Guitar Finger Picks for Beginners: What to Buy First (2025 Guide)

If you’re exploring finger-style playing, hybrid picking, or just want a sharper attack and louder tone with less fingertip fatigue, adding finger picks (and/or a thumb pick) is a smart move. These little tools can give your guitar tone more bite, consistency and volume — especially useful when playing acoustic, steel-string, or folk styles.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what finger picks are, why you might use them, how to pick the right set, and show you top beginner-friendly finger pick models you can grab today (with affiliate-friendly links). Let’s make sure you’re set up with tools that inspire you to play more.

What are Finger Picks (and Thumb Picks) & Why Use Them?

A finger pick is a small plectrum-style device worn over a fingertip (or thumb) that lets you pluck strings with a firm surface instead of your bare nail or fingertip.
Here are the key advantages:

• Clearer attack and louder tone — Because the pick gives a consistent surface, you’ll get more uniform sound, which can help when playing acoustic or in ensemble settings.
• Less wear on your nails or fingertips — If your nails aren’t strong or you don’t want to maintain long nails, picks give you a reliable alternative.
• More volume & projection — Especially helpful for backing tracks, recording, or when your guitar isn’t mic’d.
• Different materials, sounds & feels — Plastic vs metal picks offer different tone colours.
• Versatility — Some finger-style players use thumb-pick + bare fingers; others use full finger-picks on index/middle + thumb. It depends on the style.

That being said — they’re not required: many fingerstyle guitarists thrive on bare fingertips or nails. Using finger picks is a choice, not a rule.

How to Choose the Right Finger Picks for Beginners

Choosing your first set of finger picks might feel a little weird at first, but here are the criteria that matter — and what you should look for if you’re starting out.

Fit & comfort

• The pick should fit snugly (so it doesn’t spin or come off) but not so tight it cuts off circulation or annoys your fingertip.
• Try on different sizes or materials if possible (plastic vs metal).
• If you’re new to picking, a plastic pick might feel gentler and less abrasive than a metal one.

Material & Tone

• Plastic picks (celluloid, Delrin) are common and give decent tone, moderate brightness.
• Metal picks (nickel-silver, brass) give more volume and sharper attack — but may be harsher on your guitar’s strings/fretboard and may take more adjustment.
• Consider how the pick sound matches your guitar and style: if you play soft finger-style folk, maybe a plastic pick; if you play acoustic lead or folk with strum + pick, a metal pick might suit.

Number & configuration

• Some players use just a thumb pick and bare fingers for the rest. Others wear finger picks on index & middle (and sometimes ring) plus a thumb pick.
• For beginners: starting with a thumb pick + maybe one finger pick is fine; you can add more later.

Practice & technique

• Using picks changes your feel — you’ll need to adjust your right-hand motion, hand rest/position, and maybe your attack angle. A good hand position helps for both bare fingers and picks.
• Give yourself time to adapt. Many beginners drop them or abandon them because they feel awkward at first.
• Try different shapes, gauge/thicknesses and materials — what suits you matters more than what looks “pro”.

Budget & value

• Finger picks aren’t expensive — you can get solid sets for under €10-£15.
• Because they’re small, you can easily try a few different sets to find your favourite. Forums recommend trying several.
• Pick a trusted brand so you know you’re getting durable and usable picks.

Top Beginner-Friendly Finger Picks to Consider

Here are 8 recommended models (from budget to premium) that beginners can purchase today. Use the affiliate links to check current pricing/availability.

• D’Addario National Fingerpicks NP2SS‑04: Premium adjustable finger-picks; metal build, reliable fit and tone—great if you’re committed to finger-style and want durability.
• Dunlop Nickel Silver Thumb & Fingerpicks: A solid combo pack with thumb + finger picks in nickel-silver; offers metal tone at a more moderate price.
• ProPik Fingertone Split Wrap Fingerpick: Wrap-around design for finger tips; comfortable and innovative—good for those who want extra comfort.
• Dunlop Fingerpick Shell Large: Budget plastic pick (shell-style) large size; great for trying finger picks without spending much.
• Dunlop Fingerpick Shell Medium: Similar to above but medium size—good if large ones feel too loose.
• Dunlop Nickel Silver Tube Fingerpicks 0.13: Metal tube style finger pick, 0.13 gauge; louder, sharper tone—better if you’ll play acoustic lead or soloing.
• Alaska Fingerpicks S: Ultra budget option small size; useful if you want to experiment or have smaller fingers/hands.
• Dunlop Finger & Thumb Players Pack Medium: Starter pack with both finger + thumb picks in medium size; excellent for beginners building a tool-kit.

Recommendation

If I were advising a beginner picking their first finger pick (and thumb pick) setup, here’s what I’d say:

• Start simple: buy a beginner pack like the Dunlop Players Pack (finger + thumb) or a budget plastic pick (Dunlop Shell) and use it for a couple of weeks.
• Check how it feels: is it comfortable on your finger(s)? Does it stay in place? Does the tone feel better to you?
• If you like it and you’re playing finger-style often, invest in a better material (metal) like the D’Addario or the ProPik. The improved tone and feel justify the cost.
• If you’re playing softer/folk styles or just occasional plucking, plastic picks might be enough—and you’ll save budget for other accessory upgrades.
• Make sure you pair it with a good right-hand technique: stable position, comfortable wrist/hand, consistent attack. The picks will help, but your technique is still key.
• Don’t stress about “perfect pick” yet—comfort, tone you like, and habit of use matter more. Once you play longer, you’ll refine your preference.