If you are a guitar player who is looking for some awesomely cheap guitar pedals and are on a budget, then this blog post is just what you need.
The best thing about guitar pedals is that they make your playing come alive.
Whether you play rock, country, or anything in between, a good pedal will always make the difference.
But it can be hard to find cheap pedals without sacrificing quality.
This post will give some inexpensive options to make sure what’s important doesn’t get left behind because of budget constraints.
The world of guitar pedals and effects can leave you a little dizzy.
But for the budget-conscious guitarist, there are plenty of great options to choose from that won’t break your bank account!
Awesomely Cheap Pedals – The List
Now is the time to unveil our top cheap guitar pedals list!
We have compiled a list of some fantastic, affordable effects pedals that will give you the sound you are looking for.
1. BOSS Distortion Guitar Pedal, Single Mode (DS-1)
Our favorite distortion pedal
The BOSS DS-1 distortion pedal is widely popular!.
Armed with a ton of legendary tones, it delivers long-lasting sustain and punchy gain.
The affordable price makes it easy to fit into any set budget, making the XDS-1 some serious money in the bank when you step up your rig!
From Kurt Cobain’s “Nevermind”-era grunge sound to Steve Vai’s renowned distorted tones, it has been heard on countless top recordings – but at an affordable price as well.
You will have three knobs at your disposal: TONE, DISTORTION, and LEVEL.
With these controls, you can go from a really clean sound to mean vintage distortion—from light crunch to an all-out scream!
No wonder it’s been used by some of the most renowned guitarists for decades! If legends sound this good at creating great music with their tone, then it must be good enough for the rest of us.
The DS-1’s rugged design means that whether you’re gigging in small clubs, arenas, or recording studios, this stompbox will stand up to anything.
Do you want to make the masses move and have it not drain your wallet?
This distortion pedal will easily dominate whatever goal it’s set on, and let your wild side out in the process.
You’ll experience nondestructive but heavy tones of an infinitely varied range from this handsome little monster.
With such famous users as Yngwie Malmsteen, Dave Navarro, and John Petrucci there is no wonder why it’s our favorite!
Pros
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great old rock and roll distortion.
- Built like a tank.
- Easy to use tone, level, and distortion knobs.
- Perfect for emulating 60’s – 90’s rock tones.
- Minimal excessive noise.
Cons
Cons:
- No power cord included.
2. MXR M101 Phase 90 Guitar Effects Pedal
Easy to use effects pedal
A must-have for any guitarist, this engaging pedal offers endless vintage vibrations and shimmery velocity to add dimension to your tone.
With a 9V battery required, you can create some really iconic sounds.
Take advantage of adding subtle effects or switch it up all together with one flick of your stomping feet.
The MXR M-101 Phase 90 Pedal is an effect pedal with a simple feature set.
The center knob controls the “wave frequency” of your phaser signal, which determines how fast the phase sounds.
Let this pedal be the sound that reverberates beautifully throughout your tracks providing you with endless creative potential!
The Phase 90 takes classic phasing to the next level by adding variable speed control and analog warmth.
This timeless effect can be warm and dramatic, depending on which set of controls are tweaked.
Just don’t change the setting while playing; this is meant for pure tonal experimentation!
The rich and vintage sound of the MXR M101 Phase 90 guitar effects pedal is a timeless phase shifter with an analog tone.
This pedal is an engineering masterpiece.
If you are looking to open up your music just like many classic recordings did with the use of this effect, then look no further!
Pros
Pros:
- Budget friendly.
- Rich and warm tone.
- Easy to use.
- Small and lightweight.
- Classic phase sound.
- No buzzing or clicking.
Cons
Cons:
- Limited on variations.
3. FLAMMA FS02 Reverb Guitar Pedal
Classic reverb in a small package
The FLAMMA FS02 Reverb Guitar Pedal packs 7 classic reverb effects in one small pedal.
All of them are also storable preset slots that can be edited and saved as your own sound.
High-quality stereo input with excellent output and perfect, lasting true bypass reduces signal loss for the cleanest possible tone.
The Trail On function allows you to use your favorite effect over time without draining your battery life or sounding muddy at the end so you can get a professional, natural sound on stage!
Built like a tank and polished to perfection – this compact pedal is not something you want to pass up!
Connect to high-quality stereo inputs and outputs for the best possible sound, then use your demo footswitch to switch between them like you would an amp’s channels on the fly.
Use the new “Tail On” feature to have your effects delete themselves naturally after they fade away — perfect for live performances!
A compact reverb pedal that can be easily taken on the go.
Play your music either way dry or over-dubbed with a lush and ethereal soundscape, without ever having to touch any MIDI codes. (Remember those?)
Pros
Pros:
- 7 classic reverb effects.
- Preset slots of each effect.
- Effects fade out naturally.
- Sleek look.
- Easy to use.
- Add or remove trails.
Cons
Cons:
- Low cut feature has saturation.
4. GOKKO AUDIO GK-26 Creepy Reverb Guitar Effect Pedal
For those who like spooky sounds
Gokko Audio is one of the most affordable pedals on the market and we think that’s pretty cool.
These pedals’ ooze style is built to last and features a true bypass.
It can offer you a range of excellent usable reverb tones as it features six control tone knobs that are easy to operate regardless of your musical experience level.
Sometimes you just need to scare the hell out of someone and this “Creepy” Reverb Guitar Pedal is up for that job!
With six control tone knobs for deep levels of customization including tone, delay time, amount of reverb, length of reverb, echo, and warmth.
Made from durable metal in a sleek dark blue casing with classic rocker switches and immersive LED lights.
You can stomp your foot on this one at your next Halloween party or else make it your personal effect pedal.
It’s powered by a 9V DC power adapter (not included).
You’ll be hard-pressed to find another reverb pedal at this price point that offers such high-quality functionality!
Pros
Pros:
- Built to last.
- Great price.
- Features a true bypass.
- Six control knobs.
- Sleek design.
- Provides a great range in tone.
Cons
Cons:
- Does not come with a 9V DC power adapter.
5. Donner Noise Gate Killer Guitar Pedal
The noise killer
The Donner Noise Killer Guitar Pedal is the perfect way to get your guitar tone out and preserve it at a high quality.
You can do this without letting all the terrible background noise spoil your blistering rock solos.
This pedal has great features that let you avoid feedback when you’re not playing without ever interfering with what you want to play.
The compact switch mode and greyscale design make this pedal essential to any guitarist galore.
The intensity and impulse contained within the sound will leave your speakers shaking before they can find their path again.
Noise gate pedal made to kill pesky Donner noise.
With quality dedication, it is crafted for your tone and road performance.
Let an AC adapter (not included) do all the work for you with just a simple turn of the knob as you perform.
With 70 – 10 dB of noise suppression, this wise old metal slayer will quickly quell any unruly sound jumping out at unscheduled times without altering your audio fidelity.
Painstakingly selected components ensure not only the best sounds but reliability too!
The Noise Killer pedal is compact, lightweight, and made of durable materials. It’s super simple to set up and use on stage or at home — plugin and turn on!
Pros
Pros:
- Reduces background noise.
- Small, durable, and strong.
- Easy to use controls.
- Features a true bypass.
- Two noise reduction modes.
- Doesn’t take up much room on pedalboard.
Cons
Cons:
- Not ideal for high gain playing.
- Does not come with power supply.
6. JOYO JF-14 American Sound Overdrive Guitar Pedal
A True American Sound
Hey rockers!
Let’s get heavy with the JOYO JF-14 American Sound Overdrive Guitar Pedal.
If you crave that crunchy, raw guitar tone, this pedal is for you.
Using the classic vibe from the 1957 deluxe amp and providing over 14 years of brand history, you will love this sound!
This pedal has a VOICE knob to adjust your sound response and distortion just how you like it; plus multiple knobs so you can tune freely making it perfect for any player on stage or offstage.
This pedal provides a lightweight, easy-to-use case with high-quality precision components inside because we know what musicians need out there: tonal formulas that are reliable under pressure with no fussing around.
Now you too can get that original, 57 tube amp experience without the sticker shock.
The pedal is a one-stop-shop for bold tones and guitarists who don’t want to spend all their hard-earned cash on expensive gear to get there.
Add in some warmth with inbuilt cabinet emulation settings, and you’ll find many hours of enjoyment dialing back a bit of sparkle or fattening up your rig.
Pros
Pros:
- Reproduces the 57 deluxe amp sound.
- Aluminum alloy case.
- User-friendly.
- 3-band EQ.
- Smooth overdrive.
- Has inbuilt cabinet emulation.
Cons
Cons:
- Makes a slight popping sound when you step on the foot switch.
7. Ibanez Mini Chorus Guitar Pedal
A mighty chorus pedal
The Ibanez Mini Chorus Guitar Pedal is one of the most innovative sounding and user-friendly mini pedals on the market!
The speed knob is a thumb-accessible way to change speed while still controlling Depth, making your tone sound thicker, and fuller yet not sacrificing clarity.
Never worry about going too far with great clean sounds as it has True Bypass.
This will switch so you never lose your original tone when engaged.
With all of these features compacted into one mini pedal that’s perfect for any traveling musician or anyone running out of room on their pedalboard, this new technology will change how you sound forever!
The Ibanez Mini Chorus Guitar Pedal is a creative take on what would be expected of this product line.
The mini pedal features unique control features that make the never before seen small, but very powerful pedal a must-have addition to any guitarist’s equipment arsenal!
Pros
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact.
- Great for home studio recording.
- Features a true bypass.
- Built to last.
- Clear and versatile chorus tone.
- Speed, depth, and level controls.
Cons
Cons:
- Jack placement may make it challenging to fit on a pedalboard.
8. Cry Baby Standard Wah (GCB95)
I’m not crying, you’re crying
The Cry Baby Wah is a must-have for any guitarist.
This dual-actuator pedal gives you the ability to set your toe down to have more treble and your heel down so it has more bass.
The speed and amount of effect you use depend on what style you play.
If you want a killer guitar sound, then this is your pedal!
Toe down for more treble and make sure to heel down for more bass.
The Cry Baby Standard Wah has been a staple of the world of music for decades and its skilled riders have included Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, David Gilmour, and many other well-known musicians.
With just two settings – heel down or toe down – the user can alter their tone to get more bass or treble but it is entirely up to them how much effect one will achieve from this dependable wah-wah pedal.
Built with rugged materials that last through years of use on stages all over the world as well as any inherent bumps off those stages onto hard ground below, no musician should be without this classic.
Go from sweet and innocent to screaming demon in seconds on this incredible guitar weapon.
This baby has an old-fashioned quality potentiometer wah-wah effect for more of an “immediate quick response” feel ready for rock-n-roll ecstasy.
Pros
Pros:
- Indestructible
- Easy to use.
- Versatile tone.
- Used by legends such as Jimi Hendrix.
- Great for all types of players.
- Simple with no crazy add-ons.
Cons
Cons:
- 9v and/or power supply are not included.
9. Boss BD-2 Blues Driver Guitar Effects Pedal
For that classic bluesy sound
This Boss BD-2 Blues Driver Pedal gives you the classic, bluesy sound of an overdriven vintage tube amp in a compact pedal.
With its wide range of sounds from subtle to ripping, it can be used for warm distortion with or without higher levels of responsiveness than most other pedals on the market today.
The controls are Gain and Tone which allow you to adjust your tone as well as volume easily!
The BD-2 Blues Driver pedal provides a warm, crunchy sound perfect for the blues.
While it emulates 30-year-old tube amps, this modern pedal can provide instant access to its quality tone without having to lug around heavy equipment.
This pedal will give you low to medium gain sound, so if you want high gain or fuzz then it’s best for another type of pedal.
However, the sound goes from bright crunch up to a thick tone, and finding sweet spots between all three is important. With this one being around longer than most, we know that won’t be too difficult for most players.
Pros
Pros:
- Nice overdriven blues tones.
- Fits nice with other pedals.
- Responds well with guitar volume control.
- Versatile in sound.
- Brings out bright undertones.
- Sounds good with an acoustic guitar.
Cons
Cons:
- Does not come with a power adapter.
10. Donner Triple Looper Guitar Pedal
Make your own music
Donner Triple Looper Guitar Pedal combines all the utility of a traditional looper pedal with modern style and technology.
An all-in-one guitar pedal that players can easily record sound clips on their loop slots one by one.
Plays can also use loops created by others via instant recall using the preset slots – saving you hours trying to create the perfect riff.
The new Donner triple looper’s features include 3 modes for storing loops.
With a compact size that is suitable for any music style that will fit neatly in any gig bag so you will be ready to play live!
Store up to three different loop tracks and make your performances even more interactive.
Ready to go with a footswitch that lets you Record/Play/Dub/Stop/Clear at any time with one single push or break out cables and amps to grab the on-stage soundcheck vibe.
Turn in an amazing performance every time!
The Donner Triple Looper Guitar Pedal will give you a pure tone with no added noise.
It is also equipped with unlimited dub tracks, so you can record all your favorite sounds and loops to your heart’s content.
Pros
Pros:
- Simple design.
- Store up to 30 mins.
- Saves recorded files automatically.
- Displays time progress.
- One single foot switch.
- Pure tone with no added noise.
Cons
Cons:
- Does not come with power supply.
- Click sound of the button gets recorded into the loop.
11. MXR EVH90 Phase 90
For Those Eddie Van Halen Lovers
When you need to sound like the legendary Eddie Van Halen, nothing will do but the MXR EVH90 Phase 90.
Delivering all the awesome phase-shaping power that’ll take your playing straight up to levels of greatness.
Instantly toggle between vintage “Script Logo” phasing and more modern “Block Logo” for ultimate versatility on any track you’re working.
You can even enjoy watching Eddie’s legendary Frankenstein guitar made into a compact pedal.
Boasting rock-solid internal construction and an indestructible enclosure, this pedal is so durable it can withstand anything.
The product is boxed in graphics of Eddie’s legendary Frankenstein guitar with red, white, and black stripes.
This Tone Bender rocks!
It contains rock-solid internal construction to ensure years of flawless performance at higher volume levels.
If you’re looking for that classic sound of this legend, then this is the pedal for you.
Pros
Pros:
- Recreate that classic Eddie Van Halen tone.
- Design influenced by Eddie’s classic “Frankenstein” guitar.
- Great overall volume and tone.
- Budget-friendly.
- Easy to use.
- Solid construction.
Cons
Cons:
- Does not come with an AC adapter.
- Paint job eventually wears.
12. MOOER E7 Polyphonic Guitar Synth Effects Pedal
Make your electric guitar sound like a synthesizer
The MOOER E7 Polyphonic Guitar Synth Effects Pedal is a pocket guitar synth pedal with seven new synthesizer tones!
Add creative and catchy sound to your music.
Three of the modes are just for synths, but others include pads, and EDM modes included.
With the MOOER E7, all of your synth tone dreams are finally coming true!
Fly through space with a sea wave, headbang on top of an 8-bit song, or start preaching from your pulpit in superb organ tones.
All seven types have been designed to give you the most sound options and synth sounds around – allowing you to get exactly what you need out of every single one as well.
In addition to creating awesome new tones on this innovative pedal, save up to 7 presets that can be accessed at any time by scrolling down as soon as needed.
Create awe and inspire nostalgia wherever you go.
This pedal is a stompbox specially catered for guitarists that lets you go beyond merely playing acoustic.
Plug into this pedal and discover new chords, effects, and tones that will take your performance to another level.
With an array of synth sounds and on-the-fly settings adjustments, the MOOER E7 Polyphonic Guitar Synth Effects Pedal will turn your guitar into a synthesized instrument without pickups or mods to worry about.
From edgy bass tones to fuzzy lead synths, they are all at your fingertips.
Manipulate arpeggios, filters, and more with ease so you have total control over how your soaring solos sound!
Pros
Pros:
- Features 7 synth tones.
- 7 slots for storing presets.
- Easy to use.
- Transform your guitar into an electronic synthesizer.
- Includes trumpets, organ sea waves, and more!
- Makes playing fun.
Cons
Cons:
- Does not have a volume knob.
- Some tones may no be used often due to their extreme sound.
13. Danelectro Electric Guitar Effects Pedal (BR-1)
Great 60’s tones
This Danelectro electric guitar effects pedal (BR-1) has 6 position break-up control, and one volume control.
It’s incredible and organic sounding and the “Break-up” Control can take your guitar signal and slam the front of your amp with increasing power.
It emulates the Univox Unidrive and goes from the tiniest bit of breakup to a roar.
Clean boost and light overdrive followed by “almost-fuzz” territory!
It’s well built with a rugged metal case that is a must-have for musicians that want to experiment with different tones.
The Danelectro Electric Guitar Effects Pedal packs the sound of an amplifier’s natural overdrive into one package.
Pros
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- 6 position break-up control.
- Organic sound from the 1960s.
- Built to last.
- Clean boost and light overdrive.
- Great gain structure.
Cons
Cons:
- Makes buzzing sound.
- Paint job could have been a little better.
Best Cheap Guitar Pedals Buyers Guide
So we look at some available options.
Now let’s take a look at some questions you may have about cheap guitar pedals.
Are Cheap Guitar Pedals Worth It?
It is a common misconception that cheaper pedals are not worth the investment because they’re made with lower-quality components.
However, this is not always true!
That is why this is not an easy answer.
When you’re buying something, the most important thing is how well it does what you need it for.
Cheap guitars might be able to do some of the same things as expensive ones if they are set up correctly by an experienced luthier or technician.
The price tag on any pedal doesn’t tell you everything about its quality- don’t forget that!
What Pedals Should A Beginner Guitarist Have?
A beginner guitarist will want at least one distortion pedal, an overdrive pedal, and a delay pedal.
Again this is if you want to pursue that route.
These three pedals can help produce many different styles of music from rock to metal.
And these days there are so many cool effects that can make your tone stand out more than ever before!
It’s never been an easier or better time to get into playing guitar and experimenting with all the different sounds you can create on it!
Do I need a guitar pedal?
For many guitarists, the question of whether or not to use guitar pedals is a matter of personal preference.
Some players prefer the clean sound of an unadorned guitar, while others enjoy the versatility and creativity that pedals can offer.
There is no right or wrong answer, and ultimately it is up to each player to decide whether or not to use them.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this list of 13 awesomely cheap guitar pedals to be useful and informative.
If you’re looking for more information on other types of music gear, we have a blog post just about that!
If you need to fill out a pedalboard and want some cool effects on your guitar or bass without breaking the bank, then this list is perfect for you.
Pedals are expensive and it can be hard to find one that fits in budget but still has features worth having.
We hope these affordable and best cheap guitar pedals will help make finding the right tool easier!
Let us know what other types of gear we should review next by leaving a comment below with any suggestions. Thank you for reading and remember to always HAVE FUN!
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