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Best Phaser Pedals – Top 10 Rated Reviews & Buying Guide

Phaser pedals are probably one of the least recognized effect pedals. Partly due to the advent of flangers and chorus pedals, but also because of the subtlety and vibrancy they add, phasers are often confused for other effects.

In reality, a phaser pedal is a must have for any guitarist. The ways in which a phaser can change your sound, add variety and zest, float, soar, sweep, swop and dive makes it one of the most versatile pedals to add to your board.

Phaser pedals are heard in pretty much every kind of music, are used by all kinds of musicians for different purposes, and are widely credited as the effect that took guitar solos to staggering new heights of musical melodies and harmonies.

But, which is the best phaser pedal for you?

Prepare for lift-off, because we are going to round up the best phaser pedals out there and blast off into a world of sound only a phaser pedal could create.

Best Phaser Pedals – Top 10 Rated Reviews & Buying Guide

Top 10 Best Phaser Pedals On The Market 2023 Reviews


1 MXR M101 Phase 90 Guitar Effects Pedal

The phaser made for everyone.

Pick any musical genre, and you will find the MXR Phase 90 pedal. With more than 40 years of providing a distinct and lush voice to a variety of instruments and styles, the MXR Phase 90 has been one of the main features on pedalboards from around the world.

A simple and compact pedal without any fancy bells and whistles. The MXR Phase 90 needs just a single speed control knob to provide you with bright swoops and dives that add new dimensions of sound dynamics to your guitar.

KISS to Van Halen…

This pedal is a simple analog phase shift pedal. You can easily recreate the sounds of Van Halen solos or old classics by KISS. This pedal is heard on all kinds of classic recordings, many without you ever knowing it.

Because this is an analog pedal the tone and feel are clear and flowing. When the pedal shifts out of phase, it rings with purity and balance. The swish and sway are crisp and clear. With only a speed control knob it is very easy to coax some lovely waves of phase shifts that add color and sweeps to your guitar.

This pedal does not have any clicking or buzzing thanks to the True Bypass design.

Truly simple and elegant…

For a great introduction to phaser pedals, the MXR Phase 90 is truly simple and elegant.


MXR M101 Phase 90 Guitar Effects Pedal

Our rating:4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

Pros
  • 40 years of quality production and performance.
  • Pure analog tone and sound.
  • Recreates the sound of Van Halen solos
  • Used by many famous musicians.
  • True Bypass eliminates noise and hum.
  • Great velocity and sweeps.
Cons
  • Single speed control knob.

2 Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter Guitar Effects Pedal

Vintage and modern phase shifting.

Boss continues to impress with their quality products, and the Phase Shifter PH-3 is no exception. This compact pedal is highly versatile and can add all kinds of color, sweeps, and swoops to your sound.

The BOSS PH-3 includes multiple phase stages to select from. You can use the Stage control knob to choose the length of the shift. From tight and short to wide and long, you can easily adjust the pedal to ride the kind of wave you want.

But, what else does it do?

This pedal features Rise and Fall stage settings. These stage settings allow for unidirectional shifts. This means that if you set it on Rise, the phase will continue to shift higher and higher. Likewise, the Fall stage setting will shift it lower and lower.

In addition to a multi-stage selector, you have real-time control over the rate, depth, and resolution. The rate control is for how fast the pedals shifts in and out of phase. Depth adds great pulsations and opens up the roundness of the sweeps.

The Resonance controls the peak or top of the waves. Add more resonance to give you soaring peaks and valleys to your sound.

Tap-Tempo function…

Another great feature is the Tap-Tempo function. Hold down the footswitch, and the LED light will indicate when you’re in Tap-Tempo mode. Then all you do is tap the tempo you want the pedal to match with your foot.

This makes it easy to adjust the speed of the pedal during a live performance. You can even make adjustments in the middle of a song.

All in all, BOSS has done it again with the PH-3 Phaser Pedal.


Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter Guitar Effects Pedal

Our rating:4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)

Pros
  • Multiple stage settings.
  • Tap-Tempo mode.
  • Quality design and manufacturing.
  • Very versatile and sweet-sounding.
  • Independent rate, depth, and resonance control knobs.
Cons
  • A little bit expensive.
  • No True Bypass.

3 Digitech SP-7 Hardwire Stompbox Stereo Phaser with True Bypass

A phaser pedal with an option for stereo output.

The Digitech SP-7 Hardwire offers you seven distinct stages to shape and style your sound.

One of the most distinct stage settings is the 2-stage. This kind of stage setting is rarely found on other phaser pedals. The 2-stage is quite subtle but still adds nice accents to clean and lead tones. It is the classic phaser tone.

Analog-sounding phase shift…

Another great setting is the Modern-stage. This setting offers you a very analog-sounding phase shift. Hard to believe coming from a digital effects pedal, but the sound is rich and full. It is a deep phasing sound with additional feedback.

The Boutique-stage setting is vibrant and wavy…

The Envelop-stage setting offers sweeps and swops that are dynamic and quite sensitive. This setting is best used in tandem with some kind of distortion.

The Dynamic-stage setting provides you with rolling and wide depth dynamics.

As mentioned, this pedal features stereo IN/OUT. The stereo options allow you to use this pedal in an effects loop. It also means that this pedal can be used with keyboards and synths.

Your tone is never crimped…

The Hardwire SP-7 includes True Bypass technology so that your tone is never crimped or lost in the signal. Hardwire pedals also make use of higher voltage ranges to prevent clipping from high-output guitar pickups.

Dedicated controls for rate, depth, and modify makes this pedal highly versatile and capable of dramatically augmenting your sound.


Digitech SP-7 Hardwire Stompbox Stereo Phaser with True Bypass

Our rating:5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5)

Pros
  • Features a 2-stage phase shift setting.
  • Seven different shift stages.
  • A digital pedal that sounds like an analog pedal.
  • Stereo input and output.
  • True Bypass and higher voltage range for quiet operations.
Cons
  • Not a true analog pedal.
  • A little bit pricey.

4 TC Electronic Helix Phaser Pedal

A pedal that combines raw phase dynamics with mobile app technology. The Helix Phaser is an incredibly versatile pedal. You can get subtle sweeps to in-your-face squalls of sonic splendor.

The controls on the Helix allow you to shape the swoosh and the swirl to your liking.

Take control…

The speed and depth control knobs are pretty straight forward. Speed controls how quickly it moves in and out of phase, and depth controls how much it rises and falls.

There is a Mix knob for blending the speed and depth. But, it also controls how much of the pedal is actually affecting your guitar signal. However, it is the Feedback knob that makes all the difference. This control knob allows you to get some of those really vintage phaser sounds that are rich and airy.

Clean and clear tone…

Helix Phaser also features True Bypass circuitry to ensure it doesn’t add any noise and keeps your tone clean and clear when not in use.

The real bonus of the Helix Phaser is the integration with the TonePrint Editor software. TonePrint allows you to use your mobile device to set and save your personal phaser preferences.

Dream phaser settings…

Not only does TonePrint enable you to create your own dream phaser setting that you can beam from your phone to the pedal, but it also comes with a massive amount of signature phaser settings to choose from.

Simply download the TonePrint app and scroll through their catalog of signature sounds. You will find everything from Smashing Pumpkins to Van Halen to Bonnie Raitt.

With the Helix Phaser, you get vintage phaser tones with the modern flexibility of smart apps.


TC Electronic Helix Phaser Pedal

Our rating:4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)

Pros
  • Highly versatile and dynamic.
  • Easy to tweak and shape precisely to your liking.
  • True Bypass.
  • Compatible with the TonePrint app.
  • Beam settings from your mobile device to the pedal for quick and easy setup.
  • Reasonably priced.
Cons
  • Some older devices may not work well with the TonePrint app.

5 Red Witch Analog Deluxe Moon Phaser

A boutique Phaser that will put you under a spell. This pedal is unique and powerful. It is not just another phaser pedal. Rather the Red Witch offers three distinctive sounds to choose from.

The Deluxe Moon has classic phaser, tremolo, and tremophase settings. The tremophase is unique to the Red Witch. It is super creamy and overall less distorted and crunchy than an average phaser pedal.

What on earth is tremophase?

The Cosmology control knob lets you choose between six different stage settings. There are three classic phaser settings, two tremophase settings, and one tremolo setting.

This kind of stage design offers tons of new ways to shape and craft the sound and tone you want. It is rich and has its own boutique sound that is surprisingly deep and textured.

Unlike standard phaser pedals that shift only the phase, the unique tremophase stage settings can conjure up wickedly subtle pulses or swirling storms in a cauldron.

The other controls on this pedal are Velocity and Trajectory. The Velocity lets you control the speed/rate of each stage setting, and the Trajectory controls the shape of the waves.

Not like a normal phaser depth knob…

However, the Trajectory knob is not like a normal phaser depth knob, because it is also controlling how much tremolo is being added when set on the tremolo or tremophase stages

The Deluxe Moon Phaser is sweeping, pulsating, throbbing, creamy, and cool. It is not like the other phaser pedals you can find on the market, thanks to its one-of-a-kind tremophase settings.

A 100% analog pedal with True Bypass, the Red Witch Moon Phaser is a delightful new take on one of the most classic effects.


Red Witch Analog Deluxe Moon Phaser

Our rating:3.2 out of 5 stars (3.2 / 5)

Pros
  • Pure analog pedal.
  • Feature unique tremophase stage settings.
  • Powerful and sturdy design.
  • Sweeping and pulsating sounds and tones.
  • True Bypass
Cons
  • Requires more experimentation that regular phaser pedals to find the sound you like.
  • Expensive.

6 EarthQuaker Devices Grand Orbiter V3 Phase Machine

Get a sound that is out of this world.

The Grand Orbiter V3 features diverse settings that can add a whole range of sound possibilities to your sound. This pedal features a three-way Rate toggle switch to choose between modulation ranges. Set it to Rate 1 for a slow sweep mode.

Well worth a good ‘Rate’ing…

Rate 2 actually cuts the low-frequency oscillator. This means that you can use the Grand Orbiter as a fixed resonant filter. And finally, Rate 3 is the fast sweep mode.

The master Rate control knob lets you dial in the exact speed you want from the oscillator for each of the three Rate modes. Depth enables you to decide how much of the phaser signal is mixed in.

Darker, mellow sounds…

Sweep controls the height of the wave. Clockwise will increase the height, and counter-clockwise will lower the peaks. Lower peaks will give you darker, mellow sounds. Higher peaks are intense and very lively, full of swish and shine.

The Resonance knob controls how much the wave regenerates. More resonance will make the phase waves more rolling and more sustained. Back off the resonance and you get nice subtle sweeps and swirls.

A Phase/Vibrato switch…

The Grand Orbiter also boasts a Phase/Vibrato switch. This means that the pedal can be used as a true Vibrato pedal. When set on Vibrato, the dry signal is cut out, and you get pure pitch-bending goodness.

A pure analog pedal with True Bypass, and made by people who love music in the US. The Grand Orbiter is ready to launch your sound in new and bold directions.


EarthQuaker Devices Grand Orbiter V3 Phase Machine

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros
  • 100% analog pedal.
  • Three unique stage settings that offer wide dynamics.
  • Can be used as a pure Vibrato pedal.
  • True Bypass.
  • Tones form dark and mellow to intense and vibrant.
  • Made in the US.
Cons
  • Only three stage settings.
  • Expensive.

7 MXR M107 Phase 100 Guitar Phaser Effects Pedal Bundle with 2 Patch Cables

Simply trippy.

The MXR Phase 100 is basically the bigger, badder brother of the MXR Phase 90. The Phase 100 features four different waveform presets that let you tap into some pretty wild swoops and sweeps.

The second and fourth positions allow for wave regeneration. This lets you bring out some seriously spacey swirls. You can further shape your sound with the speed knob. Turn it clockwise for shorter and faster waves, or wind it counter-clockwise to get wider and longer waves.

Ultra-psychedelic frenzy…

Mixing and matching the intensity settings with different speeds gives you a whole lot of variety. Go from slow and low sweeps to ultra-psychedelic frenzy. This pedal is versatile and offers classic phaser tones that are both subtle and intense.

The MXR Phase 100 can accomplish this because it makes use of the same photo-resistors found in vintage phaser pedals. A pure analog pedal with True Bypass means you can count on your tone staying true and clear without any noise or hum when disengaged.

As a leader in sonic augmentation, MXR continues to offer quality products that are sturdy and high-performance devices.


MXR M107 Phase 100 Guitar Phaser Effects Pedal Bundle with 2 Patch Cables

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros
  • Four distinct waveform presets.
  • Pure analog.
  • True Bypass.
  • Same photo-resistors as found in vintage pedals.
  • Trippy and psychedelic ambiance.
  • Vintage tone.
Cons
  • No depth control.
  • Can get lost in the mix with longer effect chains.

8 Joyo JF-06 Vintage Phase Guitar Pedal

An homage to Eddie Van Halen.

The Joyo JF-06 was designed to replicate the unmistakable sound of Eddie Van Halen. The sound of EVH’s custom guitars and high-gain amps would not have been the same without a phaser pedal.

The Joyo Vintage Phase is simple and sincere. With just a single control knob for speed, this pedal will make your solos and leads sing with beauty and depth. There are no frills with this pedal.

Running with the devil…

A great way to chunk up your rhythm riffs or add clarity and screaming boost to your solos. It can be used subtly or really intensify your sound.

A funny little twist is that while this pedal was designed with Eddie Van Halen in mind, it works really well at getting some spacey, tripped-out Pink Floyd vibes.

Featuring true bypass wiring and quality hardware, the JF-06 is a very affordable phase pedal that lets you reconnect to the phaser sounds of the 70s and 80s.


Joyo JF-06 Vintage Phase Guitar Pedal

Our rating:4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Pros
  • Vintage 70s and 80s phase sound.
  • A single Speed control knob.
  • True Bypass.
  • 100% analog pedal.
  • Great for solos and leads.
  • Very inexpensive.
Cons
  • No waveform shaping.
  • No depth or intensity control.
  • Ideal for high-quality pickups but not as good with stock pickups.

9 Ammoon KOKKO Mini Analog Phaser Electric Guitar

A mini effect pedal that is warm and sustained.

This little phaser pedal is a pure analog pedal. It also features True Bypass to keep your tone clear and clean. It offers warmth and clarity while still giving you plenty of peaks and valleys in the waveforms. A simple pedal that is easy to use and can be dialed in for when extra drive and sustain are needed.

There are just three controls knobs to shape the sound. The Rate knob adjusts the speed of the phase shifts. This can be slow and steady or rapid ripples of phase. The Depth knob allows you to tweak the overall intensity of the shifts. It could also be called an intenAmmoon KOKKO Mini Analog Phaser Electric Guitar sity knob since it making the waves high or lower.

Shockingly impressive for the price…

Considering the price tag is incredibly low, this phaser is shockingly impressive with its ability to add extra-long sustain and color to your guitar.

It’s made with a strong metal housing to ensure it can handle rough travel and use.


Ammoon KOKKO Mini Analog Phaser Electric Guitar

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros
  • Pure analog pedal.
  • Compact and durable.
  • Amazingly affordable.
  • A great amount of sustain.
  • Easy to shape.
Cons
  • No waveform presets or stages.
  • Tends to make some noise when pushed in the mix or played with high-gain amplifiers.

10 Walrus Audio Vanguard Dual Phase Pedal

A two-in-one phase pedal.

The Walrus Vanguard is a whole new kind of phaser. It is wholly digital and is proud of that fact. It doesn’t come off as overly glitchy and cold but has a more modern feel to its sound, as opposed to the warm and full analog pedals.

Where this pedal really stands out is that you are able to shape and tweak the tone and sound to an unheard of degree. This is because there are two different phase systems to choose from.

Two phasers at the same time…

Although it can be pretty confusing at first, the benefit of two phasers at the same time means you can adjust the settings and tap into undiscovered sonic variations.

There are actually four phaser circuits housed inside this pedal.

The top row of knobs controls the main phaser circuit which is always active in the mix. From this phaser, you can blend in three different phaser voicings. The main phaser controls are the standard rate, depth, and regeneration/feedback found along the top row.

Plenty of voicings…

The second row of control knobs is used to adjust three different voicings. The first is a 10-stage phaser with regeneration – this is a duplicate of the main phaser circuit. The second voicing is a 4-stage phaser with pitch bending. And the third voicing is a 6-stage with a resonant low-end pass filter.

Each of the three voicings can be independently mixed with the main 10-stage phaser using the dry and wet mix knobs.

You can also use the preset footswitch to create and save your own personal preferences. Easily lock in exactly how much intensity, height, and speed you want to pulse from your guitar.

The Walrus Vanguard is more than capable of soft and sweet sweeps that slowly slide off your fingers. And it is ready to rip out rapid ripples that rumble and roll from the bottom of the ocean to the top of the mountain.


Walrus Audio Vanguard Dual Phase Pedal

Our rating:5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5)

Pros
  • Use two distinct phaser settings at the same time.
  • Amazingly versatile and dynamic.
  • Programmable personal presets.
  • Modern-sounding tones and feel.
Cons
  • Not an analog pedal.
  • Complicated operations.
  • Expensive.

Best Phaser Pedals Buyer’s Guide

Since we have had the chance to look at the best phaser pedals, we thought we would take a moment to offer a few final thoughts.

Enjoy the Silence

A major qualm guitarists have with any pedal is excess noise. Effect pedals that don’t offer True Bypass often end up being quite hissy or noisy when pushed higher. This can be a real tone and sound killer while on stage or in the studio.

best phaser pedals

We recommend getting a phaser that has True Bypass, because phaser pedals tend to get loads of usage in all kinds of music. A phaser is great for accenting solos or adding groovy waves to a rhythm guitar.

The last thing you would want is for the beast to kill the beauty, which is what generally happens when you use a phaser without a True Bypass circuit.

Even a Child Can Use It

Phaser pedals will provide you with an immediate impact on how your guitar sounds and the kinds of tones you can unleash. This is true for phaser pedals with only a speed control knob. If you are new to phaser pedals, often the simplest one will make all the difference in the world.

Someone who is just starting to find their sound footing is going to be much better off with the more simplified phaser pedals. There is no need to go big or go home with phasers. They are excellent pedals that add immense dynamics and vibrancy to your guitar.

Just something to keep in mind when making your decision.

So, What’s Best Phaser Pedals?

Well, we have come to the end of our best phaser pedal roundup. Each of the pedals we discussed is an excellent option for enhancing your sound and tone, but there can only be one winner.

The best phaser pedal is the…

This little pedal has been adding layers of beauty and vibrancy to guitars for over 40 years. So simple to use but it offers loads of versatility and sound shaping possibilities.

It is analog and built with True Bypass, so you know your tone will remain clear and full of character.

It’s not cheap, but it is not expensive either. The perfect balance of vintage phaser, quality construction, and ease of use makes the Phase 90 the best phaser pedal out there today.

Phaser pedals

But a big shout out also goes to the…

With this sturdy little guy, you get a great sounding phaser for a very low price. Surprisingly transparent and reaches greater depths the more speed you add, the Joyo shouldn’t be overlooked, especially if you’re starting out or on a budget.

That’s about all folks! We hope you found this information helpful, and you are now ready to head out and get yourself a new phaser pedal.

Have fun with your new phaser and don’t get too carried away with trying to see just how far out you can take your sound.

The great thing about phaser pedals is that you never know where they’re going to take you…

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