Best Volume/Expression Pedals for Beginner 2026
Perfect volume/expression pedals for beginner - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Ernie Ball EB6201
by
Ernie Ball
Dynamic Control
Ambient
Professional Setup
Key Feature:
• Can control external effects
✓ PROS
- • Hands-free volume control
- • Essential for ambient textures
✗ CONS
- • May need specific cable requirements
- • Requires additional pedalboard space
Ernie Ball EB6201Volume PedalCombines active 2-in-1 volume pedal and chromatic tunerControl via touchscreen...
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 490042
$296
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Ernie Ball EB6203
by
Ernie Ball
Dynamic Control
Professional Setup
Post-Rock
Key Feature:
• Hands-free volume control
✓ PROS
- • Professional live performance tool
- • Can control external effects
✗ CONS
- • May introduce noise if low quality
- • May need specific cable requirements
Ernie Ball EB6203Volume PedalCombines an active 2-in-1 volume pedal and a chromatic tunerControl via touchscreen...
⭐
4.7/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 490044
$289
#3
⭐
5.0/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Mission Engineering EP1-L6-BK SPL
Ambient
Professional Setup
Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Great for creating swells
✓ PROS
- • Professional live performance tool
- • Can control external effects
✗ CONS
- • Requires additional pedalboard space
- • May need specific cable requirements
Mission Engineering EP1-L6-BK SPLExpression PedalThe ideal complement to Line 6 amps and effectsThe EP1-L6 is the only...
⭐
5.0/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 537627
$208
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Ernie Ball EB6202
by
Ernie Ball
Dynamic Control
Swells
Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Essential for ambient textures
✓ PROS
- • Hands-free volume control
- • Can control external effects
✗ CONS
- • Can be accidentally activated
- • May need specific cable requirements
Ernie Ball EB6202Volume pedalCombines active 2-in-1 volume pedal and chromatic tunerControl via touchscreen...
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 490043
$318
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal 500K
by
Ernie Ball
Post-Rock
Swells
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Essential for ambient textures
✓ PROS
- • Essential for ambient textures
- • Professional live performance tool
✗ CONS
- • Requires practice to use effectively
- • May need specific cable requirements
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal 500KGuitar / Bass Volume PedalStandard sizeSuitable for stereo and mono applicationsStereo jack...
⭐
4.7/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 463515
$219
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Black Mountain Roller Volume Pedal
Swells
Clean Tones
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Professional live performance tool
✓ PROS
- • Essential for ambient textures
- • Can control external effects
✗ CONS
- • May introduce noise if low quality
- • Requires additional pedalboard space
Black Mountain Roller Volume PedalEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarVolume pedal with roller controlImpedance: 500...
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601939
$197
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Westminster Effects Loop Attenuator
Clean Tones
Swells
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Professional live performance tool
✓ PROS
- • Great for creating swells
- • Professional live performance tool
✗ CONS
- • May need specific cable requirements
- • Requires additional pedalboard space
Westminster Effects Loop AttenuatorEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarVolumeFor use in the effect loopLarge control knob...
⭐
4.5/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 566257
$61
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Crumar EXP-20-MS Expression Pedal
by
Crumar
Clean Tones
Ambient
Professional Setup
Key Feature:
• Essential for ambient textures
✓ PROS
- • Can control external effects
- • Hands-free volume control
✗ CONS
- • May need specific cable requirements
- • May introduce noise if low quality
Crumar EXP-20-MS Expression PedalExpression pedal with buttonsSuitable for Crumar Mojo 61 and Mojo ClassicWith 10 kOhm...
⭐
4.7/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 434248
$186
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Morley 20/20 Volume Plus
by
Morley
Post-Rock
Ambient
Professional Setup
Key Feature:
• Can control external effects
✓ PROS
- • Professional live performance tool
- • Essential for ambient textures
✗ CONS
- • May introduce noise if low quality
- • Requires additional pedalboard space
Morley 20/20 Volume PlusEffects Pedal for Electric GuitarVolume PedalAlso suitable for bass guitar or for...
⭐
5.0/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 512116
$193
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Lehle Dual Expression
by
Lehle
Swells
Professional Setup
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Can control external effects
✓ PROS
- • Professional live performance tool
- • Essential for ambient textures
✗ CONS
- • Requires additional pedalboard space
- • Requires practice to use effectively
Lehle Dual ExpressionExpression Pedal2 OutputsActivewear-free expression pedal equipped with a precise magnetic sensor2...
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 513940
$241
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Surfy Industries SurfyDrip Switch
Post-Rock
Dynamic Control
Professional Setup
Key Feature:
• Hands-free volume control
✓ PROS
- • Hands-free volume control
- • Professional live performance tool
✗ CONS
- • May need specific cable requirements
- • Can be accidentally activated
Surfy Industries SurfyDrip SwitchEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarFoot-switchable effect reduction for Spring ReverbsSet...
⭐
5.0/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 572076
$65
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Studiologic VP-27
by
Studiologic
Clean Tones
Professional Setup
Dynamic Control
Key Feature:
• Can control external effects
✓ PROS
- • Great for creating swells
- • Can control external effects
✗ CONS
- • May introduce noise if low quality
- • Requires additional pedalboard space
Studiologic VP-27, Volume / Expression pedal, TRS plug (balanced, 6.3 mm jack), Resistance in expresson mode: 10 kOhm
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 426263
$54
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Expression Slider HK
Ambient
Swells
Post-Rock
Key Feature:
• Can control external effects
✓ PROS
- • Great for creating swells
- • Professional live performance tool
✗ CONS
- • Requires additional pedalboard space
- • May introduce noise if low quality
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Expression Slider HKEffect Pedal for Electric Guitar and Electric BassCompact expression...
⭐
5.0/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598235
$61
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Hotone Wong Press Volume Exp Wah
by
Hotone
Dynamic Control
Post-Rock
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Great for creating swells
✓ PROS
- • Hands-free volume control
- • Professional live performance tool
✗ CONS
- • Requires practice to use effectively
- • May introduce noise if low quality
Hotone Wong Press Volume Exp WahEffect Pedal for Electric Guitar and Electric BassCory Wong signature pedal4-in-1...
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598698
$197
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Lehle Mono Volume S
by
Lehle
Clean Tones
Post-Rock
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Hands-free volume control
✓ PROS
- • Professional live performance tool
- • Great for creating swells
✗ CONS
- • Requires practice to use effectively
- • May need specific cable requirements
Lehle Mono Volume SVolume PedalCompact format with 50% less weight and 35% less size compared to the Lehle Mono Volume...
⭐
4.6/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 542524
$252
How to Choose the Best Volume/Expression 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 volume/expression 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.
