Power up your guitar pedals with the top 7 best power supplies for pedalboards on the market today.
Entering the amazing world of guitar pedals is almost a mandatory step for any guitar enthusiast and six-string champion. And as soon as you buy your second pedal, there is a need to get another one. And others. Then, a pedalboard. And then, a power supply for all the guitar pedals.
For a pedalboard to function properly, you will need a power supply. This device is one of those seemingly boring, but essential pieces of gear. Can you make exciting music? Also, can you make your guitar produce sounds out of this world? Can you do something that people would rave about? No. But, without it, you can’t do any of that, even with the most amazing guitar and all the pedals in the world.
The 7 best pedalboard power supplies that you need for your guitar pedals
Although these items may look the same, there are a number of different factors that you should consider before buying one. There are size, capacity, power options, durability, reliability, additional accessories, and other notable things, so take your time to study the differences and factors before making a big choice. We take the liberty of examining today’s market in an attempt to find the best power source for the pedalboard. Our search resulted in five worthy champions.
Also, please see our reviews of the top distortion, reverb, overdrive, fuzz, EQ, chorus, and flanger pedals on the market.
Donner DP-1
First, as always, we like to point out the only option that is most likely to meet the needs of most users while sporting the best price for its qualities. The device contains a set of 10 isolated power supplies fully protected against short circuits and overcurrents. It is made of aluminum alloy, which makes the device very portable and lightweight on the one hand, but it is also not prone to overheating or breakage on the other.
A line of light blue LED indicators has been placed above the inputs to serve as a status indicator and as a short-circuit index. We are looking for a good package that offers 100v-240V AC power while using an 18V DC input, with the ability to power 9V, 12V, and 18V devices. Note that a set of 10 link power cables, as well as a pair of polarity reversing cables and the company’s standard user manual, have also been included in the mix.
An important thing to know is that, although the device provides isolated power and adequate amperage, it does NOT have fully isolated power supplies. This makes a big difference since having complete and isolated supplies would be a miracle for this price. The DP-1 is still very good as it is.
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MXR MC403 Pedalboard Power System
OK, do you want the best power supply for the pedal? Well, here you go – the MXR MC403! This device is aimed at professionals and is prepared for any situation you can imagine. This is probably the best power supply for guitar pedals.
We are seeing 16 fully isolated power supplies. The device comes with eight 9V DC outputs designed for standard pedals, as well as four 18V DC outputs for effects such as the wah pedal and similar items.
Inside, we are looking for the best components that the market can offer. As noted, the supplies are fully insulated and the device also uses high-performance toroidal transformers to ensure quiet operation with first-class sound quality. There is no hum, no whistle, there is nothing but a clear signal coming from your instrument, amplifier, and pedals.
When it comes to durability and reliability, the device has a high-strength housing that can withstand almost anything found. The manufacturer had in mind the users who were looking for devices capable of circulating since this thing is not only very durable, but also includes a package of mounting brackets, and can work on both sides of the pond, balancing both the American and European powers. As another good factor, all cables are included in the mix.
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Mooer MPW1 Micro Power Supply
At the same time, we offer you the best mid-range price option, and also the best small pedal power supply in our humble opinion. What makes this type more suitable for an average user is the fact that it is so compact and convenient. With a size of only 4 x 5.5 x 3.8 inches, the device can be adapted to smaller pedals, while maintaining the ability to operate up to 8 pedals simultaneously.
Each of the outlets has a maximum current of 300 mA, which means that it can meet most demands of most of the pedals. Each of the power supplies is bulletproof when it comes to short circuits, and even if one of them is shorted, it will not affect the rest of the device since the channels are completely isolated.
Therefore, it is a standard machine, with some exceptional characteristics: small size, additional durability, and strong circuits with a reduced noise level. The supply comes with all the necessary cables included in the price.
One of the crucial features that make this item worth the price is the fact that it reduces noise more efficiently than a variety of similarly priced items. In addition, the small size allows you to use two of them for a large pedal without taking up too much space.
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Voodoo Power 2 Plus
This is another best power supplies for guitar pedals on the market. Essentially, this device packs everything the MXR super system has, but in a smaller package with less space and options.
Therefore, if you loved the MC403, but it seemed too big, thick, and overwhelming – which is perfectly fine since we are talking about a handmade article for professional touring events – then this is your perfect match.
In general, we are seeing a set of 8 fully isolated power outputs, ensuring the best possible sound without any whistle or buzz. It is a universal and very versatile device that the manufacturer has described as the only universal power source capable of feeding all kinds of Boss guitar pedal effects.
It comes with a complete set of included cables a detachable power cable and a 5-year company warranty.
Versatility is another key factor with this device since the package includes 9V, 12.3V, and 14.5V power options, but it can also be easily expanded with a simple purchase of an adapter cable to couple the two outputs and get 18V or 24V.
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Truetone 1 SPOT PRO CS12
Surprisingly affordable given the performance on offer, a powerful, silent, and versatile isolated power supply for pedalboards. The 1 SPOT Pro CS12 can satisfy 99% of the effects pedals on the market; not bad! 3 times more powerful than the most popular devices with the same function and equipped with 12 completely isolated outputs, the 1 SPOT Pro CS12 will not back down against anything.
The 1 SPOT PRO CS12 is the first power supply to use 1-Spot technology. It has twelve outputs to power virtually any pedal effect. All twelve outputs are completely isolated, regulated, and filtered to operate silently and safely with your pedals. The first 11 outputs (from left) have jacks with a standard 5.5 × 2.1mm barrel connector, while output 12, which delivers 9V at 800mA, has a larger barrel connector (5.5 x 2, 5mm) to help prevent accidental connection of normal 9V pedals and their potential damage.
On the bottom panel of the device, 5 mini switches allow you to change the voltage of the outputs from 3 to 7 to which they refer, selecting 9V (switch in position OFF) or 12V (switch in position ON) at 100mA (for each output).
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Walrus Audio Phoenix 15
This is another best power supplies for guitar pedals on the market. The suspenseful Phoenix is a small powerhouse for guitarists who can never have enough kickers on their effects board. The Walrus Audio Phoenix multiple has the potential to feed a lush pop-up board. 15 outputs, all galvanically isolated from each other, are waiting for the connection of effect pedals, some of which can supply 12 Volt or 18 Volt.
On the front side, there are 15 connectors arranged in two rows, all of which can deliver a voltage of 9 volts. Three outputs can also be toggled to a higher voltage with a toggle switch. Four 9-volt outputs provide 300mA of power to feed hungry digital pedals, with the remaining ports providing 100mA.
A small red LED indicates the status of the power supply and the back of the power supply cable is positioned on the back. In addition, there are some ventilation slots for heat exchange.
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AGPtek 10 Isolated Guitar Effect Power Supply
Finally, we will make a brief return to the economic domain with one of the strongest contenders for the title of the best cheap pedal power supply that exists.
Keep in mind that we were very cautious when recommending any of the low-end devices in this category, making sure that items with the slightest power instability are instantly discarded.
We are looking for standard versatility, with a power range of 110V to 240V, as well as the ability to power 9V, 12V, and 18V pedals. The device uses a single 18V input, as well as total power isolation and short circuit protection. This means that while the power outputs are not completely isolated, which can inject whistle bits into its audio output, the device remains 100 percent safe and easy to use.
In the aesthetic department, we like the elegant black housing combined with bright blue LED lights and the large number 5 printed on the top.
As for the negative points, we cannot think of too many for the list price, and that is the main reason why this guy ended up on the list. It is cheap, but it does an essential part of the job well, covering the needs of the vast majority of guitarists. If we were to be sharp, the cable could have been longer, and the adapter tends to look a bit weak.
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What to look for when buying a power supply for guitar pedals?
In addition to the usual features such as durability, reliability, the fact that the device is NOT prone to overheating, value for money, versatility, and the ability to operate as many types of pedals as possible, an additional feature stands out as a crucial factor: the isolation of the output power.
While many of the existing power devices have power isolation to prevent short circuits, this does not mean that the device has fully isolated outputs. Most of the gadgets have a power supply inside the device with zero separation, and although there is nothing wrong with it, the fact of having isolated power outputs ensures a much clearer sound and eliminates even the slightest amount of sound and poor audio buzz.
Second-hand power supplies. Worth it?
Sometimes it is good to delve into the second-hand market, but when things are related to energy and electricity, we simply do not recommend it at all. For everything that has to do with electricity, it is better not to risks.
It is worth investing in a new power supply for guitar pedals, with a warranty, with a guarantee of the functionality, without the need to electrocute. Safety comes first, and security is significantly lower when someone has been manipulating the electrical device. Security before everything.