Your amp sounds fine, but a little width and shimmer would make it sing. Chorus does exactly that, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to get it.
Under $100, the big question is analog versus digital. Analog chorus pedals use bucket-brigade circuitry for the warmer swirl players from Kurt Cobain on down have leaned on, while digital boxes trade a little of that warmth for more modes and waveforms in one unit.
A couple of other details matter too. True bypass keeps your dry tone clean when the effect is off, and more knobs give you more ways to shape it.
We picked six pedals that all land comfortably under $100. The chart below compares them, and our guide to what pedals to start with helps if you’re still building a board.
Quick Comparison Chart
| # | Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
MXR M234 Analog Chorus | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 2 |  |
Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 3 |  |
Ibanez Chorus Mini Pedal | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 4 |  |
Hotone Skyline CHOIR Compact Chorus | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 5 |  |
Aural Dream Super Chorus Pedal | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 6 |  |
WET DREAMS Analog Chorus by Deadbeat Sound | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
Analog Dominates the Double Digits
Five of the six run analog circuits, led by the MXR M234’s bucket-brigade voice with real EQ. The Aural Dream is the digital exception, answering with four modes and eight waveforms for tweakers.
The Ibanez Chorus Mini is the board-space pick, a true-bypass analog path in a housing half the size of everything else here.
1. MXR M234 Analog Chorus
MXR M234 Analog Chorus
All-analog chorus using bucket-brigade circuitry with Rate, Level, Depth, and High/Low EQ controls in a heavy-duty housing.
Pros
- Bucket-brigade circuitry for lush, liquid analog tone
- Rate, Level, and Depth controls for wide range
- High and Low EQ knobs shape the effect precisely
- Rugged heavy-duty housing built for the road
Cons
- Larger footprint than mini chorus pedals
- No stereo or preset options
The MXR M234 is the chorus pedal most players think of first in this price range, and for good reason. It runs an all-analog bucket-brigade circuit that produces classically lush, liquid textures you simply can’t fake with a digital chip, ranging from a subtle shimmer to a dizzying swirl as you push the Rate and Depth.
What really sets it apart is the pair of dedicated High and Low EQ knobs, which let you brighten or warm the effect and blend it perfectly against your dry tone. Wrapped in a rugged heavy-duty housing, it’s built to take a beating on the road while sounding gorgeous all night.
For a deeper look at how it compares to its smaller sibling, see our MXR analog chorus vs micro chorus breakdown.
2. Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus
Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus
Iconic analog chorus pedal famous for warm, dimensional warbles and a dead-simple one-knob plus depth switch layout.
Pros
- Legendary warm, dimensional analog chorus sound
- Simple rate knob and depth switch are easy to dial
- Thick metal housing built to survive gigs
- Proven design trusted for decades
Cons
- Only one knob limits fine-tuning
- No level or EQ control
The Electro-Harmonix Small Clone is the stuff of legend, most famously heard on Nirvana records, and it still delivers one of the most distinctive analog chorus voices you can buy. Its strength is its simplicity: a single rate knob and a depth switch are all you get, but they cover everything from gentle doubling to thick, watery warble with almost no fuss.
The thick metal housing feels nearly indestructible, mirroring the highly collectible original, and the pedal’s warm, dimensional character has kept it a hot pick for decades. If you want classic chorus tone with zero menu-diving, this is it.
3. Ibanez Chorus Mini Pedal
Ibanez Chorus Mini Pedal
Compact all-analog chorus with Speed, Depth, and Level controls plus true bypass switching for a clean signal path.
Pros
- All-analog signal path for warm, natural chorus
- Speed, Depth, and Level controls in a tiny box
- True bypass keeps your tone clean when off
- Saves valuable pedalboard real estate
Cons
- Small enclosure means tightly spaced knobs
- No stereo output
The Ibanez Chorus Mini squeezes a genuine all-analog signal path into a footprint small enough to slot onto even the most crowded pedalboard. Despite its tiny size, it gives you full Speed, Depth, and Level controls, so you can dial in everything from mild, clean shimmer to a faster, Leslie-style throb.
True bypass switching pulls the effect completely out of your signal path when the pedal is off, keeping your core tone clean and uncolored. For players who want real analog chorus without sacrificing board space, it’s one of the best values going.
4. Hotone Skyline CHOIR Compact Chorus
Hotone Skyline CHOIR Compact Chorus
Analog chorus stompbox with Level and Depth controls and a push-style DEEP button to add low end to the effect.
Pros
- Analog circuit creates pure, lush chorus effects
- Level and Depth controls customize your tone
- DEEP button brings more low end to the chorus
- True bypass and bright active LED
Cons
- Lesser-known brand than MXR or EHX
- Only two main control knobs
The Hotone Skyline CHOIR is a compact analog stompbox inspired by the classic Jazz Chorus sound, and it punches above its modest price. Its circuit produces a pure, lush chorus effect, with Level and Depth knobs that make it easy to customize how thick and present the modulation sits in your tone.
The standout feature is the push-style DEEP button, which brings extra low end into the effect for a richer, more dramatic sound when you want it. A bright active LED and true bypass round out a tidy, gig-ready package from a brand that consistently overdelivers on its little boxes.
5. Aural Dream Super Chorus Pedal
Aural Dream Super Chorus Pedal
Digital chorus with 4 chorus modes and 8 modulation waveforms, including multi-voice and flanger-type chorus, plus true bypass.
Pros
- Four different chorus modes for tonal variety
- Eight modulation waveforms including trapezoid and saw
- Multi-voice and flanger-type chorus effects
- True bypass with low-noise circuits
Cons
- Digital tone lacks analog warmth
- Budget build from a lesser-known brand
If you crave flexibility over vintage warmth, the Aural Dream Super Chorus packs an impressive amount into a budget box. It offers four different chorus modes plus eight modulation waveforms, including trapezoid and sawtooth shapes, so you can move from standard chorus to multi-voice and even flanger-type textures with the turn of a knob.
Low-noise, low-power circuitry and true bypass keep things clean, and it can even run from an external battery. The digital engine doesn’t have the organic warmth of the analog pedals above, but for the money it’s hard to beat on sheer versatility.
6. WET DREAMS Analog Chorus by Deadbeat Sound
WET DREAMS Analog Chorus by Deadbeat Sound
Compact true-bypass analog chorus with Depth, Speed, and Level knobs delivering clean classic chorus from highs to lows.
Pros
- Fully analog circuit for classic chorus warmth
- Depth, Speed, and Level knobs for full control
- True bypass preserves your dry tone
- Small, compact chassis saves board space
Cons
- Niche brand with limited track record
- Draws 200 mA, more than some pedals
The WET DREAMS pedal from Deadbeat Sound is the budget analog pick here, aimed at players who want classic chorus warmth in a small, affordable chassis. It’s fully analog and delivers clean, classic chorus from crystal highs to simmering lows, adding a lush liquid texture to your sound.
Depth, Speed, and Level knobs give you genuine control over the effect, while true bypass keeps your dry signal intact when the pedal is switched off. The brand is more of a boutique unknown than MXR or EHX, but for the price it’s a fun, capable little chorus.
Final Thoughts
For most players, the MXR M234 Analog Chorus is the clear one to beat. Its bucket-brigade circuit serves up the warm, liquid analog tone that defines a great chorus, and the dedicated High and Low EQ knobs give you a level of control none of the cheaper pedals can match.
Add the road-ready build, and it earns the top spot on tone, flexibility, and value alike.
If you’d rather have an icon with dead-simple controls, the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone delivers that legendary warble with nothing more than a knob and a switch, while the Ibanez Chorus Mini is the obvious choice when pedalboard space is tight. Chasing maximum flexibility on a budget?
The Aural Dream Super Chorus crams four modes and eight waveforms into one box, and the Hotone CHOIR is a sleeper analog bargain with its handy DEEP button.
Ultimately, the right chorus comes down to the sound and the genre you play, so match the pedal to your rig and the music in your head. If you want to keep exploring your tone-shaping options, check out our picks for the best overdrive pedal under $100 and the best flanger pedals under $100.
Any of the chorus pedals above, though, will add that lush shimmer to your sound without emptying your wallet.
