Best Delay Pedal for Beginners (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The SONICAKE Levitate leads this list: up to 2000ms of delay, tap tempo, trail and plate reverb in one pedal. It also uses buffer bypass and runs on a 9V center negative supply, so delay and reverb sit in a single unit.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Players who want tap tempo and trail functions: SONICAKE Delay Reverb 2 in 1 Guitar See pick 1More picks: Best Delay Pedal with Tap
- Players who want 25 to 600ms delay range: JOYO Digital Delay Guitar Pedal See pick 2
- Players who want a TIME knob and Mix knob: POGOLAB Delay Pedal See pick 3
- Players who want a 25ms to 600ms delay range: FLAMMA FC17 Analog Delay Pedal Vintage Delay See pick 4
- Players who want oversized knobs for quick adjustments: RVONE Analog Delay Guitar Pedal for Electric Guitar See pick 5
Want the full range? Best Delay Pedal ranks the top delay pedals for every buyer, or browse all 19 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
SONICAKE Delay Reverb 2 in 1 Guitar
- Max delay time: 2000 ms
- Tap tempo
- True bypass not stated in the listing
- 90-day warranty stated
It earns Best Overall with up to 2000ms delay, plate reverb, tap tempo, trail and buffer bypass in one pedal.
Who it suits
- Players who want tap tempo and trail functions
- Players who want delay and reverb in one pedal
Skip it if
- You want delay longer than 2000ms
- You want true bypass instead of buffer bypass
It combines digital delay and plate reverb in one pedal, with a maximum delay time of 2000ms. Trail and tap tempo functions help with timing, and dry and wet signals adjust independently. It uses buffer bypass, runs on a 9V center negative supply, and the supply is not included. It weighs 1 lb and carries a 90-day warranty.
2Runner-Up
JOYO Digital Delay Guitar Pedal
- Max delay time: 600 ms
- True bypass
- 1-year warranty stated
It holds the Runner-Up spot with 25 to 600ms delay, 3 knobs for time, repeat and level and true bypass.
Who it suits
- Players who want 25 to 600ms delay range
- Players who want 3 knobs for time and repeats
Skip it if
- You want delay longer than 600ms
- You want a pedal under 0.8 lb for carrying
It gives a 25ms to 600ms delay range with 3 knobs for time, repeat and level. True bypass switching passes the signal through when the pedal is off, and the aluminum alloy housing holds the controls. It runs on a DC 9V adapter, which is not included, weighs 0.8 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
3Also Great
POGOLAB Delay Pedal
- Max delay time not stated in the listing
- True bypass
It stands as an Also Great pick with true bypass, a TIME knob, a Mix knob and an aluminum alloy build.
Who it suits
- Players who want a TIME knob and Mix knob
- Players who want true bypass and an indicator light
Skip it if
- You want a pedal under 0.4 lb for carrying
- You want a power adapter included in the box
It gives analog delay with a TIME knob for repetition time and a Mix knob for the wet and dry mix ratio. True bypass switching passes the signal through when the pedal is off, and an indicator light shows the working state. It runs on DC 9V center negative, with the cable and adapter not included, and it weighs 0.4 lb.
4Also Great
FLAMMA FC17 Analog Delay Pedal Vintage Delay
- Max delay time: 600 ms
- True bypass
- One-year warranty stated
It stands as an Also Great pick with a 25ms to 600ms delay range, true bypass and a metal shell.
Who it suits
- Players who want a 25ms to 600ms delay range
- Players who want true bypass and a metal shell
Skip it if
- You want delay longer than 600ms
- You want a pedal under 0.4 lb for carrying
It gives a 25ms to 600ms delay range with true bypass and a metal shell. It runs on 9V DC, with the supply not included, and it weighs 0.4 lb. It carries a one-year guarantee.
5Also Great
RVONE Analog Delay Guitar Pedal for Electric Guitar
- Max delay time not stated in the listing
- True bypass
- 1-year warranty stated
It stands as an Also Great pick with true bypass, oversized knobs, an aluminum chassis and a 1-year warranty.
Who it suits
- Players who want oversized knobs for quick adjustments
- Players who want true bypass and aluminum housing
Skip it if
- You want a pedal under 0.4 lb for carrying
- You want a power supply included in the box
It gives analog delay with true bypass and oversized knobs for adjustments. The aluminum metal housing holds the pedal, and it runs on a DC 9V 100mA center-negative supply, which is not included. It weighs 0.4 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Max delay time | Tap tempo | True bypass | Stereo in/out | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SONICAKE Delay Reverb 2 in 1 Guitar | 2000 ms | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | 1 lb | 90-day |
| JOYO Digital Delay Guitar Pedal | 600 ms | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | 0.8 lb | 1-year |
| POGOLAB Delay Pedal | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | 0.4 lb | Not stated |
| FLAMMA FC17 Analog Delay Pedal Vintage Delay | 600 ms | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | 0.4 lb | one-year |
| RVONE Analog Delay Guitar Pedal for Electric Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | 0.4 lb | 1-year |
How we ranked these delay pedals
Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Max delay time weight 2
- Tap tempo weight 1
- True bypass weight 1
- Stereo in/out weight 1
Buying advice: delay pedal for beginners
Compare delay time and bypass type
Delay time sets the longest echo the pedal gives, and bypass type sets what happens to the signal when the pedal is off. The SONICAKE gives up to 2000ms with buffer bypass, the JOYO gives 25 to 600ms with true bypass, and the FLAMMA gives 25ms to 600ms with true bypass. True bypass means the pedal passes the signal untouched when off, so compare delay time and bypass type first.
Check knobs, power and weight
Knobs decide how you adjust the effect, power decides what supply you need, and weight decides how the pedal sits on a board. The JOYO has 3 knobs for time, repeat and level and runs on a DC 9V adapter, the POGOLAB has a TIME knob and a Mix knob and runs on DC 9V center negative, and the RVONE has oversized knobs and runs on a DC 9V 100mA center-negative supply.
Look at delay plus reverb in one pedal
Some pedals give delay alone, while one pedal here adds reverb to the same unit. The SONICAKE combines digital delay and plate reverb in one pedal, with dry and wet signals that adjust independently. The other pedals here give delay alone, so decide whether you want reverb in the same pedal or as a separate unit later.
Frequently asked questions
What delay time do I need in a pedal?
It depends on the echo length you want. The SONICAKE gives up to 2000ms, the JOYO gives 25 to 600ms, and the FLAMMA gives 25ms to 600ms, so compare those ranges against the echo you want.
What does true bypass mean on a pedal?
True bypass means the pedal passes the signal untouched when off. The JOYO, the POGOLAB, the FLAMMA and the RVONE all use true bypass, while the SONICAKE uses buffer bypass instead.
Do delay pedals include a power supply?
These do not include one in the box. The SONICAKE needs a 9V center negative supply, the JOYO needs a DC 9V adapter, and the RVONE needs a DC 9V 100mA center-negative supply, all not included.
What knobs does a delay pedal have?
It varies by pedal. The JOYO has time, repeat and level knobs, the POGOLAB has a TIME knob and a Mix knob, and the RVONE has oversized knobs for adjustments.
Gear that goes with it
Best PedalboardTop pick: SOYAN 18" x 11.8" Guitar Pedal Board
Best Pedal Power SupplyTop pick: Hiree Guitar Pedal Power Supply 7 DC
Best Guitar CordTop pick: JSAUX Guitar Cable 10 ft
Best TunersTop pick: KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On GuitarMore delay pedals guides
Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.