Best MXR Distortion Pedals 2026
Premium MXR distortion pedals - legendary tone and craftsmanship
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
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
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
MXR M 287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz
by
MXR
Alternative
Hard Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Battery drain in active pedals
MXR M 287 Sub Octave Bass FuzzEffects PedalBass Octave / Fuzz2 Switchable fuzz soundsTrue BypassControls for...
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 415131
$283
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
MXR M 236 Super Badass Variac Fuzz
by
MXR
Rock
Metal
Grunge
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
MXR M 236 Super Badass Variac FuzzEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarFuzzVintage Silicon Fuzz circuitControls for...
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 396269
$186
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
MXR Wylde Audio Overdrive
by
MXR
Grunge
Rock
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Classic rock and metal tones
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
- • May add unwanted noise
MXR Wylde Audio Overdrive Effect pedalEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveSpecially developed for Zakk's...
⭐
4.5/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 577907
$186
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
MXR Custom Shop Timmy CSP027
by
MXR
Grunge
Rock
Alternative
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
- • Battery drain in active pedals
MXR Custom Shop Timmy CSP027Effects Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveDeveloped in collaboration with Paul Cochrane3...
⭐
4.4/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 486929
$164
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
MXR Sub Machine Octave Fuzz
by
MXR
Punk
Metal
Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
- • Classic rock and metal tones
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • May add unwanted noise
MXR Sub Machine Octave FuzzEffect PedalCombi effect Fuzz and Octaver100% AnalogMXR Custom Shop La Machine Fuzz Sound...
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 360368
$213
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
MXR Fullbore Metal Bundle PS A1
by
MXR
Grunge
Punk
Alternative
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of gain levels
- • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
MXR Fullbore Metal Bundle PS A1*Bundle offer comprising*, MXR M116 Fullbore Metal, Effects PedalThe MXR Distortion was...
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 495672
$158
#7
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
MXR The Duke of Tone
by
MXR
Metal
Grunge
Punk
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • May add unwanted noise
MXR The Duke of ToneEffect PedalOverdriveJointly developed by MXR and Analog ManAll components personally tested by...
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 551146
$167
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
MXR Tom Morello Power 50 Overdrive
by
MXR
Punk
Rock
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
- • May add unwanted noise
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
MXR Tom Morello Power 50 OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveTom Morello Signature PedalControls:...
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 537837
$164
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
MXR Super Badass Bundle PS A1
by
MXR
Punk
Metal
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
MXR Super Badass Bundle PS A1*Bundle offer comprising*, MXR 75 Super Badass Distortion*Analog distortion pedal for...
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 495482
$160
#10
⭐
4.4/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
MXR M116 Fullbore Metal
by
MXR
Alternative
Grunge
Rock
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • May add unwanted noise
MXR M116 Fullbore Metal, Effects PedalThe MXR Distortion was one of the first sensible-sounding Distortions in the...
⭐
4.4/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 238980
$142
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
MXR M 294 Sugar Drive Mini
by
MXR
Metal
Grunge
Punk
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • May add unwanted noise
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
MXR M 294 Sugar Drive MiniEffect PedalOverdrive / DistortionOffers a wide range of cleartransparent overdrive soundsFor...
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 529180
$153
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive
by
MXR
Punk
Alternative
Grunge
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • May add unwanted noise
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
MXR EVH 5150 OverdriveEffects pedal for electric guitarOverdriveEddie Van Halen signature modelControls for...
⭐
4.7/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 374689
$237
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
MXR 75 Super Badass Distortion
by
MXR
Grunge
Alternative
Punk
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
- • Classic rock and metal tones
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • May add unwanted noise
MXR 75 Super Badass DistortionAnalog distortion pedal for electric guitarControls: output distortionbasstrebleStatus...
⭐
4.6/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 318706
$144
#14
⭐
5.0/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Bundle RB
by
MXR
Punk
Rock
Grunge
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of gain levels
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • May add unwanted noise
MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Bundle RB*Bundle offer comprising*, MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive*Effects pedal for electric...
⭐
5.0/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 508694
$262
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
MXR Dookie Drive 30th Ann. LTD
by
MXR
Punk
Grunge
Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
MXR Dookie Drive 30th Ann. LTDEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarAnalogue overdrive pedalLimited ‘Smoking Dogs’...
⭐
4.9/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605494
$252
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.
