The best boost pedals can make a surprising difference to your overall electric guitar tone, yet they can be surprisingly simple in terms of design and use. Boost pedals are essentially an amplification stage in a box. They can be used to add more volume to your guitar signal for leads, or to smash your tube amp into searing saturation for heavy rhythm sections, making them a worthy addition to your pedalboard.
A one-trick pony, perhaps, but the best boost pedals have been at the heart of some of the most memorable guitar tones of the last 60 years. Boost pedals are primarily about making your guitar louder, yes, but historically they're also about pushing tube amplifiers into greater saturation, or 'stacking' with other drive pedals for effect. They’re normally less expensive than the best distortion pedals and the best overdrive pedals too.
So, is it simple? Yes. Relatively cost-effective? Also yes. But where do you begin? Well, in my opinion, if you’re after the best boost pedal overall, go for the Diamond Boost/EQ. It’s capable of many different practical applications on your pedalboard and sets new standards for boost pedal usage. Looking to save a buck? Budget aficionados, TC Electronic have been churning out the Spark Booster for the better part of two decades, giving bank accounts across the world a sigh of relief.
Having played guitar for over 20 years, I can say the number of boost pedals that have been on my board is borderline bananas – okay, that’s enough alliteration. But all that experimentation has given me the chance to discover what actually sounds good, what’s worth the money and which pedals to avoid. Here at Guitar World, we have decades of experience reviewing boost pedals, and collectively, we’re in a strong position to help guide you to the right choice.
Below, I’ve put together an FAQ section to answer common questions, as well as a glossary of key terms to help demystify the jargon. If you’ve never bought a boost pedal before, be sure to check out my how to choose section, where I’ve ranked the most important considerations to help you find the right pedal. But for now, let’s dive into some boost pedals.
Best overall
✅ Buy if you’re looking for a bit more out of your boost. The overdrive toggle and extra EQ capabilities make this an extremely versatile option for your pedalboard.
❌ Avoid if you’re on a budget: There are certainly less expensive boost pedals available.
Overview: Diamond Pedals have had an intriguing history. Founded in Canada around 2004, they started with a modest but well-respected selection of pedals. The brand’s most renowned offering was the Memory Lane delay, with players like Ed O’Brien and Eric Johnson among its alumni. However, their Boost/EQ also garnered a cult following. After Diamond Pedals were revived by Greg Djerrahian of SolidGoldFX in 2023, we now have an up-to-date version of this incredible booster pedal.
Build Quality: The Boost/EQ features four controls – a little more than the typical boost pedal DNA: level, gain, mids, and tilt. On top of that, there’s a toggle switch that kicks the pedal into overdrive, offering much more versatility and added grit when needed. The metal chassis is built to last; Diamond knows how to construct a gig-friendly stompbox, and the mechanical button switch clicks into place with firm reassurance. Being a handmade Canadian pedal, I’d expect this level of quality, but it’s reassuring to see the brand isn’t cutting any corners.
Usability: The full-sized four-control layout is incredibly easy to use. The two EQ knobs – mids and tilt – feature center-detent notches, so you can find the neutral position by feel. The tilt knob essentially works as a seesaw filter: turn it to the right to cut lows and boost highs, or to the left to do the reverse. In our review, we found this array works fantastically and is an intuitive setup that allows for instantly effective tone crafting. All controls function in both boost and overdrive modes, giving you plenty of tone-sculpting options depending on your needs.
Sounds: As a simple boost, the Diamond can generate 20dB of clean boost, so if you’re looking to tip your Marshall head into creamy overdriven territories, it’ll do that with aplomb. Having the mids and tilt features opens up the possibilities of this boost pedal, allowing subtle enhancements to bigger tone changes. From focussing on particular frequencies to giving your solos a different character, it’s pleasingly versatile.
Having the overdrive switch also means the pedal has low to medium overdriven capabilities, which will either work well as a gain stage amongst a larger chain, or for the player who doesn’t need anything too drastic. Overall, it’s a very well-built boost pedal that gives the player more opportunities than many others.
"The Diamond Boost/EQ is a supreme utility pedal capable of a host of practical applications in any signal chain."
Read our full Diamond Boost/EQ review
Best budget
✅ Buy if you’re after a super simple boost pedal: It’s got one knob, a footswitch and that’s it. No bells and whistles and this pedal simply serves a purpose.
❌ Avoid if you want to use a 9V battery: Since it’s so small, the Spark Mini can’t house a battery meaning you’ll have to use external power.
Overview: Launched by two Danish brothers in the mid-’70s, TC Electronic has topped “best of budget” lists for decades. So it’s no surprise that they make the best budget booster pedal. In fact, they’ve been doing just that since 2012, when the full-sized original was released. Just a year later, overstuffed pedalboards everywhere were relieved when the Mini was introduced and over a decade later, it’s still our budget boost champion.
Build Quality: For such a small pedal, this thing is built to last. The die-cast metal chassis feels like it could survive being thrown down the Stairway To Heaven. That’s also true of the PrimeTime switch – more on that later – which offers a soft-touch activation when pressed. As a compact pedal, it’s no surprise the input and output jacks are on the sides, so be sure to use pancake-style patch cables to save space. One more thing to note: the Spark Mini can’t take a 9V battery, so you’ll need to power it externally.
Usability: The main strength of the Spark Mini is also probably its main drawback – it’s simple to a fault. One knob, 20dB of gain, and that’s it. There are absolutely no bells and whistles here, so if you’re looking for extra features, this might not be the option for you. However, boost pedals serve a pretty simple purpose, and I know many players who will love the no-nonsense approach. Plus, the PrimeTime switch can detect whether you want the switch latched or momentary depending on whether you hold it down or not.
Sounds: In terms of voicing, it's relatively open, getting more compressed as you raise the gain. Without tons of character of its own, it works best smashing a tube amp rather than for coloring a guitar signal, to my taste, but I do know players who use it as an 'always on' pedal to do just that.
Best for simplicity
✅ Buy if you’re looking for a durable boost pedal: MXR knows how to make them sturdy, and the Micro Amp is as robust a pedal as you’re ever likely to come across.
❌ Avoid if 'board space is at a premium: For a single-knob pedal, this is still full-sized. Perhaps not ideal if you’re cramming in pedals.
Overview: MXR was originally founded in 1972 by friends Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood in Rochester, New York. It only took a few years for the pair to create, produce, and release the first M133 Micro Amp pedal in 1978 – an instant hit, largely thanks to its low price. The high-school chums ran the company until effects and accessory legend Jim Dunlop acquired the brand in 1987. Since then, the Micro Amp has been a constant in the lineup and has remained largely unchanged. If it ain’t broke…
Build Quality: MXR pedals are about as rugged as they come. A heavy-duty metal chassis and a reassuringly solid switch mean the Micro Amp should survive almost anything you throw at it – assuming you aren’t too heavy-footed. The plastic control knob isn’t the most robust, but it does the job, and its angular design makes it easy to grip and rotate. The Micro Amp can be powered by a battery, but you’ll need to remove the bottom plate each time you need to replace it.
Usability: Bare-bones, plain and simple, no-nonsense – all are equally suitable phrases to describe the Micro Amp. Jokes aside, MXR designed this boost to be as straightforward as possible, with just one control knob at your disposal. To increase the gain, turn clockwise (with up to 26dB of gain on tap); to reduce it, turn counterclockwise. Easy-peasy.
Sounds: I've always been a sucker for the sound of an MXR Micro Amp stacked into another drive pedal or used to slam a tube amp. That said, while it’s great for coaxing extra saturation from a Big Muff or getting your leads to jump out in a band mix, I admit it’s no longer the best value for money, given all the other great and affordable options on the market.
Best harmonics
✅ Buy if you’d like more sustain and thickness: The SVDS doesn’t just boost your volume; it puts more meat on the bones of your tone.
❌ Avoid if you don’t want any added coloration: Rather than just a volume boost, the SVDS will color your tone more than a standard clean boost pedal.
Overview: The SoloDallas SVDS Boost has one of the most obscure and serendipitous origin stories out there. It’s based on the Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS), a state-of-the-art wireless system from the late ’70s. Players like Angus Young and David Gilmour discovered that the preamp in this setup didn’t just add up to 30dB of boost; thanks to a mix of compressor, expander, enhanced EQ, and an optical limiter, it also delivered harmonically rich frequencies.
If you’re unsure of the tone I’m talking about, just listen to AC/DC's Back In Black – it was Young’s secret sauce during the recording of that legendary album. Today, guitarists don’t need to mess around with vintage wireless systems, because tone hounds SoloDallas have released a stompbox based on that famous circuit.
Build Quality: Ultimately, this is an incredibly simple setup. SoloDallas has included the advanced circuitry under the hood, so all you have to do is decide where to set the gain/volume knob and off you go. It’s a sturdy little pedal that’ll survive an enthusiastic kick or two after doing a duck walk. It’s a completely analog pedal, utilizing a high-quality PCB, gold contacts and a bright blue LED light, not to mention the Neutrik input and output jacks. It’s also incredibly compact, meaning it’ll slot nicely between most pedals, ideal if you’re struggling for space.
Usability: Being a single-knob pedal, usability couldn’t be simpler. The control knob is especially prominent – standing a bit taller than your standard knob – so it’s never fiddly or hard to adjust. Most players will use this pedal in one of two ways: either after your gain-stage pedals or right in front of your amp’s preamp. Of course, some trial and error will help you find your preferred setup, but in either of these positions, the SVDS adds plenty of midrange presence that lets your tone cut right through the mix.
Sounds: It’s fair to say the SVDS adds a certain je ne sais quoi – that sprinkling of mojo you hear on great records like Back In Black. With the volume dialed back, it gives you a moreish, fattened gain bump; as you turn the dial up, things get sharper and crunchier.
The harmonic content it provides is eye-opening, with a midrange push that you feel as much as you hear. Its thickening effect on your tone, along with the extra sustain, is a classic rock guitarist’s dream. It will add more coloration than a typical boost does, however, that’s the point, do provide an extra mojo you didn’t realize you were missing.
"The SoloDallas SVDS Boost offers up to 30dB of gain boost, but its superpower is punching your guitar tone with presence, thickened gain and sustain, and percussive harmonics, which truly enriches the dynamic 'feel' of your playing."
Read our full SoloDallas SVDS Boost review
Best compact
✅ Buy if you’ve got a Big Muff: There’s a reason this pedal pairing is still a staple for guitarists today; it’s a combo to die for.
❌ Avoid if you need an authentic boost: This may be overkill if you’re simply looking for a straightforward volume boost.
Overview: For not much more money than a single-knob boost, you can get this: a full-fat overdrive in the modern, mini incarnation of the venerable Ibanez Tubescreamer. Technically, it’s more of an overdrive than a boost, but thanks to the historic practice of turning the level all the way up and the drive all the way down, it absolutely deserves its place here. After all, where would guitar music be without that venerated mid-range Tubescreamer hump?
Build Quality: The Mini, believe it or not, is incredibly compact; however, Ibanez hasn’t removed any controls. The level, drive, and tone knobs are all there, albeit with micro-sized tone and level knobs. The metal chassis provides plenty of peace of mind, and I much prefer the mechanical button footswitch on the Mini to the rectangular one found on the original – it feels much more durable and tactile.
Usability: Since it’s technically not a pure boost, the Tubescreamer offers a few more controls, like tone and drive, giving you some extra options to tweak. The smaller tone and level knobs can get a bit fiddly, but for most players this is a set-and-forget kind of pedal, so I have few complaints.
Sounds: It stacks well, and its EQ profile lends itself to interesting pairings – for example, with a Big Muff, which has a frequency notch where the Tubescreamer boosts. As a result, a common trick is to use the Big Muff for rhythm and then stack it with a Tubescreamer for leads, making scooped mids suddenly jump out of the mix. It’s ironic that perhaps the most famous boost of all time is technically an overdrive, but no matter: turn the drive down, turn the level up, and see what all the fuss is about.
Most versatile
✅ Buy if you want more than a boost: This dual pedal provides a volume boost, but the overdrive side, alongside the compression, classic/modern and EQ dip switches, opens up the floor for much more.
❌ Avoid if you have large fingers: The slightly cramped layout may get a bit frustrating if you have clumsy fingers.
Overview: To put them into their own words, Xotic is a "Small California company that is all about tone." If you’re not familiar, it’s a great time to get acquainted. Producing high-end, luxury guitars isn’t their only forte; in fact, the AC Booster V2 is the best booster pedal on the market, in my opinion. A plethora of well-respected players use the first iteration released in 2002 – Mike McCready, Paul Gilbert and Reeves Gabrels to name but a few – and now, Xotic has added a few upgraded features to make this option even better.
Build Quality: Let’s get this out of the way: the AC Booster blurs the line between overdrive and boost. If you’re after versatility, it’s hard to beat. A unique feature is the adjustable power modes – choose between 9V and 18V. Running at 18V gives you more headroom and a less compressed, more dynamic tone. The dual-button design lets you bring in or cut out the boost as needed, and if you prefer, you can power it with a standard 9V battery.
Usability: The five-knob layout is simple enough to get up and running, though the controls are a bit cramped – especially the mini-boost switch in the middle. The dip switches on the side of the pedal unlock even more versatility, allowing you to tweak frequency boosts, compression, and gain levels. While these switches are small and a bit fiddly, you’re unlikely to need to adjust them during a performance.
Sounds: Rolling back the gain and cranking the volume transforms the AC Booster into a true boost pedal, delivering up to 20dB of clean gain when maxed out. Bringing in the gain control adds a low- to mid-gain overdrive that’s impressively dynamic and has a natural midrange warmth. For a more transparent sound, flick the dip switch to classic mode; this setting recalls the original 2002 AC Booster. Prefer something hotter? The modern mode ups the gain, giving you a hairier, more aggressive articulation.
"It’s a no-brainer that Xotic’s AC Booster V2 is an outstanding update of the original pedal. With even more dynamic response, an additional gain stage boost and four external DIP switches for expanded tonal functionality, the ACV2 will undoubtedly find a home on many players’ pedalboards."
Read our full Xotic AC Booster V2 review
Also consider
How to choose a boost pedal
If you’re shopping for a boost pedal and have no idea where to start, this section is for you. Whether you’re a beginner or reasonably informed but still a bit lost, these three considerations will help you end up with the boost pedal that’s right for you. I’ve honed this process over nearly a decade working in a guitar store, helping players of all stripes find their next boost pedal.
Transparent or colored boost?
This is the best place to start: do you want your boost pedal to simply increase the volume, or do you want it to add some color to your tone as well? Traditional boost pedals are transparent, they only increase volume, making them ideal if you want to keep your existing tone intact. On the other hand, some boost pedals (like the SoloDallas SVDS) add harmonic content and thickness to your sound on top of the volume boost. There’s no right or wrong choice here, but it’s important to decide how you want your boost to behave.
Gain/Volume
Next, consider how much of a boost you actually need. This means digging into spec sheets to avoid ending up with a pedal that’s too weak, or so loud it’s hard to control. Each boost pedal will raise your volume by a certain amount, measured in dB. If you want the option for an extremely loud boost, pay close attention to the maximum gain so you’re not left short-handed.
Size
A practical consideration, but an important one. While many boost pedals have simple controls, they come in all shapes and sizes. Some one-knob pedals are still full-sized, so keep in mind where it will go in your signal chain. If you need a mini option, focus on the best compact pedals for your board.
Extra options
Some boost pedals blend different effects together, most commonly overdrive. If you’re after a utility pedal, shopping for a boost is a good opportunity to find a model that gives you more than one effect. For example, the Xotic AC Booster V includes an overdrive circuit, a compressor dip switch, modern gain tones, and EQ controls all in one box.
FAQ
What does a boost pedal do?
Simply put, a boost pedal increases the volume of your guitar signal. But why would a guitarist want that? There are a few reasons. First, guitarists want all the attention when wailing out a solo, and hitting a boost not only turns heads your way, but also gives a noticeable difference between your rhythm and solo tone.
For those who remember – or still play – tube amplifiers, a boost pedal can push your amp’s preamp into a sweet natural overdrive that your guitar’s volume knob alone can’t achieve.
Also, if a session guitarist regularly swaps between single-coil and humbucker guitars, which have different output levels, a boost pedal can help match the volume difference, functioning as a handy utility pedal.
What is a clean boost pedal?
A clean boost pedal is one that won’t color your tone in any way – it simply increases your volume. Sometimes, guitarists use pedals to add extra clipping (distortion) or pleasant harmonic frequencies, but with a clean boost, the goal is transparency. If you’re just looking to make your current tone louder, without any added coloration, a clean boost is what you want.
Think of it this way: if you’ve spent a lot of time, effort, and money dialing in the perfect guitar, pedal, and amplifier combination, a boost that adds a different vibe could muddy your desired tone. A clean boost simply increases the volume of your existing sound, perfect for solos or when you need to stand out, without changing the character of your tone.
What's the difference between a boost and an overdrive pedal?
Although commonly found together, there is a key difference between a boost and an overdrive pedal. A boost pedal was originally created to provide more volume, often to push a tube amp past its headroom, causing it to distort naturally. In contrast, an overdrive pedal provides its own internal distortion (clipping), coloring your guitar’s tone and changing its character.
There are plenty of pedals that combine both functions, since players often select an overdrive pedal to shape their tone, and then use a boost pedal to increase the volume of that overdriven sound, perfect for highlighting a solo or changing dynamics within a song.
Where should I put a boost pedal in my signal chain?
Like any effects pedal, where you place a boost in your signal chain is up to you, but there are a few popular methods. Ultimately, it depends on whether you want a gain boost or a volume boost.
If you’re after a gain boost, place the boost pedal in front of your gain pedals or amp. This will push the front end of your drive pedals or amp harder, adding more saturation and compression, taking your sound from mild to heavy.
If, on the other hand, you simply want to raise the volume of your existing tone without adding extra color or distortion, place the boost at the very end of your pedal chain. This will provide a clean volume lift, raising the overall level of your signal.
Are boost pedals good for beginners?
I would typically suggest a different pedal for beginners. When I worked in a guitar store, many new players would come in asking for a boost pedal, but they usually meant overdrive. Most beginners don’t have a setup extensive enough for a boost to be effective, especially if they don’t have other effects pedals or are using a basic amp that only offers clean tones or mediocre overdrive.
It’s far more useful for beginners to start with pedals like overdrive, distortion, modulation, reverb, or delay – effects that actually change their sound and inspire creativity – rather than just making things louder. Having a pedal that transforms your tone is a better way to learn and stay motivated in the early stages.
Can I use an overdrive pedal as a boost?
Yes, you can use an overdrive pedal as a boost. Most overdrives have a ‘level’ or ‘volume’ control that boosts your signal and increases the output. However, there are a few other things happening as well: overdrive pedals are designed to add clipping, which introduces more compression and color to your tone.
So, while an overdrive can act as a boost, it will also add character, sometimes grit or warmth, depending on the pedal. This might be exactly what you’re after, but just know it won’t be as transparent as a traditional clean boost, it’ll always add something extra to your sound.
Glossary
Boost pedal: An effects pedal designed to increase the volume of your signal.
Clean boost: A boost pedal that raises your volume without coloring or altering your tone in any way.
Gain: A control on an effects pedal or amp that increases or decreases the signal strength, often affecting how much the signal distorts.
Headroom: The amount of space an effects pedal or amplifier has before it starts to distort. High headroom means you need a higher signal level to reach distortion.
Signal chain: The order in which your guitar signal passes through your effects pedals and other devices.
Overdrive: An effect that mimics the sound of an amp being pushed into saturation, producing a grittier, more distorted tone than clean guitar sound.
Compression: An effect that reduces the dynamic range by controlling the difference between the loudest and quietest parts of your signal. It evens out your sound by turning down peaks and raising softer parts.
EQ: Abbreviation for equalization. Refers to adjusting specific frequency ranges – typically bass, middle, and treble – by cutting or boosting them.
Midrange: The frequency range between roughly 250 Hz and 5,000 Hz. Essential for guitar, as it helps the instrument stand out in a mix and adds body and warmth.
Transparent boost: A boost that increases your volume without coloring your tone or changing the frequency response.
Colored boost: A boost pedal that increases volume while also adding character – such as extra frequencies, overdrive, or tonal coloration – to your sound.
True bypass: A feature that, when a pedal is off, routes your signal directly from input to output, bypassing the pedal’s circuitry to avoid altering your tone.
Stacking: The practice of using multiple pedals of the same type – typically overdrive or distortion – in series to create a thicker, richer sound.
How we choose the best boost pedals
At Guitar World, our team consists of expert musicians with years of experience playing and testing various guitar products, including a plethora of guitar pedals. As passionate guitar enthusiasts, we understand the significance of achieving the perfect tone and sound, and we leverage our extensive knowledge and practical experience gained from using these products in live performances, recording sessions, and rehearsals to identify the best products for our guides.
To curate our list of the best boost pedals, we combine practical experience, user feedback, and in-depth discussions with our editorial team to reach a consensus. We take into account several factors such as pricing, versatility, build quality, and audio quality to ensure we showcase the very best boost pedals available on the market today.
As guitar players ourselves, we understand the importance of having the right gear to create the perfect sound. Therefore, we are committed to providing reliable and informed recommendations to help guitar players find the ideal boost pedal to suit their specific needs and preferences. Our ultimate aim is to empower guitar players to unlock their full potential by elevating their sound with the best guitar gear available.
Read more about how we test products and services and how we make our recommendations.
Why you can trust us
☑️ A global audience of 3.8 million guitarists monthly
☑️ Over 40,000 reviews on GuitarWorld.com
☑️ 30+ years of product testing at Guitar World
Guitar World boasts over 44 years of expertise and stands as the ultimate authority on all things related to guitars. The magazine and website feature expertly written gear round-ups and top-quality, authoritative reviews penned by a team of highly experienced industry professionals.
Guitar World's inaugural print issue hit the shelves in July 1980, and ever since, it has been captivating players and enthusiasts with engaging lessons, insightful interviews with the biggest guitar heroes, and priceless buying advice for newbie players.
Furthermore, GuitarWorld.com continues this legacy online and serves as the hub of the world's foremost authorities on guitar playing. The site not only hosts content from Guitar World but also showcases articles from respected publications such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques, and Bass Player. With a reach extending to 3.8 million players each month, GuitarWorld.com is a go-to destination for guitar fanatics globally.
Below you'll find more information on the expert authors of this guide.
Meet the experts
Alex Lynham is a gear obsessive who's been collecting and building modern and vintage equipment since he got his first Saturday job. Besides reviewing countless pedals for Total Guitar, he's written guides on how to build your first pedal, how to build a tube amp from a kit, and briefly went viral when he released a glitch delay pedal, the Atom Smasher.
Ross has been a music lover and guitar player since the age of 8. He has spent the five years since graduating from university working in music retail, selling guitars, amps and more. Ross is particularly interested in electric guitars, pedals and amplifiers and his current rig includes a trusty 2009 American Standard Stratocaster and Vox AC30S1 with a few Walrus Audio and Way Huge pedals in between.
Latest updates
29/09/26: The guide has been completely rewritten and updated with the best boost pedals currently available. We've made out top choices easier to navigate with a product block at the top of the guide. We've broken all six main entries into several categories so you can find the info that's relevant to you straight away, along with a trio of other boost pedals we think are also worth a closer look. Each boost pedal also includes a pros and cons panel, and the FAQ section is completely new. We've also included a How To Choose section, along with a brand new glossary explaining the key terms you may come across while shopping. Sections detailing how we chose the products and why you can trust the Guitar World team have also been added. Finally, there's now a Meet The Experts section, giving some background info on the guide's authors.
Read more
You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
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