Best Cheap Distortion Pedal Choices - Under $50 & $100
Author & Contributors
Raphael Pulgar
I've been an audio engineer for 20 years specializing in rock and metal recordings, and also I play guitar and produce original music for my band and other content creators.
Best Cheap Distortion Pedals under $50
Behringer UM300 Ultra Metal
Cons
- Some unwanted hiss and noise
- Lacking in the low end
Pros
- Great value for money
- Excels in high-gain scooped tones
- Solid build quality
The Behringer Ultra Metal UM300 is an affordable distortion pedal that boasts high-gain capabilities and expanded EQ controls. Its features are far from what you'd expect of its price point, and it's a good entry-level dirt box for those who prefer their distortion levels tweaked high.
The label Ultra Metal is justified by this pedal's built-in sweepable mid EQ, which lets you boost or scoop your tone to preference. It works in conjunction with the pedal's high and low EQ controls for shaping your tone.
It is housed in a standard size stompbox which makes it easy to fit into most setups.
As with many of these high gain distortion pedals, there is some unwanted hiss and noise - try moving the pedal away from the amp for better results.
If you're looking for a budget friendly high-gain capable distortion pedal with tons of EQ options, this should definitely go on your to-try list.
Specifications
- Controls: Dist, High, Low, Mid, Mid Freq, Level
- Analog
- Buffered Bypass
- 9-Volt Adapter/Battery
- Special Features: Expanded EQ controls
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| YouTube | Tim Guitar | 90/100 |
| YouTube | SwedishGuitarNerd | 90/100 |
Demo
Rowin Plexion
Cons
- Noise issues with some power supplies and outlets
- Sounds muddy on some settings
Pros
- Straightforward controls
- Compact form factor
- Wide range of gain settings suitable for many genres
The Rowin Plexion is an affordable, compact distortion pedal with 2 gain modes (Normal and Bright) much like the amp it was modeled after.
This "Plexi-drive" style pedal offers an array of low gain tones as well as access to "hot-rodded" higher gain tones via a mode switch.
In normal mode, simulating the "normal" input of the famed Plexi amp, the distortion is sophisticated and full with a nice bottom end push.
On bright mode, it takes on familiar tones from the 80s with tighter palm mute tones and sizzling highs.
The Rowin Plexion is an affordable "M" amp style distortion that gets you close to the best tones of the 70s, 80s and beyond at a very affordable price.
Specifications
- Controls: Volume, Gain, Tone, Normal/Bright Toggle
- Analog
- True Bypass
- 9-Volt Adapter (Sold Separately)
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| YouTube | Taylor Morgeson | 96/100 |
| YouTube | DutchGuitarDude | 92/100 |
Demo
Donner Morpher
Cons
- Noisy with an unfiltered power supply
- Tendency to fizz up at higher gain settings
Pros
- Great for thick tones
- Midrange push makes solos stand out in a mix
- "Tight" setting capable of serving modern metal (it chugs)
Modern rock and metal has come a long way from the scooped midrange tones of the 80s and 90s. The Donner Morpher is one "riot" of a pedal with a modern take on the high gain distortion.
It features 3 different gain toggle settings as well as controls for Level, Tone and Gain. The circuitry is housed in an all-metal enclosure.
The toggle switch enables you to go from from Natural mode: a thick sounding overdrive tone, Tight mode for modern sounding distortion to Classic mode: a UK-style gain response perfect for classic rock.
It only has one foot switch that lets you engage or bypass pedal distortion.
The Donner Morpher is a gem of a pedal at this price range - excellent for thick leads and modern heavy riffing.
Specifications
- Controls: Tone, Level, Gain, 3 way Toggle for gain settings
- Analog
- Buffered Bypass
- 9-Volt Adapter (Sold Separately)
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| YouTube | Tim Guitar | 90/100 |
| YouTube | Justus Gash | 93/100 |
Best Distortion Pedals under $100
Boss DS-1
Cons
- Noisy operation at high gain settings
- Can sound harsh, thin and annoying
- Needs a real amp and cab to sound good
Pros
- Boss compact pedal tried and true reliability
- Versatile sound that works with lots of genres
- Excellent price-to-performance for a benchmark pedal
The DS-1 Distortion pedal has made its way into my setup more than once or twice in my playing career.
Enamored by its simplicity, ruggedness and sheer ability to mangle a pristine amp tone, this is a pedal I know well.
The DS-1 has a sound and feel that I describe as "real". It has a great way of distorting your guitar signal while retaining the characteristic sound of your guitar - being analog ensures no latency whatsoever and it really feels like a carburetor as opposed to a fuel injection powered car to use an analogy - completely connected to your tone.
It runs the risk of being thin and shrill at times, I would sometimes use it as a simple boost for amps with an already good drive channel. Also, as I have gotten older and more experienced, I have opted to use less and less of the "DIST" setting mitigating its tendency to be harsh and unpleasing to the ear.
It works great for punk music and with the volume pot on your guitar rolled off is great for some blues and pop alternative. But lacking the dual-stage chug that something like a Boss MT-2 has, I don't see it succeeding in many metal situations.
I tried to use it in a recent recording that I was working on and found no useable tones straight into the audio interface. It works best with a real amp and it doesn't react to VST amp and cab simulators very well.
It's good to have a copy of such an iconic pedal. You won't reach for it that often, especially if you don't have an amp that has opposite tonal characteristics (extremely clean and warm). Many would be quick to pooh-pooh the DS-1 in favor of boutique pedals. But give it a shot, it might be the perfect blend of sweet and nasty your guitar sound needs.
Specifications
- Controls: Tone, Level, Distortion
- Analog
- Buffered Bypass
- 9-Volt Adapter/Battery (Sold Separately)
- Artists: Kurt Cobain, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Josh Klinghoffer
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| Gearank | Alden Acosta | 84/100 |
| Guitar Chalk | Bobby | 76.75/100 |
Demo
ProCo RAT 2
Cons
- Overly distinct at times - not a chameleon pedal
- Not suitable for modern metal
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Full sounding bottom end
- Sonic versatility with staple tones at low, medium and high gain levels
The RAT 2 is a surprisingly versatile distortion pedal with an unmistakable sound signature. Though it leans more to the “fuzz” side of the spectrum than many pedals featured on this list, the pedal is still capable of everything from light overdrive to heavy levels of distortion.
Fuzz, while similar to distortion, is actually a notably different effect. For a good example, think of Jack White’s tone vs classic rock. The RAT 2, while primarily a distortion pedal, still has some of the characteristics of fuzz at high distortion levels.
The unit features a 'Filter' control that allows you to roll on/off the brittle high end frequencies to your taste.
Also, the RAT 2 is also true bypass. True bypass pedals let your signal pass through the unit unaltered when the pedal isn’t engaged, as is preferred by many tone purists. This can be especially important if you plan on using multiple pedals.
If you're looking for a classic sounding dirt box that can do it all but still sound like itself, the RAT 2 is an excellent distortion pedal to try.
Specifications
- Controls: Distortion, Filter, Volume
- Analog
- True Bypass
- 9-Volt Adapter/Battery (Sold Separately)
- Artists: Jeff Beck, Joe Perry, Kurt Cobain (Territorial Pissings), Joe Walsh, Thom Yorke, Dave Grohl, Thurston Moore
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| Producer Hive | Nathan Scholz | 94/100 |
| Gearspace | Pale Pyramid | 75/100 |
Demo
MXR M78 Custom Badass '78
Cons
- Not for modern, tight metal
- Lacks versatility - has one sound
Pros
- Distortion sound adds harmonics and depth to your guitar tone
- Pushes even clean amps into tube-like saturation
- Dynamic re-imagining of a classic 70's distortion tone with more warmth and mids
MXR took a classic distortion circuit and hot-rodded it for sizzling gain.
The MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 distortion is a fresh take on a well loved classic.
It features Output, Tone and Distortion controls as well as a crunch switch that adds more gain on tap with a slight boost to the brightness.
As the name implies, the MXR M78 oozes attitude and grit. If you need an aggressive sounding distortion pedal for big rock riffs, you shouldn't overlook this modern pedal with a classic sound.
Specifications
- Controls: Tone, Level, Distortion
- Analog
- Buffered Bypass
- 9-Volt Adapter/Battery (Sold Separately)
- Special Features: Crunch Switch
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| Premier Guitar | Steve Ouimette | 90/100 |
| YouTube | Elmo Karjalainen | 70/100 |
Demo
MXR M104 Distortion+
Cons
- Dark sounding
- No tone knob for fine tuning the EQ
Pros
- Just 2 controls make it truly plug and play
- Definitive classic rock sound heard on many records
- Solid build quality and reliability
First introduced in the '70s, the humble MXR Distortion+ continues to be a staple on many pedalboards - many thanks to big name artists who have put the pedal to good use, including Randy Rhoads, Jerry Garcia, Dave Murray and Thom Yorke just to name a few.
The current production model retains the original straightforward design, with just an Output knob for adjusting output gain, and a Distortion knob that adjusts the level of distortion from crunchy to fuzz-like, all packed in a yellow metal stompbox.
Its simplified controls make this the perfect plug and play pedal, especially for classic rock tones. The simple intuitiveness of only having two parameters and its time-tested build quality are also big factors in why this classic pedal continues to be sought after to this day.
Although a banger of a distortion pedal, it's not for those who want more control over their tone, and it may not please those who want a more modern and defined distortion flavor.
The MXR M104 Distortion+ is a practical plug-and-play solution if you want a distortion pedal that's simple, sweet and a true classic.
Specifications
- Controls: Output, Distortion
- Analog
- Hardwire Bypass
- 9-Volt Adapter/Battery (Sold Separately)
- Artists: Randy Rhoads, Jerry Garcia, Dave Murray and Thom Yorke
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| YouTube | Elmo Karjalainen | 88/100 |
| YouTube | Jack Fossett | 90/100 |
Demo
MXR M75 Super Badass
Cons
- Pedal output gets loud too quickly - hard to dial in
Pros
- Highly versatile and tweakable with complete active EQ settings
- Amazing thick tone
- Dynamic distortion range - from clean boost to extreme modern distortion
The MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion Pedal is arguably one of the most versatile distortion pedals currently available in this price range, being able to cover everything from sweet overdrive to pounding hard rock.
This is largely due to the active EQ section with Bass, Mid and High controls that have their frequency ranges well tuned to many styles of music. That means there aren't a lot of "wrong" combinations when you're tweaking so you'll be choosing between great sounding options with varying textures rather than trying to find a sound that's usable.
The MXR 75 is also true bypass and analog.
The key to the pedal’s versatility lies in the range of its distortion and its three-band EQ. These two features together make it possible to dial in a ton of different gain profiles, all of which are pretty convincing in their own right.
A minor gripe is the pedal's output getting loud too quickly as you tweak the output. Unity gain sits at about 10 o'clock on the volume dial so keep this in mind.
The MXR M75 Super Badass is a real badass when it comes to tone and versatility.
Specifications
- Controls: Output, Bass, Mid, Treble, Distortion
- Analog
- True Bypass
- 9V Power Supply/Battery (Sold Separately)
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| YouTube | DawJockey | 96/100 |
| YouTube | Guitar World | 99/100 |
Demo
Things to Consider When Buying a Distortion Pedal
If you’re not sure how to figure out which distortion pedal is going to work best for you, or if you’re just looking to brush up on you’re background knowledge before you throw any money down, check out the specifications below.
-
The most important thing to know when buying your first distortion pedal is that your amp is going to have a huge impact on how your distortion pedal sounds. If you are using a single-speaker solidstate combo amp, it will be hard to replicate the sound of artists who utilize expensive tube amp heads with 4x12 cabinets. If you’re looking for a super full and dark distorted tone, you’re going to want a distortion pedal that allows you to emphasize low-end and mid-range tones, or you can use a separate EQ pedal to achieve similar effect.
While you can get reasonably close to a particular distorted sound, don't get too obsessed about getting to perfect - unless you can invest in other important factors like amps, cables, other pedals and most important of all - playing technique.
-
As a general rule, guitar pedals emphasize one of two things: usability or versatility. A guitar pedal that emphasize usability will generally have less controls, but they have great tone at almost every setting. Pedals that focus on versatility have more expanded features and options, including EQ and presence controls. But they require more tweaking to get the best possible tone.
The best option depends on what you’re looking for. If you just want to plug in and get to playing, odds are you’ll be frustrated with a pedal that requires a lot of tweaking to get a good tone. Likewise, if you prefer having as much control as possible over your tone you’re going to want a pedal that will facilitate that. Note that many guitar amps, including Headphone Amps, come with basic distortion effect.
-
Terms you’re going to hear thrown around a lot when you’re looking for a pedal are: buffered bypass, hardwired bypass, and true bypass. These three terms describe what happens to your guitar’s signal when the pedal isn’t engaged.
True bypass is where your guitar’s signal passes straight through a pedal unaffected, essentially making it the same as if your signal was just going through a cable. A lot of guitar players prefer this because they feel like it makes their tone more transparent. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. The main effect that true bypass has is that it shortens the overall distance your signal travels before it reaches your amp. This can help your signal maintain high-end response, because as the distance from your guitar to your amp increases you gradually start to lose high-end frequencies (this starts at roughly 18.5 feet, according to BOSS). However, true bypass doesn’t do anything to improve your tone.Buffered bypass is where the signal still passes through the pedal and its circuitry, but is boosted. This helps to strengthen the signal, and actually does more to preserve your signal than true bypass pedals. Buffered bypass pedals are especially helpful if you’re using a large signal chain (lots of pedals).
Hardwire bypass is where your signal passes through a pedal’s circuitry and is not boosted. Hardwire bypass can cause you to lose some high-end response, especially if you’re using multiple hardwire bypass pedals.
Buying Your First Distortion Pedal
Versatility vs. Usability
Bypass
Best Cheap Distortion Pedal Selection Methodology
The first Edition was published in 2017.
With so many distortion pedals in the market, gathering data on just the popular ones that are actually widely available is quite the undertaking. We focused on those that are actually labeled or marketed as distortion, including mini pedals like the Mooer Black Secret, Joyo JF 02, and more.
We then narrowed down our scope and excluded other dirt pedal types like fuzz, overdrive and multi-effects pedals. This means that popular overdrive pedals like the Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini are not included.
We decided to keep the list budget friendly by limiting the price to $100 - so expensive dirt pedals like the Iron Horse aren't elligible. Even with these limitations, we still ended up placing 15 distortion pedals on our short-list, which you can see in our Music Gear Database, and collected over 19,400 data sources that included reviews, ratings, forum discussions and expert recommendations.
All these data were processed using the Gearank Algorithm which then gave us the rating scores our of 100 that we used to narrow down the list to just the best of the best. For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.
About the Author and Contributors
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide's production - click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
Lead Author & Researcher
Raphael Pulgar
I've been an audio engineer for 20 years specializing in rock and metal recordings, and also I play guitar and produce original music for my band and other content creators.
Aside from endlessly window shopping and watching hours of gear reviews for leisure, he enjoys playing competitive FPS games, MMORPGs and caring for his 5 cats. He is primarily influenced by guitarists like Kurt Ballou and Paul Gilbert. His favorite pieces of gear are his Ibanez RG550RFR, Orange Brent Hinds Terror amplifier and EQD Acapulco Gold fuzz.
Contributors
Alden Acosta: Boss DS 1 Distortion Review.
Alexander Briones: Supplemental writing.
Mason Hoberg: Supplemental writing.
Jason Horton: Editing and Illustrating.
Media
Main/Top Image: By Gearank.com using photographs of the MXR M104 Distortion+, Boss DS-1 and MXR M75 Super Badass.
The videos above have been embedded in accordance with YouTube's Terms of Service.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers with the exception of the Plugged in DS-1 which was photographed by Alden Acosta.
Comments
Publication of our July 2022
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Publication of our July 2022 Edition resulted in the Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff coming off the recommended list above due to a price increase that made it ineligible for this guide.
We have removed the TC
Submitted by Jason Horton on
We have removed the TC Electronic Dark Matter due to a price increase.
We've removed the Boss DS-2
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Today we removed the following pedals from the recommended list above due to price increases to over this guide's limit of $100:
GOOD LISTE.
Submitted by ZAKK (not verified) on
GOOD LIST.
As a result of our January
Submitted by Jason Horton on
As a result of our January 2020 update, which included limiting our recommendations to pedals under $100, the following great pedals came off our recommended list but you can still read our analysis of them:
Dude what the hell is this
Submitted by Nunya (not verified) on
Dude what the hell is this list? The DS-1 and Metalzone are some of the absolute worst distortion pedals with no midrange at all. Good luck trying to cut through a mix with those.
There were two dudes and a
Submitted by Jason Horton on
There were two dudes and a dudette that worked on this guide :)
The selection methodology is described above - note that the Boss DS-1 wasn't in our recommended list but included as an 'honorable mention' due to it's popularity and often being the first distortion pedal many guitarists try.
The Boss MT-2 Metal Zone was included in our recommended list based on its high ratings, but if you read what we said again, you'll notice that we mentioned the controversy surrounding it in the first paragraph and went on to describe the mid-range issue in the second paragraph.