Best Multi-Effect Pedals

Boss US

1. Boss ME 25 - http://www.bossus.com/products/me-25/ - 270.00 - 4.0/5
Good old trustworthy Boss! Their range of multi-effect pedals is astounding, without even including their double pedals! The ME-25 is the toned down version of their multi-effect offerings, but it is still jam packed with a multitude of effects. With the same strong sturdy build of their other pedals, and with the same pristine, cutting sounds of all their effects, this pedal is immediately recognizable as one from the Boss family.

Boss is known for their strong effect sounds, and this pedal is no different. All ranges of effects are stellar. Although Boss doesn't have a speciality in the effect market, it provides above standard sound for every offering.

The only other thing that docks marks from the pedal is it's slightly confusing set up. The manual is definitely required, and a few hours of experimentation is needed to even just start to understand the board.

Musicians Friend

2. Line 6 M9 - http://line6.com/m9/ - 545.00 - 4.9/5

This is my go-to multi effect pedal, the one that is central to my current set up. It's the mid part of the M series, but in my opinion the best option of the 3 Ms. At times it can be a little restricting compared to the M12, but those times are very rare.

The pedal again utilizes Line6's electronic system with tons of preset tones for 5 categories (Delay, Mod, Distortion, Verb, and Filter). The range for each effect is amazing as well, with at least five options to tweak to get the sound you want. You also have six switches to save an effect to. The only down fall is only three can be used at a time. Still, add this to your board, and the options are endless. The pedal also allows for up to 24 different "boards" at one time, which you can switch through fairly quickly. The pedal also plugs into your computer with regular updates and new effects added.

3. Line 6 POD HD X - http://line6.com/podhd/ - 680.00 - 4.8/5

This is kind of the step up to the M9. It's definitely the largest, and most complicated pedal on this list, but it's also the most professional. Many pro electric guitar players will use this multi-effect pedal live (although most pro electric guitar players like to avoid multi-effects). For example, Lincoln Brewster uses two of these pedals live!

Line 6

The pedal, although extremely large, is pretty slim and aesthetically pleasing. It includes everything, but heavily relies upon electronics, which can get slightly confusing at times. But after a while, after getting a hang of everything, the pedal can be miles above everything around. The control over each sound is also amazing. Not only can you electronically create each pedalboard with a multitude of effects designated for each knob, but you can bank and save your creations, and adjust almost every aspect of the effect. The board also includes an expression pedal, as well as a looper. There's almost nothing that this pedal can't do!

4. Digitech RP500 - http://digitech.com/en/products/rp500 - 270.00 - 4.2/5

Digitech

This is definitely one of the simplest multi-effect pedals on the market. The RP500 system attempts to follow a stompbox idea model, combining a compressor, a distortion, a chorus, a reverb, and a delay effect, along with an expression pedal. While this may be slightly more restrictive (not allowing two different distortions at one time), for the most part you can scrap by. The actual amount of offerings for each different effect is quite large, which allows for a great time experimenting.

The make and build of the pedal is decently stylish, but slightly cumbersome. The expression pedal seems to be hastily added on, almost as a side thought. Still, any multi-effect board with an expression pedal built on is a step up.

5. Vox StompLab 1G - http://www.voxamps.com/stomplab - 70.00 - 3.7/5

Sweetwater

This is definitely the weakest pedal of this list, but it's still a good pick for a start up pedal. Vox isn't really known for their strong effect pedals, instead specializing in the tube amp sector. That lack of specialization is clearly seen in this pedal, but the effects are still decent.

The pedal is smaller then some other multi-effect pedals, and almost acts like a dual effect pedal. The pedal doesn't focus on effects, as much as different sounds. There are multiple preset tones in the pedal, that you can adjust through gain and level. There are tones such as ballad, hard rock, jazz, metal, and some other ones. Not as much fun as some other pedals, but also not as complicated, and therefore easier to use right away without much experimentation.

A nice feature of this pedal is the included tuner with bypass. This is an essential aspect to a multi-effect pedal, or you'll have to buy a separate tuner pedal and take up space on your board, which is a hassle, and unnecessary.

All in all, a nice pedal, without many flairs. It's a great one for someone who is just starting off, or looking for a simple pedal.

Upcoming - Line 6 Helix

Line 6 

This is the newest and coolest pedal coming out on the market, again from pedal geniuses Line 6. In fact, Line 6 seems to be taking the edge in recent years when it comes to new guitar and effect inventions on the market. This new multi-effect pedal combines the best of the M9 and the Pod HD X into a sleek, top of the market model. This pedal has everything. It's clearly the best of the best. Again, the Line 6 trademark electronic computer system dominates the board, with endless opportunities. This is going to be one fun pedal to play around with when it comes out.