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Guitar Accessories
The best pedalboard makes it easier to organize your pedals and cables, allowing you to make the most out of your guitar rig. Featured here are the tried and tested pedal platforms widely used by gigging guitarists and bassists.
Good pedal organization, cable management, and reliable power supply, are the main considerations when looking for a pedalboard. Being portable and easy to work with are also important.
Given all these considerations, here are the best pedalboards that we recommend, grouped by size (small and large) and by power supply capability (unpowered and powered). So regardless of the type, and how many pedals you have, you’ll find the board that fits your needs here.
Please note that in this guide, we define small as under 20 inches wide and large as 20 inches or wider. Also, installing your guitar pedals on a pedalboard can be quite exhausting. Especially if you keep rearranging your pedals because you’re not sure about the proper order.
So, before you start installing your guitar pedals, plan your pedal order and placement first. You can refer to our guide on the ideal Guitar Pedal Order to get an idea of how you should arrange your effects pedals.
Note that some pedalboard options come with cases that protect your gear during storage or transport. Others provide zip ties, and cable clips to organize your cables better.
The Best Guitar Pedalboards – 2024
Author & Contributors
Alexander Briones
I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.
The Best Pedalboard - Unpowered Best Small Pedalboard
These are standalone pedalboards that are less than 20 inches wide, and are unpowered, so you'll have to buy a separate power supply.
These boards are generally more affordable, making them ideal entry-level accessories. They're also great for minimalist setups with fewer guitar effects pedals.
On-Stage GPB2000 Pedalboard with Bag (18.75" x 6")
Cons
- The incline is not high enough for some power supplies to fit into
Pros
- Thick, aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Size fits most pedals, even odd-shaped ones like a fuzz pedal
- The included gig bag is also surprisingly good, with high-quality padding
The GPB2000 is an affordable and compact pedalboard, perfect for small rigs. It allows you to place up to 5 regular-sized pedals horizontally on a slight incline for easier access.
This setup is ideal for minimalist rigs with essential effects. Effects like chorus, compressor, delay, reverb, and, of course, your mandatory overdrive pedal.
The board is made of lightweight aluminum, with strategically placed cutouts for mounting a power supply. This also creates space for power and patch cables.
It comes with adhesive hook-and-loop strips for securing your pedals to the aluminum board. Additionally, it includes a gig bag with a reinforced top and bottom, as well as a removable shoulder strap.
For the price, the On-Stage GPB2000 is a great deal if you only prefer to bring essential pedals to gigs.
Features:
- Frame: Aluminum Rail
- Inclination: Inclined
- Board Dimensions: 18.75" x 6"
- Weight: 2.75 lbs
- Pedal Fastener: Adhesive Hook & Loop Strips
- Accessories: Gig bag included.
Pedaltrain Nano+ Pedalboard with Soft Case (18" x 5")
Cons
- Storage bag lacks a pocket for storing cables
- Limited space and mounting for a power supply
Pros
- Providies a bit more room while keeping bulk and weight acceptable
- Ideal for standard and mini-size pedals
- Reliable and easy to use
Pedaltrain are known for their use of light and sturdy aircraft grade aluminum metal, joined together in an open rail design.
The Pedaltrain Nano+ is a compact pedalboard with a little more usable space than the GPB2000.
Instead of just 5, this pedalboard can accommodate up to 6 standard-size pedals side by side. It does this while reducing the space between the two rails slightly.
It features two rails crafted from lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum. This design reduces weight and improves durability.
The pedalboard comes with a 36″ adhesive hook-and-loop strip to fasten pedals to the board, allowing for easy setup.
Additionally, it includes zip ties to keep things organized and avoid clutter due to its open rail design.
Lastly, it ships with a basic soft case for convenient storage and transport of the aluminum frame, pedals, and cables.
Overall, if you're looking to use up to six regular-sized pedals while keeping your rig reasonably light and compact, the Pedaltrain Nano+ is worth checking out.
Features
- Frame: Lightweight Aircraft Grade Aluminum 2-rail Setup
- Inclination: Flat
- Board Dimensions: 18″ x 5″ x 1.4″
- Softcase Dimensions: 18.25″ x 6.5″ x 3.25”
- Weight: 1.2 lbs
- Pedal Fastener: 36″ Adhesive backed Hook-and-Loop
- Accessories: Assorted Zip Ties.
The Best Pedalboard - Unpowered Large
If you want to setup more pedals, or utilize a few large size stompboxes, then this is the section for you. These boards are more than 20 inches wide but they don't have an integrated pedalboard power supply - if you need power you can jump ahead to Best Powered Large Pedalboards.
D’Addario XPND Pedalboard – Large
Cons
- A bit on the heavy side
- Subtle height differences across the pedal board
Pros
- Expandable design allows for more adjustments
- Sturdy construction, crafted from lightweight aluminum
- Excels in cable management with its routing design
- Pre-applied Velcro on both the crossbars streamlined the initial setup process
Just when I thought pedalboards couldn't be improved. D'Addario introduced the XPND and demonstrated that there's always room for innovation. The D'Addario XPND is a relatively new pedalboard.
Its patented telescoping design is its most innovative feature. This feature allows you to adjust the size of the board based on the number of pedals you want to use.
You can start with a simple setup of about 5 standard-sized pedals. But as you extend the board, you can easily expand its capability to accommodate up to 15 standard-sized pedals.
It features a large, double-row design that provides ample space for a comprehensive pedal setup. Compared to others, this pedalboard offers better routing design, sturdiness, and innovative expansion.
Its unique cable management system eliminates mess and tangling. The pre-applied loop Velcro is also a nice touch and ensures lasting strength when swapping pedals.
The D'Addario XPND Pedalboard is designed for easy transport without sacrificing durability. This is thanks to its lightweight yet sturdy aluminum construction. It also has mounted rubber feet that keep the board stable during use, making it ideal for live performances.
Lastly, it comes with a rugged soft case that enhances its portability and provides protection while you’re on the move.
If you want a pedalboard that's out of the box and has a good cable management system, the D'Addario XPND is worth considering.
Features
- Frame: Lightweight Aluminum board
- Inclination: Inclined
- Retracted dimensions (W x H x D): 17.5" x 3.9" x 12.8"
- Extended dimensions (W x H x D): 31.75" x 3.9 x 12.8"
- Weight: 8.8 lbs.
- Pedal Fastener: Pre-applied loop Velcro plus Hook
- Accessories: Cable clips
Pedaltrain Novo 24 TC Pedalboard with Tour Case (24" x 14.5")
Cons
- The case is a bit bulky
Pros
- A nice balance of portability and reliability
- Easy to set up
- Lightweight and durable
The Novo line by Pedaltrain offers a lighter-weight version of their popular aluminum pedalboard design.
This particular model provides ample space at 24" x 14.5" with 5 rails, accommodating seven to eight pedals when arranged closely together.
It easily accommodates volume and expression pedals, leaving room for an additional, smaller pedal to squeeze into.
Similar to other Pedaltrain boards, the aluminum railing design allows for easy cable management. It also provides strong support for attaching your pedals.
Lastly, the Novo 24 TC comes with 120" of hook and loop fasteners for pedal setup. It also includes a tour case for convenient storage, mobility, and pedal protection.
The Pedaltrain Novo 24 TC is a great option if you want a road-worthy pedalboard package for your growing number of pedals.
Features
- Frame: Aluminum Rail
- Inclination: Inclined
- Board Dimensions: 24" x 14.5" x 3.5"
- Tour Case Dimensions: 26" x 17" x 9”
- Weight: 3.8 lbs
- Pedal Fastener: Adhesive
- Accessories: Assorted Hook and Loop fasteners.
The Best Pedalboard - Unpowered Large - Best Budget Pedalboard
Here's a low cost alternative to the models above.
SOYAN Large Metal Guitar Pedal Board (22” x 12.5”)
Cons
- Limited space for longer power supplies
- Nylon bag isn't big enough for Larger pedals such as wah, volume, and expression pedals.
Pros
- Great value for money, includes accessories for pedalboard setup
- Ample space and sturdy build quality, relative to its price
- Good quality nylon carrying bag
The Soyan pedalboard is the most affordable board in this guide. It measures 22" x 12.5" and is made of metal. It features rectangular slots for cable management and is inclined to accommodate a power supply underneath.
Additionally, the Soyan pedalboard included power supply mounting feature for securing the power brick into the bracket.
Despite its price, this board can hold a good number of pedals and includes velcro and an elastic strap for pedal attachment.
It also comes with a lightweight nylon carrying bag for safe storage and transportation of your pedals.
Overall, this pedalboard is one of the best deals to get if you're seeking an affordable, good-quality, large-size pedalboard.
Features
- Frame: Metal Rail
- Inclination: Inclined
- Board Dimensions: 22" x 12.5" x 2.36"
- Tour Case Dimensions: 23" x 14.2" x 5.9”
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Pedal Fastener: Adhesive Velcro
- Accessories: Velcro tapes and elastic straps.
The Best Pedalboard - Best Small Powered Pedalboard
In this section, we're going to explore the top powered pedalboards. These pedalboards are equipped with an integrated power supply, either as part of the pedalboard, or as an add-on that can be mounted usually under the board. This is a convenient option compared to the do-it-yourself approach of purchasing and fitting a power supply separately.
Note that pedals can have different power requirements, such as voltage, current draw, and connector type. So, it's crucial to ensure that the bundled power supplies are compatible with all your pedals.
Some of the powered pedalboards may offer 18V power options. But if all your pedals are powered by standard 9V adapters, these issues shouldn't apply.
Voodoo Lab Dingbat Small Powered Pedalboard Package with Pedal Power 2 Plus (18" x 7.75")
Cons
- 8 power outputs is a bit overkill for its size
Pros
- Comfortable angle of inlination
- Works well with guitar player rigs, and for bassists
- Simple and effective board design
With the rise of compact "micro" pedals, even small pedalboards can now accommodate more than five effects pedals. That is true with the Voodoo Lab Dingbat Small Powered Pedalboard.
This pedalboard package includes a built-in power supply (Pedal Power 2 Plus) that can power up to 8 pedals. It provides the reliability and quiet operation expected from Voodoo Lab power supplies.
At the core of this package is the Dingbat aluminum board, crafted from lightweight yet durable aluminum. Similar to its Tiny version, this pedalboard opted for slots for cable management instead of rails like other boards.
Although this can be limiting, it allows for more space for pedal attachment to the board.
So, if you're into a micro pedal setup or have pedals with high current and voltage requirements, this pedal is worth trying.
Features
- Frame: Aluminum (Slotted)
- Inclination: Inclined
- Dimensions:18" x 7.75"
- Softcase Dimensions: Not Specified
- Weight: 2.6 lbs (3.84 lbs with power supply)
- Pedal Fastener: Hook-and-loop fasteners
- Accessories: Heavy duty gigbag
Voodoo Lab Dingbat Tiny Powered Pedalboard Package (14.5" x 6.5") with Pedal Power X4
Cons
- Limited cable management
Pros
- Perfect size for building a portable 4-pedal rig
- It comes with a power supply
- Solid build and has more surface area to secure your pedals
- The quality of the included padded bag was a pleasant surprise
The Voodoo Lab Dingbat Tiny, as the name implies, is designed for users with only a few pedals. This pedalboard is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and features slots for cable management instead of rails.
Its package includes the Pedal Power X4, an isolated power supply that can run up to 4 pedals, which is ideal for the board's size.
It also comes with all the necessary accessories for setting up your pedals. Items such as hook-and-loop mounting tapes, UV-resistant cable ties, and 4-way tie mounts.
To top it all off, it includes a padded gig bag with a removable shoulder strap for easy portability.
Overall, considering the power supply included and the quality of the board and bag, the Voodoo Lab Dingbat Tiny is a great choice for 4-pedal setups.
Features
- Frame: Aluminum
- Inclination: Inclined
- Board Dimensions: 14.5" x 6.5"
- Tour Case Dimensions: 26" x 17" x 9”
- Weight: 1.35 lbs (1.8lbs with Pedal Power X4)
- Pedal Fastener: Hook-and-Loop Fasteners
- Accessories: Padded Gig Bag, Hook-and-Loop Fasteners
The Best Pedalboards - Best Powered Pedalboard Large
These are over 20 inches wide and come with a power supply.
Voodoo Lab Dingbat Medium with Pedal Power 2 Plus (22" x 13.5")
Cons
- The use of slots instead of rails limit cable positioning
Pros
- Pedal Power 2 Plus has versatile output options
- Power supply works with Boss, Line 6, Strymon, TC Electronic, and more
- Solid pedal attachment
This is the highest-rated powered large guitar pedalboard available at the time of publication.
Included with the Voodoo Lab Dingbat Medium pedalboard package is the Pedal Power 2 Plus power supply unit. This combination has consistently received top ratings in its category for several years.
The pedalboard itself is made of aluminum. While its strategically positioned slots are ideal for cable management. It also stays true to the Dingbat series' simple yet effective design.
The power supply offers a wide range of power output options. This includes standard 9V, high current 9V, and a 9V output with battery sag control to simulate the effect of an older battery.
It also features inputs for pedals that require 12V, 18V, and 24V.
Overall, if you're have pedals with different power requirements, then this should be high on your list of priorities.
Features
- Frame: Aluminum (Slotted)
- Inclination: Inclined
- Dimensions: 22" x 13.5"
- Softcase Dimensions: Not Specified
- Weight: 4.4 lbs (6.4 lbs with power supply)
- Pedal Fastener: Hook-and-loop fasteners
- Accessories: Heavy duty gigbag
Gator GPT-PRO-PWR Powered Pedalboard (30" x 16")
Cons
- Power cables are not as durable as the frame
- The Tolex covering may require re-stapling from time to time
Pros
- Has plenty of room for up to ten effects, can handle bulky pedals
- Gentle slope on the pedalboard feels comfortable
- The included power supply is of good quality
- Easy to add another power supply when needed
- Bundled gig bag has two big pockets for guitar accessories and maintenance tools
The Gator GPT-PRO-PWR is a classic-style pedalboard that comes with a power supply and a convenient carrying case.
Made from plywood and covered in Tolex material, this pedalboard provides a spacious surface area of 30" x 16", allowing you to comfortably accommodate up to ten pedals. This includes larger ones like pitch shifter pedals, volume pedals, and wah pedals.
The angled design of the pedalboard makes it easier to access your pedals and also includes space at the bottom for mounting a power supply.
This is ideal because the GPT-PRO-PWR comes with a G-Bus-8 onboard power supply. This power brick offers 8 x 9V and 3 x 18V outputs.
It's important to note that although it includes 8 x 9V connectors, it only provides a single 18V connector. So, additional connectors may be required if you intend to use the other 2 x 18V outputs.
Additionally, there is enough space on the board to accommodate a second power supply if you need extra power.
This pedalboard uses hook-and-loop fastening strips as pedal attachments to ensure that your pedals stay securely in place. It also comes with a matching carrying case featuring two storage pockets for cables and other accessories.
If space is important to you or if you want to simplify your multi-board setup, the Gator GPT-PRO-PWR is a good choice. Its brand is also well known for its durable and quality products.
Features:
- Frame: Plywood Pedalboard Covered in Tolex
- Inclination: Angled
- Soft Case: Nylon Padded Carrying Case
- Dimensions: 30" x 16.5" x 2.5"
- Weight: 17.5 lbs.
- Power Supply: G-Bus-8 with 8 x 9V, 3 x 18V Outputs
- Accessories: Hook-and-loop strips, 9 x 24" straight end cables to power pedals, 8 x 9v & 1 x 18v cables
Things To Consider When Buying a Pedalboard
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Knowing the space you need should be simple if you have standard-size pedals, but it becomes more complex if you own pedals with different shapes and sizes. To give you a better idea of the size differences, we have listed the dimensions (W x D x H) of popular pedals below:
Pedal Dimensions
Pedal Dimensions Boss Pedals (Standard Size) 2.875" x 5.125" x 2.375" MXR Pedals (Standard Size) 2.375" x 4.375" x 1.25" DigiTech Pedals (Standard Size) 3.125" x 4.9375" x 2.125" Behringer Pedals (Standard Size) 2.75" x 4.8" x 2.125" Electro-Harmonix Nano Pedals 2.2" x 4.3" x 2" Strymon BigSky (Big Wide) 6.75" x 5.1" Fuzz Face (Big Circular) 7.75" x 10.75" x 3.5" Cry Baby Wah (Big Tall) 4" x 10" x 2.5" Vox Volume Pedal (Big Tall) 3.54" x 10.55" x 2.44" You'll notice that standard-size pedals require around 3" x 5" of space, which is a good number to work with. This includes the most common pedals, like dirt pedals, flanger, phaser, chorus, delay, reverb, and more. While the Cry Baby Wah's dimensions should be the standard for most tall expression-type pedals. Wide pedals will have very different dimensions, so you'll have to consider each one and plan for them individually. In addition to the size of your pedals, patch cables and/or pedal couplers also take up space and must be considered. Note that while the weight difference between small and big boards can be minimal, the actual weight difference will be bigger when you factor in the weights of the extra pedals that are added. To help you decide on the size, we have provided the actual dimensions of each one we have recommended.
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For convenience, some manufacturers build power supplies directly into their pedalboards, while others are bundled with dedicated power supplies that are mounted on the board. You can also get a standalone power supply, but the goal is the same for all of them - to have enough power and cables for the pedals that you're using. The bad news is that pedal manufacturers don't always follow the standard 9V power supply, which means that you should check your pedals to be on the safe side. The most common examples are pedals that require 12V or 18V. Note that using the wrong power supply may damage your pedal, so it is best to check the specifications. Another issue is that some pedals can be too power-hungry, tipping the required current over the power supply's capacity. So if you have one or more of these power hogs, then take this into account. Thankfully, you don't have to be a total guitar geek to know these specifications, since they are provided by the manufacturer.
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Plywood was, for a long time, the material of choice for many many guitar players because of its simplicity and practicality. Since it is made of wood, it can be easily customized by drilling holes, making cuts, or adding wood bits. On the other hand, aluminum is growing in demand because it's lighter and more rigid, making it ideal for people who are always on the move. Plastic boards sit somewhat in between, they are sturdy, a little heavier than aluminum, and are usually more affordable.
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Angled or sloped pedalboards (like the the GPT-PRO-PWR, Friedman Tour Pro, and more) are becoming popular because of the space they provide underneath for power supplies and cables. The slanted profile also makes reaching the rear and top pedals easier. Flat boards are more straightforward and store more easily; this is the default configuration for many compact boards. Note that most pedalboard solutions these days utilize the sloped design.
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One of the reasons why custom pedalboards can be a pain is that you'll also have to customize a fitting carrying case. Thankfully, most ready-made pedalboards come with carrying cases. Soft cases are lighter and easier to carry, while hard cases are heavier but offer more protection. Whatever case you prefer, hard or soft power supply mounting space should be accounted for. Some of these carrying cases have pockets for carrying accessories, including connection cables, picks, and more - which helps simplify transport and setup.
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Most pedalboards utilize Hook-and-Loop Velcro as pedal fastener, and some manufacturers provide them along with the board. There are also those that come bundled with zip ties for better cable positioning. Some even provide 1/4" patch cables for connecting your pedals, so setting up will be easy out of the box. While having these accessories can be a good bonus, many users cautioned that their quality maybe sub-par, compared to those that can be bought separately. Boards with metal rails allow for more room for cable management, at the expense of smaller contact surface area for securing pedals. Slotted pedalboards have more surface area for attaching pedals, but have limited cabling space.
Pedalboard Real Estate
Power Supply
Plywood vs Aluminum vs Plastic
Flat vs Angled Profile
Carrying Case
Velcro, Cables, and Accessories
Best Pedalboard Selection Methodology
The first edition was published in 2017. The current edition was published on May 26, 2024
We looked at all the best pedalboard choices being sold by major retailers in the USA, and came up with 74 models to put on our shortlist (see them in our music gear database). We then collated and analyzed over 19,200 related reviews, ratings, and discussion forum comments. All these data were then processed by the Gearank Algorithm, which gave us the rating scores out of 100 that represent market sentiment for each pedalboard. Finally, we featured the highest-rated models divided into two main categories, Powered and Unpowered, and further divided into sizes: Small (under 20" wide) and Large (20 "+ wide). We also summarized owner and user opinions under the Pros and Cons headings for each one recommended above. For this edition, we included a budget pedalboard under the Large Powered Pedalboards section. 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
Alexander Briones
I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.
Drawing from his experience in performing and recording, he teaches guitar and bass and mentors young artists to be better musicians. And when he is not busy playing or tinkering with musical gear, he puts on his entrepreneurial hat, which helps fund his passion for collecting guitars, mecha figures and Gunpla kits.
Contributors
Jerome Arcon: Product research and Co-writer
Jason Horton: Editing and Illustrating.
Media
Main/Top Image: Original photograph Image Credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock and modified by Gearank.com.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers.
We have removed the Behringer PB600 from the recommended list due to being discontinued.
Publication of our October 2021 Edition resulted in the following boards coming off the recommended list above:
We’ve removed the following pedalboards from the recommended list above due to being discontinued, but you can still see our analysis of them:
As a result of the December 2019 update of this guide the following pedalboards came off our recommended list above but you can still read our analysis of them: