Compare Clip-On Tuners and Tuner Pedals
10 clip-on tuners and tuner pedals side by side, with their published specs and typical prices. Our picks come first; our clip-on tuners guide explains why we chose them.
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All Clip-On Tuners and Tuner Pedals
Spec Sheet Score (0–10): Based only on published specs like protection ratings and features. It doesn't measure sound, comfort, or fit, so it isn't our recommendation. How we calculate the spec sheet score
Showing all 10 products
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| TC Electronic PolyTune ClipTop Pick | 8.3 | Not yet tested | Clip-on | Yes | Yes | 0.02 | 435–445 Hz | CR2032 coin cell | No | Not published | $45–60£40–55View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario EclipseBudget PickLimited Data | 2.5 | Not yet tested | Clip-on | No | No | Not published | 430–450 Hz | CR2032 coin cell | No | Not published | $15–25£12–20View on Amazon |
| BOSS TU-3Best Pedal | 3.1 | Not yet tested | Pedal | No | No | 1 | 436–445 Hz | 9 V battery or adapter; DC out | Not published | Buffered bypass, mutes when tuning | $95–110£80–99View on Amazon |
| TC Electronic PolyTune 3 | 9.4 | Not yet tested | Pedal | Yes | Yes | 0.02 | 435–445 Hz | 9 V battery or adapter | Not published | Switchable buffer or true bypass | $90–110£75–95View on Amazon |
| TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Mini | 8.8 | Not yet tested | Pedal | Yes | Yes | 0.02 | Fixed 440 Hz | Adapter only | Not published | Switchable buffer or true bypass | $80–100£65–85View on Amazon |
| Korg Pitchblack X | 6.8 | Not yet tested | Pedal | No | Yes | 0.1 | 436–445 Hz | Adapter only | Not published | Selectable true bypass or buffer | $80–100£70–90View on Amazon |
| BOSS TU-3W Waza Craft | 3.1 | Not yet tested | Pedal | No | No | 1 | 436–445 Hz | 9 V battery or adapter; DC out | Not published | Selectable buffered or true bypass | $120–140£100–130View on Amazon |
| Limited Data. These makers publish under 60% of the specs we score, so their scores rest on fewer numbers. | |||||||||||
| D'Addario Eclipse RechargeableLimited Data | 5.0 | Not yet tested | Clip-on | No | No | Not published | 430–450 Hz | Built-in battery, USB-C | Yes | Not published | $25–35£20–30View on Amazon |
| Snark SN5XLimited Data | 2.5 | Not yet tested | Clip-on | No | No | Not published | 415–466 Hz | CR2032 coin cell | No | Not published | $12–20£12–18View on Amazon |
| D'Addario Micro Headstock TunerLimited Data | 2.5 | Not yet tested | Clip-on | No | No | Not published | 410–480 Hz | CR2032 coin cell | No | Not published | $15–25£14–20View on Amazon |
| No products match these filters. | |||||||||||
How We Calculate the Spec Sheet Score
we use only what each maker publishes, and only factors that apply to both clip-ons and pedals, so neither type is marked down for lacking the other's features. Accuracy counts most (weight 5): the finest published figure in cents is scored on a log scale from ±5 cents (0 points) to ±0.1 cent or better (10 points), so ±1 cent scores about 4 and ±0.5 cent about 6. A polyphonic mode, which reads all strings at once, is worth 2.
The calibration range is worth 1: a fixed 440 Hz scores 0 and a range 20 Hz wide or more scores 10. For clip-ons, a rechargeable battery is worth 1; pedals are left out of this factor. Pedal-only details such as buffers, true bypass and DC outputs are shown in the table but not scored.
Each factor gives 0 to 10 points and the score is the weighted average. If a maker does not publish a value (several clip-on makers publish no accuracy figure), that factor is left out and the remaining weights are rescaled, and the score is flagged as limited data. Price is not part of the score.
Products marked limited data are listed after the rest.
| Factor | Weight | How It Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 5 | Log scale from ±5 cents (0 points, about the limit of hearing) to ±0.1 cent (10 points). ±1 cent scores 4.1 and ±0.5 cent 5.9. Log because each halving of error matters about equally; the ±0.02 cent TC strobe claim is capped at the same 10 as Peterson's ±0.1. |
| Polyphonic Mode | 2 | A real speed advantage for guitar and bass; a published feature, not a subjective one. |
| Calibration Range | 1 | 0 Hz (fixed 440) scores 0; 20 Hz or wider (for example 430–450) scores 10. Matters for orchestras, baroque pitch and bands tuned off 440. |
| Rechargeable | 1 | Clip-ons only. Pedals run on mains or a 9 V battery, so this is left blank for them and the factor drops out of their score. |
- Tested Score: our own score from a hands-on review. It says "Not yet tested" until we've tested that product.
- Limited Data: the maker publishes under 60% of the specs we score, so the score rests on fewer numbers. These products are listed after the rest.
- Pro Reference: a professional model, far above the others on price, shown for comparison.
- Prices: typical ranges when we checked, not live prices. Amazon's price can differ.
Sources
Every spec comes from the maker's own product page, spec sheet, or manual. A spec shows as "Not published" when the maker doesn't state it.
- TC Electronic PolyTune Clip: tcelectronic.com, manualslib.com
- D'Addario Eclipse: daddario.com
- BOSS TU-3: boss.info
- TC Electronic PolyTune 3: tcelectronic.com, manualslib.com
- TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Mini: tcelectronic.com
- Korg Pitchblack X: korg.com
- BOSS TU-3W Waza Craft: boss.info
- D'Addario Eclipse Rechargeable: daddario.com
- Snark SN5X: snarktuners.com
- D'Addario Micro Headstock Tuner: daddario.com