Best acoustic guitar picks: our choice of picks for acoustic playing from Dunlop, D'Addario, and more

The connection between player and instrument is of paramount importance, both emotionally and physically. That point at which the two things meet plays a huge part in the sound that you hear, which is why having one of the best acoustic guitar picks really could make all the difference.

You might think it’s just a piece of plastic that you hit the strings with, and essentially it is. However, the material, thickness, shape – even how the edges are angled – can all make a difference to your tone and how you physically attack the strings.

The sound of an acoustic guitar relies so much on the movement of the strings and the wood; it’s not helped out by amplifiers or effects, so making sure you’ve got the best acoustic guitar picks for you can mean you sound and play better.

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Our top picks

Best overall

A long time ago, actual tortoise shell was used to make picks. For obvious reasons, this has been phased out, with celluloid largely replacing them. In more recent years, however, manufacturers have started to produce a new pick made from a protein-based plastic called casein which is more like the original tortoiseshell picks, both in terms of feel and sound.

These picks are lovely and warm sounding, and can tame particularly bright-sounding instruments or fresh acoustic guitar strings. They also feature a right-handed beveled edge that can help the pick glide naturally over the strings, resulting in super smooth strumming. The embossed logo also gives it a slight grip to help you keep a hold of the pick.

Best for beginners

These are superb acoustic guitar picks that offer excellent note definition and a comfortable playing experience. They’re made from ultex, so expect clear and bright tones with plenty of articulation.

The material makes them great for playing lead lines as you get a fast attack and great clarity, however the hand-beveled edges mean that they’ll glide over the strings nicely when you're using them for chord and strumming work too.

They’re great all-rounders, plus the grip really helps the contact between the pick and your fingers when playing on sweaty stages.

Best budget

Possibly the most popular pick amongst any type of guitarist. The Dunlop Tortex picks are instantly recognizable from their bright colors and offer players a durable and affordable pick that works well on electric, bass and acoustic guitars alike. They’re made from delrin and provide a bright but even response with a strong attack. They’ve also got a slightly powdery feel which helps with grip.

Acoustic guitars will often be fitted with higher gauge strings than electric guitars, so having a thick enough pick will ensure that you don’t get any sort of unwanted, plasticky percussive sound when you’re strumming. That said, we're huge advocates of being as comfortable as possible when playing, so if you play better with thin picks, then go for it!

Best durability

These are favored by many pro acoustic players as they can help reduce that plastic pick noise that you might hear with other picks. They tend to be darker, warmer and mellower sounding than something like celluloid or ultex, so might not be for everyone.

There is a range of shapes and thicknesses available, but it’s worth noting that these picks are quite stiff – that’s part of the reason why people love them. This TP48 is a nice wide triangle so works well for strumming and lead work. You can also choose your bevel (done by hand) depending on whether you are right or left handed.

These are also expensive, so it’s worth knowing what sort of pick you like before committing!

Best for strumming

Ultex picks are hard-wearing and reliable. They’ll also wield a bright and clear tone, allowing you to cut through a mix when you need to.

These Dunlop 426 picks are some of the best acoustic guitar picks for a variety of players. They’re bigger than a traditional guitar pick so they offer a larger surface area for your fingers and thumb, and for striking the strings.

If you’re one for big, bold strumming, then these are definitely worth experimenting with – they’re also some of the cheapest on this list, so it’s not a huge financial sacrifice to try them out.

Best thumb pick

Invented by guitar teacher Cole McBride, the Black Mountain Thumb Pick offers a new take on the classic acoustic guitar thumb pick. The adjustability has made it a hit, and it's available in lots of different varieties to suit any player or playing style.

Because it's spring-loaded, it'll fit a large variety of thumbs, and you can even specify what spring tension you want on the Black Mountain website. The varying tension means it can flex like a regular pick, giving you a great balance between comfort and stability.

I've been using one of these picks for a while now and although it took some getting used to, it's definitely a game changer if you feel a regular thumb pick isn't quite cutting it. The fact that it feels like a regular pick also makes it easier to get used to using one.

Also consider

Here’s a cool pick from Ernie Ball that might be perfect for players that prioritize precision in their picking. It’s a classic pick shape with a sharper point to it, allowing you pick out individual strings easily. Of course, as with any pick, you can play a variety of styles with it.

The edges have quite a sharp bevel to them which helps you get a nice, crisp attack with lots of clarity and articulation. Combine this with the delrin material and you’ve got a pick that’s tonally balanced, but can help brighten up your sound. They also do a mini version which might appeal to Jazz III lovers.

These nylon picks are a real classic and can work wonders on acoustic guitars. If you like a softer, warmer and more vintage sound, then these could be for you. Of course, different thicknesses are available, but nylon tends to have a little more give in it than some other materials, so many rhythm players like how they work for strumming.

Of course, it’s all personal preference, so if you’re playing more melody and lead lines, nylon picks can still be a good choice; just remember you won’t quite get as much attack when you’re striking the individual strings. The design of them also gives the picks somewhat of a grip, which can really help too. They’re also very durable so they’ll give you some decent mileage over the years.

FAQs

How we choose

When choosing the best acoustic guitar picks, we're relying on decades of experience playing the acoustic guitar. Over the years our writing team here at Guitar World have tested a plethora of acoustic guitars, as well as playing them at shows all over the world.

We've got a lot of experience with the acoustic guitar and have tried more picks than we'd care to remember. So when we recommend a pick for you, we're doing so from actual lived experience. We'd only select a pick we'd use ourselves, so you can rest assured that our choices will do a great job for you.

The picks in this guide will cover a multitude of different players and playing styles, as our team has a huge variety of players. So whether you're looking for a thin pick, a thick pick, or even a thumb pick, our selection has got your back.

Read more:

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