You'll see the same brand names on almost every pedalboard. Here's who they are and what they're known for, with the price tier where their pedals typically sit. Prices vary by model, so treat the tiers as a rough guide.
| Brand | Known for | Typical tier |
|---|---|---|
| Boss | Tough compact pedals: DS-1, DD series, CE-2, BD-2, tuners | Mid-range |
| Electro-Harmonix | Big Muff, Memory Man, Small Clone, Holy Grail | Budget to mid-range |
| MXR / Dunlop | Phase 90, Carbon Copy, Dyna Comp; Cry Baby wah | Mid-range |
| Ibanez | Tube Screamer family | Mid-range |
| TC Electronic | 2290 rack, Flashback, Hall of Fame, PolyTune | Budget to mid-range |
| DigiTech | Whammy pitch shifter | Mid-range |
| Keeley | Modded classics, compressors | Mid-range to boutique |
| Wampler | Amp-like drives | Mid-range to boutique |
| EarthQuaker Devices | Creative fuzzes, ambient and glitchy effects | Mid-range to boutique |
| JHS | Drives and modern takes on classics | Mid-range to boutique |
| Walrus Audio | Lush modulation and reverb, artful enclosures | Boutique |
| Strymon | High-end digital delay, reverb, modulation | Premium |
| Behringer, Mooer and similar | Takes on classic circuits | Budget-friendly |
The classics
Boss, part of Roland, has made compact pedals since the late '70s. They're famously hard to break, which is why they're on stages everywhere. Electro-Harmonix, founded in New York in the late '60s, is quirky and prolific. MXR started in the '70s and is now part of Dunlop, home of the Cry Baby. Ibanez's Tube Screamer is the reference overdrive. DigiTech's Whammy, a treadle-controlled pitch shifter, is commonly associated with Tom Morello.
The boutique wave
From the 2000s, smaller American makers grew big. Keeley started by modding Boss and Ibanez pedals. Wampler and JHS focus heavily on drives, and JHS's videos made pedal history popular viewing. EarthQuaker Devices and Walrus Audio lean into experimental and ambient sounds. Strymon makes digital pedals that rival studio gear.
Budget makers
Behringer, Mooer and similar brands typically offer budget-friendly pedals, often inspired by famous circuits. They're a great way to learn what each effect does before you spend more. TC Electronic typically sits in between: modern features at a modest cost.
Brand isn't everything. A well-set budget pedal beats a boutique one used badly.