Buying a $900 guitar or a full home studio setup is easier when you don’t have to pay it all at once. That’s the idea behind zZounds, a US online music gear retailer that has been selling instruments and audio equipment since 1996. It’s best known for Play As You Pay, interest-free installment plans that split eligible orders into 4 to 18 payments, along with free ground shipping on every order in the contiguous US and a 45-day return window.
zZounds is one of the best places to buy music gear online, particularly if you want to spread the cost without interest. It carries guitars, amps, effects, keyboards, recording gear, live sound, drums and DJ equipment from major brands, and it answers the phone with real people. The main limitation is that installment plans need a US billing address and Social Security number.
Play As You Pay plans
zZounds’ installment plans, checked October 24, 2026. You pay the first installment upfront with your own card, and zZounds splits the rest into roughly equal monthly payments with no interest charged by zZounds.
| Plan | Eligible order total | Example: $600 order |
|---|---|---|
| 4 payments | $49–$1,250 | 4 x $150 |
| 6 payments | $99–$1,250 | 6 x $100 |
| 8 payments | $299–$3,000 with qualifying items | 8 x $75 |
| 12 payments | $599–$3,000 with qualifying items | 12 x $50 |
| 18 payments | Select items (see product page) | Varies |
To qualify, you need a US billing address, a Social Security number and an active email. Some items are marked “no credit check.” Eligibility varies by product, so check the product page and your cart to see which plans are offered. Promotional plans can change at any time.
The example column shows simple division and assumes the item qualifies. Actual payments may differ slightly with tax and rounding.
Shipping
zZounds offers free ground shipping on every order within the contiguous US, with no minimum and no exclusions, including heavy and oversized items. Orders ship six days a week from the nearest of four warehouses in Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey and Ohio, and zZounds says more than 95% of orders arrive in 1–2 days. Faster 2-Day and 1-Day Air options are available. It also ships to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Puerto Rico, APO/FPO and US territories, with some restrictions.
Returns
You get 45 days after delivery to return almost any product for any reason and choose a replacement, an exchange or a refund, with no restocking fees when you follow the return authorization process. Exceptions include opened software, books, sample libraries and other copyrighted materials, plus some items that must be sealed to be returned. PayPal orders can be refunded but not directly exchanged.
If a return or delivery goes wrong, the FTC’s guide to solving problems with a business explains your options.
What zZounds sells
- Guitars and bass: electric, acoustic and bass guitars, amps, pedals and multi-effects
- Keyboards and MIDI: digital pianos, synths, workstations and controllers
- Recording: audio interfaces, studio monitors, microphones, headphones and software
- Live sound: PA speakers, mixers, wireless systems and stage gear
- Drums: acoustic and electronic kits, cymbals and hardware
- DJ and lighting: controllers, turntables and stage lighting
Payment methods include cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and Affirm. Gear experts answer by phone and live chat, and zZounds promises “real humans, never bots.” The Google store rating shown on its site lists 4.8 stars from more than 25,000 reviews.
Building a home studio on a plan
A basic home recording setup usually means an audio interface, a microphone, a pair of headphones or monitors, cables and a stand. Bought together, that can easily pass the $299 threshold for an 8-payment plan if the items qualify. Check each product page first, since one non-qualifying item can limit the plans offered for the whole cart. Some buyers split purchases into separate orders for that reason.
Who zZounds suits best
- Musicians on a budget who want to start playing now and pay over time
- Home studio builders buying interfaces, monitors, mics and controllers
- Gigging players who need amps, PA gear and lighting shipped fast
- Shoppers who value easy returns and human support
What customers complain about
Most reviews praise fast shipping, the installment plans and helpful staff. The complaints that come up:
- Plan eligibility that varies by item and order total
- US-only installment plans, requiring an SSN
- Return exceptions for opened software and sealed items
- Stock and backorders on popular items
- Installment terms that buyers say they should have read first, so check what happens if a card payment fails
Ordering from zZounds without surprises
- Check plan eligibility on the product page before adding to cart.
- Pick a shorter plan if you can, to finish payments sooner.
- Keep the box and packaging for 45 days in case you return.
- Ask a gear expert before buying interfaces or PA systems.
- Protect your hearing once the new amp arrives; the NIDCD explains noise-induced hearing loss.
zZounds vs other music retailers
| zZounds | Sweetwater | Guitar Center | Amazon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installments | Play As You Pay, no interest from zZounds | Financing offers | Financing offers | Varies |
| Shipping | Free ground, contiguous US | Free shipping on most items | Varies | Varies |
| Returns | 45 days | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Stores | Online only | Online plus Indiana HQ store | Many US stores | Online |
To learn what you’ve bought, our TrueFire review covers online guitar lessons and Alison offers free courses. For recording video of your playing, see Insta360 and Movavi. Need a mixing engineer or session player? Fiverr has freelancers. More options sit in our music reviews.
Who should skip zZounds
Skip it if you live outside the US and want installment plans, if you need to try gear in a store first, or if you mostly buy opened software you might want to return. The pros and cons are below.
Our verdict on zZounds
zZounds is a strong, long-running music gear retailer with interest-free Play As You Pay plans, free ground shipping on every contiguous US order and 45-day returns. For musicians who want gear now and prefer to pay over time, it’s one of the best options online.
Our review method explains how we research stores without making test purchases.