The Top 10 Best Guitar Effects Pedals Under $100

By Gabriel Tanaka

Guitarists are always looking for new effects pedals. It becomes an obsession for many tone hungry guitar players. And finding the best gear at the best price makes is all the better. We’ve come up with a list of the top 10 best guitar effects pedals under $100 to help you discover some awesome pedals you may have missed. And no, these aren’t second-rate budget pedals either. We’re talking the best of the best. Whether you’re a beginning guitarist or a veteran of the road, there is a pedal on this list that will make a nice addition your pedal collection.

10. MXR Dyna Comp

Rounding out our list at number 10 is the MXR Dyna Comp. This classic pedal is the premier choice for more famous Nashville studio players than any other guitar compressor pedal out there. With only two simple controls, the Dyna Comp allows you to fatten up your sound and smooth out the dynamics for a very musical compression sound. This is one those subtle effects that makes a world of difference in sculpting your perfect sound. Whether you’re getting down with some chickin’ pickin’ licks or adding some sustain and even dynamics to your solos, the MXR Dyna Comp is where it’s at. Try one out. Once you hear how your tone comes alive with this pedal in your chain, you may never play guitar again without it.

9. Ernie Ball 6180 VP JR Volume Pedal

Performing guitarists know the bane of not being heard in the mix, and a solid volume pedal like the Ernie Ball 6180 VP JR is a surefire essential for on-stage volume control. Whether you’re boosting for solos or just finding the perfect volume level to find your place in the mix, the Ernie Ball 6180 is the rugged companion of choice for volume control. And don’t forget about those smooth volume swells. This volume pedal is relied on by more pro players than any other and deserves its coveted spot on our list. If you’re playing with normal passive pickups, get the Ernie Ball 6180 VP JR. If you’re using pickups that require a 9-volt battery like EMGs or Seymour Duncan Blackouts, get the 6181 instead.

8. Boss CH-1 Super Chorus

There’s nothing like a good chorus pedal to add depth and movement to your sound. The Boss CH-1 Super Chorus is one of the best, and we really like it’s warm flavor. Whether you want ambient cleans or massively thick stereo metal tones, the CH-1 does it all. And that’s not to mention the tremolo, flange, and Leslie-like sounds this pedal conjures up. A tried and true effect on pedalboards everywhere, the Boss CH-1 Super Chorus is a reliable workhorse. It’s just the right pedal to fulfill your chorusing needs.

7. MXR M-101 Phase 90

The MXR M-101 Phase 90 needs no introduction as its signature sound has come to define just what a guitar phaser pedal should be. Guitarists everywhere have been using the Phase 90 for over 30 years to get that perfect phased sound. Players like Eddie Van Halen and Zakk Wylde even had signature versions made, but we still prefer the more affordable classic orange version. Just set the speed and go. That whooshing phased sound will take your solos to new heights and add unmistakeable character to anything you play. Don’t settle for anything less. After all these years, the MXR M-101 Phase 90 is still the best.

6. Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor

The Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor may not seem like much, but its impact on your sound is not to be understated, especially if you’re a high-gain player. Other noise gate pedals may suck the life out of your tone, but the Boss NS-2 only suppresses what you don’t want: noise, hiss, and hum. A vital effect if you play metal or any style of music with tight stops. Your audience’s ears will thank you for adding this to your effects chain. Also, try using the send and return jacks of the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor to tame a beast of a distortion box like the next pedal on our list.

5. Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi

Another long-running classic that made our list, the Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi blurs the lines between distortion and fuzz for a signature noise maker that countless guitarists have used to saturate their sound. Want massive walls of Muffed-out fuzzy distortion? Want singing sustain for smooth solos? Nothing sounds quite like a Muff. This just might be your go-to choice for thick distorted fuzz that can only be found in the Electro Harmonix Big Muff pi.

4. Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

Love it or hate, the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone is a classic. Even with successive extreme distortion pedals released by Boss, the MT-2 remains the number one choice for gain-obsessed players who want to carve out their perfect metal tone from a single pedal. It’s all thanks to the MT-2′s dual-stage gain circuit and deep tone-shaping controls. And it’s great to have around if you find yourself with only a clean amp around but want to play dirty. The Boss MT-2 Metal Zone is one of the most popular extreme distortion pedals out there and will be for a long time to come.

3. MXR Micro Amp

This humble-looking little pedal may not look like much, but the MXR Micro Amp houses a powerful ability to shape your overall sound. Use the Micro Amp to kick an amp into overdrive to wake those tubes up. Dig in and listen to the sound of your guitar come alive with even more harmonic overtones and clarity. Punch it for your solos and fill the room with a natural-sounding boost in volume and dynamics. Few pedals pack as big of a sound as the MXR Micro Amp. It’s one of the best.

2. Dunlop Original Crybaby Wah Wah Pedal

Did you really think we’d miss this one? The Dunlop Original Crybaby Wah Wah Pedal is arguably the most famous guitar effects pedal of all time. While there are over a dozen models to choose from, the Original Crybaby is still made to the original Thomas Organ 1966 specifications. This is the sound of wah right here. If you want that famous crying/talking/wah sound, this is the one to get. The Dunlop Original Crybaby Wah Wah Pedal will undoubtedly continue to shape the sound of electric guitar for as long as people continue playing guitar. If you don’t have one, get one.

1. TC Electronic Polytune Poly-Chromatic Tuner

The TC Electronic Polytune Poly-Chromatic Tuner tops our list. Yeah, it’s not an effect per say. But everyone needs a tuner, and this is the one to get. While other companies were busy adding a few more LEDs and marginal increases to tuning accuracy, TC Electronic changed everything we thought a tuner should be. With the ability to detect the intonation of all 6 strings at once, the Polytune renders all other guitar tuners obsolete. And that’s not to mention the Polytune’s beautiful screen with over 100 LEDs for the ultimate in on-stage visibility. And tone junkies will appreciate that the Polytune is 100% true-bypass. The new king of stompbox tuners is here in the TC Electronic Polytune Poly-Chromatic Tuner.




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