Best Distortion Pedals Under $200 2026
Affordable distortion pedals under $200 - 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
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2
Hard Rock
Grunge
Rock
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2Effects pedalPower Amp Style Distortion PedalBased on the power amp distortion of...
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 406047
$186
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Victory Amplifiers V1 Kraken
Grunge
Metal
Punk
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
Victory Amplifiers V1 KrakenEffects Pedal for Electric GuitarBased on the VX KrakenControls:...
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 572252
$186
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Crazy Tube Circuits Falcon Overdrive
Rock
Punk
Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
Crazy Tube Circuits Falcon OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarClassic tweed and brownface soundVolume control for...
⭐
4.6/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 455514
$174
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Electro Harmonix Hell Melter Distortion
Hard Rock
Punk
Grunge
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
Electro Harmonix Hell Melter DistortionEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortionModern version of the iconic heavy...
⭐
4.8/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 562768
$175
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
KMA Audio Machines Logan Overdrive
Grunge
Alternative
Punk
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
KMA Audio Machines Logan OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric Guitar & BassOpen and very...
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 472708
$173
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
EarthQuaker Devices 70th Anniv. Plumes S Shredder
Alternative
Hard Rock
Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
EarthQuaker Devices 70th Anniv. Plumes S ShredderEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarLow to medium gain overdriveInnovative...
⭐
4.6/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 579934
$142
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
LPD Pedals Fifty5 Overdrive
by
LPD Pedals
Grunge
Punk
Metal
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
LPD Pedals Fifty5 OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveReproduction of some of the most recorded...
⭐
4.6/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 587354
$197
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Mad Professor Royal Blue Overdrive
Metal
Grunge
Alternative
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of gain levels
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Battery drain in active pedals
Mad Professor Royal Blue OverdriveElectric Guitar Effects PedalOverdriveControls for VolumeDriveBass and TrebleTrue...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 322607
$197
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Mythos Pedals Chupacabra CMOS Overdrive
Hard Rock
Alternative
Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • May add unwanted noise
- • Battery drain in active pedals
Mythos Pedals Chupacabra CMOS OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveInspired by early ZZ Top albumsDelivers...
⭐
4.5/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 562282
$197
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Harby Pedals HBMF BMF Distortion/Fuzz
by
Harby Pedals
Punk
Hard Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
Harby Pedals HBMF BMF Distortion/FuzzEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortion / Sustainer / FuzzTrue BypassControls:...
⭐
5.0/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 583494
$182
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Solar Guitars Chug Lite Distortion
Alternative
Grunge
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of gain levels
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Battery drain in active pedals
Solar Guitars Chug Lite DistortionEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarHigh Gain DistortionCircuitry optimally designed for...
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 615654
$153
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Westminster Effects Knox V2 - Distortion
Rock
Alternative
Metal
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Battery drain in active pedals
Westminster Effects Knox V2 - DistortionEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveClassicBritish soundControls for...
⭐
4.9/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 565718
$153
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Electro Harmonix Spruce Goose Overdrive
Grunge
Rock
Alternative
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
Electro Harmonix Spruce Goose OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveBased on a BB blues-style overdrive...
⭐
4.9/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 578011
$120
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter Fuzz LTD
Hard Rock
Metal
Punk
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter Fuzz LTDEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarLimited Edition - limited to 1000 pieces...
⭐
4.9/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 600348
$197
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Way Huge Swollen Pickle MK IIS
by
Way Huge
Alternative
Grunge
Punk
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
Way Huge Swollen Pickle MK IISEffect pedal for electric guitarFuzzControls for LoudnessSustainFilterScoop and...
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 380456
$194
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.
