The 10 best drive pedals under $200

Best Drive Pedals: Fender Santa Ana Overdrive
(Image credit: Fender)

Back in the day, if a guitarist was looking to add a little extra dirt to their tone, especially at low volumes, there was only a small selection of pedals to reach for in order to get the job done—maybe a Boss OD-1 or, depending on how far back we’re going, a Tone Bender fuzz.

Nowadays, of course, guitarists are treated to almost limitless options. Which is why Guitar World has scoured the market to source the best drive pedals currently available. The 10 units we've rounded-up here run the gamut from pared-down mini pedals and simple three-knob designs to dual-channel, compound effects.

Dirt-wise, these pedals span from boost and fuzz to overdrive circuits, without delving into the high-gain distortion realm, which is a jam-packed field all its own. If you’re looking to add some grit to your tone though, here are ten top pedals that will get the job done, with satisfying results.

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1. EarthQuaker Devices Westwood Translucent Drive Manipulator

Transparent boost with tone sculpting options

Specifications

Price: $179
Type: Boost, Overdrive
Controls: Level, drive, bass, treble
Sockets: Input, output, power
Bypass: True bypass
Power requirements: 9V DC power supply, 9V battery

Reasons to buy

+
2-band EQ
+
20dB of boost and cut
+
Tone sculpting capabilities

Reasons to avoid

-
Not much!

The EarthQuaker Devices Westwood Translucent Drive Manipulator combines true clean boost functions with a two-band active EQ to provide a wider range of musically useful tones and more sonic flexibility.

The Westwood differs from most other transparent boost pedals by providing more gain boost that pushes overdrive to the edge of distortion, and includes an active EQ section that delivers up to 20dB of boost or cut to frequencies around 2kHz (treble) and 80Hz (bass). The pots for the bass and treble knobs have center-detents at 0dB, making it easy to dial in true transparent tone. The circuit has an all-analog signal path, and the true bypass switch is relay-based to provide silent, click-free on and off switching.

If you want true transparent overdrive with a wider range of gain as well as flexible EQ for refining your amp or guitar’s tone, the Westwood will truly rock your world.

2. MXR Sugar Drive

Pure confectionary hard rock and blues in a mini-chassis pedal

Specifications

Price: $119.99
Type: Boost, Overdrive
Controls: Volume, tone, drive
Sockets: Input, output, power
Bypass: Selectable buffered/true bypass
Power requirements: 9V DC power supply

Reasons to buy

+
Mini chassis
+
selectable buffered/true bypass option
+
Voltage doubler circuit

Reasons to avoid

-
No battery power

Sure, the Sugar Drive delivers the trademark Klon transparent drive sound, but the pedal seems to have more in common with vintage JMP Marshalls in its natural overdriven breakup, not to mention a firm low end with cutting midrange. What makes the Sugar fascinatingly unique is its voltage-doubler circuit—found when the drive control is turned up—which essentially offers the high-ceiling headroom and dynamic response of an 18-volt pedal at 9-volt operation.

Rolled counterclockwise, the pedal offers a stout clean tone; as drive is increased, the circuit kicks in to blend organic overdrive that has a classic broken-in crunchiness reminiscent of vintage AC/DC. For those who need it, the pedal has a side-mounted toggle switch for buffered or true-bypass operation.

No doubt, the Sugar Drive is smooth in its overdriven and boosted tones, but what’s just as important is that it sounds fantastic when stacked or paired with just about any other overdrive or distortion pedal. Kind of like adding more sugar to your coffee.

3. Fulltone OCD V2

The classic gets an upgrade

Specifications

Price: $127.20
Type: Overdrive, Distortion
Controls: Volume, drive, tone, HP/LP switch
Sockets: Input, output, power
Bypass: Fulltone Enhanced Bypass, true bypass
Power requirements: 9-18V power supply, 9V battery

Reasons to buy

+
Updated features
+
Authentic overdriven tube sounds
+
High/low peak switch

Reasons to avoid

-
Not much

The OCD V2 sounds like finding the “sweet spot” on your favorite amp. It produces overdriven tones that sound warm and full, with genuine tube-like response. There’s no shortage of usable drive, meaning it dynamically ramps up overdriven grit from dirty overtones to saturated distortion in the smooth range of its drive control.

A new output buffer allows your sound to remain consistent no matter where you put the OCD in the signal chain and also reduces loading in its hard-clipping stage for more sustain. A new Class A-configured 2N5457 JFET input section raises the previous input impedance from 330K to one mega ohm, which results in smoother response when switching between single coils and humbuckers. Other new features include a selectable true bypass and “Enhanced Bypass” switch, which returns dynamics and tone loss from multiple cables and effects, along with pop-free switching.

Depending upon your pick attack, the tone control works best between noon and fully clockwise, allowing for more edge or clarity. The HP/LP switch is useful in sculpting your tone. In HP, the guitar has more distortion and presence, with pointed midrange that cuts like a knife. LP is subtler and retains a lot of your amp’s character. If you’re obsessive over your tone, look no further.

4. Electro-Harmonix Flatiron Fuzz

EHX's Rat-like pedal is a fuzz and distortion in one

Specifications

Price: $72.70
Type: Fuzz, overdrive
Controls: Volume, drive, filter
Sockets: Input, output, power
Bypass: True bypass
Power requirements: 9V DC power supply, 9V battery

Reasons to buy

+
Wealth of saturated fuzz tones
+
Rat-like distortion
+
Impressive design

Reasons to avoid

-
Can veer towards excessive brightness or bass-iness

A Seventies-style circuit with symmetrical hard-clipping, the Flatiron Fuzz features controls for drive, filter (low pass) and volume, and is powered by a 9-volt battery or 9V DC power supply. EHX is upfront about the fact that it's the company's take on a Rat 2 distortion pedal, and while you can hear the inspiration in the Flatiron’s gnarliness, the Rat 2 has a range of distorted textures that approaches fuzz, while the Flatiron is more focused in its fuzzy gain structure, blending Big Muff Pi fatness to notes with a granular, upper-mid distorted grind.

The Flatiron works best when you find its sweet spots. Setting the filter between 11 and 2 o’clock is ideal, but anywhere outside of that, it’s either sharply bright or too dark. There’s a Ted Nugent “Cat Scratch Fever” chug from noon to 3 o’clock, and anywhere clockwise from there is a full-on melange of fuzz and saturation that sounds glorious. A pedal that sits at the crossroad of fuzz and distortion—and combines both in a very natural and musical way.

5. Fender Santa Ana Overdrive

Two voicings delivering valve-amp style crunch

Specifications

Price: $199.99
Type: Overdrive
Controls: Bass, middle, treble, presence, level, drive, level boost, drive boost, A/B Voice switch
Sockets: Input, output, power
Bypass: Selectable buffered/true bypass
Power requirements: 9V DC power supply, 9V battery

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile functionality
+
Dual voicing modes
+
Magnetic battery access compartment

Reasons to avoid

-
Could benefit from a boost level control

Fender has been a music industry leader in the worlds of guitars, basses and amplifiers since the early Fifties. But one significantly related category that the company hasn’t pursued quite as extensively over the last six or seven decades is pedals. That all changed in 2018 with a rollout of a variety of effects pedals, including the thoughtfully-designed Santa Ana Overdrive.

The Santa Ana offers a range of tones, from fat lead sounds to distinctive hard rock rhythm crunch, and a switchable boost function that's perfect for punching a solo above the mix (level setting) or adding extra creamy compression and sustain (gain setting).

The pedal boasts three-band EQ, plus presence and two different voice modes. The A mode (American) is brighter, with a sharper attack, while B (British) is darker and somewhat warmer. And for a company so steeped in tradition, Fender also found some spots to innovate; of particular note is the magnetic battery access compartment at the front of the pedal. Furthermore, the LEDs that illuminate the knob settings look awesome, but even better is the ability to turn them on or off with the flick of a switch on the rear panel. All in all, a well-laid out and incredibly versatile foray into the overdrive pedal market.

6. Truetone Jekyll & Hyde V3 Overdrive Distortion

Flexible dual-mode pedal that goes from transparently sweet to wickedly dirty

Specifications

Price: $179
Type: Overdrive, distortion
Controls: Drive, tone, volume, bass clean mix (Jekyll); Hi-gain, treble, volume, bass, mid (Hyde); Bright and A-B switches
Sockets: 2 x input, 2 x output, power
Bypass: Pure Tone selectable buffered/true bypass
Power requirements: 9V DC power supply, 9V battery

Reasons to buy

+
Two-in-one design
+
Completely new overdrive circuit
+
Pure Tone selectable bypass

Reasons to avoid

-
“Hyde” channel requires some finessing

Truetone’s Jekyll & Hyde V3 Overdrive Distortion is a complete redesign of the company’s (formerly known as Visual Sound) flagship dual effect pedal that offers even more versatility, combined with stellar overdrive crunch and focused hi-gain tones. In addition to a more compact shape, the V3’s two-pedals-in-one design features an all-new overdrive circuit and rebuilt distortion channel, each with their own set of controls.

Overdrive (Jekyll) has drive, tone and volume, as well as bass and clean mix knobs. On the Distortion (Hyde) side, there are hi-gain, treble, volume, bass and mid knobs, along with bright and voice A-B switches. The overdrive and distortion have separate on/off footswitches and their own set of inputs and outputs, which allow you to change their order in the signal chain, loop other effects in between them or use the overdrive and distortion separately. In addition, there is an internal Pure Tone buffer on/off switch and a built-in noise gate for the distortion.

The overdrive side is incredibly transparent and fluid in response to touch, while the Hyde side requires more finesse to get the perfect balance of harmonics and fire-breathing distortion. Without a doubt, the V3 is unlike its previous versions, having a more open amp-like overdrive and a beefy distortion with plenty of bottom end that can get downright aggressive when pushed to its maximum limit.

7. Boss BD-2 Blues Driver

A low-gain classic

Specifications

Price: $99.99
Type: Overdrive
Controls: Level, tone, gain
Sockets: Input, output, power
Bypass: Buffered
Power requirements: 9V DC power supply, 9V battery

Reasons to buy

+
Low-gain drive
+
Tried-and-true classic
+
Great (of course) for blues

Reasons to avoid

-
Not ideal for heavier styles

Not since the late Seventies, when the Ibanez Tube Screamer and Boss OD-1 made their respective debuts, has a mass-produced overdrive pedal won over the great unwashed and cork-sniffing tone snobs alike. The BD-2 delivers a wide variety of overdrive tones, from creamy to crunchy, with personality that ranges from retro smooth to modern blues-rock raunch.

The BD-2 is subtle enough to function as a boost, but make no mistake—this is an overdrive pedal for sure, with warm and natural tones that add just the right amount of gain, edge and bite to emulate a fired-up tube amp. A classic that never goes out of style.

8. MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive

Get down and brown with Van Halen-style tones

Specifications

Price: $199.99
Type: Overdrive
Controls: Gain, treble, mid, bass, output, boost switch, noise gate
Sockets: Input, output, power
Bypass: True bypass
Power requirements: 9V DC power supply, 9V battery

Reasons to buy

+
EVH-style gain
+
Built-in gate control
+
Boost switch

Reasons to avoid

-
Tones may be too hot-rodded for some

To say the MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive is a phenomenally dynamic, super-charged overdrive pedal is no exaggeration—it uncannily nails both early and current EVH amp tones in convincingly enhanced detail. Word on the street is that even the man himself was unable to discern the difference between the pedal and his signature 5150 III head.

The pedal features true-bypass switching and five controls for output, three-band EQ (bass, mid and treble) and gain. It also includes a mini gate control (based on the MXR Smart Gate Noise Gate circuit) that lights up yellow when noise reduction is engaged. There’s also a boost switch, which is key for transitioning into harmonically rich hi-gain tones with a dose of compression but without changing the overall volume. A 9V battery or AC adapter powers the pedal.

The 5150’s bold overdrive is definitely on the red-hot side, with searing crunch that teeters on the edge of distortion, even when the gain is set low and without the boost switch activated. A few twists will get users near to the famed “brown” sound (think Van Halen’s “Unchained”), with a cutting midrange and hot-rodded crunch that warms up as the guitar’s volume is goosed. Engaging the boost switch, meanwhile, will provide more roundness and saturated crunch.

9. Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini

Same TS greatness, smaller TS footprint

Specifications

Price: $79.99
Type: Overdrive
Controls: Tone, level, overdrive
Sockets: Input, output, power
Bypass: True bypass
Power requirements: 9V DC power supply

Reasons to buy

+
Sounds like the real deal TS
+
Great warmth, punch and, if desired, squeals
+
True-bypass switching

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as versatile as some of the many TS clones on the market

Ibanez’s TS Mini is a downsized version of its iconic Tube Screamer, which—since its debut in 1979—has been one of the most recognizable, respected and employed overdrive pedals on the market. True to its name, the Mini measures roughly 1 1/2–inches wide and 3 1/2–inches long. Ibanez pulled out all the stops to create this solidly built, all-analog stompbox in a compact design, while retaining the sonic integrity of its acclaimed TS808 Reissue. To accommodate its diminutive size, it features an internal surface mount JRC4558M chip, which is similar to the beloved JRC4558D chip found in the full-sized TS808 pedal. The TS Mini requires an external nine-volt adapter for power, and also features true-bypass switching and controls for Level, Tone and Overdrive.

Performance-wise, the TS Mini sounds so superb you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between it and its full-sized counterpart in a blindfold test. It works best in front of a tube amp—making single notes sound fatter while softening your low-end register with warmth and clarity—all the while preserving the tonal nature of your amp. Pushing the Overdrive past 12 o’clock adds wicked squeal to pinch harmonics and lets you coax out some righteous musical feedback. All the warmth and punch of Ibanez’s classic TS808 overdrive in a pedal board–friendly size.

10. Keeley Aria Compressor and Overdrive

A two-in-one stunner that makes every note sing and sting

Specifications

Price: $199
Type: Compressor, Overdrive
Controls: 2 x level, drive, tone, blend, sustain, low/high switch, FX order switch
Sockets: Input, output, power
Bypass: True bypass
Power requirements: 9V DC power supply, 9V battery

Reasons to buy

+
Two pro-quality effects in one
+
Low and high gain toggle
+
Ability to change order of effects or add other pedals in between

Reasons to avoid

-
Not cheap, though you are getting two pedals for the price tag

The Aria is quite literally two pedals in one—users can freely adjust the signal chain order of the effects (overdrive before compression and vice versa) or even use TRS cables to insert a different pedal effect in between the two. The overdrive section’s controls consist of level, drive and tone knobs along with a low/high mini toggle switch for selecting low or high gain. The compressor section has its own level, blend and sustain controls plus a mini rotary tone knob for dialing in brightness. Each section has its own on/off footswitch, and the pedal features a mini FX Order toggle for placing one effect or the other first in the signal chain.

The design is flat-out awesome. You get a pro-quality compressor that completely preserves attack and adds impressive body and sustain without changing the guitar’s tonal character. Add to that an overdrive that’s worth the entire price of admission thanks to its rich harmonics, crisp definition and a tone profile that makes any guitar sound its best. By placing compression before overdrive, users can make every note clear as a bell and dial in pro studio quality tones for live performance.

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Richard Bienstock

Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.