Reverb is one of the first guitar effects ever, and it’s still one of the most iconic. Whether you play blues, rock, metal, alternative, or anything in between, reverb is the ideal way to add some drama and interest to your playing.
Today, we’re going to cover everything you’ll need to know about reverb and review the best reverb pedals available.
What Is a Reverb Pedal?
Reverb is a naturally occurring effect that happens when soundwaves reflect off of the surfaces of a room. If you’ve ever heard your voice echo in a large room, you’re already familiar with reverb.
Reverb pedals take the reverb effect and apply it to your tone, which gives the impression that you’re playing in a more lively room with lots of character, even when you’re playing in a room that sounds dead.
How Does It Affect Guitar Tone?
There are many types of reverb, and they can affect your tone differently depending on the way they work. Early reverbs, like spring or plate, work mechanically to apply reverb to your tone. These effects produce an excellent reverb, but their size makes them impractical for pedal applications.
Nowadays, digital signal processing has replaced the reverb tanks of yesteryear. These digital reverbs can convincingly replicate the reverb styles of the past while also pushing the envelope of what reverb is capable of.
Choosing the Right Reverb Pedal for Your Needs
Before we examine the best reverb pedals on the market today, let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need to consider before making a decision.
Reverb Types
There are tons of different types of reverb, and depending on your playing style, some types may be better for your style than others.
Hall
Hall reverb replicates the sound of a cavernous concert hall. Since they’re reproducing such a large space, hall reverbs have long decay times. This type is ideal for ambient playing and sustained chords.
Chamber
Chamber reverb is similar to hall reverb, although it offers a bit more clarity, so it’s less likely to get washed out in the mix. Chamber reverbs were especially popular in the early days of rock, and you’ll hear them all over recordings by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and other acts from that time.
Room
Room reverbs are among the most popular with musicians and engineers alike. This reverb sound mirrors the natural ambiance we’re used to hearing in the real world, and it works beautifully with every instrument, from drums to vocals to guitar.
Plate Reverb
One of the first mechanical reverb effects, plate reverb, uses a large steel plate to capture the effect. A magnet agitates the plate, and a transducer captures the vibrations and applies the effect to the track. Studio plates have a unique vintage sound that’s popular for practically all styles of music.
Spring Reverb
Spring reverb is similar to the plate effect, although it uses a spring instead of a plate. Since spring reverbs could be made smaller than a plate, a spring tank is a staple on many vintage-style amps. A quality reverb pedal with DSC can provide incredibly realistic spring reverb emulations, too.
Stereo vs. Mono
Most reverb pedals are mono and provide a single output to run your guitar to other pedals or your amp. You’ll also come across stereo models that provide left and right outputs. Which is best for guitar?
Stereo reverbs allow you to send your sound out to two different amplifiers or separate a wet and dry output. These pedals tend to have a fullness and dimensional quality that’s tough to beat. Unless you’re running two amplifiers, the effect of a stereo reverb is typically lost.
Both reverbs are useful for the guitar. Having a stereo pedal is a good idea as it can be a bit more versatile than a mono pedal. Both effects sound great, and whether you choose a stereo or mono pedal is a matter of preference.
True Bypass
True bypass refers to how the manufacturer wires the pedals. With a true bypass pedal, the guitar’s signal completely bypasses the pedal’s circuitry when the pedal isn’t on, ensuring complete tonal transparency. But, there are a few caveats.
True bypass pedals produce an audible ‘pop’ noise when the effect is engaged, and they’re subject to signal loss if you use long cable runs. Some pedals use a buffer to combat these issues, but the buffer tends to color your sound, whether the effect is on or not.
This is another matter of preference, with most audiophiles tending to opt for true bypass pedals.
The Top 11 Best Reverb Pedal Options
Without further adieu, let’s review the eleven best reverb pedal options available today.
Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 Reverb Pedal
Best bang for your buck reverb
An incredibly versatile reverb pedal in a tiny package, the Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 reverb provides 11 different reverb types with three distinct modes for each type. Global controls for time, level, and tone allow you to shape your sound to your heart’s content.
Each reverb effect has hidden parameters you’ll find in the instruction manual, and they allow you to exact even more control over the sound and feel of each reverb. Even the footswitch offers additional functionality, “crashing” the reverb when you double-tap the pedal. There’s also a switch to toggle reverb trails on or off.
Features & Specs
- 11 reverb types
- 3 modes per type
- Hidden parameters
- “Crash” footswitch
- Bypass: buffered
Who Should Use This?
The Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 reverb is one of the best reverb pedals for guitar players who like to think outside the box when crafting their guitar tones. The Oceans 11 provides tons of control, the unique crash function, and its tiny size is perfect for a small pedalboard.
Eventide Space Reverb Pedal
Best reverb for live editing
If other reverb pedals aren’t living up to your studio-quality expectations, the Eventide Space pedal is the one for you. This incredibly high-quality reverb offers twelve different effect types, full MIDI compatibility, tap tempo, and much more.
The Eventide Space pedal is so powerful; you can use it for any instrument or studio application where only an immersive high-end reverb will do. Beyond the classic reverb types, Eventide includes many innovative extras, including reverbs that border on other effects like delay reverb, echo, or chorus.
Eventide provides an incredible level of control over each effect, providing ten different adjustment parameters for each reverb type.
Famous bands such as Nine Inch Nails, U2, and Sigur Ros have created presets for the Eventide Space pedal.
Features & Specs
- 12 different effect modes
- Stereo I/O
- MIDI I/O
- Programmable hot switch
- Bypass: true bypass
- Storage for 100 presets
Who Should Use This?
Guitar players who demand the most versatile effects pedals with studio-quality tone are bound to love the guitar tones the Eventide Space reverb provides.
Boss RV-6 Digital Reverb Pedal
Most rugged reverb pedal
A classic reverb pedal in a compact housing, the Boss RV-6 delivers impressive sound quality, plenty of delay modes, and stereo or mono operation, making it an ideal reverb for most players.
The RV-6 has five different reverb types and eight effect modes. Players can choose from room, plate, hall, spring, and dynamic delay types. There are also modes for reverb with modulation, delay, and the shimmer effect, which provide a unique take on classic delay sounds.
This reverb pedal provides controls for effect level, time, and tone, and it offers a stereo output to run your sound to two amps at once.
You can hear the effects of this famous pedal in songs by the great KT Tunstall, or Flux Pavilion.
Features & Specs
- Five different types of reverb
- Eight effect modes
- Stereo I/O
- Bypass: buffered
- Five-year warranty
Who Should Use This?
The Boss RV-6 is arguably the best reverb pedal for musicians looking for a simple and compact stompbox that provides excellent tone at an affordable price.
Source Audio Ventris Dual Reverb Pedal
Best guitar reverb pedal
One of the most powerful reverb pedals available, the Ventris from Source Audio uses dual processors to deliver an exceptionally musical and authentic-sounding piece of pro audio gear.
This digital reverb pedal provides 14 different reverbs and allows you to stack two reverbs on top of each other to create incredible ambient and ethereal tones. You can control six different parameters, and they range depending on the reverb type you use.
The Ventris also allows you to save up to eight presets, and you can use your phone to control the pedal with the Neuro app. This powerful pedal is also MIDI compatible with the Neuro Hub’s help, and it offers stereo inputs and outputs for the utmost versatility.
Features & Specs
- 14 reverbs
- MIDI I/O
- Stereo I/O
- Use two reverbs at once
- EXP pedal out – control up to three parameters
- Bypass: buffered or true bypass
- Nuero editor compatible
Who Should Use This?
The Source Audio Ventris is ideal for gigging professionals who need a musical and diverse reverb that’s easy to control live.
MXR M300 Digital Reverb Pedal
Best reverb for a small pedalboard
The MXR M300 might be small, but it’s a feature-rich powerhouse that’s perfect for a wide range of playing scenarios.
This digital reverb pedal offers six highly useful reverbs, including plate, spring, and room, plus several unique modes that push the envelope into a new sonic territory. Top-mount controls for decay, blend, and tone provide you with complete control over each mode, and a two-color LED system indicates which reverb you’re using presently.
The MXR M300 also offers an expression pedal input for independent control over effect parameters, and a trails switch for adjusting how the reverb interacts when you turn off the effect.
Jim Root of the famous metal band Slipknot uses this pedal to improve his live rig.
Features & Specs
- Six reverb modes
- Stereo out (requires TRS cable)
- Expression pedal input
- Bypass: true bypass
Who Should Use This?
The M300 is ideal for players searching for a powerful and musical reverb pedal in a small package. This tiny pedal features a mini housing that’s about half the size of a traditional stomp.
Boss RV-500 Reverb Pedal
Best true stereo reverb
One of the original powerhouse reverb pedals, the RV-500, has been a staple at the top of every best reverb pedal review for well over a decade.
The RV-500 provides 12 reverb and echo models. In addition to the parameters you control with knobs, there’s also plenty of opportunity for deep editing, and the editing process is simple and intuitive. The LCD screen is well-lit and large, making it easy to take care of any edits without squinting to make out the details.
The RV-500 offers true stereo operation, and 32-bit/96kHz processing ensures studio-quality audio. There’s also plenty of onboard storage, allowing you to access an incredible 297 presets and save your custom settings.
Features & Specs
- 12 reverbs
- 32-bit/96kHz processing
- Stereo I/O
- Tap tempo rate control
- 297 presets
Who Should Use This?
The RV-500 is an ideal pedal for any guitar player looking for a reverb that provides plenty of deep editing capability.
Walrus Audio Fathom Multi-Function Reverb Pedal
Best reverb for ambient sounds
Guitarists looking for a truly unique pedal they can use to find new sonic territory are sure to love the Walrus Audio Fathom reverb.
The Fathom provides four different reverbs, including unbeatable hall and plate models that cover all the tonal territory you’ll need. The Lo-Fi mode offers a unique and intriguing reverb that stretches from warm and submissive to shrill and thin, depending on where you set the filter. The Sonar mode adds high and low octaves, producing a must-hear tone that no other reverb can capture.
The sustain footswitch loops your last phrase and allows you to continue to play over it. The main footswitch provides momentary functionality so you can hold it down for a particular phrase or note, covering it in a thick sheen of reverb without overshadowing your primary tone.
Features & Specs
- 4 reverb modes
- Sustain footswitch
- Dual-mode bypass footswitch
- Trails switch
- Bypass: buffered bypass
Who Should Use This?
The Fathom from Walrus Audio is one of the best reverb pedals for guitarists looking for a reverb for ambient passages and experimenting with new tonal textures.
Strymon BigSky Multidimensional Reverb Pedal
Best overall reverb pedal
Widely considered an elite reverb pedal, the Strymon BigSky offers twelve different modes and all the deep-editing functionality you could ever ask for.
Each of the quality reverb effects of the Strymon BigSky is more immersive than the last, and they range from perennially useful classics like plate and spring reverb to far-out masterpieces like the Chorale and Magneto modes.
The SHARC DSC powers this piece of pro audio gear, and it provides immersive studio-quality audio. The rear panel provides any connection you could ever need, including MIDI, stereo input and output, and an expression pedal input.
Features & Specs
- 12 different reverbs
- SHARC DSC for studio-quality sound
- MIDI I/O
- Stereo I/O
- 300 customizable presets
- Bypass: buffered bypass
Who Should Use This?
The BigSky from Strymon is the best reverb pedal for guitarists who want tons of effect modes, deep editing capability, and studio-quality performance.
TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 Reverb Pedal
Most affordable, high-quality pedal
The TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 is a small and affordable reverb with the sonic power to stand toe-to-toe with reverb pedals more than twice the price.
The Hall of Fame 2 offers eight different reverb effects, including a gorgeous spring reverb, plus an additional three TonePrint modes you can download from a library of thousands of reverb models. Controls for level, delay, and tone provide precise control over each parameter, and there’s a toggle switch for choosing between pre-delay lengths.
The TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 also features their Mash footswitch, which is pressure sensitive and provides expression pedal-like functionality. This pedal is also compatible with TC Electronic’s TonePrint app, which allows you to choose from thousands of custom tones and beam them directly to your pedal using your smartphone.
You can hear this pedal come to life by listening to the greats such as Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, or the classic indie tunes of Owl City.
Features & Specs
- 8 different effect modes
- Mash footswitch
- TonePrint-enabled
- Bypass: switchable bypass
Who Should Use This?
This TC Electronic reverb is the ideal effect type for any guitarist looking for an affordable and versatile reverb app that offers a switchable bypass.
Walrus Audio Slö Multi Texture Reverb Pedal
Most unique reverb pedal
The Walrus Audio Slo reverb is tailor-made for guitarists who use reverb as an atmospheric effect. This pedal offers three unique delay modes that explore sonic territory far and away from a classic plate or spring reverb.
Guitarists can control the decay, filter, mix, and depth of each reverb mode, while a fifth knob, the ‘X’ knob, controls a different parameter that’s unique to each effect mode.
There’s also a sustain footswitch that ramps up the decay to the max when you hold it, and the main footswitch provides momentary operation, allowing you to apply reverb to specific notes or chords without muddying your overall tone.
Features & Specs
- 3 different delay modes
- Sustain footswitch
- 3 different waveform modes
- Trails switch
- Bypass: buffered bypass
- Requires 9V power supply (not included)
Who Should Use This?
The Walrus Audio Slo is perfect for guitarists who want to use reverb pedals to explore the esoteric and atmospheric new sonic territory. If you’re looking for a classic-sounding reverb, this isn’t the one for you.
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb Pedal
Best spring reverb pedal
The aptly-named Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail is one of the most popular reverbs ever, and many top guitarists employ one on their pedalboard.
The Nano is as simple as spring reverb pedals get. Guitarists can choose between three reverbs, and a single knob provides control over the effect. There’s no additional bells and whistles to worry about; just beautiful and immersive reverb.
The Holy Grail provides classic hall and spring reverb models, as well as the unique Flerb setting, which combines an ethereal reverb with a flanger, which provides an almost heavenly quality to your playing.
Features & Specs
- 3 different reverbs
- Rugged build quality
- Bypass: true bypass
Who Should Use This?
The Nano is among the best reverb pedals for players who want a simple, no-nonsense reverb that’s compact and easy to use. If all you’re looking for is a spring reverb pedal, look no further than the Nano. Or, if you want the best analog reverb pedal, check out the Holy Grail Max.
How to Use Reverb Pedals
You can use reverb pedals in tons of different ways, and exploring the possibilities can be fun and rewarding.
Many players will dial in a light reverb and leave the pedal on at all times. Others use it as an effect to add interest and drama to a particular song passage. Some players employ a reverb to keep on at all times and use another for effect.
Where Reverb Goes in the Signal Chain
Placing a reverb pedal in your signal chain is exceptionally easy. With some effects, you can experiment with creative placements and achieve different sounds. With reverb, that’s a recipe for disaster. Time effects like reverb and delay can wreak havoc on your sound quality if you place it incorrectly, and the result is a muddy mess with loads of feedback.
Always place your reverb at the very end of your signal chain regardless of what type of reverb you use.
Are Reverb Stompboxes Worth It?
Reverb is among the most useful effects on earth, and every musician utilizes it at all times, whether they realize it or not. There isn’t a single guitar player on earth who can’t benefit from adding at least some type of reverb to their rig.
Check out the best reverb pedals on our list above, and choose the best pedal for your playing style today.
