Best Sustain Pedal (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The M-AUDIO SP-2 leads for best sustain pedal: a piano-style pedal with a chrome foot pedal, a polarity switch and a 6-foot cable. If you want a ridged footrest, the M-AUDIO SP-1 is the pick, with a polarity switch and a 5-foot cable.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Players who want a piano-style pedal action: M-AUDIO SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal Classic Piano-Style See pick 1More picks: Best Sustain Pedal for Piano
- Players who want a compact pedal with a ridged footrest: M-AUDIO SP-1 Universal Sustain Pedal Compact Sustain See pick 2
- Players who want an alloy and plastic pedal: karmiero Sustain Pedal for Keyboard Universal See pick 3
- Players who want a 6.25-foot cable: UPELLA Universal Sustain Pedal for Digital Piano See pick 4
- Players who want an adjustable pedal stroke: midiplus SP-2 Sustain Pedal See pick 5
Narrow it down
- Best Small Sustain Pedal
- Best Professional Sustain Pedal
- Best Sustain Pedal for Beginners
- Best Sustain Pedal for Home
- Best Portable Sustain Pedal
- Best Mini Sustain Pedal
- Best Digital Sustain Pedal
- Best Sustain Pedal for Keyboard
- Best Sustain Pedal for Piano
- Best Sustain Pedal for MIDI
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
M-AUDIO SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal Classic Piano-Style
- Polarity switch
- Piano-style pedal
It earns Best Overall as a piano-style pedal with a chrome foot pedal, a polarity switch and a 6-foot cable.
Who it suits
- Players who want a piano-style pedal action
- Players who want a chrome foot pedal
Skip it if
- You want a 5-foot cable
- You want a plastic pedal
The pedal has a chrome foot pedal with a polarity switch and rubber pads on the underside that grip the floor. It comes with a 6-foot cable and a 1/4-inch jack, and the mechanism is heavy duty. The classic piano-style design suits MIDI keyboards, pianos and synthesizers.
2Runner-Up
It earns Runner-Up as a compact pedal with a polarity switch, a ridged footrest and a 5-foot cable.
Who it suits
- Players who want a compact pedal with a ridged footrest
- Players who want a 5-foot cable
Skip it if
- You want a 6-foot cable
- You want a piano-style pedal
The pedal is compact and lightweight with a polarity switch and a slip-resistant ridged footrest. It comes with a hard-wired 5-foot cable and a 1/4-inch phone plug. It suits MIDI controllers, digital pianos and synthesizers, including M-AUDIO KeyStation, Code and Oxygen series.
3Also Great
It earns Also Great with an alloy and plastic build, a polarity switch and a 91-inch cable.
Who it suits
- Players who want an alloy and plastic pedal
- Players who want a 91-inch cable
Skip it if
- You want a chrome foot pedal
- You want a pedal without a polarity switch
The pedal is premium alloy and high-strength plastic with a non-slip rubber bottom. A polarity switch sits on the side, and a 91-inch cable with a 1/4-inch jack lets you place it under the piano. A spring design gives soft resistance for expressive playing.
4Also Great
It earns Also Great with a polarity switch, a 6.25-foot cable and 4 non-slip rubbers at the base.
Who it suits
- Players who want a 6.25-foot cable
- Players who want 4 non-slip rubbers at the base
Skip it if
- You want a chrome foot pedal
- You want a 5-foot cable
The pedal has a polarity switch, ABS plastic and alloy steel construction, and a memory spring. It comes with a 6.25-foot cable and a 1/4-inch straight plug, and 4 non-slip rubbers sit at the bottom. Three printed circuit boards control the polarity switching. It suits electronic keyboards, digital pianos, MIDI controllers and more.
5Also Great
It earns Also Great with a polarity switch, an adjustable pedal stroke and a 1/4-inch plug.
Who it suits
- Players who want an adjustable pedal stroke
- Players who want a 1/4-inch plug
Skip it if
- You want a fixed pedal stroke
- You want a pedal in silver
The pedal has a positive and negative pole switch with an adjustable pedal stroke. It comes with a 1/4-inch plug in blister packaging. The model is SP-2 in black.
Side by side
| Product | Polarity switch | Half-damper / continuous | Piano-style pedal | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M-AUDIO SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal Classic Piano-Style | Yes | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | Not stated |
| M-AUDIO SP-1 Universal Sustain Pedal Compact Sustain | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| karmiero Sustain Pedal for Keyboard Universal | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| UPELLA Universal Sustain Pedal for Digital Piano | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| midiplus SP-2 Sustain Pedal | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
How we ranked these sustain 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.
- Polarity switch weight 2
- Half-damper / continuous weight 1
- Piano-style pedal weight 1
Buying advice: sustain pedal
Check the polarity switch first
A polarity switch keeps the pedal working with your keyboard. The M-AUDIO SP-2, M-AUDIO SP-1, karmiero and UPELLA pedals have a polarity switch, and the midiplus pedal has a positive and negative pole switch. If a note sustains without pressing the pedal, flip the switch. Check the switch before buying, since it decides compatibility.
Match the cable length to your setup
Cable length decides where the pedal sits. The M-AUDIO SP-2 comes with a 6-foot cable, the M-AUDIO SP-1 with a 5-foot cable, the karmiero with a 91-inch cable and the UPELLA with a 6.25-foot cable. Measure from your keyboard to your foot position, then pick a cable that reaches with slack.
Piano-style or compact foot switch
Pedal shape is the first choice to make. The M-AUDIO SP-2 is a piano-style pedal with a chrome foot pedal. The M-AUDIO SP-1 is a compact pedal with a ridged footrest. The karmiero pedal has a non-slip rubber bottom, and the UPELLA pedal has 4 non-slip rubbers at the base.
Frequently asked questions
What does a polarity switch do?
It flips the pedal signal so the pedal works with your keyboard. The M-AUDIO SP-2, M-AUDIO SP-1, karmiero and UPELLA pedals have one, and the midiplus pedal has a positive and negative pole switch. If a note sustains without pressing the pedal, flip the switch.
Which pedal comes with a 91-inch cable?
The karmiero pedal, with a 91-inch cable and a 1/4-inch jack. The UPELLA comes with a 6.25-foot cable, the M-AUDIO SP-2 with a 6-foot cable and the M-AUDIO SP-1 with a 5-foot cable.
Do I need a piano-style pedal?
Only if you want the classic piano action underfoot. The M-AUDIO SP-2 is the piano-style pedal here, with a chrome foot pedal.
What plug do these pedals use?
The M-AUDIO SP-2, M-AUDIO SP-1, karmiero, UPELLA and midiplus pedals use a 1/4-inch plug.
Gear that goes with it
Best Digital PianoTop pick: GLARRY 88-Key Semi-Weighted Digital Piano
Best Piano StandTop pick: tipatyard Keyboard Stand & Bench Set
Best Piano BenchTop pick: Liquid Stands Piano Bench Adjustable StoolMore sustain pedals guides
Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.