Line 6 HX One Review
Our Verdict and Review Summary
One of the most common refrains about the Helix family is that they're just complicated and expensive. I don't necessarily agree with those assertions, but the Line 6 HX One is undoubtedly a welcome alternative for its simplicity and far more affordable price tag. It's a perfect option for someone who wants the Helix effects, but wants to stick with their own amp and not pay for amp models. The HX One gives you 250 such effects with a 128 presets to work with.
BEST FOR: Recording, bring-your-own-amp, budgets, Helix fans
TONE
90
CONTROL
86
VERSATILITY
90
PRICE/VALUE
93
- Distortion models are surprisingly good
- Tons (and tons) of ambient effects
- Reverb algorithms with octaves sound great
- Synth models are a lot of fun
- Great price point
- Very easy to control
- Not having physical knobs for all control elements takes some getting used to
- The smaller size can also be a weaknesses since you have a smaller LCD screen to work with
Line 6 keeps making smart moves in the digital guitar effects market. The HX One is the latest such move, packaging 250 effects from the Helix roster (HX ecosystem) into a small, inexpensive, and very simple multi-effects pedal.
This gives you access to a popular line of pedals without the big expense and the "bells and whistles" that you might not have wanted. No giant floorboard, no amp models, and no complex interface. It's not to say those things are bad - if that's what you want - but Line 6 has done a great job here giving you a viable alternative for getting just the effects. This is my full Line 6 HX One review, written after real testing with the pedal in my hands.
The HX One Compared to Similar Pedals
Pedal | Name | Rate | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 6 HX One | 89.8 | |
 | Line 6 Helix LT | 95.0 | |
 | Eventide H90 | 88.3 | |
 | Boss GT-1000 | 89.2 |
The HX One gives you 250 effects from the popular Helix line, at a much lower price tag.
HX One Price Guide
Prices updated Fri, August 21st, 2026.
Effects Tone and Sound Quality
The HX One is strictly an effects processor, with around 250 total sounds that cover all major categories of effects (gain, modulation, ambience, filter) and even go beyond the conventional sounds with synth algorithms and a lot of combination pitch-shifting effects. A combination that has become particularly popular in recent years is the pairing of reverb, octaves, and expanded pitch shifting. There are some really cool sounds in the HX One that combine these effects in a variety of ways. The auto-wah and fuzz sounds are also especially fun.
The distortion models sounded surprisingly good, especially the higher gain modes. I really liked the Swedish Chainsaw and Heavy Distortion models, which both got me a really heavy and warm attack, good for modern rock and metal. I wasn't as impressed with the delay options as I have been in other Helix processors, but there's still plenty to choose from, and given more time and tweaking with the HX One, I'm sure there would be more ground to explore.
And while you can get plenty of other-worldly sounds, there were also a lot of really subtle modulation and ambient effects that you could just use for layering, all of which sound really nice over a clean tone or even a small amount of gain and break up.
The HX One has a lot to offer on both the aggressive and subtle effects fronts.
The HX One's Control and Versatility
The three knobs you see under the OLED screen control the parameters for each effect, which changes depending on what you have selected. The knob in the middle lets you cycle through the effects presets by simply turning it left or right. It's vastly simpler and easier to use than most multi-effects processors, and certainly easier than any of the other Helix pedals. Control features include an expression pedal input, MIDI ports, and an editing app via USB-C which is the HX One Librarian app, giving you an even easier way to keep everything organized.
Controls are basically four knobs and the OLED screen.
The two arrow buttons allow you to move to different parameters if an effect has more than three. It also lets you navigate parent categories of effects in folders. Presets are a little tricky, since you have to press both buttons to enter "preset mode" so you can store and cycle through your sounds. But once you get used to the flow it's not too bad. For the most part, I found myself pretty well contented just cycling through the library manually. If you were to pair it with a MIDI controller, that would be the most ideal setup.
Lots to keep you busy but with a very straightforward control scheme.
Price and Value of the HX One Processor
The Line 6 HX One is one of the most affordable multi-effects processors that provide you with such a high-standard of quality and functionality. If you upgrade to the HX Stomp, you're adding roughly another $350, for $650 total (check the price guide above for updated numbers). This is cost-prohibitive for many, so the price of the HX One is a welcome alternative and makes the Helix library a lot more accessible to a wider range of players.
As I've alluded to earlier, you'll get the most value out of this pedal if you're only interested in the Helix effects and not the Helix amp models.
If you have an amp you like and you want to stick to it, adding the HX One makes a lot of sense.
Wrapping up my HX One review
I've never been a multi-effects pedal guy, but I think Line 6 is doing some impressive work and innovation with their Helix venture. The HX One is very simple, but also effective and powerful, and can be a good fit for a wide range of player types, skill levels, and musical styles.
Having 250 effects to play with will keep you busy for a long time. In that regard, getting the HX One is kind of like getting a new video game back in the day - you'll want to set aside some time to play it and explore the landscape.
If you have questions about my Line 6 HX One review, or how I tested the pedal, feel free to reach out via the comments section below.
I'll see you there.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Effects & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Effects & Reviews
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Hello Good pm,, I just want to ask since you are using HX one pedal. Anyway, I just got my new line 6 HX one yesterday. Can you help me! Need some advice . I can’t figure it out from the manual. How do i access my hx one 128 preset. On the screen It shows here 4 preset only. Every time i both press ON button and tap/flux button. it doesn’t come out the built-in 128 presets. Only 4 preset shows, thanks
Do you have it in “Preset Mode”? It should be holding both On and Tap/Flux. It’s on page 10 of the manual here: https://line6.com/data/6/0a020a3fae3a65303a4bdd590/application/pdf/HX%20One%20Owner's%20Manual%20-%20English%20.pdf