Best Compressors, Gates and De-essers 2026
Top-rated compressors, gates and de-essers 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 28, 2026 • Next update: February 4, 2026
Golden Age Audio Project Comp-2A
- • Real-time tactile control
- • Professional vocal processing
- • Learning curve for proper use
- • Requires good monitoring to set up
Golden Age Audio Project Comp-2AVintage-style single channel tube compressor / limiterTransformer balanced input and...
Chandler Limited RS124 Compressor
- • Essential dynamic range control
- • Professional vocal processing
- • Learning curve for proper use
- • Requires good monitoring to set up
Chandler Limited RS124 Compressor1-Channel tube compressorSwitches for inputoutputattack and recoveryVU meterOutput...
Locomotive Audio 14B
- • Real-time tactile control
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Learning curve for proper use
- • Can sound unnatural if overused
Locomotive Audio 14B1-Channel Vari-Mu CompressorTubes: 1x 6BC81x 12AY7 and 2x 6V6sInput and output level variably...
Black Lion Audio Seventeen-500
- • Essential dynamic range control
- • Professional vocal processing
- • Can sound unnatural if overused
- • Expensive professional units
Black Lion Audio Seventeen-500Mono-FET-CompressorInspired by a legendary studio instrumentCompact 500 formatOptimised...
Heritage Audio Herchild 660
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Can sound unnatural if overused
- • Expensive professional units
Heritage Audio Herchild 6601-Channel Tube-Based CompressorSidechain filters: OffDirect access to continuously variable...
Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Diode Bridge Comp
- • Professional vocal processing
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Expensive professional units
- • Requires good monitoring to set up
Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Diode Bridge Comp2-Channel Diode Bridge CompressorCustom transformer and class A line...
Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer
- • Real-time tactile control
- • Professional vocal processing
- • Learning curve for proper use
- • Requires good monitoring to set up
Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus TransformerAnalog Stereo Master ProcessorHigh-pass filter adjustable from 15 Hz - 100...
Heritage Audio Successor
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Expensive professional units
- • Requires good monitoring to set up
Heritage Audio SuccessorStereo Bus CompressorAnalogue bus and master compressor with transformer-coupled inputs and...
Warm Audio WA-1B
- • Professional vocal processing
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Expensive professional units
- • Can sound unnatural if overused
Warm Audio WA-1B1-Channel Tube Opto-CompressorWith output transformersTrue to the original 270 V100 % discrete analogue...
Lindell Audio LiN2A
- • Real-time tactile control
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Requires good monitoring to set up
- • Expensive professional units
Lindell Audio LiN2AOptical Tube CompressorHigh-quality components and Cinemag transformer from US productionWith Black...
Dangerous Music Compressor
- • Professional vocal processing
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
- • Expensive professional units
Dangerous Music CompressorVCA compressorSelectable stereo operation or dual monoCompression without any distortion even...
Looptrotter Monster Compressor 2
- • Real-time tactile control
- • Essential dynamic range control
- • Learning curve for proper use
- • Can sound unnatural if overused
Looptrotter Monster Compressor 22-Channel FET Compressor with Tube Saturation6N2P NOS tubesAttack Time: 0.1 ms - 100...
Heritage Audio Tubesessor
- • Essential dynamic range control
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Can sound unnatural if overused
- • Learning curve for proper use
Heritage Audio TubesessorOptical Tube CompressorFully tube-based amplifier stage and fully transformer-balanced inputs...
WES Audio ng76 FET Compressor
- • Real-time tactile control
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Requires good monitoring to set up
- • Learning curve for proper use
WES Audio ng76 FET CompressorAnalogue 1-Channel FET (1176-style) CompressorWith digital recall and plug-in controlRatio...
Black Lion Audio B172A
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
- • Requires good monitoring to set up
Black Lion Audio B172AMono CompressorHybrid compressor with FET circuit and T4BLA optocouplerFET compressor from the...
How to Choose the Best Compressors, Gates and De-essers
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
