Few things feel as good as a fresh set of acoustic strings. Over time, dead skin, sweat, and dust gather in the grooves, making your strings sound dull and feel unpleasant. Restringing your guitar with some of the best acoustic guitar strings is not only the quickest and most affordable maintenance you can do, but it's also one of the most effective ways to revive your beloved acoustic.
Restringing isn’t a big job, and we recommend doing it regularly to keep getting the most out of your guitar. You might not notice the gradual decline in your strings' sound, but as soon as you replace them with a fresh set, the difference is immediate. You’ll hear a brighter, more vibrant tone with an enhanced top end. Playing will feel smoother and easier with a new set of strings, and restringing often helps resolve tuning and intonation issues.
Product guide
Material: Steel core, aluminum bronze winding
Coated: No
+ Premium protection
+ For all players
- Can be too bright
Strings take quite a beating over the course of their lifespans. Whether it’s changes in temperature and humidity or simply being constantly tickled by your sweaty fingers, the life of a string is a tough one.
So, if you are looking to prolong the life of your strings, the Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze set is a solid choice - especially if you aren't a fan of traditionally coated strings.
Now, while we personally like the sound of a brighter acoustic guitar, we will admit that these Ernie Ball strings can get a little too bright at times. So, do bear that in mind if your guitar is already too bright.
Material: High carbon steel core, nickel-plated phosphor bronze winding
Coated: No
+ Natural tone
+ Great for bands
- Not as durable
The D'Addario Nickel Bronze set might be right up your street if coated strings just aren't doing it for you. Uncoated strings offer the ultimate clarity and crispness, meaning your guitar will sing in the way the manufacturer intended.
These strings feature nickel-plated phosphor bronze wrapped around a steel core, delivering a fantastic boost to mid-range frequencies. This focus on the mid-range helps these strings cut through a band mix exceptionally well, making them a top choice if you need to be heard over your bassist.
The tradeoff of not using coated strings is that they may not last as long. However, these acoustic guitar strings generally come at a much more modest price.
Material: Phosphor bronze and 80/20 bronze options
Coated: Yes
+ Effective coating
+ Great tuning stability
- Coating isn't for everyone
The new XT line-up may be D'Addario's most advanced strings yet. These meticulously designed strings combine all of D'Addario's bright ideas - including high-carbon NY Steel, fusion twist technology and, of course, those irresistible colored ball ends - and adds a new string coating that not only triples the lifespan of the string but to us, they feel identical to uncoated strings.
Look, this advanced technology doesn't come cheap. These fancy strings are significantly more expensive than a standard set, and to some ears, there may not be that much of a difference in tone.
Material: Steel core, phosphor bronze winding
Coated: No
+ Consistent
+ Durable
- Too mellow
For most players earning a signature guitar would be an achievement, but Eric Clapton has reached that special status where he actually has a set of signature strings bearing his name.
The Martin Clapton's Choice acoustic guitar strings are phosphor bronze in their make-up, and in our tests, they are impressive in their consistency.
Phosphor bronze can lack that zing and these signature strings are no different. So, if you are looking for a modern, bright attack from your acoustic, you may want to look elsewhere.
Material: Phosphor Bronze Winding, Hex Core
Coated: Yes
+ Increased lifespan
+ Smooth feel
- Expensive
One of the more recent additions to D’Addario’s already stellar lineup, the XS sets feature a super-thin coating that we feel provides a superb feel and an extended lifespan.
Like the XTs, they’re also made using high-carbon NY steel which helps make them harder to break and easier to keep in tune.
While these strings sound fresher for longer, giving a really nice, balanced sound over a prolonged period of time, they are very expensive, so if you have multiple guitars get ready to shell out a small fortune.
Material: Steel core, phosphor bronze winding, Dura-tone
Coated: Yes
+ Unrivaled durability
+ Reasonably priced
- Coating changes feel
Despite the tonal benefits of using uncoated strings, there are situations where using coated strings may be prudent. Changes in humidity can have a huge impact on string life, tuning stability and tone.
By coating the strings in their patented 'Dura-tone' micro-treatment, Fender claims they can last up to five times longer than regular, untreated strings.
These strings could be worthwhile if you're a sweaty player, or just hate changing your strings - but do be warned, the coating can change the feel of the strings drastically.
Material: Steel core, 80/20 bronze winding
Coated: Yes
+ Coated without affecting tone
+ Highly playable
- Too bright for some
Elixir knows a thing or two about coating strings and has developed a patented coating which the company claims offers the same protection as regular polymer coatings but without the tonal drawbacks - making them arguably the most well-known maker of coated strings.
In our experience, these strings last longer than uncoated strings, yet at no point will make you feel like you're compromising tone in order to achieve this durability.
That said, the coating can break down if you're a heavy hitter. So, bear that in mind if you like to smack those cowboy chords.
Material: Steel core, phosphor bronze winding
Coated: No
+ Bright tone
+ Long-lasting
- Thicker than some
When the company produces acoustic guitars as legendary as the J-45 and Hummingbird, it's only right that Gibson also has a range of strings that live up to that same reputation.
Continuing the phosphor bronze theme, these strings do run slightly thicker than equivalents from other brands. But the sound you get matches clarity and purity of tone with longevity to create a potent package for any player - not just Gibson fans.
These Gibson strings are also available in an 80/20 bronze version if you want to pull a little more high-end brightness from your acoustic guitar.
Material: Nylon, silver-plated copper winding
Coated: No
+ USA made
+ Articulate tone
- Some may prefer ball ends
Although nylon strings deteriorate at a slower pace compared to steel strings due to their resistance to oxidation, it’s still beneficial to keep them fresh. Unsurprisingly, D’Addario produces some of the best nylon strings in the business, particularly the Pro Arté series.
The Pro Arté series offers two tensions—normal and hard—with the latter being preferable for a snappier, louder tone that has plenty of high-end zing. The normal tension has a mellow tone that works very well for softer classical pieces.
Handmade in the USA, the Pro Arté series exudes quality, and a fresh set should last you a few months, provided you avoid any string snaps. However, if you find the process of tying nylon strings to the bridge fiddly and prefer ball-end strings, they might not be your first choice.
Material: Phosphor bronze and 80/20 bronze options
Coated: No
+ Balanced tone
+ Cost-effective
- No coated options
Let’s face it, changing strings on a 12-string is a bit of a chore—double the strings means double the work. But when you finally bite the bullet, Ernie Ball’s Earthwood acoustic guitar strings are well worth considering.
The Earthwood range includes both 80/20 and phosphor bronze options, giving you a choice between slightly brighter tones or warmer, mellower sounds. Whichever you choose, each set is well-balanced, providing a consistent and pleasant tone across every string. With three gauges available—light, custom light, and medium—there’s enough choice to satisfy most players.
The entire Earthwood range is very cost-effective, and even the 12-string sets won’t break the bank. But don’t let the price fool you—these strings are high-quality and hold up well over time, offering excellent value for money. That said, Ernie Ball doesn’t offer a coated option in the Earthwood range, which may be a drawback for some players.
FAQs
Choosing the best acoustic guitar strings for you
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