A good distortion pedal turns a polite clean amp into something that cuts through a whole band. The hard part is that no two boxes do the job the same way.
Some just reinforce your amp’s natural grit. Others stamp a totally new voice onto your rig, so the right one really depends on the music you play and the budget you’ve set.
Voicing is where you start, since a high-gain metal roar and a warm, amp-like crunch are very different animals. The controls matter too, where one tone knob keeps life simple while fuller EQ lets you shape a borrowed backline or a flat-sounding combo.
We ranked nine pedals here, from sub-budget benchmarks to boutique British roar, judged on gain range, EQ, build, and how well each fits the style it was built for. The chart below lays them all out side by side.
Quick Comparison Chart
| # | Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 2 |  |
BOSS DS-1 Distortion | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 3 |  |
TC Electronic Dark Matter Distortion | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 4 |  |
Pro Co RAT2 Distortion | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 5 |  |
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 6 |  |
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 7 |  |
Friedman BE-OD Overdrive | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 8 |  |
DigiTech DHH Hot Head Analog Distortion | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 9 |  |
Tech 21 RIP Red Ripper Bass Distortion | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
One Effect, Nine Personalities
The MXR M75 takes the crown by covering the most ground, a full three-band EQ on a 100% analog circuit. The Friedman BE-OD is the boutique pick, six controls of British high gain.
The Tech 21 Red Ripper is the list’s odd inclusion, a bass-specific distortion that earns its slot for low-tuned players the other eight leave behind.
1. MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion
MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion
Fully analog true-bypass distortion with a three-band EQ that covers thick overdrive to scooped metal tones.
Pros
- Highly responsive full-spectrum distortion
- Bass, Mid, and Treble controls for tone shaping
- Completely analog signal path
- True bypass keeps your tone intact
Cons
- Low-gain settings could be punchier
- No built-in noise gate
The MXR M75 Super Badass is my pick for the best all-around distortion thanks to its sheer versatility and solid touch dynamics. Its fully analog, true-bypass circuit serves up a highly responsive full-spectrum distortion, and the Bass, Mid, and Treble controls sweep from thick overdrive to scooped, metallic thrills.
With low noise and a broad gain range, it covers most rock and metal styles without breaking a sweat. It’s an even better partner when paired with one of the best compressor pedals for metal.
2. BOSS DS-1 Distortion
BOSS DS-1 Distortion
The benchmark distortion since 1978, with hard-edged attack and smooth sustain at any setting.
Pros
- Legendary distortion used by guitarists since 1978
- Hard-edged attack stays clear at max gain
- Works great as a booster at low settings
- Tone control offers a wide shaping range
Cons
- Single tone knob limits EQ precision
- Not a true-bypass design
The BOSS DS-1 has been the benchmark in guitar distortion since 1978, and it remains the easiest entry point into the world of electric guitar effects. Its hard-edged attack stays clear even at maximum distortion, which makes it ideal for heavy rhythms and cutting solos, and it doubles as a booster at lower settings.
Crucially, it doesn’t mask the character of different guitars and pickups, so your gear still sounds like your gear.
3. TC Electronic Dark Matter Distortion
TC Electronic Dark Matter Distortion
High-output rock and metal distortion with a two-band EQ and a voicing switch for bass response.
Pros
- Gain, Level, Bass, and Treble for full control
- Voicing switch shifts the bass response
- True bypass means zero loss of tone
- Compact, rugged chassis for the price
Cons
- The two voices lack distinctiveness
- No dedicated mid control
The TC Electronic Dark Matter is a classy, valve-like rock and metal distortion that sounds remarkably natural, which is why it’s our top pick for distortion for metal. Gain, Level, Bass, and Treble give you full control of the voicing, and a dedicated voicing switch shifts the bass response for an instant change in girth.
True-bypass switching means zero loss of tone, and the rugged compact chassis punches well above its modest price.
4. Pro Co RAT2 Distortion
Pro Co RAT2 Distortion
An iconic primary distortion that nails arena-rock rhythm tones and soaring lead lines.
Pros
- Excels at arena-rock rhythm and lead tones
- Nails the tube-amp clean-to-overdrive sweet spot
- Works as a boost for extra solo kick
- Responsive filter knob shapes the voicing
Cons
- Gritty fuzz character isn't for everyone
- Only three controls on board
The Pro Co RAT2 is a genuine icon, designed to be used as a primary distortion that excels at arena-rock rhythm tones and soaring leads. It nails that sweet spot where a tube amp goes from sparkly clean to warm overdrive, and you can lean on it as a boost when a solo needs extra kick.
Its responsive filter control sets the RAT apart, retaining a usable base of frequencies so even extreme settings stay musical rather than super-wet or super-dry.
5. Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
The legendary green overdrive and distortion stompbox that adds warmth and crunch to any amp.
Pros
- Classic distortion and overdrive voicing
- Emphasizes your guitar's existing tone
- Pairs perfectly to push a tube amp
- Simple Drive, Level, and Tone controls
Cons
- Not enough gain for metal on its own
- Mid hump may not suit every rig
The Ibanez TS9 is the legendary green overdrive and distortion stompbox that has graced countless pedalboards, and it remains a favorite for pop punk, blues, and classic rock. Rather than reinventing your tone, it emphasizes the warmth, gain, and crunch already in your signal, which is why the sound shifts with the guitar you plug in.
With simple Drive, Level, and Tone controls it’s wonderfully low-fuss, and it shines stacked with other distortions and overdrives.
6. Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
A warm, responsive boost and overdrive that delivers classic blues tones with tube-amp feel.
Pros
- Classic blues tones with tube-amp simulation
- Responds to pick nuance and volume changes
- Cleans up beautifully when you roll back
- Solid, road-ready Boss build quality
Cons
- Lower gain ceiling than a true distortion
- Single-coil players may need to tame the top end
The Boss BD-2 Blues Driver is the tamer, more soulful sibling of the DS-1 and our top choice for blues tones. It delivers classic blues voicings with tube-amp simulation, responds to pick nuance and volume changes, and cleans up beautifully when you roll back the guitar.
Like every Boss pedal it’s built to survive the road, and the quality construction lends it a premium heft that belies its affordable price.
7. Friedman BE-OD Overdrive
Friedman BE-OD Overdrive
A boutique pedal that packs authentic British high-gain Marshall-style roar into one box.
Pros
- Authentic British overdrive tones
- Volume, Gain, Tight, Bass, Treble, and Presence
- True bypass switching preserves your signal
- Runs on 9 to 18VDC for extra headroom
Cons
- Six knobs take time to dial in
- No battery option, power supply only
The Friedman BE-OD is the pedal version of the acclaimed BE-100 amplifier, and it packs authentic British high-gain roar into one small box. Its generous control suite covers Volume, Gain, Tight, Bass, Treble, and Presence, so once you learn how each knob interacts, dialing in your sound is just a matter of time.
True-bypass switching preserves your signal, and the ability to run it on anything from 9 to 18VDC lets you chase extra headroom and tightness for modern metal.
8. DigiTech DHH Hot Head Analog Distortion
DigiTech DHH Hot Head Analog Distortion
A versatile analog distortion with a two-band EQ and dual outputs for amp or direct recording.
Pros
- Level, Low, High, and Gain controls
- Two-band EQ beats a single tone knob
- Dual outputs for amp and direct recording
- Strong value for a flexible distortion
Cons
- Not enough gain for serious metalheads
- Lives in the shadow of the DS-1
The DigiTech DHH Hot Head is a flexible analog distortion that quietly offers a lot of pedal for the money. Level, Low, High, and Gain controls give you a proper two-band EQ that runs circles around a single tone knob, letting you cut or boost treble and bass to suit your rig.
Dual outputs for amp and direct recording make it a handy studio tool as well, though it tends to get overlooked because of its resemblance to the DS-1.
9. Tech 21 RIP Red Ripper Bass Distortion
Tech 21 RIP Red Ripper Bass Distortion
An all-analog bass distortion with a three-band EQ and vintage filter-style effects for aggressive tones.
Pros
- All-analog distortion voiced for bass
- Aggressive tones that stay articulate
- Vintage filter-style effects on board
- Three-band EQ dials in low-end clarity
Cons
- Overkill for guitar-only players
- Synth-style settings could be better
The Tech 21 RIP Red Ripper is the one purpose-built outlier here, an all-analog distortion voiced specifically for bass. It delivers aggressive tones that stay articulate, with vintage filter-style effects and a three-band EQ that helps dial in low-end clarity without muddying everything around it.
Bass players know how hard it’s to find grit that doesn’t turn to mush, and the Red Ripper keeps things defined where lesser pedals collapse.
Video Reviews
More demos worth a watch:
Final Thoughts
The MXR M75 Super Badass won us over with its all-analog circuit, low noise, and a full three-band EQ that genuinely covers everything from thick overdrive to scooped metal. For most players it’s the single most versatile choice on this list, and the true-bypass design means it never gets in the way of your tone.
If you’re working on a budget or buying your very first pedal, the BOSS DS-1 is impossible to beat. It’s been the benchmark since 1978 for a reason, holding its hard-edged attack at max gain while still doubling as a clean booster, and it never masks the character of your guitar and pickups.
For the heavy crowd, the TC Electronic Dark Matter delivers natural, valve-like metal tones and a clever voicing switch at a price that feels almost unfair, while bass players should go straight to the Tech 21 RIP Red Ripper. There’s no single perfect distortion pedal, only the one that suits how you play, so match the gain range and EQ to your style and you’ll be happy with your pick.
Looking for something more specific? Take a look at the best overdrive pedals and tube distortion pedals too.
