Best guitar wireless systems 2025: set your playing free, from the rehearsal room to the stage

A Fender Telepath guitar wireless system on a carpet next to a guitar
(Image credit: Future)

Going wireless from using a regular guitar cable is a daunting proposition. I've debated over it for many years before finally making the switch after having a bad experience with a cheaper system, but now I've been using one for the last year or so, I can honestly say adding one of the best guitar wireless systems to your setup can be a total gamechanger.

My fears were the same as many guitarists, the idea of interference, and the quality of the battery. The last thing anyone wants, especially while playing live, is extraneous noises or just no signal at all, and these are the main barriers between guitarists like myself and wireless guitar systems. The thing is, those problems are largely an issue of the past, as the quality of wireless systems has gone up massively in recent years.

They're also a lot more accessible than they have been, so if you're after something on a budget then you should check out the XVive A58, which is a reliable and great value-for-money system. If you want the best overall, I think the king is still the Line 6 Relay G10S, which hits that nice 'prosumer' balance of top-end features without the gigantic price point.

If you're not sure how to go about selecting the best wireless guitar system for your needs, go check out my how to choose section which will guide you through everything you need to know. If you have any burning questions I've got an FAQ section for that, and I've put together a handy spec comparison of all my top choices to help make your life easier.

My top picks

Best overall

A Line 6 Relay G10S guitar wireless system

If you want a wireless system that covers all the bases, I'd go for the Line 6 Relay G10S (Image credit: Line 6)

1. Line 6 Relay G10S

Plug it in and go for a mid-set wander

Specifications

Range: Up to 130 feet line-of-sight
Transmitter life: 7 hours
Latency: N/A
Frequency response: 10Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic range: >112dB
Operating band: 2.4GHz
Sample rate: 24-bit

Reasons to buy

+
Great range
+
Can be used as a DI box
+
Rechargeable battery

Reasons to avoid

-
Compatibility issues with active pickups
At a Glance

Buy if you want a great all-around wireless system: Combining a great selection of features, durable build quality, and the ability to mount it on your pedalboard, the GS10S covers a huge array of guitarists' needs whether you only play at home or are regularly gigging.
Avoid if you use active pickups: Unfortunately there are some compatibility issues with this unit and active pickups, which may mean your guitar won't work with it.

Designed for use with guitar or bass, the Line 6 Relay G10S can be housed on a pedalboard or beside your guitar amp as a standalone unit. It uses a transmitter with a 1/4-inch connector that attaches to your guitar’s output, much as a Wi-Fi dongle would for a laptop or TV.

I love the fact you can use it as a DI box thanks to the XLR direct out, and there's a little micro switch on the transmitter that engages it and enables silent plugging in and out, great if you want to switch guitars mid-session.

With a full frequency response, a wide dynamic range to ensure your signal does not get compressed en route to your amplifier, 24-bit lossless digital audio quality, and Line 6’s Cable Tone tech to emulate the capacitance of a regular guitar cable, the G10S is an excellent system for the price, and offers fuss-free setup.

Best budget

An XVive A58 wireless guitar system plugged into an electric guitar

If you want a low-cost wireless guitar system that works well, the A58 is my top choice (Image credit: Future)
The new best budget guitar wireless system

Specifications

Range: >70 feet line-of-sight outdoors
Transmitter life: 5 hours
Latency: 6ms
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Dynamic range: >103dB
Operating band: 2.4GHz
Sample rate: 24-bit/48kHz

Reasons to buy

+
Awesome value for money
+
Doesn't compromise your guitar tone
+
Handy active/passive switch

Reasons to avoid

-
Transmitter is larger than others
At a Glance

Buy if you're on a tight budget: This wireless system is dirt cheap compared to some of the others on this list, so perfect for those who have less cash to splash.
Avoid if you care about the look: The dongles here are quite bulky and some dislike the look of them when plugged into their guitars.

Don’t be fooled – for the money and the unassuming dongle construction, XVive’s A58 has a very respectable range, a full frequency response, and transfers excellent-quality audio. Considering many guitar wireless systems can cost well over the $200 mark, the XVive A58 delivers for much less.

The precursor system the XVive U2 was much maligned for its bulbous and slightly tacky look, but thankfully that's been taken care of with this latest iteration, which has much more in common with other wireless systems available nowadays. It's also been upgraded from the single channel of the U2 to six channels, and it automatically picks the best channel based on signal strength.

It can be quite hard to tell the transmitter and receiver apart, particularly on a dark stage, but for an easily configurable wireless system offering this performance and change from 150 bucks, I can live with that.

EXPERT VERDICT: XVIVE A58
Maebe
EXPERT VERDICT: XVIVE A58
Michael Astley-Brown

"While I didn’t get to play a venue large enough to allow me to judge the 100ft range, I did conduct the obligatory ‘play guitar downstairs into an amp upstairs’ test, which introduced only a tiny bit of latency, despite two floors and numerous Wi-Fi signals in between."

Read more: XVive A58 review

Best for beginners

A Fender Telepath Wireless guitar system on top of a Stratocaster guitar

If you're looking for your first wireless system, the Fender Telepath is super easy to use (Image credit: Future)
A super simple to set up guitar wireless system

Specifications

Range: >70 feet line-of-sight
Transmitter life: 8 hours
Latency: 4ms
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Dynamic range: 100dB
Operating band: 5.8GHz
Sample rate: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Fits a wide range of guitars
+
Excellent tonal quality
+
Easy to distinguish transmitter and receiver
+
Active/passive switch is useful

Reasons to avoid

-
No ability to adjust cable tone
At a Glance

Buy if you want your first wireless system: It's super easy to set up and use the Fender Telepath, and it has loads of useful features, making it our top pick for those who are new to guitar wireless systems.
Avoid if you want adjustable cable tone: The Telepath only has one cable setting unlike some others in this guide, so look elsewhere if you like the sound of a particular cable length.

I ummed and ahhed over my first guitar wireless system for a lot of reasons, but mainly it was because when I started playing guitar there weren't that many options aimed at beginners. It's a very different world though nowadays, so if you're looking for ease of use then the Fender Telepath is my top choice.

While using it I found my tone was completely unaffected despite it being wireless, and I couldn't tell any difference between using it and using my regular guitar cable. It's a small detail, but the fact the transmitter and receiver are different colors is actually really useful, as most wireless systems don't tend to differentiate all that well. It's fine if you're at home but if you're at a gig on a dark stage and need to move in a hurry it becomes a lot more useful.

The units themselves are nice and lightweight, so you won't fell them at all when they're plugged into your guitar. The active/passive switch lowers the output which is great for hot humbuckers like EMGs, and is easily accessible making it great if you're swapping guitars a lot.

EXPERT VERDICT: FENDER TELEPATH
Maebe
EXPERT VERDICT: FENDER TELEPATH
Michael Astley-Brown

"Sonically, I found my guitar just as dynamic and punchy as with a cable, but it should be noted that Fender’s promised cable tone simulation is very subtle. In fact, I found my tone was slightly brighter compared to using my regular 15ft cable, or even a rival wireless system from Xvive – but to my surprise, I actually preferred it."

Read more: Fender Telepath review

Best for live performance

A Shure GLX-D16 wireless guitar system

For the regularly gigging players out there, Shure's GLX-D16 provides a robust solution (Image credit: Shure)

4. Shure GLX-D16

You want a pro-quality guitar wireless system? Oh, Shure you do!

Specifications

Range: 20-30m
Transmitter life: 12 hours
Latency: N/A
Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Dynamic range: 120dB
Operating band: 2.4GHz
Sample rate: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Pedalboard mounting
+
Onboard tuner
+
Frequency management reduces stress

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive 
At a Glance

Buy if you need a tough wireless system for playing live: Ruggedly built and packed full of features like auto frequency management, the GLX-D16 is perfect for those looking for a more professional wireless system.
Avoid if you're on a budget: This is one of the more expensive wireless systems here, so not for those on a tight budget.

For those players who are regularly gigging or touring, you'll need a tough guitar wireless system with a nice long range for those festival stages. Enter the Shure GLX-D16, which is designed for professional guitar players.

This system ships with Shure’s first pedalboard receiver, the GLX-D6, the GLX-D1 transmitter pack, and the WA305 Premium 1/4-inch to TA4F guitar cable that has a locking thread for secure connections between the transmitter and your guitar. I have to say, everything feels secure here and super-tough.

The GLX-D6 has a metal enclosure and is built to be positioned where it may get stepped on, and its bright LED tuner (strobe and needle) is a huge bonus. The unit features Shure’s LINKFREQ Automatic Frequency Management, so it will always find you a solid signal. If there’s interference, the unit will simply switch to another so that you can keep on playing.

Best for pedalboards

A Boss WL-50 guitar wireless system

If you want something low profile to go on your pedalboard, the WL-50 is an excellent option (Image credit: Boss)
A pedalboard-friendly design from the pedalboard ever-presents

Specifications

Range: 65 feet line-of-sight
Transmitter life: 7 hours
Latency: 2.3ms
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Dynamic range: >110dB
Operating band: 2.4GHz
Sample rate: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Fuss-free and good performance
+
DC output very useful
+
Long battery life and USB charging

Reasons to avoid

-
You have active pickups
At a Glance

Buy if you need a wireless system for your pedalboard: Similar in size to a regular Boss stompbox, the WL-50 is perfect for pedalboard users who don't want too much space taken up on their 'board.
Avoid if you have active pickups: Much like the Line 6 G10S, this unit isn't compatible with some active pickups, which is due to the way some active pickup-equipped guitars are wired.

As you might demand of a Boss unit, the WL-50 has a receiver that’s at home on your pedalboard, offering a convenient but excellent sound-quality performance. In my experience, the WL-50 offers ultra-low latency, excellent dynamics, full frequency response, and a very respectable 65-foot range.

It also has two onboard cable simulations to mimic the capacitance of a cable - It's exactly what I'm looking for in a wireless system. It's important to note that although the transmitter charges when placed in the receiver, if there's no power going to your 'board it will drain the battery. I found this out the hard way when I brought it to practice and the transmitter immediately went to red when I plugged it in, so you'll need to make sure you don't push it in all the way in between sessions.

Despite that small issue, I found myself playing for well over 5 hours before the light changed color, so I wouldn't have any qualms about using it live. I also love that you can power an additional pedal with the unit, so essentially you're not taking up a precious pedalboard power supply slot when using it.

EXPERT VERDICT: BOSS WL-50
Guitar World author Matt McCracken playing guitar on stage
EXPERT VERDICT: BOSS WL-50
Matt McCracken

"I've oft-debated whether or not to go completely wireless for shows and the WL-50 makes a compelling argument for me. There’s plenty of great functionality to make your life easier and assuage any fears of signal or battery loss, and the sound is simply fantastic."

Read more: Boss WL-50 review

Best for home use

A Positive Grid Spark Link guitar wireless system on top of a Positive Grid practice amp

If you're just playing at home, the Positive Grid Spark Link is my top choice (Image credit: Future/Matt McCracken)
A simple-to-use wireless guitar system

Specifications

Range: 70 feet (21 meters)
Transmitter life: 6 hours
Latency: >3ms
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Dynamic range: 96dB
Operating band: 2.4GHz
Sample rate: 24-bit/48kHz

Reasons to buy

+
A breeze to set up
+
Sounds excellent
+
Great range

Reasons to avoid

-
No dedicated charger
At a Glance

Buy if you want something easy to set up: Pairing the Positive Grid Spark Link took us less than a minute, making it perfect for first-timers or those who want a fuss-free experience.
Avoid if you want to play live: There's no pedalboard-mounted charging facility, so you'll need a separate phone charger if you want to use them live and prevent any mishaps.

A new offering from everyone’s favorite smart amp manufacturer, the Positive Grid Spark Link is a wireless guitar system that pairs perfectly with the company’s smart amps, making it an excellent choice for guitarists playing at home.

Nearly instantaneous pairing makes it easy to get off the mark, and it's easily one of the simplest wireless units to set up I've ever had. There was some slight confusion at first as to which was the receiver and which was the transmitter, but once you see the gold band on the input and the different direction of the arrows it's immediately obvious which is which.

The sound quality is phenomenal, and I managed to walk around my entire house while maintaining a signal and even placed it near my WiFi router with no noticeable interference. The only downside for me is that there’s no dedicated charger for mounting on a pedalboard, which could limit some of its potential as a live wireless guitar system.

EXPERT VERDICT: POSITIVE GRID SPARK LINK
Daryl Robertson
EXPERT VERDICT: POSITIVE GRID SPARK LINK
Daryl Robertson

"Simply switch them on, plug them in and away you go. If you are in a band and there are multiple LINKs in the room, you can switch the channels to ensure there is no interference. This is done by pressing the discrete button on each of the units – the color of the LED will change to indicate which channel you are using."

Read more: Positive Grid Spark Link review

Spec comparison

If you're struggling to decide between some of the options here, my handy spec comparison table should help you narrow down your choices. It features all the key specs of the wireless guitar systems side by side to help you make a better buying decision.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Model

Range

Battery life

Latency

Freq. Response

Dynamic range

Band

Sample rate

Line 6 Relay G10S

130ft

7 hours

N/A

10Hz-20kHz

>112dB

2.4GHz

24-bit

XVive A58

70ft

5 hours

6ms

20Hz-20kHz

>103dB

2.4GHz

24-bit/48kHz

Fender Telepath

70ft

8 hours

4ms

20Hz-20kHz

100dB

5.8GHz

N/A

Shure GLX-D16

100ft

12 hours

N/A

20Hz-20kHz

120dB

2.4GHz

N/A

Boss WL-50

65ft

7 hours

2.3ms

20Hz-20kHz

>110dB

2.4GHz

N/A

Positive Grid Spark Link

70ft

6 hours

>3ms

20Hz-20kHz

96dB

2.4GHz

24-bit/48kHz

Also consider

For me, the wireless systems above are the best in the business, but I do appreciate that every guitarist has a different need. If you didn't find what you were looking for above, then here are some more great options to consider.

Shure QLXD14328ft | >2.9ms | >120dB

Shure QLXD14
328ft | >2.9ms | >120dB
If you’re playing bigger stages or need a longer-range guitar wireless system, the Shire QLXD14 is a pro-level bit of kit that will have you covered. Packed with easy connectivity and professional-grade functionality, this is a serious bit of kit for the guitar players who really know their stuff.

NUX B-5RC100ft | >112db | 20Hz-20kHz

NUX B-5RC
100ft | >112db | 20Hz-20kHz
As far as plug-in and play options go, you’re hard-pressed to look past the NUX B5RC. A relatively new option on the scene, the B5RC has been designed with usability in mind and can be played right out of the box thanks to its use of automatic frequency matching.

Sennheiser XSW-D250ft | 106dB

Sennheiser XSW-D
250ft | <4ms | 10Hz-18kHz | >106dB
A smarter take on the dongle transmitter/receiver setup, Sennheiser’s XSW-D set is another wireless system that offers fuss-free use and high performance. In our test, we found the latency to be super-low - less than 4ms - meaning you play without noticing a delay. The XSW-D also boasts a maximum range of 250 feet in optimal conditions, which is more than most of us would need.

Lekato 5.8 GHz100ft | 5.6ms | 20Hz-20kHz | 100dB

Lekato 5.8 GHz
100ft | 5.6ms | 20Hz-20kHz | 100dB
If you were looking to explore the wireless option and didn’t want to over-invest, you could do a lot worse than the Lekato 5.8 GHz Wireless Guitar System. Firstly, we found that this wireless system is simple to use and set up, and can be used straight out of the box. Secondly, operating on a 5.8GHz band means it is far less likely to suffer interference from devices operating on 2.5GHz like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth or other household items, so this system gets a tick for that as well. But it’s the price that sets it apart from a lot of others on this list.

AKG WMS40 Mini150ft | 100dB

AKG WMS40 Mini
150ft | <4ms | 50Hz - 15kHz | >100dB
A great thing about this system is how easy it is to set up and use. It offers a plug-and-play style operation – basically, all you have to do is plug the jack cable into your guitar, attach it to the transmitter – and switch it all on and it will find the receiver without having to dial anything in.

Glossary

Carrier frequency
The carrier frequency, or carrier wave, is the electromagnetic wave which carries a signal from transmitter to receiver. The signal is encoded in the wave using modulation – in the case of guitar wireless systems, usually frequency modulation.

Dongle
A dongle is a widget -and has been used to describe plug-in devices that provide Bluetooth functionality, enable WiFi connectivity, or act as a software passkey for proprietary software (like the iLok for Pro Tools). Here, it’s the part of a guitar wireless system that plugs into your guitar, and transmits the results of your playing to a receiver.

Frequency
Frequency can mean one of two key things here; it describes the place on the audio spectrum that a sound occupies, or the band of radio wave over which a wireless system’s signal is transmitted.

Frequency modulation
Frequency modulation, or FM, is a form of signal encoding used to transmit signals wirelessly. A carrier signal’s frequency is modulated by the data you wish to transmit, and the resulting modulations decoded back into that data by the receiver.

GHz
GHz is a unit of measurement, describing how many billions of cycles per second something operates with – otherwise known as its frequency.

Latency
Latency is the delay between the creation of a signal and its representation at the end of a system. Such delays are largely the result of time taken to package, decode and process a signal by a computer or digital system. Latency is unavoidably present in guitar wireless systems, which are digital by nature; however, the best guitar wireless systems keep latency at an imperceptible low of 2-3ms (milliseconds), far lower than the 10-15ms threshold for human perception of delayed sound.

MHz
MHz is a unit of measurement, describing how many millions of cycles per second something operates with – otherwise known as its frequency.

Radio wave
Radio waves are high-frequency electromagnetic waves, used for the transmission of data wirelessly over distance. There are three frequency bands used by guitar wireless systems: VHF, UHF and the GHz range.

Range
Range is the maximum distance you can put between a guitar wireless system’s receiver and transmitter before the signal starts to fail. Many systems are capable of transmitting signal reliably over at least 50 feet, but some are capable of broadcasting well over 100 feet.

Receiver
A guitar wireless system’s receiver is the part which receives the transmitted signal from your guitar; it's plugged into your amplifier or pedalboard’s input, so as to send analogue audio signal through the relevant circuitry to be amplified properly.

Transmitter
A guitar wireless system’s transmitter is the part which sends signal from your guitar to the receiver; it's typically a dongle with a jack plug built in, or a pack with a clip for attachment to your guitar strap or belt; it's plugged straight into your guitar, or into the output of your pedalboard if you prefer to stand close by your effects.

UHF
UHF stands for Ultra High Frequency, and concerns electromagnetic waves with a frequency between 300MHz and 3GHz.

VHF
VHF stands for Very High Frequency, and concerns electromagnetic waves with a frequency between 30MHz and 300MHz.

How to choose

A man stomps on a pedalboard with a Boss guitar wireless system in use

(Image credit: Boss)

Guitar wireless systems exist to fulfil a singular purpose: get the sound of your guitar over there, but wirelessly. Though their purpose is singular, different systems still have different merits. Which merits are most useful to you?

1. Know your use case
Your choice of guitar wireless system should be predicated on the specific needs you have as a guitarist – so what are your needs? Are you a gigging musician lucky enough to snag a main-stage festival set, or a touring support slot with a stadium act? Are you a function musician looking for a little flexibility in your rig? Are you an at-home music-maker trying to simplify your setup?

Each of these examples comes with a different set of expectations. For someone graduating to bigger stages, range is one of your biggest concerns; you don’t want to try your luck on the stadium catwalk only for your signal to drop out mid-riff. For someone putting in the hard yards at smaller venues, you’ll care more about the robustness of the equipment itself – and for someone playing at home, there isn’t much more you could want than a stable signal and easy plug-and-playability. With your playing needs in mind, you can apply the following tips to your own situation!

2. Going the distance
Range is the obvious criterion to consider when looking at guitar wireless systems, but not necessarily the most important – unless your own needs dictate it to be. The vast majority of these systems can happily transmit well over 50 feet in distance, and many of them can even exceed 100 feet in range comfortably. Personally, I can’t remember the last time I was more than 20 feet from my amp on stage – but then again, I’m not playing arenas... yet.

Still, range might be important for you to consider. Some of you might be looking to completely outsource your guitar tone to your sound engineer (particularly if you have a complex live setup, or a carefully-tuned digital-modelling signal chain in a DAW), in which case you’d benefit from a wireless system that could reach most FOH desks. Others, as touched upon, might actually be playing arenas – and want your signal to reach the bank of amps you’ve got hidden backstage with your guitar tech.

3. Change the channel
If you’re taking your wireless-equipped guitar rig out to play festivals, you’ll likely be contending with other guitarists using similar systems – or the wider issue of interference from the myriad other wireless devices and Wi-Fi signals with which you’ll be briefly sharing space. If this is a concern for you, you’ll want a system that can adapt. A wireless system with selectable channels enables you to avoid sharing carrier frequencies with other guitarists or wireless networks, saving you from a noisy rig.

Selectable channels are the reserve of guitar wireless systems that operate using higher carrier frequency ranges, which benefit from a wider bandwidth and hence more “room” for channels. Some systems use the VHF range, with narrower bandwidth and more competition from radio stations and networks; systems with selectable channels will typically use UHF or GHz ranges (nominally, 2.4GHz or 5.8GHz). GHz-operating wireless systems can sometimes experience interference from WiFi signals, so professional rig setter-uppers often defer to UHF for a combination of high bandwidth and low competition.

4. Form and format
The practicality of a given guitar wireless system isn’t based solely on its feature-set. It also needs to work, physically, with your setup. This can mean a few things, but here I'm mostly concerned with build quality and form factor. Cheaper systems will naturally be encased in a cheaper chassis, and potentially more prone to breakage – less of an issue for less-mobile guitarists, but something to consider when touring.

Some systems will use a pair of dongles, with jack plugs hardwired onto them for immediate plugging-in and wigging-out. These are great for convenience of setup and use, but also create a point of failure for the more energetic players amongst us. Some rigs will make the transmitter a separate pack that you clip onto a strap or belt, and connect to your guitar with a short jack cable. This is better design for repeated stage use, but a little less convenient for some. There’s no better or worse here, just what works better for you!

5. Know your budget
It’s a question you ought to ask yourself every time you consider a new piece of equipment for your setup, be it at home or for your live rig. Still, it bears repeating, now and every time: how much can you actually afford?

Barring some unique exceptions, you’re guaranteed to see better features at higher price points; the questions is if these price points align with what you’re willing to pay, and if those additional features are even necessary for your setup. For instance, if we’ve already established that you’re a small-venue or studio-bound guitarist looking mainly to minimise trailing cables, you won’t need to find extra money for extra range you wouldn’t be using.

FAQs

How do guitar wireless systems work?

Guitar wireless systems work using the same principles as FM radio. The frequency of a carrier wave is modulated by the signal you want to send, and broadcast using a transmitter; that modulated wave is received and decoded back into the original by a receiver. The transmitter plugs into your guitar or the end of your pedalboard, and the receiver plugs in wherever you want your guitar’s signal to go – be it your pedalboard or your amp.

All guitar wireless systems share this same essential functionality, but approach the technology in slightly different ways. Some use different frequencies of carrier wave, whether to make the tech within cheaper or to benefit from more bandwidth and less risk of interference.

Some will offer selectable channels, for better avoidance of interference. Sometimes, the transmitter will be in the form of a dongle with a jack plug attached to it that plugs straight into your guitar, and other times, you’ll take a short cable out of the guitar into the transmitter that’s usually worn on your strap.

What is GHz?

When looking at the best guitar wireless systems, you’ll see GHz being used a lot. GHz stands for gigahertz, and describes an extremely high-frequency band of carrier waves for your wireless signal.

Some systems operate at around 2.4GHz, and other newer models use 5.8GHz. High frequency waves like these and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) waves are preferred by some for their bandwidth, which leaves more ‘space’ between transmitted signals at different carrier frequencies; this means such systems can offer selectable channels for audio to transmit across, allowing you to switch away from contested frequencies and any resulting interference.

A lot of everyday household items such as wi-fi routers and smartphones use carrier waves around the 2.4 and 5.8GHz frequency bands, meaning you could be prone to more interference depending on what else is going on around where you’re using it.

Not all wireless systems use the GHz range, though – most professional rigs feature systems that use the UHF range, which benefits from minimal competition from other sources as well as a broad bandwidth.

How are guitar wireless systems powered?

The transmitter in your guitar wireless system will be designed to run on battery power. Increasingly, these systems come with built-in rechargeable batteries, and even some clever docking technology for quick charging, but some tried-and-tested models still take standard batteries that can be changed as required.

Some systems will have a receiver designed to take DC power from a pedalboard power supply, and others can be mains-powered; some more portable, plug-and-play options will have a receiver that works similarly to the transmitter, and run on battery power for convenience in setting up.

Though wireless systems rely on battery power to be practical, drained batteries are not often a point of failure for guitarists. Most systems boast a transmitter battery life of 5 hours at minimum, so a full charge will always see you through at least a couple gig days before you need to charge again.

How much range do I need in my wireless system?

One thing you'll want to consider when purchasing a wireless system is its range. You may have noticed that the more expensive systems have a longer range, allowing you to play further away from the receiver. However, this may not always be necessary for your situation. You should consider where you are likely to be playing the majority of the time.

If you, like most of us, are more likely to grace the stage of your local DIY venue then you don’t need to break the bank on a professional wireless system with a range of over 3 miles. Save yourself a bit of money and go with a more affordable option like the Xvive U2. Although, if you are on the up and have gained a spot on an international tour supporting Iron Maiden, then a system like the Line 6 Relay G55 will give you much more distance so you can gallop the stage freely.

Do you lose tone with a guitar wireless system?

In short, you do not lose tone if you use one of the best guitar wireless systems. Indeed, many have less impact on your signal than a long guitar cable would!

Guitar wireless systems are, in the vast majority of cases, digital - a word powerful enough to scare a vocal subset of guitarists otherwise enamoured with the mojo bestowed by point-to-point amplifier designs. The stigma of ‘digital’, stoked by the unimpressive results of early amp and pedal designs in the 20th century, is a hard one to shake – but today, digital is functionally transparent, provided the resolution is high enough.

Some cheaper systems might introduce colouration through compression of the transmitted signal, but most on the market will not. Besides which, a fundamental and measurable colouration of guitar signal actually comes from capacitance introduced by long runs of guitar lead. This capacitance forms a low-pass filter between your guitar and its destination, resulting in some treble roll-off – a phenomenon many are used to, to the point that some guitar wireless systems include an optional low-pass filter to simulate the presence of a cable.

Aren’t wireless systems just for huge arena bands?

Some people have the perception that the best guitar wireless systems are reserved for people in huge bands playing stadiums and arenas. While that used to be the case, it isn’t anymore. Not only are wireless systems now more affordable than ever, they’re also becoming a more common sight in smaller venues, studios and even at home. Using a wireless system means there are fewer cables, which in a confined space can really make a big difference.

Also, with more and more home practice amps allowing for wireless streaming of music via Bluetooth, it makes sense that the connection from guitar to amp follows suit.

Do guitar wireless systems have latency?

Guitar wireless systems do have latency – that is, a delay between the note you play and its arrival on the other side of your receiver – but this latency is functionally negligible. Latency is typically a result of the time required for a sound to be processed by something, which is why you experience it in your DAW when playing into a busy session, or upping the sample rate.

There is some processing happening in your wireless system, as your signal needs to be converted into a modulation signal by the transmitter, then back into audio by your receiver, but the total time delay this creates is somewhere in the region of 2 milliseconds.

I don’t know exactly the threshold for human perception of time delay, but it’s estimated to be around 10 milliseconds.

How we test

Testing the Boss WL50 wireless system

(Image credit: Future/Matt McCracken)

Guitar World is a leading authority in all things guitar gear, with a team of experienced musicians and experts who have tested and reviewed countless guitar products, including many guitar wireless systems. As avid guitar enthusiasts, we understand the importance of achieving the perfect tone whilst eliminating any potential issues with cables.

To create our list of the best guitar wireless systems, we combine our practical experience, user feedback, and in-depth discussions with our editorial team to arrive at a consensus. We evaluate various factors such as pricing, range, latency, battery life, and ease of use to ensure that we showcase the best guitar wireless systems currently available on the market.

As guitar players ourselves, we know that a great wireless system can make a big difference in terms of mobility and can massively enhance your stage presence. That's why we are committed to providing reliable and knowledgeable recommendations to help guitarists find the ideal wireless system to suit their specific needs and preferences. Our ultimate aim is to help guitarists unlock their full potential and deliver a flawless performance with the best guitar wireless systems out there.

Read more about how we test at Guitar World.

Meet the experts

Jonathan Horsley
Jonathan Horsley

Jonathan Horsley has been writing about guitars since 2005, playing them since 1990, and regularly contributes to publications including Guitar World, MusicRadar and Total Guitar. He uses Jazz III nylon picks, 10s during the week, 9s at the weekend, and shamefully still struggles with rhythm figure one of Van Halen’s Panama.

Guitar World author Matt McCracken playing guitar on stage
Matt McCracken

Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at Guitar World. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on guitars, amps, pedals, modelers, and pretty much anything else guitar-related. Responsible for over 60 buying guides, a large part of his role is helping guitarists find the best deals on gear. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for various music sites including MusicRadar, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog.

Richard Blenkinsop profile pic
Richard Blenkinsop

After spending a decade in music retail, I’m now a freelance writer for Guitar World, MusicRadar, Guitar Player and Reverb, specialising in electric and acoustic guitars, bass, and almost anything else you can make a tune with. When my head’s not buried in the best of modern and vintage gear, I run a small company helping musicians with songwriting, production and performance, and I play bass in an alt-rock band.

James Grimshaw
James Grimshaw

James Grimshaw is a freelance writer and music obsessive with over a decade in music and audio writing. They’ve lent their audio-tech opinions (amongst others) to the likes of Guitar World, MusicRadar and the London Evening Standard – before which, they covered everything music and Leeds through their section-editorship of national e-magazine The State Of The Arts. When they aren’t blasting esoteric noise-rock around the house, they’re playing out with esoteric noise-rock bands in DIY venues across the country; James will evangelise to you about Tera Melos until the sun comes up.

Latest updates

Recent updates

25/09/25: The guide now has a "How To Choose" section highlighting the main points to look out for when purchasing a wireless system for your guitar. The FAQ section has been completely rewritten to give you more practical information and a glossary has also been added to help you navigate the finer points of wireless systems. Finally, a "Meet The Experts" section is now included.

Read more:

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Jonathan Horsley has been writing about guitars since 2005, playing them since 1990, and regularly contributes to publications including Guitar World, MusicRadar and Total Guitar. He uses Jazz III nylon picks, 10s during the week, 9s at the weekend, and shamefully still struggles with rhythm figure one of Van Halen’s Panama.

With contributions from