Best budget reverb pedals for guitar and synth: epic sounds for affordable prices

Guitarists and synth players, it’s time to venture boldly into space once more. The reverb pedal: it can be found almost ubiquitously plugged into guitars and synths on stages and in studios everywhere. And Headliner is here to show you that the best budget reverb pedals can cut it with the big boys. Some of the larger, most complex reverb pedals can be prohibitively expensive. And, after a quick online search, you’ll probably see there are so many pedals to choose from that it might send your brain into a reverb cloud of its own. Fret not, because this Headliner guide will lead you through the great halls of reverb pedals and help you choose the best affordable reverb pedal to be your companion.

It’s not totally OTT to remark that almost every guitarist out there has one on their pedalboard. And synth-obsessives also love to add a big hit of ambience to their keys. One of the many joys of a reverb pedal is the versatility it offers — whether it’s just adding a subtle dash of space and warmth, or the polar opposite in creating a stratospheric, infinite sound. We’ll kick things off with the most ludicrously affordable and work our way upwards. Let’s lift off into the best budget reverb pedals out there.

Behringer DR600 Digital Reverb

Pro: Lowest entry price; six distinct reverb modes.

Con: Not the strongest build quality on this list.

So, here’s the deal. Behringer’s whole thing is taking classic gear and recreating it into a bit of gear that is much more affordable than the expensive synth or pedal on which it is based. For this reason, they have amassed legions of fans and detractors alike. And if you are someone who wants to buy one of the best budget reverb pedals without spending more than £/$30, then you’d better believe you can get a great pedal for such a ludicrously low price with the DR600. Six stereo reverbs are covered: plate, hall, spring, gate, room, and modulate modes, all at 24-bit stereo. The latter modulation sounds excellent, bringing a lovely detuned chorus style into the fold. Whatever the naysayers might think, it’s very hard to argue against the incredible value of this pedal.

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Fender Hammertone Reverb

Pro: Durable aluminium housing; three distinct reverb types (hall, room, plate).

Con: Lacks a battery power option, requiring a dedicated 9V adapter.

Here’s another affordable reverb pedal that fends off the £/$100 — you should be able to grab Fender’s Hammertone Reverb for a lovely £/$80 or so. Part of the storied brand’s line of budget-friendly stombox pedals, you can still fully expect Fender quality in both its build and its sound. There’s no worry of overwhelm here; you get three distinct reverb types with hall, room, and plate covered. So if spring reverb is a dealbreaker for you, it’s a case of editing in that characteristic yourself. Despite its low price, you can get some big, spacy, and even experimental ‘verbs as well as the usual subtle affair.

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TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2

Pro: MASH pressure-sensitive footswitch; huge TonePrint library.

Con: App-based customisation can be complex for beginners.

Entering the Hall of Fame does require an entrance fee that breaches the £/$100 line for the first time in our best budget reverb pedals list. But boy oh boy is it worth it. TC Electronic deserve their own hall of fame for how many excellent affordable guitar pedals they’ve given to the world, and this sequel effects pedal is no exception. There’s all the usual church, spring, and plate options, and the mod sounds and lofi effects are where the real fun begins. The polyphonic shimmer mode also sounds stunning. The Hall of Fame 2 also uses TC’s MASH technology, touch-sensitive tech that allows you to play around with the intensity of the reverb via the footswitch.

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Electro-Harmonix Pico Oceans 3-verb

Pro: Extremely small footprint; unique Infinite Freeze feature.

Con: Miniature knobs are difficult to adjust on stage.

Looking for an affordable reverb pedal for guitar or synth that can create sounds as vast as the ocean? the Electro-Harmonix Pico Oceans 3-verb provides a compact solution that delivers sounds far larger than its tiny chassis suggests. Like some of the pedals here, it wouldn’t be fair to expect the infinite complexities of the more premium reverb pedals, but the core spring, plate, and hall algorithms are absolutely solid and versatile enough for most genres. You certainly can get ambient with this one, as the hall and plate modes can be pushed very far indeed, especially when you lay on that infinite freeze function.

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Walrus Audio Fundamental Reverb

Pro: Slider controls are easy to see, beginner-friendly.

Con: Lacks stereo outputs or secondary hidden features.

Here is an affordable reverb pedal that will fundamentally add some bite to your pedalboard.

Boutique guitar pedal purveyors Walrus Audio bring us the Fundamental Reverb, in a price tag that is very difficult to argue with, and a streamlined size. The three-way slider switch lets you quickly navigate between the classical, hall, plate, and spring algorithms. For decay, swiping to the left keeps it minimal, and the right makes it maximal. It couldn’t be more beginner-friendly, giving your instrument professional-grade sound immediately without any reverb pedal expertise required.

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JHS 3 Series Reverb

Pro: High-quality boutique build; useful pre-delay toggle.

Con: Only provides one reverb type (no plate or hall).

Three is a magic number: our next entry in the best budget reverb pedals has three knobs, and three in the title — magic! Does that make the JHS 3 Series Reverb sound too simple? Don’t fall into that thinking, because once you get stuck into this affordable reverb pedal, you will find there is plenty of depth to be found. It has one main reverb sound, which may frustrate the real space seekers out there, but the pre-delay switch allows you to create huge sounds, as well as toying with the decay and verb knobs. It’s built durably and ready for the inevitable knocks of the touring life.

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Boss RV-6 Digital Reverb

Pro: Indestructible build; industry-standard shimmer algorithm.

Con: Spring mode is less drippy than vintage units.

Simply put, you really can't have a conversation about guitar pedals without mentioning Boss, and the RV-6 is exactly why they are sitting comfortably at that pedal pinnacle. This latest version of the RV-6, the company’s affordable reverb pedal, comes with updated algorithms and a powerful processor, making it a serious contender for your pedalboard. One of the best bits is the expression pedal input which lets you control your reverb swells and tails in real-time, and the shimmer mode is an absolute dream for both guitarists and synth players. It even has a clever dynamic mode that reacts to how hard you play, proving that Boss is still finding ways to innovate with their legendary designs.

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MXR M300 Reverb

Pro: Unique pad mode for cinematic sounds; high fidelity.

Con: High power draw requires specific power supplies.

The M300 Reverb is MXR’s contribution to the world of budget reverb pedals as we edge closer to the £/$200 mark, and you should be able to pick this one up for around £/$180. It does a fantastic job of keeping things simple without losing any tonal depth. It features six different reverb modes that all sound equally brilliant, giving you plenty of room to experiment. You get all the classic plate, room, and spring settings you’d expect, which are easy to dial in exactly how you like them. And for the space cadets among you, the pad setting is a total winner for cranking up the ambience and creating those massive, dreamscape sounds.

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Walrus Slö Ambient Reverb

Pro: Exceptional for atmospheric textures; unique Dark, Rise, and Dream modes.

Con: Not designed for standard subtle room or hall sounds.

A warm welcome back to Walrus Audio, making another affordable reverb pedal appearance with the Slö, which is easily one of the best budget reverb pedals out there for anyone with a serious affinity for ambience. It offers a more budget-friendly take on the sibling Slöer pedal. If you are just looking for a bog-standard room or hall reverb, then this definitely isn't the one for you — the Slö is designed for those who want to feel like they are flying through a dystopian, Blade Runner-style Los Angeles. It features three unique algorithms (Dark, Rise, and Dream) that let you push your cinematic scope as far as you can imagine. It is a total dream for atmospheric players who want something much more creative than a traditional reverb.

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Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master V3

Pro: Combined reverb and delay; instant ambient tones.

Con: Delay and reverb cannot be engaged separately.

Next up is a pedal that definitely lives up to the Earthquaker name. While they are famous for making some pretty quirky and bonkers effects, the Dispatch Master is actually loved for being exactly what most players are looking for. It is a fantastic combo of both reverb and delay, and the best part is that you won’t be spending hours kneeling on the floor trying to dial in a decent tone — it just sounds top-quality right out of the box. You also get their fabulous Flexi-Switch feature, which is great for adding quick little flourishes of effect just by holding the switch down. £/$190 might not sound ‘budget’ to many, but it’s important to consider you’re getting two effects pedals, reverb and delay, for the price of one.

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Strymon Cloudburst

Pro: Ensemble mode creates orchestral pads; premium DSP.

Con: Highest price point on the budget list.

Ok, you might be thinking we have our heads in the clouds for this final best budget reverb pedal entry, at £/$200. But Strymon’s Cloudburst is the one for anyone who has dreamed of owning Strymon’s Big Sky, an outrageously successful and influential reverb pedal. Hence why that one will set you back around £/$400. Not only does the Cloudburst save you 200 bucks, it is much more than a cut-price version of its older sibling. It’s a powerful ambient reverb pedal for guitar and synth alike, and the expanded decay scope lets you create ‘verbs as vast as the sky itself. It’s also the smallest pedal from Strymon, good for those who are mindful of room on their pedalboard. The Ensemble modes react to your playing and tone and generates harmonics, creating symphonic-sounding pads, which is a phenomenal feature. One of the most outrageously creative reverb pedals you could ever hope to own.

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How much should I spend on my budget reverb pedal?

As evidenced by our first Behringer entry, it truly is possible to get reasomable reverb pedal for under £/$200, namely, £/$30. That said, the more you spend, the more modes, sounds, features, and general creativity will be unlocked for you. It’s simply a case of choosing one of the affordable reverb pedals for guitar or synth above that meets both your budget and your needs. It’s often said that limitations can bring about great creativity, so don’t worry if you can’t afford the Strymon Cloudburst or the Earthquaker reverb pedal just yet.