Head to head
D'Addario NS Capo Pro vs Kyser Quick-Change Capo
The short answer is that they are made of different materials (Aircraft-grade aluminium against Aluminium with a steel spring). Below, every specification we hold for both is lined up, with the 10 rows that actually differ marked out.
NS Capo Pro
Black
The capo that lets you set the clamping force instead of guessing it
Quick-Change Capo
Black, six-string acoustic
The original one-handed capo, and the shape every cheap capo is copying
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Score profile
The editorial axes for capos, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where it gains ground.
- D'Addario NS Capo Pro8.0
- Kyser Quick-Change Capo8.2
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
| NS Capo Pro | Quick-Change Capo | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | D'Addario | Kyser |
| Model | NS Capo Pro | Quick-Change Capo |
| Type | Capos | Capos |
| Fretline score | 8.0 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Value for money | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.5 / 5 (1,695) | 4.8 / 5 (10,770) |
| Price | $15 - $30 | $15 - $30 |
| Mechanism | Screw, with a micrometer tension adjuster | Spring trigger, one-handed |
| Fingerboard curve | Radiused fingerboards, six and twelve string | Radiused fingerboards, six-string acoustic |
| Material | Aircraft-grade aluminium | Aluminium with a steel spring |
| Weight | — | Under half an ounce |
| Tuning stability | 9 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
| Ease of use | 6 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Build | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Versatility | 8 / 10 | 7 / 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 tuning stability
D'Addario NS Capo ProHighest editorial tuning stability score of the 2 compared.
Best for beginners
Kyser Quick-Change CapoStrongest 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.