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Home»Our Top Picks»Fingerpicks: Top 10 Choices | Updated 2021
Our Top Picks

Fingerpicks: Top 10 Choices | Updated 2021

Guitar Pick ReviewsBy Guitar Pick ReviewsDecember 6, 2021Updated:December 29, 2021No Comments10 Mins Read
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Fingerpicks are an amazing addition to any guitarist’s toolkit. Especially if they want to explore the realm of fingerpicking without growing their fingernails, while still getting a loud and consistent sound. There are many different types of fingerpicks, and they are usually sorted by:

  1. Shape or design
  2. Material
  3. Main use (Classical guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, etc)

The most common ones will probably do the job and will sound and feel just fine. But after reading this article, you’ll know exactly which fingerpicks to go for, so let’s start.

Table of Contents

  • Playing Fingerstyle
  • The Classic Shape and Some Innovative Approaches
  • Common Fingerpicks Materials
    • Plastic fingerpicks
    • Metal Fingerpicks
  • Metal vs Plastic Fingerpicks
  • how to use and wear fingerpicks
  • 10 Best Fingerpicks
    • #1: National NP-2B-4PK Finger Picks
    • #2: Butterfly Fingerpicks
    • #3: Dunlop 37R.018 Brass Fingerpicks
    • #4: Dunlop 9020TP Shell Plastic Finger & Thumbpicks
    • #5: ProPik Fingertone Picks
    • #6: ProPik Extra Comfortable Split Wrap Fingerpicks
    • #7: Dunlop 9033R Clear Plastic Fingerpicks
    • #8: Planet Waves Finger Picks
    • #9: Ernie Ball Pickey Pickeys
    • #10: aLaska Pik Fingerpicks
  • Best banjo fingerpicks
    • #1: National NP-2B-4PK Finger Picks
    • #2: Dunlop 37R.018 Brass Fingerpicks
    • #3: ProPik Extra Comfortable Split Wrap Fingerpicks
  • Best fingerpicks for acoustic guitar
    • #1: National NP-2B-4PK Finger Picks
    • #2: Dunlop 9020TP Shell Plastic Finger & Thumbpicks
    • #3: Butterfly Fingerpicks
  • Best fingerpicks for classical guitar
    • #1: Butterfly Fingerpicks
    • #2: Dunlop 9020TP Shell Plastic Finger & Thumbpicks
    • #3: Epic Berry Finger Picks
  • Final words

Playing Fingerstyle

Whether you are a seasoned classical guitar player, a banjo enthusiast, or a beginner guitarist picking up their brand new electric for the first time, fingerstyle is a great skill to have and maintain. It expands your vocabulary in a way that plectrums just can’t, and it says a lot coming from me. Nevertheless, playing the guitar with your fingers requires growing your fingernails, or getting the inconsistent and dull sound of your fingertips. Now, It could be the sound that you’re after. But in case it isn’t, we’ll go over everything you need to know to buy the fingerpicks that fit your style of playing.

The Classic Shape and Some Innovative Approaches

Fingerpicks come in many different shapes and sizes, some of them are based on the good old design that never fails, and some tried a more innovative approach.

Some good examples for the classic design are:

  1. National NP-1
  2. Dunlop 9020TP
  3. Epic Berry Finger Picks
  • National NP1 fingerpick
    National NP-1 fingerpick
  • dunlop 9020TP fingerpicks
    A set of Dunlop 9020TP finger and thumb picks
  • epic berry finger picks
    Epicberry finger and thumb picks

Some examples for a more unique design are:

  1. Butterfly Fingerpicks
  2. Fred Kelly’s Freedom Picks
  3. Open Design Metal Finger Picks by ToneDeaf Music
  • How To Size Butterfly Finger Picks

Common Fingerpicks Materials

Plastic fingerpicks

This group contains celluloid, delrin, and nylon fingerpicks. I don’t want to get too specific about the difference between them though, as it’s really subtle (and covered extensively around the site). The main characteristic of the plastic picks is their well-known just-in-the-middle sound. Not too bright and not too warm. They’re usually cheaper than the other picks and cost around $5-7 per set. Some well-known plastic fingerpicks are made by Jim Dunlop, Fender, and D’addario

Metal Fingerpicks

Even though metal is not too common as a guitar pick material, when it comes to fingerpicks – metal is king. The average metal fingerpicks cost around the same as a plastic one, but the high-end ones can go to $20-30 per pick! They will last a lot longer than plastics and they don’t feel as fragile. I have some sets that are still as good as new even after 15 years of playing. Most metal fingerpicks are made of copper, brass, or steel, but there are some that are made of other types of metals such as nickel. Some advantages metal has over other materials are its bright sound, its adjustability, and its unparallel durability. It also allows manufacturers to be a bit more creative with their designs. Good examples of it are Butterfly Fingerpicks and National Finger Picks.

Metal vs Plastic Fingerpicks

Obviously, each of these has its own advantages. Plastic will get a sound that can work with any song while metal is a bit harsher. Metal fingerpicks are a lot more durable and are easier to shape than plastic fingerpicks, making them a lot more comfortable. But that comfort comes with a price, metal fingerpicks can easily cost 2-3 times more than plastic ones. When everything is considered, I think that the prices and durability cancel each other, because it doesn’t really matter if the metals cost more if they last a lot longer too. On one side, there are the plastics that are a lot more versatile, but lack comfort. On the other, we have the metals that are comfortable as a fingerpick can be, but won’t fit every style.

how to use and wear fingerpicks

Even though fingerpicks are supposed to replace the use of your nails, most of them are being worn on the other side of your finger (on your fingertips). They act as a barrier between your fingers and the string. This is true for about 90% of the fingerpicks in the markets.

  • how to wear fingerpicks
  • how to wear fingerpicks
The proper way to wear most fingerpicks

Some makers are taking a different approach, making their picks actually replace your nails. I’m not a big fan of this design because I feel like it’s pulling my fingernails back every time I pluck a string. nevertheless, some players really like them and It would be wrong of you to dismiss it before trying it out. A good example of such picks are the Alaska Fingerpicks.

10 Best Fingerpicks

These are my rankings for the top 10 fingerpicks available today across all categories. If you’re interested specifically in classical guitar, acoustic guitar, or banjo, my favorites are below.

#1: National NP-2B-4PK Finger Picks

This pick was designed and patented in 1930, more than 90 years ago. Ever since its creation, it was the go-to fingerpick for banjo players, and for a good reason. Despite it being a banjo pick, I like it both on nylon and steel acoustic guitars too. 4 of these will cost you $12.99, and are my easy choice for the number 1.

Buy on Amazon

#2: Butterfly Fingerpicks

Often, playing with fingerpicks feels a bit numb because there’s a barrier between the finger and the strings. Not with this design though. I just can’t stress enough how much I like these picks. They are bright, loud, and very durable. They are also cheaper than some of the other picks on this list. A pack of thee, plus a thumb pick will cost you $20, which is a great offer.

Buy on Butterfly Picks’ Store
  • Butterfly Finger Picks for Classical Guitar
  • How To Size Butterfly Finger Picks

#3: Dunlop 37R.018 Brass Fingerpicks

Even though I love my picks to have a bit of weight to them, most guitar players prefer lighter plectrums. This one’s extremely light (lighter even than some of the plastics). All that while being very easily adjustable, durable, and bright. It’s a sure bet if you prefer the classic design over more unique options. A pack of 20 will cost you a bit more than $21.50.

Buy on Amazon

#4: Dunlop 9020TP Shell Plastic Finger & Thumbpicks

My favorite plastic pick! If you prefer a mellow and warmer tone over super-bright sound – this is the one for you. My problem with plastic picks is that since they’re not adjustable, most manufacturers are making them a bit smaller so your finger will squizz in. A pack of 4 of these will cost you around $14.70.

Buy on Amazon

#5: ProPik Fingertone Picks

A perfect mashup between the classical design and Butterfly Fingerpicks’. Its hollow design prevents the disconnected feel from the strings while the “frame” is still hard enough to pluck the strings without your finger. The downside is the price, each of these bad boys will set you back $9. It’s worth it, but not as the first fingerpick you try.

Buy on ProPik’s Shop

#6: ProPik Extra Comfortable Split Wrap Fingerpicks

Just like the fingerstone picks above, these are super high-quality picks. Made by a very reputable and appreciated maker, you can expect them to serve you well. As their name suggests, they are one of the most comfortable fingerpicks around. If they were a bit cheaper they would rank a lot higher on this list. These are a bit cheaper than the fingerstone, and will cost you $7 per pick.

Buy on ProPik’s Shop

#7: Dunlop 9033R Clear Plastic Fingerpicks

Similar in shape and price to Dunlop’s 9020TP. There’s not much to tell about these other than them being solid plastic fingerpicks. I feel that they’re a bit narrower than they appear on Amazon, but I didn’t mind it too much. A pack of 12 will cost you $14.70.

Buy on Amazon

#8: Planet Waves Finger Picks

These are your typical low-budget celluloid fingerpicks, costing less than a dollar each. You can’t really go wrong with that price. My advice to you, invest about $4 in a pack of 5 just to test them out.

Buy on Amazon

#9: Ernie Ball Pickey Pickeys

I’m a big fan of Ernie Ball’s picks and strings. But these are the only metal fingerpicks I really don’t like. Their tip is too narrow and every small movement of your finger may cause the string to get stuck behind the tip of the pick. It was a huge disappointment for me because I really wanted to like them. I also don’t get why on earth you need 24 of them. On the other hand, they have great reviews on Amazon so if you can spare the $25 for an experiment – might as well go for it.

Buy on Amazon

#10: aLaska Pik Fingerpicks

I know a lot of people really like them, but I don’t understand the idea behind them. Every single pluck feels like a midget trying to pull my finger off with a lever. Another weird thing is that they require fingernails to be placed properly, which I don’t have. I get that they are more of a layer of protection for your nails than proper fingerpicks, but all other designs are doing just that while being more comfortable and sound better.

Buy on Amazon

Best banjo fingerpicks

#1: National NP-2B-4PK Finger Picks

The perfect fit between the design of these picks to the instrument they were designed for never ceases to amaze me. The banjo was made to be played with these.

Buy on Amazon

#2: Dunlop 37R.018 Brass Fingerpicks

These are great picks for the banjo, and even if they’re not my top pick I still love them very much. In fact, I have about 15 of them.

Buy on Amazon

#3: ProPik Extra Comfortable Split Wrap Fingerpicks

These picks are more versatile than the National, but they are so disproportionally expensive, costing around 7 times the average metal fingerpick.

Buy on Amazon

Best fingerpicks for acoustic guitar

#1: National NP-2B-4PK Finger Picks

Very versatile, and reasonably priced. Extreme build quality and adjustable in a way that doesn’t let it be uncomfortable even for a second.

Buy on Amazon

#2: Dunlop 9020TP Shell Plastic Finger & Thumbpicks

In case you prefer a warm tone over a bright one, these are the perfect fit for you. They produce almost no extra noise and are perfect for any “clean” piece.

Buy on Amazon

#3: Butterfly Fingerpicks

The way these are designed adds a lot of complementary noise to an acoustic guitar, especially on the lower strings. Making it sound much more alive than with any other picks.

Buy on Butterfly Picks’ Store

Best fingerpicks for classical guitar

#1: Butterfly Fingerpicks

These are e the only picks mentioned in this article that are pulling the string other than pushing it. I think this quality adds a lot of character and texture to a classical guitar.

Buy on Butterfly Picks’ Store

#2: Dunlop 9020TP Shell Plastic Finger & Thumbpicks

Their warn tone complements the classical guitar very well while having a rounded bevel, making the attack a bit smoother than you’d expect.

Buy on Amazon

#3: Epic Berry Finger Picks

This one wasn’t included in my general top 10 list because I didn’t like its sound on either an acoustic or a banjo. But it does shine on a classical, providing a nice, clean, and balanced tone. A pack of three plus a thumb pick will cost you $9 and it is worth every penny.

Buy on Amazon

Final words

There’s no lack of variety when it comes to fingerpicks. I consider myself fortunate enough to have tried a lot of different designs and materials to be able to compose such a list, but it took years. I encourage you to try and experiment as much as you can in pursuit of the perfect pick for you. If you found it, or have anything you want to add – tell me in the comments!

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