Top 10 Looper Pedals for Guitars

The Boss RC-30 Looper Pedal is a product designed and made in Japan. This looper has twin pedals, and it is multitrack. There are two synchronized tracks along with volume faders and select buttons. And you can customize the loops and make them more special with the built-in effects.

The best thing about this Boss RC looper pedal is its very generous onboard storage. You can record up to 3 hours of stereo which should be ample for those who use it frequently. Also, there are 99 onboard memory phrases where you can store the loops. The weight is quite manageable, with the looper weighing only 4 pounds.

Click here for more reviews of guitar pedals.

Why We Liked It - The Boss RC is one of those products that make it easy for you to achieve your goals. Most people look for value when they buy something, whether expensive or cheap. This loop pedal simply provides great value for the price you will buy it for, making it one of the best looper pedals around.

If you are a guitarist looking for a solid looper that understands you, the TC Electronic Ditto is exactly what you need. It keeps the needs of a guitarist in mind. You get only 5 minutes of loop time, but unlimited overdubs, undos, and retakes, so there are a lot of possibilities.

This loop pedal does require at least 9 volts of power with 100 mA current. It also features analog dry through and true bypass. This allows your signal to stay intact and sound pure. Most guitarists want total control of their tunes, and this is the best looper pedal for them. This high-quality pedal is a result of the manufacturer's constant efforts to involve guitarists in the process to understand their needs. The TC Electronic Ditto works out great for bass as well.

Similar Read: Best Guitars for Beginners to Start Playing

Why We Liked It - The TC Electronic Ditto looping pedal is a mix of creativity, high quality, and affordability. It is hard to find products that provide exactly what you need and in the price you can afford. The Ditto does justice to your money through its features, making it one of the best looper pedals on the market.

The Digitech Solo XT Stereo Looper has solved all the capacity and memory issues that sometimes come with a looper pedal. With this product, the stereo recording time is already quite generous. But the great thing is that you can extend it further. The built-in stereo recording time and loop time is 35 minutes in 200 internal memories.

However, there's an optional SDHC card option to increase the CD-quality loops by another 200 memories. So basically, you can get a whopping 16 hours of stereo recording time. There is an aux input for connecting CD or MP3 players for audio playback. The overall metal build is quite rugged, so you can be sure about durability. Everything happens on the fly as it's very easy to record rhythm loops and then solo over them. Using the JamSync, you can connect multiple loopers to make a multilooping system.

Why We Liked It - This looping pedal is the complete package as it also includes a power supply. With some pedals, you have to get pedal power supplies separately but with this, there is no such hassle. Not only that - it provides great durability. It also achieves time stretching and does not affect the quality a bit.

This is yet another great product from Boss who knows what is best for guitarists. It is a compact-sized looper pedal weighing just a mere 1.4 pounds. But don't think it's small in terms of performance. You can store up to 99 loops and record 3 hours of stereo.

This loop station features a USB 2.0 port as well to make things easier for you. You can connect it to your computer and import or export WAV audios. This requires 9 V power supply. There is a rhythm guide with real drums to take your recording game to the next level.

Why We Liked It - Boss is a truly high quality producer of pedals. This particular loop station is imported from Taiwan and is very durable. You get tremendous value from this pedal even if it seems a bit expensive, making it one of the best looper pedals for professionals.

A lot of us like things simple, and this JamMAn Express XT Stereo Looper is very minimalistic. You have many features that are present in most pedals from Digitech. This includes JamSync, which allows you to connect several loopers to create a whole system. The true bypass gives you the control and keeps the signals intact. It is very easy to use, especially with the LEDs.

There are three LEDs for record, play, and dub. You can create unlimited overdubs, and as for stereo time, you can record stereo tracks for 10 minutes. This is the first looper pedal to feature Silent Clear technology. It automatically clears the loop when you press for it and does not play it via the amp.

Why We Liked It - This looper pedal is a very modern and user-friendly product that any player would love to have. Also, it is one of the most affordable pedals you can find online, making it the best looper pedal for those on a budget. You get so much in a truly reasonable price.

There is a lot you can achieve with the Pigtronix Infinity Looper. There are two stereo loops with sync. Loop 2 has multipliers x1, x2, x3, x4, and x6, which increase loop length. It is simple but has incredibly powerful features that give you the power to make loops as you like.

The Pigtronix Infinity Looper pedal sounds amazing because of its discreet analog limiter stages, analog pass-through, and 24-bit rate. If you are a person obsessed with high-definition sound, this is the best looper pedal for you. And if all of this is not enough, this pedal provides an aux output to play the loops on stage monitors. Using the USB connection, you can transfer the loops at the same rate to your computer. No matter what style you play, this product achieves clarity and high quality and makes your loops sound professional.

Why We Liked It - This stereo loop station is packed with innovative features that provide you with an immense playground of looping. You can make the sound truly professional. This is how a high end pedal should be, with diverse connections like aux and usb and simple to use features.

Quality pedals do not necessarily have to be expensive, and that is what the Zoom G1on proves. You have 75 effects options to add to the loops. There are 14 amp models for you to use. You can utilize up to 5 effects at one time, giving you virtually hundreds of combinations to try. In terms of memory, you have 100 memory locations.

The features onboard include a tuner and a rhythm machine. It requires 4 AA batteries, but these are included in the pedal along with a guide to help you get started. You can connect your headphones or amplifiers with the headphone output. You can do so much with the loop effects, including flanging, phasing, chorus, and distortion. It is super light, too, weighing a little over 13 ounces. You cannot undo a loop which is probably the only thing lacking in this otherwise great looper.

Why We Liked It - The effects that this looper pedal offers make it so much fun. You can play around and try out different effects together (up to 5) to make something unique. It is also very simple to use and not at all expensive.

The Electro Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper is yet another pedal that makes looping a breeze. You can do everything with just a touch of a button. Stop, undo, redo, and half the speed of your current loop with just a touch. You can record two instruments simultaneously so you and your bandmate or friend can play together to create loops. The recording time is not that much but still decent enough compared to low-end looper pedals.

You have 10 minutes of stereo recording and loop time. This stereo looper is super light as well, weighing only 1.6 pounds. The price is a bit more high end but, you have an adapter and stereo inputs included. It can use 9V battery too, but that is not included. The Electro Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper is a sophisticated looper that would definitely appeal to anyone looking to multitask and have complete control.

Why We Liked It - Whether you are an amateur or a pro, using a pedal should not be rocket science. The Electro Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper makes it very easy for anyone to record and create amazing sounding loops.

Line 6 JM4 Looper is very professional in every which way and is great for jamming. It is used in studios by professional recording artists, but you can use it at home too. The 24 minutes of recording time is enough to record loops on the go. There is a plethora of tunes waiting for you to explore, with over 150 song presets and over 250 artists presets. In addition, there are more than 36 tone banks that are user-created.

The sounds evolve so quickly when you use this loop. You can loop the jam tracks into something totally unique. With this loop pedal, you do not have to spend a lot of time tuning your guitar; you can just keep playing. You can add a variety of moods to your tunes and let your creativity flow free.

Why We Liked It - This expression pedal is simply awesome for jamming and has scads of prerecorded presets from professional recording artists. This offering is pretty hard to resist for any guitar enthusiast, especially with the 35 min loop time. Though expensive, it makes sure you get great value for every buck you spend.

Many loopers do not have power supply included, but this one does. You can record 90 seconds on two loops and have multiple effects to play with. As for undo and redo, there is no end to that. A feature called Loop Quantize allows you to make phrases of specific length and synchronize two loops to a certain tempo.

It is a dual pedal looper that lets you record, dub and playback between the two independent loops. It is small and very manageable and portable, making it the best looper pedal for those on the go. There is an option to connect a microphone through the mic input.

Why We Liked It - The Vox VLL1 is a fantastic loop pedal for trying different things and making tunes that sound professional. The value for money is good, considering a power supply is included. Using it is a breeze; anyone can use it.

Useful Item Guide

Whether you want to create backing tracks, add layers to your sound, or just experiment, there are certain things you should know about looper pedals before deciding which one to get for yourself. Here is a comprehensive buyer's guide to help you make sense of it all:

Memory

This is probably the first thing you should check out when looking for a looper pedal. The built-in memory varies greatly between looper pedals; almost all have some, at least. In some models, the memory is extendable with the help of an SD card. This feature is important as memory is necessary for recording stereo loops in CD quality. Some have minutes of internal stereo recording memory (or loop time), and some even have hours of recording time. It boils down to your needs and whether you need a looper pedal with a lot of memory. If you'll only be creating shorter loops, memory isn't as important. But if you use it all too often and record a high number of loops, then go for the one with a considerable size of internal memory and possibly an SD card option.

Stereo or Mono output

Mono output is fine for jamming purposes, but if you want to record your loops in stereo, a stereo output is necessary. Most pedals now come with stereo outputs or stereo output options, like a chorus pedal that lets you divide the sound into stereo output.

Number of Pedals

The number of pedals or switches on the looper is very important, especially if you plan to use it professionally or live on stage. You use pedals and switches to utilize different features of the looper. Many pedals only have a single pedal which is fine in most scenarios, but when you are live on stage, it becomes very difficult to move different dials to stop or play some loops. So with more pedals, it becomes easier to switch between loops and make use of the many features. They're very useful for multilayered loops.

Luckily enough, even on a single pedal looper, you have the option to add additional pedals. This way, you get the same capabilities as a looper with built-in multiple pedals. It is quite easy to add additional pedals, but keep in mind that you will have to spend more money on additional switches/pedals. In the case you need multiple pedals, then it makes sense to get a looper with multiple pedals rather than buying a single one and purchasing more later.

Multiple Loops

Many looper pedals only allow you to play a single loop at a time. This is quite normal and works out fine when you are practicing solos. However, when playing a song, you will need to play more than one loop. For this, you will need a looper pedal that has the ability to do that. This way, you can play multiple pre-recorded loops simultaneously and create complex tunes and songs. If you are a professional looking to make records, then this is absolutely necessary for you to really utilize the loops for music creation.

Reverse Looping

You can play recorded loops backward as well. This is a very interesting feature that perhaps is not widely used but can give you the chance to play around with loops and create something amazing.

It can add different textures to your music. Most modern pedals have this feature, but it is not that popular yet. It's a feature you could look for in the pedal, especially if you like to experiment with your instruments.

Types of Inputs

The most common input type in looper pedals is a quarter-inch input which is basically the standard cable input for guitars. However, there are other options available in countless pedals. For example, you can plug in XLR or even a microphone to add different sequences to the loops. This is an essential feature if you want to create vocal loops. In addition to that, other common inputs include aux jacks for adding music from MP3 players or devices. You can connect some looper pedals to your computer through a USB port to transfer the loops directly. All of this is great for any use, giving you control and convenience at the same time. And these inputs are available in cheap looper pedals as well.

True Bypass

Some pedals have a true bypass feature. This basically lets the tone going in sound just like the tone going out. In some pedals, even when they are switched off, the signal can be affected, and the tone is not really the same. Loop pedals that are in true by pass mode will not affect the tone. These are considered more reliable and retain the sound quality of the tone.

Pricing

Looper pedals come in a wide range of prices that usually depend on the brand name and the available features. Obviously the looper pedals with the latest cutting-edge technology, multiple pedals, the best sound quality, and advanced features tend to cost a bit more. However, you can find a basic standalone looper under $100 easily. Higher-end ones start at $100 and can go up to $500 even. Such pedals are more suited for professional use and have features that usually would be required of professional guitarists and recording artists. With high-end brands, you usually get a lot of advanced features that can allow you to experiment.

As for brands, higher-end brands are quite pricey. The quality and features do not have much to do with brands, as you can now get a decent quality pedal from a lesser-known brand at a particularly low price. It is more of a personal choice as to which brand you prefer. Read Also: 10 Best Noise Gate Pedals of this Year.

1. Which looper is the best?

As you know, looper pedals are not all the same, and therefore it is hard to pick one. Nevertheless, deciding on the best looper pedal depends more on your own needs and preferences than the pedal itself. Of course, its sound quality and functionality matter a lot, but you can only decide that once you evaluate your own needs and what you aim to achieve with it. Ask yourself if you need a simple looper or one with more features. For example, if you're traveling, you may want to consider looking at compact loopers. But if you're performing at gigs, you may want a multi-effects pedal or a system that supports multiple instruments or unlimited overdubs. Remember, loopers have many features besides the few basic ones that virtually all of them have. Even the most popular looper pedals might not be the best for you.

Value For Money

If the most important thing for you is value for money, it won't be that difficult to find a good looper. Most looper pedals, especially those that are simplistic, are cheap and offer good value. The TC Electronic Guitar Ditto Looper is a great simple looper that is high quality and reasonably priced.

You can also find what the TC Electronic offers in high-end pedals, but the cost here is much less. You have qualities like true by pass and analog dry through. Also, you can play about with unlimited undo/redos, making it very useful for all styles. The TC Electronic Ditto is one of the best looper pedals for someone on a budget.

Our Top Pick

Our top pick is Boss RC-30 phrase Looper Pedal for a number of reasons. First off, it is from a brand that understands loopers through and through. The Boss RC is very professional and can give you a lot of control.

The best thing is that it has very large memory of 3 hours, which is usually not available with many loopers. There is a lot of room for you to utilize the built-in effects, making the Boss RC the best looping pedal if you want to experiment with your sounds.

Highest Quality

In terms of quality, the Digitech JMSXT Jammam Solo XT Looper Sampler Pedal takes the cake. It is truly high quality and costs much lesser than most high-end brands. It is super strong and, therefore, very long-lasting. The features present are diverse and give you complete control.

The memory available is generous enough for a long loop length. In fact, you can extend it to a whopping 16 hours of stereo recording with an SD card. And if all of this was not enough to convince you to hit the buy button for this one, consider the fact that it comes with a power supply. Last we checked, many pedals do not come with that.

2. What does a looper pedal do?

A looper pedal is a device used to record samples from an instrument that can be played over and over again or even dubbed. The guitarists use switches or pedals to control the looper with their feet. The idea is to make recording tones in loops and using effects to produce music an easy process.

Here is what you can do with the pedal:

Record Solos: You can play chords on your guitar and record these samples with loop pedals. This allows you to practice solo techniques. It is a great way to improve your skills by yourself.

Create Music: Of course, loopers are most widely used for composing songs. You can create amazing-sounding tracks and write the lyrics to them.

Learn: You want to learn how your favorite guitarist played a lick? The looper pedal can help you do that with the auxiliary input. You can plug in your phone or mp3 device to play a song. You can slow down without affecting the pitch and get to the bottom of how the lick was done.

Experiment: One of the most popular recent recording artists to use looper pedals for his songs is Ed Sheeran. He has managed to combine his superb vocals with some great loops that make him sort of a band in his own right. You can do the same and experiment with the tones and loops to create something unique.

3. What is analog dry through?

It is a feature found on looper pedals that splits the signal into two. One side is sent to be the effects, where it is converted into digital signal, whereas the other side remains intact - i.e., the output is the same as input, and it remains dry. The purpose behind this feature is to retain the purity of the dry sound signal.

Not all looper pedals have analog dry through, so if you want to retain pure signal, you have to make sure you get a expression pedal that has this feature. Also, it does not really have to be expensive because this feature is present in loopers that cost less than $100. This feature is liked by many guitarists and is great because it does not affect the signal, and you hear it as pure as it came out.

4. Which is better, multiple pedals/switches or single pedal/switch?

Different looper pedals have their own set of benefits. It depends on your application as to which one is most suitable and will get the best results. For instance, having a single pedal in a live setup can be cumbersome as you will have to change switches manually. For this scenario, the best looper pedal is a multi pedal or multi switch. These types of looper pedals will let you utilize the features rather quickly and easily. For this reason, a multiple pedal looper is the best option for professional on-stage use and is widely used.

For home use and personal practice, both types of looper pedals can work out well and give you a lot of control and convenience. However, single pedal loopers tend to be smaller and lighter, so handling them and carrying them around is much easier. They are cheap, too, which means you can even purchase several and make connections to create a multiple pedal looper system.

There is no clear winner as it entirely depends on your situation. A lot of guitarists prefer multi effects pedals, as these are quite professional (click for our guide here). You can easily find some high-quality multiple switches or pedals. Another thing you should consider is that some loopers can be extended to have multiple secondary pedals. If you are unsure about which one you need, you can get one that has this capability.

If you liked the review, please leave your feedback.