The Complete Mini Effects List: 15 Best Mini Guitar Pedals for Compact Touring

The second reason was that as the demand for mini-pedals increased, some larger companies found it more profitable to sell mini versions of their regular-sized pedals to buyers who were on a tight budget and could afford the larger-sized pedals. This was a smart business move as these companies successfully expanded their market by welcoming buyers from the other end of the spectrum – people on a budget. Popular brands like Ibanez, Electro Harmonix and TC Electronic produce both the conventional-sized and mini-sized effect pedals. It is important to understand that these pedals are not exactly inferior to the normal-sized pedals as they have their place and function, which makes them quite unique in their own rights.

While there are plenty of reasons to love big, full-sized pedals, sometimes you just don’t need all that “real estate” on your pedal board. Maybe you’re looking to lighten your load for gigs, or you just don’t have the room on your board for a bunch of full-sized effects. When you’re looking for the best mini pedals, it’s important to keep in mind that they aren’t all created equal. In this guide, we’ll help you sort through the best of the best by identifying what sets each pedal apart.

What Makes Mini-Pedals Different from Normal-Sized Pedals?

Compact Size

The first and most obvious difference between mini pedals and regular-sized guitar pedals is their sizes. While full-sized pedals typically measure around 4.5-inch x 2.5-inch, mini pedals can be as small as 1.5-inch x 1-inch. This makes them more convenient for packing up and taking on the go. Plus, if you have a smaller pedal board, you’ll be able to fit more mini pedals onto it. Oftentimes, space is a luxury you can not afford and mini-pedals will always be your best option if you have issues with space. This also makes them quite easy to transport, especially if you are a gigging guitarist on the road.

Price

This is another important reason why many people will always go for mini-pedals as opposed to normal-sized guitar pedals. These pedals are always twenty to thirty per cent cheaper than their larger versions. Although they might always come with fewer controls and features, the resultant tonal characteristic is still always as exceptional as its larger versions. Because these mini pedals that come in a mass-manufactured format are usually cheaper than their larger versions, it means that if you are looking for a smaller pedal to fit a gap on your board, then the lower cost is likely to be an advantage.

Simplified Controls

Another common feature of mini pedals is that they often have simplified controls. This can be anything from having fewer knobs to not having an LED indicator light. While this may seem like a downside at first, it can actually be a benefit. With fewer controls to worry about, you can spend more time focusing on your playing. Some smaller pedals do not have as many features as bigger pedals. For example, on the TC Electronic Mini range, the pedals have fewer controls. But on others, like the Ibanez Mini range, the pedals are cheaper and smaller – but there is no other difference. It is up to your taste which you choose.

Battery Power

Although not always the case in all, most mini-pedals will not give you an allowance for 9-volt battery usage. In this case, you will have to use an external power source. On the contrary, normal-sized pedals often come with compartments that will allow the use of 9-volt batteries. Some people think that mini pedals don’t sound as awesome as their larger counterparts. We disagree – it depends on the pedal. We have found that some boutique mini pedals sound fantastic.

Mini Guitar Pedals Buying Guide Mini Guitar Effects Pedals

Designing pedals that will fit inside smaller boxes is difficult for boutique builders. In most situations, designing and then assembling them is more expensive than designing around a larger enclosure. This is why they aren’t generally seen outside of basic overdrives. There are some exceptions, such as the wonderfully complex Rainger FX Reverb X.

There are a lot of different choices for mini pedals. You can find pedals that do overdrive or multi-effects. Mooer is known for its mini pedals, and they continue to drive innovation in this area. Recently, they released the 7 series–digital effects in a mini enclosure that can rival pedals many times their size.

Some of the best mini pedals are: