Best Beginner Guitar Pick (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The Dunlop Tortex Standard Picks Sample Variety Mix leads for a best beginner guitar pick search because it holds 12 picks across a range of gauges for beginning players. With 2 each of .50, .60, .73, .88, 1.00 and 1.14 gauges, a new player can compare thicknesses before committing to a larger pack. If you want one medium thickness only, the Fender 351 pack is the alternative.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Beginning players who want to compare pick gauges: Dunlop Tortex Standard Picks Sample Variety Mix See pick 1
- Players who want one medium thickness across 12 colors: Fender Guitar Picks 351 Shape See pick 2
- Beginners who want to compare 4 pick thicknesses: BigDeer 16 pack Celluloid Guitar Picks ，includes See pick 3
- Players who want 7 picks of each thickness: Aitoper Guitar Picks See pick 4
- Beginners who want 7 picks of each thickness: Aolfior 21 Packs Guitar Picks For Electric Acoustic See pick 5
Want the full range? Best Guitar Picks ranks the top guitar picks for every buyer, or browse all 22 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Dunlop Tortex Standard Picks Sample Variety Mix
- Picks in pack: 12
- Material: Tortex
It earns Best Overall with 12 Tortex picks across a range of gauges, recommended for beginning guitar players.
Who it suits
- Beginning players who want to compare pick gauges
- Players who want 2 picks of each gauge
Skip it if
- You want more than 12 picks in one pack
- You want a celluloid pick rather than Tortex material
The pack holds 2 each of .50, .60, .73, .88, 1.00 and 1.14 gauges, giving 12 Tortex picks in the standard shape. It is made for experimentation and practice with different pick gauges before committing to a larger pack purchase. The standard shape suits guitar and fretted instruments for beginning players.
2Runner-Up
Fender Guitar Picks 351 Shape
- Picks in pack: 12
- Material: Celluloid
- 1-year warranty stated
It holds Runner-Up with 12 celluloid picks in the traditional 351 shape at medium thickness.
Who it suits
- Players who want one medium thickness across 12 colors
- Beginners who want the traditional 351 pick shape
Skip it if
- You want more than 12 picks in one pack
- You want a pick shape other than the traditional 351 shape
The 12-pack holds one pick in each of 12 colors, including Red Moto, Black Moto, White Moto and Blue Moto. The traditional 351 shape is a versatile design for all playing styles and techniques. It carries a 1-year warranty and is manufactured in the USA.
3Also Great
BigDeer 16 pack Celluloid Guitar Picks ，includes
- Picks in pack: 16
- Thickness: 0.46Mm
- Material: Celluloid
It holds Also Great with 16 celluloid picks in 4 thicknesses, from Thin to Extra Heavy.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want to compare 4 pick thicknesses
- Players who want a tin box for pick storage
Skip it if
- You want more than 16 picks in one pack
- You want a Tortex pick rather than celluloid material
The set holds 16 picks in 4 thicknesses: Thin at 0.46mm, Medium at 0.71mm, Heavy at 0.96mm and Extra Heavy at 1.2mm. The picks come in more than 10 color designs and fit acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, banjo or ukulele. A round click metal tin box holds the set and fits in a pocket or guitar bag.
4Most Picks
Aitoper Guitar Picks
- Picks in pack: 21, the most here
- Thickness: 0.46Mm
- Material: Celluloid
It holds Most Picks with 21 celluloid picks, 7 each of 3 thicknesses for strumming and lead.
Who it suits
- Players who want 7 picks of each thickness
- Beginners who want a clear box for storage
Skip it if
- You want a gauge above 0.96mm in the pack
- You want a metal tin storage box
The set holds 21 celluloid picks: 7 at 0.46mm, 7 at 0.71mm and 7 at 0.96mm. The picks come neatly organized in a clear, reusable plastic box, and the set also holds a guitar pick necklace. The picks suit acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass or ukulele.
5Also Great
Aolfior 21 Packs Guitar Picks For Electric Acoustic
- Picks in pack: 7
- Thickness: Thin
- Material: Celluloid
It holds Also Great with 21 celluloid picks in 3 thicknesses, 7 picks per thickness.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want 7 picks of each thickness
- Players who want a storage box in the set
Skip it if
- You want a gauge above 0.039 inch in the pack
- You want a metal tin storage box
The set holds 21 picks in 3 thicknesses: 7 Thin at 0.019 inch, 7 Medium at 0.0295 inch and 7 Heavy at 0.039 inch. The picks come in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple colors. A transparent plastic finishing box organizes and stores the picks for easy use.
Side by side
| Product | Picks in pack | Thickness | Material | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunlop Tortex Standard Picks Sample Variety Mix | 12 | Not stated | Tortex | Not stated | Not stated |
| Fender Guitar Picks 351 Shape | 12 | Not stated | Celluloid | Not stated | 1-year |
| BigDeer 16 pack Celluloid Guitar Picks ，includes | 16 | 0.46Mm | Celluloid | Not stated | Not stated |
| Aitoper Guitar Picks | 21 | 0.46Mm | Celluloid | Not stated | Not stated |
| Aolfior 21 Packs Guitar Picks For Electric Acoustic | 7 | Thin | Celluloid | Not stated | Not stated |
How we ranked these guitar picks
Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Picks in pack weight 1
Buying advice: beginner guitar pick
Start with a variety pack of gauges
A variety pack lets a beginning player compare thicknesses before buying a larger pack of one gauge. The Dunlop pack holds 2 each of .50, .60, .73, .88, 1.00 and 1.14 gauges, while the BigDeer set holds Thin, Medium, Heavy and Extra Heavy picks. Try each thickness on your guitar and keep the gauge that suits your strumming and picking.
Compare pick count and storage box
Pack count and storage change how long a set lasts and how easy the picks are to keep together. The Fender and Dunlop packs hold 12 picks each, the BigDeer set holds 16 picks in a tin box, and the Aitoper and Aolfior sets hold 21 picks each in a plastic box. A box keeps spare picks in one place instead of loose in a pocket or bag.
Match material to your playing needs
Material is the other choice beside gauge: the Dunlop pack uses Tortex, while the Fender, BigDeer, Aitoper and Aolfior picks use celluloid. The choice comes down to which material you want to play with and which pack count suits you. Start from the gauge range first, then pick the material and pack that match it.
Frequently asked questions
What gauge should a beginner guitar pick start with?
Start with a variety pack and compare gauges before settling on one thickness. The Dunlop pack holds 2 each of .50, .60, .73, .88, 1.00 and 1.14 gauges for practice with different thicknesses.
How many picks come in a beginner variety pack?
Pack counts here run from 12 to 21 picks: the Dunlop and Fender packs hold 12 picks, the BigDeer set holds 16 picks, and the Aitoper and Aolfior sets hold 21 picks.
Are celluloid or Tortex picks better for beginners?
Neither material is ranked above the other in these sets: the Dunlop pack uses Tortex and the other four picks use celluloid. Choose by gauge range and pack count, then by the material you want to play with.
Do these guitar pick sets include a storage box?
The BigDeer set comes in a round click metal tin box, and the Aitoper and Aolfior sets come in plastic boxes for storage. Pick a set with a box if keeping spare picks together matters to you.
Gear that goes with it
Best Acoustic Guitar with ElectricTop pick: Fender California Debut Redondo CE Series Acoustic
Best Electric Guitar with DesignTop pick: Ktaxon Burning Fire Design Full Size Electric
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Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.