The Best Guitar Pedals
Just like a chef uses spices, a guitarist uses effects pedals. Ask any guitarist, and they'll tell you that they're constantly searching for "the perfect tone." Guitar pedals can add reverb, delay, chorus, overdrive, and pretty much every other sonic color to a guitarist's palette, giving the musician a tremendous range of options to create their distinct sound. With such a wide range of tones available, we jumped in to narrow down your search and choose the best of the best.
What to Look For
There are tons of guitar pedals on the market, so we narrowed down the options by asking four guiding questions: Is it durable? Is it fairly priced? Does it offer adjustable features? Does it affect the fidelity of the input? Our favorite comes from Lotmusic, since their digital delay pedal won us over with its fine-tuneable knobs. If you want a more practical pedal, the bypass box from Donner is a must-have. Read on to see more of our in-depth review.
Lotmusic True Bypass Digital Delay
Expand your sound
It’s hard to get an accurate delay that’s also low in noise. Lotmusic felt our pain and created a true bypass digital delay pedal. Its integrated noise reduction is developed with a code to reduce noise swells common among digital delay circuits. The true bypass switching maintains pure signal flow when the delay effect is disengaged, so there’s no loss of signal within the chain. The dedicated gain, volume, and tone knobs allow for precise effect tailoring without increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. With aluminum alloy construction, this is a pedal you can feel secure about taking on the road.
Pros:
- Slim design takes up less space on your pedalboard
- Powered by a DC 9V adapter (not included)
- Available in ten colors
Cons:
- Knobs have drastic attenuation at higher levels
- Not battery compatible
JHS Pedals Bonsai 9-Way Screamer Overdrive
Lows and highs
If you’re looking for a tube screamer but you can’t decide which one to get, why not get all of them? This overdrive stomp box from JHS Pedals contains the circuits to nine different versions of the tube screamer, spanning decades of iconic pedal models. Some are rare, some are vintage, and some are just the most popular versions, but they all have that signature mid-boost that made the tube screamer a household name. Cut through the mix in more ways than the original Ibanez pedal can with this versatile, multi-circuit version of a fan-favorite effect.
Pros:
- Durable housing
- Nine different circuits
- It replicates the circuits exactly instead of imitating them
- Classic overdrive tone
Cons:
- Fairly pricey for an overdrive pedal
Donner ABY Box Line Selector AB Switch
Don't pass me by
Donner ABY Box can be used to solve any number of complex audio switching problems. Use it to switch one input signal to either or both outputs, or use it in the opposite direction: route one signal to two outputs or two inputs to one output. Then choose A, B, or A-B combined. The true bypass provides a transparent tone, while the LED indicator shows the configuration of the switch. In fact, the Donner ABY Box only requires power for the LED light and will work seamlessly without 9-volt power.
Pros:
- Full metal shell
- Slim design
- 3-color LED light designates switch mode
Cons:
- Does not come with a ground lift or phase (in/out)
Boss Heavy Duty Stereo Volume Pedal
Crank it up or down
If it’s worth playing, it’s worth playing loud. Boss literally takes it to the next level with their 3rd generation volume pedal, which combines touring-band durability with high technology. Featuring a die-cast, heavy-duty aluminum body, and a rugged rubber foot pad that prevents slipping, Boss provides ultra-smooth pedal movement for precise volume control. It also provides an “expression” output for use with expression-compatible amps, effects, and even synthesizers. Another excellent upgrade is the tuner output jack, which allows you to switch off the volume while you tune your guitar.
Pros:
- Adjustable torque helps customize the pedal feel
- Available in both mono and stereo
- Very minimal tone loss
Cons:
- Volume is not consistently linear across the pedal
- Input/output jacks aren’t optimized for 90-degree connectors
Line 6 POD Go Wireless
Fine-tune your tone
Amp modeling enters a whole new realm with the latest POD from Line 6. Choose, edit, and control sounds using the large color LCD screen, five push encoders, eight rugged footswitches, and a cast-aluminum multi-function expression pedal. You can even add two external footswitches or a second expression pedal for even more real-time control. The POD even features an onboard Relay wireless receiver and a Relay G10T transmitter, so you’re free to roam the stage at will. Every audio connection you need is at your fingertips as well, including balanced stereo outputs, a stereo effects loop, a headphone jack, and even a USB port for accessing the audio interface.
Pros:
- Supports third-party impulse response (IR) loading
- Onboard 4×4 24bit/96kHz audio interface for recording
- Customize up to four variations within a single preset
Cons:
- The wah pedal always takes one block of the signal stack
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: digital or analog pedals?
Like most things, it’s simply a matter of taste. Many guitarists prefer the sound of tube overdrive, but most overdrive pedals use analog circuits, not vacuum tubes. On the other hand, time-based effects like reverb and delay achieve a kind of accuracy and clarity through digital that is more precise than analog circuits. In short, both are good, but their sounds differ and can be influenced by the amp and guitar you use.
What alternatives are there to 9-volt batteries for powering pedals?
If you want to cut down on the number of 9-volt batteries you use, you can buy a pedal power supply. These power supplies run on AC power and can plug into any three-prong wall outlet. Isolated power supplies give greater clarity and noise reduction, while daisy chain power supplies are cheaper and more convenient for casual players.
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.