The guitar pedal, also called an effects unit or effects pedal, is an essential part of any guitarist’s setup. Depending on the style of music you play and the type of sound you’re trying to create, there is a wide variety of options to meet any need. We’ll help break it down for you and recommend our favorites.

There are many different types of guitar pedals available today, each designed to perform specific functions – including looper pedals, overdrive pedals, distortion pedals, delay pedals, chorus pedals, wah wah pedals, compressor pedals, and reverb pedals. Each type of pedal has its own unique sound, which makes them useful tools for creating new sounds and playing styles.

How to Choose the Right Guitar Pedal For You

With so many different types of effects pedals, it can be hard for a new (or even more experienced) guitarist to choose the right one. (Although, why choose just one?)

Some of the most common include the chorus pedal, which adds reverb to the sound; the wah pedal, which creates a warbling effect; and the octave pedal, which doubles the frequency of notes played. Other effects pedals include the tremolo pedal, which simulates the tremelo effect used by some electric guitarists; the delay pedal, which adds echo to the sound; and the distortion pedal, which adds fuzz to the sound.

When choosing which guitar pedal to use, there are several factors to consider. First, you should look at what type of sound you want from your guitar. If you play metal, then you might prefer a heavy distortion pedal. On the other hand, if you play jazz, you might want a clean boost pedal. You should also think about the amount of effects you want to add to your guitar. For example, if you plan to add reverb to your guitar, you might want to choose a reverb pedal instead of a delay pedal. Finally, you should consider whether you want to use a footswitch or a stompbox. A footswitch is easier to use than a stompbox, but a stompbox offers more flexibility.

Since each type of pedal has its own particular uses,  there is no one right pedal for every musician. However, if you know what you want from your pedal, you can find a model that suits your needs perfectly. We’ll help you choose the best guitar pedal for you in this handy guide.

Best Guitar Pedals by Type

What type of effects pedal are you looking for? It depends on the type of sound you’re trying to create. We recommend the best in each category:

Guitar Pedal Reviews

Here are our expert reviews of the best guitar pedals by brand:

Boss

Dunlop

Electro-Harmonix

    Friedman

    Fulltone

    Ibanez

    Morley

    MXR

    TC Electronic

    Troubleshooting Guitar Pedals

      If you’re having trouble getting your guitar pedal working properly, there are several things you should check before calling a repair specialist. First, make sure that the pedal has been plugged into the right input jack on your guitar. Next, check if the power cord is securely connected to the pedal. Finally, try turning off the power switch on the back of the pedal and then plugging it back in. If none of those steps work, contact a professional repair technician.