I’m bowing out. The discussion is out of my league.
About acoustic strings, I found lower gauges than 11 are too thin feeling and sounding to me. So my opinion is also that 10 would be too low.
Bending and fretting is harder on the acoustic and much harder with higher gauge strings.
There are “low tension” strings readily available. I prefer some of them. For example standard D’Addario PB 12 are 166 lbs tension, Curt Mangan round core 12s (Monel) are 148 lbs and Straight Up Strings 12s are 146 lbs. Newtone Heritage 12s are only 131 lbs. That helps a lot. Although, I haven’t looked at individual string tension closely and the tension of the highest 3 strings would matter most for bending and the unwound string may not be as different in tension than standard strings, being just a wire.
Currently I have Curt Mangan Round Core Monels 11.5, a good balance and the warm Monel strings balance by bright Macassar Ebony back and sides guitar. Heavy bugger, that one.
I’ve not experimented with thinner. Just for the reason you describe.
I’ve not even experimented with anything other than the D’Addarios phosphor bronze .011-.052, EJ26 I’ve been using. They suit me fine. I get astonishing sustain out of what I use. They sound full and rich and balanced between low and high tones.
Perhaps there is better. But since I’m happy I just keep using what I’ve landed on.
Agreed.
For what I play I do find it a kinda minimal difference though. That’s after playing it for several years though. It did take some time playing to get to being able to say that.
I’m kinda thinking it may also be guitar setup that leads to harder to play feel. Much easier to set up a electric than a acoustic I think. Least with my guitars. Mostly the action. It’s easy to lower the bridge on a electric, not so much so on the acoustic.
My acoustic nearly plays as easy as a electric. So I’m thinking it’s just the .011’s that are perhaps giving me that feel. I do find it harder to bend, but again, after time playing them, I can do the bends too. Granted, I’m only able to bend to a tone well at this point in my playing. I’m thinking tone and a half may be within reach though. Always gotta strive for the next level ya know. 
This is good info. I wasn’t aware since I don’t look anymore. I just get what I had. I will consider these low tension strings. Maybe I’d get my tone and a half if I switched?
Time will tell as to what I do with your good info…
First of all this is my first post so hopefully I am doing it right? Let me know please! I’m a middle school beginner although played as a kid and now learning the right way from Justin at 70. My electric guitar is a Taylor T5z and I love it. It came with 10s but I had the store change to 9s. The neck is narrow and sometimes I feel like I push the low E right off the neck even playing chords. There’s a bit of tuning instability but I may need to adjust (tighten) the tuner buttons. The 9s feel great under my fretting hand and I can play many barre and jazz chords that I can’t play on my acoustic guitar.
I wish Justin would do a gauge experiment with acoustic guitar. I have silk and steel 10s on my Martin mahogany and love them.
First of all, welcome to the community!
I remember having the feeling of pushing the low E off the edge of the fretboard when I first started. It will go away.
Welcome Jeanne. I’m not sure how this would help you? You need to find the strings that work for you and your guitar. Justin has been playing for decades and his preferred string will likely be completely different to yours.
I agree with Mark. Eventually your technique will improve and the E string problem will go away.
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voters
If you have acoustic and/or electric guitar(s) with different string gauges, type in the comments 
As thin as possible. I’ve never noticed any difference in sound quality although others might, I don’t have a good ear for music. I just go with whatever is easiest to play.
So maybe 7.
Whenever I buy strings the thinnest available in the store whatever that may be. I don’t think I’ve ever seen 7.
Maybe 9 then.
Honestly I don’t remember what the current set on my guitar are.
Maybe you don’t even have a guitar.
If I remember correctly I have 2 guitars.
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What? 
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Love this question! Wondered what others do.
I’ve been playing for 15 months. I use 9s that came on my PRS SE electric but just got a new semi-hollow guitar that came with 10’s. Building strength to make the switch to 10s on my first electric guitar.
11s on my acoustic.
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9s on my strat-type (Dean Zelinsky Tagliare.) 10s on the shorter scale PRS SE Hollowbody Standard and the Taylor acoustic.
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Not just one answer for me. I generally prefer 8 or 9, but that is not possible sometimes.
- 8 is too light if the bridge is not fixed - bends just seem to put strings out of tune really easily.
- I’m stuck with 10 or larger on the archtop due to the wound third string that is needed
- The SG is just sour sounding if it uses smaller than 10.
I use 11 or 12 with my acoustic. I would love to know the type of coating, bronze, bronze phosphorus, etc. that people prefer.