Best Electric Guitar Strings

Ernie Ball P03221 are big time. These strings are equally suitable for all styles and genres. You'll be able to pull off heavy riffs, awesome arpeggios, and virtuoso solos.

These things create the brightest but, at the same time, the most balanced harmonics. The classic balanced tone offers superb output, solid treble, above-average midrange, and high-class bass. The strings' nickel-plated steel composition is responsible for the product's practically unmatched overall intonation and superb consistency.

At the same time, the high-carbon steel hex core makes these string ridiculously durable. You will not have to replace them in the foreseeable future. The sound will remain rich and bright for months. The only exception is the usual Ernie Ball issue with the high E string being much weaker than every other string. You'll have to be careful with that string. Otherwise, it will break sooner than necessary.

On the bright side, incorporating lock twists that secure the wire around the ball, these strings are smooth to the touch, reducing finger fatigue and fret wear. The improved surface finish promotes longevity and prevents slippage.

In other words, Ernie Ball P03221 are the best electric guitar strings within this lineup. These things are equally suitable for pros and beginners. They're equally good for rock, jazz, blues, pop, you name the genre.

D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound packs regular light-gauge strings (from E-0.010 to E-0.046).

Precision-wound on the company's very own digitally-controlled machines, these strings deliver excellent intonation, clear fundamentals, and unmatched consistency. Wound with a nickel-plated steel wrap wire, these things incorporate the company's distinctive bright tone and the magnetic output that draws you in and doesn't let go. That's always the case with D'Addario's strings though.

This particular product, on the other hand, packs plain steel strings and hexagonal cores.

The break-resistant, high-carbon steel wire offers remarkable strength and pitch stability.

The precision-drawn and micro-coated strings are able to maintain that familiar uncoated tone, all whilst considerably extending string life.

The round wound makes sure that these strings hurt far less than regular strings and prevents the usual fraying issue.

For our taste, the product's only downside is that the strings are not individually packaged (twisted in pairs).

Setting this minor problem aside, D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound are the strongest strings on the list. They will be able to elevate your guitar's sound and make sure that you've no issues in the long run. The versatile sound that the strings deliver will prove suitable for all genres (from rock and metal to blues and jazz) and playing styles.

Gibson Gear SEG-LPS Les Paul Premium are as nuanced as Gibson Les Paul guitars. There are many good things we can and will say about these strings.

The only issue we have with them is that you'll have to carefully and thoroughly/methodically adjust the strings after threading them. Other than that, these things are superb.

The strings are wound with pure nickel, making sure that the tone remains smooth and warm but, at the same time, able to deliver a solid punch when you need it. These things promote clear tone and equally clear resonance.

The company's pretty much trademark silk-wrapped ends work wonders reducing ambient noise and unnecessary echo. The package includes the E-0.009 as well as the usual E-0.046 strings. The additional range makes these strings much more versatile.

The strings are responsive but not necessarily too responsive. The tone is consistent, bright, and lively.

All things considered, we really dig the Gibson Gear SEG-LPS Les Paul Premium strings' sound. The company's signature gauge is neither too thick nor too thin. The strings are equally suitable for live performance and studio recording. Give them the necessary time to stretch and these things will likely last much longer than your average things.

Elixir 12050 are incredible considering how affordable these strings are.

You cannot overhype the company's POLYWEB™ coating. It is able to reduce the usual finger-squeaking noise/effect. The coating makes sure these strings pick up far less sweat and debris, adding longevity to the table too.

Other than that, the POLYWEB™ coating warms and mellows the strings' tone. It gives the strings that fast, slick feel that is gentle on the fingers, allowing the players to keep jamming without the strings getting in the way.

The company coats the whole string, meaning that the gaps between the windings where the tone-deadening gunk usually builds up are coated as well. That’s why Elixir strings retain their tone longer than any other brand’s string, coated or uncoated.

Because the strings are protected from the elements that cause the aforementioned build-up and corrosion, the company's strings are able to maintain their premium sound for months.

Apart from that, there's also Elixir's anti-rust plating that works wonders deflecting the tone-deadening rust and corrosion effects.

In short, Elixir 12050 give you premium sound at an affordable price point. The strings' tone is warm but robust at the same time. They're lightweight but surprisingly durable. The strings feel slick and fast, much faster compared to traditional/conventional electric guitar strings.

Fender Super 250's reflect the company's legacy and attention to detail that we can definitely get behind.

The nickel-plated steel strings are as durable as they come but that's not necessarily impressive considering this is Fender we're talking about.

What is impressive, however, is the strings' high output that is somehow able to balance steel's dynamic sound with nickel's smooth feel.

Another surprising part that we didn't necessarily expect is just how suitable these strings are for beginners. The ball-ended design makes these strings easy to thread and equally easy to tune/adjust. The color-coded ends will make sure you don't confuse the strings.

As far as the tone is concerned, the strings' sound isn't necessarily brighter than anything we've reviewed above but definitely more defined and sustained. The intonation is solid, the treble is ridiculously good, and the magnetic output is far above average. The tone is warm but not too warm.

The only major problem we have with the strings and the biggest reason they score so low on the list is that they aren't corrosion-resistant.

Bottom line, Fender Super 250's are great strings. The tension is neither too light nor too heavy. The strings are especially good for tremolo-equipped guitars. They're equally suitable for practice and live concerts. The strings are pretty easy on the fingers too.