Best Guitar Wah & Filter Effects of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Guitarists looking to add some unique flavour to their playing should consider trying out guitar wah and filter effects. These effects pedals allow players to manipulate the tone and sound of their guitar in interesting ways, adding a touch of funk or psychedelic vibes to their playing. With a variety of options available, from classic wah pedals to more complex filters, guitarists can experiment with different sounds and find the perfect effect to elevate their playing. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or just starting out, adding a wah or filter effect to your setup can open up a whole new world of sonic possibilities.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Behringer HB-01 Hell Babe Wah Pedal Cover #TOP 1
Behringer HB-01 Hell Babe Wah Pedal
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Jim Dunlop Crybaby Wah Pedal GCB 95 Cover #TOP 2
Jim Dunlop Crybaby Wah Pedal GCB 95
ftb score rating icon 9.8
SONICAKE Mini Active Wah Volume Effect Pedal Cover #TOP 3
SONICAKE Mini Active Wah Volume Effect Pedal
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Guitar Wah & Filter Effects

#TOP 1

Behringer HB-01 Hell Babe Wah Pedal

HB01
Black
Pack of 1
Behringer HB-01 Hell Babe Wah Pedal Cover
Behringer HB-01 Hell Babe Wah, Guitar Pedal, Black, Pack of 1

The Behringer Hell Babe Wah is a versatile wah-wah pedal designed for various musical styles. Its total optical control ensures that you won't experience wear and tear from mechanical components, giving you a reliable performance. The unique spring-back mechanism allows you to adjust resistance for a personalised playing style, which can enhance your comfort during use. Additionally, you can freely adjust the heel-down frequency range, making it suitable even for bass guitars. This pedal's ultra-musical Q control enables you to shape filters precisely, allowing you to achieve vocal-like effects effortlessly.

What We Like
Versatile for all musical styles
Durable optical control
Customisable playing resistance
Adjustable frequency range
Precise filter shaping
#TOP 2

Jim Dunlop Crybaby Wah Pedal GCB 95

GCB95
Black
Jim Dunlop Crybaby Wah Pedal GCB 95 Cover
Jim Dunlop The Original Crybaby Pedal GCB 95

The Crybaby Wah Pedal features a heavy die cast construction, ensuring years of reliability for your musical needs. As the original wah wah pedal since the late 1960s, it provides a classic sound that has been trusted by legends like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. The 100k ohm hot potz potentiometer allows you to achieve that quick, abrupt wah sound, perfect for adding flair to your playing. Additionally, it can be powered by an optional Dunlop ECB-003 AC adapter or a 9-volt battery, offering you flexibility in how you use it.

What We Like
Durable construction
Classic sound
Quick wah response
Flexible power options
#TOP 3

SONICAKE Mini Active Wah Volume Effect Pedal

CNSK001FR1
Wah Pedal
SONICAKE Mini Active Wah Volume Effect Pedal Cover
SONICAKE Mini Active Wah Volume Effect Guitar Pedal 2 in 1 VolWah Expression Pedal

The SONICAKE VolWah Pedal offers a compact 100% analogue solution for both volume and wah effects, making it an essential tool for guitarists. Its lightweight yet robust casing ensures durability, while the active volume control prevents impedance mismatch, providing a seamless performance. With a vintage Crybaby-style wah sound, you can effortlessly switch between volume and wah modes using the hidden footswitch. The two LED indicators help you easily keep track of which mode is engaged, enhancing your playing experience.

What We Like
Robust and lightweight design
Active volume control feature
Vintage wah sound quality
Easy mode switching
Clear LED indicators
#TOP 4

Donner Vowel 2 in 1 Wah Volume Pedal

EC1008
Red:Wah Pedal
Donner Vowel 2 in 1 Wah Volume Pedal Cover
Donner Guitar Wah Pedal, 2 in 1 Wah Volume Pedal, Mini Vintage Electric Guitar Effect Pedal with Wah Wah Active Volume Control, Vowel Lightweight Guitar Pedal

The Donner Vowel Pedal is a versatile 2 in 1 guitar pedal that combines the classic Wah Wah effect with an active volume control. This unique design allows you to enjoy the iconic wah sound reminiscent of the 1970s while also providing excellent volume management, ensuring no signal loss during play. Its lightweight and portable design means you can easily take it anywhere, making it perfect for gigs or practice sessions. With its durable construction, you can rely on the Vowel Pedal for consistent performance.

What We Like
Versatile 2 in 1 pedal
Classic wah sound
Active volume control
Lightweight and portable
Durable construction
#TOP 5

Vox V846 Vintage Wah-Wah Pedal Overview

VOX
V846VINTAGE
Black
V846
Vox V846 Vintage Wah-Wah Pedal Overview Cover
Vox V846 Vintage Wah-Wah Pedal

The Vox V846 Wah is a remarkable reproduction of the iconic 1967 model, famously used by legends like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. It features custom-designed parts that replicate the original Wah sound, including newly designed inductors and transistors. You will appreciate the unique 'Halo' inductor, which delivers a classic sweep range and bright high frequencies. Additionally, the meticulously designed potentiometer mimics the original's curve, ensuring you achieve those beloved vintage tonal characteristics with ease.

What We Like
Faithful vintage sound reproduction
Custom-designed components
Unique 'Halo' inductor
Meticulously crafted potentiometer
Ideal for 60's Wah tones
#TOP 6

Jim Dunlop Cae Dual Inductor Wah Pedal

11404000001
Black
Jim Dunlop Cae Dual Inductor Wah Pedal Cover
Jim Dunlop Cae Dual Inductor Wah Pedal

Features
Features A Custom Designed CTS Extended Life Low Noise Potentiometer
Select Between A Yellow Or Red Fasel Inductor For Two Distinct Tones
User Selectable Gain Output Stage With Kick Switch And LED Indicator
Model Number: MC404
Designed With Low Noise Class 'A' Operational Amplifiers
Bright LEDs Indicate Effect Status, Inductor Mode, And Boost On Or Off Mode
#TOP 7

Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q Multi-Wah Pedal

535Q
MultiColored
Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q Multi-Wah Pedal Cover
Dunlop Cry Baby Multi-Wah Guitar Effects Pedal

The Dunlop 535Q Wah Pedal offers exceptional control over key wah parameters, allowing you to select the frequency centre and range of the effect to suit your playing style. With an adjustable and switchable boost, you can enhance your sound effortlessly. This pedal features six new guitar wah ranges, giving you versatility in tone. The "Q" dial allows you to shape your wah, making it possible to achieve anything from a narrow, sharp wah to a broad, subtle effect, enhancing the expressiveness of your performance.

What We Like
Versatile wah control
Adjustable boost feature
Multiple wah ranges
Durable hard wire switch
#TOP 8

Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Mini Wah Pedal

CBM95
Black
Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Mini Wah Pedal Cover
Jim Dunlop CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah

The Cry Baby Mini Wah from Jim Dunlop is a compact version of the classic wah pedal, being half the size of a standard model. This makes it easier to fit on your pedalboard without sacrificing sound quality. It features three internally adjustable voicings, allowing you to customise your sound to suit different musical styles. With a full sweep range, you can achieve a wide variety of tonal expressions. This pedal is perfect for guitarists looking for versatility and convenience in a smaller package.

What We Like
Compact size for easy transport
Customisable voicings for flexibility
Wide tonal range available
#TOP 9

MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter Effects Pedal

MXR
MultiColored
MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter Effects Pedal Cover
MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter

The MXR M82 Filter Pedal offers several features to enhance your bass playing experience. The bypass footswitch with LED allows you to easily switch the effect on and off, helping you maintain control during performances. The dry control lets you blend your original sound with the effect, ensuring your unique tone shines through. With the Fx control, you can adjust the intensity of the effect to suit your playing style, while the decay control allows for precise management of the effect's duration. These features provide convenience and versatility for every musician.

What We Like
Easy footswitch operation
Blend original sound
Adjustable effect intensity
Precise duration control
#TOP 10

Morley 20/20 Bad Horsie Wah Pedal

MORLEY
20/20 BAD HORSIE
Morley 20/20 Bad Horsie Wah Pedal Cover
Morely 20/20 BAD HORSIE WAH Signature Steve Vai Wah Pedal Red

The Morley Bad Horsie Wah offers a unique foot-triggering mechanism, allowing you to activate the pedal effortlessly without a switch. Its optical circuit eliminates potentiometer noise, ensuring a cleaner sound. With two modes, Bad Horsie and Outline, you can choose the effect that best suits your playing style. The contour and level adjustment potentiometers provide further control, enabling you to shape your sound precisely. This versatility makes it ideal for guitarists seeking a high-quality wah effect.

What We Like
Foot-triggered activation
Noise-free optical circuit
Two sound modes
Contour and level adjustments
Durable metal housing
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is wah guitar effect?

A guitarist rarely adjusts the tone knob during a song: it's controlled by the right hand (on a standard guitar), which the guitarist needs for picking. A wah pedal simply transfers this tone control to a foot pedal. ... When you rock the pedal back and forth, it creates a spectral glide, often known as the “wah effect.”

2. What does a guitar filter pedal do?

Filter pedals are known for providing unique, quirky and otherworldly sounds. Used as inspiring creative tools, these effects pedals allow guitar players to take a step into the realms of electronic music.

3. What is guitar filter?

Filter Pedals are versatile devices that allow you to creatively shape the tone of your guitar. Filter Pedals are versatile devices that allow you to creatively shape the tone of your guitar. They're used effectively across a vast range of genres, but are an especially prominent feature in funk playing styles.

4. What does an envelope filter do?

What is an envelope filter? An envelope filter is a tone altering effect that is controlled by the dynamics of your playing. As you play louder, that change in tone gets more intense.

Editor's Notes

During our guitar wah & filter effect research, we found 100+ guitar wah & filter effect products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 99,187 customer reviews through our big data system to write the guitar wah & filter effects list. We found that most customers choose guitar wah & filter effects with an average price of £127.81.

The guitar wah & filter effects are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of guitar wah & filter effects, including Behringer, Jim Dunlop, SONICAKE, Donner, VOX.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.