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The idea of guitar amp simulation has been around for quite some time now, but as technology advances and home studios become more accessible, the quality of guitar amp sim pedals has skyrocketed in the past few years.
Whether you are looking for a direct-in solution for live gigs, want to practice silently in your bedroom, or just want to bring some new tones into your existing rig – an amp sim pedal is what you need.
But what are the best amp sim pedals? Below you’ll find our top picks for the best guitar amp sim pedals, from studio-grade amp sim pedals to budget-friendly options and more.
| Pedal | Amp Emulation(s) | Where to Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strymon - Iridium | - Fender Deluxe Reverb - Vox AC30 - Marshall Plexi Super Lead | Amazon |  |
| Universal Audio - Dream | - 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb | Amazon |  |
| Walrus Audio - ACS1 MKII | - Fender Deluxe Reverb - 1962 Marshall BluesBreaker - 60's Vox AC30 - Peavey 5150 - Orange Rockerverb - Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier | Amazon |  |
| Universal Audio - Ruby | - '63 Vox AC30 | Amazon |  |
| DSM Humboldt - Simplifier X | - 1960s VOX AC-15 - 1959 Fender Bassman - 1959 Marshall Plexi - 60s Vox AC30 Top Boost - Fender Hot Rod - Marshall JCM800 | Amazon |  |
| Flamma Innovation - FS06 Preamp | - Fender Blues Deluxe - Vox AC30 - Two Rock Coral - Marshall Plexi 50 - Friedman BE-100 - Mesa Boogie Mark V - EVH 5150 | Amazon |  |
Iridium – Strymon
Amp Models Included in the Strymon Iridium:
- Round – Based on a Fender Deluxe Reverb
- Chime – Based on a Vox AC30
- Punch – Based on a Marshall Plexi Super Lead
Whether you want a no-amp live gig setup, a silent amp to play at home with headphones, or a new tool for your studio – the Strymon Iridium is an incredible choice in the amp sim pedal world.
The Iridium features three different amp models that are designed to resemble either a Fender Deluxe Reverb, a Vox AC30, or a Marshall Plexi. Each of the amp models is accompanied by three IR choices specifically designed to work with each amp model. However, Strymon also provides an IR manager software that allows you to edit the IRs and even upload new IRs to the Iridium. Needless to say, there is a nearly endless supply of tones available from the Iridium.
Aside from stereo inputs and outputs, the Iridium also features a ⅛” headphone out jack that allows you to use the Iridium silently with a pair of headphones – an awesome addition for those of us living in a place where you can’t crank up your amp.
If you’ve ever watched a pedal demo on the Pedal Haven YouTube channel, you’re hearing the Iridium in action.
WHERE TO BUY
Dream – Universal Audio
View on AmazonThe Universal Audio is made to emulate a 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb amplifier.
If you are a fan of Fender-style amplifiers, the Dream from Universal Audio is the choice for you. This amp sim pedal is inspired heavily by the ‘65 Fender Deluxe Reverb, and Universal Audio has worked tirelessly to recreate the feel, breakup, and sound of this classic Fender amp – in pedal form.
The Dream from Universal Audio has an onboard drippy, spring-style reverb available and an amp-like vibrato effect that we all know and love from Fender-style amps.
Universal Audio also supplies an app that can pair to the Dream and control a myriad of features like using artist-made presets, your own presets, changing IR cabinets, and even changing the function of the pedal’s footswitches to suit your needs.
WHERE TO BUY
ACS1 MKII – Walrus Audio
Amp Models Included in the ACS1 MKII:
- Fullerton – Based on a Fender Deluxe Reverb
- London – Based on a 1962 Marshall BluesBreaker
- Dartford – Based on a 60’s Vox AC30
- Red – Based on a Peavey 5150
- Citrus – Based on an Orange Rockerverb
- Tread – Based on a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier
The Walrus Audio ACS1 is another fantastic amp sim pedal that includes six different amp models for a variety of different tonal options from vintage sounds to modern high-gain amps. The vintage amp models are based on the Fender Deluxe Reverb, a ‘62 Marshall Bluesbreaker, and a ‘60s Vox AC30 while the high-gain amps are modeled after the Peavey 5150, Orange Rockerverb, and the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. The Walrus Audio team has preloaded the ACS1 with 6 custom speaker cabinet IRs, and you can also add your own IRs to the pedal.
An exciting feature of the ACS1 is that not only does it have stereo inputs and outputs, but if you use the stereo outputs you can choose to send different amp models to each output – which opens up a whole new world of pseudo-two-amp tones.
The ACS1 also features a ⅛ headphone output so you can plug in your headphones and (silently) rock out without waking up the neighborhood.
WHERE TO BUY
Ruby – Universal Audio
View on AmazonThe Universal Audio is made to emulate a ’63 Vox AC30.
Another incredible pedal from Universal Audio’s line of amp sim pedals is the Ruby. The Ruby is modeled after a ‘63 Top Boost Amplifier – a 1963 Vox AC30 to be specific – and does a fantastic job of replicating the tone and feel of that amplifier.
The Ruby is equipped with an onboard vibrato effect and three different speaker cabinet IRs to choose from. And, of course, you can use the Universal Audio app to edit or change speaker cabinets, presets, and various amp settings to your liking.
WHERE TO BUY
Simplifier X – DSM Humboldt
View on AmazonAmp Models Included in the Simplifer X:
- AC Brit – Based on a 1960s VOX AC-15
- USA – Based on a 1959 Fender Bassman
- MS Brit – Based on a 1959 Marshall Plexi
- AC Brit TB – Based on a 60s Vox AC30 Top Boost
- USA Rod – Based on a Fender Hot Rod
- MS 800 – Based on a Marshall JCM800
The Simplifier X from DSM Humboldt is a zero-watt stereo amplifier that is packed with features. Like some of the other amp sims mentioned above, the Simplifier X features different amp models based on classic Vox and Marshall amplifiers. However, the Simplifier offers a wide range of customization on both the preamp and power amp sections of the amp emulations, and other tone-shaping features like the speaker cabinet type and reverb. The Simplifier X is laid out in a way that allows you to set up two different “amp” sounds, and A/B between them so you have two completely different amp sounds on the fly. It is a fantastic amp sim choice for those who like to dive deep into their gear (and people who hate digital menus).
The Simplifier also features a headphone output to allow you to play silently too!
WHERE TO BUY
FS06 Preamp – Flamma Innovation
View on AmazonAmp Models Included in the FS06 Preamp:
- DeluxeBlue – Based on a Fender Blues Deluxe
- AC31 – Based on a Vox AC30
- Coral Reef – Based on a Two Rock Coral
- Plex 50 – Based on a Marshall Plexi 50
- Blue Eye 100 – Based on a Friedman BE-100
- MB5th Gen – Based on a Mesa Boogie Mark V
- HVE 5151 – Based on an EVH 5150
My favorite budget-friendly amp sim pedal is the FS06 Preamp from Flamma Innovation. The Flamma team has managed to pack 7 different amp models into the FS06 Preamp, ranging from Fender and Vox-inspired amp models to a Peavey 5150 model. And each of the 7 amp models has two channels (clean and dirty) – so you really get a massive range of great-sounding amp simulations within the Preamp pedal.
The Preamp from Flamma also features an internal cabinet simulation so you can plug it directly into a mixer or interface for a fully silent recording setup. I’ll be honest, I wish the FS06 had more customization options for its cab emulation (it has none!), but it is not bad at all. For such a budget-friendly amp sim pedal, it is hard to beat the FS06 Preamp from Flamma Innovation.
WHERE TO BUY