5 Best Acoustic Guitar Strings (That Break Less + Have Great Tone)
Discover the best acoustic guitar strings for beginners to experienced, for blues to bluegrass
We are supported by our visitors. If you click through our links & make a purchase, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
If you're an acoustic guitar player after acoustic guitar strings, you'll love what we have in store for you.
You know how vital the right strings are for your acoustic, don't you? They will make or break your guitars' tone and how effortless and easy it feels for you to play up and down the neck.
Whether you're after light gauge, medium or heavy strings for your guitar, all of our top picks come in every thickness you desire.
So come on and let us show you the very best acoustic strings you can buy today.
Acoustic Guitar Strings FAQ
Q. What should I think about when buying acoustic strings?
The Top 5 factors you need to consider are:
1. Gauge - Here, we're talking about how thick the strings are. Lighter strings are easier on your fingers and produce a crisp, bright tone than heavier strings which beginners may find a pinch unkind on their fingers.
2. Material - The three most popular string metals are phosphor bronze, silk & steel and 80/20 (80% copper, 20% zinc). How crisp and bright your strings sound is determined by the metal used. Cheaper strings, for example, can rust after a short time.
3. Winding - This is to do with how the wire wraps around the core of the string. There are three main methods; flat-wound, round-wound and half-wound. Round-wound is the most common type used, with half-rounds being the least used.
4. String coating - By coating strings in a micro-thin coating such as nanoweb and polyweb, your strings can not only last several times longer than uncoated strings, but the tone and feel of the strings is greatly enhanced too.
5. String core - The three lower thick strings on your guitar (E, A, D & sometimes the G) have a solid wire core. Round Core gives sustain, warmth and flexibility, whilst Hex Core strings are usually bright with a strong attack but less sustain.
Are you sick of strings hurting your fingers and making your practice time a drag? Time to change your strings to Elixir's then. A fantastic brand of strings suited to many styles of music, including blues, bluegrass, and folk style acoustic guitar playing.
Elixir strings come with a nanoweb or polyweb coating making them feel silky smooth and a dream to play. Furthermore, they really do last at least 3-4 times longer than cheaper uncoated string brands because they're coated.
Due to the superior materials and coating, these Elixir acoustic guitar strings hold their tuning beautifully too. From phosphor bronze to 80/20 bronze, we urge you to try Elixir coated acoustic guitar strings.
You'll probably never go back to your old uncoated strings again.
What the Manufacturer Says
- Only coated string brand to protect the entire string with an ultra-thin coating, keeping gunk out of the gaps between the windings
- Extended Tone Life – players report their tone lasts longer than any other string, uncoated or coated
- Consistent performance and tone – ready to play whenever you are
With their micro-coated string wrapping, these D'Addario EXP 80/20 Bronze strings make your acoustic guitar sound crystal clear and feel gorgeous to play.
If you're sick of your guitar strings feeling brittle and sounding dull after just a week of use, invest in these coated D'Addario strings.
Whether you're playing at home, recording or gigging, the tone of the D'Addario EXP11 coated strings are some of the best acoustic guitar strings you could buy and a top choice for any acoustic player who wants their strings to last 3-4 times longer.
What the Manufacturer Says
- D'Addario EXP strings are created using advanced proprietary machinery
- The string lifespan is a minimum of 4 times longer
- The NY Steel deliver the natural, vibrant sound of regular phosphor bronze
- An ultra-fine layer of EXP Coating is bonded to the 80/20 bronze wrap
Best acoustic guitar strings for bluegrass? D'Addario EJ19 Phosphor Bronze Bluegrass: Get on Amazon
If you're after cheap as chips traditional non-coated strings, first we'd ask you why on earth is that?
Joking aside, these Ernie Ball acoustic strings are well-loved industry-standard strings you can trust if you're on a tight budget.
The 80% copper 20% zinc Earthwoods help the sound resonate from your acoustic, producing a clean and fresh tone, and despite them being non-coated, they don't feel too bad to play.
What the Manufacturer Says
- 80/20 bronze wrap wire
- Bright balanced tone
- Superior clarity
- Crafted in Southern California, USA. featuring the finest and freshest materials
Our third pair of coated acoustic guitar strings, the Rotosound Nexus clear coated phosphor bronze gives a bright, punchy tone. Thanks to the coating, they're kinder on your fingers; a real bonus if you're a beginner.
Because changing strings is a real bore, do yourself a favour and pay that little bit extra for strings that give you longer life and better sound to boot.
Most users report that the strings stay vibrant and full of life even when they have been on the guitar for months, and the lighter gauge options are more forgiving on your fingers. Happy days.
What the Manufacturer Says
- The clear polymer coating allows for a more subtle tone
- Subdued finger noise & highly resistant to perspiration from the players hands
- Legendary British tone
After the best nylon classical guitar strings? D'Addario Pro-Arte: Get on Amazon
Thanks to the patented anti-corrosion treatment that protects them, the Martin Lifespan 2.0 Authentic Acoustic guitar strings will make your guitar playing sparkle.
Whether you're fingerpicking a classic like Dust in The Wind or strumming big chordy rhythm parts like Neil Young, the sound from these strings is balanced from the bass strings to the treble.
Because the Martin Lifespan strings come in lighter gauges, they suit smaller-bodied guitars such as travel and parlour guitars. These coated strings are great value for money and have a feel that won't tire your fingers out after a long practice session.
What the Manufacturer Says
- Available in gauges extra light to medium
- Made from 92/8 phosphor bronze for brilliance & clarity
- Anti-corrosion treatment that protects the core & wrap wire from corrosion
