Best Guitar Pedal Under $150 (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The BOSS DS-1 leads this list of best guitar pedal under 150: a compact distortion with hard-edged attack, smooth sustain and a five-year warranty. If you want wah and volume in one small box, the JOYO WAH-II answers with 6 wah modes and true bypass in wah mode.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Players who want a five-year warranty: BOSS DS-1 Distortion Compact Distortion Pedal See pick 1
- Players who want switchable clipping modes: Pro Co RAT2 Distortion Pedal See pick 2
- Players who want wah and volume in one pedal: JOYO Compact Wah/Volume Guitar Pedal See pick 3
- Players who want FET-based high gain distortion: NUX Plexi Crunch Guitar Distortion Effect Pedal See pick 4
- Players who want a 0.7 lb mini overdrive: Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini Pedal See pick 5More picks: Best Mini Guitar Pedals
Want the full range? Best Guitar Pedal ranks the top guitar pedals for every buyer, or browse all 44 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
BOSS DS-1 Distortion Compact Distortion Pedal
- True bypass not stated in the listing
- Pedal type: Distortion
- Five-year warranty stated
It earns Best Overall with hard-edged attack, smooth sustain, a wide-range tone control and a five-year warranty.
Who it suits
- Players who want a five-year warranty
- Guitarists who need a booster at low distortion
Skip it if
- You want a wah or volume effect
- You want overdrive, not distortion
The DS-1 runs on battery power and keeps the classic compact BOSS design unchanged since 1978. Its tone control covers a wide range of sound shaping, and it works as a booster at low distortion settings. The listing states a five-year warranty.
2Runner-Up
Pro Co RAT2 Distortion Pedal
- True bypass not stated in the listing
- Pedal type: Distortion
- 2-year warranty stated
The Runner-Up: a 1 lb distortion with true bypass, switchable clipping and 9-18V operation.
Who it suits
- Players who want switchable clipping modes
- Guitarists who run 9-18V power supplies
Skip it if
- You want a wah pedal
- You need a pedal lighter than 1 lb
The RAT2 weighs 1 lb and runs on 9-18V power with true bypass switching. Switchable clipping offers classic silicon or MOSFET modes, plus a switchable bass mode. The listing states a 2-year limited warranty.
3Also Great
JOYO Compact Wah/Volume Guitar Pedal
- True bypass
- Pedal type: Wah
- 1-year warranty stated
The Also Great wah: 6 wah modes, an adjustable Q control and a minimum volume knob at 1 lb.
Who it suits
- Players who want wah and volume in one pedal
- Pedalboard users with 6.5 inches of space
Skip it if
- You want a distortion or overdrive pedal
- You need battery operation
The WAH-II measures 6.5 by 3 inches in a red aluminum alloy housing with dual green LED indicators. Six wah ranges and an adjustable Q knob cover tight funk to wide vocal sweeps, and the minimum volume knob sets the heel-down floor. It needs a 9V DC supply, which is not included, and the listing states a one-year warranty.
4Also Great
NUX Plexi Crunch Guitar Distortion Effect Pedal
- True bypass
- Pedal type: Distortion
The Also Great distortion: FET-based high gain with preamp and master controls plus true bypass.
Who it suits
- Players who want FET-based high gain distortion
- Guitarists who need true bypass switching
Skip it if
- You want a wah pedal
- You want an overdrive pedal
The Plexi Crunch runs on a 9V battery or a 9V DC adapter with a minimum of 300 mA. FET-based distortion responds to fingers, volume knob and playing style, with preamp and master knobs for gain and output. True-bypass switching keeps the signal clean when the pedal is off.
5Also Great
Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini Pedal
- True bypass not stated in the listing
- Pedal type: Overdrive
- 1-year warranty stated
The Also Great overdrive: drive, level and tone controls in a 0.7 lb mini pedal.
Who it suits
- Players who want a 0.7 lb mini overdrive
- Guitarists who need drive, level and tone
Skip it if
- You want a distortion pedal
- You need a pedal lighter than 0.7 lb
The Tube Screamer Mini weighs 0.7 lb with drive, level and tone controls in a green mini housing. Its sound profile is warm and rich overdrive with adjustable tone. The listing states a 1-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Effects | True bypass | Looper | Headphone output | Runs on batteries | Pedal type | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOSS DS-1 Distortion Compact Distortion Pedal | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Distortion | Not stated | five-year |
| Pro Co RAT2 Distortion Pedal | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Distortion | 1 lb | 2-year |
| JOYO Compact Wah/Volume Guitar Pedal | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Wah | 1 lb | 1-year |
| NUX Plexi Crunch Guitar Distortion Effect Pedal | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Distortion | Not stated | Not stated |
| Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini Pedal | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Overdrive | 0.7 lb | 1-year |
How we ranked these guitar 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.
- Effects weight 2
- True bypass weight 2
- Looper weight 1
- Headphone output weight 1
- Runs on batteries weight 1
Buying advice: guitar pedal under 150
Pick the effect for best guitar pedal under 150
The DS-1, the RAT2 and the Plexi Crunch are distortion pedals. The Tube Screamer Mini is an overdrive. The JOYO WAH-II is a wah and volume pedal. Distortion clips the signal harder than overdrive; wah sweeps a frequency band. Pick the effect type first, because no amount of tone knob fixes the wrong circuit.
Check true bypass before you buy
True bypass passes the signal untouched when the pedal is off. The RAT2 and the Plexi Crunch list true bypass, and the JOYO lists true bypass in wah mode. If you stack many pedals, the bypass type decides how much tone the chain keeps when everything is off.
Match the power supply to the pedal
The DS-1 and the Plexi Crunch run on a 9V battery. The Plexi Crunch also takes a 9V DC adapter with a minimum of 300 mA, and one is included. The RAT2 runs on 9-18V power. The JOYO needs a regulated 9V DC supply that is not included, and it does not support batteries. Check the supply before the first gig, not after.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between distortion and overdrive?
Distortion clips the signal harder than overdrive. The DS-1, the RAT2 and the Plexi Crunch are distortion pedals, while the Tube Screamer Mini is an overdrive.
Do these pedals run on batteries?
The DS-1 and the Plexi Crunch run on a 9V battery. The RAT2 runs on 9-18V power, and the JOYO needs a 9V DC supply that is not included.
What does true bypass do on a pedal?
True bypass passes the signal untouched when the pedal is off. The RAT2 and the Plexi Crunch list true bypass, and the JOYO lists it in wah mode.
Which pedal works as a wah and a volume pedal?
The JOYO WAH-II switches between wah and active volume with a side switch, plus a minimum volume knob for the heel-down floor.
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 guitar pedals guides
Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.