Top 5 Best Phaser Pedals For Guitar
Uncover the top 5 phaser pedals for guitarists, featuring detailed reviews and comparisons to enhance your sound and elevate your playing experience.
Published: September 22, 2025
When you play guitar, unwanted noise and hum can distract from your performance and steal the spotlight from your tone. Choosing the right noise gate pedal is important because it helps you maintain a clean, professional sound without sacrificing your expression or sustain. In this article, you will discover the top options available that can help you eliminate noise effectively, protect your tone, and enhance your overall playing experience.
Category |
Product |
Price |
Score |
|---|---|---|---|
🏆 Best Overall |
$120.70 |
92 |
|
đź’° Best Value |
$35.99 |
85 |
|
⚡ Best Performance |
$159.99 |
88 |
|
🎯 Best for Beginners |
$31.99 |
80 |
|
đź’ˇ Best Innovation |
$199.00 |
83 |
You want a noise gate pedal that effectively suppresses unwanted hum and noise while preserving the natural tone and sustain of your guitar. We focused on pedals that offer easy adjustability, durability, and clean signal preservation. Customer reviews, brand reputation, and value for price were also major factors. Whether you’re playing high-gain metal or clean blues, the right noise gate can improve your sound quality and reduce distractions on stage or in the studio.
If you’re tired of unwanted noise and hum messing with your guitar tone, the BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor Pedal is a dependable solution. It helps keep your sound clean without affecting your instrument's natural attack or envelope, allowing you to focus on playing without distractions.
You’ll find that many guitarists love how this pedal cleans up their sound, especially those using high-gain pedals or noisy effects loops. With numerous five-star reviews, users consistently praise its ability to silence unwanted noise without sacrificing tone. Plus, it’s known for being reliable and built to last, which means it’s a solid investment for any rig.
The NS-2 is a Boss product, so you can expect rugged construction designed to withstand gigging and regular use. Users report consistent performance over many years, making it a reliable piece in your pedal collection that won’t let you down.
If you struggle with amp hum, noisy high-gain pedals, or effects loop noise, this pedal is your ultimate noise gate solution. You can quickly adjust the threshold and decay to tailor the noise suppression to your setup.
Many users find it completely silences their background noise, making breaks silent and their performance sound cleaner overall.
Current Price: $120.70
Rating: 4.6 (total: 1,064+)
Check AvailabilityIf you've ever battled that annoying hiss or hum between riffs, the MXR Smart Gate is like your new best friend. It has three selectable modes, so whether you're holding out a long note or chugging through tight, syncopated rhythms, it smartly adapts to reduce noise without choking your tone.
You get to keep all those subtle nuances and sustain that really make your playing sing. Plus, its hardwire bypass means no tone loss when you step on it.
It’s simple, effective, and fits well on any pedalboard.
Players often mention how well it handles tricky high-gain setups, cutting out feedback without killing their sustain. It's especially praised for its natural way of gating — no stuttering or weird cuts — and lots of users appreciate how it can be left on all the time without messing with their clean or distorted tones.
🗣️ Joe H.
This pedal is exactly what I was looking for. I have a Hot Rodded Strat that screams between notes, and this gate cuts the feedback without killing sustain. It even swells nicely if you play lightly instead of popping on and off.
🗣️ Anthony Clure
Used by legends like Dave Mustaine, this pedal has one knob and a sensitivity switch that’s surprisingly versatile. I’ve never needed more than one setting, and it’s built like a tank but lighter to carry around.
Built with metal housing and solid components, the Smart Gate holds up well to the rough and tumble of gigging. Many users have kept theirs on boards for years without issues, so it’s definitely a pedal that won’t quit on you.
Whether it’s stray amp hiss or noisy effects stacks, this pedal kicks unwanted noise to the curb while letting your playing’s character remain intact. The intuitive threshold means it reacts perfectly to your picking strength, so it never feels like the pedal is battling with you on stage.
Current Price: $159.99
Rating: 4.3 (total: 192+)
Check AvailabilityIf you've had enough of that persistent background buzz or hum sneaking into your guitar sound, the Donner Noise Killer pedal might just be what you need. It offers two noise gate modes—hard for quick, aggressive noise cutting, and soft for a gentler touch that keeps your playing smooth. It works great whether you're practicing at home or playing live, and the true bypass means your tone stays crystal clear when the pedal is off. Plus, it’s compact and easy to dial in, so you can focus on your music without fiddling endlessly.
Users rave about how well it cleans up their tone without ruining their sustain or dynamics. Many mention it's super easy to set up right away, and the soft mode especially keeps things natural. Also, the price point gets high marks for being affordable without feeling cheap.
🗣️ clinton sharp
Great price and solid for pedal board scenarios and being able to switch between 2 amps or having both at the same time. Works solid. No hum or static noise. Came with stickers for my home made pedal board. Great product
🗣️ Pam C.
This sturdy little pedal came in a nice magnetically closable box with a quick but useful owner's guide and a couple cute Donner stickers. I was tired of feedback and unwanted noise in my small room. It’s easy to adjust and works perfectly to cut out noise without killing tone or sustain.
Though it’s made primarily of plastic, the pedal feels sturdy and solid. Plenty of players have it on their boards for months or even years without any issues, so it’s ready to handle regular gigs and practice sessions.
This pedal tackles unwanted hiss, buzz, and feedback effectively, whether you’re running a high-gain amp or stacking effects. Its quick response and smooth gating mean your notes come through clear without that dreaded gate-cutting feel.
Current Price: $35.99
Rating: 4.3 (total: 21,360+)
Check AvailabilityIf you’re looking for a pedal that can do just about everything from smooth overdrive to gritty fuzz, the JHS The Kilt V2 is worth checking out. It’s compact but packs a ton of tone options, letting you dial in anything from a clean, amp-style breakup to a seriously wild gated fuzz sound. Whether you’re experimenting in the studio or dialing in your live rig, this pedal adapts to whatever vibe you need.
Plus, the controls are straightforward enough that you won’t waste time fiddling while you’re jamming.
Players love how flexible this pedal is, especially how it can serve as everything from a subtle overdrive to a full-on fuzz monster. The touch sensitivity and clear tones make it a favorite, and the gated fuzz mode really stands out for cutting through a mix without getting messy.
🗣️ J. Collins
This pedal is multi-functional and can be used in several ways. It shines especially when using both XLR and 1/4 outputs simultaneously for board and amp. At low gain, it delivers an open sound; more gain adds nice compression and some fun distortion characters. The EQ is helpful to cut or boost as needed, and the high pass filter is a nice touch to keep the tone balanced.
🗣️ SF
I run this on a mini board next to my Helix, and it totally exceeded my expectations. It's versatile and touch sensitive, covering everything I need from drive to fuzz with ease. It sits perfectly in the mix and pairs beautifully with other pedals for mid boost. Definitely a keeper for variety and feel.
The build feels solid enough for regular gigging and practice. Lots of users have taken it on the road without it missing a beat, and the plastic casing holds up while keeping the pedal lightweight.
This pedal handles everything from adding just a little grit to transforming your tone into a roaring fuzz playground. It adapts well to different amps and setups, helping you control noise and shape your signature sound without much hassle.
Current Price: $199.00
Rating: 4.6 (total: 259+)
Check AvailabilityIf you’ve ever battled with annoying background noise bleeding through your guitar signal, the Rowin Noise Killer LEF-319 is a neat little pedal to have on your board. It’s designed to chop out unwanted hum and hiss without messing with your guitar tone, which is exactly what you want when you’re dialing in a clean or distorted sound.
Plus, you get two noise reduction modes—hard for serious gating and soft when you want a more subtle effect. The pedal is compact, so it won’t hog your pedalboard space, and it’s built tough with a metal body that feels like it can take gig life in stride.
Just keep in mind it requires a 9V power supply as it doesn’t run on batteries, so plan accordingly. Whether you're practicing at home or playing live, it’s a handy pedal that helps keep your tone focused and noise-free.
Folks appreciate how simple this pedal is to use and how well it silences noise without thinning out their tone. It’s especially praised for being quiet when bypassed and for handling high-gain setups without adding extra hiss.
The solid build and mini size are also big pluses, letting you fit it in tight rig setups with no trouble.
🗣️ junk
This is one amazing little pedal! From the weight and high-end look all the way to the astounding clarity, it’s way better than I expected for the price. It’s silent even with high gain distortion and active pickups, no background buzzing at all.
🗣️ EA
Been using it to manage unwanted string noise on my electric basses. It’s simple to use and works perfectly. Keeps those ugly noises at bay without messing with my tone.
Thanks to its zinc alloy body, this pedal feels solid and ready for regular use, whether you're gigging or practicing. Users report it holding up well over time without any issues, which is key for a pedal that's always on your board.
This pedal really shines when it comes to taming unwanted background noise, hum, and buzz, especially if you’re using high-gain amps or pickups. The two modes let you customize how aggressively it gates, so you can gently clean up your sound or clamp down hard to scrub noise from your signal path.
Current Price: $31.99
Rating: 4.2 (total: 3793+)
Check AvailabilityWhen selecting a noise gate pedal, you should consider the type of noise you're dealing with, your signal chain complexity, and your playing style. If you have a high-gain rig with multiple pedals causing hiss or hum, a pedal like the BOSS NS-2, which offers an effects loop for targeted noise suppression, might be ideal.
If you want simplicity and quick setup, the MXR Smart Gate with its single knob and selectable noise reduction modes could work well. Also, assess whether you need true bypass to preserve tone when the pedal is off, and check if the pedal can handle the dynamics of your pickups and amp volume without cutting sustain prematurely. Don't forget to pay attention to power requirements and input/output connectivity to ensure compatibility with your gear.
You might worry about noise gates cutting off your notes or altering your tone, but when properly set up, a quality noise gate pedal preserves your instrument’s natural attack and sustain. For instance, users of the BOSS NS-2 report that it reduces unwanted noise without destroying tone or sustain, especially when you adjust the threshold and decay controls carefully to allow a natural fade out. The MXR Smart Gate is praised for its transparency, but turning the threshold too high or using high-gain settings may slightly diminish sustain or muddy tone.
It’s important to experiment with settings to find the sweet spot where noise is controlled but your playing dynamics come through unaffected.
While noise gate pedals are effective tools to reduce hum, hiss, and unwanted feedback from your guitar rig, they aren’t magic fixes for all noise problems. Often, noisy pickups, poor cables, or power supply issues can contribute to unwanted sounds.
You should use quality cables, proper power conditioners, and ensure your amp and pedals are grounded and well-maintained. A noise gate like the Donner Noise Killer or Rowin LEF-319 can significantly clean up your soundboard noise, but if the noise is caused by faulty electrical sources or signal interference, a noise gate alone won’t solve it. Consider them part of a holistic noise management approach to keep your tone clean and your performance solid.
To sum up, finding a high-quality noise gate pedal can transform your guitar sound by eliminating distracting noise without compromising tone. The products listed here cover a range of budgets and performance levels, so you can select what fits your style and rig.
Investing in a reliable noise gate means you will get more focus on your playing, cleaner breaks between notes, and a professional-sounding setup overall. Use this guide to choose a pedal that helps you play confidently and sound your best.
| Product | Image | Rating | Price | Dimensions | Weight | Battery Type | Distinct Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor Guitar Pedal |  |
4.6/5 (1,064 reviews) | $120.70 | 6 x 3.8 x 2.7 inches | 1.15 pounds | 1 Lithium Ion battery required (included) |
|
| MXR® Smart Gate® Noise Gate |  |
4.3/5 (192 reviews) | $159.99 | 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.8 inches | 0.16 ounces | 1 9V battery required |
|
| Donner Noise Gate Pedal, Noise Killer |  |
4.3/5 (21,360 reviews) | $35.99 | 5 x 2 x 2 inches | 8.8 ounces | Corded Electric |
|
| Rowin Guitar Noise Killer Noise Gate Suppressor |  |
4.2/5 (3,793 reviews) | $31.99 | 3.74 x 1.77 x 1.89 inches | 8 ounces | Battery Powered |
|
| JHS Pedals JHS The Kilt V2 Overdrive and Fuzz |  |
4.6/5 (259 reviews) | $199.00 | 7 x 3 x 3 inches | 12.7 ounces | 1 9V battery required |
|
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