In the quest for quality tones, many guitarists often overlook the importance of reverb pedals.
Instead, they favor overdrive and boost pedals.
I agree, both the overdrive and boost pedals are important, but if you need a killer tone, you need to add a reverb pedal to your rig.
Sure, while it's easy to argue that some of the guitars are pre-built with reverb pedals, the truth of the matter is they're not as effective as the external reverb pedals.
See, adding a reverb pedal is a smart move as it gives you more control over your playing.
It also adds more depth and ambiance to the music; the kind that just allows you to relax even in the shower!
Surprisingly versatile, a reverb pedal adds a vibrant echo to a rhythm or lead section and lets your solos ring out gloriously at the press of a footswitch.
Unfortunately, as often the case with guitar gear, there're endless choices for reverb pedals.
Navigating the vast array of pedals in the market and purchasing wisely can be challenging.
The good news is, I’ve shortlisted the best reverb pedals in the market. These options will add depth and thickness to your tone. And more importantly, they’ll add a whole new range of different reverb options for those playing different styles requiring greater versatility.
Quick Comparison Table & Our Pick
Product | Type | Weight | Dimension | BUY NOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Reverb pedal for guitar and bass | 6.3 oz | 4 x 2.75 x 2.5 in | ||
Delay/Reverb pedal | 1.2 lb | 6.75 x 3.75 x 3 in | ||
Reverb pedal | 1.3 lb | 7.8 x 4.3 x 4.3 in | ||
Other Great Recommendations | ||||
Analog Reverb pedal | 1 lb | 5.75 x 2.5 x 4.75 in | ||
Reverb pedal | 1.98 lb | 5.75 x 2.5 x 4.75 in | ||
Best Top 5 Reverb Pedals in the Market for the Money
TC Electronic HOF Mini Reverb Pedal - Best for performance and features
TC Electronics is a reputable brand with a long history of crafting quality products.
Whether its compact pedals, TP pedals, tuners, reverb pedals, and many more, you can never go wrong with the brand.
And today, we shall introduce one of their offerings, TC Electronics HOF Reverb Pedals, designated for electric guitars.
The pedal is one of the simple reverb pedals in the market and a newbie-friendly option, too.
It’s tailored to meet the demands of your guitar in more ways you can imagine, in case you’re judging it by appearance.
Yes, it’s a compact and simplified unit, but don’t let that trick you into thinking it’s a non-performer.
TC Mini Reverb Pedal puts a whole world of great sounds on your pedalboard and offers various reverb sounds that will fit what you're looking for.
Features and Benefits
Design Quality
TC Mini Reverb Pedal is all about space-saving, but then again so is your pedalboard.
Weighing 6.3 pounds and a modest dimension of 4 x 2.75 x 2.5 inches, this miniature reverb pedal has a compact footprint and won’t gobble much of your space in the packed paddleboard.
Moving on, the pedal is sturdily built from metal and will easily stand up the rigors of live performance.
Finally, the TC Mini Reverb Pedal uses modern IT power to extend its possibilities for use, while at the same time offering you plenty of options, especially access to great reverb sounds.
Free TonePrint App
Need to hear sound from your phone?
The free TonePrint app for iPhone lets you choose the sound you want to hear, and the signal is sent from your phone to your guitar and into your pedal.
It’s a simple process, with no cables required-just a world of opportunities.
Ease of Use
Working on the TC Mini Reverb Pedal is quite simple, as you simply need to install the TonePrint software.
From here, you can build your sound from the ground up, in every way you want.
The software has plenty of spectacular options and will let you customize your sounds for a truly wonderful sound experience.
And if you’re like me who doesn't like getting into the hassle of making our sounds, it shouldn't be an issue. You can perform a simple online search and find the custom-built reverb setting.
Basically, with the TC Mini Reverb Pedal, your imagination is your only limit.
Control
Control is perhaps the biggest concern with most reverb pedals, especially for the beginners.
The TC Mini Reverb Pedal, however, is simple to operate, thanks to the solo control knob.
The single knob is easy to operate and will save a lot of control issues, especially when you're in a live situation.
Performance
TC Mini Reverb Pedal is modest, and this has led to many people thinking it's not functional.
In reality, the reverb produces excellent sound quality.
It’s also quite versatile, allowing you to tune it to your liking.
Pros
- Wonderful effects
- Reliable
- Ability to create and save your sound
Cons
- Some users prefer bigger reverbs
See TC Electronic HOF Mini Reverb Pedal Price on Amazon
Zoom MS-70CDR - Most Versatile
If you’re a guitar enthusiast, you already know there's a clear distinction on any guitar effect.
However, some effects can be bonded into groups, especially those with similar sonic nature.
For instance, delay, chorus, and reverb can form such a group, and it's nice to see the folks at Zoom seeing eye to eye with us here.
The Zoom MS-70CDR is a manifestation of the possibility of getting combined sound effects from a single reverb.
While Zoom seems to have gone overboard with the reverb, but the inevitable question is with so many effects packed into a single unit how good any of them are as individual sounds? Remember, big is not always the best.
Let’s find out.
Features and Benefits
Design-Build
Zoom MS-70CDR is tucked inside a light blue metal casing, operating both as a stereo pedal with stereo In and Stereo Out.
It also includes a host of built-in features such as an onboard noise gate, power inlets, trail settings, tempo features, and much more.
Apart from that, Zoom MS-70CDR is a lightweight and compact option weighing 1.2 pounds and measuring 6.8 x 3.8 x 3 inches so it won’t take much of your pedal-packed space.
3-in-1
Shopping Zoom MS-70CDR feels like walking into a large store and taking pieces of different reverbs to create your sound.
It’s the first of its kind to have a complete range of effects processors in a single unit.
It's an incredibly diverse pedal reverb, and it'll suit anyone looking to purchase several effects units or a tuner.
It'll allow the user to combine up to 6 effects simultaneously to create truly unique and specific sounds.
However, despite the sound diversity, the sound quality noticeably goes digital at the time. It might not be a great option for those looking for the traditional analog vibe.
Rather, it's suited for users who need a pedal that performs several jobs at once or for the players looking to experiment with their sound.
Control
The Zoom MS-70CDR has a whole lot of controls.
It packs 86 effects, 26 of which are reverbs, 26 delays, and others being flangers, choruses, etc.
To achieve control, you've to contend with four buttons and three knobs for navigation.
While the controls might seem challenging, the different buttons will make it easy to nail the tone you envisioned, though you've to invest your time figuring out the settings.
LCD
Zoom MS-70CDR comes with a large LCD control screen, where most of the magic happens.
And seeing that the pedal has a whole array of sonic options, having such a clear display as this one is vital.
Performance
Right from the pricing, the sound on this reverb pedal is truly top-level.
It offers a massive, spacious tone, and it's easy to create a signature vibe.
However, we need to make clear that operating this reverb pedal is a bit trickier than your normal pedal.
It’s a complex option, and always ensure you’ve mastered all the options in advance before you hit the stage.
Pros
- Variety of sounds and effects
- Incredible sound
- Reliable
Cons
- Challenging to use
See Zoom MS-70CDR Price on Amazon
HOLY GRAIL NANO Reverb Pedal - Best Value
Electro-Harmonix is a company that is never slow or afraid to try new things with pedals, effects, and design.
The good thing is that with all their attempts, they maintain the quality of their products, which is the case with the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail.
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail is a wonderful reverb pedal that combines modern with vintage in a unit that keeps on giving.
Features and Benefits
Design-Build
Holy Grail Nano shares the enclosure or at least the overall design with a majority of the Electro-Harmonix pedals.
It comes with a minimalist and near-indestructible pedal that can take a beating.
This reverb pedal's stand form factor means it's easy to install Holy Grail Nano out there without the need to make any special adjustment.
Brilliantly Simple Design
Typical of the Electro-Harmonix pedals, this model comes with a simple and brilliant design,
Operation is a cinch, and the more you turn the dial, the more reverb you get.
You can also or customize it without needing any expertise.
Control
With a majority of the reverb pedals, you can always expect to see an abundance of controls.
However, you only get two controls to work with the Holy Grail Nano, which is perfectly fine for ease of use.
The first control is for regulating the amount of reverb infused into the signal chain, while the second lets you choose between the different effects.
Versatile
The effects on this reverb pedal are designed for guitar but can equally work on keyboards, vocals as well as a bass guitar
On the other hand, the reverb control acts like both wet and dry control in naughty settings, meaning you'll hear more of your instrument.
However, as you rotate the controls clockwise, you’ll hear more of the reverb and less of your instruments.
Performance
Holy Grail Nano is a single-knob reverb with three modes:
- Classic: The classic spring reverb adds shimmer to your piece
- Classic Hall: It emulates sound projection in a large hall.
- Flerb: It's a combination of flange and reverb, and it adds modulation to your signal
The flerb is, in particular, a cool effect since it adds emphasis on your lines while playing live.
Pros
- Three modes
- Flerb effect adds color and effect to your sound
- Easy to use, thanks to the single knob
Cons
- Doesn’t support stereo mode
See HOLY GRAIL NANO Reverb Pedal Price on Amazon
MXR M300 Reverb - Best Analog
Since its release four years ago, the MXR M300 has been a popular option among both beginners and advanced users.
It’s a simple to use reverb pedal, and more importantly, it comes with all the desirable features of the best reverb pedals.
But is the model, alongside its features, the right options for you?
Features and Benefits
Design Quality
Typical of the premium reverb pedals, the MXR M300 is a solid piece of equipment built for durability and performance.
It’s sturdily constructed, and the metal box housing the reverb pedal is quite sturdy and defiant to breakages.
Additionally, it is both a lightweight and compact pedal, offering a compressed solution in the tightly-packed pedal station.
Different Reverb Types
Despite the compact form, MXR M300 comes packed with six effects.
While some pedals provide an even greater number of effects, these six are more than the average users would need to cover the standard bases.
Ease of Use
Simplicity is essential when choosing a reverb pedal, and fortunately, MXR M300 comes with only three simple controls.
The mix control set the dry/wet mix while the tone control sets the voice effect. Finally, the decay option determines the longevity of the reverb.
Versatile
MXR M300 is a truly versatile machine, as it's a stereo pedal featuring a single input and single output.
However, the above setup is limiting because it requires you to have two sets of TRS cable splitter to allow proper connection to the gear.
Alongside the output and input, MXR M300 is designed with a 100% wet mode.
It also features both true bypass and trial modes with a 100% analog dry path.
It can also run on either mono or stereo modes.
Either way, all the above components enhance the overall versatility of the MXR M300 and promote the ease of use.
Pros
- Six different reverbs
- Versatile
- Easy to control
Cons
- Requires TRS cables
See MXR M300 Reverb Price on Amazon
Cathedral Stereo Reverb - Most Customizable
The Cathedral Stereo Reverb is yet another versatile and performance-oriented reverb pedal from the infamous Electro-Harmonix.
It's also rich in features and it consists of 8 reverb algorithms that are customizable via the six controls.
Features and Benefits
Design-Build
The Cathedral Stereo Reverb's design and overall build quality are no different from the Electro Harmonix products.
It's a sturdy build and will defy all the dropdowns, and banging that usually come with live performances.
The pedal is also compact and lightweight, aspects vital for those who care about portability and on low on space.
Finally, the chassis is aesthetically pleasing and is backed up on the front with exotic colors that make the overall design quite appealing to the eye.
Seven Reverbs
A highly versatile reverb pedal, Cathedral Stereo Reverb, features seven different types of reverb, all of which will provide you with stunning sound effects as well as a digital echo on each effect.
The mode is also programmable, a handy feature that lets you set your sounds and recall when you need them.
Controls
Cathedral Stereo Reverb is a well-made reverb pedal, and operation should be the least of your concerns.
Managing the pedal is quite easy, and the operation is simple.
Echo Mode
As we had indicated earlier, this model comes with an echo-mode, adding to the sound output's versatility.
The two-second pre-delay operation allows the reverberated sound to echo around your room, creating a new sound option.
To set the pre-delay time, you simply need to use the tap tempo facility. When in echo mode, the tap tempo changes the rate of the sound repeats, and in reverb mode, it alters the amount of pre-delay.
Performance
Cathedral Stereo Reverb is primarily designed for use on guitar, but like most of the reverb pedals, it can also handle a bass guitar.
However, unlike the regular pedals, the sound option is quite clear and high quality.
Pros
- Well built
- Plenty of sound options
- Ideal for bass guitars
Cons
- No buffered bypass
See Cathedral Stereo Reverb Price on Amazon
Best Reverb Pedal Buying Guide
Because of the sheer number of reverbs in the market, it can be challenging to find the right reverb pedals for your needs.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide outlining everything you would need to know when selecting the best reverb pedal.
But before we jump right into the guide, let’s first look at the various types of reverb pedals.
Types of Reverb Pedals
There’re five classic types of reverb: chamber, hall, room, plate, and spring.
These are preset, and they're named either on the environment or material used to produce the sound.
Not all reverb pedals will offer these five basic types, and some offer even more.
However, at the bare minimum, I’d want my reverb pedal to have at least hall, room, and spring/plate reverb.
Here’s a breakdown of each type:
- Spring: Ideal for all styles of music.
- Plate: Gives greater control over the amount of reverb.
- Chamber/Hall: Ideal for ambient spaces such as halls.
- Digital Reverberation: Used for replicating echoes
Factors to Consider When Selecting the Best Reverb Pedal
Now that you’ve an idea of the various types of reverb pedals let's look at the factors to consider when purchasing a reverb pedal.
- Versatility
Most pedals have a suite of functions and types of reverb/delay.
Ideally, the more options your pedal has, the better since you can play around with different effects without spending more money.
This is particularly true if you’re a beginner and still not decided on which option to go with.
However, for the experienced players, you can as well choose an option that specializes in a particular type of reverb.
- Compatibility
Ideally, premium reverb pedals should mesh with others, especially when you need to play songs requiring different effects.
With the lower quality reverb pedals, you're likely to hear unwanted echo effects in the song, which can sometimes skew the sound produced.
While this is usually not big of a problem for delay pedals, it could be a large problem if you’re using several pedals.
- Overall Quality
The best reverb pedal should be sturdily built and durable.
It should also have reliable performance and should generate quality sounds.
Conclusion
There’s no best reverb pedal as what might work for you might not necessarily work for me.
The key here is to find a reverb pedal that meets all your needs, and the good thing is you already have a comprehensive buying guide, a list of the possible candidates in the market.
Editor Notes:
Is it easy to operate a reverb pedal?
It is easy when the pedal comes with an instructional guide to get the systematic ways of getting the best out of the reverb. But most importantly, you'll need a 1/4 plug inserted into the "input" for a quick start.
Does the reverb pedal consume a lot of power?
Most manufacturers are making reverb pedals with a power-efficient operation. In most cases, the pedals will save power regardless of the time you are using them. Check the wattage and ensure you get the model with lower wattage for efficiency.
Are the reverb pedals durable?
Depending on the manufacturer, you'll get different types of pedals. Mostly, the outer shell comes from plastic. This houses other components for the durability and safety of the pedal.
Will a pedal reverb make my voice sound better?
A reverb evens the voice and will make it sound melodious. Ensure you perfectly do everything to get the best and balanced voice.
Current Best Selling Reverb Pedals!
