Best Cheap Guitar Tuner?

Looking for a cheapie one to keep in your guitar case? Get the Qwik-Tune GUITAR tuner (should be less than $15).

DO NOT get the chromatic version, as it's not very good at all.

Avoid those cheap Korg tuners as well.

If you need one for live performance and you play electric, the Boss TU-1 chromatic stage tuner is the best one if found (but pricy, its $100 on sale).

UPDATE FOR 2021: While I still stand by what I wrote in this article, I have to add that cell phone app guitar tuners have reached a point where they are quite good and reliable (and free). If you want one that stays on your guitar, there are ones that clip on your headstock that are now cheap and pretty good. Do not leave them clipped on your headstock while playing live though, that's just a terrible look onstage (get a pedal for that). The clip on ones are not very durable either so if you play in a punk band or tend to drop stuff on the floor and step on things, they will not survive long.

My current advice is to use a cell phone app until you get annoyed with it for one reason or another and decide you want something else.

ALWAYS TUNE BEFORE PLAYING OR PRACTICING!

I am in no way affiliated with Boss, Qwick Tune, or their associated parent companies or affiliates.