Since launching In Chicago as a brick-and-mortar music store in 1996, zZounds has grown into one of North America’s top online music equipment retailers. But in an increasingly competitive market, have zZounds grown with the times? How do they stack up against the other big hitters?
In this review, we’ll give you the low-down on zZounds, an online music store that offers a selection of musical instruments and equipment. We’ll discuss all the pros and cons of shopping at zZounds, including value, customer service, payment options, and the overall customer experience.
If you’re a musician in the market for gear, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of zZounds (yes, that’s with two Zs). They’ve been floating around the online gear scene for a while now, and depending on who you ask, they’re either a hidden gem or a bit of a mixed bag. So, we’re diving in—no sugarcoating—to see what zZounds is really like in 2024.
From flexible financing to a massive range of products, and yes, a few quirks along the way, here’s our no-fluff, conversational review for fellow musicians, producers, and gear heads
What is zZounds?
In short: zZounds is a U.S.-based online music gear retailer with a focus on instruments, recording gear, live sound, and DJ equipment. What sets them apart is their Play As You Pay payment plan—more on that shortly.
They’re kind of like Sweetwater or Musician’s Friend, just a little less flashy. But they’ve built up a loyal customer base by making gear more accessible, especially for musicians who’d rather not pay everything upfront.
But despite their unique take on the music shop blueprint, their website elevated them to the next level. In fact, the site, which launched shortly after the opening of zZounds’ physical store, quickly started to outsell their Chicago shop. Since deciding to close zZounds Music Discovery Center, zZounds.com has become one of North America’s most popular online music retailers, specialising in various instruments and pro audio equipment.
Why Musicians Like Shopping at zZounds
Let’s talk real reasons people gravitate to zZounds:
- Payment flexibility – The monthly instalment plans are a game-changer for a lot of people.
- Huge product range – Guitars, synths, mics, pedals—you name it, they probably stock it.
- No credit check (in many cases) – Making big gear purchases more accessible.
- Quick shipping – Usually ships same day if you order before 4 p.m. ET.
- Decent return policy – 45-day hassle-free returns.
It’s all pretty appealing, especially if you’re working on a tight budget or building out a studio bit by bit.
What You’ll Find on Their Site
If you’ve been on Sweetwater or Guitar Center’s website, you’ll feel right at home here. zZounds isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—they’re just trying to get you the gear you want without all the noise.
Instruments Galore
They’ve got everything from electric and acoustic guitars, basses, drums, and keyboards to orchestral instruments and folk gear like mandolins and banjos.
Recording & Production Gear
Mic lockers, studio monitors, interfaces, mixers, and software. Whether you’re producing demos at home or running a full-blown studio, there’s a ton of stuff to scroll through.
Live Sound & DJ Equipment
PA systems, powered speakers, wireless mics, lighting, controllers, turntables—the whole lot. DJs and sound engineers will feel right at home.
Accessories & Miscellaneous
From stands and cases to patch cables, picks, and strings—it’s all there. Plus, they’ve got merch, books, and even a few surprises tucked away in the catalog.
Products
zZounds carries an assortment of just about any music gear you could want. Along with music shop staples, like guitars, basses, drums, synths and keyboards, they also stock pro audio equipment, including computer audio and recording gear, DJ equipment, and a selection of live music essentials – perfect if you’re an up-and-coming artist. zZounds also carry a variety of audio accessories, such as strings, cables, picks, straps, stands, cases, and more.
zZounds say that they have an inventory about 50 times bigger than your average physical music store, although no actual inventory numbers are available. While browsing the website, it becomes clear that they can’t quite match up to the mammoth inventories of the biggest online retailers, like Thomann or Sweetwater. 300 or so Fender products, for instance, feels like a good selection – until you see the 4,400 on offer at Thomann. Whatever you are looking to buy on zZounds, you will have a choice to make. But when Sweetwater says they carry over 38,000 different items, and Thomann a massive 110,000, you can feel the difference.
This doesn’t mean you won’t find what you’re looking for at zZounds, especially if you’re a beginner or haven’t set your heart on one particular model. But you might need to look elsewhere if you’re after a specific model or something very niche.
Let’s Talk About Their Payment Plans
This is where zZounds really flexes. Their Play As You Pay program lets you split the cost of gear into monthly payments—often with no credit check, interest, or fees. That’s pretty rare.
Here’s how it works:
- You make a small initial payment (plus shipping/tax).
- The rest is split across 3 to 12 months, depending on the item and your history with them.
- No interest. No hidden fees.
- No credit check for most 4-payment plans. Longer terms might require one.
It’s kind of like Klarna or Affirm, but specifically geared toward musicians. If you’re strapped for cash or just don’t want to drop £2,000 in one go, this is gold.
How Are Their Prices?
zZounds is pretty competitive. They’ll often match what you see on Sweetwater or Musician’s Friend. They also have a Low Price Guarantee—if you find the same item cheaper within 45 days, they’ll refund the difference.
They’re not a discount site per se, but between sales, bundles, and the payment plans, the value’s definitely there.
Shipping & Returns
- Free shipping on most orders over $49 in the U.S.
- Fast fulfilment—orders placed by 4 p.m. ET usually go out same day.
- 45-day return window, no fuss (unless you’ve wrecked the gear).
Just note: international shipping is limited. zZounds is pretty U.S.-focused, so if you’re shopping from outside the States, this might not be your best bet.
Customer Service – Hit or Miss?
This is where things get a little spicy. Some people absolutely rave about zZounds’ customer service—fast, friendly, and efficient. Others? Not so much.
There have been a few complaints about response time or return hiccups. But for most shoppers, things go smoothly, and their customer service team generally resolves issues without much drama.
Live chat, phone support, and email are all available, so there are ways to get help if you need it. Just maybe don’t expect a dedicated sales rep like you’d get at Sweetwater.
The Good and The Not-So-Good
The Wins:
- Zero-interest payment plans without the faff of credit checks.
- Solid range of gear from major brands.
- Same-day shipping and free delivery on most stuff.
- Straightforward returns.
- Good value overall—especially for working musicians.
The Meh:
- The website is fine but nothing fancy.
- Limited international reach.
- Some inconsistencies in customer service.
- Some items aren’t eligible for payment plans.
There are some sales on new stock, but it can be challenging to find them – and there isn’t much choice when you do. At the time of writing, less than 100 items are on sale in the entire guitar section. This includes not only guitars themselves, but also all associated accessories, such as amps, strings, pedals, and books.
Value
Overall, the prices at zZounds are largely in line with those at other large music retailers. That said, the limited stock options available at zZounds can impact their competitiveness. When Thomann has the largest warehouse in Europe and buys single guitar models by the crateful, it stands to reason that they are paying less for their stock than other retailers and can pass on the savings accordingly. But that doesn’t necessarily result in a lower price for all customers. Remember that zZounds offer free shipping on all orders to the continental United States, along with interest-free finance options. When everything is considered, you might still end up with a lower top-of-ticket price from zZounds.
Returns
You always hope your shiny new purchase will be perfect, and you won’t need to think about returns. But unfortunately, there’s always the chance that an unseen manufacturing error or a mishap in shipping will occur, and your product won’t reach you in tip-top condition. Or maybe you’ll receive your order fine, but you just don’t like what you’ve bought. This is another area where zZounds shines.
While many retailers offer a standard 30-day return policy, zZounds have taken things up a notch and give you 45 days to try out your product. If, after this time, you decide that you don’t like the item or notice a problem with it, you can return it for a like-for-like replacement, exchange your item for a different one, or request a refund. zZounds accept returns for almost any reason, meaning you can rest assured that if everything isn’t as it should be, you won’t be left to deal with it.
How Does zZounds Compare?
- Sweetwater – More personal service and follow-up. Sweetwater reps basically become your new best friend. zZounds is more “here’s your gear, see you later”—and that’s not a bad thing if you just want to shop in peace.
- Musician’s Friend – Bigger site, more promos, but zZounds takes the win on financing and transparency.
- Reverb – More of a used gear marketplace, but great for niche finds. zZounds is more retail-focused.
Final Verdict: Should You Give zZounds a Shot?
Absolutely—especially if flexible payments matter to you. Their instalment plans are a huge plus, and their gear selection is solid. If you’re shopping from the U.S. and like buying without jumping through hoops, zZounds is worth checking out.
Sure, they don’t offer the white-glove service Sweetwater’s known for, but not everyone needs a call after every order. Sometimes, you just want to grab your gear and get on with it.
zZounds is straightforward, musician-friendly, and often a great place to find a deal—especially when payday’s still a week away.
zZounds presents us with a strange dilemma. Products are competitively priced, and they offer great payment options, excellent shipping, and go above and beyond on returns. So why does it feel like this review isn’t all that positive?
On paper, zZounds should be everything you’re looking for in an online music store. But, unfortunately, a few negatives put a bit of a dampener on proceedings. The limited product range, outdated website, and small amount of sales opportunities on new items are all things that zZounds could improve – maybe even need to improve if they’re to stay competitive with the big fish in the industry.
Whether or not zZounds is worth using depends on your needs and preferences. Their selection may be limited, but if you aren’t picky about what you’re buying or don’t want something super niche, the products on offer will easily accommodate your needs. Furthermore, the fantastic payment options, free shipping, and 45-day returns could be all you’re looking for in an online retailer. 3/5
Related Guides You Might Like:
- Best Studio Monitors for Home Recording
- What to Look for in an Audio Interface
- Top 10 MIDI Keyboards for Every Budget
Happy shopping, and may your gear arrive without any backorders!
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