In this paper a comparative study of primary side control strategies for a series-series compensated inductive power transfer (IPT) system has been presented. Since output power of an IPT system is directly affected by deviation from perfect tuning condition, only narrow frequency-range control techniques has been considered for the comparison purposes. For this purpose Symmetrical voltage cancellation, Asymmetrical voltage cancellation and Asymmetrical duty cycle control have been applied to an IPT system prototype built in the lab. Comparison has been made on the basis of their capability to maintain zero voltage switching condition for the entire range of output voltage regulation. Simulation and experimental results have been presented in support of the theories presented in this paper. © 2016 IEEE.