Best Bass Pedals Under $500 2025

Affordable bass pedals under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 29, 2025 • Next update: November 5, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Bass-Specific Effects For Professional Bass Setup For Live Performance For Studio Recording For Tone Enhancement For Bass Players

BRANDS: MXR Darkglass Electro Harmonix Tech 21 Origin Effects EBS Boss Aguilar JAM pedals

Empress Effects Bass ParaEQ - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Empress Effects Bass ParaEQ

by Empress Effects

Bass-Specific Effects Professional Bass Setup Studio Recording

Key Feature:

• Wide range of bass-specific effects

✓ PROS

• Wide range of bass-specific effects
• Professional bass tone shaping

✗ CONS

• Limited to bass applications
• May not work well with guitars

Empress Effects Bass ParaEQEffect Pedal for Electric & Acoustic BassFeatures a bass-adjusted frequency rangea...

⭐ 4.4/5 (41 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 616322

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Origin Effects Cali76 V2 Bass Compressor - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Origin Effects Cali76 V2 Bass Compressor

by Origin Effects

Tone Enhancement Studio Recording Bass-Specific Effects

Key Feature:

• Designed specifically for bass frequencies

✓ PROS

• Essential for serious bass players
• Designed specifically for bass frequencies

✗ CONS

• May not work well with guitars
• Requires bass-specific knowledge

Origin Effects Cali76 V2 Bass CompressorEffect Pedal for Electric Bass1176-Style Studio-FET compressorV2 with 10-LED...

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 588566

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra

by Darkglass

Professional Bass Setup Tone Enhancement Studio Recording

Key Feature:

• Wide range of bass-specific effects

✓ PROS

• Designed specifically for bass frequencies
• Professional bass tone shaping

✗ CONS

• May not work well with guitars
• More expensive than guitar effects

Darkglass Microtubes X UltraEffect pedal for electric bassHas all control elements of the Microtubes X7Allows an exact...

⭐ 4.8/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 470798

$458

Buy at Thomann View Details

JAM pedals Ripply Fall Bass Chorus/Vibe - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

JAM pedals Ripply Fall Bass Chorus/Vibe

by JAM pedals

Bass-Specific Effects Tone Enhancement Bass Players

Key Feature:

• Wide range of bass-specific effects

✓ PROS

• Wide range of bass-specific effects
• Maintains low-end clarity

✗ CONS

• More expensive than guitar effects
• Requires bass-specific knowledge

JAM pedals Ripply Fall Chorus/Vibe BassEffects Pedal for Electric BassChorus / vibeCombines the Jam Pedals Effects...

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 484237

$395

Buy at Thomann View Details

Darkglass Vintage Ultra v2 Aux - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Darkglass Vintage Ultra v2 Aux

by Darkglass

Bass-Specific Effects Studio Recording Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Professional bass tone shaping

✓ PROS

• Essential for serious bass players
• Designed specifically for bass frequencies

✗ CONS

• May not work well with guitars
• Limited to bass applications

Darkglass Vintage Ultra v2 AuxEffects PedalBass overdriveNew additional features over the first version: individual...

⭐ 4.5/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 482723

$495

Buy at Thomann View Details

Source Audio SA 249 One Series C4 Sy Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Source Audio SA 249 One Series C4 Sy Bundle

by Source Audio

Bass Players Live Performance Tone Enhancement

Key Feature:

• Maintains low-end clarity

✓ PROS

• Essential for serious bass players
• Professional bass tone shaping

✗ CONS

• May not work well with guitars
• Takes up pedalboard space

Source Audio SA 249 One Series C4 Sy Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Source Audio SA 249 One Series C4 Synth*Effect...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 603022

$448

Buy at Thomann View Details

Origin Effects Cali76 V2 Bass Compressor BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Origin Effects Cali76 V2 Bass Compressor BK

by Origin Effects

Professional Bass Setup Live Performance Bass Players

Key Feature:

• Designed specifically for bass frequencies

✓ PROS

• Maintains low-end clarity
• Designed specifically for bass frequencies

✗ CONS

• May not work well with guitars
• Takes up pedalboard space

Origin Effects Cali76 V2 Bass Compressor BKEffect Pedal for Electric Bass1176-Style Studio-FET CompressorV2 with 10-LED...

⭐ 4.8/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 591350

$395

Buy at Thomann View Details

Aguilar Tone Hammer Bass Effect Pedal - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Aguilar Tone Hammer Bass Effect Pedal

by Aguilar

Bass-Specific Effects Tone Enhancement Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Essential for serious bass players

✓ PROS

• Wide range of bass-specific effects
• Maintains low-end clarity

✗ CONS

• May not work well with guitars
• More expensive than guitar effects

Aguilar Tone Hammer Bass Effect PedalEffect Pedal for Electric BassPreampDI with ground lift switch and pre/post...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 604072

$394

Buy at Thomann View Details

Orange Bass Butler - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Orange Bass Butler

by Orange

Professional Bass Setup Tone Enhancement Bass Players

Key Feature:

• Designed specifically for bass frequencies

✓ PROS

• Professional bass tone shaping
• Essential for serious bass players

✗ CONS

• Limited to bass applications
• Takes up pedalboard space

Orange Bass ButlerBi-Amp Preamp Pedal for Electric Bass2 channelsChannel 1 (always-on): Bass channel with control for...

⭐ 4.9/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 478644

$417

Buy at Thomann View Details

Markbass Mark Vintage Pre - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 5.0/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Markbass Mark Vintage Pre

by Markbass

Professional Bass Setup Tone Enhancement Studio Recording

Key Feature:

• Essential for serious bass players

✓ PROS

• Maintains low-end clarity
• Designed specifically for bass frequencies

✗ CONS

• Takes up pedalboard space
• Limited to bass applications

Markbass Mark Vintage PrePreamp for Electric BassTube preamp from the Markbass Vintage top4-Band EQControls:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 507337

$382

Buy at Thomann View Details

Markbass Pro Bass Mixer - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.5/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Markbass Pro Bass Mixer

by Markbass

Bass Players Bass-Specific Effects Tone Enhancement

Key Feature:

• Essential for serious bass players

✓ PROS

• Essential for serious bass players
• Wide range of bass-specific effects

✗ CONS

• Takes up pedalboard space
• Limited to bass applications

Markbass Pro Bass MixerMixerFor bass and other instruments3 channelsSound filter per channel: Hifizer & Old...

⭐ 4.5/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 616507

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Two Notes ReVolt Bass Preamp - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Two Notes ReVolt Bass Preamp

by Two Notes

Live Performance Professional Bass Setup Studio Recording

Key Feature:

• Professional bass tone shaping

✓ PROS

• Maintains low-end clarity
• Wide range of bass-specific effects

✗ CONS

• May not work well with guitars
• Limited to bass applications

Two Notes ReVolt Bass PreampTube Preamp for Electric Bass3 ChannelsFully analogue preamp & bass amp...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 544670

$344

Buy at Thomann View Details

Darkglass Microtubes X7 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Darkglass Microtubes X7

by Darkglass

Tone Enhancement Professional Bass Setup Bass Players

Key Feature:

• Maintains low-end clarity

✓ PROS

• Wide range of bass-specific effects
• Designed specifically for bass frequencies

✗ CONS

• Requires bass-specific knowledge
• May not work well with guitars

Darkglass Microtubes X7Effects PedalBass DistortionFor aggressive full and fat soundWith additional 4-band graphic...

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 450168

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Origin Effects Bassrig ’64 Black Panel - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Origin Effects Bassrig ’64 Black Panel

by Origin Effects

Studio Recording Bass Players Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Maintains low-end clarity

✓ PROS

• Essential for serious bass players
• Professional bass tone shaping

✗ CONS

• Requires bass-specific knowledge
• Limited to bass applications

Origin Effects Bassrig ’64 Black PanelEffect Pedal for Electric BassA complete vintage bass amp in one pedalBased on...

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 572391

$488

Buy at Thomann View Details

Tech 21 SansAmp SH1 Steve Harris - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.4/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Tech 21 SansAmp SH1 Steve Harris

by Tech 21

Bass-Specific Effects Studio Recording Bass Players

Key Feature:

• Essential for serious bass players

✓ PROS

• Essential for serious bass players
• Wide range of bass-specific effects

✗ CONS

• More expensive than guitar effects
• Limited to bass applications

Tech 21 SansAmp SH1Preamp for Electric BassSteve Harris (Iron Maiden) signature pedal2 Channel modes with independent...

⭐ 4.4/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 477091

$359

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Bass Pedals

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced bass pedals typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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Best Bass Pedals Under $500 2025

Empress Effects Bass ParaEQ

Origin Effects Cali76 V2 Bass Compressor

Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra

JAM pedals Ripply Fall Bass Chorus/Vibe

Darkglass Vintage Ultra v2 Aux

Source Audio SA 249 One Series C4 Sy Bundle

Origin Effects Cali76 V2 Bass Compressor BK

Aguilar Tone Hammer Bass Effect Pedal

Orange Bass Butler

Markbass Mark Vintage Pre

Markbass Pro Bass Mixer

Two Notes ReVolt Bass Preamp

Darkglass Microtubes X7

Origin Effects Bassrig ’64 Black Panel

Tech 21 SansAmp SH1 Steve Harris

How to Choose the Best Bass Pedals

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying bass pedals?

How much should I spend on bass pedals?

Are expensive bass pedals worth the investment?

What are the best brands for bass pedals?

Should I buy bass pedals online or in-store?

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