A good tremolo pedal can provide quality from a few different angles. Things like usability at varying levels of intensity, multiple tweaking options, mix knobs, analog circuits, or even a tap tempo control, run up the value and quality of a tremolo pedal. This roundup is a collection of tremolo pedals that have these quality markers while still maintaining a reasonable price tag.
We've targeted tremolo pedals from brands that we are most familiar with and specifically pedals that we've tested in-house.
If you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
You can also browse other types of effects in our best guitar pedals roundup.
Best Tremolo Pedal Recommendations (top 5 picks)
Trem | Name | RAte | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Boss VB-2w Waza Craft (vibrato) | 95.4 | |
 | Strymon Flint Tremolo | 93.2 | |
 | Universal Audio Astra | 91.8 | |
 | Walrus Audio Julia (chorus + tremolo) (honorable mention) | 91.0 | |
 | JHS Pedals Artificial Blonde | 90.0 | |
 | Keeley Hydra | 88.6 | |
 | Walrus Audio Monument Tremolo (honorable mention) | 85.2 |
1. Boss VB-2w Waza Craft (Vibrato)
BEST FOR: Ethereal/vintage balance, analog snobs, and guitars without a trem bar.
TONE
80
VERSATILITY
74
CONTROL
78
COST/VALUE
84
- High shimmer tones sound awesome
- Unique and thoughtful control scheme
- Expression compatible
- Analog circuit (bucket brigade)
- Nostalgia
- No mention of tap tempo
The VB-2w is a vintage vibrato from the Waza Craft series, which I've been really impressed with. Boss has struck some gold with this roster, bringing back analog circuits and some of their most popular pedals from decades past. The VB-2w definitely has the ability to exaggerate vibrato waves, which gives of a bit of a pitch bend, like you would get from a straight trem bar. This is technically different than a strict tremolo pedal (volume-based), but the vibrato effect sounds similar, and I typically put them in the same category.
It even has some space-like flutter, especially on the higher frequencies. Surprisingly, I found a lot of use cases for it on a wide intensity range.
Note the three different latch modes and Rise control knob.
This gives you a lot of flexibility. On top of the welcoming analog tone, it's easily one of my top tremolo pedal recommendations, if not my favorite.
Demo courtesy of Pedalboard of the Day
2. Strymon Flint Tremolo and Reverb
BEST FOR: Melding ambient tones (reverb) with modulation (tremolo)
TONE
93
VERSATILITY
92
CONTROL
94
COST/VALUE
86
- Separate bypass switch for trem and reverb
- Three modes for each effect
- Lots of potential tone variety
- Expression compatible
- No tap tempo without the expression pedal
- Expensive
The Strymon Flint combines two effects that have been traditionally handled by amplifiers with analog circuitry: Tremolo and reverb. The Flint is actually an analog simulation that uses a SHARC DSP analog processor and does an excellent job of imitating this classic combination of sounds. In total, there are six different effect flavors.
The combination of reverb and tremolo will keep you busy for awhile. Strymon continues to make fantastic digital models.
I’d recommend checking out the owner's manual, even if you’re just considering buying one and don’t yet own it. The Flint sounds great and is especially ideal for those that want the added reverb tones.
Read the full review: Strymon Flint tremolo
3. JHS Artificial Blonde
BEST FOR: Tube amps, Strats, Teles, vintage tremolo sounds, analog fans, and just about anything else
TONE
94
VERSATILITY
88
CONTROL
88
COST/VALUE
90
- EQ and volume at the global level
- Analog for days
- Dual channels each with own speed and depth controls
- Simplicity is a nice change of pace
- Lots of intensity variation
- Missing the mix knob and tap tempo
In typical JHS fashion, the Artificial Blonde puts a simple, yet unique spin on an otherwise standard modulation effect. You have two speed and depth controls, which effectively give you two channels to work with that are easy to switch between. When I tested it, I used my PRS CE 24 with Seymour Duncan Invader pickups, which really seemed to bring out the warmth and low-end of this pedal. I could EQ that out if I wanted, but the analog-ness is a defining quality.
I'll keep this section brief since I've already reviewed the Artificial Blonde in full, for those wanting to dive deeper.
Read the full review: JHS Artificial Blonde
Here's my own settings and audio demo:
4. Keeley Hydra
The Keeley Hydra adds some features that we miss in a few of these other tremolo pedals. It has multiple modes, a mix control, and a tap tempo. I'd argue that the mix control and tap tempo are big value markers for the Hydra, and that you could make a case to put it at the top of this list. Like the Strymon, you have reverb and tremolo combined, with three modes and presets. It's as good, if not better, than the Strymon Flint.
BEST FOR: Reverb fans, ethereal tones, anyone who needs presets, live performances (tap tempo helps out with that).
TONE
89
VERSATILITY
87
CONTROL
88
COST/VALUE
88
- It has a tap tempo
- It has presets
- It has a mix control
- It has multiple modes and sounds great
- I would argue there's nothing to complain about, unless you're bummed out about the non-analog circuit. We're not.
5. Universal Audio Astra
BEST FOR: Advanced modulation tones, recording, live performances (presets), and anyone using a lot of clean tones.
TONE
92
VERSATILITY
97
CONTROL
96
COST/VALUE
82
- Definitely on the high end of the tone quality spectrum
- Analog-esque with digital tech
- Three modulation modes
- Vintage trem sounds fantastic
- Very solid pedal build
- Choose preset or tap tempo for right bypass switch behavior
- It ain't cheap
The Astra isn't strictly a tremolo pedal, but a modulation specialty processor with chorus, flanger, and a vintage tremolo model. This is part of the high price tag in that it's giving you three effects in one, and a wide range of control. While it's all digitally modeled, the Astra does a good job of giving you some analog flavor. It's expensive, which will be a deterrent for some, but I like what UA has done with their first foray into guitar pedal building. All of the models in this pedal sound extremely good. It's downright pristine. Again, I'll keep it brief since I've done a proper review of the Astra.
Read the full review: Universal Audio UAFX Astra Modulation
High-end price equals high-end tone. It sounds great, has multiple modes (effects), and gives you what you pay for, as the old adage goes.
Our Methodology
We only recommend products and brands. that we have experience and familiarity with. In many cases, we test the product in our office, which is shown by providing original photography as often as possible.
When we do not test a product in-hand, we consult with musicians who have, do thorough research, and rely on years of familiarity with the musical instrument market. This means we generally avoid recommending certain products, even if they might be preferable to what we highlight.
We can only truly recommend what we already know. If you have questions about our methodology, we are an open book. Get in contact with us whenever you'd like.
What's the best analog option?
For analog tremolo pedals, I like the Boss VB-2w, though the JHS Blonde is a close second. Analog tremolos tend to be a little simpler and a little more subtle, which is the style of tremolo that I prefer.
Are there cheaper options?
There are a couple tremolo pedals I like, that are a lot cheaper than what we've listed here. If you're just looking for a deal:
These are affordable and much simpler with basic control schemes.
Desirable Tremolo Features
What features should we look for? We can take the information covered and set up a brief, simple list of features that we’d like to have in our tremolo pedal. That list would include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Basic modulation controls (rate, depth, etc.)
- Community consensus and reputation
- Gain/volume control
- Selectable modes or waveforms
- Tap tempo
- Mix knob
- Presets
Conclusion
It’s likely there are plenty of noteworthy tremolo pedals that I failed to mention here. As I’ve said from the beginning, finding the best tremolo pedal, or collection of pedals, will have some subjectivity attached to it. This list is not to say that all other tremolo pedals are terrible or that everything mentioned here will be an ideal fit for you. These are the pedals I believe are worth your time based on my personal experience.
Questions
A lot of times that information is helpful to people who don’t know what to look for. If you have thoughts about what should have been included here, help other folks out by sharing in the comments section below. Questions about the pedals in this list are great to leave as well. I'll help out as much as I can.
More Tremolo Pedal Content
Written by Guitar Chalk on Pedals & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Pedals & Reviews
We link to products on Sweetwater that help support our site and keep the lights on. If you click through our orange buttons, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you all for your generous support over the years! ~ Bobby and Danielle
Our disclosure↬
You seem to be confused about the difference between tremolo and vibrato.
Yes, yes, I know. Just let me have my moment.