The Best Flanger Pedals

Flanging is a common modulation effect recognized by its distinct swirling, or “whooshing,” sound. On the technical side, flanger pedals—some of the best of which we’ll be covering here—achieve their sound by duplicating the incoming signal and delaying the copy (<20 ms) so it’s out of phase with the original. Flangers then continuously alter the delay time using a low-frequency oscillator (LFO), resulting in a cascading, swooshing sound. Comb filtering is a distinct part of the flanging effect, too, emphasizing and deemphasizing various frequencies based on the interaction between the original and modulated signals.  

History suggests Les Paul discovered the effect while conducting phase experiments with variable-speed record players and acetate discs in the late 1940s, but it would be nearly three decades before flanger pedals would hit the scene.

Prior to that, engineers created the sound with tape machines, playing duplicate material on two units and pressing down on the “flange” of one to delay it out of sync with the other. As the slowed tape caught up to regular speed, it produced the iconic flanging effect. This can be heard on legendary tunes like “Tomorrow Never Knows” (1966) by The Beatles and “Bold as Love” (1967) by Jimi Hendrix, among many others.

Electronic, chip-based flanging appeared circa 1975–76, and with it, flanger pedals. For years now, guitarists have relied on them to add depth, movement and thickness to solos and riffs. This article will cover some of the best flanger pedals available, so you can equip your board with the infamous, jet engine-like sonics of an all-time classic effect.

Table of Contents

Where Does a Flanger Pedal Go in My Signal Chain?
Comparing the Best Flanger Pedals
The Best Flanger Pedals
Find the Best Flanger Pedal for You
FAQs About Flangers

Where Does a Flanger Pedal Go in My Signal Chain?

Flangers are modulation effects that feel most at home in the middle, or toward the end, of your signal chain. They tend to thrive after overdrive and distortion, enhancing the transformational tones of those processors with additional texture, but before time-based effects, so the flanging doesn’t step on delay tails or wash away reverb trails.

Feeding a flanger everything in your pedal path up to that point—including wah, EQ, compression and drive—gives it a complete picture of your tone to process. You can always channel more abstract sounds, too, by playing with pedal order. Given the effects on your board, how does a flanger sound before overdrive, for instance? There’s only one way to find out …

Pictured: PRS Wind Through the Trees Dual Analog Flanger Effects Pedal

Comparing the Best Flanger Pedals

Model	Tonal Characteristics	Controls	Unique Features	Power Draw	Price*
BOSS BF-3	Thick stereo flanging with richness and depth	Resonance/Manual, Depth, Rate, Mode	Gate/Pan mode with slicer-type effects	9VDC, 60 mA	$161.99
Dreadbox Komorebi	Analog, BBD-style flanging and chorus	Amount, Feedback, Static, Rate, LFO wave switch	Onboard patch points for Eurorack compatibility	9VDC, 100 mA	$199
Death By Audio Space Bender	Heavy chorus-flanging, ranging from subtle to extreme	Speed, Depth, Delay Time, Modulator, Intensity	Two-way rocker switches shape sound quality	9VDC, 65 mA	$270
Death By Audio Disturbance	Deeply modulated filter, flanger and phaser effects	Tensity, Center Point, Width, Speed	Three-way switch toggles filter, flanger or “fazer”	9VDC, 67 mA	$250
EarthQuaker Devices Pyramids	Versatile flanging types, including jet-engine roar, through-zero tape warble and more	Manual, Rate, Width, Mix, Presets, Feedback, Modify, Mode, Rate & Tap	Eight DSP-driven flanger modes	9VDC, 460 mA	$399
Electro-Harmonix Stereo Electric Mistress	Undulating, rich modulations with flanger and chorus working together	Rate, Flanger Depth, Chorus Depth	Individual flanger and chorus effects	9VDC, 160 mA	$150.60
JHS Pedals 3 Series Flanger	Analog-style flanging inspired by old-school pedals	Blend, Rate, Intensity, Tape switch	Simple controls support a wide range of sounds	9VDC, 70 mA	$99
MXR M117R	Classic ’70s-style flanging, with everything from jet plane to spatial effects	Manual, Width, Speed, Regeneration	Performs the work of a flanger, chorus, delay and more	18VDC, 39 mA	$199.99
MXR M152 Micro Flanger	Warm, thick flanging with massive swooshes	Speed, Regeneration	Streamlined control layout delivers compelling array of effects	9VDC, 7 mA	$125.99
MXR Flanger/Doubler	Deeply comb-filtered sweeps with rich low end and softened highs	Width, Speed, Mix, Regen, Manual, Doubler, Invert	Doubler effect thickens your sound with an offset signal copy and can produce chorusing or slapback effects	9V DC, 160mA	$333.00
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Flat Light	Unique, highly textural flanging with onboard micro adjustments	Rate, Depth, Mix, Shift, Detune/Resonate/Echo Switch	Additional parameters to shape the textures within the base flanger	9VDC, 110 mA	$209
PRS Wind Through the Trees	Lush, warm, analog stereo flanging	Manual, Depth, Rate, LFO 1 and LFO 2 mix, Regen, Dry/Wet, Added Highs	Two flangers in one with independent controls	9VDC, 22 mA	$349
Strymon Orbit dBucket	Traditional watery or hollow flanging sounds with ability to create dramatic soundscapes and textures	Speed, Width, Mix, Regen, Manual, Feedback switch, LFO switch	High-performance DSP generates impressive sound quality	9VDC, 200 mA	$299
Supro 1309 Flanger	All-analog, full-stereo flanging with sonic richness and textural depth	Speed, Width, Sweep, Feedback, Dimension switch	Dimension switch crossfeeds stereo signals for entrancing double-flanger effects	9VDC, 250 mA	$289
Walrus Audio Polychrome	Colorful modulation for adding versatile array of textures to arrangements	Rate, Depth, Sweep, Feedback, Shape switch, Voice switch, D-F-V knob	Unique D-F-V (dry, flange, vibrato) blend knob generates a full palette of sounds	9VDC, 50 mA	$219.99

Pricing as of August 2026*

The Best Flanger Pedals

BOSS BF-3

What to Know:

• Standard, Ultra and Gate/Pan modes

• Dedicated guitar and bass inputs

• Lush stereo sound

Shop Now: BOSS BF-3 Flanger Effects Pedal

For over 20 years, the BOSS BF-3 flanger has been a staple effect in the brand’s renowned stompbox lineup. Featuring a no-nonsense layout with three operable parameters, in addition to a Mode selector, the BF-3 delivers rich flanging with all the texture, movement and depth you’d expect from a top-tier pedal. Using the Gate/Pan setting, you can even achieve swirling, slicer-like sound to stylize portions of an arrangement with a prominent effect.

Dreadbox Komorebi

What to Know:

• Three selectable LFO wave shapes

• Bucket brigade device (BBD) delay time ranges from 2 ms to 40 ms

• For guitar, bass and synthesizer, with dedicated CV patch points for Eurorack compatibility

Shop Now: Dreadbox Komorebi Analog Chorus/Flanger Effects Pedal

If you’re tracking down a flanger pedal with one-of-a-kind sonic characteristics, the Komorebi by Dreadbox delivers in spades. You can radically transform guitar, bass and synth tones using only a handful of intuitive parameters, creating comb-filtered flanging and pitch-shifted chorusing all from a single pedal. Fans of modular synthesis will appreciate the Komorebi’s dedicated patch points for integration with an existing synthesizer rig.

Death By Audio Space Bender

What to Know:

• Unique layout includes trio of rocker switches controlling Delay Time, Modulator type and overall Intensity of the effects

• Easy-to-use Speed and Depth knobs shape overall sound

• Ideal for experimental effects

Shop Now: Death By Audio Space Bender Chorus/Flanger Effects Pedal

Death By Audio’s Space Bender is the perfect shuttle for sonic cosmonauts to explore the outer reaches of their creativity. From flanging and chorus to heavily modulated delays, the aptly named Space Bender manipulates incoming signals with its inspiring tone-twisting abilities. Far from a traditional flanger, Death By Audio’s specialized take on a classic effect is perfect for intrepid players who love to tread new ground with their sound.

Death By Audio Disturbance

What to Know:

• Stop LFO mid-cycle for “frozen” modulation effects

• CV output jack to control other devices

• Filter/Flanger/Fazer switch selects effect

Shop Now: Death By Audio Disturbance Effects Pedal

While Death By Audio’s Disturbance pedal is undoubtedly a transformative soundscaping device, its ability to also deliver nuanced, musical modulation makes it a favorite for traditional sounds that guitarists have utilized for decades. Generate resonant swells in Filter mode, dip your toes in watery tonal cascades with Flanger or settle into a psychedelic groove with the eight-stage Phaser setting. Far from a one-trick pony, Disturbance is a pedalboard asset virtually guaranteed to spark fresh riffs.

EarthQuaker Devices Pyramids

What to Know:

• Five onboard presets and eight flanger styles

• Mix control for custom wet/dry balance

• Mono and stereo operation

Shop Now: EarthQuaker Devices Pyramids Stereo Flanging Device

When you’re looking for every flavor of flanger to add to your pedalboard, the EarthQuaker Devices Pyramids unit certainly assumes the role with its eight modes, including a Through-Zero setting emulating old-school tape flanging. Sound quality is assured thanks to an all-analog dry signal path, 24-bit/96kHz converters and a digital wet signal path boasting a full-range, 20Hz–20kHz frequency response. Plus, every Pyramids pedal is hand-assembled and tested in Akron, Ohio.

Electro-Harmonix Stereo Electric Mistress

What to Know:

• Channels the seductive sounds of Hendrix-style, “Bold as Love” flanging, alongside a chorus circuit

• Run flanger and chorus together or individually

• Rugged die-cast metal chassis

Shop Now: Electro-Harmonix XO Stereo Electric Mistress Flanger/Chorus Effects Pedal

Simply put, the Electro-Harmonix Stereo Electric Mistress pedal could not be any easier to use, featuring Rate, Flanger Depth and Chorus Depth parameters to generate incredible modulating effects with practically zero effort. A truly plug-and-play device, the Electric Mistress immediately produces inspiring textures, lending movement to chord progressions, arpeggios, melodies and more.

JHS Pedals 3 Series Flanger

What to Know:

• Combines simplicity and affordability without compromising sound and build quality

• Inspired by classic 1970s flanger pedals

• Tape toggle engages some warmth and colorful signal degradation

Shop Now: JHS Pedals 3 Series Flanger Effects Pedal

Assembled by the JHS Pedals team at their factory in Kansas City, Missouri, the 3 Series flanger delivers one of the biggest bangs for your buck from a boutique manufacturer. Sonically, the 3 Series Flanger takes cues from the original Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress, MXR M117 and Tycobrahe Pedalflanger units from the ’70s, so it brings tons of analog-tinged mojo to the table. If you need one flanger pedal that sound excellent, this JHS design certainly does the trick.

MXR M117R Flanger

What to Know:

• For use with guitar, bass, keyboards and vocals

• At zero, Width knob disengages auto-sweep

• With auto-sweep off, Manual control selects center frequency

Shop Now: MXR M117R Flanger Effects Pedal

The MXR M117R flanger pedal offers everything from the iconic jet plane sound to springy delays and dynamic chorus. Plug it in and begin sculpting your ideal tone with four intuitive parameters, and channel the energy of one of the most popular flangers in pedal history. The original M117 was a game changer in the 1970s, and the modern MXR M117R captures its classic allure for contemporary guitarists.    

MXR M152 Micro Flanger

What to Know:

• Same sound found in the M117R

• Smaller, pedalboard-friendly size

• True-bypass switching

Shop Now: MXR M152 Micro Flanger Effects Pedal

We’re big fans of the MXR M152 Micro Flanger’s simplicity, which is practically paradoxical to the massive tones it generates. Borrowing “guts” from the larger M117R, it forgoes Width/Manual controls for essential Speed and Regeneration knobs to craft its versatile sounds. Moreover, the Micro Flanger’s smaller footprint ensures easy integration with crowded pedalboards.

MXR Flanger/Doubler

What to Know:

• Based on the iconic Model 126 rackmount unit from the 1970s

• Accepts instrument and line-level signals

• Dedicated CV I/O for synthesizers

What do Eddie Van Halen, Eric Johnson and Dimebag Darrell have in common? They all used the MXR Model 126 to shape parts of their sound, from lush, dramatic swooshing to a subtler “thickening up” effect. The MXR Flanger/Doubler pedal captures the magic of those legendary rackmount devices—as heard in some of the most singularly awe-inspiring and imitated guitar tones of all time—using analog bucket brigade device (BBD) circuitry for a darker, smoother sound compared to pristine digital flangers. Whether you crave intense movement and modulation, or an easy way to make a mono signal sound bigger, the MXR Flanger/Doubler delivers.      

The effect translates beautifully to bass, synthesizers and drums as well, so it’s cool to see an old-school studio staple reimagined as a pedal for newer generations of musicians and audio engineers.

Old Blood Noise Endeavors Flat Light

What to Know:

• Detune, Resonate and Echo modes emphasize different tonal elements within the flanging sound

• Expression jack for real-time parameter manipulation

• Soft-touch, true-bypass footswitch

Shop Now: Old Blood Noise Endeavors Flat Light Flange Shifter Effects Pedal

Flat Light by Old Blood Noise Endeavors is a devious little design offering experimental noisemakers the chance to play with flanging textures in a whole new way. Sonically, the Flat Light pedal is “colder” than your traditional old-school flanger, and its three modes add pitch shifting, additional flanger lines or echoes to the signal for a unique variety of sounds. Use the Shift knob to dial in the intensity of the chosen mode’s effect and the Mix control to adjust the wet/dry blend to taste.

PRS Wind Through the Trees

What to Know:

• Two flanging engines with independent controls do ’80s-style whooshing, Leslie-like whirling and more

• True-bypass switching

• Made in the USA

Shop Now: PRS Wind Through the Trees Dual Analog Flanger Effects Pedal

PRS describes their Wind Through the Trees pedal as “two flangers fighting each other,” generating a soulful, almost organic effect like the sound of wind lapping at leaves during a forest breeze. With deep control over both flangers—including a dedicated blend knob between voices, in addition to an overall dry/wet mix—there’s an entire palette of colorful flanging effects to play with. The PRS Wind Through the Trees has the added benefit of high-quality, through-hole mounted components for optimal sound at every stage in the circuitry.

Strymon Orbit

What to Know:

• Logarithmic, linear and through-zero LFOs

• Positive, negative and positive/negative feedback styles

• Expression pedal input for control of any parameter

Shop Now: Strymon Orbid dBucket Flanger Effects Pedal

The Strymon Orbit dBucket flanger pedal is a studio-grade effect, sporting high-performance 24-bit converters, premium analog input and output sections, and an exceptional DSP algorithm handling its pristine flanger models. A three-way LFO switch determines the character of the effect, with LOG and LIN covering most “everyday” flanger sounds. Engaging through-zero mode pushes the wet signal ahead of the dry one, resulting in a dramatic flanging effect for sound design, ambience and more.

Supro 1309 Flanger

What to Know:

• All-analog, full-stereo modulation

• Vintage-modern tonal palette

• Double-flanger effect in mono or stereo

Shop Now: Supro 1309 Flanger Effects Pedal

The Supro 1309 flanger’s all-analog signal path with honest-to-goodness bucket brigade chips is one part of the sonic story, but it’s a bidirectional feedback control and a Sweep knob—which lengthens the delay time on one side of the stereo image and shortens it on the other—that creates a uniquely immersive soundscape. Engaging the Dimension switch crossfeeds those two channels together, generating a hypnotic, double-flanging sound of two delay lines being modulated opposite each other. The effect is pronounced, even if the pedal is run in mono.

Walrus Audio Polychrome

What to Know:

• Sounds range from traditional flanging to Leslie-style vibrato and more

• Top-mounted input, output and power

• True-bypass switching

Shop Now: Walrus Audio Polychrome Flanger Effects Pedal

The Polychrome flanger pedal by Walrus Audio characterizes its sound through a D-F-V (Dry, Flange, Vibrato) blend knob; a Shape switch to change the LFO to a sine, triangle or random wave; and a Voice switch to toggle between traditional, full-frequency flanging or a complex, notched filter with reduced bass. The clever interaction between these parameters lets you explore a wealth of flanged and pitched vibrato sounds, whether you only need a hint of color to fill in an arrangement’s gaps, or you want your solo to soar above the mix.

Find the Best Flanger Pedal for You

From Van Halen’s “Unchained” to Heart’s “Barracuda,” and from Rush’s “The Spirit of Radio” to Led Zeppelin’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” flanger has played a prominent part in some seriously spectacular guitar riffs. What’s cool about those select examples is how you can hear the effect applied by varying degrees to suit the song. When you’ve got a great part written, a quality flanger pedal adds that “je ne sais quoi” to make a killer riff iconic.

If you’re feeling intrigued by what modulation pedals can do for your sound, feel free to check out our complete collection of flanger, phaser and chorus pedals, and be sure to connect with a Gear Adviser should any burning questions arise during your search. Better still, you can visit the pedal table at your local Guitar Center and put these effects to the test. After all, when it comes to guitar tone, hearing is believing …

Pictured: BOSS BF-3 Flanger Effects Pedal

FAQs About Flangers

• Q: What’s the difference between flanger and phaser?

  • A: Sonically, flangers and phasers are similar. While flangers use delay to push identical signals out of phase, a phaser uses an all-pass filter—think of it as one notch of a comb filter. Phasers apply multiple all-pass filters to create numerous notches along the frequency spectrum of the duplicated signal, introducing phase shift. Most folks find phasers to be a little less ham-fisted than flangers, though the effect is still easily perceived.

• Q: What type of music do flangers work best in?  

  • A: Since this article focuses on pedals, we’ve mentioned several instances where flanger famously features in guitar-driven rock music. You shouldn’t be deterred from using it on other instruments in other genres, though, whether it’s a pedal or a plug-in. Sure, perhaps flanging is out of place on a singer-songwriter’s intimate vocals, but it might be perfect to sweep the mix bus with a flanger on an EDM track right before the big drop.

• Q: Who makes the best flanger pedal?

  • A: As is the case with most things gear-related, there’s no definitive answer for who makes the “best” flanger pedal, because there’s a ton of diversity out there in terms of sound profile and operation. We’ve prepared the list in this article to include a wide variety of pedals, all of which have their merits. When in doubt, test pedals yourself whenever possible (the pedal table at your Guitar Center store is a great place to do this), and listen to sound samples and demos online to help inform your decision.