Best Effect Modules Under $500 2026
Affordable effect modules under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Bastl Instruments Basil
Sound Design
Creative Processing
Audio Manipulation
Key Feature:
• Integration with synthesis modules
✓ PROS
- • Integration with synthesis modules
- • CV-controllable audio effects
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pedal equivalents
- • HP space considerations in case
Bastl Instruments BasilEurorack ModuleLexible stereo space delayControls for delay time and feedbackeach with CV...
⭐
4.4/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 566818
$329
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Erica Synths Black Stereo Reverb
by
Erica Synths
Experimental Music
Audio Manipulation
Creative Processing
Key Feature:
• Unique modular-specific effects
✓ PROS
- • Unique modular-specific effects
- • Real-time parameter modulation
✗ CONS
- • May require additional modules
- • HP space considerations in case
Erica Synths Black Stereo ReverbEurorack ModuleStereo reverb module with 3 selectable algorithms (RoomHallCathedral)...
⭐
4.5/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 577480
$351
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
OXI Instruments Meta
Sound Design
Experimental Music
Audio Manipulation
Key Feature:
• Integration with synthesis modules
✓ PROS
- • CV-controllable audio effects
- • Perfect for modular audio processing
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pedal equivalents
- • Limited to modular format constraints
OXI Instruments MetaEurorack ModuleStereo effects module for live performances6 Effect types with 2 variations...
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597886
$439
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Endorphin.es Ghost Black
by
Endorphin.es
Sound Design
Audio Manipulation
Sound Processing
Key Feature:
• Real-time parameter modulation
✓ PROS
- • Real-time parameter modulation
- • Integration with synthesis modules
✗ CONS
- • Can be complex to patch optimally
- • HP space considerations in case
Endorphin.es Ghost BlackEurorack ModuleDigital stereo effects processorInternal signal flow with 32-bit / 96...
⭐
5.0/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553826
$417
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Neuzeit Instruments Orbit
Modular Effects
Sound Processing
Creative Processing
Key Feature:
• Integration with synthesis modules
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for modular audio processing
- • CV-controllable audio effects
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pedal equivalents
- • Can be complex to patch optimally
Neuzeit Instruments OrbitEurorack ModuleEffects processor for creative sound designBitcrusher with invertible and...
⭐
4.9/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 519408
$494
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Joranalogue Audio Design Delay 1
Experimental Music
Creative Processing
Modular Effects
Key Feature:
• Perfect for modular audio processing
✓ PROS
- • Unique modular-specific effects
- • Real-time parameter modulation
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pedal equivalents
- • Can be complex to patch optimally
Joranalogue Audio Design Delay 1Eurorack ModuleAnalogue High-Fidelity BBD DelayDelay time: 1-50 msControls for delay...
⭐
4.7/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 570430
$383
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Erica Synths Black Stereo Delay2
by
Erica Synths
Sound Processing
Audio Manipulation
Creative Processing
Key Feature:
• Integration with synthesis modules
✓ PROS
- • Unique modular-specific effects
- • Real-time parameter modulation
✗ CONS
- • Can be complex to patch optimally
- • More expensive than pedal equivalents
Erica Synths Black Stereo Delay2Eurorack ModuleStereo delay module with 3 selectable algorithms (StereoCross FeedPing...
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 577482
$361
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Erica Synths Black Spring Reverb
by
Erica Synths
Sound Processing
Creative Processing
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for modular audio processing
✓ PROS
- • Unique modular-specific effects
- • CV-controllable audio effects
✗ CONS
- • HP space considerations in case
- • Limited to modular format constraints
Erica Synths Black Spring ReverbEurorack moduleInternal compact spring reverb tankRCA connections for external spring...
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 477283
$329
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Intellijel Designs Springray II
Audio Manipulation
Sound Design
Modular Effects
Key Feature:
• CV-controllable audio effects
✓ PROS
- • Integration with synthesis modules
- • Unique modular-specific effects
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pedal equivalents
- • Limited to modular format constraints
Intellijel Designs Springray IISpring Reverb ModuleParametric EQ with frequencyQ-factor and gain controlsLimiter in...
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 440051
$317
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
XAOC Devices Timiszoara
by
XAOC Devices
Sound Processing
Creative Processing
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for modular audio processing
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for modular audio processing
- • CV-controllable audio effects
✗ CONS
- • May require additional modules
- • HP space considerations in case
XAOC Devices TimiszoaraEurorack ModuleStereo multi-effect processor24Bit DSP engine176 factory presets with effects...
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 544392
$362
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Befaco Lich
by
Befaco
Modular Effects
Creative Processing
Sound Processing
Key Feature:
• Real-time parameter modulation
✓ PROS
- • Unique modular-specific effects
- • Integration with synthesis modules
✗ CONS
- • Limited to modular format constraints
- • HP space considerations in case
Befaco LichEurorack moduleProgrammable multifunctional moduleBased on the OWL platform from Rebel...
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 506832
$340
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Erica Synths Drum Stereo FX
by
Erica Synths
Modular Effects
Sound Processing
Creative Processing
Key Feature:
• Perfect for modular audio processing
✓ PROS
- • CV-controllable audio effects
- • Integration with synthesis modules
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pedal equivalents
- • HP space considerations in case
Erica Synths Drum Stereo FXEurorack ModuleHi-fi stereo effect module3 Delay and 3 reverb effectsTap and clock...
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 582836
$329
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Erica Synths Black Hole DSP 2
by
Erica Synths
Experimental Music
Audio Manipulation
Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Real-time parameter modulation
✓ PROS
- • Unique modular-specific effects
- • CV-controllable audio effects
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pedal equivalents
- • Limited to modular format constraints
Erica Synths Black Hole DSP 2Eurorack ModuleRevised version of the Black Hole DSP with 24 effectsPer effect 3...
⭐
4.9/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 448158
$329
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Doepfer A-126-2 Frequency Shifter
by
Doepfer
Experimental Music
Sound Processing
Sound Design
Key Feature:
• Perfect for modular audio processing
✓ PROS
- • Real-time parameter modulation
- • Integration with synthesis modules
✗ CONS
- • HP space considerations in case
- • Can be complex to patch optimally
Doepfer A-126-2 Frequency ShifterEurorack ModuleAnalogue frequency shifter for audio signalsCoarse and fine control for...
⭐
4.9/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 532021
$395
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Endorphin.es Ghost Silver
by
Endorphin.es
Sound Processing
Modular Effects
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Real-time parameter modulation
✓ PROS
- • Unique modular-specific effects
- • Integration with synthesis modules
✗ CONS
- • HP space considerations in case
- • Can be complex to patch optimally
Endorphin.es Ghost SilverEurorack ModuleDigital stereo effects processorInternal signal flow with 32 bit / 96...
⭐
4.5/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553824
$417
How to Choose the Best Effect Modules
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 effect modules 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.
