9 Best Fuzz Pedals for Guitars in 2020

Fuzz pedals are basically like any other guitar pedals, but they produce a different effect than others. These pedals are used by electric guitarists and bass guitarists, so that they are able to control the amount of distortion they wished to add to their music.

These fuzz pedals are mainly associated with genres of music like jazz, blues and classic rocks. They come with knobs that can easily be operated to control the level of distortion you aim for. These pedals are able to produce a sound similar to the sound produced by a horn player in a jazz session.

If you are thinking of buying a fuzz pedal for your guitar, then we assure you, you wouldn’t regret it! And so, we are here to help you out. We listed and reviewed below the 9 Best Fuzz Pedals for Guitars in 2020, and have also worked on a Buyer’s Guide, which you would find at the end of this article. The buyer’s guide would help you remember the most important features that must be present in your fuzz pedal, so that you can get your hands on the best product! So, let’s get started!

EarthQuaker Devices Hoof V2 Germanium/Silicon Hybrid Fuzz Guitar Effects Pedal

This fuzz pedal by Earthquaker comes in a unique Germanium/Silicon design and provides the user with maximum tone and temperature stability. It is a hand-made product with utmost care from Akron, Ohio.

It offers the user with a wide range of gain and is able to provide overdrive that sounds exactly like an amp, and can also provide total fuzz madness that the user might be expecting. It gives a sustain that is natural and is also harmonically rich. It provides a clear signal that is sure to be heard through mix. It is a very versatile fuzz pedal and offers its user with a number of tonal shaping options, that can be selected and used just by a tap.

Any kind of muddiness from the bass is also removed. The frequency responses can also be changed by shift controls.

Features

1. Wide gain range.
2. Natural and harmonically rich sustain.
3. Versatile.
4. Many tonal shaping options available.
5. Removes muddiness from bass.
6. Shift control changes the frequency.
7. Germanium/Silicon design.
8. Hand made product.
9. Made in Akron, Ohio.
10. Amp-like overdrive.
11.  Monstrous fuzz madness.

Overall Ratings- 4.5/5 stars.

Fulltone ’69 MkII Fuzz Guitar Effects Pedal

This is a fuzz pedal by Fulltone, that is able to provide you with harmonically rich fat fuzz, anytime, anywhere! It gives a vintage style fuzz.

It has two germanium transistors that have been selected with care and have been tested so that the users are not disappointed. It features a contour knob which allows the user to simply dial in the sustain, the midrange or the harmonics needed by them. There is also an input knob that gives amazing distortion sounds. The presence of an internal “bias” trimmer lets the user adjust the clipping symmetry and the harmonics.

It allows preservation of the tone even when pedal is off, all because of its true bypass w/LED. It is battery operated and requires 1 9V battery.

Features

1. Gives fat and harmonically rich fuzz.
2. Vintage style fuzz.
3. 2 germanium transistors.
4. Contour knob.
5. Adjustable sustain, midrange, harmonics.
6. Input knob.
7. Internal bias trimmer.
8. Preserves tone even when pedal is off.
9. True bypass w/LED.
10. Requires 1 9V battery.

Overall Ratings– 4.3/5 stars.

Keeley Fuzz Bender 3 Transistor Hybrid Fuzz Pedal 

This is a 5 knob modern fuzz pedal by Keeley, which is one of the most popular brands that produce musical instruments or other musical devices.

It features 3 transistors and includes a combination high-gain silicon and silky smooth germanium. It features active EQ, which results in amazing fuzz. There are 2 gyrators that are used as an active EQ which enables the user to create fuzz tones that are not possible with typical pedals. It features a bias control, which lets the user control the decay and attack of the notes.

It is a very versatile fuzz pedal and is able to deliver fat square waves, as well as angular fuzz, or say, glitchy-Velcro attacks.

Features

1. 5 knobs.
2. 3 transistors.
3. Combination high gain silicon and silky smooth germanium.
4. Active EQ.
5. Gyrator bass.
6. Treble controls.
7. Bias control.
8. Versatile.
9. Fuzz controls can be moves with feet.
10. Top mounted jacks are simple to use.
11. True bypass.

Overall Ratings- 5.0/5 stars.

Death by Audio Fuzz War Pedal w/ 3 Cables

This fuzz pedal by Death By Audio comes with 3 cables and produces a very rich and thick fuzz along with distortion. The manufacturer claims that this fuzz pedal produces more fuzz and gain than other fuzz pedals available in the market.

It features a multi-curve shaping filter which is responsible for providing the user with screaming highs. This filter alters the timbre from deep bass sludge to the screaming highs. It allows controllable fuzz and drive of the fuzz circuit.

It has many levels of fuzz control that can be attained easily simply by the turning of a knob. The overall output volume of the pedal can also be controlled.

Features

1. 3 cables included.
2. Rich and thick fuzz.
3. Produces more gain than others.
4. Multi-curve shaping filter.
5. Alters timbre to screaming highs.
6. Controllable fuzz and drive.
7. Easy to operate knob.
8. Many levels of fuzz control.
9. Overall volume adjustable.
10. Also serves as a tone shifter in its lowest setting.

Overall Ratings– 4.7/5 stars.

JHS Muffuletta Fuzz Guitar Effects Pedal

This fuzz pedal by JHS Pedals has a powerful circuit and is not as much compressed. It offers more mid-range than other fuzz pedals and produces a bright tone, that has less gain.

This fuzz pedal gives more low-end response and also provides more articulation to the user. It has easy to operate controls and provides the user with controllable volume, tone, sustain and version selector. This fuzz pedal is said to offer the the widest range of effects. The version selector is specially the most useful control provided since it allows the user to select between the 6 versions very easily, just with the turn of a knob.

It needs 9V DC Negative power to operate and it consumes less than 100mA.

Features

1. 9V DC Negative power.
2. Consumes less than 100mA.
3. Powerful circuit.
4. Less compression.
5. High mid-range.
6. Bright tone.
7. Less gain.
8. High low-end response.
9. More articulation.
10. Controllable volume, tone, sustain.
11. Version selector present.
12. Provides wide range of effects.
13. 6 versions available.
14. Amazing garage type sound.

Overall Ratings– 4.7/5 stars.

MXR M296 Classic 108 Fuzz Mini Effects Pedal Bundle

An amazing fuzz pedal by MXR, is a small sized pedal that produces vintage tones and works exactly like its bigger version.

It features a silicon transistor that gives a round and dirty crunch. It comes with a 9 volt power supply. It features a simple and straightforward two-knob interference that is extremely easy to operate. It comes with a buffer switch which is responsible for producing a fat fuzz along with wah pedals.

It is mainly an entire bundle, which includes 2 right angle patch cables that are 6-inches each, and 6 guitar picks.

Overall Ratings– 5.0/5 stars.

Teisco Guitar Distortion Effects Pedal 

This fuzz pedal by Teisco is constructed with a silicon transistor and is modeled according to the Foxx tone machine.

It has an upper octave that is switchable and has been inspired by the 70S predecessor. The user can also enable screen reader. The octave switch gives gnarlier tones and also allows the user to unlock searing lead lines. It provides a number of effects, like vintage, sustain, octave fuzz, velcro-ripping tones, etc.

This fuzz pedal is suitable for work with any guitar, or modules/synths. It is a lightweight product of 1.15 pounds and has many satisfied customers.

Features

1. Silicon transistor.
2. Modeled according to the Foxx tone machine.
3. Switchable upper octave.
4. Inspired by 70S predecessor.
5. Screen reader can be enabled.
6. Gives gnarlier tones.
7. Unlocks searing lead lines.
8. Offers effects like vintage, sustain, octave fuzz, velcro-ripping tones, etc.
9. Suitable with guitar and modules.
10. Lightweight.

Overall Ratings– 4.0/5 stars.

ZVEX Effects Fuzz Factory Vexter Series Fuzz Guitar Pedal

This fuzz pedal by ZVEX features two germanium transistors and has a hand polished aluminum chassis which is hand silk-screened.

It comes with controllable gate, volume and compress. It also features drive and stability controls. It is a 5-knob fuzz pedal that produces amazing tones and provides you with the rich fuzz that you have been longing for. It allows the user to shape their own customized fuzz effects.

This fuzz pedal also consumes much lesser energy than other products of this range. Each fuzz pedal from this brand is unique, since it is carefully hand painted and assembled. It eliminates squeal and allows the user to control the feedback pitch.

Features

1. Hand-painted and assembled.
2. Eliminates squeal.
3. Consumes less energy.
4. Allows personalized fuzz effects.
5. 5-knob fuzz pedal.
6. Gives a rich fuzz.
7. Controllable gate, volume and compress.
8. Drive and stability controls.
9. Has two germanium transistors.
10. hand polished aluminum chassis.
11. Allows control the feedback pitch.

Overall Ratings– 4.2/5 stars.

Donner Guitar Stylish Fuzz Traditional Rich,Aluminium-alloy Classic Effects Pedal

Donner is a known brand in the world of music and this fuzz pedal gives a traditional fuzz effect. The fuzz effect produced by it is plump and rich.

The whole body is made of aluminum alloy, which makes it a strong pedal, that has a stylish design and color as well. It is a mini pedal, which makes it convenient to use. It features 3 function knobs, that are tone, sustain, and volume. It also features an LED indicator, which makes it easy to identify the working state of the pedal.

It gives a sweet tone and is a durable pedal. It provides a transparent tone, all thanks to its true bypass. It looks simpler than other unnecessarily complex fuzz pedals, and its working is simple too.

Features

1. Simple looking.
2. Convenient use.
3. Small size.
4. Durable.
5. Transparent ton.
6. True bypass.
7. Gives plump and thick fuzz.
8. Aluminum alloy construction.
9. Steady and strong.
10. 3 function knobs.
11. LED indicator.
12. Power supply: 9V DC.
13. Input and output jack.

Overall Ratings– 4.5/5 stars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buyer’s Guide

Selecting a fuzz pedal completely depends on the kind of music you play. But there are a few general features to look out for, no matter which fuzz pedal you buy.

The size of the fuzz pedal is one aspect. Sizes don’t really offer much difference in features and are pretty much the same in working. What you do need to look out for, is the power supply needed by the fuzz pedal.

If the fuzz pedal is battery operated, check the voltage power required by the batteries so that you know what kind of batteries you will need to buy.

Fuzz pedals are mainly available with two kinds of transistors- germanium and silicon. Germanium transistors are known to produce a warmer tone while silicon ones are brighter and offer a higher gain. According to our research, germanium fuzz pedals are more popular and are liked by people, but it is your choice to make, since both of these fuzz pedals work efficiently.

Summary

So, these were the 7 Best Fuzz Pedals for Guitars in 2020, and above were the features to look out for. Hence, we would say that now you are officially ready to purchase a fuzz pedal!

Don’t think much, just buy that fuzz pedal you have on your mind and you will soon realize what was missing from your music!

Thanks for reading this article! Please leave your comments below.

Don’t forget to check out our article on the 7 Best Wireless Guitar Systems.