Top 10 Best guitar strings 9 42 in 2026

Last Updated - 6/13/2026

🏆Best Choice

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Super Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, 9-42 Gauge (P02223)

9.8

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.8

/ 10

Outstanding

Main highlights

•Ernie Ball Slinkys are played by legends around the world including Slash, Jimmy Page, Metallica, Eric Clapton, and more
•One of the original Slinky gauges, Super Slinky has remained one of the most popular electric guitar strings for decades
•Element Shield Packaging prolongs string life and keeps strings as fresh as the day they were made
•Bright, balanced tone
•Made in California, USA with the finest and freshest materials

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$6.99

$7.99

-13%

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Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Super Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings 3-pack, 9-42 Gauge (P03223)

9.7

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.7

/ 10

Outstanding

Main highlights

•Includes 3 individually wrapped sets
•Ernie Ball Slinkys are played by legends around the world including Slash, Jimmy Page, Metallica, Eric Clapton, and more
•One of the original Slinky gauges, Super Slinky has remained one of the most popular electric guitar strings for decades
•Element Shield Packaging prolongs string life and keeps strings as fresh as the day they were made
•Bright, balanced tone

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$19.99

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Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Super Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings Amazon Exclusive 4-Pack - 9-42 Gauge

9.5

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.5

/ 10

Outstanding

Main highlights

•Ernie Ball Slinkys are played by legends around the world including Slash, Jimmy Page, Metallica, Eric Clapton, and more
•Preferred by players across many genres, Super Slinky’s 9-to-42 gauge has become an industry standard
•Amazon Exclusive: includes 4 clear-wrapped sets.
•Bright, balanced tone
•Made in California, USA with the finest and freshest materials

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$26.99

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D'Addario

D'Addario Electric Guitar Strings, XL Nickel, EXL120-3D, Super Light Gauge 09-42, 6-String Set, Pack of 3

9.4

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.4

/ 10

Excellent

Main highlights

•PERFECT INTONATION: Our best-selling electric guitar strings, these XL Nickel strings deliver perfect intonation, consistent feel and reliable durability.
•VERSATILE, BRIGHT TONE – Nickel-plated steel wrap wire provides a bright, versatile electric guitar tone, great for a variety of musical genres.
•FOR THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE – Like all D’Addario electric guitar strings, XL Nickel are made with our proprietary Hex-Core, ensuring perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability.
•EARN REWARD POINTS - XL Nickel sets have a code on the recyclable VCI bag, which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
•MADE IN THE USA – XL Nickel electric guitar strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.

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D'Addario

D'Addario Guitar Strings - XL Nickel Electric Guitar Strings - EXL120 - Perfect Intonation, Consistent Feel, Reliable Durability - For 6 String Guitars - 09-42 Super Light

9.2

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.2

/ 10

Excellent

Main highlights

•BESTSELLING SET – XL Nickel are our best-selling electric guitar strings, revered by players since 1974.
•VERSATILE, BRIGHT TONE – Nickel-plated steel wrap wire provides a bright, versatile electric guitar tone, great for a variety of musical genres.
•FOR THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE – Like all D’Addario electric guitar strings, XL Nickel are made with our proprietary Hex-Core, ensuring perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability.
•EARN REWARD POINTS - XL Nickel sets have a code on the recyclable VCI bag, which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
•MADE IN THE USA – XL Nickel electric guitar strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.

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$7.49

$8.49

-12%

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D'Addario

D'Addario Electric Guitar Strings, NYXL Nickel Plated, NYXL0942, Super Light Gauge 09-42, 6-String Set, Pack of 1

9.1

ChoiceComparer.com Score

9.1

/ 10

Excellent

Main highlights

•PREMIUM GUITAR STRING - NYXLs are our premium uncoated electric strings, delivering unrivaled strength and tuning stability, plus enhanced mid-range.
•CUT THROUGH THE MIX – The premium nickel-plated steel wrap wire used for NYXLs provides accentuated frequency response in the 1 - 3.5 kHz range, so you get more presence and crunch to cut through the mix.
•STAYS IN TUNE, STRONGER STRING - Stays in tune 131% better than standard strings, while the NY Steel core wire makes them up to 40% stronger—bent two whole steps higher, NYXL strings are still at less than 75% of their breaking point.
•EARN REWARD POINTS - NYXL strings come with a code which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
•MADE IN THE USA – NYXL electric guitar strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.

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Elixir

Elixir Strings, Electric Guitar Strings, Nickel Plated Steel with NANOWEB Coating, Longest-Lasting Bright Tone with Comfortable Feel, 6 String Set, Super Light 9-42

8.9

ChoiceComparer.com Score

8.9

/ 10

Great

Main highlights

•LEADING GUITAR STRINGS: Made with nickel plated steel wrap wire and our proprietary ultra-thin NANOWEB Coating. For a bright and vibrant longest-lasting tone along with a comfortable, smooth feel
•BRILLIANT TONE: Elixir Strings are often rated the best electric guitar strings, you can trust in our consistently reliable performance. From our light electric strings to our heavier gauges
•CORROSION RESISTANT: The NANOWEB Coating protects from tone-deadening sweat, corrosion, humidity and rust. Elixir Strings retain their out-of-the-box tone longer than other coated or uncoated strings
•MADE IN THE USA: Elixir Strings are lab- and field-tested and made to exacting specifications in our state of the art facility. Versatile and durable, they keep your guitar always sounding its best
•CONTENTS: 1x Single Pack of Elixir Electric Guitar Strings, Nickel Plated Steel with NANOWEB Coating, Longest-Lasting Bright Tone with Comfortable Feel, 6 String Set, Super Light 9-11-16-24-32-42

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$14.99

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Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Super Slinky Classic Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings, 9-42 Gauge (P02253)

8.8

ChoiceComparer.com Score

8.8

/ 10

Great

Main highlights

•Pure nickel was commonly used in electric guitar strings of the '50s and '60s
•Warm, vintage tone
•One of the original Slinky gauges, Super Slinky "9s" have remained one of the most popular electric guitar string gauges for decades
•Signature Slinky feel
•Made in California, USA with the finest and freshest materials

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$7.99

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Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Electric Guitar Strings, 9-42 Gauge (P02723)

8.6

ChoiceComparer.com Score

8.6

/ 10

Good

Main highlights

•Cobalt produces a stronger magnetic relationship between pickups and strings than any other alloy previously available
•Cobalt electric guitar strings provide an extended dynamic range, incredible harmonic response, strong low end, and crisp, clear highs
•Wound strings consist of Ernie Ball’s Cobalt alloy wrapped around a tin-plated high-carbon steel core wire
•One of the original Slinky gauges, Super Slinky has remained one of the most popular electric guitar strings for decades
•Made in California, USA with the finest and freshest materials

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$11.99

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D'Addario

D'Addario Guitar Strings - ProSteels Electric Guitar Strings - Round Wound - Brighter, Crunchier, Increased Sustain - EPS520 - Super Light, 9-42

8.5

ChoiceComparer.com Score

8.5

/ 10

Good

Main highlights

•BRIGHTEST STRING - D’Addario’s brightest electric guitar string.
•CUT THROUGH THE MIX - Stainless steel wrap wire produces enhanced interaction with magnetic pickups, creating an extraordinarily bright tone that will cut through any mix.
•HEX-CORE - Like all D’Addario electric guitar strings, XL ProSteels are made with our proprietary Hex-Core, ensuring perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability.
•EARN REWARD POINTS - XL ProSteels sets have a code on the recyclable VCI bag, which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
•MADE IN THE USA – D’Addario electric guitar strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.

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$7.49

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