Finding the best metronome to keep your guitar or piano playing on time can be challenging. There are tons of digital and mechanical metronomes with all different types of options.
Before you get one, you need to think about how you are going to use it. If all you need is something to keep your time and rhythm, then you probably don’t need anything fancy. On the other hand, if you want with recording functions and features to help you get better at playing, you’ll want something more advanced.
Let’s review the top-rated metronomes and compare their features, so you can pick the right one for your playing needs.
Compare the Top Metronomes for Guitar and Piano in 2020
Contents
- 1 Compare the Top Metronomes for Guitar and Piano in 2020
- 2 What We Recommend and Why
Here are the best digital and mechanical metronomes to help you play music in time.
- Wittner Tuner (813M) Mechanical Metronome
- Korg TMR-50 Digital Metronome Recorder
- Wittner Metronome (WIT-864062)
- Cherub WSM-330 Pendulum Stick Metronome
- KLIQ Metropitch Digital Tuner Metronome
- Korg MA-1 Visual Beat Counting Guitar Metronome
- JSH Digital Piano Metronome M50
Wittner Tuner (813M) Mechanical Metronome
Specs, features, and benefits
Are you fed up of techy metronomes and just want something simple? The Wittner tuner (813M) comes highly recommended. It is compact, simple, and easy to use; ideal for the serious musician who wants to focus on their music.
No batteries are required here. To start training your timing and rhythm, just set the tempo, wind it up, and let the arm swing. The mechanism runs effortlessly, and the ticks and bell sounds are crisp.
The swings on this unit are well regulated. The pendulum will maintain a steady tempo at the adjusted level and only swing slower in its final beats. What’s more, precise calibration and a thicker pendulum help provide visual aid during practice.
While the Wittner 813M comes in a walnut-colored wooden case, don’t be surprised to see some plastic. The regulators and cog wheels are made of plastic to allow for smooth movement of the mechanism. Also, both the base and the front panel are made of plastic -to cut on cost.
Pros and Highlights
- Adjustable from 40 to 208 bpm
- Walnut-colored wooden case
- Recurring ticks & bell mark tempo
- Swinging pendulum action
- Standard wind-up mechanism
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Tempo may fall off (but rarely)
- Plastic inner parts
Bottom line
Don’t mistake the Wittner 813M for a gimcrack metronome. It is an elegant classic that’ll have your rhythmic sense well polished. However, you may notice the tempo falls off sometimes. I guess if that’s a deal breaker for you, there is not much to say here (you can get top-notch precise quartz or digital metronome for the same price). But, if you don’t perform in a band, and don’t care much for a precise tempo, you can trust the 813M tuner’s tempo to be steady. What’s more, it is a jewel if you are nostalgic about classic designed mechanical metronome.
Korg TMR-50 Digital Metronome Recorder
Specs, features, and benefits
Korg seamlessly fused enough practical features into a compact design to make their TMR-50 a functional tuner, recorder, and metronome. These built-in features can be used independently. When used together, they organize functionally with excellent performance.
As a metronome, the Korg is useful. Even though it doesn’t come with as many options as you’d get from online metronomes, at least the TMR50 won’t drain your phone charge.
Its tuner function seems genuinely dedicated to sharpening your sense of rhythm. It lets you adjust the intonation of your guitar without a hassle; something free tuner apps fail. For a better tuning performance, it allows you to plug in your guitar, cutting off external noises completely.
The Korg TMR50 can be used as a recorder as well. The recording quality is excellent, but playback quality from the internal speaker is a joke. However, if you transfer the recorded file to a USB and play it on a better sound system, you’ll be slow to dismiss this unit the next time you’re recording your pieces.
Pros and Highlights
- 3-in-1 (Tuner, metronome, and recorder)
- Wide tempo range
- Instrument input
- Detect pitch discrepancies
- Looped playback feature
- Record & playback
- Inbuilt memory storage
- USB connectivity
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Rather quiet for some
Bottom line
The Korg TMR50 is a thoughtful and intelligent device for a musician who wants to be any good. You’ll love how it conforms to your needs rather than give you a headache trying to figure out what’s what! It is a 3-in-1 portable guitarist and pianist companion that effortlessly records, tunes, and trains rhythm. Overall performance is excellent. However, I think a reduced “KORG” branding would give room for a much needed bigger display.
Wittner Metronome (WIT-864062)
Specs, features, and benefits
Wittner Metronome (WIT-864062) is a simple to use, dial-operated unit. Just dial in the tempo and set the beat to whichever setting you want, and you are good.
The beat and accent are fixed. However, the volume is adjustable through a control (kind of like in the transistor radios of old) located on the side of the unit. You can use the volume dial to make the sound louder -or use the mono earbud that comes with it for better results.
You’ll find the “tak” sound to be strikingly authoritative. This makes it an excellent choice metronome for one who’s looking to get something they can hear over acoustic instrumentals and high-pitched vocals. And, with the earpiece, you can practice or perform in the right timing and perfect rhythm undistracted.
Pros and Highlights
- Printed tempo dial
- Adjustable volume
- LED visual signal
- Fold-out stand
- Run on a 9-volt battery
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Default BPM in increments of 2
- Mono earpiece included
Bottom line
If you are bore of devices with a thousand options and complex settings that make it a project you need to learn, the Wittner WIT-864062 is a simple but functional metronome. No LCD and nothing complex to learn. Its controls are simple. A calibrated dial to set the tempo (40-216 BPM) and a handle to set the pitch in increments of 2. It is a wonderful unit for advancing students and goes for a reasonable price.
Cherub WSM-330 Pendulum Stick Metronome
Specs, features, and benefits
Their WSM-330 metronome is a high-quality yet inexpensive plastic metronome. Its main structure is made of hard plastic (looks like polished obsidian) to make it durable. It has a nice smooth design at 8 inches tall, thin but gradually broadening into a pyramid towards the bottom. All corners are well rounded.
While this Cherub model is a little guy compared to most metronome, it is a little heavy at 1.1 lbs. Also, it comes in a compact and portable design that makes it perfect for travel.
The most visible feature of this unit is easily its tempo range. It is well calibrated in fine gold marks (40 – 208 bpm) and calibration lines that shimmer in the background of the swinging brushed chrome pendulum and slider.
The WSM 330 model is reasonably loud; perfect for practicing with any instrument. It gives a decent wood block chip sound so it doesn’t destruct your performance or timing practice.
Pros and Highlights
- Durable metal mechanism
- 5 off/on position bell
- 1% tempo tolerance
- Durable plastic structure
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Steady but not accurate tempo
Bottom line
The Cherub WSM330 is an excellent and inexpensive metronome. It has a great classic design, and it works very well. It has some nice polished chrome mechanisms, but its plastic structure gives the impression of a low-quality unit. Even so, it is compacted and feature-packed for a unit in its price range.
KLIQ Metropitch Digital Tuner Metronome
Specs, features, and benefits
KLIQ’s Metro pitch brings you a tuner, metronome and tone generator, all in one. A light-in-weight device weighing merely 3.2 oz fits easily in your pocket so, you can easily take it to your gig. The metronome tuner provides quite fast and accurate tuning. It features five tuning modes.
You can use the large digital screen of Metro-Pitch to read the options and modes you selected. When you are in tune, the display will change its color from red to green. It offers a range of 30-250 beats per minute along with tap tempo and numerous beats and rhythm patterns.
The JOG Dial enables the users to dial in their desired tempo swiftly and effortlessly. It also enables the users to make swift pitch selection in the Tone generator along with various other functions.
The chromatic tuner offers a tuning range of A0-C8 along with a calibration range of 410-450 Hz. The metro-pitch has preset tuning modes for Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, and Violin. It also has transposition settings for Bb, Eb, F and D woodwind as well as Brass instruments. You can use the built-in mic to tune your instrument. You can also do so via the ¼” input jack which accommodates electric instruments as well as clip-on contact mics.
This metronome features loud tone along with the option of 10 beats per measure and 5-time division variations to make sure complicated rhythmic patterns, as well as simple ones, are achievable.
Pros and Highlights
- A large LCD display featuring LED indicators
- A very reasonable size makes it easy to fit it in a pocket and take everywhere
- It has a premium metal finish which means it is durable
- It features a tone generator for the ones who desire to tune by ear to a reference pitch.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- It is a handheld tuner and is definitely not a great option when comes to using it on stage.
- It can only produce one rhythm at a time. This means you cannot play in polyrhythm using this metronome.
Bottom line
If you are looking for a metronome with a friendly user interface and reasonable price, you should go for it. But if you are looking for a tuner to play in polyrhythm, this metronome is not a good option.
Korg MA-1 Visual Beat Counting Guitar Metronome
Specs, features, and benefits
Korg MA1BL metronome is equally good for teachers as well as students of music. The metronome offers a vast variety of beats and rhythm patterns. The display shows current beat, number of beats and remaining beats. You can set the tempo that offers a range from 30 to 252 beats per minute and tempo can be set in three different ways. You can choose from full steps, Tap Tempo button or Pendulum steps.
The Auto power-off feature will preserve battery life. The battery life is almost 70 hours using zinc-carbon batteries and 290 hours when using alkaline batteries. The number of triangular icons that appear in the display, point towards the specified beat. So, for every beat the icon color shifts from left to right.
The metronome is available in two amazing color schemes which are: blue and black and red with black. The small size and less weight make the device very convenient to carry anywhere. The metronome comes with adjustable volume control and headphone jack. The LCD features a graphical pendulum which helps you in keeping with the beat. The device is for those who are looking for accuracy and reliability. You can tune any of your instrument by making use of 12 steps (C4-B4) chromatic reference pitch.
Pros and Highlights
- The slim body with small size and reasonable price is a good option
- It comes with reliable functionality
- It has a long battery life of 70 hours
Cons and Potential Flaws
- The display is small in size and for those who have an eyesight issue might not like it much
- The design is quite simple so, it might not be very appealing
Bottom line
If you are looking for a metronome with a variety of rhythms and patterns, this metronome is a must-buy for you. The device is known for being accurate and it’s super affordable.
JSH Digital Piano Metronome M50
Specs, features, and benefits
The mini metronome is multi-functional and quite professional. It is light in weight and easy to use. You can use tap function to test your ideal tempo or simply tempo of a track. The stereo earphone jack is also available along with the purchase. It comes with adjustable volume control. So, you can set maximum volume to minimum volume.
The metronome offers superior sound quality and voice is actually quite loud. You can use this device to differentiate between the primary and secondary beats quite accurately. The interface is also quite user-friendly. The backlight and LED indicator make the tuner perfect companion in the dark. It comes with a battery life of up to 200 hours. It features 3.5mm jack which makes it possible for you to listen to tempo of the beats using earphones. The clip-on design enables you to attach it to your clothes when you cannot carry it. It provides a tempo range of 30-280 beats per minute.
Pros and Highlights
- The metronome is quite easy to set up and use
- It is not only affordable but also quite a good value of money
- The display view is quite clear.
- You can stick it to your collar or anywhere using the clip that it comes with and you can enjoy running
- It has long battery life. So, you don’t have to worry about charging it every now and then
Cons and Potential Flaws
- The size is a bit small for those with big hands
- It is made of plastic and does not seem to be very durable.
Bottom line
If you are looking for a really affordable metronome, then this is a good option. The Clip-on option allows you to keep your hands free while you can stick it to your clothes.
What We Recommend and Why
After a lot of testing, our team of experts come up with the top recommendation, which is, Korg TMR-50 Tuner. This one is 3 in 1, has wide tempo range, and detects pitch discrepancies, looped playback feature and much more. It can record & playback, and with inbuilt memory storage and USB connectivity, what can we expect more?