Best Volume Pedal Round-up
The best volume pedals allow for expressive control over volume without having to use your hands. Featured here is our best volume pedal selection, covering both active and passive volume pedals.
Lehle Mono Volume Pedal
Boss FV-500H Volume Pedal
Manufacturer: Boss
Hotone Soul Press Volume Pedal
Manufacturer: Hotone
Morley 20/20 Classic Volume Pedal
Manufacturer: Morley
Dunlop DVP4 X Mini Volume Pedal
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Here’s our list of the best guitar volume pedals out in the market.
We divided them into two separate categories: standard size and mini size.
Since these pedals are mounted on your pedalboard, it’s important to know how much space they’ll occupy.
Best Cheap Electric Guitars – Your Options
Lehle Mono Volume Pedal
Unlike potentiometers and strings, the Lehle volume pedal has a magnet that will not wear out over time. This decreases the number of parts that require maintenance. It also removes the possibility of introducing unwanted signal noise. Meanwhile, this mechanism significantly increases the longevity and reliability of the pedal.
It relies on active electronics to power the magnets, which is why it needs an external power adaptor. And, because it employs active circuitry, you may raise its level to have the pedal act as a +10dB clean boost.
You can also customize the pedal’s feel with its torque adjustment. A buffered out that you can use to power a tuner pedal or divide the signal to a second amplifier.
Unfortunately, the innovative magnet-based sensor is quite expensive. This makes it less ideal if you’re on a tight budget. And if you don’t already have a power strip to power numerous pedals, the lack of a battery compartment could be inconvenient as well.
If money isn’t an issue and you want a more modern and sturdy volume pedal design, the Lehle Mono Volume Pedal is a good volume pedal to consider.
- Magnetic “Hall Sensor” Design
- Can be utilized for a clean boost
- Reliable, with little to no maintenance required
- Clear sound and a smooth sweep
- Priced more than traditional volume pedals
- Design: Volume Pedal
- Circuit: Active Volume Pedal
- Best For: Passive Pickups
- Dimensions: 2.60″ x 3.94″ x 10.24″
- Weight: 3.57 lbs
Boss FV-500H Volume Pedal
Manufacturer: Boss
As indicated by the “H” in its name, this is a high-impedance volume pedal. This makes the FV-500H an excellent choice if your guitars have passive pickups.
It does the work of altering the volume level nicely while preserving the original audio signal.
Rocking the pedal back and forth is smooth and effortless, allowing for more dramatic and precise volume changes. However, due to its size, volume change can be gradual. And speaking of large, this is a bulky pedal, meaning it is not suitable if you have a compact pedalboard setup.
The pedal includes an expression output, so you can use this both as a volume and expression pedal (both can be used simultaneously). The FV-500H also has a tuner output, allowing you to retain a tuner on your board without it draining your signal chain.
The FV-500H features a minimum volume knob and torque control. This lets you set the minimum volume setting or the lowest volume your volume pedal will produce. You can set the torque control and manage the amount of force required to utilize the pedal.
The Boss FV-500H is a volume pedal that can last a lifetime and perform excellently for an extremely long time.
It’s worth noting that the series also includes the FV-500L (a low-impedance version of this pedal that works well with active pickups).
- Durable and reliable
- Smooth and accurate taper
- Adjustable minimum volume and torque
- Transparent sound
- Heavy and takes up space
- Slow swells
- Design: Volume or Expression Pedal
- Circuit: Passive Volume Pedal
- Best For: Passive Pickups
- Dimensions: 2.9″ x 4.4″ x 4.4″
- Weight: 3.3 lbs
Ernie Ball 250K Mono Guitar Volume Pedal
Manufacturer: Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball designed this pedal with a taper switch that allows you to change the volume reduction curve. The first setting provides a uniform decrease curve, which is ideal for simple volume changes.
While the second setting steadily speeds up the volume reduction. It is best suited for volume swells and other rapid volume change applications.
The VP Jr. 250K uses a pulley system rather than a pot, and it offers a silent tuning feature that eliminates your tuner pedal from the signal chain.
This volume pedal is worth considering if you intend to use it for dynamic effects.
- With taper mode for quick volume swells
- Transparent operation
- Excellent build quality
- Works well with passive pickups
- String sensors can occasionally break
- Design: Volume Pedal
- Circuit: Passive Volume Pedal
- Best For: Passive Pickups
- Dimensions: 2.75″ x 4″ x 11″
- Weight: 3 lbs
Xotic XVP-250K High Impedance Volume Pedal
Manufacturer: Xotic
Aside from its distinctive size, the XVP-250K stands out for its hand-wired design. Complete with cloth-covered wires that ensure durability and long-term use. A high-quality build also results in crisp, clear sound with no artifacts or undesirable tone coloration.
Other notable features include a dedicated tuner out and nylon pivot bushings. This reduces squeaks, increases durability, and a rack and pinion system for smooth volume taper.
This smooth feel allows for simpler and more precise control of loudness swells. Unfortunately, there are no adjustments for volume, taper, or tension. But that also means that this is a simple, straightforward volume pedal.
The biggest disadvantage of this pedal is its large size. It may not appeal to you if you favor minis and classic volume pedals. However, it is worth trying out, especially given its overall quality and nice taper.
- In-between size (not too small, not too large)
- Rack and pinion sensor for smooth taper
- Durable and reliable
- Simple operation
- Fixed tension
- Bulky
- No modifications for taper and volume settings
- Design: Volume Pedal
Circuit: Passive Volume Pedal
Best For: Passive Pickups
Dimensions: 2.64″ x 3.94″ x 8.27″
Weight: 1.88 lbs
Morley 20/20 Classic Volume Pedal
Manufacturer: Morley
Morley volume and wah pedals use optical circuitry and quiet switching. This eliminates the wear and tear that conventional expression pedals experience with a switch and potentiometer.
The Morley 20/20 volume pedal combines wah and volume capabilities in a compact form with a +20dB Boost.
Every pedal in the 20/20 series has an integrated signal buffer and glow-in-the-dark branding. The toughness and stage-readiness of the classics are preserved in this Morley 20/20 Classic.
- Nice sweep
- Sturdy build
- Switchless activation
- Glow in the dark
- No separate boost switch
- Design: Volume Pedal
- Circuit: Active Volume Pedal
- Best For: Passive Pickups
- Dimensions: 6.75″ L x 4.5″ W x 2.75″ H
- Weight: 2.0 lbs
Hotone Soul Press Volume Pedal
Manufacturer: Hotone
The Hotone Soul Press II is one of the most versatile volume pedals today, allowing for volume, wah, and expression pedal functions.
You can adjust between the WARM and CLASSIC range. This helps deliver a classic volume and wah tone, which allows you to create a range of soundscapes that you can’t with a regular volume pedal.
It’s pedal’s footswitch, alternating between wah and volume control is easy. The LED indicators provide real-time status information on the pedal’s condition. While its active volume control guarantees that any tone loss is prevented.
For convenience, the Soul Press II has a tuner output, an independent expression output, and a true bypass. Compact and lightweight, this pedal is simple to integrate into your setup. It can be powered by a 9V battery (not included) or a 9V DC adaptor.
If you want a volume pedal with additional functions, the Hotone Soul Press II is a valuable addition to your arsenal. It has added a range of features plus an intuitive design.
- Volume and wah controls are switchable
- Has a lot of functions
- Real-time pedal status is shown by LEDs
- Adaptable Q and Tone settings
- Not very transparent
- Sensitivity issues
- Design: Volume Pedal
- Circuit: Active Volume Pedal
- Best For: Active Pickups
- Dimensions: 6.3″ L x 3.19″ W x 2.01 H
- Weight: 1.10 lbs
Dunlop DVP4 X Mini Volume Pedal
The DVP4 X Mini’s small size gives additional room for your pedals. Its diecast exterior makes this a durable volume pedal. It also does not use standard string sensors, so you won’t have to bother about maintaining and replacing the cable.
Since it’s a compact volume pedal, rocking the DVP4 X may need some finesse. You can easily step on other pedals on a crowded pedalboard if you’re not careful. This will not appeal to you if you want full-size volume pedals.
In addition to volume control, it may act as an expression pedal to control other effects via the aux output. It even contains an inbuilt valve for adjusting the minimum value of the pedal swing when used as an expression controller. If you want to connect to a tuner, you can also plug it into the aux output.
The Dunlop DVP4 X Mini is an excellent choice if you’re searching for a compact and dependable volume pedal.
- Space-saving, compact profile
- Cordless sensor design
- Solid diecast build quality
- Reliable operation
- Not for crowded pedalboards
- Design: Volume or Expression Pedal
- Circuit: Passive Volume Pedal
- Best For: Active Pickups
- Dimensions: 2.5″ x 2.97″ x 6″
- Weight: 1.28 lbs
Ernie Ball VP Jr 250k
Manufacturer: Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball designed this pedal with a taper switch that allows you to change the volume reduction curve. The first setting provides a uniform decrease curve, which is ideal for simple volume changes.
While the second setting steadily speeds up the volume reduction. It is best suited for volume swells and other rapid volume change applications.
The VP Jr. 250K uses a pulley system rather than a pot, and it offers a silent tuning feature that eliminates your tuner pedal from the signal chain.
This volume pedal is worth considering if you intend to use it for dynamic effects.
- Design: Volume Pedal
- Circuit: Passive Volume Pedal
- Best For: Passive Pickups
- Dimensions: 2.4″ x 3.5″ x 10″
- Weight: 2 lbs
Having a volume pedal in your pedal board is truly a game-changer. When looking for the best volume pedal, consider the following factors.
If you’re just searching for another option for your volume knob, then it’s safe to say that you can do without a volume pedal. However, if you want to do volume swells, a volume pedal is truly worth buying.
Smooth Taper is a no-brainer; your swells should sound continuous. The best guitar volume pedals offer adjustable tapers for guitarists who want to control the loudness swell.
Compared to other effects in your pedalboard, a guitar volume pedal needs to be stepped on in order for it to function. Actively applying pressure to it for extended periods can easily deteriorate its potentiometer or string, shortening its life span. For this reason, you want a volume pedal that has a tank tough quality that is built to last.
For a more controlled and comfortable operation, volume pedals are usually big. That is what you’ll notice on more popular guitar volume pedals. However, this can easily eat up space on your pedalboard, not to mention they’re also quite heavy. So, for a more compact approach, there are mini-volume pedals. These volume pedals are smaller, close to a regular effects pedal. They’re also lighter and easier to carry.
Passive pedals have simpler controls and require no power supply. All adjustments are done via passive audio signals. Active volume pedals on the other hand need external power. It also has additional functions like tuner outputs, boost functions, etc.
Last but not least, you want one that adds the least color to your tone. Complaints about tone suck and coloration are widespread. So, several pedal adjustments have been developed to increase the transparency of your favorite volume effects pedals.
Ultimately, the best volume pedal has the size that can fit your pedalboard, and has the taper that suits your playing preferences. Let us know in the comments if you know of a volume pedal that deserves special mention.
Personally, I’m big on optical based volume pedals. I own a George Dennis Volume pedal and had it over 10 years. Still works smooth to this day and never any scratching sounds. The Hilton is another great optical volume pedal if you don’t mind paying the price.
Might want to look at the Pfeiffer Leveler volume pedal. Very unique.