Best Distortion Pedals Under $100 2026
Affordable distortion pedals under $100 - great value without compromising quality
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
⭐
4.8/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Electro Harmonix Big Muff PI Classic
Hard Rock
Grunge
Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of gain levels
- • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • May add unwanted noise
Electro Harmonix Big Muff PI ClassicEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarThe NYC originalFor over 40 yearsthe Big Muff Pi...
⭐
4.8/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 147853
$96
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Electro Harmonix Triangle Big Muff Fuzz
Hard Rock
Alternative
Punk
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
Electro Harmonix Triangle Big Muff FuzzEffects PedalFuzzReissue of the original Version 1 Big Muffs from...
⭐
5.0/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 448194
$98
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Electro Harmonix Nano Overlord Overdrive
Punk
Alternative
Grunge
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
Electro Harmonix Nano Overlord OverdriveEffect pedal for electric guitar and electric bassAmplifier-like JFET overdrive...
⭐
4.7/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 476022
$92
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi w. Tone Wicker
Grunge
Rock
Alternative
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi w. Tone WickerEffects PedalBig Muff PI /Tone WickerThe classic Big Muff with additional...
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 219191
$98
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Electro Harmonix East River Drive
Hard Rock
Rock
Alternative
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Classic rock and metal tones
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Battery drain in active pedals
Electro Harmonix East River DriveEffects pedal for electric guitarCreates classic overdriveNano SeriesControl for...
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 323981
$72
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Electro Harmonix Nano Big Muff
Hard Rock
Metal
Punk
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Battery drain in active pedals
Electro Harmonix Nano Big MuffElecric Guitar Effects DeviceDistortionController for volumesustain and toneDimensions...
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 328484
$87
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Electro Harmonix OD Glove
Hard Rock
Punk
Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
Electro Harmonix OD GloveElecric Guitar Effects DeviceOverdrive/DistortionControl for: Volumegain and toneTrue...
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 325465
$76
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Electro Harmonix Crayon 69 Full-Range Overdrive
Hard Rock
Metal
Grunge
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • May add unwanted noise
Electro Harmonix Crayon 69 Full-Range OverdriveEffects Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveA versatile overdrive with...
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 376576
$68
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Digitech DOD Gunslinger
by
Digitech
Hard Rock
Metal
Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Battery drain in active pedals
Digitech DOD GunslingerEffect PedalMosfet DistortionVery velocity sensitive9 V or 18 V operationTrue Bypass...
⭐
5.0/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 563533
$98
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
tc electronic Mojo Mojo Paul Gilbert Overdr.
Grunge
Metal
Punk
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • May add unwanted noise
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
tc electronic Mojo Mojo Paul Gilbert Overdr.Effect pedal for electric guitarPaul Gilbert signature...
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 520942
$78
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Electro Harmonix Tortion JFET Overdrive
Hard Rock
Punk
Metal
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of gain levels
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
Electro Harmonix Tortion JFET OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveTube-like characteristics and...
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 619335
$98
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Electro Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi Fuzz
Hard Rock
Punk
Metal
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
Electro Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi FuzzEffects PedalFaithfully modeled after the legendary circuit Op-Amp Big Muff Pi...
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 427957
$92
#13
⭐
4.4/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Tone City Bad Horse - Boost / Overdrive
by
Tone City
Grunge
Metal
Punk
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
Tone City Bad Horse - Boost / OverdriveEffect Pedal fort Electric GuitarBoost / OverdriveBased on one of the most...
⭐
4.4/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 536646
$61
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Harley Benton Twoface
Metal
Grunge
Punk
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
Harley Benton TwofaceEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarAnalogue dual overdrive & tremoloEffects can be used...
⭐
4.4/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 522040
$65
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton Good Cop/Bad Cop
Grunge
Rock
Alternative
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
Harley Benton Good Cop/Bad CopEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarAnalogue dual overdrive & bluesdriveEffects can be...
⭐
4.4/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 521951
$65
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.
