Best Compressors, Gates and De-essers 2025
Top-rated compressors, gates and de-essers 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025
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...
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...
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...
Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Black
- • Essential dynamic range control
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Expensive professional units
- • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Black2-Channel compressorStereo link or 2x mono75 V technologyCatch-up gain...
Heritage Audio HA 609A Elite
- • Professional vocal processing
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Learning curve for proper use
- • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
Heritage Audio HA 609A Elite2-Channel Mono / Stereo Compressor / LimiterFully discreet class A circuitThree Carnhill /...
Golden Age Audio Project COMP-3A Jr
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Can sound unnatural if overused
- • Expensive professional units
Golden Age Audio Project COMP-3A Jr1-Channel Vintage-Style CompressorTransformer-balanced input and outputGain control...
IGS Audio Volf
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Real-time tactile control
- • Expensive professional units
- • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
IGS Audio VolfStereo FET Compressor24-stepSwiss-made ELMA switches on InputOutputand Mixer for precise controlFully...
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...
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...
Golden Age Audio Project Comp-54 MKIII
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Real-time tactile control
- • Learning curve for proper use
- • Requires good monitoring to set up
Golden Age Audio Project Comp-54 MKIIIVintage-Style CompressorAdjustment possibilities:...
Empirical Labs Fatso - EL7X
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Requires good monitoring to set up
- • Learning curve for proper use
Empirical Labs Fatso - EL7X2-channel analog tape simulation and optimizerWith Classic Knee compressionInputs and...
IGS Audio Zen
- • Hardware analog warmth
- • Professional vocal processing
- • Learning curve for proper use
- • Expensive professional units
IGS Audio ZenAnalogue Stereo CompressorVintage circuitry based on hand-selected Zener diodes and transistorsControls...
Antelope A4-1B Complete Edition
- • Improves mix consistency
- • Real-time tactile control
- • Learning curve for proper use
- • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
Antelope A4-1B Complete EditionCompressorAnalogue automated tube optical compressorMotorised potentiometersFully...
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...
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