If you’re looking for the best banjo tuner out there, KLIQ UberTuner has it all. Whether it’s quality, value, and even an appealing price!
Tuning a banjo can be a chore, even if you’ve done it a million times. It takes time and precision to hit that sweet spot. So why bother? Get a tuner instead!
If you’re a beginner, you don’t need to seek a pro to tune your banjo for you. There are all sorts of electric tuners out there that can do the job for you. There are compact tuners, affordable ones, best for on-stage use, and those that can do it all!
The 5 Best Clip-On Banjo Tuners
We’ve not only found the best products for you, but we broke them down so you can find your own perfect fit.
KLIQ UberTuner
Best Overall
UberTuner by KLIQ is arguably one of the best tuners you can find. Its Piezo Sensor’s sensitivity provides the accuracy you need to tune your banjo. Coupled with its Microprocessor, you’ll have an accurately tuned banjo in no time.
It’s a comfortable tuner. Is there such a thing? You might ask. Well, since there are 3 points of adjustment for the screen; you can tilt it for 125 degrees vertically. This way, you can easily focus on tuning your banjo without straining your neck.
What makes UberTuner stand out from the rest of the tuners is its accuracy. It isn’t hindered by any noise. Nothing can distract it from your banjo’s vibrations. Pretty convenient for a banjo player, right?
UberTuner’s clip is crafted to have a gentle yet tight grip. Once you secure it onto your banjo, it’ll hold tight and without damaging the banjo. Even if it does fall, don’t fret, that’s where the warranty comes in.
PROS
- Stunning accuracy
- 3-Year warranty
- Can be used with other instruments
CONS
- Might have a faulty display
D’Addario NS Micro Clip-On Tuner
Best Compact Banjo Tuner
D’Addario’s NS Micro Tuner is quite accurate. It’s equipped with 3 buttons to enable you to adjust it to your specific preference.
There’s a cursor button for you to set the calibration of the tuner. You can pick one of four viewing angles using the orientation button and can use the power button to switch the tuner on and off. You don’t even need to worry about forgetting to switch it off, it can do it automatically.
Unlike most tuners, this micro tuner is almost indistinguishable. It’ll blend perfectly with your banjo. At only 1.25”, it’s impressively compact. It shouldn’t hinder your performances since no one will even know it’s there.
Don’t let its littleness fool you, it’s going to get the job done. It picks up on your banjo’s vibration while tuning out, pun intended, any background noise. You can rely on this one.
Not only does its clasp latch well onto your banjo, but it’s also padded in order to protect it from any scratches.
PROS
- Lightweight
- 4 viewing angles
- 360-degree movement
- Can be used with other instruments
CONS
- The tiny screen can be annoying
Snark Tuner ST-8HZ
Best Banjo Tuner Under
Snark Tuner ST-8Hz is great for its simplicity. You merely clip it, power it, and go.
Once it’s on, you’re greeted with a bright, high definition, colorful display. This screen is clear, easy to read even at a distance. It will guide you through the tuning process with ease.
Snark has a long line of tuners, this one is new and improved. Time is of the essence and this tuner knows it. With its new processing chip, it’s designed to save you time.
Another thing Snark improved in this model is its accuracy. Its vibration sensor can now tune with accuracy up 1/10 of 1 Hz. This is thanks to the hertz tuning feature. It’s designed to enable you to fine-tune your banjo.
You don’t need to worry about it falling off. The clip should have a solid grasp on your banjo. You can jump and dance in your performance without being held back. It’s padded to protect your instrument as well.
PROS
- Easy to use
- 360-degree movement
- Can be used with other instruments
CONS
- Might not last long
Snark ST-2
Best Tuner For Beginners
Another simple yet impressive Snark tuner is ST-2. It has cutting-edge technology that makes it another top-ranking tuner.
Snark’s high definition screen is a given with this one. It’s bright, clear, and reliable. It’s versatile with its 360-degrees rotation, making it pretty handy on stage.
This tuner is our top choice when it comes to beginners. If you’re new to this, your ear probably isn’t trained to detect an untuned string. ST-2 is equipped with a sensitive, built-in mic to serve as a trained ear for you.
This mic works in harmony with the tuner’s internal vibration sensor to tune your banjo as accurately as it could. The highly sensitive sensor focuses on the string’s vibration while the mic detects the sound.
In addition to its pitch calibration and tap tempo metronome, ST-2 features transpose function. This too ensures your instrument is finely tuned. These three technologies combined are very promising.
While many people say it’s perfect for electric guitars and bass, it’s a great fit for banjos as well.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Firm Clip-on
- Vibrant, red color
CONS
- Might not last long
Fender FT-1
Best On-Stage Tuner
FT-1 is a noticeably compact tuner. It’s so tiny that it can hide behind your banjo’s headstock. This makes it a good choice for on-stage performances since it’s minimally intrusive.
If you want it to be low-key, you can go for the black one. It will be almost imperceptible. But if you like to spice things up a little, there’s a red color that can add some stylishness to your gig.
Another feature that makes this a good choice for going on-stage is its bright green display. The LCD screen has a bright, neon green light that can be easily seen even in the darkest of places. This should facilitate tuning your banjo during your performance.
The screen is not only clear to read, but it also guides you through the tuning process. As soon as you’re on the right pitch, it gives you the green light. Literally. The backlight lights up so you can’t miss it.
Are you left-handed or right-handed? You know what, it doesn’t matter. Even if you’re ambidextrous, you shouldn’t face any trouble with FT-1. It can be easily mounted on your headstock from both sides.
PROS
- Versatile
- Wide tuning range
- Easy to read
CONS
- Might not last
Advantages of an Electronic Banjo Tuner
There are benefits of having an electronic banjo.
Easy to Use
Tuning an instrument can prove extremely challenging if you’re not used to it. You’re probably clueless and can’t detect the perfect pitch yet. In this case, buying a tuner will save you from playing with an untuned banjo and from calling for help. You can simply do it alone, at home.
If this is you, then Snark ST-2 might be a good fit for you. It’s great for beginners and even pros.
Saves Time
Even to a skilled banjo player tuning can be a hassle. It takes a lot of time and effort. Especially if your schedule is full, you barely have a moment to spare. Having a tuner on-the-go would be pretty convenient. Short notice performances wouldn’t be a problem anymore.
Our favorite on-the-go tuner is D’Addario NS Micro Clip-On Tuner. It’s efficiently compact with impressive quality.
Accurate
No matter how many times you’ve tuned banjos before, it still requires a lot of focus to hit that sweet spot. It’ll be even more challenging for you if you haven’t been doing this long. Opting for an electronic tuner would make your life easier. Especially if you’re a perfectionist, trust us on this one.
KLIQ UberTuner is the ultimate when it comes to perfectionists. It ought to impress you.
How to Choose the Right Banjo Tuner?
There are several factors that can affect your decision.
If You Want an All-Instruments Tuner
If you’re going to be switching your tuner from one instrument to another, then getting one that can accurately tune all instruments is the way to go.
If this is the case, then you might want to consider KLIQ UberTuner. It’s as great when used with other instruments as it is with banjos.
If You Want a Budget-Friendly Tuner
If you’re looking for something low-priced yet effective, then D’Addario’s NS Micro Tuner is perfect for you. You pay very little for a very impressive and accurate tuner.
What To Look For In a Banjo Tuner
There are things you should keep in mind while choosing your tuner.
Compatibility
Firstly, you need to make sure that the tuner can actually tune banjo. Not all tuners can tune a banjo, so bear that in mind while choosing one.
Versatility
Having an easily adjustable tuner is going to make your life easier. Make sure your tuner is rotatable. It’s even better if it’s adjustable vertically as well. A great example of this is KLIQ UberTuner. You can adjust it to your perfect fit.
Compactness
This is actually more important than you might think. You don’t want to be playing your banjo and have your audience distracted by a bulging device. D’Addario NS Micro Tuner is an exemplary compact tuner.
Vibration Sensor
Let’s face it, any musician works in pretty hectic environments. Having a tuner that can’t function well with a noisy background isn’t going to be very helpful, is it? It needs to target the vibration of the strings, in order for it to be accurate.
Snark Tuner ST-8HZ has a distinctive vibration sensor. It’s even amplified with its hertz tuning technology. This makes it a favorite to a lot of people for its accuracy.
How Can I Tune My Banjo?
The most common way to tune your banjo is the “open G.” This means that if you strum all of the strings, you’re strumming a G chord.
There are four methods you could use to tune your banjo.
By Ear
This is mostly for more experienced banjo players. They’re able to tune their instrument without being guided by anything else.
Electronic Tuner
This is perhaps the most efficient method.
Online Tuner
Technology is pretty convenient. You can tune your banjo on-the-go by simply downloading an app on your phone. It’s life-saving, some might say. However, its accuracy is debatable.
Using Other Instruments
This is a great option if you’re part of a band. You don’t need a tuner, you can simply use another instrument to tune your banjo. Not only will this achieve your perfect pitch, but it will also ensure your band’s harmony.
FAQs
Can I use any guitar tuner for my banjo?
A lot of electronic tuners work on all instruments. Make sure you pick one of these.
Do I need a tuner for my banjo?
If you don’t know how to tune your banjo then you probably need one. If you can but often do it in a rush, it’s recommended you consider a tuner.
Why go for an electronic tuner?
Relying on your ears can be time-consuming and, if you’re not a pro, inaccurate. Electronic tuners are more convenient than other methods of tuning since they require less time.
To Sum Up
Long story short, the best overall tuner for banjo is KLIQ UberTuner. It’s impressively precise, fast, and quite adjustable. It also has a long-lasting battery, which makes it ideal for on-stage use. If you like to strum guitars too, UberTuner should still be a good match for you.
Beginners shouldn’t have any issues using it either so it’s even ideal for them. Not to mention, it’s highly affordable.
The runner-up is D’Addario NS Micro Tuner. It’s also the most compact, yet it doesn’t detract from its efficiency. You can even custom-set its accuracy, using its unique buttons. This will help you achieve your perfect pitch.
D’Addario NS Tuner is highly adjustable, which makes it the ideal companion for on-stage performances.
Snark Tuner ST-8HZ is a close second runner up. Its impressive hertz sensor makes it a worthy competitor.
