Best Guitar Pedals with Synths (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Nov 12, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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SONICAKE leads this guide with the Bitcrusher Pedal: a synth pedal for guitar and bass with 3 modes, true bypass and a 0.5 lb body. The five picks here turn guitar or bass into synth sounds, from the eleven-synth Electro-Harmonix pair to the 80-plus-module Empress ZOIA.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Players who want 3 modes on a bitcrusher pedal: SONICAKE Bitcrusher Pedal See pick 1
- Bass players who want 8 presets to cycle through: Briskdrop MXR MB301 Bass Synth Pedal See pick 2More picks: Best Guitar Pedal for Bass
- Bass players who want eleven synth sounds: Electro-Harmonix Bass Mono Synth Bass Synthesizer Pedal See pick 3More picks: Best Bass Guitar Effects Pedals
- Guitar players who want eleven synth sounds: Electro-Harmonix Mono Synth Guitar Synthesizer Pedal See pick 4
- Players who want 80-plus modules to build with: Empress Effects ZOIA Modular Synthesizer and Guitar See pick 5
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
SONICAKE Bitcrusher Pedal
- True bypass
- 90-day warranty stated
- 0.5 lb, the lightest here
It earns Best Overall with 3 modes, true bypass and adjustable sampling rate and bit depth for guitar and bass.
Who it suits
- Players who want 3 modes on a bitcrusher pedal
- Players who want true bypass on a synth pedal
Skip it if
- You need more than 3 modes on one pedal
- You need a sampling rate above 44100Hz
The SONICAKE is a bitcrusher and sample rate reducer for guitar and bass, with 3 modes: Radio Simulator, Normal Mode and Vintage Gramophone Simulator. Sampling rate runs 750-44100Hz and bit depth runs 5-16bits. True bypass keeps the signal path clean when the pedal is off, and it works with a 9V center negative power supply, not included. It weighs 0.5 lb and carries a 90-day warranty.
2Runner-Up
Briskdrop MXR MB301 Bass Synth Pedal
- Pedal type: Octave
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Runner-Up with 8 presets, sub-octave and envelope effects, and a bundle with cables and picks.
Who it suits
- Bass players who want 8 presets to cycle through
- Players who want stereo output from a synth pedal
Skip it if
- You need more than 8 presets on one pedal
- You need a pedal under 0.8 lb
The MXR Bass Synth gives sub-octave, envelope and modulation effects with 8 presets. Oscillator and modulation mix, compression and tracking style add more parameters to shape the sound. It runs in stereo output mode, and an off-board switch cycles presets while a Volume(X) Series Pedal blends settings. The bundle holds a Dunlop ECB003 power supply, an MXR instrument cable, 4 MXR patch cables and 6 Dunlop picks. It weighs 0.8 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
3Also Great
Electro-Harmonix Bass Mono Synth Bass Synthesizer Pedal
- 1-year warranty stated
It turns bass into eleven synthesizers with eleven user presets and an EXP pedal input.
Who it suits
- Bass players who want eleven synth sounds
- Players who want an EXP pedal input
Skip it if
- You need more than eleven user presets
- You need a pedal under 1.3 lb
The Electro-Harmonix Bass Mono Synth turns bass into eleven synthesizers, with one user preset for each synth sound. Easy controls dial in the sound, and an EXP pedal input gives real-time control with your foot. A power adapter comes in the box. It weighs 1.3 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
4Also Great
Electro-Harmonix Mono Synth Guitar Synthesizer Pedal
- 1-year warranty stated
It turns guitar into eleven synthesizers with eleven user presets and an EXP pedal input.
Who it suits
- Guitar players who want eleven synth sounds
- Players who want an EXP pedal input
Skip it if
- You need more than eleven user presets
- You need a pedal under 1 lb
The Electro-Harmonix Mono Synth turns guitar into eleven synthesizers, with one user preset for each synth sound. Easy controls dial in the sound, and an EXP pedal input gives real-time control with your foot. A power adapter comes in the box. It weighs 1 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
5Also Great
Empress Effects ZOIA Modular Synthesizer and Guitar
- Pedal type: Multi-Effects
It packs 80-plus modules, 20-plus ready-made effects and up to 64 patches in one pedal.
Who it suits
- Players who want 80-plus modules to build with
- Players who want up to 64 patches to recall
Skip it if
- You need more than 64 patches on one pedal
- You need a pedal under 1.5 lb
The Empress ZOIA is a modular synthesizer and multi-effects pedal with 80-plus modules, including oscillators, LFOs, filters, bit crushers and envelope followers. Modules connect in almost any way to create effects, synths and control devices. It also holds 20-plus ready-made effects modules such as reverbs, delays, chorus, flangers and overdrives, and it saves up to 64 patches for recall. It weighs 1.5 lb.
Side by side
| Product | Effects | True bypass | Looper | Headphone output | Runs on batteries | Pedal type | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SONICAKE Bitcrusher Pedal | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 0.5 lb | 90-day |
| Briskdrop MXR MB301 Bass Synth Pedal | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Octave | 0.8 lb | 1-year |
| Electro-Harmonix Bass Mono Synth Bass Synthesizer Pedal | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 1.3 lb | 1-year |
| Electro-Harmonix Mono Synth Guitar Synthesizer Pedal | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 1 lb | 1-year |
| Empress Effects ZOIA Modular Synthesizer and Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Multi-Effects | 1.5 lb | Not stated |
How we ranked these guitar pedals
Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has 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 pedals with synths
Count the synth sounds and presets
Preset counts decide how many sounds you can recall at once. The two Electro-Harmonix pedals each hold eleven user presets, one for each of the eleven synth sounds. The MXR Bass Synth holds 8 presets, and the Empress ZOIA saves up to 64 patches. The SONICAKE has 3 modes instead of presets, so compare modes against presets when you choose.
True bypass and EXP control
True bypass means the pedal passes the signal untouched when off. The SONICAKE has a true bypass footswitch, so your signal stays clean when the pedal is disengaged. An EXP pedal input gives real-time control with your foot, and both Electro-Harmonix pedals have one. The MXR Bass Synth also works with an off-board switch to cycle presets, so check how each pedal takes external control before you choose.
Power and what comes in the box
Power and included parts differ across the picks. The SONICAKE works with a 9V center negative power supply, and the supply is not included. The two Electro-Harmonix pedals come with a power adapter in the box. The MXR Bass Synth bundle holds a Dunlop ECB003 power supply, an MXR instrument cable, 4 MXR patch cables and 6 Dunlop picks. Check the power supply and cables before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How many synth sounds do the Electro-Harmonix pedals have?
Eleven each. The Bass Mono Synth turns bass into eleven synthesizers, and the Mono Synth turns guitar into eleven synthesizers. Each holds eleven user presets, one for each synth sound.
What does true bypass do on a pedal?
True bypass passes the signal untouched when the pedal is off. The SONICAKE has a true bypass footswitch, so the signal stays clean when the pedal is disengaged.
How many patches does the Empress ZOIA save?
Up to 64 patches. The ZOIA also holds 80-plus modules and 20-plus ready-made effects modules, including reverbs, delays, chorus, flangers and overdrives.
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 Nov 12, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.