Here are my choices for the five best guitar picks for grip and a buyer’s guide to help you decide what’s best for the way you play guitar. I’ve used all these grippy picks and have boxes full of others.
We’ve all been there. Your fingers get sweaty, or you’re shredding some incredibly fast lick, and you drop your pick! If you’re lucky, you can grab another pick taped to your microphone stand. Otherwise, you fumble around in your pocket to find another one, and there goes your solo!
If you’re a beginner player, using a pick that won’t move between your fingers can help you improve your playing and boost your confidence.
You can use the table of contents below to take you to the area that interests you. Click on the little box to open it, and then click on the section of the article you want to read, or you can read from start to finish if you want the full no-slip pick experience!
Best Guitar Picks For Grip – A Quick Look
Click on the product name to learn more!
| # | Quick Look | Product Name | Rating Summary | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
| D’Addario DuraGrip | Best Overall | $$ |
| 2 | 
| Dava Pick | 2nd Place | $$$ |
| 3 | 
| Dunlop Max Grip | Good Choice | $$ |
| 4 | 
| Planet Waves NYLFLEX | Best Buy | $ |
| 5 | 
| Monster Grips | Works With Any Pick | $$ |
Best Guitar Picks For Grip – Product Reviews
Here are the products that will help improve your pick grip.
1. D’Addario DuraGrip (Best Overall)
D’Addario DuraGrip picks are my favorite choice for a pick that sounds great for general use and won’t fall out of your hands, even when playing under hot lights. If you sweat a lot, these picks work great!
DuraGrip picks are made from Duralin, with a stamped grip surface that is strong, durable, and abrasion resistant. They come in multiple thicknesses to accommodate any guitarist and style of playing.
Features
Available in multiple styles: Extra Heavy, Heavy, Light/Medium, Medium, Medium/Heavy, and Super Light
- 10 Pack
- 25 Pack
- 100 Pack
Pros
- Stamped grip surface
- Durable
- Available In many color-coded thicknesses
Cons
- Start with the 10 pack to see if you like the sound and feel of Duralin.
2. Dava Rock Control (2nd Place)
This Dava pick has an innovative design that eliminates the need for different pick thicknesses. The three ridges in the center of the pick give you variable control over the way the pick responds to your playing.
Gripping the pick by the top ridge gives you the feel of a soft (thin gauge) pick. Grip it by the middle ridge, and the feel stiffens like a medium gauge feel. Gripping by the lowest ridge gives you a harder thick-gauge pick playability.
It is made from Delrin, a favorite of jazz guitarists because of the smooth feel and quick action, with rubber “over-molding technology.”
This pick works best for me while holding it over the middle ridge for rhythm and the bottom ridge for soloing.
Features
- Multi-gauge flexibility
- Large central control area
- Rubber surface for extra grip
Pros
- Can change pick flexibility “on the fly”
- Will not slip out of hand
- Very articulate for soloing
Cons
- Does not feel like a standard pick
- May take a while to get used to it
3. Dunlop Nylon Max Grip (Good Choice)
This multi-pack pick set has two of the following gauge sizes: .60, .73, .88, 1.00, 1.14, and 1.50 mm.
Each pick is made from high-quality nylon for a classic picking experience.
This 12-pack is a good choice for players that require several gauge sizes for various guitars or for experimenting with different pick thicknesses. A great starter set for beginning players.
Features
- Six different pick gauge sizes
- Nylon construction
Pros
- Attractively priced variety pack
Cons
- Some reviewers claim the tip becomes dull quickly
4. Planet Waves NYLFLEX (Best Buy)
The Planet Waves NYLFLEX is an injection-molded all-nylon pick with a two-sided grip pattern in the classic shape and size.
Its grip pattern was inspired by the “revered nylon picks of the ’50s and ’60s” and delivers “an authentic, vintage playing experience in its entirety.” It is similar to the pick I used when first starting on the guitar and is very “beginner-friendly.”
I have to say it is flexible for a nylon pick, especially in the light gauge. It comes in three gauges: .50mm light, .75mm medium, and 1.00mm heavy.
Features
- Vintage design
- Available in .50mm light, .75mm medium, and 1.00mm heavy gauges
- Two-sided grip pattern
Pros
- Best Buy
- FLexible Feel
- Warm Tone
Cons
- Some reviewers claim the tip becomes dull quickly
5. Monster Grips (Works With Any Pick)
Monster grips are thin (011″ thick) silicone ½-inch wide see-through grips that stick to your guitar pick or anything else you can think of. They come in a pack of 16 and can be used on one or both sides of your pick, depending on how much grip you need.
The manufacturer recommends placing a single grip on the thumb side of the pick, as shown in their logo, which allows the pick to slide over the index finger as necessary. Still, you may require two if your hands sweat a lot.
I tried these grips on serval picks with no problems.
Features
- Thin (011″ thick)
- ½-inch wide
- Can be used on 8 (double-sided) or 16 (single-sided) picks
Pros
- Provide an excellent pick grip
- Clear silicone is see-through
- Durable
Cons
- Some reviews claim they don’t stick well to a guitar pick
What Are Grip Picks?
Grip picks are designed to help guitarists play without accidentally repositioning or dropping their pick.
They typically have one or both sides constructed with ridges or a raised logo to help prevent the pick from slipping between the thumb and index finger as the guitar strings are plucked.
Who Are Grip Picks For?
Grip picks are helpful for any player, but especially for the beginning guitarist, people whose hands sweat a lot, and those that like to shred fast solos.
We have all dropped a slippery pick in the middle of a song, hopefully not during a live performance. If you struggle to control or hold on to your pick properly, a grip pick is for you!
How Grip Picks Work
Grip picks work by increasing the frictional forces between the pick and the thumb and finger, making the sides of the pick less slippery. This helps prevent pick readjustments, slips, and drops while playing.
Buyer’s Guide: What To Look For In A Grip Pick
Opinions can vary on what’s most important when selecting a grip pick. Here are some things you should consider to help you find the most suitable pick for you.
Find The Pick That Works Best For You
I can’t even begin to count how many picks I have gone through over the years. The truth is that everyone plays a little differently and is looking for a particular sound.
If you have multiple guitars, you might use a different pick for each of them, depending on string type and gauge, pickups, etc.
Using a pick that improves your grip allows you to hold it without squeezing it too hard between your thumb and index finger. The more relaxed your fingers and hand are, the better you will play.
Look for a pick that feels comfortable and sounds good. Always keep some extras, in case you break or lose it.
Choose Your Pick Shape And Material
The shape and material a pick is made from can be critical determinants of its performance and sound! Picks with grips come in a wide variety of choices.
Guitar picks were initially made from tortoiseshell. These days picks are typically made from nylon, Delrin, or celluloid but also come in metal, wood, and stone.
The most common shape is the classic type, like the ones pictured above. Triangular picks are also available. Over the years, I have tried several bizarre shapes, but they tend not to work well.
Picks can also come in varying sizes. Jazz guitarists prefer small classic or tear-drop-shaped picks.
Select Your Grip Type
Most picks with grip have raised ridges or a logo that helps keep them from slipping. Other picks are chemically treated or coated with rubber to prevent slippage.
Some players make their own pick grip by roughening the surface with sandpaper or scratching it with a file.
Various grippy materials are available that stick to the surface of a pick, like Monster Grips, and allow you to make your favorite pick less slippery.
Beware Of Grip Picks With Poor Tone
There’s no such thing as a pick with (or without) grip that’s best for all players, despite what some manufacturers would have you believe.
Don’t ever use a pick just because it’s easy to hold without slipping if you don’t like the tone it produces when it strikes the strings. There are a wide variety of picks with grip available, so keep experimenting until you find one you like.
If you play with other guitarists, ask them to try the pick they are using. The more picks to play with, the more likely you will find what you’re looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions About Picks
Here are some of the questions I get asked about guitar picks.
If your question does not appear here, please put it in the comments, and I will get right back to you with an answer.
What Thickness Of Guitar Picks Is Best?
Choosing the thickness and material a pick is made from is a matter of personal preference. Always select the type of pick that works and sounds best to you!
Which Pick Is Best For Acoustic Guitar?
It’s whatever works and sounds best to you. I’ll use a medium gauge pick if I’m playing both the rhythm and solo parts.
What Type Of Pick Is Best For Electric Guitar?
It’s whatever works and sounds best to you. I’ll use a medium-heavy gauge pick if I’m playing both the rhythm and solo parts.
Which Pick Is Best For Strumming (Overall)?
It’s whatever works and sounds best to you. As a rhythm guitar player, I find that a thin pick sounds best for an acoustic guitar. For an electric guitar, I prefer a medium gauge.
Which Pick Is Best For Soloing (Overall)?
It’s whatever works and sounds best to you. As a lead guitar player, I find a medium-heavy gauge pick works and sounds best for an acoustic guitar. For an electric guitar, I prefer a heavy gauge pick.
Do Guitar Picks Wear Out?
Yes, they inevitably do, unless they are made from materials such as stone or metal. However, even the most durable materials can wear out over the years.
When Should You Throw Away Guitar Picks?
You should discard a pick as soon as it begins to show signs of wear at the tip or cracks. Worn-out picks can slow down your picking speed, reduce your picking accuracy, and degrade your overall tone.
Final Thoughts – Best Guitar Picks For Grip
Guitar picks with a “gripping” surface are best for players that are beginners, play fast solos or melodic passages, or have sweaty hands. If you drop your guitar pick or have a problem keeping it from slipping between your thumb and index finger, a pick with a gripping surface is probably your best bet!
It’s essential to experiment with many different pick varieties to find the one that works best for you. You may need a different pick for each guitar or musical genre.
The pick’s shape, size, and material can be critical determinants of its performance and sound! Nylon, Delrin, and celluloid are most commonly used, but picks are also available in metal, wood, and stone.
Grip type can vary by manufacturer and model. Most commonly, the grip consists of ridges or a raised logo. Grips on both sides of the pick are the most effective.
If you use a pick with a single-sided grip, experiment to see which way to hold the pick. I find that putting the gripping surface against the thumb works best because it allows me to adjust it by sliding it against my index finger.
Adhesive gripping surfaces, such as Monster Grips, allow you to stick it on one or both sides of any pick. This can give you the best of both worlds by providing your favorite pick with the grip you need to hold onto it correctly.
Tell Me What You Think
Please leave a comment below if you enjoyed this “best guitar picks for grip” review, have any questions about this product, or want to leave your own review. I will be happy to help you.
- Do you use a guitar pick with grips? How does it help your playing?
- What is your favorite guitar pick? Why?
- After reading this article, will you try a different pick to improve your grip?
- What else is on your mind?
Thank you for such an awesome description about different guitar picks and results that can be expected. I am glad to have come across this article as I was looking to buy some for my daughter who plays guitar. She plays for pleasure but is quite talented and uses an electric guitar as well as a normal one. She has small hands and fingers can you recommend which I should get for her?
Hi, Ruth
Thank You for your comments!
If you are buying the picks for your daughter, your best bet is to order the Dunlop Max Grip variety pack, which has most of the common thicknesses. She can try each one and decide which pick works best for her playing style.
Frank
My children started getting their hands dirty with music. Although i wanted them learn the keyboard, but my second son says he wants the guitar. Thank you for this insights on guitar picks for grip. I will have to pick the Duragrip for him based on your assertion of its durability, strength and abrasion resistant. I believe he will love it
Hi, Ayodeji
Thank You for your comments!
The Duragrip is an excellent choice and is one of my favorite guitar picks! It is available in multiple styles: Extra Heavy, Heavy, Light/Medium, Medium, Medium/Heavy, and Super Light.
Check with him to see if there is a pick thickness he prefers. Otherwise, I would get him the medium style.
Frank
Enjoyed article. Going to try dava pic and monster grips. I have no finger prints so to speak from chemicals and work. And other hand issues. But want to get better at holding the pick. Like the sound of using pic on bass. Been using thumb pics. Turns finger blue!
Hi, Patrick
Thank You for your comments! I’m thrilled you liked the article!
Are you using metal thumb pics? Try the Dunlop plastic ones.
Rock On! ?
Frank ?