E Bow roundup
The Best E Bows for the Money
There's no wide field of competitors to rank here. What genuinely varies is which version suits you, and what small additions actually help.
A quick note before we begin: there is no wide field of competing electromagnetic string sustainers to rank against one another here, since this is a genuinely small, specific corner of the market built around one enduring design. What varies, and what is actually worth your money, is which version you buy and what small additions genuinely improve the experience once you own one.
The standard E-Bow: where most players should start
For anyone approaching this for the first time, the standard E-Bow represents the sensible entry point. It offers a single, well-judged sustained tone and asks nothing further of you beyond a fresh battery and a little patience with positioning. There is real value in simplicity here — you are not paying for a mode you may never reach for, and the learning curve of holding the device steady over a string is exactly the same regardless of which version you buy.
The E-Bow Plus: when the extra mode earns its keep
The additional outlay for the E-Bow Plus buys you a second, harmonic mode alongside the standard setting, and whether that is worth paying for depends entirely on how you intend to use the device. If you can already picture wanting both a smooth, fundamental-led drone and a brighter, more cutting overtone-rich sound in different musical contexts, the extra cost earns its keep quickly. If your interest begins and ends with long, simple sustained notes, you may never miss the mode you didn't buy.
| Your priority | Sensible choice |
|---|---|
| Simple, dependable sustain | Standard version |
| Both fundamental and harmonic textures | Plus version |
| Bass playing, exploratory use | Either, with realistic expectations |
Where else your money is genuinely well spent
Once you own one, a handful of modest additions do more for the overall result than any upgrade to the device itself. A reliable supply of fresh 9-volt batteries matters more than most newcomers expect, since a weakening battery changes the character of the sustain gradually and unhelpfully. A volume pedal, used to swell in without the attack of an initial pick or finger note, does a great deal to make the technique sound genuinely bowed rather than merely sustained. A touch of reverb or delay, used sparingly, can round the tone further without masking what makes it distinctive in the first place.
Buying secondhand: worth considering?
Because these are simple, largely mechanical devices, a secondhand unit in good condition can be a genuinely sensible way to try the standard version before committing to new. Check that the guide rails are straight and undamaged, that the battery compartment shows no corrosion, and that the unit produces a clean, stable sustain when tested on a guitar before you buy. A well-cared-for used example loses very little compared with a new one.
What isn't worth chasing
It is tempting, once captivated by the sound, to assume more gear will make it more convincing — heavier distortion, denser modulation, elaborate signal chains. In practice, restraint tends to serve this particular technique better than accumulation. The device already does something unusual and evocative on its own; the goal of any additional spending should be to support that quality, not compete with it.
My honest recommendation
Most players are genuinely well served by the standard E-Bow, at least to begin with, alongside a small stock of fresh batteries and perhaps a volume pedal already sitting on the board. Only reach for the Plus version once you have a clear, specific use in mind for the harmonic mode. Our buyer's guide covers the fuller decision in more depth, and our overview explains the history and mechanics behind the whole idea.
The bottom line
There is no ranked shortlist to work through here, only a considered choice between two versions and a few sensible, modest additions once you own one. Spend on batteries and a volume pedal before you spend on anything more elaborate, and let the device's own character do the work. Our guide to common mistakes to avoid is worth a read before you begin, too.
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