Best Electric Guitar Strings

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 16, 2024
Electric guitar strings don't really age well. These things get fatigued and require frequent replacement. That's not necessarily the case with the strings on this list though. These are the best electric guitar strings on the market today. These strings will maintain their bright, balanced tone much longer than your average deal. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Best For
Materials
String Quantity
Diameter
Warranty
 
PROS

The strings' nickel-plated steel composition is responsible for the product's practically unmatched overall intonation and superb consistency. Incorporating lock twists that secure the wire around the ball, these strings are smooth to the touch, reducing finger fatigue and fret wear. The improved surface finish promotes longevity and prevents slippage. 

CONS

The high E string breaks too easily.

OUR VERDICT

Ernie Ball P03221 are the best electric guitar strings within this lineup. These things are equally suitable for pros and beginners. You'll be able to pull off heavy riffs, awesome arpeggios, and virtuoso solos. They're equally good for rock, jazz, blues, pop, you name the genre. 

detailed parameters
Best For

Performance

Materials

Nickel-plated steel (high-carbon steel hex core)

String Quantity

6 strings (pack of 3 sets)

Diameter

E-0.010

B-0.013

G-0.017

D-0.026

A-0.036

E-0.046

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The break-resistant, high-carbon steel wire offers remarkable strength and pitch stability. The precision-drawn and micro-coated strings are able to maintain that familiar uncoated tone, all whilst considerably extending string life. The round wound makes sure that these strings hurt far less than regular strings and prevents the usual fraying issue.

CONS

The strings are not individually packaged (twisted in pairs).

OUR VERDICT

The versatile sound that D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound strings deliver will prove suitable for all genres and playing styles. Precision-wound on the company's very own digitally-controlled machines, these strings offer excellent intonation, clear fundamentals, and unmatched consistency.

detailed parameters
Best For

Performance

Materials

Nickel-plated steel

String Quantity

6 strings (pack of 3 sets)

Diameter

E-0.010

B-0.013

G-0.017

D-0.026

A-0.036

E-0.046

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The strings are wound with pure nickel, making sure that the tone remains smooth and warm but, at the same time, able to deliver a solid punch when you need it. These things promote clear tone and equally clear resonance. The ark silk-wrapped ends work wonders reducing ambient noise and unnecessary echo. 

CONS

You'll have to carefully adjust the strings after threading them.

OUR VERDICT

Gibson Gear SEG-LPS Les Paul Premium are as nuanced as Gibson Les Paul guitars. The company's signature gauge is neither too thick nor too thin. The strings are equally suitable for live performance and studio recording. Give them the necessary time to stretch and these things will likely last much longer than your average things.

detailed parameters
Best For

Performance, recording

Materials

Nickel-plated steel with silk-wrapped ends

String Quantity

6 strings

Diameter

E-0.009

B-0.011

G-0.016

D-0.026

A-0.036

E-0.046

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The company's POLYWEB™ coating is able to reduce the usual finger-squeaking noise/effect. The coating makes sure these strings pick up far less sweat and debris, adding longevity to the table too. It warms and mellows the strings' tone, making them gentle on the fingers and allowing the players to keep jamming without the strings getting in the way.

CONS

The strings are not necessarily suitable for pop music. 

OUR VERDICT

Elixir 12050 give you premium sound at an affordable price point. The strings' tone is warm but robust at the same time. They're lightweight but surprisingly durable. The strings feel slick and fast, much faster compared to traditional/conventional electric guitar strings.

detailed parameters
Best For

Performance, jamming

Materials

Nickel-plated steel with POLYWEB™ coating

String Quantity

6 strings

Diameter

E-0.010

B-0.013

G-0.017

D-0.026

A-0.036

E-0.046

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The strings' high output is able to balance steel's dynamic sound with nickel's smooth feel. The ball-ended design makes these strings easy to thread and equally easy to tune/adjust. The color-coded ends will make sure you don't confuse the strings. The tone is warm but not too warm.

CONS

The strings are not corrosion-resistant. 

OUR VERDICT

Fender Super 250's are great strings. The tension is neither too light nor too heavy. The strings are especially good for tremolo-equipped guitars. They're equally suitable for practice and live concerts. The strings are pretty easy on the fingers too.

detailed parameters
Best For

Performance, live concerts

Materials

Nickel-plated steel

String Quantity

6 strings (pack of 3 sets)

Diameter

E-0.009

B-0.011

G-0.016

D-0.024

A-0.032

E-0.042

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

X

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Ernie Ball P03221

The Right Sound for Every Genre

Ernie Ball P03221 are big time. These strings are equally suitable for all styles and genres. You'll be able to pull off heavy riffs, awesome arpeggios, and virtuoso solos.

These things create the brightest but, at the same time, the most balanced harmonics. The classic balanced tone offers superb output, solid treble, above-average midrange, and high-class bass. The strings' nickel-plated steel composition is responsible for the product's practically unmatched overall intonation and superb consistency.

At the same time, the high-carbon steel hex core makes these string ridiculously durable. You will not have to replace them in the foreseeable future. The sound will remain rich and bright for months. The only exception is the usual Ernie Ball issue with the high E string being much weaker than every other string. You'll have to be careful with that string. Otherwise, it will break sooner than necessary.

On the bright side, incorporating lock twists that secure the wire around the ball, these strings are smooth to the touch, reducing finger fatigue and fret wear. The improved surface finish promotes longevity and prevents slippage.

In other words, Ernie Ball P03221 are the best electric guitar strings within this lineup. These things are equally suitable for pros and beginners. They're equally good for rock, jazz, blues, pop, you name the genre.

Review of Ernie Ball P03221 Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Sets

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $15.49
Stock In stock
ASIN B00CAV0TRQ

 

D'Addario EXL110-3D

Brilliant Intonation with Unmatched Consistency

D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound packs regular light-gauge strings (from E-0.010 to E-0.046).

Precision-wound on the company's very own digitally-controlled machines, these strings deliver excellent intonation, clear fundamentals, and unmatched consistency. Wound with a nickel-plated steel wrap wire, these things incorporate the company's distinctive bright tone and the magnetic output that draws you in and doesn't let go. That's always the case with D'Addario's strings though.

This particular product, on the other hand, packs plain steel strings and hexagonal cores.

The break-resistant, high-carbon steel wire offers remarkable strength and pitch stability.

The precision-drawn and micro-coated strings are able to maintain that familiar uncoated tone, all whilst considerably extending string life.

The round wound makes sure that these strings hurt far less than regular strings and prevents the usual fraying issue.

For our taste, the product's only downside is that the strings are not individually packaged (twisted in pairs).

Setting this minor problem aside, D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound are the strongest strings on the list. They will be able to elevate your guitar's sound and make sure that you've no issues in the long run. The versatile sound that the strings deliver will prove suitable for all genres (from rock and metal to blues and jazz) and playing styles.

Review of D'Addario EXL110-3D Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
Last updated price $13.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B000EEJ91I

 

Gibson Gear SEG-LPS

Nuanced Sound

Gibson Gear SEG-LPS Les Paul Premium are as nuanced as Gibson Les Paul guitars. There are many good things we can and will say about these strings.

The only issue we have with them is that you'll have to carefully and thoroughly/methodically adjust the strings after threading them. Other than that, these things are superb.

The strings are wound with pure nickel, making sure that the tone remains smooth and warm but, at the same time, able to deliver a solid punch when you need it. These things promote clear tone and equally clear resonance.

The company's pretty much trademark silk-wrapped ends work wonders reducing ambient noise and unnecessary echo. The package includes the E-0.009 as well as the usual E-0.046 strings. The additional range makes these strings much more versatile.

The strings are responsive but not necessarily too responsive. The tone is consistent, bright, and lively.

All things considered, we really dig the Gibson Gear SEG-LPS Les Paul Premium strings' sound. The company's signature gauge is neither too thick nor too thin. The strings are equally suitable for live performance and studio recording. Give them the necessary time to stretch and these things will likely last much longer than your average things.

Review of Gibson Gear SEG-LPS Les Paul Premium

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B0002CZX62

 

Elixir 12050

Warm and Mellow but Slick and Fast Too

Elixir 12050 are incredible considering how affordable these strings are.

You cannot overhype the company's POLYWEB™ coating. It is able to reduce the usual finger-squeaking noise/effect. The coating makes sure these strings pick up far less sweat and debris, adding longevity to the table too.

Other than that, the POLYWEB™ coating warms and mellows the strings' tone. It gives the strings that fast, slick feel that is gentle on the fingers, allowing the players to keep jamming without the strings getting in the way.

The company coats the whole string, meaning that the gaps between the windings where the tone-deadening gunk usually builds up are coated as well. That’s why Elixir strings retain their tone longer than any other brand’s string, coated or uncoated.

Because the strings are protected from the elements that cause the aforementioned build-up and corrosion, the company's strings are able to maintain their premium sound for months.

Apart from that, there's also Elixir's anti-rust plating that works wonders deflecting the tone-deadening rust and corrosion effects.

In short, Elixir 12050 give you premium sound at an affordable price point. The strings' tone is warm but robust at the same time. They're lightweight but surprisingly durable. The strings feel slick and fast, much faster compared to traditional/conventional electric guitar strings.

Review of Elixir 12050 POLYWEB Coating

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $9.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B0002E1NQE

 

Fender Super 250's

Defined and Sustained Tone

Fender Super 250's reflect the company's legacy and attention to detail that we can definitely get behind.

The nickel-plated steel strings are as durable as they come but that's not necessarily impressive considering this is Fender we're talking about.

What is impressive, however, is the strings' high output that is somehow able to balance steel's dynamic sound with nickel's smooth feel.

Another surprising part that we didn't necessarily expect is just how suitable these strings are for beginners. The ball-ended design makes these strings easy to thread and equally easy to tune/adjust. The color-coded ends will make sure you don't confuse the strings.

As far as the tone is concerned, the strings' sound isn't necessarily brighter than anything we've reviewed above but definitely more defined and sustained. The intonation is solid, the treble is ridiculously good, and the magnetic output is far above average. The tone is warm but not too warm.

The only major problem we have with the strings and the biggest reason they score so low on the list is that they aren't corrosion-resistant.

Bottom line, Fender Super 250's are great strings. The tension is neither too light nor too heavy. The strings are especially good for tremolo-equipped guitars. They're equally suitable for practice and live concerts. The strings are pretty easy on the fingers too.

Review of Fender Super 250's Nickel-Plated Steel Strings

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $12.57
Stock In stock
ASIN B005MR6JL0

 

What Are Electric Guitar Strings?

It doesn't matter how good your electric guitar is. Alright, alright, it does. That being said, all guitars will sound awful when equipped with awful strings. The strings determine the sound almost as much as the instrument itself.

That's where these electric guitar strings come in. Using these strings, you'll be able to elevate your instrument's sound and take your performance to the next level.

The difference between quality strings and their subpar counterparts is very much noticeable. Good strings give you a rich and detailed tone. They reduce the so-called finger-squeaking effect. Above-average intonation, clear fundamentals, and good consistency are what separates quality strings from cheap products.

Inexperienced players will definitely appreciate the round-wound strings in these reviews since those work wonders preventing the usual fraying issue and hurt far less than regular strings.

Other than that, there's also the difference in harmonics, treble, bass, midrange, and overall output, so make sure to carefully read the reviews.

It won't hurt to check out our best electric guitars and guitar picks lists too.

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Publish Date: 2019-10-07 14:35:42