We get it, researching the best pedalboard power supply for your effects might not be the most exciting part of assembling the ultimate guitar rig, but choose wisely, and it'll go a long way toward helping you achieve an out-of-this-world guitar tone.
The more pedals you amass, the more you'll come to realize that a quality power supply is absolutely essential. Of course, by increasing the number of stompboxes on your 'board, you open up the sonic possibilities of your rig, but you also increase the likelihood of the dreaded hum and buzz that can ruin your carefully crafted tone.
A good pedal power supply - particularly a supply with isolated outputs - results in noise reduction in your signal chain and a cleaner, more intuitive pedalboard operation overall. And who doesn't want that?
Right now, there are a lot of options vying for your hard-earned cash, delivering a range of outputs and configurations at wide-ranging price points. With that in mind, we've explored the market to compile this list of the best pedalboard power supplies available today.
Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as more than 20 years performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.
Best pedalboard power supplies: Product guide
Type: Isolated power supply
Isolated outputs: 12
Switchable voltage: Yes
+ 12 isolated outputs
+ Switchable voltage
+ 9V AC output
- Overkill for small 'boards
We have to say, we were mighty impressed with the Truetone 1 Spot Pro. This true powerhouse supply boasts 12 fully isolated outputs – six 9V outputs from 100mA - 250mA, one 4-9V variable output, two high-draw 9V outputs, and two 18V outputs. Additionally, there’s a 9V AC output, which in our testing, we used to power older Whammy and DigiTech pedals.
Furthermore, outlets three through six are switchable between 9-volt and 12-volt operation, and individual toggle switches on the bottom of the power brick allow the user to set up any combination of power values.
You also get a variety of cables in lengths from 21” to 26,” three adapters for pedals with reversed polarity or different jack types and a 9-volt battery adapter cable. A pedal power supply that should cover all your needs.
Type: Isolated power supply
Isolated outputs: 10
Switchable voltage: N/A
+ Compact/quite portable
+ Outputs are fully isolated
+ LED indicators
- Outputs have specific uses that might not be ideal in every situation
The Iso-Brick boasts 10 outputs, making it possible to run a wide range of pedals with noise-free DC power. The outputs are fully isolated and we found them to be extremely quiet, accommodating a variety of voltage and current requirements, too.
Featuring two 9V outputs at 100mA, two 9V outputs at 300mA, two 9V outputs at 450mA, two 18V outputs at 250mA and two 6-15V variable voltage outputs that can emulate voltage “sag”, this really is a "do it all" power supply.
Beyond just doing its job – and rather well, we discovered – the Iso-Brick offers additional thoughtful touches, including a recessed, right-angled power cable for easy pedalboard placement and glowing LED indicators on each output to keep the user up to speed on the status of the connected pedal.
Type: Isolated power supply
Isolated outputs: 5
Switchable voltage: Automatic
+ 500mA current on each output
+ Ojai units can be chained together
+ Automatic worldwide power compatibility
- Separate, laptop-style power supply
The Strymon Ojai is a powerful, compact box offering five high-current outputs that offer a massive 500mA on each output. The five outputs are also individually isolated, ultra-low-noise and have their own dedicated regulators and custom transformers. And if five isn’t enough, additional Ojai units can be added on via a 24V Thru jack, without the need to plug into a wall outlet.
There’s also two stages of isolation, eliminating ground loop and AC line noise issues, as well as automatic worldwide power compatibility for ease of use on stages anywhere in the world. What’s more, the Ojai comes in a low-profile R30 version for smaller boards, as well as a larger, nine-output Zuma model (the Zuma, meanwhile, also comes in its own low-profile iteration, the R300).
Type: Isolated power supply
Isolated outputs: 5
Switchable voltage: Yes
+ Small footprint
+ Affordable
+ Expandable
- Feels a little cheap compared to the premium options
There is nothing more important than extra space on your pedalboard, and the thought of giving up that prime real estate to an oversized power supply can drive some guitar players crazy. Luckily Ernie Ball has a solution – the Volt power supply.
Measuring in at just 90 x 59 x 23mm - smaller than a pack of Super Slinkys - the Volt will happily fit on the smallest of 'boards. This pocket-size pedal power unit includes five 9/18V isolated DC outputs - at 300mA - and if that isn’t enough, you can also daisy chain units together to expand the number of pedals you can power.
The inclusion of LED status indicators for each input and output is a nice touch – allowing you to see the status of each outlet on a dark stage.
Type: Partially isolated power supply
Isolated outputs: 4
Outputs: 4
Switchable voltage: Yes
+ Competitively priced
+ LED indicators
+ Voltage switching for worldwide use
- Only four isolated outputs
The Macro Power S8 boasts a combination of eight isolated and non-isolated outputs – one switchable 9V, 12V, 15V and 18V at 200mA, three independent 9Vs at 200mA and four parallel 9Vs that share a total of 400mA.
While the non-isolated 400mA isn’t a huge amount, we found it substantial enough to handle most digital pedals. If not, there’s a handy LED that switches off when a pedal requires more power than the output has available. There’s also overcurrent protection and voltage switching for worldwide use, making the Macro Power a versatile and extremely handy unit – especially at its price point.
Type: Isolated DC power supply
Isolated outputs: 12
Outputs: 10 x 9V/500mA outputs, 2 switchable 9v/12 and 200mA/500mA
Switchable voltage: Yes
+ High capacity
+ 500mA across all outputs
+ Low noise
- Pricey
There are a dozen isolated outputs on this baby, and every one of them is rated up to 500mA. That may sound like overkill, but we like to think of it as futureproofing.
Ten of the outputs are 9V/500mA, while the remaining two are switchable 9V/12V and 200mA/500mA. With the right voltage doubler, it can serve 18V and 24V pedals too.
The Pedal Power 3 PLUS’ transformer also benefits from an ultra-smooth, 80 nanosecond polarity reversal, which is so quiet there’s virtually no-noise whatsoever.
Type: Isolated USB power supply
Isolated outputs: 5
Outputs: 4 150mA 9V outputs, 1 500mA 9V output
Switchable voltage: Yes
+ USB power
+ Can be used with portable battery packs
+ Five isolated outputs
- Some outputs might not provide enough power for digital pedals
Mission Engineering’s 529 power converter makes it possible to power a pedalboard via USB. You can power up to four standard and one high-powered pedal (via four 150mA and one 500mA outputs) using a phone charger, laptop or any USB port. There’s also an included USB dual wall power supply.
Conveniently, the 529 can be connected to a portable battery pack, and you can also daisy chain two units together to power up to 10 pedals. Even two 529s don’t take up a lot of space – the box stands just an inch tall and weighs a quarter pound.
Type: Isolated DC power supply
Isolated outputs: 8
Outputs: 8 x 6V/500mA outputs, 2 switchable 9V/12v/18V
Switchable voltage: Yes
+ Looks a treat
+ 500mA outlets
+ Rugged
- Too many outputs for some
Clearly taking its design cues from Fender’s principal line of effects pedals, the playfully named Engine Room is a bit of a looker. Its clean, brushed aluminium casing, with those softly curved edges, looks too good to Velcro to the underside of a pedalboard!
Despite its modest price tag, the LVL8’s spec is up there with the best. It boasts eight ground-isolated outlets of which six can deliver 9Vdc at 500mA. The remaining pair provide switchable voltages of 9V, 12V or 18V via two three-way toggle switches.
Two-color LEDs let you know which outlets are providing power by glowing green and there are 5v USB-A and USB-C sockets for charging tablets and mobiles. A very useful touch should you want to integrate tablet apps into your performances.
Type: Isolated DC power supply
Isolated outputs: 15
Outputs: 8 x 100mA outputs, 4 high-current 300mA outputs, 2 switchable 9-volt/12-volt outputs, 1 switchable 9-volt/18-volt output
Switchable voltage: Yes
+ Handles 15 pedals
+ All isolated outputs
+ Toggle switches for variable voltage
- Better options out there if you don't need variable voltage
The Walrus Audio Phoenix is an absolute beast, giving you isolated power that can handle 9, 12 and 18V power in a total of 15 different pedals. Four 300mA outlets are available and made to handle larger pedals while keeping your signal clean and noise-free. Toroidal transformers assist in this process by providing noise filtering and clean power.
Additionally, the unit comes with 15 – 2.1mm barrel black power cables, 2 – 2.1mm barrel red (center positive) cables and a detachable IEC cable.
While it's not a cheap power supply, it has none of the features and burnt-smelling calling cards of a cheaper supply either. You get, with this power supply, everything you pay for.
Type: Isolated DC power supply
Isolated outputs: 5
Outputs: 5 x 9V DC 120mA outputs
Switchable voltage: Yes
+ Affordably priced
+ Good for small pedalboards
+ Switchable voltage
- Not ideal for high-current effects
A small and simple power solution, the Fuel Tank Junior (the most compact of T-Rex’s four Fuel Tank units) boasts five isolated 9V DC outputs, with all necessary cables included.
Each output puts out up to 120mA, and you can also use two of the outputs to power an 18V pedal - or even power five pedals from one output - with a max of 24mA each. There’s also switchable 115V/230V operation for international use.
Overall, a great - and affordable - unit, especially if don’t need to power more than a few pedals at once. If those pedals are high-current pedals, however - this might not be the best buy.
Type: Isolated DC power supply
Isolated outputs: 5
Outputs: 5 x DC outlets, 6W each, 660mA at 9V on each outlet switchable to 9V, 12V, 15V and 18V
Switchable voltage: Yes
+ Tiny, yet powerful up to 660mA
+ Four switchable voltages
+ Ideal for small/medium pedalboards
- Not cheap
The SOL packs a real punch for such a tiny unit. Five outlets can provide up to 660mA at 9v, or you can use the dip switches to configure any one of them to provide four switchable voltages – 9V, 12V, 15V and 18V. It’s absolutely ideal for guitarists with modestly sized boards that feature a handful of modern high-end, power-hungry effects pedals and units.
All five outlets are isolated, and sophisticated multi-stage filtering takes care of any remaining unwanted noise. Thoughtfully, CIOKS ships the SOL with mounting hardware for Pedaltrain and Templeaudio boards, plus nine flex cables.
Type: Non-isolated DC power supply
Isolated outputs: 10
Outputs: 7 x 100mA 9V outputs, 1 x 500mA 9V output, 1 x 100mA 12V output, 1 x 100mA 18V output
+ Low price point
+ 10 outputs
+ LED short circuit warning indicators
- Outputs aren't isolated
- Power adaptor is a bit unwieldy
The Joyo JP-02 boasts 10 filtered outputs, with power options for 9V, 12V and 18V effects. Each output is at 100mA, with one 9V output at 500mA. Each output also has an isolated short circuit and overcurrent protection. Additionally, there are bright blue LEDs that serve as handy short circuit warning indicators.
However, it should be noted that while the outputs have their own isolated short circuit, they are not fully isolated, so if you need a separate output for your high-current Strymon device, for example, you may want to look elsewhere.
Still, the unit does come in a slim-design rugged steel casing and features a low, low price tag.
Best pedalboard power supplies: Buying advice
What is an isolated pedal power supply?
The most important decision you need to make when buying one of the best pedalboard power supplies is whether you need isolated outputs or not. Essentially, isolated outputs supply each pedal with its own individual power source, which removes hum from the equation – something you may experience when running digital and analog pedals together from the same daisy chain. Unless you’re only running a handful of analog units - which is highly unlikely these days - we’d always recommend an isolated pedal power supply wherever possible. Who knows how your rig might change in the future?
What power supply do I need for my pedal board?
You need to assess your pedals’ power requirements: do they all need 9V, or are some running at 12, 15 or 18V? It's worth noting that some overdrive pedals offer the ability to run at higher voltages for increased headroom, too.
Many of the power supplies in this guide offer switchable voltages, and some can even ‘sag’ below 9V to yield dying battery sounds from fuzz pedals. Clever.
Then there are mA requirements: while some fuzz and overdrive pedals might only draw 10mA, contemporary digital and multi-effects can draw anywhere from 100-1,000mA. In these instances, you’ll need to look at power supplies that are able to output higher mA from each output.
Do guitar pedals use AC or DC power?
Most effects these days are DC, but some older pedals, most notably the now-discontinued DigiTech Whammy IV, run on AC. And finally, if you’re a touring musician who regularly travels out of the country, you’ll need to make sure you can use your chosen pedal power supply around the world – in that case, switchable input voltage should be at the top of your checklist.
How we choose products
Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best pedalboard power supplies available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best pedalboard power supplies on the market right now.
Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.
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