Best Distortion Pedals Under $50 2025

Affordable distortion pedals under $50 - 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

tc electronic Honey Pot Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

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

tc electronic Rusty Fuzz - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

8/10

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 MiniStomp The Heat - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton MiniStomp The Heat

by Harley Benton

Rock Grunge Metal

Key Feature:

• Wide range of gain levels

✓ PROS

• Wide range of gain levels
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

• Can mask guitar's natural tone
• Can cause feedback at high volumes

Harley Benton MiniStomp The HeatEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveAmp simulation and emulation of a classic tube...

⭐ 4.7/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 498309

$22

Buy at Thomann View Details

tc electronic Zeus Overdrive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

9/10

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

tc electronic Fangs Metal Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

tc electronic Fangs Metal Distortion

by tc electronic

Alternative Grunge Rock

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Enhances amp overdrive
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

• Battery drain in active pedals
• Requires careful EQ adjustment

tc electronic Fangs Metal DistortionGuitar EffectHigh Gain DistortionController: gainvolumebasstrebleTrue...

⭐ 5.0/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 400123

$32

Buy at Thomann View Details

Behringer OD300 Overdrive Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Behringer OD300 Overdrive Distortion

by Behringer

Hard Rock Punk Alternative

Key Feature:

• Adds sustain and compression

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Classic rock and metal tones

✗ CONS

• May add unwanted noise
• Battery drain in active pedals

Behringer OD300 Overdrive DistortionElectric Guitar EffectOverdrive / distortion pedalControls: LevelToneDriveModeBlue...

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 252113

$25

Buy at Thomann View Details

Flamma FC19 Black Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

9/10

Flamma FC19 Black Distortion

by Flamma

Alternative Punk Rock

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Enhances amp overdrive

✗ CONS

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

Flamma FC19 Black DistortionEffect Pedal for Guitar and BassAnalogue distortion pedalControls: distortionfilter and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 551263

$32

Buy at Thomann View Details

Behringer HM300 Heavy Metal Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

8/10

Behringer HM300 Heavy Metal Distortion

by Behringer

Alternative Grunge Punk

Key Feature:

• Classic rock and metal tones

✓ PROS

• Classic rock and metal tones
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

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

Behringer HM300 Heavy Metal DistortionEffects Pedal for Electric GuitarExtreme hard rock / heavy metal distortion of...

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 204415

$28

Buy at Thomann View Details

Behringer UM300 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

9/10

Behringer UM300

by Behringer

Hard Rock Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Wide range of gain levels

✗ CONS

• Requires careful EQ adjustment
• May add unwanted noise

Behringer UM300Effect PedalUltra Metal DistortionFor extreme hard rock or heavy metal soundsDensetube-like distortion...

⭐ 4.8/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 111470

$32

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton MiniStomp Sucker Punch - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.9/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

Harley Benton MiniStomp Sucker Punch

by Harley Benton

Metal Alternative Rock

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Wide range of gain levels
• Great for lead guitar solos

✗ CONS

• May add unwanted noise
• Battery drain in active pedals

Harley Benton MiniStomp Sucker PunchEffect Pedal for Electric Guitar & BassMetal Distortion2 Modes: Classic and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

Art. 498289

$22

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton MiniStomp Big Fur - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton MiniStomp Big Fur

by Harley Benton

Metal Rock Alternative

Key Feature:

• Great for lead guitar solos

✓ PROS

• Adds sustain and compression
• Enhances amp overdrive

✗ CONS

• May add unwanted noise
• Battery drain in active pedals

Harley Benton MiniStomp Big FurEffect Pedal For Electric GuitarFuzzRich and creamy soundInspired by the classic Big...

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 498297

$22

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton MiniStomp Fuzzy Logic - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

9/10

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

Joyo JF-21 Splinter - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

9/10

Joyo JF-21 Splinter

by Joyo

Grunge Alternative Metal

Key Feature:

• Wide range of gain levels

✓ PROS

• Classic rock and metal tones
• Adds sustain and compression

✗ CONS

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

Joyo JF-21 SplinterEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarClassic soundInteresting combination of fuzz and distortionControls:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 529828

$41

Buy at Thomann View Details

TC Electronic Magus Pro Distortion - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

TC Electronic Magus Pro Distortion

by TC Electronic

Metal Alternative Punk

Key Feature:

• Adds sustain and compression

✓ PROS

• Great for lead guitar solos
• Enhances amp overdrive

✗ CONS

• Battery drain in active pedals
• May add unwanted noise

TC Electronic Magus Pro DistortionEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortionControls: GainVolume and Filter3-Way mode...

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 517945

$36

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Extreme Metal - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

6/10

Value:

10/10

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

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 $50 2025

tc electronic Honey Pot Fuzz

tc electronic Rusty Fuzz

Harley Benton MiniStomp The Heat

tc electronic Zeus Overdrive

tc electronic Fangs Metal Distortion

Behringer OD300 Overdrive Distortion

Flamma FC19 Black Distortion

Behringer HM300 Heavy Metal Distortion

Behringer UM300

Harley Benton MiniStomp Sucker Punch

Harley Benton MiniStomp Big Fur

Harley Benton MiniStomp Fuzzy Logic

Joyo JF-21 Splinter

TC Electronic Magus Pro Distortion

Harley Benton Extreme Metal

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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