Best Distortion Pedals Under $500 2026
Affordable distortion pedals under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Fairfield Circuitry 20% More Slew Limit Distortion
Rock
Grunge
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
Fairfield Circuitry 20% More Slew Limit Distortion, Effect Pedal for Electric Guitar or Electric BassVersatile slew...
⭐
4.8/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 613804
$406
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
British Pedal Company Wooden Case MkI Tone Bender
Punk
Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of gain levels
- • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
- • May add unwanted noise
British Pedal Company Wooden Case MkI Tone BenderEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarFuzz pedalDetailed replica of the...
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 547555
$395
#3
⭐
5.0/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Death by Audio Evil Filter - Fuzz Filter
Rock
Grunge
Punk
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
- • Classic rock and metal tones
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
Death by Audio Evil Filter - Fuzz FilterEffects PedalFilter / fuzzAnalogue operationHigh Pass / Band Pass / Low Pass...
⭐
5.0/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 437009
$471
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Origin Effects Magma 57 Vibrato & Drive
Grunge
Hard Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
- • Classic rock and metal tones
- • Enhances amp overdrive
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
Origin Effects Magma 57 Vibrato & DriveEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarVibrato and driveFully analogue circuit...
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 573215
$472
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Origin Effects RevivalDrive Compact Hot Rod
Punk
Grunge
Alternative
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Battery drain in active pedals
Origin Effects RevivalDrive Compact Hot RodEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortionSame analog amp recreation...
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 593116
$405
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Wren & Cuff Garbage Face J Mascis Fuzz
by
Wren & Cuff
Alternative
Grunge
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
Wren & Cuff Garbage Face J Mascis FuzzEffect PedalJ Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) Signature PedalTreble Boost /...
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 534583
$384
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Tubesteader Eggnog Pre/Overdrive
by
Tubesteader
Grunge
Alternative
Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide range of gain levels
✓ PROS
- • Great for lead guitar solos
- • Adds sustain and compression
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Battery drain in active pedals
Tubesteader Eggnog Pre/OverdriveEffect Pedal for Electric Guitar1-channel tube overdrive and preamp pedalTweed response...
⭐
4.5/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 615815
$439
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Death by Audio Apocalypse - Overdrive
Alternative
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
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
Death by Audio Apocalypse - OverdriveEffects PedalOverdriveAnalogue operationWide range of intense but usable...
⭐
4.7/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 437013
$381
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Crazy Tube Circuits Venus
Metal
Hard Rock
Grunge
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Wide range of gain levels
✗ CONS
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
- • May add unwanted noise
Crazy Tube Circuits VenusEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarTube Overdrive / DistortionInspired by the BK Butler Tube...
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 613612
$329
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Empress Effects Heavy
Grunge
Rock
Alternative
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Enhances amp overdrive
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Requires careful EQ adjustment
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
Empress Effects HeavyEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarDistortionTwo channelsGainOutputWeight and semi-parametric mids...
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 338092
$366
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Origin Effects Deluxe55
Grunge
Alternative
Metal
Key Feature:
• Enhances amp overdrive
✓ PROS
- • Wide range of gain levels
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Battery drain in active pedals
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
Origin Effects Deluxe55; Effects Pedal for Electric Guitar; Faithfully recreates the sound and feel of a legendary...
⭐
4.4/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 602452
$341
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Vemuram Jan Ray Overdrive
by
Vemuram
Punk
Metal
Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Classic rock and metal tones
✗ CONS
- • Can cause feedback at high volumes
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
Vemuram Jan Ray OverdriveEffect Pedal60's Blackface overdrive soundPowerful and clearRetains the characteristics...
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 441071
$439
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Origin Effects RevivalDrive Compact
Punk
Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for lead guitar solos
✓ PROS
- • Adds sustain and compression
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Battery drain in active pedals
Origin Effects RevivalDrive CompactEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOverdriveSame analog amp recreation circuitry as the...
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 572211
$405
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
British Pedal Company Special Edition Britsound Fuzz
Punk
Alternative
Metal
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
British Pedal Company Special Edition Britsound FuzzEffect PedalBased on the MKIII Tone Bender Fuzz from 1968Authentic...
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547648
$406
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
British Pedal Company Vintage Series Buzzaround Fuzz
Alternative
Metal
Grunge
Key Feature:
• Adds sustain and compression
✓ PROS
- • Classic rock and metal tones
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Can mask guitar's natural tone
- • Battery drain in active pedals
British Pedal Company Vintage Series Buzzaround FuzzEffect PedalLimited editionFuzzFaithful replica of the original...
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547294
$329
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.
