AudioFu

Best Distortion Pedals Under $50 2026

Affordable distortion pedals under $50 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

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 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
tc electronic Dark Matter Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

tc electronic Dark Matter Distortion

by tc electronic
Alternative Grunge Punk
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of gain levels
  • • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
  • • Can cause feedback at high volumes
  • • May add unwanted noise

tc electronic Dark MatterElectric guitar effectsDistortionControl: Gainlevelbasstreble2 Different voice settingsTrue...

⭐ 4.5/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 259471
$47
Buy at Thomann View Details
tc electronic Rusty Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

tc electronic Rusty Fuzz

by tc electronic
Punk Grunge Alternative
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
  • • Enhances amp overdrive
  • • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
  • • Battery drain in active pedals
  • • Can mask guitar's natural tone

tc electronic Rusty FuzzGuitar EffectFuzzController: FuzzvolumetoneTrue bypassDimensions (LxWxH): 13.2 x 7.2 x 5.7...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 400131
$45
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Extreme Metal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton Extreme Metal

by Harley Benton
Alternative Punk Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock and metal tones
  • • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
  • • May add unwanted noise
  • • Can mask guitar's natural tone

Harley Benton Extreme MetalEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarTrueTone SeriesDistortionControls: 1x level control1x boost...

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 256822
$33
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton British TrueTone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton British TrueTone

by Harley Benton
Alternative Punk Grunge
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
  • • Enhances amp overdrive
  • • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful EQ adjustment
  • • Battery drain in active pedals

Harley Benton British TrueTone Effect PedalEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveTrueTone SeriesSound controls:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 256821
$33
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton AC TrueTone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton AC TrueTone

by Harley Benton
Grunge Punk Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic rock and metal tones
✓ PROS
  • • Great for lead guitar solos
  • • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
  • • May add unwanted noise
  • • Requires careful EQ adjustment

Harley Benton AC TrueToneEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveTrueTone SeriesSound control: LevelVoiceDrive3-Band...

⭐ 4.6/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 256818
$33
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Vintage Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton Vintage Overdrive

by Harley Benton
Hard Rock Rock Grunge
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock and metal tones
  • • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
  • • May add unwanted noise
  • • Can cause feedback at high volumes

Harley Benton Vintage OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveControl: DriveToneVolumeTrue BypassDimensions...

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 256800
$33
Buy at Thomann View Details
tc electronic El Cambo Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

tc electronic El Cambo Overdrive

by tc electronic
Alternative Grunge Rock
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
  • • Enhances amp overdrive
  • • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
  • • Can cause feedback at high volumes
  • • May add unwanted noise

tc electronic El Cambo OverdriveOverdriveClassic tube overdrive sound for blues and rockControls: Drive - Level -...

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 447891
$32
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MiniStomp Fuzzy Logic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton MiniStomp Fuzzy Logic

by Harley Benton
Alternative Grunge Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
  • • Enhances amp overdrive
  • • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
  • • Battery drain in active pedals
  • • May add unwanted noise

Harley Benton MiniStomp Fuzzy LogicEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarVintage germanium transistor fuzzInspired by the...

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 498305
$22
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton California TrueTone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton California TrueTone

by Harley Benton
Grunge Hard Rock Punk
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock and metal tones
  • • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
  • • Can mask guitar's natural tone
  • • Requires careful EQ adjustment

Harley Benton California TrueToneEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortionTrueTone seriesSound control:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 256820
$33
Buy at Thomann View Details
tc electronic Honey Pot Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

tc electronic Honey Pot Fuzz

by tc electronic
Metal Alternative Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
  • • Great for lead guitar solos
  • • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
  • • Battery drain in active pedals
  • • Can cause feedback at high volumes

tc electronic Honey Pot FuzzEffects PedalHeavy fuzzControls: Volume - tone - sustainLED: Effect onFootswitch: Effect...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 436006
$32
Buy at Thomann View Details
Behringer TO800 Vintage Tube Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Behringer TO800 Vintage Tube Overdrive

by Behringer
Punk Metal Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock and metal tones
  • • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
  • • May add unwanted noise
  • • Requires careful EQ adjustment

Behringer TO800 Vintage Tube Overdrive, Overdrive Floor Effect DeviceNow you can enjoy biting, tube-like distortion,...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 183774
$29
Buy at Thomann View Details
tc electronic Zeus Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

tc electronic Zeus Overdrive

by tc electronic
Grunge Punk Alternative
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
  • • Great for lead guitar solos
  • • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful EQ adjustment
  • • May add unwanted noise

tc electronic Zeus OverdriveEffect pedal for electric guitarOverdriveDynamic overdrive boostwith FAT mod switch and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 520744
$35
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Crunch Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton Crunch Distortion

by Harley Benton
Rock Metal Grunge
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of gain levels
  • • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
  • • May add unwanted noise
  • • Requires careful EQ adjustment

Harley Benton Crunch DistortionEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortionControl: DriveToneVolumeTrue BypassDimensions...

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 256804
$33
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MiniStomp Silly Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton MiniStomp Silly Fuzz

by Harley Benton
Hard Rock Grunge Punk
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock and metal tones
  • • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
  • • Can cause feedback at high volumes
  • • May add unwanted noise

Harley Benton MiniStomp Silly FuzzEffect pedal for electric guitarVintage silicon transistor fuzzTrue Bypass to...

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 498313
$22
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MiniStomp Dealbreaker - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Harley Benton MiniStomp Dealbreaker

by Harley Benton
Alternative Punk Grunge
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of gain levels
  • • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
  • • May add unwanted noise
  • • Can cause feedback at high volumes

Harley Benton MiniStomp DealbreakerEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveClassic blues overdrive modelled on the...

⭐ 5.0/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 498310
$22
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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