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New to this? Read How to Choose a Guitar Amp: Complete Beginner’s Guide first for the basics, then use the picks below.
The best amp modeler pedal for most players is the IK Multimedia TONEX One, because it fits real-amp captures into a mini pedal for under $200. Beginners on a tight budget should pick the Valeton GP-5, at about $80. Players who want deep editing and effects should choose the Line 6 HX Stomp.
An amp modeler pedal puts an amplifier, a speaker cabinet and a microphone into a box that fits on your pedalboard. Our guitar amp modeling guide explains how modeling and captures work. This guide is about which pedal to actually buy.
To find the best amp modeler pedal for each type of player, we’ve picked seven current pedals across three styles: capture pedals, component-modeling multi-effects and single-amp emulations. Each pick includes who it’s for and who should skip it. If you’d rather run tones on your computer, see our Neural Amp Modeler guide. If you’re deciding between capture platforms, read NAM vs ToneX vs Quad Cortex.
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Best Amp Modeler Pedals: Quick Picks
| Pick | Who it’s for | Skip it if | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IK Multimedia TONEX One | Best amp modeler pedal overall | You want lots of effects or easy onboard editing | Check price on Amazon |
| Valeton GP-5 | Best amp modeler pedal for beginners | You want the most realistic captures | Check price on Amazon |
| Line 6 HX Stomp | Best for deep editing and effects | You only need one great amp sound | Check price on Amazon |
| Strymon Iridium | Best small modeler pedal for simplicity | You want lots of different amps | Check price on Amazon |
| Universal Audio UAFX Dream ’65 Reverb | Best for Fender-style cleans | You play high gain | Check price on Amazon |
| IK Multimedia TONEX Pedal | Best ToneX for live switching | You need a tiny board footprint | Check price on Amazon |
| Neural DSP Nano Cortex | Best for capturing your own amp in pedal form | You need a full multi-effects unit | Check price at Neural DSP |
The 7 Best Amp Modeler Pedals Reviewed
1. IK Multimedia TONEX One – Best amp modeler pedal overall
The TONEX One is the pedal that made capture technology mainstream. It stores 20 ToneX Tone Models, which are AI captures of real amps, cabinets and drives, plus a compressor, EQ, noise gate and reverb.
It’s tiny, sounds remarkably like real amps and works either as your whole amp (into a PA or interface) or as a preamp into a power amp. Onboard editing is menu-driven, so set it up with the desktop app.
- Format: Mini pedal
- Presets: 20
- Tech: ToneX AI Machine Modeling
- Connectivity: Mono in, TRS out, USB-C (audio and editing)
Pros: Superb tone; Tiny; Huge library. Cons: Fiddly editing; Few effects.
IK Multimedia TONEX One: Check price on Amazon
2. Valeton GP-5 – Best amp modeler pedal for beginners
The GP-5 launched at $79.99 and is the best amp modeler pedal for beginners. It has amp models, more than 100 effects, a tuner, an IR loader and NAM capture support via Valeton’s conversion, all edited through a Bluetooth phone app.
It’s also an ideal practice pedal for headphones, and it powers from a standard 9V supply drawing 100 mA. For plug-in options with no cables, see the best headphone amp guitar picks.
- Price at launch: $79.99
- Effects: 100+
- Editing: Bluetooth app
- Power: 9V DC, 100 mA
Pros: Unbeatable value; Easy app; Everything in one. Cons: Captures less realistic than TONEX; Small controls.
Valeton GP-5: Check price on Amazon
3. Line 6 HX Stomp – Best for deep editing and effects
The HX Stomp runs Line 6’s Helix modeling engine in a three-footswitch pedal. You get dozens of amps and cabs, hundreds of effects, IR loading, an effects loop, MIDI and a USB audio interface. If you need more footswitches, see how it compares with full floor units in our best multi-effects pedals guide.
It’s the most flexible pedal here, a proven touring tool and the best amp modeler pedal if you want a whole rig in one box. You can run it as a full rig into a PA or use just its effects with a real amp.
- Blocks: Up to 8
- I/O: Stereo in/out, FX send/return, USB audio, MIDI
- Tech: HX component modeling
Pros: Pro-grade tone and effects; Endlessly flexible; Great interface for recording. Cons: Three footswitches can feel limiting; Learning curve.
Line 6 HX Stomp: Check price on Amazon
4. Strymon Iridium – Best small modeler pedal for simplicity
The Iridium does one thing beautifully: three amp voices (Round, Chime and Punch, inspired by Fender, Vox and Marshall-style amps) with built-in cab IRs and room reverb. It uses real amp-style knobs and no menus.
It’s a superb small modeler pedal for players with an existing pedalboard who want a direct-to-PA or recording amp sound. You can also load your own IRs over USB.
- Amps: 3
- Cabs: 3 IRs per amp, plus user IR loading
- I/O: Stereo, MIDI, USB
Pros: Very easy to use; Excellent sound; Built like a tank. Cons: Only three amps; Pricier than mini pedals.
Strymon Iridium: Check price on Amazon
5. Universal Audio UAFX Dream ’65 Reverb – Best for Fender-style cleans
The Dream ’65 recreates the black-panel Deluxe Reverb sound, the clean and edge-of-breakup tone of countless records, with spring reverb, tremolo and speaker or mic options through UA’s app.
It feels and responds like a real amp, which makes it the best amp modeler pedal for country, blues and worship players who want one great clean amp.
- Amp: ’65 Deluxe Reverb-style
- Effects: Reverb, vibrato (tremolo), boost
- I/O: Stereo, app control via Bluetooth
Pros: Incredibly realistic feel; Simple knobs; Great reverb. Cons: One amp family; Relatively expensive.
Universal Audio UAFX Dream ’65 Reverb: Check price on Amazon
6. IK Multimedia TONEX Pedal – Best ToneX for live switching
The full-size TONEX Pedal gives you the same Tone Models as the One with much easier live control: three footswitches, dedicated knobs and 150 preset slots.
If you gig and change sounds between songs, it’s worth the extra space.