Head to head
D'Addario EXL110 XL Nickel Wound Electric vs Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric
The short answer is that only one of them is coated, which is what decides how long it lasts, and they sit in different price brackets ($15 - $30 against Under $15). Below, every specification we hold for both is lined up, with the 12 rows that actually differ marked out.
EXL110 XL Nickel Wound Electric
Regular Light .010-.046, three sets
The electric string most guitars leave the factory wearing
NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric
Light .010-.046
Standard .010s that survive a summer of gigs instead of a fortnight
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Score profile
The editorial axes for strings, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where it gains ground.
- D'Addario EXL110 XL Nickel Wound Electric7.7
- Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric8.3
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| EXL110 XL Nickel Wound Electric | NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | D'Addario | Elixir |
| Model | EXL110 XL Nickel Wound Electric | NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric |
| Type | Strings | Strings |
| Fretline score | 7.7 / 10 | 8.3 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.8 / 5 (20,994) | 4.8 / 5 (8,082) |
| Price | $15 - $30 | Under $15 |
| Gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Alloy | Nickel-plated steel | Nickel-plated steel |
| Winding | Roundwound | Roundwound |
| Core | Hexagonal high-carbon steel | — |
| Coating | Uncoated | NANOWEB, an ultra-thin coating over the entire string |
| Strings in the set | 6 | 6 |
| Sets included | 3 | 1 |
| Brightness | 8 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
| Sustain | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Durability | 6 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Feel | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Tuning stability | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Suits | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively — which, for most accessory attributes, it cannot be. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish, never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from our editorial scores for these two only. It is not a general ranking.
Best brightness
D'Addario EXL110 XL Nickel Wound ElectricHighest editorial brightness score of the 2 compared.
Best sustain
Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel ElectricHighest editorial sustain score of the 2 compared.
Best durability
Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel ElectricHighest editorial durability score of the 2 compared.
Best tuning stability
D'Addario EXL110 XL Nickel Wound ElectricHighest editorial tuning stability score of the 2 compared.
Best for beginners
Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel ElectricStrongest overall score among those we consider suitable for a first instrument.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.