Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • 9 next-gen drum plugins
  • SampleRadar: 163 tape loops samples
  • Best free music-making software
  • Best electric guitars 2023

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News

The 12 best new guitar effects pedals of 2017

By MusicRadar Team
last updated 3 February 2020

The stompboxes deserving of a place on your ‘board

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
12. Xvive Sweet Leo

12. Xvive Sweet Leo

The MusicRadar/Total Guitar Best in guitars 2017 polls have received over 136,000 votes, and we're now ready to roll out the winners. The nominees were what we considered to be the guitarists and guitar gear that have excelled in 2017. Here, we present the best new guitar effects pedals of 2017. First up we have the Xvive Sweet Leo...

We say: “With oodles of nuance this is a versatile asset for any pedalboard.”

Full review: Xvive Sweet Leo review (opens in new tab)

The MusicRadar Best in guitars awards are brought to you in association with Allianz Musical Insurance - the UK's Number 1 Specialist Instrument Insurer

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
11. DigiTech CabDryVR

11. DigiTech CabDryVR

We say: “For any serious player who uses effects straight into a PA or recording desk, the CabDryVR is an essential purchase, replacing hit-and-miss graphic EQ tweaking with instant sonic satisfaction.”

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
10. Ibanez 850 Fuzz Mini

10. Ibanez 850 Fuzz Mini

We say: “Sometimes the best things do come in small packages.”

Full review: Ibanez 850 Fuzz Mini review (opens in new tab)

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
9. KHDK Scuzz Box

9. KHDK Scuzz Box

We say: “Another fine pedal from the KHDK team.”

Full review: KHDK Scuzz Box review (opens in new tab)

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
8. DigiTech FreqOut

8. DigiTech FreqOut

We say: “The FreqOut isn’t the first pedal to attempt feedback emulation, but it is the only one to nail it, and that makes it a must-buy in our book.”

Full review: DigiTech FreqOut review (opens in new tab)

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
7. Orange Getaway Driver

7. Orange Getaway Driver

We say: “Whether you favour a touch of breakup or a harmonically dense wall of sound, this pedal can get you there."

Full review: Orange Getaway Driver (opens in new tab)

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
6. Mooer Ocean Machine

6. Mooer Ocean Machine

We say: “Colossal hall and convincing spring tones impress, while audio anarchists will love the apocalyptic textures of dist-verb – what's more, you can freeze the current reverb or delay sound by holding the relevant footswitch down for infinite sustain.”

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
5. Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher

5. Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher

We say: “A genuinely exciting pedalboard development.”

Full review: Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher review (opens in new tab)

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
4. Line 6 Helix LT

4. Line 6 Helix LT

We say: “If you’ve been tempted by this type of high-end unit but put off by the price, Line 6 has just made it easier for you.”

Full review: Line 6 Helix LT review (opens in new tab)

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
3. TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2

3. TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2

We say:   “A more than worthy update. The reverb sounds are simply fantastic and cover all the bases you could wish for.”

Full review: TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2 review (opens in new tab)

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
2. Keeley D&M Drive

2. Keeley D&M Drive

We say: “Stick one of these between your guitar and amp and you won’t be disappointed.”

Full review: Keeley D&M Drive review (opens in new tab)

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
WINNER: Electro-Harmonix Canyon

WINNER: Electro-Harmonix Canyon

We said: “The audio quality and diversity should make this a no-brainer for experimental players whose compact needs aren’t met by the DD-7 or Flashback and don’t need stereo outs.“

Full review: Electro-Harmonix Canyon review (opens in new tab)

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
MusicRadar Team
MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts. TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars. STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.
  1. Epiphone Casino
    1
    Best Epiphone guitars 2023: our budget spanning picks of the greatest Epiphone guitars available right now
  2. 2
    Watch Miley Cyrus’s Flowers being recreated in GarageBand for iPhone in less than 10 minutes
  3. 3
    How to sound like Depeche Mode using soft synths in your DAW
  4. 4
    Tony Banks on why he would have “screwed up” In The Air Tonight if Phil Collins had given it to Genesis
  5. 5
    John Lennon on completing Eleanor Rigby's lyrics for Paul McCartney: "It's his first verse, and the rest of the verses are basically mine"
  1. Tony Banks
    1
    Tony Banks on why he would have “screwed up” In The Air Tonight if Phil Collins had given it to Genesis
  2. 2
    John Lennon on completing Eleanor Rigby's lyrics for Paul McCartney: "It's his first verse, and the rest of the verses are basically mine"
  3. 3
    Watch Jimmy Page demo some of the most iconic guitars and amps in Led Zeppelin history
  4. 4
    5 songs producers need to hear by... Depeche Mode
  5. 5
    MIDI’s 40th anniversary is set to be celebrated at the 2023 NAMM Show, and MIDI 2.0 is also being previewed

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.