A phaser pedal - part of the modulation family - is one of the more distinctive effects you can employ in your guitar rig. It's most commonly used to add a flurry of movement to your tone but can also be utilized to add extra body to individual notes or even to approximate the sound of a rotary speaker. Of course, you'll have heard a phaser on everything from Isley Brothers' Who's That Lady to Van Halen's Eruption - but whatever your preference, it's essential to know the best phaser pedal for your needs.
While the humble phaser is a relatively simple effect, it does come in various forms, and it can get a little confusing when you are trying to decide which is the right stompbox for you.
This guide will break down the best phaser pedals on the market, the difference between analog and digital, and what to look out for in terms of extra features. So, without further ado, let's dive into this sweet, swirling stompbox.
Best phaser pedals: Guitar World's choice
Our top recommendation for a phaser right now has to be the MXR Phase 95 (opens in new tab) - an updated take on the original, iconic Phase 90, beloved of Eddie Van Halen. Its simple setup of a single-speed knob is bolstered by a two-stage Phase 45 setting, plus a choice of vintage or more modern sounds. All things considered, it offers a wide variety of sonics - you can’t go wrong with this pedal for delivering all the phasing you need.
For those seeking a pedal with a few extra features, the Fender Lost Highway phaser (opens in new tab) is another solid choice. While this pedal may not exactly sound classic, it does have a tone all of its own - and throw in a fast/slow footswitch that mimics the speed ramp found on vintage devices, and you have a truly unique pedal.
Best phaser pedals: Product guide
The MXR Phase 90 is the classic analog phaser, operating over four stages, with a sound ranging from smooth to full-on bubbles - the Phase 95 not only shrinks it into a mini-pedal format, but adds extra features to boot.
While the original Phase 90 offered just a speed control, the Phase 95 adds a Phase 45 circuit for subtle two-stage sweeps, while a script switch toggles between feedback styles, enabling vintage and modern tones.
Countless guitarists regard the Eddie Van Halen-used Phase 90 as the classic phaser, but the Phase 95 makes it even better, in a size that will fit on any pedalboard.
No list of best phaser pedals would be complete without the inclusion of this classic Electro-Harmonix design, now available in a Nano chassis.
The Small Stone is the phaser beloved of Radiohead (it's all over OK Computer), with a spacey swirl that lends a more ethereal edge over the all-out rock swoosh of the Phase 90.
That said, EHX's offering can get more extreme than many of its rivals, courtesy of a Color switch, which adds a more pronounced frequency shift.
The standout feature of the Walrus Audio Lillian Analog Phaser Pedal is the D-P-V, or dry, phase, vibrato control. This blend function gives great sensitivity between no phase, 50/50, through to full application, which covers a wide array of phasing effects. D-P-V is joined by a selection of a four or six-stage phaser, the latter of which adds boost to the sound. You can even hold down the foot selector for momentary phasing.
The rate setting is among the slowest we’ve seen, with subtlety which really stands out for playing less complex pieces. That said, pushed forward, especially with the feedback and blend control setting high, the Walrus Audio gives as much phasing effect as you’d ever need.
Like the MXR, the Whirlwind Rochester Orange Box Phaser Pedal has simplicity at its core with just a single control – speed. It does, though, represent the original '70s swirling sound, and it’s for this reason that the pedal retains its kudos.
It may have less impact in phase sound than the MXR Phase 90, though it retains more of the guitar and amp’s natural sound. Handwired in the USA, this stompbox has a high build quality and is going to take all the abuse you can throw at it.
The Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter Pedal has been around for many years, and for good reason. The digital phaser features speed, depth and resonance controls, plus a mode which switches between four, eight, 10 and 12 phase stages.
Unidirectional phasing, which creates a continual rise or fall, is achieved via two extra modes, plus a step effect. The addition of tap tempo mode keeps you in time, which you can control with greater flexibility by linking in an additional expression pedal.
The result is a wide array of digital phasing sounds, including classic analog simulation, built with Boss’s ever-durable construction.
Featuring speed, depth, resonance and shape modes, the Source Audio Lunar phaser pedal has four and eight-stage phasing, plus the Uni-Vibe mode for chorus and vibrato simulations.
Source Audio’s Neuro Editor software is also provided, meaning access to a library of phaser, flanger and chorus effects, which can be downloaded to the pedal. Once you’ve created and selected your effects, save up to three at any one time.
The phased sound range is versatile, with the resonance setting adding a more metallic and wide sound range on the sweep. Four-stage phasing gives the classic sound, eight-stage adds the bubble effect and Uni-Vibe creates a real warble.
Between four and eight-stage analog phasing, the Fender Lost Highway phaser pedal also features a fast/slow footswitch, with each hosting their own independent rate and depth controls. For vintage effect, Fender also simulates the speed ramp between the fast/slow settings.
The resulting sound is classic enough, though it gives more of a pulse than a whirl. Fender has also added a boost button to avoid any mid-range dip. The variety of the toggle switches does enable a broad phasing range, even if it slightly misses the classic sound.
The hardware is certainly durable as per the rest of Fender’s growing range of effects pedals.
The Strymon name is synonymous with top-quality, highly modern stompboxes and the latest offering to continue this trend, is the newly released Zelzah - a “multidimensional” phaser.
The Zelzah is made up of two different phasers. The first is a four-stage phaser, which offers an array of classic-style tones for the vintage enthusiasts, and the second side, is a radical six-stage phaser, providing extra modulation sounds such as flanging, chorus, and more.
As you’d expect from the Strymon, you get complete control over almost every aspect of this phaser, with controls for the sweep, resonance, and even the voice. So if you are looking for a fully loaded option, for all your phasing needs and more, be sure to check this one out.
The Maestro name has been synonymous with outstanding sounding effects since the early '60s, and despite a long time away from the limelight, the pedal legends are back with a brand new line of pedals.
The new modern Maestro pedals take inspiration from their legacy effects while also adding the contemporary features that we've come to expect from stompboxes today.
The Orbit Phaser takes cues from the legendary Maestro PS-1 - the first phaser ever made - with the added benefit of allowing you to switch between four and six-stage phasing.
Read our full Maestro Obrit Phaser review
Best phaser pedals: buying advice
What is a phaser pedal?
A phaser pedal, or phase shifter, is one of the earliest guitar effects and was originally developed to recreate the sound of rotating organ speakers. Phasers were adapted to create an array of sounds in ‘60s psychedelia for that swirling effect, and were notably used later by Van Halen. They remain a commonly-used effect today.
Essentially, a phaser takes an input signal sine wave, duplicates it and moves it out of phase. The phaser then recombines the sine waves, and the difference between their peaks and troughs creates that noted phased sound.
Different amounts of phase shift stages create a varying phased sound. A digital phaser pedal often has four, eight, 10, or 12 stages, recreating a variety of phased sounds. Alternatively, an analog phaser usually has fewer phase stage settings and therefore less variety, because additional stages require more components - most classic '70s phasers use four stages.
What should I look for in a phaser pedal?
Despite the reduced variety, many guitarists prefer the warm, original sound of analog compared to digital alternatives. Whether you have an analog or digital phaser, the most basic control is phase speed, which controls the speed of the rise and fall of the wave. The depth control relates to the intensity of the phased waves, while resonance, also called resolution, is another common EQ control, emphasizing various tones across the sweep.
Classic, swirling phase has often been emphasised on slow, ringing chord work. As you might expect, the speed of the phased waves should coordinate with the beat, which is why a phaser used to play chords is more usually employed at a steadier speed to avoid a melodic clash.
It’s preferable to match your phaser’s speed with the tempo of the song, which can be achieved through tap tempo or MIDI. This enables coordination of the exact speed. A phaser isn’t just for chords, though, and the staccato effect from Jimi Hendrix’s Machine Gun is a classic example. Phasing is also used to boost a signal for individual lead notes, without adding distortion.
Read more about how how we test products and services and how we make our recommendations.
Related buyer's guides
Why you can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
- Get your pedals in order with the best pedalboards
- ...and power it up with the best pedalboard power supplies
- Get creative with our pick of the best looper pedals
- Get all wobbly with the best tremolo pedals
- Take a look at some of the best gifts for guitar players
- Check out our pick of the best reverb pedals for guitar
- These are the best distortion pedals you can buy today
- Enhance your tone with the best compressor pedals
