Best MXR Distortion Pedals 2025

Premium MXR distortion pedals - legendary tone and craftsmanship

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

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

MXR Dookie Drive 30th Ann. LTD - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR Tom Morello Power 50 Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR The Duke of Tone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR M296 Classic 108 Fuzz Mini - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

MXR M296 Classic 108 Fuzz Mini

by MXR

Metal Grunge Alternative

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Wide range of gain levels
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

• Requires careful EQ adjustment
• May add unwanted noise

MXR M296 Classic 108 Fuzz MiniEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarBC108 Fuzz Face Circuit in the MXR Mini HousingOriginal...

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 434009

$149

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR Fullbore Metal Bundle PS A1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR M193 GT-OD - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

MXR M193 GT-OD

by MXR

Alternative Punk Metal

Key Feature:

• Enhances amp overdrive

✓ PROS

• Great for lead guitar solos
• Enhances amp overdrive

✗ CONS

• Battery drain in active pedals
• Requires careful EQ adjustment

MXR M193 GT-OD, Overdrive PedalEven the color indicates the direction in which this pedal is headed: The MXR Custom...

⭐ 4.6/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 112663

$149

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR Octavio M267 Fuzz/Octave - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

MXR Octavio M267 Fuzz/Octave

by MXR

Grunge Metal Punk

Key Feature:

• Adds sustain and compression

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Enhances amp overdrive

✗ CONS

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

MXR Octavio M267 Fuzz/OctaveEffects Pedal for Electric GuitarJimi Hendrix's classic octave-up fuzz...

⭐ 4.8/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 486934

$174

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Bundle RB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR Custom Shop Timmy CSP027 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

MXR Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive Red

by MXR

Metal Alternative Rock

Key Feature:

• Adds sustain and compression

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Enhances amp overdrive

✗ CONS

• Requires careful EQ adjustment
• Battery drain in active pedals

MXR Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive RedEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarYngwie Malmsteen Signature ModelOverdriveCircuit...

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 600115

$142

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR Custom Shop Hybrid Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

MXR Custom Shop Hybrid Fuzz

by MXR

Hard Rock Punk Metal

Key Feature:

• Adds sustain and compression

✓ PROS

• Classic rock and metal tones
• Wide range of gain levels

✗ CONS

• May add unwanted noise
• Requires careful EQ adjustment

MXR Custom Shop Hybrid FuzzEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarFuzzSilicon/germanium circuitExtraordinary finish from the...

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 582610

$208

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR Sub Machine Octave Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR Super Badass Bundle PS A1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

MXR M 287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 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

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 MXR Distortion Pedals 2025

MXR Dookie Drive 30th Ann. LTD

MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive

MXR Tom Morello Power 50 Overdrive

MXR The Duke of Tone

MXR M296 Classic 108 Fuzz Mini

MXR Fullbore Metal Bundle PS A1

MXR M193 GT-OD

MXR Octavio M267 Fuzz/Octave

MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Bundle RB

MXR Custom Shop Timmy CSP027

MXR Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive Red

MXR Custom Shop Hybrid Fuzz

MXR Sub Machine Octave Fuzz

MXR Super Badass Bundle PS A1

MXR M 287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz

How to Choose the Best Distortion Pedals

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying distortion pedals?

How much should I spend on distortion pedals?

Are expensive distortion pedals worth the investment?

What are the best brands for distortion pedals?

Should I buy distortion pedals online or in-store?

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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