Okay, so you’re on the hunt for a delay pedal under $100, huh? Maybe you’re tired of your tone being a little too… dry? I get it.
A good delay pedal can take your sound from “meh” to “wow, where did that come from?” without wrecking your bank account.
I’ve gone ahead and found 7 budget delay pedals that do the job and won’t have you eating pasta for a month 😉
Quick Overview (TL;DR)
If you’re short on time, here’s the rundown of the best delay pedals under $100:
- Flamma FS22 Delay & Reverb: Two-in-one goodness. Stereo delay + reverb with tap tempo.
- tc electronic The Prophet Digital Delay: Digital delay with studio quality and no fuss.
- Nux Analog Delay: Analog delay that’ll make you feel like it’s 1985.
- tc electronic Bucket Brigade: Analog delay plus a little extra chorus magic.
- Harley Benton D-SEED: Dual delay channels with tap tempo because why not?
- Joyo R-07 Aquarius Delay + Looper: Multi-mode delay AND a looper—yes, please.
Ready to hear more? Here we go.
1. Flamma FS22 Delay & Reverb
Alright, let’s start with the Flamma FS22, which gives you stereo delay and reverb in one pedal. That’s right, two effects for the price of one! It’s got three delay + reverb combinations, so you can experiment with different sounds.
Plus, it’s got a tap tempo feature, so you can match your delay perfectly with the beat. Oh, and it has a freeze function—hold down that note forever if you want (just don’t overdo it).
Also, the Trail On feature lets your delay naturally fade out instead of cutting off awkwardly when you switch the pedal off.
Why I Recommend It
Okay, so let me just say this: If you’re into dreamy, ambient soundscapes, this pedal is your best friend. Seriously, it’s perfect for creating those swirling, echoing vibes.
You’re also getting a stereo delay, which is usually something you’d expect to pay way more for. It’s also nice having that freeze function—a cool feature for those cinematic, drawn-out sounds.
You get all of this for under $100, which, honestly, feels like a steal. But for those who are looking specifically for reverb effects, have a look at this guide on top reverb pedals under $100.
2. tc electronic The Prophet Digital Delay
Next up is the tc electronic The Prophet, and it’s about as no-nonsense as it gets. If you want digital delay that’s crystal clear and precise, this is it. No frills, just pure delay.
You get up to 1300 ms of delay, which is a LOT of space to play with. The controls are simple: Time, Mix, and Repeats. And guess what? It’s true bypass, so your signal stays clean when the pedal’s off.
Why I Recommend It
This pedal is for the players who want a straightforward, clean delay with no extra junk. It’s reliable, it’s precise, and it’s easy to use. If you’re not into all that warm, fuzzy analog stuff and just want your delays to be sharp and clear, grab this.
Also, with 1300 ms of delay time, you can really stretch out your sound. Oh, and did I mention it’s under $100? Yep, great value for a pedal that’s this good.
IMO it’s great for post rock, math rock and shoegaze. If you’re into that genres, read this guide on 10 best shoegaze pedals!
3. Nux Analog Delay
The Nux Analog Delay is a total throwback to the 80s. It’s got that analog bucket brigade circuit, which gives you warm, vintage delay tones. It even uses the classic MN3205 BBD chip, so you know it’s legit.
You can get delay times ranging from 20 to 300 ms, which makes it perfect for short, snappy delays or a more subtle echo. The controls are basic: Delay Time, Repeat, and Blend—super easy to use.
Why I Recommend It
If you’re a fan of vintage sounds or just like the feel of an old-school delay, this pedal is awesome. It’s warm, it’s analog, and it’s just got that “something” that digital delay can’t replicate.
Plus, it’s small and simple to use, making it perfect for beginners or anyone who just wants a solid delay sound without a ton of tweaking. For under $100, you’re getting a legit analog delay, which is pretty rare.
4. tc electronic Bucket Brigade
Now let’s talk about the tc electronic Bucket Brigade. This one’s all about analog delay with a little extra something: a modulation switch that adds a chorus effect to your delays. The pedal is built around a BBD circuit, so you get that lush, warm delay that analog fans love.
You’ve got controls for Depth, Volume, Delay, and Feedback—plus the Mod switch to add that chorus magic.
Why I Recommend It
Honestly, if you’re into analog delay and want a little extra flavor with that chorus effect, this one’s a winner. It’s perfect for players who like experimenting with sound and want to add a bit of wobble to their delay.
And it’s all true bypass, so your tone stays clean when the pedal’s off. Oh, and did I mention it’s under $100? You’re getting two effects in one for that price. Can’t really complain about that!
5. Harley Benton D-SEED
The Harley Benton D-SEED is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s a dual-channel digital delay pedal with tap tempo, so you can set your delay perfectly to match the tempo of your playing.
It has delay times ranging from 17 ms to 1000 ms via the time control, and if you use the tap tempo, you can get up to 6 seconds of delay. The controls are straightforward: Mix, Mode, Time, and Feedback.
You can store two different delay settings and switch between them with ease.
Why I Recommend It
If you want flexibility on a budget, this is a great option. The two channels let you switch between different delay settings on the fly, which is super useful for live performances or if you like to switch between different sounds mid-song.
The fact that it also has tap tempo makes it even more valuable for the price. Seriously, two channels and tap tempo for under $100? Yeah, that’s a steal.
Delay pedals are fantastic for worship music. If you like that vibe, read this guide on the best effects for worship!
6. Joyo R-07 Aquarius Delay + Looper
Last but not least, we’ve got the Joyo R-07 Aquarius. This one’s packed with features—it’s got eight different delay modes and a built-in 5-minute looper. The delay and looper can be used at the same time, which is perfect for creating layered sounds.
It also comes with a Tap Tempo button and controls for Volume, Level, Time, Tone, and Feedback. There’s even some cool LED lighting around the pedal for those late-night jam sessions.
Why I Recommend It
If you like to mess around with different delay sounds and want a looper built-in, this pedal is a no-brainer. The eight delay modes offer a ton of variety, and the fact that you can loop and delay at the same time is pretty awesome for anyone who likes to layer their playing.
Plus, it’s under $100. Honestly, it feels like they crammed so much into this pedal that they forgot to charge more for it. 😉
I also wrote an article about best loopers, but it’s in Polish, so check it out if you’re from that part of the world 😉
My Rating
How would I personally rate these? Here’s the truth.
| Pedal | Pros | Cons | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flamma FS22 Delay & Reverb | Dual effects, stereo sound, freeze function, great value | Might be too complex for some | 9.5 |
| tc electronic The Prophet | Studio-quality digital delay, simple controls | No extra features, basic | 8 |
| Nux Analog Delay | Warm, vintage sound, true analog delay | Short delay time (max 300 ms), minimal features | 8 |
| tc electronic Bucket Brigade | Analog delay with modulation option (chorus), solid sound | Limited to analog tones, no tap tempo | 8.5 |
| Harley Benton D-SEED | Two channels, tap tempo, incredible value | Build quality could be better, digital only | 8 |
| Joyo R-07 Aquarius Delay + Looper | Multiple delay modes, built-in looper, versatile | Interface can be a bit confusing, bulky design | 9 |
Each pedal has its strengths, so the choice really depends on whether you want simplicity or a lot of features. But hey, you can’t go wrong with any of them, especially for the price.
For more tips and gear reviews, head to our YouTube channels: Strefa Gitar (Polish YT) and Best Guitars Now (English).
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between analog and digital delay?
Analog delay uses actual physical circuits to create the effect, resulting in a warmer, more natural sound. Think old-school tape echo vibes. Digital delay, on the other hand, is cleaner, more precise, and can usually handle longer delay times. It’s perfect if you want every note to be heard clearly without any coloring of the sound.
2. How important is true bypass?
True bypass means the pedal doesn’t mess with your signal when it’s turned off. So, if you care about keeping your tone as clean and pure as possible, true bypass is your friend. If a pedal isn’t true bypass, it might slightly alter your sound even when it’s off, which isn’t always ideal.
3. Do I really need a tap tempo feature?
If you play live or want to sync your delay to a specific tempo, then tap tempo is super useful. It allows you to set the delay time to match the tempo of the song without having to fiddle with knobs. But if you’re just using it at home or for ambient sounds, you can probably live without it.
4. Can I stack delay pedals?
Oh yeah, you can totally stack delay pedals. A lot of pros do this to create complex, layered echoes. For example, you could use an analog delay for a short slapback and a digital delay for longer, more spaced-out repeats. It’s all about experimenting and finding what works for you.
5. Is a looper necessary with a delay pedal?
Not necessarily, but it’s a nice bonus. If you’re into layering parts or practicing leads over chord progressions, a looper can be a game-changer. The Joyo R-07 Aquarius even lets you loop while using delay effects, which opens up a lot of creative possibilities.
6. What’s a good beginner delay pedal?
If you’re just starting out and don’t want to get overwhelmed by options, something like the tc electronic The Prophet is perfect. It’s simple, clean, and gets the job done without a bunch of extra features you might not need right away. Once you get the hang of it, you can dive into the more complex pedals.
Summary
With the 7 pedals under $100 we’ve talked about, there’s something for everyone, from the ambient explorers to the no-frills rockers. Whether you grab a pedal with stereo delay and reverb, or just a basic digital delay, each one here offers incredible value.
So go ahead, take the plunge—your tone will thank you later! 🎸
