Best Distortion Pedals Under $100 2025

Affordable distortion pedals under $100 - great value without compromising quality

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

Electro Harmonix OD Glove - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Electro Harmonix OD Glove

by Electro Harmonix

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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Electro Harmonix Crayon 69 Full-Range Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Electro Harmonix Crayon 69 Full-Range Overdrive

by Electro Harmonix

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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Electro Harmonix Lizard Queen Octave Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Electro Harmonix Lizard Queen Octave Fuzz

by Electro Harmonix

Metal Grunge Rock

Key Feature:

• Enhances amp overdrive

✓ PROS

• Enhances amp overdrive
• Classic rock and metal tones

✗ CONS

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

Electro Harmonix Lizard Queen Octave FuzzEffect Pedal for Electric Guitar and BassOriginally designed by Josh Scott of...

⭐ 4.5/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 564760

$54

Buy at Thomann View Details

One Control Baby Blue Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

One Control Baby Blue Overdrive

by One Control

Hard Rock Metal Grunge

Key Feature:

• Enhances amp overdrive

✓ PROS

• Great for lead guitar solos
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

• May add unwanted noise
• Can cause feedback at high volumes

One Control Baby Blue OverdriveEffects PedalOverdriveDesigned by Björn JuhlBased on the Fuzz 1 by Björn JuhlCircuit...

⭐ 4.9/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 444725

$98

Buy at Thomann View Details

Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi w. Tone Wicker - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

8/10

Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi w. Tone Wicker

by Electro Harmonix

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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Electro Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

9/10

Electro Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi Fuzz

by Electro Harmonix

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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Electro Harmonix Tortion JFET Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

9/10

Electro Harmonix Tortion JFET Overdrive

by Electro Harmonix

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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi

by Electro Harmonix

Alternative Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Enhances amp overdrive

✗ CONS

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

Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff PiEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveThe softviolin-like sustain and warm tone...

⭐ 4.5/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 191809

$74

Buy at Thomann View Details

Electro Harmonix Nano Metal Muff Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Electro Harmonix Nano Metal Muff Distortion

by Electro Harmonix

Hard Rock Grunge Alternative

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Wide range of gain levels

✗ CONS

• May add unwanted noise
• Requires careful EQ adjustment

Electro Harmonix Nano Metal Muff DistortionEffect PedalDistortionIntenseaggressive sound especially for modern metal...

⭐ 5.0/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 510339

$86

Buy at Thomann View Details

Tone City Wild Fro - Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

8/10

Tone City Wild Fro - Distortion

by Tone City

Alternative Punk Grunge

Key Feature:

• Adds sustain and compression

✓ PROS

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

✗ CONS

• May add unwanted noise
• Can cause feedback at high volumes

Tone City Wild Fro - DistortionEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortionAggressive soundingtight and focusedwith...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 619970

$72

Buy at Thomann View Details

Tone City Kaffir Lime Boost / Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

Tone City Kaffir Lime Boost / Overdrive

by Tone City

Punk Rock Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Wide range of gain levels

✓ PROS

• Enhances amp overdrive
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

• Battery drain in active pedals
• Requires careful EQ adjustment

Tone City Kaffir Lime Boost / OverdriveEffect Pedal For Electric GuitarsBoost / OverdriveTS-style overdrive with...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 537811

$64

Buy at Thomann View Details

Electro Harmonix Big Muff PI Classic - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

10/10

Electro Harmonix Big Muff PI Classic

by Electro Harmonix

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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Tone City Nobleman - Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.7/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Tone City Nobleman - Overdrive

by Tone City

Alternative Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Great for lead guitar solos

✗ CONS

• Battery drain in active pedals
• Requires careful EQ adjustment

Tone City Nobleman - OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveInspired by a classic green overdrive pedal from...

⭐ 4.7/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 537707

$58

Buy at Thomann View Details

Electro Harmonix Soul Food - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Electro Harmonix Soul Food

by Electro Harmonix

Punk Metal Grunge

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

Electro Harmonix Soul FoodEffect PedalOverdriveClean boostController for volumedrive and trebleBright and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 329887

$87

Buy at Thomann View Details

Tone City Bad Horse - Boost / Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 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

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 Distortion Pedals Under $100 2025

Electro Harmonix OD Glove

Electro Harmonix Crayon 69 Full-Range Overdrive

Electro Harmonix Lizard Queen Octave Fuzz

One Control Baby Blue Overdrive

Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi w. Tone Wicker

Electro Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Pi Fuzz

Electro Harmonix Tortion JFET Overdrive

Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi

Electro Harmonix Nano Metal Muff Distortion

Tone City Wild Fro - Distortion

Tone City Kaffir Lime Boost / Overdrive

Electro Harmonix Big Muff PI Classic

Tone City Nobleman - Overdrive

Electro Harmonix Soul Food

Tone City Bad Horse - Boost / Overdrive

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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