Best Multi-effects Pedals for Electric Guitar

Today’s best multi-effects pedals for electric guitar offer diverse, high-powered effects suites covering cab and amp simulation, pitch shifting, traditional effects, and more. A great multi-effects pedal can supplement or replace entire amp and pedal rigs. And it’s no wonder that more guitarists than ever before are turning to pedals like these to reap the benefits of customization, convenience, and category-wide improvements to DSP processing that boost overall fidelity and performance.

Choosing the best multi-effects pedal sometimes feels daunting — it’s a lot of ground to cover. But we’ve selected some trusted standout favorites of our customers and staff. These serious, all-in-one, workhorse multi-effects pedals grace professional stages, from arenas to houses of worship, and perform well in any environment, including recording.

Join Sweetwater for a look at the best multi-effects pedals for electric guitar with picks that narrow the field and get you closer to a new pedal purchase!

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Neural DSP Quad Cortex & Nano Cortex

BOSS ME-90, GX-10 & GT-1000

Line 6 Helix, Helix Stadium XL, HX Stomp & HX Stomp XL

Eventide H9 Max & H90 Harmonizer

Zoom G1X FOUR & G11

Headrush Prime & Headrush Flex Prime

Kemper Profiler Player & Profiler Stage MK 2

Neural DSP Quad Cortex & Nano Cortex

The Neural DSP Quad Cortex is widely hailed as one of the most advanced floorboard units ever created. Housed in a rugged aluminum chassis, this flagship model packs over 1,000 amps, effects, and IRs, all accessible through a vibrant 7-inch multi-touch display. Its flexible routing options make it a powerful centerpiece for any amp rig, live stage, or studio setup. Need something more compact? Enter the Neural DSP Nano Cortex — a stompbox-size unit that delivers the same world-class processing power in a form that fits in the palm of your hand. Perfect for packed pedalboards, the Nano Cortex doesn’t compromise on tone or functionality. Whether you go big with the Quad Cortex or ultra-portable with the Nano Cortex, both models offer fast, intuitive control over your entire signal chain, from drives, delays, and reverbs to amps and modulation. Advanced profiling and modeling tools enable you to capture, store, and re-create the tones of your favorite amps and pedals or even combine them into a single custom profile. Powered by high-performance SHARC processors, both units offer versatile I/O, USB connectivity, and — most importantly — a high-fidelity, responsive playing experience that feels as organic as the real thing.

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BOSS ME-90, GX-10 & GT-1000

BOSS has been a leader in guitar effects for decades, and its lineup of multi-effects pedals reflects that enduring legacy. For players who prefer a straightforward, hands-on approach, the BOSS ME-90 offers an intuitive, knob-based interface — no menu diving required. It features 11 amp types and 60 effects, making it easy to dial in great tones on the fly. For those who are more at home with modern digital interfaces, the BOSS GX-10 expands on the ME-90’s foundation with 32 amp types, 170 effects, IR loading, and up to 15 flexible signal blocks, making it ideal for more complex setups and deeper sound design. At the top of the range, the BOSS GT-1000 stands as the company’s flagship multi-effects processor, delivering the highest level of tone shaping, audio fidelity, and signal routing. It includes over 100 amp and effect types and 16 IR slots and is powered by 96kHz sampling, 32-bit AD/DA conversion, and 32-bit floating-point DSP. With comprehensive I/O — including dual effects loops — the GT-1000 is built for serious players who demand maximum versatility onstage or in the studio.

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Line 6 Helix, Helix Stadium XL, HX Stomp & HX Stomp XL

Line 6 pioneered the digital-modeling revolution, and it raised the bar yet again with the Line 6 Helix. Intended to replace bulky pedalboards and rack systems, the Helix is a powerful, all-in-one multi-effects floor processor featuring a highly customizable interface, advanced signal routing, and comprehensive rear-panel connectivity. It comes loaded with over 300 models — including amps, cabs, mics, and effects — all powered by dual DSP for maximum performance and flexibility. The latest generation of the Helix-class processors, the Line 6 Helix Stadium XL, introduces the next-gen Agoura modeling engine, enhanced DSP capabilities, and a dramatically upgraded user interface. A large 8-inch touchscreen, 12 footswitches with individual OLED displays, and expanded I/O make the Stadium XL the most powerful and intuitive Helix yet. Moreover, it comes preloaded with 16 Agoura guitar amps and six bass amps and remains fully backward compatible with legacy Helix presets.

For those who need Helix power in a compact format, the Line 6 HX Stomp delivers exactly that. This SHARC-powered stompbox offers over 300 models and supports up to eight blocks per signal path, making it perfect for streamlined rigs or pedalboard integration. Want even more control onstage? The Line 6 HX Stomp XL provides all the same features as the HX Stomp with additional footswitches for greater real-time flexibility during a performance.

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Eventide H9 Max & H90 Harmonizer

When it comes to digital effects, few brands have been doing it as long or command as much respect as Eventide. The Eventide H9 Max harnesses the full sonic might of the company’s legendary algorithms in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format. It features 52 high-quality effects, including delays, reverbs, modulations, and pitch-shifting/harmonizer algorithms, allowing you to run one effect at a time. Beyond its stellar sound, the H9 Max offers intuitive Bluetooth app control and full MIDI connectivity, making it easy to integrate and operate in any setup. For those seeking even more power and flexibility, the Eventide H90 Harmonizer takes things to the next level. Built on the same ARM-based architecture found in the flagship H9000 rackmount unit, the H90 combines studio-grade processing with the utility of a stompbox. It expands on the H9 Max’s library, adding new overdrives, modulated spatial effects, a four-head tape delay, and a broader range of tone-shaping tools, including meticulous re-creations of classic Eventide phasers, flangers, and reverbs. Moreover, the H90 allows two simultaneous effects, giving players the freedom to craft complex, layered sounds.

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Zoom G1X FOUR & G11

Are you curious about multi-effects units but not ready for a major investment? The Zoom G1X FOUR is a compact, affordable gateway into the world of effects processing. Despite its budget-friendly price, the G1X FOUR is impressively versatile. It packs over 70 built-in effects, including amp and cabinet simulations, reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, flanger, ring modulation, and more. You can run up to five effects simultaneously with full control over the signal-chain order and store up to 50 user patches, so your favorite tones are always ready to go. Furthermore, it includes practical tools such as a built-in tuner, looper, and over 60 high-quality drum patterns, making it a powerful companion for solo practice sessions. You also get an expression pedal for real-time control over effects including volume, wah, delay, and pitch shift. If you find yourself outgrowing the G1X FOUR, then the Zoom G11 is the natural next step. It equips you with a larger effects library, more advanced amp modeling, IR support, and the ability to run up to nine simultaneous effects. A touchscreen interface streamlines patch creation while expanded I/O options — including an effects loop — make it easy to integrate external pedals. The G11 also offers more flexible looping and deeper tone sculpting, making it ideal for players who need professional-grade control and sound customization.

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Headrush Prime & Headrush Flex Prime

If the sleek chassis of the Headrush Prime reminds you of a carbon-fiber supercar, then you’re not alone. This powerhouse multi-effects unit combines user-focused design with high-octane sonic capabilities that elevate both guitar and vocals. At the heart of the Prime is a vibrant 7-inch touchscreen, which makes navigating effects, amp sims, IRs, Antares Auto-Tune for vocals, and more feel as effortless as scrolling on your smartphone — only way more fun! With flexible I/O options for both guitar and vocals, you can send your processed signal straight to a PA, audio interface, or recording console or route it to your favorite amp. And with 12 customizable footswitches, a built-in expression pedal, and seriously powerful onboard software, the Headrush Prime delivers pro-level tone with an interface that inspires creativity at every step. Guitarists without a need for vocal effects may prefer the Headrush Flex Prime, which packs the same processing power as the larger Headrush Prime into a compact, pedalboard-friendly unit with a smaller touchscreen, fewer footswitches, and guitar-focused I/O.

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Kemper Profiler Player & Profiler Stage MK 2

The Kemper Profiler Player delivers professional-grade amp modeling in a compact unit no bigger than two standard stompboxes. Designed to transform your pedalboard into a world-class performance rig, it delivers the same acclaimed amp tones as its larger Kemper siblings, organized into 10 banks of five rigs each. With four FX slots and a curated library of 136 premium effects, including studio-quality reverbs, rotary speaker emulations, and more, the Player gives you powerful tonal flexibility. For deeper editing and limitless creative options, connect to Kemper’s Rig Manager software and take full control of your sound. But that’s just the beginning — the Profiler Player also supports Liquid Profiles; offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; and features MIDI control, IR loading, audio interface capability, a studio-grade noise gate, and a high-quality headphone output — all in a road-ready compact design. Looking for more live-performance control? Stomp on the Kemper Profiler Stage MK 2. This floorboard-style unit brandishes more footswitches for greater hands-free control along with more knobs and controls aimed at performance utility. Moreover, you get additional FX slots, more flexible routing, more extensive I/O, and more room for expansion via expression pedals and switches.

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Shop Multi-effects Pedals with Sweetwater

These crème de la crème do-it-all machines pack high-end credibility, making them a perfect fit for seasoned or intermediate players seeking infinite functionality and range or even beginners looking to dive into effects with a simple, single purchase. Sweetwater.com has a multi-effects pedal for everyone, with over 200 options as of the writing of this article. Reach out to your knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 and let them set you up with gear that’s right for you!
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