It used to be that the best guitar wireless systems were reserved for professional touring musicians, but nowadays you can grab yourself one for significantly less than you might think. Freeing yourself from cables is not only a great way to improve live performance but can make your practice a lot easier and more comfortable, preventing you from running messy cables everywhere.
Now, most people's concerns with wireless guitar systems are twofold; tone loss, and the fear that it will cut out when you most need it, usually somewhere in the first song of that headline set. I've tested quite a few wireless systems and can personally attest there was zero tone loss that I could notice. As for the second issue, well this can be resolved by pedalboard-mounted chargers, spare batteries, and general attention to detail.
If you're looking for the best overall guitar wireless system, then I'd highly recommend the Line 6 Relay G10S, which has all the features that make it uber guitar-friendly, including a pedalboard-mounted charger and receiver. If you haven't got loads to spend, don't worry, wireless guitar systems are more affordable than ever, and the Xvive U2 is available for around the $150 mark. Superb value for money.
If you have any other concerns about moving to a wireless system, go check out our FAQs section, which answers loads more common questions. If you're ready to take the plunge, then keep scrolling for our top picks...
Our top picks
The Relay G10S II wireless guitar system is designed for integration with pedalboards, thanks to a rugged metal stompbox receiver and 9V power supply operation. Intelligent set-up features mean the unit should locate and lock onto the strongest available wireless frequency as soon as the transmitter is docked in the receiver.
Operation is simple: plug the transmitter into your guitar, the receiver into an effects pedal or amp, then turn them on. Once the two are talking to each other, you're good to go. The setup process is simple, then, and you're also promised high-quality audio performance, great tone and reliability.
There's automatic frequency management that's designed to deliver a reliable, rock-solid signal, while exceptional audio quality is also promised. You're looking at 17 hours of continuous use in the 2.4GHz range and 12 hours in 5.8GHz before the transmitter's built-in batteries need to be recharged.
Best overall
✅ Buy if you want the best overall: Easily integrating with your pedalboard and quick to set up, the Line 6 Relay G10S II is our favourite overall wireless guitar system.
❌ Avoid if you have active pickups: These types of wireless system don't always play nice with active pickups, so something to look at if any of your guitar have these.
The Relay G10S II wireless guitar system is designed for integration with pedalboards, thanks to a rugged metal stompbox receiver and 9V power supply operation. Intelligent set-up features mean the unit should locate and lock onto the strongest available wireless frequency as soon as the transmitter is docked in the receiver. The system provides 24-bit audio quality with up to a 130-foot line-of-sight range.
Around the rear of the receiver is a control to simulate guitar cable capacitance, plus XLR and 1/4-inch outputs and a USB connection. The included G10TII transmitter features a rechargeable battery that delivers eight hours of playtime on a single charge, so even if you're playing a marathon set, it should have you covered.
The only small criticism we can think of is the G10TII’s unremovable built-in battery. If you’re caught short on battery at a gig you can’t throw in a backup to get you up and running – recharging is required. Perhaps not ideal for those people who are forgetful of their chargers.
Best budget wireless
✅ Buy if you want to save money: Coming in around the $150, it isn't necessarily cheap, but considering the cost of some of the other units here, it is excellent value for money.
❌ Avoid if you want something for touring: While the plasticky build of the U2 is solid enough, we're not sure it'll put up with the rigours of a full touring schedule.
It's got nothing to do with Bono et al, but the U2 could still be the guitar wireless system you've been looking for. Operation is simple: plug the transmitter into your guitar, the receiver into an effects pedal or amp, then turn them on.
Once the two are talking to each other, you're good to go. The setup process is simple, then, and you're also promised high-quality audio performance, great tone and reliability.
The U2 might be made out of plastic, but it promises to be pretty durable. The five-hour running time isn't as much as on some of the other systems, but that should still be more than enough to keep you roaming the stage for an entire gig.
Best pro option
✅ Buy if you want to gig regularly: With its built-in tuner, not only does the GLXD16 save a precious pedalboard power slot, but it comes ruggedly built with plenty of pro-level features.
❌ Avoid if you're on a budget: This is a pretty expensive system, so one to avoid if you're shopping on a tight budget.
A three-part package, this guitar and bass-friendly bundle includes the GLXD6 receiver, which sits on your pedalboard and has the added bonus of a built-in tuner, the GLXD1+ bodypack and the WA305 cable, which is used to connect the bodypack to your guitar.
There's automatic frequency management that's designed to deliver a reliable, rock-solid signal, while exceptional audio quality is also promised. You're looking at 17 hours of continuous use in the 2.4GHz range and 12 hours in 5.8GHz before the transmitter's built-in batteries need to be recharged.
The transmitter itself is made of metal for extra durability. This is a comprehensive package, then, albeit one that costs more than some of the competition.
Best pedalboard
✅ Buy if you use a pedalboard: With its easy pedalboard mounting and additional power out for supplying another pedal, the WL-50 is a brilliant option for guitarists with busy 'boards.
❌ Avoid if you don't use a pedalboard: This system doesn't really work unless it's pedalboard-mounted, so if you're a straight into the amp kind of player then look elsewhere.
Another pedalboard-based guitar wireless system, the WL-50 promises plug 'n' play operation and features a receiver that sits right on your pedalboard. Wireless connection is set automatically and we're promised low latency, rock-solid performance, and a decent operating range.
The transmitter can be used for up to 12 hours at a time and slots neatly into the receiver's docking port when you need to charge its battery. The receiver can run on two AA batteries or get its juice from the optional PSA-A adapter.
Choose the latter option and its DC output can distribute power to one or more other pedals using an optional daisy-chain cable, which could prove useful. There are also selectable cable tone simulation options: short, long, and bypass.
"The WL-50 looks great, and it’s unintrusive. It’s about the same size as a regular stompbox, so it’s easy to fit in alongside all your other pedals. The fact that it’s powered in the same way as the rest of your pedals also makes life easier. If you forget to charge your transmitter at home, you can turn up to a show and get an hour or so charging time between soundcheck and show time, and you’ll be good to go."
Read more: Boss WL-50 review
Best for home
✅ Buy if you want to play at home: For us, this is the perfect wireless unit to pair with a practice amp being low cost, great quality, and simple to use.
❌ Avoid if you want something for gigging: With no way to charge other than to use USB-C and no way to house it neatly, we'd avoid the Spark Link if you're a regularly gigging player.
If you're only really playing at home, a wireless guitar system can be worth its weight in gold keeping your space cable free. For us, the Positive Grid Spark Link is a great choice for home users being simple to use and providing great sound quality.
Both receiver and transmitter look very similar, so it'll take you a while to get used to them but pairing is a breeze, and the handy light indicators let you know how much juice you've got left. In my tests, they lasted over many days of consecutive practice before needing a charge, and they come with USB-C slots so you can use your phone charger or more modern laptops to do so.
The range is fantastic and I was able to walk all around my two-bed home without any loss of signal. Overall I found the quality to be excellent too, there was no dropout at any point, nor did I notice any signal degradation, giving me a very cable-like feeling from the playability.
"It’s a simple bit of kit, but the Positive Grid Spark Link does a fantastic job of making wireless systems accessible for every guitarist. It’s easy to set up, sounds great, and at the time of writing, it costs less than its competitors in the Boss WL 50 and Line 6 Relay G10S whilst offering equally good performance. Aside from the lack of a dedicated pedalboard charging facility, I can think of little reason why this wouldn’t make the perfect first wireless guitar system for any guitarist."
Read more: Positive Grid Spark Link review
Best for touring
✅ Buy if you want a touring-grade wireless system: Strictly for pro players, this Sennheiser wireless guitar system is rack mountable, making it ideal for players with a pro-level backline.
❌ Avoid if you only play at home: This unit would be total overkill if you're a pure bedroom player.
Sennheiser doesn't need to oversell this unit. It looks professional because it is – and it has a price tag to match. At this level, a lot of the unit's concern is flexibility and expandability for larger setups and stages.
That means in terms of specs that there's ethernet for connecting to Wireless Systems Manager control software to coordinate frequencies in multi-channel setups, the ability to run banks of the units together and a wide variety of available peripherals, from rack mounts to both own-brand and third-party antennas and paddles.
If you're looking for a unit that can grow with your ambitions, then something at this end of the market is it.
Also consider
For us, the above wireless systems are the ones guitarists should be looking at. Of course, we appreciate they won't meet everyone's needs, so here's a selection of alternatives for you to consider.
FAQs
How do guitar wireless systems work?
A guitar wireless system consists of two main parts: a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter plugs into the 1/4-inch jack output on your guitar, and transmits (surprising, eh?) the signal from your guitar to your receiver.
In some instances - like with the Boss WL-50, for example - the transmitter is actually attached to the jack plug, so you have everything you need in one simple package. In other cases, the transmitter comes as a bodypack that clips to your belt or slips into your pocket. This pack is then connected to the 1/4-inch output on your guitar using a proprietary cable that comes with your unit.
Like we mentioned, your guitar’s output is then transmitted to the receiver. Some companies offer a receiver up as a pedalboard-friendly unit, while others offer a completely standalone unit that usually sits on top of your guitar amp, or wherever it feels most comfortable. The receiver features an audio output that can be plugged into your amp or anywhere else you might want to send it. For high-end touring level gear, it's common to find that units are installed into a standard 19" rack, although (and this is pretty frustrating) many don't include rack ears as standard.
Power options
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The transmitter in your guitar wireless system will be designed to run on battery power. Increasingly, these systems come with built-in rechargeable batteries, or they take standard batteries that can be changed as required.
Regardless of the power option you choose, if you head to a gig or practice fully charged, there's no need to worry about running out of juice halfway through; today’s guitar wireless systems can keep running for many hours without coughing and spluttering, so you can sleep easy knowing your 14-minute guitar solos won't be dampened by your fancy new wireless setup jibbing out on you.
How much range do I need in my wireless system?
One thing you will want to consider when purchasing a wireless system is its range. You may have noticed that the more expensive systems have a longer range, allowing you to play further away from the receiver. However, this may not always be necessary for your situation. You should consider where you are likely to be playing the majority of the time.
If you, like most of us, are more likely to grace the stage of your local DIY venue then you don’t need to break the bank on a professional wireless system with a range of over 3 miles. Save yourself a bit of money and go with a more affordable option like the Xvive U2. Although, if you are on the up and have gained a spot on an international tour supporting Iron Maiden, then a system like the Line 6 Relay G55 will give you much more distance so you can gallop the stage freely.
Do you lose tone with a wireless guitar system?
So, considering all the obvious benefits of a wireless guitar system, one might wonder if there are any downsides. Some argue that using a wireless system can affect your guitar's tone, but is this really true? Well, in our opinion, not really - especially if you choose the right product for your set-up.
Similar to a wired cable, anything that comes between your guitar and amplifier has the potential to influence what you hear. However, if you opt for a high-quality wireless system with the appropriate range for your gig, you won't notice any difference in audio quality compared to using a cable. While a cheap wired cable might cause issues like buzz and hiss, a low-quality wireless guitar system is also prone to breakage. However, these issues won't significantly impact your tone any worse than a guitar cable would.
How we choose products
Here at MusicRadar, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything music gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best wireless guitar systems available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best wireless guitar systems on the market right now.
Find out more about how we test music gear and services at MusicRadar.
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