Tools for the Task: Clip-On Tuners

Listening to an out-of-tune guitarist is like hearing fingernails on a chalkboard. Don’t be that guitarist! There are many clip-on options for those who prefer their tuner off the floor and close at hand, with myriad features, easy-to-read displays, and discreet profiles.

KORG Sledgehammer Pro

This tuner features an ultra-bright 3D display, calibration controls, and pitch-detection accuracy to a tenth of a cent.
$29 street
korg.com

ONBOARD RESEARCH Intellitouch PT40

The PT40 ignores background noise through vibration-based tuning. It boasts a large, backlit display, and you can recharge its lithium-ion battery via the included USB cable.
$49 street
onboardresearch.com

D’ADDARIO PW-CT-10 NS

This headstock tuner for guitars, basses, and other stringed instruments uses a piezo sensor and features a large multi-color display for easy tuning in noisy and dimly lit situations.
$29 street
daddario.com

PETERSON StroboClip

Encased in a stainless-steel shell, this strobe tuner offers a bright HD display, 28 “Sweetener” presets, and 1/10-cent accuracy.
$79 street
petersontuners.com

BOSS TU-10

This tuner has a multicolor display and features derived from other Boss tuners, including “Accu-Pitch” technology and “Stream” mode. It allows for lowered tunings of up to five semitones.
$29 street
bossus.com

SNARK SN-8

With a display that can rotate 360 degrees, this bright, easy-to-read tuner can accommodate left-handed players and unconventional instruments. Bonus: a built-in tap-tempo metronome.
$15 street
snarktuners.com

GOGO The Mini

This ultra-compact tuner stays out of the way while providing tuning accuracy to a half of a cent. The display boasts crisp resolution, large display fonts, and bright, two-color LEDs.
$13 street
gogotuners.com

MEISEL Magmount MM-10

You can secure this tuner to your headstock—or remove its clip and attach it to metal tuning machines using Magmount’s integrated magnets.
$18 street
meiselaccessories.com

SAMSON CT260V

< This tuner features a vertical LCD display for smooth, realtime tuning verification, a dual 360-degree ball-joint clip for viewing at any angle, and an auto-on/off function.
$19 street
samsontech.com

KLIQ MUSIC GEAR UberTuner

This tuner offers three points of adjustment for optimal visibility and a brightly backlit LED display.
$24 street
kliqmusicgear.com