Finding the best phaser pedal that will give you that classic Eddie Van Halen phase effect is pretty easy. There are tons of great guitar effects to get you that swirling effect to make your solo stand out.
One thing to look for when deciding which phase shifter is right for you is the speed or timing controls. Newer pedals have tap tempo that lets you customize the timing of the swirls. Other pedals like the classic MXR phase 90 have a knob to control the speed. Both are good options depending on how you want to use them.
Now let’s check out some of the top-rated phase guitar pedals on the market today!
Click Below to Compare the Top Phase Pedals
Contents
- 1 Click Below to Compare the Top Phase Pedals
- 1.1 MXR M101 Phase 90 Guitar Effects Pedal
- 1.2 MXR EVH90 Phase 90
- 1.3 Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter Guitar Effects Pedal
- 1.4 Red Witch Analog Deluxe Moon Phaser
- 1.5 Digitech SP-7 Hardwire Stompbox Stereo Phaser with True Bypass
- 1.6 MXR M107 Phase 100 Guitar Phaser Effects Pedal
- 1.7 TC Electronic Helix Phaser Pedal
- 1.8 Mooer Ninety Orange Phaser pedal
- 1.9 EarthQuaker Devices Grand Orbiter V2 Phase Machine Guitar Effects Pedal
- 1.10 Electro Harmonix Small Stone Nano Analog Phase Shifter Guitar Effects Pedal
- 2 What We Recommend and Why
Here is a list of the best phase shifter effect pedals that you should add to your pedalboard and tone.
- MXR M101 Phase 90 Guitar Effects Pedal
- MXR EVH90 Phase 90
- Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter Guitar Effects Pedal
- Red Witch Analog Deluxe Moon Phaser
- Digitech SP-7 Hardwire Stompbox Stereo Phaser with True Bypass
- MXR M107 Phase 100 Guitar Phaser Effects Pedal
- TC Electronic Helix Phaser Pedal
- Mooer Ninety Orange Phaser pedal
- EarthQuaker Devices Grand Orbiter V2 Phase Machine Guitar Effects Pedal
- Electro Harmonix Small Stone Nano Analog Phase Shifter Guitar Effects Pedal
MXR M101 Phase 90 Guitar Effects Pedal
Specs, features, and benefits
The MXR Phase 90 is a legendary guitar pedal. The first version of this pedal was introduced to the market in 1974, and since then many players see this pedal as the best phase pedal ever. Nowadays, you probably heard that Dunlop took over MXR under his wing, and of course, they are reissuing all the legendary models.
The MXR M101 Phase 90 is a very simple pedal. On the pedal, you can find Speed control knob, footswitch, input and output, and power input. That’s it.
It has a sweet, natural sound, due to the analog circuit inside of the small, orange metal case.
The MXR M101 Phase 90 comes with a rubber knob cover, so you can easily turn the knob with your foot.
Pros and Highlights
- Great sound – The analog circuit in the pedal is producing soft, natural sound;
- Easy to use – One control knob, and a footswitch. That’s it!
- Affordable – The pedal is very cheap!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Limited control – Some players will find amazing that this pedal has only one knob; others will probably hate it for the same reason. If you are a modern type of player who wants a lot of knobs and features this pedal is probably not for you!
Bottom line
The MXR Phase 90 M101 is a compact, easy to use, great-sounding pedal. It is sturdily built and doesn’t take a lot of space on the pedalboard. It’s a classic, used by legends in the guitar world. Many players love this pedal; others want some more control over their phase sound.
MXR EVH90 Phase 90
Specs, features, and benefits
Very similar pedal to the M101, but with one cool feature plus. MXR and Eddie Van Halen have teamed up to create the ultimate phase pedal for his style of playing. The result? – The MXR EVH90. In this model, you can find a “Script” push button that basically gives you two options: Script Logo and Block Logo. The Script Logo will give you the vintage phase sound, while the Block Logo will push the sound more “in your face” – as some other modern phase pedals would.
Pros and Highlights
- Compact, easy to use – The pedal is small so it won’t take a lot of space on your pedalboard. It has one control knob, a push button, and a footswitch. Very easy to use.
- Great sound – Many guitar players claim that this is the best sounding version of the MXR Phase 90.
- Cool graphics – The pedal’s graphics contain the most famous stripes in the history of rock!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Pricey – The pedal is quite pricier than its cousin, the M101. While this unit has one more feature and interesting, cool graphic design – many players think it’s too expensive.
Bottom line
Eddie Van Halen and MXR… Imagine that! Together they created a great pedal. While some players claim the price is too high, others absolutely love the sound this pedal has.
It’s compact, easy to use, and sounds great!
Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter Guitar Effects Pedal
Specs, features, and benefits
Of course, Boss is a company that is impossible to exclude when it comes to Top Pedals lists. The Boss Ph-3 circuit is packed in the standard Boss, sturdy, metal case.
The pedal has four knobs: Rate, Depth, Resonance, and Stage. The Stage knob is actually a stage selector, which dictates how much will the phase shift. This is where this pedal goes way ahead in the phase pedals race! Versatility at it’s best!
It’s a very versatile pedal, and a very precise one too! The pedal has an input for an additional expression pedal for controlling the rate, depth, and tempo of the effect. The footswitch on the pedal is also a tap tempo footswitch, allowing the player to set the effect sync with the song being played.
Pros and Highlights
- Versatile – The pedal has so much versatility to offer, that you might find yourself over and over rediscovering the sonic power of guitar playing
- Sturdy and compact – This is a standard Boss pedal – solid body and straight to the point design
- Great sound quality
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Digital – Although many players don’t perceive the pedal being digital as a con or a flaw, many players would like all their pedals to be analog. Why? Because analog circuits sound way more natural than the digital one.
Bottom line
The Boss Ph-3 Phase Shifter is truly a great pedal. It’s versatile, compact, sturdy, and sounds great. The price of the pedal is reasonable, having in mind all the versatility and quality this unit has. While many players don’t care about the circuit being digital, some players tend to avoid digital gear. If you want a “clinically precise” phaser pedal, the Boss Ph-3 is probably a good fit for you!
Red Witch Analog Deluxe Moon Phaser
Specs, features, and benefits
The Red Witch Moon Phaser is an all-analog phaser and tremolo guitar pedal, built in a sturdy metal case, with the usual Red Witch “occult style” writings on it.
The pedal has three control knobs: Velocity, Trajectory, and Cosmology.
The Velocity control knob is basically a Speed knob, and the Trajectory knob is what is called “Depth” in the other phase pedals.
The Cosmology knob is a rotary switch that contains six modes, three phaser effects, two “thremaphase” (unique tremolo and phaser blended effect) effects, and one tremolo effect.
The pedal has two outputs, meaning you could split your signal in stereo. It is a true bypass pedal.
Pros and Highlights
- Versatile! – This pedal is one of the most versatile phase pedals ever!
- Great quality and unique – Red Witch, right? All analog, warm, and beautiful!
- Affordable – The pedal is pretty cheap having in mind its quality and versatility
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons
Bottom line
The Red Witch Moon Phaser is one of the best phaser pedals out there. It’s a versatile, affordable, sturdy, and great sounding piece of gear. You probably can’t go wrong with this one. Great pedal!
Digitech SP-7 Hardwire Stompbox Stereo Phaser with True Bypass
Specs, features, and benefits
The Digitech SP-7 Hardwire is a modern, digital phaser pedal, with sturdy construction, and a good amount of versatility. The pedal is completely hand-wired, and true bypass.
There are four knobs on the pedal: Speed, Depth, Modify and Stage Select.
The Stage Select knob has seven stages from which you can choose.
The pedal is true bypass, the footswitch has a tap tempo feature, and there are stereo inputs and outputs available.
Pros and Highlights
- Seven stages of phaser – they are making the Digitech SP-7 compete with the pedals of a higher price
- Good quality – The pedal is built like a tank, and sounds great!
- A great amount of control – With the four knobs and the tap tempo, you can set your phaser effect in seconds!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Digital – This is not a con or a flaw, but many players (especially the old school ones), like the warmth of the analog circuit phaser better;
Bottom line
Versatile, sturdy-built, with a lot of features, and great sound, the Digitech SP-7 is a pretty famous phaser pedal among the guitar players. It allows the player to have a good amount of control over his effect, and it can be set in seconds with the tap tempo feature.
However, if you are more interested in the warmth of the analog gear, keep reading, you might stumble across some cool analog phaser pedals.
MXR M107 Phase 100 Guitar Phaser Effects Pedal
Specs, features, and benefits
You can think of the MXR 107 (reissued Phase 100) as an advanced Phase 90.
In addition to the one Speed control knob, you would find on Phase 90, the MXR 107 has an Intensity knob, which is stage selector, allowing the player to choose from four different waveforms. This feature makes it great for using it not only for guitar but this pedal also sounds great with any instrument, bass, keys, vocals, etc.
Very easy to operate, built in a sturdy case, with the classic orange color.
Pros and Highlights
- Versatile! – The four waveforms in the Intensity knob and the Speed control knob allow the player to explore many angles of the psychedelic guitar!
- Easy to operate – Two knobs and a footswitch. That’s it!
- Great sound quality – The pedal sounds warm due to the analog circuit;
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons!
Bottom line
This pedal stands for one of the best, if not the best-sounding phaser pedals ever.
If you like the Phase 90 by MXR, and you want to upgrade to a more versatile pedal, the M107 is the right thing for you! The pedal is all analog circuit, and that’s why it produces a warm, organic, natural sounding phaser effect.
TC Electronic Helix Phaser Pedal
Specs, features, and benefits
The Helix Phaser pedal by TC Electronic is a modern, versatile phaser pedal. With the toggle switch in the center of the pedal, you can choose from three modes, Vintage, Toneprint, and Smooth.
With the Vintage mode you will get the classic phaser sound, and with the Smooth mode, you will dive in the modern realms of the phaser effect. With the Toneprint option, you can download a pre-made preset with the software, or create your own signature sound on your computer. You can dial the effect in the pedal with your phone!
The pedal has four control knobs for adjusting the tone: Speed, Depth, Feedback, and Mix. It also has stereo inputs and outputs, if you want to get the most out of the effect. The Helix is true bypass, but it also has an internal switch, if you want to use a buffered bypass.
Pros and Highlights
- A ton of versatility! – The pedal has a good number of features for dialing in the swirls at the moment, but what it makes even more versatile is the Toneprint option.
- Sturdy – The pedal is made to last!
- Great sound – The sound of this pedal is high quality with all three modes.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons – This pedal is digital, and I myself am not a big fan of digital gear. However, there are a lot of players that prefer digital over analog, and there is nothing wrong with that. This pedal is great, it’s modern, versatile, and sounds great.
Bottom line
If you consider yourself a modern-type of a guitar player, the TC Electronic Helix will probably end your hunger for phasing effects. The pedal has a ton of features, sounds great, and is very compact.
Mooer Ninety Orange Phaser pedal
Specs, features, and benefits
The Mooer Ninety Orange Phaser is a compact, small, easy to use, and affordable phaser pedal. It has two modes, Vintage, and Modern.
The Vintage is the classic phase sound, like the sound of the MXR Phase 90, while the Modern is a more intense phase effect.
The pedal has one control knob that controls the Speed of the effect.
The pedal’s circuit is a full analog one, and the switching of the pedal is true bypass.
Pros and Highlights
- Cheap! – The pedal is very affordable. It is one of the cheapest phaser pedals on the market.
- Easy to operate – The pedal is very simple, it has just one control knob, one two-way switch, and an on/off footswitch;
- Compact – The pedal is so small, that you can carry it in your pocket;
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Hiss – The pedal tends to produce some hiss, it’s not too much, but some players can’t handle it;
Bottom line
If you are a newbie in the guitar effect pedals world, and you want to start exploring the sounds you can get with your axe, the Mooer Ninety Orange is a pretty good place to start exploring the phaser effect. It has a decent sound quality, it’s compact, easy to operate, and most importantly – won’t break the bank! Good quality for the price.
EarthQuaker Devices Grand Orbiter V2 Phase Machine Guitar Effects Pedal
Specs, features, and benefits
The EarthQuaker Grand Orbiter V2 is a versatile, compact phaser pedal.
The pedal has these controls: four control knobs, Resonance, Rate, Depth, and Sweep;
two footswitches: Rate (1,2,3 – modes), and Phase/Vibrato;
The pedal’s circuit is an all analog one, producing one of the warmest phaser sounds ever.
It’s a true bypass, handcrafted pedal.
Pros and Highlights
- Versatile as it can get – The pedal has all the phase swirls a player could ever want, it even has a vibrato effect;
- Great built quality – Sturdy and compact, the Grand Orbiter V2 is a handcrafted guitar pedal;
- Sounds amazing! – The all-analog circuit in the pedal sounds warm and beautiful;
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Pricey – Well, it’s not something that would break the bank for sure, still it has a higher price than most of the phaser pedals. The quality you’ll get, however, will justify its price.
Bottom line
Great boutique phaser pedal. Handcrafted, all analog, compact, and versatile phaser pedal. The pedal sounds great, and with the control knobs and the switches, you can get a lot of different swirls. It might be a bit pricier than other phaser pedals, but always remember, you get what you pay for.
Electro Harmonix Small Stone Nano Analog Phase Shifter Guitar Effects Pedal
Specs, features, and benefits
Simple and compact, the Small Stone Nano by Electro Harmonix is holding its place in this list with dignity. The pedal is very easy to use; it has one control knob – Rate, and a “Color” two-way switch, that is letting you choose between two frequency intensities.
The pedal is true bypass, analog pedal, packed in a sturdy metal case. You can use this unit with a 9V battery or with a power adapter.
Pros and Highlights
- Easy to use – The pedal has one control knob, one two-way switch, and a footswitch. That’s it!
- Compact – The Small Stone Nano is built in a sturdy and small case, that won’t take a huge space on your pedalboard.
- Affordable – The pedal is pretty cheap. One of the cheapest on this list, and still has a good quality;
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons – The pedal does exactly what is advertised for, and it’s really hard to find an owner that is disappointed with this unit.
Bottom line
This is a great bang for the buck guitar pedal. It sounds nice, it’s easy to use, it’s compact, and doesn’t cost a lot. It’s actually pretty cheap. And the rate control knob and the switch give the player a lot of control over the effect.
What We Recommend and Why
There are a lot of nice phaser pedals on the market, but our choice for the #1 pedal is the MXR Phase 90. It’s the best bang for the buck. A close second is the Red Witch Moon Phaser. It sounds great, warm and beautiful. This is due to the all-analog circuit. It’s a versatile pedal that has six modes, three phasers, two tremaphases, and one tremolo. Great pedal, with affordable price. The case of the pedal is sturdily built.
It’s pretty easy-to-use one too!
