Mandolin capos are petite devices that are often found on most mandolins. Usually, capos are positioned on the strings or at a specific fret of the instrument to shorten the playable length of the strings as well as to increase the pitch of the instrument.
By heightening the pitch of the instrument, the mandolin player will be able to perform a musical rendition in a different key while still making use of the same fingerings they would use typically.
What are the Best Mandolin Capos to Buy?
2) X2 – The Original Capo for Mandolin
- High Performance
- Easy to move
- Lightweight aluminum
- Durable
- Convenient
1) Capo (2 packs) for Mandolin
- Premium quality
- Quick and easy to release and reposition
- Light and durable
- Aircraft-grade aluminum material
3) Kyser Quick-Change Capo
- Lightweight
- Durable aluminum body construction
- Spring-tension design
- Quick and easy to release and reposition
Types of mandolin capos
When selecting your capo, do not forget that capos are different in construction and appearance. For instance, we have a clamp capo, which is probably the most common type you will find in the market. It holds the mandolin’s entire strings and presses them downward across all frets.
Another option is the shubb capo, which has a screw and lever, and it’s adjustable to match your instrument’s neck. Others are g-band capo (which holds down particular strings), a slider capo (slides easily between frets without the need of removing it), and a spider capo (can hold down selected strings and is very funky to use), which is a favorite among mandolin players and guitarists.
10 Best Mandolin Capo Reviews and the Best Mandolin Capo Brands
1) Capo (2 packs) for Mandolin
Nordic Essentials brings to you one of the most versatile capos in the market. This capo features premium quality and is suitable for your ukulele, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, banjo, and mandolin.
The simplicity of the design makes it quick and easy to release and repositioned by just using a single hand. This allows you to not disturb your tuning. The capo itself is very light yet durable; thanks to its ultra-light, aircraft-grade aluminum material composite.
Knowing that this capo comes with a lifetime warranty is a testimony to the fact that Nordic Essentials capos work great.
2) X2 – The Original Capo for Mandolin
X2 capo provides high performance by staying in tune while rendering great intonation across all frets. People like this capo because it doesn’t cause any buzz on the frets. It does this by use of its steel spring and its internal memory. The X2 puts just the right pressure on your instrument to give you the in-tune effects you want.
You can easily change between frets in a super fast manner whether you have an acoustic or electric guitar, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, and folk guitars. The silicon pad is of the highest quality, and it protects your instrument against damages like scratches. The capo also features lightweight aluminum allows metal that will last for a long time.
There so much to get from using this mandolin capo.
3) Kyser Quick-Change Capo
Kyser Quick-Change is one of the musical world most popular capos. It features a lightweight but durable aluminum body construction that will last for many years to come. It also features a spring-tension design and quick-change that clamps firmly to secure intonation while remaining quickly and easily released and repositioned without affecting the tune.
This Kyser Quick-Change capo is the perfect choice for the neck of your ukulele, banjo, and mandolin. You can now raise the pitch of your tune and play a different tune without changing fingering or returning. The Kyser is among the few capos that seasoned musicians, intermediates, and beginners appreciate so much for the change it enables them to transpose.
4) WINGO Wide Universal Capo
Wingo offers one of the most versatile capos in the market. The Wingo capo features an aircraft-grade zinc alloy body construction, together with a smooth finish and a dependable steel string that will last for many years. The stylish capo design also incorporates a seamless twist pattern that ensures no sharp points are available to damage your instrument; thanks to its dual silicon rubber protective pads.
The micrometer adjustment ensures you have higher performance at whatever fret your tune. The tension knob and its knurled adjustable features allow you to have precise control of tension. As you are doing that, the width of the clamps will enable you to maintain that precision and keeps your tune in place.
With a lifetime warranty on this capo, nothing should stop you from investing in it.
5) Capo for Mandolin by EverAct
EverAct brings to the fore a capo that excels in performance by staying in tune and rendering excellent intonation across all frets.
The way this mandolin capo was created makes it possible to move it super fast between frets. It provides a perfect fit for acoustic and electric guitars, folk guitars, ukulele, banjo, and mandarin.
EverAct does not incorporate a high-quality silicon pad that ensures that your instrument is not damaged by scratches nor does it create a buzz with your sound. The steel spring on the capo has an internal memory that ensures it puts adequate pressure on your instrument to get the desired effect.
The design also features an ‘opener’ that enables you to change the strings. EverAct’s aircraft-grade zinc alloy metal means this will last for a very long time.
6) Planet Waves NS Mandolin Capo Pro
The Plant Waves NS series of capos features a unique design that seeks to satisfy the taste of the ardent mandolin player. With one hand, you can move this capo easily within the fretboard. Thanks to its lightweight design, the Planet Waves NS capo also offers years of durable use under its thermoplastic construction.
Moreover, the NS series is available in different color options from which you can choose. It is perfect for your mandolin and considering that Planet Waves is one of the best brands in the market, you can conveniently invest in this product.
7) HQzon Wood Grain Capo for Mandolin
How beautiful it is to find a capo that complements your instrument’s make by blending perfectly with is look? That is exactly what the HQzon with its wood grain design offers. Do you have a soprano ukulele? Then get this beautiful and great looking capo.
Featuring kirsite material construction, this capo’s design will make you think it is wood whereas, it is metal. The manufacturer, HQzon, so much believe on the authenticity of its kirsite material as such that it slaps with a lifetime warranty to dare nay prospects that may doubt it.
Don’t bother to expect any terrible sound from this capo; thanks to the solid silicon. The puller also enables you to change strings when you need to. It’s such a beautiful instrument.
8) Shubb C5R Standard Capo
The Shubb standard capo is the ideal choice for people with banjo, bouzouki or mandolin instruments with narrow necks. The radius frets board measures 1.5-inch in width while the body features a well-polished nickel plated finish.
You can lock the capo into place by just flipping off the lever lock, and also removes it as quickly as possible. The roller design offers superior geometry and smoother action, which also reduces wear.
The Shubb C5R capo fit perfectly with standard-size capos frets board. Unlike some other capos, the Shubb doesn’t create any tuning problem. Its strong, resilient body features a special design that ensures it doesn’t bend when using it.
9) Dunlop 86MB Mandolin Trigger Capo, Black
The Dunlop 86MB capo features an ergonomic design. The handle of the capo has nice padding, which makes it easy to have proper fret positioning. Capos works best when they are tightly secured in place, and this one didn’t disappoint in that regard. The Dunlop 86MB features an excellent robust spring mechanism that clamps tightly in position.
The quality of the Dunlop is superior, and the material is intuitive. It is available in multiple styles, and you will like the firmness despite their low profile.
If you have a mandolin instrument, this is the right capo for it, as it is tailored to suit that purpose.
10) Neewer Brown Single-handed Capo
Neewer is offering a durable and robust capo for your ukulele, mandolin, banjo and guitars of all types. The design is elegant, very concise and features a curved shape. If you have a ukulele and similar stringed instruments, this capo will work well on them.
The Neewer Brown Single-handed capo offers an excellent feel for your instrument when using it. The steel spring is of the best quality and will stand the wear and tear of excessive use. Also, the silicone pad is of good quality as such that it protects your instrument’s fretboard from scratches. Changing between frets is fast and easy with this capo, and the feel is excellent with just a single hand.
Choosing the Best Capos For Mandolin
The mandolin capo is one of the essential accessories for every mandolin player who desire to play and perform great music. While the capo offers great in-tune development, it is important also to choose a reliable capo.
2) X2 – The Original Capo for Mandolin
- High Performance
- Easy to move
- Lightweight aluminum
- Durable
- Convenient
1) Capo (2 packs) for Mandolin
- Premium quality
- Quick and easy to release and reposition
- Light and durable
- Aircraft-grade aluminum material
3) Kyser Quick-Change Capo
- Lightweight
- Durable aluminum body construction
- Spring-tension design
- Quick and easy to release and reposition
We have covered some of the best mandolin capos in the market. However, you will be doing yourself an excellent service by taking a further look at what the reviews are saying for each of these capos.
Whatever you decide on, always remember that the most crucial aspect of choosing a capo is the size fit.