What if, “you get what you pay for” is dead wrong? Cheap distortion pedals can deliver just as much tube-like quality sound, tonal control, and flexibility as their pricier cohorts. Many of the budget distortion pedals are described as being ideal for beginners, but are easily the pedalboard go-tos for famed pros, too.
These aren’t just the good-enough pedals either. No no, my friend. The distortion pedals on this list passed ‘good’ eons ago and now enjoy rockstar status. So instead of standing over the pedal counter at your local guitar shop trying to make sense of what each has to offer, check out our list of the best cheap distortion pedals out there, starting with the cheapest.
1. Donner Morpher Distortion Pedal $30
The Donner Morpher is a Suhr Riot clone, which some might take issue with; but if you’re looking for quality on a budget, this is your pedal. This pedal has a simple interface and delivers smooth high gain distortion with a dynamic response that really is a great tool for any skill level. Really.
More about the simple interface: it has a toggle that allows you to go between Natural, Tight, and Classic. There’s also two small knobs for Level and Tone with a larger one for Gain. Makes sense that the Donner Morpher would only have the essentials because that’s all there’s room for…or maybe the size is because it only has the essentials…
Let’s get back on track. The sound. This little powerhouse is excellent for those epic 80s metal tones because it shines in more mid-range sounds, but not so much for modern metal.
Pros: The simple interface is very beginner-friendly. If you’re going for an 80s metal sound, it’s right on the money.
Cons: There’s no power adapter and no option for battery power, so you’ll have to buy the adapter separately. The Donner Morpher pedal is focused on mid-range, so its use is limited, but at least it does what it does well.
Donner Morpher Pedal Features:
- Control knobs for Tone, Level, and Gain
- Toggle switch for Natural, Tight, and Classic
- True Bypass
- 9V adapter required
- Input: 1 x ¼”
- Output: 1 x ¼”
2. TC Electronic Dark Matter $70
The TC Electronic Dark Matter is like the Vegas all-you-can-eat buffet of distortion pedals. TC Electronic set their distortion pedal apart by focusing on tone shaping and EQ, allowing Dark Matter to cover a wide range of tones and styles.
Unlike other distortion pedals that will have a single tone knob, Dark Matter has two knobs that allow you control the low and high ends independently to keep the saturation from becoming muddy. There’s also a Voice switch that allows you to go between a vintage sound to a more tight, modern sound. And because the fine people at TC Electronic won’t settle for basic, even the Gain knob is more dynamic than other distortion pedal makers. Turning the Gain knob not only changes the level but also the characteristic of the gain. Finally, the Treble and Bass knobs make up the two band EQ control.
Pros: Performs well from low gain to high, and suits almost any genre of music, vintage to modern. Basically, it’s a really versatile pedal. The enclosure is durable with a nice weight to it.
Cons: Surprisingly, it falls short in the metal department of sound.
TC Electronic Dark Matter Distortion Pedal Features:
- Gain, Level, Bass, and Treble controls
- Voicing switch shifts the bass response
- True bypass preserves your tone
- A tough metal chassis
- Inputs: 1 x Instrument
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4″
- Power Source: 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
- Batteries: 1 x 9V
3. Boss DS-1 $75
The Boss DS-1 is so dynamic, reliable, durable, and rich that it’s a complete mystery as to why it’s still such a cheap distortion pedal. The Boss DS-1 is a solid go-to stompbox for the whole spectrum of rock, from indie to grunge. The gain production falls short of being able to deliver heavy metal noise, but what it can accomplish, it does very well. This pedal has become a favorite of many familiar rock names for just how well it nails imitating valve distortion, including Muse, Silversun Pickups, and The Killers.
Use the three knob controls to push and pull tone, output, and distortion to draw out loads of varying sounds with subtle boosts, crunch, and fuzz. The Boss DS-1 will shine when it’s used with both clean and distorted amps, but pulls off that tube-like sound when paired with a clean channel. Oh, and this thing can take a beating, so it will last you years.
Pros: The Boss DS-1 has a simple control scheme and a relatively clean bypass. It’s a great pedal for lower gain setting with rhythm and chord strumming and can hold its own in the mid-range.
Cons: It falls short for any genre outside of blues, rock, and grunge because of the trouble it has with high-gain settings.
BOSS DS-1 Distortion Effects Pedal Features:
- Tone, Distortion, and Level controls
- Nominal Input Level: -20 dBu
- Input Impedance: 470 ohms
- Nominal Output Level: -20 dBu
- Output Impedance: 1 k ohms
- Equivalent Input Noise Level: -122 dBu (IHF-A, Typ.)
- Connectors: Input Jack, Output Jack, AC Adapter Jack (9V DC)
4. Pro Co RAT 2 $90
The Pro Co RAT has been gracing pedalboards since 1978 and still going strong. Why? This incredibly versatile dirt box has proven its distinct flexibility. That’s why guitarists have used it across multiple genres, like grunge, punk, rock, blues, and jazz. It can deliver everything from a subtle boost to gnarly fuzz, and everything in between. The three knobs are as intuitive as you’d expect. Distortion, Filter, and Volume control your saturation, warmth, clarity, and output.
This pedal really lives up to the hype, too. Kurt Cobain, Alice in Chain’s Jerry Cantrell, and MUSE’s Matt Bellamy are just a few rockers that are RAT loyalists. Recreate the sound put out by these guys and countless others, or create something all your own with the RAT’s generous spread of sounds and tones.
Pros: For this price, it comes with everything you need to get to playing right away. The smooth fuzz takes the edge off of the distortion, making it ideal for grunge, punk, and rock.
Cons: Too smooth is a thing, and it tends to take the edge off of your distortion. Depending on the sound you’re going for, this can get in the way.
Pro Co RAT 2 Pedal Features:
- Famous hard-clipping distortion
- Subtle overdrive to metal-ready high gain and fuzz
- Near-indestructible metal enclosure
- Stylish “A” status LED
- Glow-in-the-dark graphics
- Inputs: 1 x 1/4″
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4″
- True Bypass: Yes
- Controls: Distortion, Filter, Volume
- Power Source: 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
- Batteries: 1 x 9V
5. MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion $100
The MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion pedal is another Jack of all trades kind of machine, starting with the Distortion knob. It’s more responsive than most and gives you a pretty wide range of saturation, from clean to metal. What makes this stompbox a truly versatile tool is the three band equalizer. Then add on the Distortion and Output knobs, making it easier to pull out all sorts of tonal textures, from squeaky clean to down right dirty.
Want to be able to span genres, from blues to metal, without changing your pedal? The Super Badass Distortion pedal is just that versatile and well balanced. Once you dial it up to the level of distortion you’re after, use the Bass, Mid, and Treble knobs to fine tune your sound.
Pros: The Super Badass Distortion pedal is the best in versatility, especially for the price, with superb sound-shaping capabilities. This pedal has an intuitive interface and true bypass. It’s also easier to find on the market, next to some others on this list.
Cons: It’s not ideal for stacking with overdrive pedals and the enclosure isn’t as durable as most pedals.
MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion Features:
- A full range of dirt, from low-gain overdrive to modern metal
- True bypass switching
- Inputs: 1 x 1/4″
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4″
- Bypass Switching: True Hardwire
- EQ: 3-band EQ
- Power Source: 9V DC power supply required (sold separately)
- Batteries: 1 x 9V
Our Top Choice for a Cheap Distortion Pedal
TC Electronic Dark Matter, you win this round. It’s just so damn versatile! The finesse and dynamism you get for the money is so unheard of, you’ll wonder if TC Electronics knows how valuable this pedal really is.
So, Which Distortion Pedal Is Right for You?
A good spot to start when figuring out where to put your dollars? Easy: Who do you want to sound like? What genre of music do you play? If you want to just go ham and try multiple pedals at once, start with the used pedal bin at your local guitar shop and try other gear while you’re at it. Ask them questions. Experimenting with different pedals and configurations is a good time, so enjoy the ride.