The 25 Best Compressor Pedals You Can Get In 2024

Compressor pedals are used to even out dynamics and increase sustain of your sound. They work by reducing the dynamic range of a signal so the loudest parts are not as loud and the softest parts are not as soft. Compressor pedals can also be used to create a ‘squashed’ sound, which is created when the signal is compressed too much.

A compressor pedal will generally have controls for attack, release, and threshold, which all work together to affect the sound of the guitar. Many compressor pedals also feature a built-in limiter, allowing for even more control over the sound of your guitar.

When choosing a compressor pedal, you should look for controls like threshold, attack and release, compression ratio, price, and build quality. A good compressor pedal would have a good balance of these features. So, here are 25 of the best compressor pedals you can check out today.

Keeley Compressor Plus Compressor Pedal

• Analog compressor pedal
• Sustain, Blend, Level, and Tone control knobs
• Humbucker-Single Coil switch
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

Keeley Compressor Plus is one of the top-rated compressor pedals, thanks to its high-quality circuitry and 4-knob control design. The pedal is called the modern-classic compressor as it became one of the industry standard compressors with its versatility and quality in the modern era.

The simplicity is at the core of Keely Compressor Plus, with its 4 control knobs and a humbucker-single coil switch, which automatically adjusts the release and attack circuitry according to the pickup style. The tone control is also a nice touch as it emphasizes the harmonics, which are generally lost in compression in lower-quality models. It is a top-quality compression pedal without making things overly complicated.

Xotic SP Compressor

• Mini analog compressor pedal
• Volume and Blend control knobs
• Hi-Mid-Lo compression amount switch
• Internal dip switches
• Based on the popular Ross compression circuit
• Compact size
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

The Xotic SP Compressor is another popular compressor pedal that features the same operational transconductance amp technology as the iconic Ross Compressor. It features a three-way compression amount switch, internal dip switches for adjusting the attack-release options to add the snap to the start of the note, a hi-cut filter, an input pad for high-power humbuckers, and traditional Volume and Blend controls.

The Volume knob allows for up to 15dB of boost, while the blend knob mixes the dry sound with the compressed at the desired level. It is a quite versatile and high-quality compressor pedal that saves a good amount of space in the pedalboard with its compact size.

PRS Mary Cries Optical Compressor Pedal

• Analog optical compressor
• Output Gain and Compression control knobs
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

PRS Mary Cries Optical is a quite subtle and musical analog optical compression pedal that can be used as a booster or just as a straight-up compression pedal. It has a simple layout with output gain and compression control knobs. The lack of traditional compressor controls is not a problem as the pedal provides great performance default with a transparent and harmonically rich sound and great sustain.

It can be used with overdrive or clean tones. Plus, the stompbox is very durable and made with high-quality materials with the label Made In The U.S.A. Overall, it is a simple yet great compressor pedal that can be your articulating booster, sustainer, signal peak controller, or traditional guitar compressor.

Boss CP-1X Compressor Pedal

• Analog compression pedal
• Level, Attack, Ratio, and Compressor control knobs
• Gain reduction indicator
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• Buffered Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

Boss CP-1X is a classic Boss-style high-quality multi-band compressor that comes with the unique Boss’s cunning multi-dimensional processing technology. The pedal features an internal charge pump of 18 volts for extra headroom, but it can work with a standard 9V DC power supply.

The pedal comes with level, attack, ratio, and compressor control knobs, as well as a gain reduction indicator to show the compression levels. It is quite a versatile pedal to adjust your compression type and amount, while the sound you get is quite transparent and rich in harmonics.

Fender The Bends Compressor Pedal

• Analog compressor pedal
• Blend, Drive, Recovery, Level control knobs
• LED-lit knobs
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

Fender The Bends compressor pedal is another great compressor pedal based on the OTA (operational transconductance amplifier) technology. It is a classic-style guitar compressor that follows the same technology as the iconic Ross and Dyna compressors. The pedal features Blend control to compress the amount of signal you want to be compressed.

The rest of the controls consist of drive, recovery, and level knobs. The pedal produces a very tiny hiss and adds a great snap to the notes. The knobs are LED-lit for stage use, and the pedal has a True Bypass circuit to disengage the pedal.

Wampler Ego Compressor Pedal

• Analog Compressor and Sustain pedal
• Sustain, Tone, Attack, Volume, and Blend control knobs
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V – 18V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

Wampler Ego compressor pedal is a modern analog compressor and sustain pedal that provides everything today’s guitar players need. It provides a highly transparent sound with great dynamics. It is based on the OTA technology to bring fuller sound and cleaner tone. You have the Sustain, Tone, Attack, Volume, and Blend control knobs to adjust your sound.

The tone knob is the stand-out feature, as it allows you to preserve your lows while you emphasize your highs. With OTA compressors, the bass ranges often get muddy, but not with Wampler Ego Compressor Pedal. The tone knob helps to provide non-blended compression but with great clarity.

J. Rockett Audio Designs IQ 6-band EQ Compressor Pedal

• EQ and Compressor pedal
• Volume and Mix control knobs
• Pre-compression 6-band graphic EQ
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

J. Rockett Audio Designs IQ 6-band EQ Compressor is a versatile pedal that comes with a 6-band graphic EQ as well as volume and mix controls to shape your compressed sound. It features 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 400 Hz, 800 Hz, 1.5k Hz, and 3.2k Hz bands as the EQ. It is a highly simple pedal to use and provides a  musical and noise-free signal.

The pedal is also pretty compact and good-sounding, as well as well-built. If you want simplicity, form your compression, and also an EQ section, J. Rockett Audio Designs IQ 6-band EQ Compressor Pedal is a great choice.

Strymon OB-1 Optical Compressor Pedal

• Analog optical compressor and clean boost pedal
• Output, Boost Level, and Compression control knobs
• 3-way Boost Level switch
• Treble and Mid internal dip switches
• Boost and Bypass Footswitches
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

Strymon OB-1 Optical is a unique optical compressor pedal that comes with great features like independently switchable clean, treble, and mid boost onboard as well as a tweakable compressor. It has Output, Boost Level, and Compression control knobs along with a 3-way boost level switch to adjust your booster. The pedal works with an all-analog signal path from input to output to provide the maximum clarity possible.

Furthermore, the compressor retains the punch of your full attack and maintains a consistent level with each note. It can add up to 20 dB of gain compensation for stronger, bolder, and punchier tones. Overall, it is a great pedal if you want a compressor and booster in the same stompbox.

LR Baggs Align Session Acoustic Saturation/Compressor/EQ Pedal

• Compressor and Saturator pedal
• For acoustic guitar
• Volume, Gain, Saturation, Compression EQ control knobs
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V – 16V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

LR Baggs Align Session Acoustic is a versatile acoustic guitar pedal used for Saturation, Compression, and as an EQ. It helps you to squeeze your tone to tame peaks with compression while giving some warmth and nuance as well as the harmonic richness and midrange complexity to your tone with saturation control.

It comes with Volume, Gain, Saturation, and Compression EQ control knobs to finetune your sound and also has a True Bypass footswitch. It is an all-rounder pedal for acoustic guitar players to complete their sound.

TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor Pedal

• Analog compressor pedal
• Sustain, Level, Attack, and Blend control knobs
• 3-way Compressor mode switch
• TonePrint technology
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch switchable to Buffered Bypass
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor Pedal is a highly versatile compressor pedal that shines with its stand-out feature TonePrint technology. So, you can load and use custom artist presets from the TonePrint library with your computer and smartphone. There are also two other modes, including vintage and spectra. The vintage mode delivers a great classic compressor effect, while the Spectra mode is for ultra-transparent modern compressor effects.

You can choose between buffered and true bypass modes to use with the footswitch. Plus, you can use the TonePrint app to create unique compressor effects to load into your pedal. It is a great multi-band compressor pedal with studio quality and high versatility.

MXR Dyna Comp Mini Compressor Pedal

• Analog Compressor pedal
• Output and Sensitivity control knobs
• Attack adjustment button
• LED indicators
• Compact design
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch switchable to Buffered Bypass
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

MXR Dyna Comp Mini Compressor Pedal is a compact stompbox with a simplistic design that is based on some of the iconic compressor pedals of history. It has a similar circuit to the legendary Dyna compressor pedal and has the “metal can” CA3080 IC chip, which is the same chip the vintage Dyna Comps has. So, the pedal offers a transparent sound with very low noise.

On the control panel, you have the sensitivity and output control knobs along with an Attack button to choose a faster or slower feel.  The pedal has switchable Truy and Buffered Bypass circuits to use with the footswitch. Also, thanks to its compact size, you can save quite a bit of space in your pedalboard, too.

Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe Compressor Pedal

• Analog FET Compressor pedal
• Class A circuitry
• Dry, Out, In, Ratio, Attack, and Release control knobs
• LED indicator
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• Buffered Bypass footswitch
• 9V – 18V DC power adapter (sold separately)

Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe is a 60’s style FET compressor in a compact stompbox. It is based on the UREI 1176 and features a parallel mix control with separate controls for ratio, release, and attack. The pedal is amazingly quiet, with a great tonal character with increased presence.

The pedal also has dry, input, and output controls to shape your tone. You can get great dynamics, and long liquid sustains, and a range of compression tones from the pedal. If you like vintage-style compressors, Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe is a hard-to-beat pedal.

Orange Kongpressor Optical Compressor Pedal

• Analog Optical Compressor
• Volume, Chime, Squash, Fast Release, Fast Attack control knobs
• LED indicator
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• Transparent Buffered Bypass footswitch
• 9V – 12V DC power adapter (sold separately)

Orange Kongpressor is a great all-analog compressor pedal with high versatility and a great eye-catching design. It features Volume, Chime, Squash, Fast Release, and Fast Attack control knobs to shape your compressor effect, which gives quite a lot of combinations to choose from.

The attack and release knobs are for optimizing the pedal’s bloom, while the active chime knob removes or adds the top-end sparkle to your tone. The pedal can boost your cleans up to 12 dB with clean gain, and there is an internal charge pump, which is used to double up to operating voltage for a wider headroom. Finally, it comes with a great clear and true-sounding buffered bypass.

JHS Pulp ‘n’ Peel Compressor v4 Compressor Pedal

• Analog Compressor and EQ pedal
• Volume, Compressor, EQ, and Blend control knobs
• Dirt Switch
• LED indicator
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output, 1 x XLR (DI out)
• Buffered Soft-touch footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately)

JHS Pulp ‘n’ Peel Compressor v4 Compressor Pedal is the updated version of the famous Pulp N’ Peel compressor with a wider headroom, a parallel dirt circuit, and EQ control. It features Volume, Compressor, EQ, and Blend control knobs along with a dirt switch, which adds great grit to your tone.

The pedal is inspired by the vintage compressor and has a natural compression without any tone sacrifice. It also has an XLR DI output, which works great with acoustic and bass instruments. The pedal also boosts and sustains your sound amazingly while squeezing the high-end frequencies. Overall, it is a versatile and great-sounding vintage-style compression pedal.

MXR M228 Dyna Comp Deluxe Compressor Pedal

• Analog compressor pedal
• Clean, Tone, Output, and Sensitivity control knobs
• Attack Switch
• LED indicator
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately)

MXR M228 Dyna Comp Deluxe is a classic analog compressor pedal based on the vintage CA3080 “metal can” circuit. So, it has vintage compression vibes with modern versatility added. It features Clean, Tone, Output, and Sensitivity control knobs along with an Attack switch to select between slow and fast attack times.

The clean control is the standout feature as it preserves your punch and attack with great sustain by blending your dry signal in the tone. The sensitivity knob also works great to decide the length of your sustain. The pedal delivers the 70’s style of transparent compression with a light touch for controlling the dynamics.

ThorpyFX The Fat General V2 Compressor Pedal

• Analog compressor pedal
• Treble, Sustain, and Balance control knobs
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately)

ThorpyFX, The Fat General V2, is the evolution of the OTC-201 compressor pedal. It comes with Treble, Sustain, and Balance control knobs and provides great sustain and balance without adding much noise to your sound. It is a highly transparent compressor pedal and features a True Bypass footswitch to disengage the pedal and let your signal flow through uncolored. 

The pedal also has a great vintage design. It is a highly sturdy stompbox that is great for traveling musicians. This is it if you want a vintage-style high-quality, durable compressor pedal.

Mooer MCS2 Yellow Compressor Pedal

• Analog optical, acoustic guitar compressor pedal
• Volume, EQ, and compression control knobs
• Compact design
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately)

Mooer MCS2 Yellow Compressor Pedal is a cost-effective and simplistic acoustic guitar compression pedal. It features Volume, EQ, and compression control knobs to finetune your sound, which is all self-explanatory. There is nothing complex about the pedal, and it gets the job done brilliantly, adding great smooth attack and decay.

The pedal preserves the original signal transients and features a True Bypass footswitch to disengage the pedal when needed. The stompbox is quite compact and durable, which is great for saving space and use on the stage.

Earthquaker Devices Warden V2 Compressor Pedal

• Analog Compressor Pedal
• Tone, Level, Sustain, Ratio, Attack, and Release control knobs
• LED indicator
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately)

Earthquaker Devices Warden V2 Compressor Pedal provides classic feedback style compression which can deliver anything between heavy squash with quick attack and release to super-subtle compression. The pedal puts a lot of character to your sound with Tone, Level, Sustain, Ratio, Attack, and Release control knobs to adjust your sound as you like.

The pedal’s sound is quite colorful and warm, which you would expect from an optical compression pedal. Earthquaker Devices Warden V2 also has a True bypass footswitch and is internally powered by 18 volts, giving great headroom to your sound. If you like feedback style compression and its tonal character, Earthquaker Devices Warden V2 Compressor Pedal is one of the best choices you can go for.

JHS Whitey-Tighty Compressor Pedal

• Analog FET Compressor pedal
• Volume, Compression, and Blend control knobs
• Compact design
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately)

JHS Whitey-Tighty is a simple and easy-to-operate FET compressor pedal, which can deliver anything from all-out slam fest to subtle smoothing. The pedal is quite tiny yet powerful with its 3-control tone shaping set, including Volume, Compression, and Blend control knobs. Especially the blend knob is quite sensitive and amazing at finding the sweet spot between your compressed and uncompressed signals.

Furthermore, the pedal features a true bypass footswitch and is quite sturdy with high-quality construction. If you want a FET compressor in a tiny stompbox, JHS Whitey-Tighty is hard to beat.

Pigtronix Philosopher’s Tone Compressor Pedal

• Analog Compression and Sustain pedal
• Volume, Sustain, Treble, and Blend control knobs
• Incredible sustain
• Compact size
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately)

Pigtronix Philosopher’s Tone is another tiny compressor pedal equipped with a sustain circuit. It provides amazing sustain to your tone, which you lose with most compressor pedals. You get Volume, Sustain, Treble, and Blend control knobs on the control panel. The addition of the Treble knob is the stand-out feature to shape your tone as you like with a high-end frequency boost.

The pedal is perfect for you if you want to add a bit of body to your leads, tame your rhythm-guitar partitions, or add great harmonic richness to your sound. 

Joyo JF-10 Comrpessor Pedal

• Analog Compression pedal
• Sustain, Level, and Attack control knobs
• Compact size
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately)

Joyo JF-10 is a cost-effective and simple compressor pedal with sustain, level, and attack control knobs, as well as a True bypass footswitch. It is a dynamic compressor inspired by the classic ross compressors, creating very low noise. Thanks to the sustain and attack controls, you can also use the pedal as a lead boost.

The pedal is also quite durable with its aluminum-alloy housing. It is an affordable yet great compressor pedal if you do not want fancy tricks and spend a fortune on a compressor.

LR Baggs Align Compressor Pedal

• Compressor and Saturator pedal
• Volume, Gain, Saturate, Compressor EQ control knobs
• Can be used for electric-acoustic guitar
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V – 16V DC power adapter (sold separately) or 9V battery

LR Baggs Align is a great compressor and saturation pedal for acoustic-electric guitars. It adds a nice warmth and nuance to your tone while taming the peaks. It also adds harmonic richness and midrange complexity to your sound, making your guitar’s tone shine. 

Furthermore, the pedal has a True Bypass footswitch and Volume, Gain, Saturate, and Compressor EQ control knobs, adding to its versatility. It gives you great control options to craft your sound as you desire. This one is if you are looking for a versatile compressor and saturator in the same stompbox for your acoustic-electric guitar.

Donner Ultimate Comp 2 Compressor Pedal

• Analog Compressor pedal
• Cost-effective design
• Level, Tone, and Compressor control knobs
• Normal-Treble switch
• Compact design
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) 

Another cost-effective compressor pedal comes from Donner. The Donner Ultimate Comp 2 Compressor Pedal is a great choice for guitarists looking for an affordable yet great functioning compressor with a simplistic design. It features Level, Tone, and Compressor control knobs to finetune your compressor effect, along with a two-mode switch between Normal and Treble modes.

The Normal mode provides a warm, smooth, and even sound, while the Treble mode is for a brighter, more vivid, and more dynamic sound. Plus, it has a True Bypass footswitch to disengage the pedal whenever you want.

Empress Compressor MKII Compressor Pedal

• Analog compressor pedal
• Input, Output, Attack, Release, Mix, and Tone control knobs
• Ratio and Sidechain Switches
• LED indicator
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output, 1 x 1/8″ TRS (sidechain)
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately) 

Empress Compressor MKII Compressor Pedal is the updated and simplified version of the iconic original Empress Compressor. The pedal is amazingly versatile and gives you everything you expect from a compressor pedal. The tone shaping options are plenty, with Input, Output, Attack, Release, Mix, and Tone control knobs and Ratio and Sidechain Switches, which are great for guitarists who want to take full control over their sound.

The pedal also has an external sidechain port with a 3.5mm TRS send/return for expansion options. The ratio 3-way switch allows you to choose the desired compression ratios between 2:1, 4:1, and 10:1. The high-pass filter 3-way switch includes 120–240Hz toggle selections along with an OFF option. It is a great compressor pedal for professional players.

Suhr Koji Comp Compressor Pedal

• Analog compressor pedal
• Compressor, Level, Attack, and Mix control knobs
• Voice switch
• 1 x 1/4″ input, 1 x 1/4″ output
• True Bypass footswitch
• 9V DC power adapter (sold separately)

Suhr Koji Comp is a great analog compressor pedal that comes with quite a versatility and high sound quality. It features Compressor, Level, Attack, and Mix control knobs along with a voice switch to craft your compressor effect. You can use both craft vintage and modern style compression effects with the pedal, and the pedal is quite transparent without coloring your sound.

Furthermore, the pedal also has a True Bypass footswitch and is quite compact, leaving space for other pedals in your pedalboard.

Conclusion

Compressors can be used to tighten up your tone, add clarity to your notes, and make them stand out more. They are also great for controlling volume when playing live, allowing you to avoid the dreaded “volume war” between you and the other guitarists onstage. These pedals can also be used to create some interesting effects, such as a smoother attack and a longer sustain.

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Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API