A capo is used to raise the overall pitch and change the chord structure of your string instrument (either Guitar or Ukulele).
By using a capo, you don’t have to tune your ukulele to a higher key. It is useful when you try to match your ukulele’s tone with the singer’s vocal range.
It’s a useful tool for beginners as it allows them to play a wide range of songs.
Capo is short form for Capotasto which means ‘head of fret-board’ in Italian.
If you are looking to buy one, check out these top ukulele capos of 2024 before buying one.
Table of Contents
- 1. Nordic Essentials Aluminum Metal Universal Capo
- 2. Soundsmith Premium Capo
- 3. Sound Harbor CH1005 Capo
- 4. Capo Guita by Sound Harbor
- 5. Donner DC-2 Ukulele Capo
- 6. Planet Waves/ D’Addario PW-CP-12 Ukulele-Capo
- 7. Grover GP750BL Ultra Capo
- 8. Ukulele Capo Musedo Pro Quick Change
- 9. BestSounds Ukulele Capo
1. Nordic Essentials Aluminum Metal Universal Capo
The Universal Capo from Nordic Essentials is one of the most popular capos in the market.
This 2-pack capo set is made from aluminum and has silicon padding for protection of your instrument. It is a steel spring type capo which is easy to use with one hand on the fret-board.
This capo set offers excellent value for money and is ultra-light. The overall built is strong and silicon pads are easy to glide on the fret-board. As the name suggests, these capos can be used on a variety of musical instruments like guitars, ukulele banjo or mandolin.
This versatile capo fits perfectly on the neck of any thickness and there is no string buzz. These are available in eye-catchy colors in 4 different 2-pack sets.
Pros
- Excellent quality.
- Value for money as you get 2 for the price of one.
- Works with any instrument.
- You get a lifetime warranty.
Cons
- Spring is a bit hard.
These are undoubtedly one of the best capos in the market. They look great, perform well and do not damage your instrument. These are made from quality materials and made to last long. On top of that, these capos that they come with a lifetime warranty.
2. Soundsmith Premium Capo
This capo from Soundsmith is designed with durability and ease of use in mind.
It is made from a strong zinc alloy and its silicon pad ensures a clean buzz-free sound.
The strong steel spring with coil spring technology will last long. It is easy to grip and quick to move along the fret-board.
The silicon pad is well designed and thick enough to prevent scratch on your instrument.
This capo is well constructed and surface finish is great.
Just like Nordic Essential’s Universal Capo, this capo from Soundsmith works well with a variety of instruments like guitars, ukuleles, banjos and mandolins.
Pros
- Sturdy.
- Excellent surface finish.
- Versatile product.
Cons
- A bit expensive.
This versatile capo from Soundswith is well designed and made with premium materials. It has been made to last long and comes with a lifetime replacement warranty. The only downside of this capo is its price but its high-quality build justifies it.
3. Sound Harbor CH1005 Capo
The Sound Harbor CH1005 Capo is another popular product which looks elegant and offers you an excellent performance.
This capo has a distinctive rosewood textured paint which goes quite well with the aesthetics of your ukulele.
The capo is made from strong aluminium alloy. The steel spring is tight on strings and fits easily to different instruments.
The delicate silicon pad protects the fret-board against any scratches or damage.
This capo is easy to use and can be changed quickly while playing a song.
It is available in four design options; traditional wood version, a marble version, monotonous blue and black version to suit your taste.
This inexpensive capo is ideal for beginners. It ships with 4 free picks as well.
Pros
- Wooden finish looks elegant.
- Durable.
- Affordable and value for money.
Cons
- The pressure lacks uniformity.
- Spring is hard.
The CH1005 Capo from Sound Harbor is a versatile tool to have. It is super cheap, fits comfortably on your hand and easy to use. The capo looks elegant and is built to last long. It comes with a 30-day money back policy and lifetime replacement warranty.
4. Capo Guita by Sound Harbor
Next capo to feature in this list is another classic product from Sound Harbor.
The Capo Guita is a cheap capo with excellent performance.
It has been specially designed to alter the pitch of your instrument and fits comfortably on its neck.
The capo is made from zinc alloy which makes it durable. It is easy to operate and releases quickly to hold the strings tightly.
The silicon pad ensures buzz free operation while moving the capo on the fret-board.
This inexpensive capo provides excellent value for your money and can be used on guitars, ukuleles, banjos and mandolins as well. What’s more? You get 4 free picks!
Pros
- Durable.
- Awesome performance.
- Excellent value for money.
Cons
- Surface finish does not look premium.
- Spring lacks strength.
This capo is inexpensive and delivers a great overall performance. It is easy to hold and comfortable to glide on the fret-board. It is sturdy and works well. You can’t beat the price and free picks are a bonus.
5. Donner DC-2 Ukulele Capo
DC-2 from Donner is one of the most popular capos in the market.
Donner is well known to offer quality products with simple design. DC-2 ukulele capo is made from zinc alloy which gives it strength and makes it light-weight.
Its elegant design ensures that the capo is easy to use.
Premium silicon pad grips the fret-board firmly to produce quality sound and avoid scratching. The Donner DC-2 capo looks amazing and works great.
Moving this capo between different frets is simple and hassle-free. It is easy to hold and use.
This reasonably priced capo is ideal for amateurs and beginners.
The metallic finish of this capo is incredible and it is available in four classy colours; black, silver, cinnamon & golden.
It works equally well for acoustic and electric guitars as well.
Pros
- High quality built.
- Easy to use.
- Value for money.
Cons
- String is stiff.
Donner DC-2 is a well-designed product which looks classy and performs fantastic. It is easy to use and fits the neck and fret extremely well. It offers you a great value for money and is a must have for every ukulele player.
6. Planet Waves/ D’Addario PW-CP-12 Ukulele-Capo
The only C-Clamp type capo to feature in this list is PW-CP-12 from D’Addario & Planet Waves.
PW-CP-12 capo is specifically designed for ukuleles with a micro-meter adjustment screw.
This mechanism allows you to control the tension on the strings precisely. It results in clear ringing tones without excessive pressure in any position of the fret-board.
The capo is constructed from aircraft grade aluminum which makes it strong and light weight. It has a low-profile design and compact size which does not interfere while playing.
It is easy to put on, take off and adjust. This capo is also available for standard guitars in a bigger size.
Pros
- Screw mechanism offers precise tuning.
- Elegant design.
- Durable and compact size.
Cons
- Tuning requires time when compared with spring loaded capos.
The D’Addario/Planet Waves PW-CP-12 Ukulele Capo works fantastic thanks to its micrometer adjustment mechanism. This capo doesn’t require you to return your ukulele during and after its use. Although you can get cheaper spring -loaded capos but the precision of this capo is hard to beat.
7. Grover GP750BL Ultra Capo
Next one on our list is GP750BL Ultra Ukulele Capo by Grover.
The Ultra Capo has the quality you can expect from Grover and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
It has an interesting offset design which allows more room for your thumb on the back of the neck.
Although the GPL750BL was specially built for the guitar, it works effortlessly for ukulele as well.
This capo is made from high grade aluminum metal and its jet-black color looks classy.
Size of the capo is just right and premium silicon pad takes care of the fret-buzz quite well.
The unique design increases the surface area to evenly distribute tension on the springs.
It is easy to put and position on the fret-board.
Pros
- Unique design.
- Durable.
- Comfortable to mount and play.
Cons
- Might obstruct your index finger.
- Pricey when compared with other options available.
This interesting looking capo is designed for increased tension distribution and works great. The GPL750BL Ultra Capo is built from premium grade material and its non-glare matte finish looks really nice. Sure, it is a bit expensive but if you want to experiment with a new design, you should get it.
8. Ukulele Capo Musedo Pro Quick Change
This popular capo from Elvorax has been artist’s choice from sometime. It is different from the other ones in this list as it is especially designed for ukulele.
The capo is made from high quality zinc alloy which gives it strength.
This capo is scratch resistant and the high-quality silicone pad protects your ukulele against damage.
The spring action is hard enough to apply sufficient pressure on the strings for loud and clear sound.
Since it is specially designed for ukulele, it is smaller in size than guitar capos.
It fits easy on the ukulele and glides smoothly on the fret-board.
The capo looks elegant and you can get it in four different colors.
Pros
- Beautifully designed.
- Perfect size.
- Durable and scratch-resistant.
- Value for money.
Cons
- The non-textured finish makes it a bit slippery.
The Musedo Pro Quick-Change ukulele capo from Elvorax is a small and inexpensive capo specially designed for ukulele. It fits perfectly on the fret-board and produces loud and clear sound. It is sturdy built and provides great value for your money.
9. BestSounds Ukulele Capo
Last entry on this list is another capo specially designed for Ukulele and Soprano.
This capo is made from aircraft grade zinc alloy which makes it ultra-light.
The high-quality silicon pad makes sure that it sticks to the string tightly for buzz-free sound.
The spring is strong and provides a good clamp on the neck of your ukulele.
The curved design of this capo looks elegant and fits the ukulele perfectly.
The light weight capo is easy to hold and designed for quick single hand operation.
This inexpensive capo comes with a lifetime warranty and two free picks.
Pros
- Durable and light weight.
- Great value for money.
- Compact in size.
Cons
- Spring is too tight and requires some practice.
This ukulele capo from BestSounds stays true to its reputation and performs very well. The aircraft grade light weight material is designed nicely and looks elegant. This capo grips the strings tight and is easy to adjust. The capo is super cheap and free picks are a nice bonus.
Different Types of Capos
Capos can be classified into three different categories based on their construction. Let’s have a quick look:
1. Spring Loaded Capo
As the name suggests, the capo handle is controlled by a spring. This makes it easy to change the position of capo on the fret-board with one hand.
However, the pressure applied to the strings cannot be changed. Most of the capos available in the market use this mechanism.
2. C-Clamp Capo
This type of capo consists of a little screw which allows you to change the pressure on the strings. You have to lift its lever to clamp it on the fret-board of your capo.
Although a bit expensive, these capos are the reliable, precise and compact.
3. Elastic/Toggle Capo
These lightweight capos use elastic to tighten the strings. These are cheap and small in size but are low quality. They have a tendency to pull the strings out of tune and break easily.
In addition to this, there are some capos which are custom designed by different manufacturers. Also, most of the capos for guitars work well with ukulele as well. We have already covered different types of capos available on the market.
Conclusion
Selecting a capo for your ukulele can be a tough choice when you have so many options. However, finalizing a particular capo depends a lot on your priorities.
Easy to use, price, durability, performance are a few factors that you must keep in mind while buying a capo.
We have tried to include the best capos available in the market in this list. The models recommended are popular and from reputed companies.
We are not saying that the models listed are perfect for you, but it is highly likely that they will suit you.
We hope that this article was informative and helpful while buying the capo for your favourite ukulele.
Thank you for your time and we look forward for your valuable feedback!
