Best Boss Distortion Pedals 2026

Premium Boss distortion pedals - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $50 Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Metal For Punk For Grunge For Hard Rock For Alternative

BRANDS: Electro Harmonix Harley Benton JHS Pedals Boss MXR Wampler Tone City tc electronic EarthQuaker Devices British Pedal Company J. Rockett Audio Designs Joyo Keeley Walrus Audio Behringer Wren & Cuff JAM pedals Origin Effects Crazy Tube Circuits Marshall Mythos Pedals Xotic Cornerstone Fulltone Mooer Digitech Dunlop Fender KMA Audio Machines Maxon Revv Tubesteader Warm Audio Z.Vex Harby Pedals Ibanez Kasleder LPD Pedals Mad Professor Old Blood Noise Endeavors Strymon Way Huge

Boss OD-200 Hybrid Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Boss OD-200 Hybrid Overdrive

by Boss

Grunge Punk Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Enhances amp overdrive

✓ PROS

• Enhances amp overdrive
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

• Can cause feedback at high volumes
• Requires careful EQ adjustment

Boss OD-200 Hybrid OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdrive12 Overdrive and distortion effectsSound in 32 bit...

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 468052

$296

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss DS-1X Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Boss DS-1X Distortion

by Boss

Alternative Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Adds sustain and compression

✓ PROS

• Great for lead guitar solos
• Classic rock and metal tones

✗ CONS

• Can mask guitar's natural tone
• Requires careful EQ adjustment

Boss DS-1X DistortionEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortionController for: Levelhigh and distAdvanced sound...

⭐ 4.7/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 331481

$186

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss FZ-1W Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Boss FZ-1W Fuzz

by Boss

Grunge Metal Punk

Key Feature:

• Adds sustain and compression

✓ PROS

• Great for lead guitar solos
• Wide range of gain levels

✗ CONS

• Can cause feedback at high volumes
• Can mask guitar's natural tone

Boss FZ-1W FuzzEffect pedal for electric guitarFuzzSilicon transistor based pedal with vintage & modern sound...

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 530682

$204

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss OD-1X Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Boss OD-1X Overdrive

by Boss

Punk Rock Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic rock and metal tones

✓ PROS

• Classic rock and metal tones
• Great for lead guitar solos

✗ CONS

• Requires careful EQ adjustment
• Can mask guitar's natural tone

Boss OD-1X OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveController for: Levelhigh and distAdvanced sound...

⭐ 4.9/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 331473

$180

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss BD-2w Blues Driver - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Boss BD-2w Blues Driver

by Boss

Hard Rock Grunge Rock

Key Feature:

• Wide range of gain levels

✓ PROS

• Wide range of gain levels
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

• Battery drain in active pedals
• Can cause feedback at high volumes

Boss BD-2w Blues DriverEffect for Electric GuitarOverdriveWaza Craft seriesController for: Leveltone and gainAnalog...

⭐ 5.0/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 345722

$180

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss HM-2w Heavy Metal Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Boss HM-2w Heavy Metal Distortion

by Boss

Punk Alternative Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic rock and metal tones

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Enhances amp overdrive

✗ CONS

• Requires careful EQ adjustment
• May add unwanted noise

Boss HM-2w Heavy Metal DistortionEffect pedal for electric guitarDistortionWaza Craft Series - reissue of the legendary...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 522244

$175

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss MT-2W Metal Zone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Boss MT-2W Metal Zone

by Boss

Metal Rock Punk

Key Feature:

• Classic rock and metal tones

✓ PROS

• Great for lead guitar solos
• Wide range of gain levels

✗ CONS

• Battery drain in active pedals
• Can mask guitar's natural tone

Boss MT-2W Metal ZoneEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarWaza seriesAnalog distortionFor guitarists looking for the sound...

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 449777

$163

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss FZ-5 Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Boss FZ-5 Fuzz

by Boss

Alternative Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Enhances amp overdrive

✓ PROS

• Enhances amp overdrive
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

• Requires careful EQ adjustment
• May add unwanted noise

Boss FZ-5, Fuzz PedalClassic sounds thanks to the most modern technology!There has long been a whole gaping in the BOSS...

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 112447

$142

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss ML-2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Boss ML-2

by Boss

Rock Punk Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Enhances amp overdrive
• Classic rock and metal tones

✗ CONS

• May add unwanted noise
• Can mask guitar's natural tone

Boss ML-2, Metal Core PedalThis is the most aggressive distorter that BOSS has ever built - for the hard core of metal...

⭐ 4.7/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 112448

$141

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss SD-1 Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Boss SD-1 Overdrive

by Boss

Rock Punk Metal

Key Feature:

• Classic rock and metal tones

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Classic rock and metal tones

✗ CONS

• May add unwanted noise
• Can mask guitar's natural tone

Boss SD-1Overdrive PedalWarmsoft tube amp-like distortionControls: Leveltone and driveFoot switch: BypassInput and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 103975

$76

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss DS-1w Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Boss DS-1w Distortion

by Boss

Alternative Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Adds sustain and compression

✓ PROS

• Great for lead guitar solos
• Wide range of gain levels

✗ CONS

• Can mask guitar's natural tone
• Requires careful EQ adjustment

Boss DS-1w DistortionEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortionLegendaryclassic distortion since 1978now in the...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 552256

$145

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss OD-3 Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.6/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Boss OD-3 Overdrive

by Boss

Punk Hard Rock Rock

Key Feature:

• Enhances amp overdrive

✓ PROS

• Great for lead guitar solos
• Classic rock and metal tones

✗ CONS

• Requires careful EQ adjustment
• May add unwanted noise

Boss OD-3 OverdriveGuitar EffectThe OD-3 has a softrather central basic soundwhich can be varied well with the tone...

⭐ 4.6/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 120113

$121

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion

by Boss

Metal Punk Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Enhances amp overdrive
• Wide range of gain levels

✗ CONS

• Can mask guitar's natural tone
• Can cause feedback at high volumes

Boss MD-2, Mega DistortionBOSS has developed the MD-2 especially for current heavy music in the ‘Nu Metal’ style....

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 152191

$111

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss SD-1W Super Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Boss SD-1W Super Overdrive

by Boss

Grunge Alternative Metal

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Wide range of gain levels

✗ CONS

• Can cause feedback at high volumes
• Battery drain in active pedals

Boss SD-1W Super OverdriveEffect for Electric GuitarOverdriveWaza Craft seriesController for: Leveltone and gainAnalog...

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 345727

$171

Buy at Thomann View Details

Boss MT-2 Metal Zone Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.4/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Boss MT-2 Metal Zone Distortion

by Boss

Grunge Alternative Metal

Key Feature:

• Wide range of gain levels

✓ PROS

• Great for lead guitar solos
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

• Requires careful EQ adjustment
• Can cause feedback at high volumes

Boss MT-2 Metal Zone DistortionEffects Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortionSpecially developed for hard rock and heavy...

⭐ 4.4/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 103967

$138

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Distortion 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 distortion 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 Boss Distortion Pedals 2026

Boss OD-200 Hybrid Overdrive

Boss DS-1X Distortion

Boss FZ-1W Fuzz

Boss OD-1X Overdrive

Boss BD-2w Blues Driver

Boss HM-2w Heavy Metal Distortion

Boss MT-2W Metal Zone

Boss FZ-5 Fuzz

Boss ML-2

Boss SD-1 Overdrive

Boss DS-1w Distortion

Boss OD-3 Overdrive

Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion

Boss SD-1W Super Overdrive

Boss MT-2 Metal Zone Distortion

How to Choose the Best Distortion Pedals

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Best Lists

Best ST Style Guitars

Best Humbucker Pickups

Best Single Cut Guitars

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

Best 4-String Basses

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