Best Electric Guitar Compression Effects of 2025

"I’m here reviewing this because of Josh Scott of JHS pedals. I was intrigued by the AmazonBasics Distortion after he mentioned it as a potential clone of the Marshall Guv’nor. My expectations were low, but this pedal surprised me! It offers a range of Marshall-style sounds and has a great crunch for hard rock. I’m really enjoying it and it definitely earned a place in my collection."

"This is, by far, the best distortion pedal in its price range. It does its job exceptionally well, making it perfect for those on a limited budget. While it won't replace higher-end pedals, it provides a great starting point for building an effects chain. I recommend trying it at different stages in the chain to find the best sound!"

"I had some doubts before purchasing this mini compressor, but it’s been a good investment. It adds punch and clarity to my solos, and the compact size fits perfectly on my crowded pedalboard. While it may not compete with top brands for recording, it’s absolutely effective for rehearsals and gigs!"

"As a bass player, I was searching for more sustain and thought I could save money with the Behringer CS400. I ended up with audible distortion instead. After switching to the Boss CS-3, I immediately noticed the sweet sustain without any distortion. I wish I had bought the Boss first instead of wasting my money!"

"I absolutely love this pedal! The difference in sound is incredible, and I can't imagine playing without it anymore. Boss pedals are always top-notch, and this one is no exception! Highly recommended for any pedal board!"

"I was convinced by a professional friend to try this compressor for my setup, and I couldn't be happier with its performance. The quality speaks for itself—Boss will always be boss!"

"I find this pedal to be the best compressor out there. The switch for single coil and humbucker is extremely handy. I have it first on my board, and it works wonders. It's not just a soft switch, but it’s close. Simple, effective, and robust!"

"When I got this compression pedal, I was amazed by how much my tone improved. My Tele sounded more like a real Tele, and everything felt richer. I wish I had bought this sooner, as it’s really worth the price."

"This pedal is a great little device. Despite its small size, it profoundly changes the shape of the sound. It’s quiet even with extreme settings, making it a versatile choice for both guitar and bass."

"I'm really satisfied with this pedal. I needed something to boost and tighten up the high gain tones on my Micro Dark amp. Most metal guitarists use a Tube Screamer, so I thought this would be a good budget option. It absolutely delivers what I needed, pushing my amp from fuzzier overdrive to the perfect tight, thrashy tone I was after! No need for a real Tube Screamer when this one works so well for me."

"I have a compressor pedal that I use often, but it lacks sustain. This pedal offers outstanding sustain, and when I place it at the front of my pedal chain and crank up the sustain, the sound is fantastic. The price point is very reasonable. My only concern is its plastic construction, which may limit its durability for heavy use. However, for recording, it really shines."

"I just got this pedal, and it's AWESOME for its tiny size. Make sure you have a power supply since it doesn’t fit a 9V battery. I bought the Donner DPA-1 to power it, and it works perfectly for my four pedals, including this one. The KLIQ Tiny Tune is sturdy and incredibly easy to read—much better than the Boss TU-3. For the price, it's the best tuner pedal I've found. It's very accurate, and it doesn't take up much space on my pedal board. This is a must-have for anyone needing a compact, bright tuner for home or gigs!"

"I decided to try the KLIQ Tiny Tune Pro Stage Tuner after reading about it. I ordered it on November 8th, and it arrived on November 10th, just in time for my Friday gig. It exceeded my expectations! The LEDs are bright and easy to read, resembling Christmas lights. It has two display modes—Meter Display and Strobe Display. I particularly liked that the pitch and flat buttons are out of the way, unlike my previous tuner. The build quality is impressive, and the packaging was great. I even received a personal email from Laura, the Chief Happiness Officer, which shows their commitment to customer service. I’m thoroughly impressed!"

"I purchased this tuner to replace my clip-on ones, which I could never see during outdoor festivals. The bright readout is what drew me in. Here’s the good: it’s fast, accurate, and built like a tank. It fits nicely on my pedal board, and the connections feel solid. However, I still struggle to see it on sunny stages. Even with shadows, it can be hard to read. I love everything else about it, though, and the price is very reasonable!"

"As a bassist, I find the JOYO SCYLLA R27 Compressor to be the best pedal I've ever purchased. I got it during Amazon Prime Day for under $40! It rivals much pricier models like the Darkglass compressor. I'm continually impressed by the quality and performance for such a low price."

"I was initially skeptical about this pedal because of its low cost, but I can confidently say it's a fantastic compressor. The wet/dry blend feature is excellent, allowing me to maintain a solid bottom end or go full fuzz without losing quality."

"I decided to try the JOYO Scylla after hearing recommendations, and I’m so glad I did! The sound quality is outstanding, and it's incredibly quiet—something I rarely find in budget compressors. This pedal meets all my needs and more, without the hefty price tag of other brands."

"I use it as a mild dynamic range compressor for my E and sometimes A string. The effect is subtle; it evens out note volumes and adds a bit to the sustain. I learned the hard way that it draws power even in bypass mode, so keeping an eye on battery life is crucial. I can't imagine playing without it now!"

"The M87 has features that set it apart, like the LED meter which helps me adjust settings effectively. I appreciate the true bypass mode indicator and the overall durable design. The instructions were thorough, making it easy even for someone less familiar with compression."

"As a bassist, I noticed that this compressor passes low frequencies that guitar compressors typically chop off. It's slightly harder to dial in with fixed compression ratios, but the LED meter is a handy feature. While I find the sound a bit duller than I'd prefer, it’s still a solid choice for any bassist."

"As a professional bassist, I was looking for a compressor that could do more than just one thing. Despite my initial hesitation due to the lack of reviews, I decided to try it because it's Universal Audio. This pedal is amazing for the price; I can't believe more guitar players aren't using it. It's super versatile and well-built, and I'm very happy with my purchase!"

"I had such high hopes for this pedal, but unfortunately, the first one I received was defective; none of the knobs or switches worked, and it was stuck in bypass mode. I returned it for a replacement, but the new one had the same issue. I'm done with UAFX and will be returning this pedal for a full refund."

"I've been working with UAD systems for years and was curious about their pedals. The 1176 plugin is something I use on almost every source, and I found this pedal to sound just like the original plugin. It's fantastic for live bass, quieter than the analog versions, and much more affordable. I highly recommend it!"

“I bought this pedal to build an amp-less rig for plugging directly into a PA system. While it didn't fully achieve that goal, it still sounds fantastic. The light drive character and voice knob really help shape my sound, and the small footprint makes it easy to fit on my board.”

“I already owned a BOSS compressor but wanted something smaller and cheaper. This pedal is incredibly tiny yet delivers an outstanding sound with great adjustability. The protective cover helps keep my settings safe, and overall, it's a fantastic value.”

“I’ve finally found the perfect overdrive! This pedal doesn’t have that annoying mid hump that many others do, allowing me to maintain my amp's tone while adding just the right breakup. Plus, it features a bass control, which is a rarity. It's compact, looks great, and offers an amazing value for the price.”

"As a pro player for 40 years, I've tried around 20 compressors, and this one is the best in its price range! It doesn't introduce unwanted noise and outperforms the Xotic SP. It's a fantastic addition to my pedalboard that maintains my tone. Highly recommended! Just buy it!"

"I play acoustic guitar, and I got the Clover pedal to boost my volume for open mic nights. I was so impressed that I decided to add the WHITEY TIGHTY compressor. The improvement was astounding—it felt like I had a brand new guitar! The harshness in my playing is gone, and it has truly enhanced my sound delivery. It's the most valuable tonal improvement I've made!"

"This is my first JHS pedal, and I couldn't be happier! It works flawlessly and does exactly what I need. I couldn't ask for anything more!"