Top Pick
D’Addario DuraGrip Guitar Picks

D’Addario DuraGrip Guitar Picks

  • Made with abrasion-resistant Duralin
  • Stamped grid surface for minimum slippage 
  • 6 gauges, ranging from super-light to extra-heavy
4.6
Check Price
Lowest Price
Ernie Ball Everlast Guitar Picks

Ernie Ball Everlast Guitar Picks

  • Durable, non-slip Delrin material
  • Compatible with acoustic and electric guitars
  • Extra-thick gauge
4.7
Check Price

Related Article: 2024 Best Guitar Cleaning Kits: Keep Your Instrument Looking New!


The Top 5 Best Guitar Picks

We start our top picks with Fender Premium Guitar Picks. When you buy a 12-pack of these, you get a range of gauges. This gives you the freedom to use your picks any way you please to suit your playing style and the instrument you’re using. Yes, you read that right! You can use these picks with mandolins and bass guitars too. Do you want to know the best part? These picks are made of celluloid, which makes them strike your chords smoothly and creates a rich tone. This isn’t to mention the array of available colors to match your personality.

Pros
  • Celluloid material gives a well-rounded tone
  • The wide body and rounded tip make it suitable for several styles
  • You can also use it with bass guitars or mandolins
Cons
  • When buying a pack, you may not receive all the advertised colors and styles.

For all of you who like to play the guitar at high speeds, get ready to be amazed when you get a pack of Jim Dunlop 449P.73 picks! The carbon fiber-reinforced nylon they use gives them the perfect blend of durability and flexibility. You won’t feel the slightest rigidity as you strum away. You also won’t have to worry about breaking the pick while you jam at blazing speeds. Do you know what’s even better? Jim Dunlop’s MaxGrip technology will have you in full control of the pick with virtually zero slippage.

Pros
  • Carbon fiber reinforced nylon gives added durability
  • Jim Dunlop’s MaxGrip design minimizes slippage
  • Allows you to maintain precision while playing at high speeds
Cons
  • Limited colors available

If you’ve ever googled the type of picks your favorite professional guitarist uses, chances are that Dunlop Tortex popped up at some point. The pros prefer these picks for a reason. For starters, they’re made of Delrin with a matte finish. This design gives them excellent grip, a better sound, and just enough durability. Sure, Dunlop Tortex picks will wear down slightly over time, but that’s a good thing. They last a long time while also not being so strong that they wear out your strings.

Pros
  • Delrin material provides great grip and ideal durability
  • You won’t wear out your guitar strings over time
  • Color-coded sizes make it easy to pick out what you need from a 12-pack
Cons
  • The wide range of thicknesses may be confusing to beginners

D’Addario is a titan among guitar accessory manufacturers, and this really shows in their DuraGrip guitar picks. Thanks to their stamped grid surface, these picks are true to their name and won’t fly out of your hands even when you get sweaty. Guess what? This enhanced grip doesn’t compromise on sound whether you’re using these picks on an acoustic, electric, or bass guitar. To put the icing on the cake, D’Addario DuraGrip picks are built to last with their Duralin material.

Pros
  • Highly durable because of strong, non-abrasive Duralin material
  • Has a stamped grid surface for improved grip
  • You get a great deal if you get the 100-pack
Cons
  • Some users report they aren't as grippy as advertised

We round out our top picks with the Ernie Ball Everlast. These guitar picks are made of Delrin, a sturdy, non-slip material that’s grippy and comfortable at the same time. Guitarists who’ve used these picks have nothing but praise for their responsiveness to their strings, acoustic or electric. The premier selling point of Ernie Ball Everlast picks is their versatility though. Their rounded edge allows you to alternate between it and the tip to get the perfect tone. If you’re still finding your sound, this flexibility will come in handy.

Pros
  • You get excellent quality at a discounted price
  • You can use it with different orientations for different tones
  • Comfortable, non-slip grip thanks to Delrin material
Cons
  • Some users found that they slip as their hands get sweaty

Related Article: Best Guitar Tuners On The Market: Our Top 5 Picks


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which pick material is best for strumming?

Strummers prefer nylon picks because of how flexible they are. Nylon picks’ flexibility and durability allow you to really get into your jams without worrying about the pick falling apart.

Are thicker guitar picks necessarily better?

The best guitar pick thickness for you depends on your playing style. If you want louder volume and enhanced grip, get yourself a thick pick. Thin picks, on the other hand, are the ideal choice for acoustic guitarists.

What is the most expensive guitar pick in history?

The priciest guitar pick ever belonged to none other than Kurt Cobain. It was an orange Dunlop Tortex 0.60 mm pick that fetched a whopping $14,678 in a 2023 auction.

What guitar pick thickness is the most commonly used?

Most guitarists lean toward medium gauge picks. Their thickness is between 0.60 mm and 0.80 mm.

Do all professional guitarists use picks?

While most elite guitarists use picks to stroke those chords and give us timeless tunes, others rely solely on their fingertips. Some notable examples include Wes Montgomery and Steve Hackett.

Product Recap

There’s no shortage of options when choosing a guitar pick. For those in search of a solid overall option, Fender Premium Guitar Picks are the way to go. Jim Dunlop 449P.73 Guitar Picks are the next best thing if you like jamming at high speeds and want to maintain grip and precision. For those wanting a budget-friendly option, go for Ernie Ball Everlast Guitar Picks.

If you found this guide helpful, please consider subscribing to our blog for more music production tips, product reviews, and buying guides. Also, you can support new content by contributing to our tip jar.

"Some of the links within this article are affiliate links. These links are from various companies such as Amazon. This means if you click on any of these links and purchase the item or service, I will receive an affiliate commission. This is at no cost to you and the money gets invested back into Audio Sorcerer LLC."

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