The 12 best delay pedals in 2025 – Complete guide and comparison

Aerial ambiences, soaring echoes, rockabilly slapback or cascades of post-rock repeats… the delay pedal is an infinite playground and is unquestionably one of the pedals you must have on your pedalboard!

But between analog delays, digital delays, multi-effects, virtual tape models and MIDI war machines, it’s hard to know where to turn in 2025. So, whether you’re a fan of Gilmour, The Edge or shoegaze à la My Bloody Valentine, we’ll guide you through this comparison of the 12 best delay pedals of the moment (in our opinion, of course).

What’s a delay pedal?

A delay pedal records the signal from your guitar, then plays it back after a short time. The result? Repetitions of your sound, more or less spaced and more or less numerous, that you can shape and adjust ad infinitum.

Delay can be subtle – to add thickness – or downright psychedelic, to plunge your sound into an ocean of echoes, where it can even be combined with other effects!

Why use a delay pedal?

• Thicken your sound: a simple short repetition adds depth.
• Creating ambience: long delay + reverb = interstellar travel.
• Energize solos: make your notes sound like a pro recording.
• Rhythmic work: some tempo-synchronized delays let you play with repeats for percussive effects.

How does a delay pedal work?

The pedal records an audio signal and plays it back after a set time. You generally control 3 parameters:

• Time: the delay between repetitions.
• Feedback: number of repetitions.
• Mix/Level: the volume of repeats in relation to the original sound.

Some modern pedals offer much more: modulation, tap tempo, presets, MIDI, reverse, etc.

How to choose the right delay pedal?

Here are a few points to consider when choosing your ideal delay:

Analog or digital?
Analog has a warm, vintage, organic grain (often limited in delay time), digital is cleaner and more versatile, but also extremely customizable and modifiable.

Live or studio use?
Functions such as tap tempo, presets and MIDI can make all the difference in a concert, for example…

Type of music:
Rock, ambient, country, psychedelic? Some delays are made to cut through, others to blend into the mix.

Pedalboard size:
A simple mini-pedal or a multi-effect gas factory?

The 12 best delay pedals in 2025

Strymon Brig

It’s hard to talk about delays without mentioning Strymon (you’ll see, there are a few in this top list…). The Strymon Brig is a high-end analog delay pedal, inspired by classic Bucket Brigade circuits, but optimized by Strymon’s ultra-clean in-house digital processing. It features 3 distinct modes (Bucket, Multi and Filter) for varying textures, as well as subtle modulation and delay times of up to 1 second. Compact and intuitive, the Brig offers analog warmth with modern precision, ideal for organic, textured sounds.

Price: €249

Boss DD-200 Digital Delay

The Boss DD-200 Digital Delay condenses the essence of the DD series into a compact, ultra-versatile format. It features 12 delay types ranging from vintage tape to soaring shimmer, with impeccable 32-bit audio quality. Thanks to its clear display, tap tempo, memorizable presets and MIDI compatibility, it’s equally suited to live and studio use. A real toolbox for demanding guitarists.

Price: €246

Walrus Audio Mako D1 V2

The Walrus Audio Mako D1 V2 is a high-end stereo delay pedal featuring 6 distinct algorithms: Digital, Mod, Vintage, Dual, Reverse and Reverse. It features full MIDI connectivity, 9 on-board presets (up to 128 via MIDI) and stereo inputs/outputs. V2 introduces improved stereo width control, an updated Reverse program for a more pronounced effect, and the option of firmware updates via USB. Compact yet powerful, it’s ideal for guitarists seeking a wide sound palette and maximum flexibility.

Price: €444

MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe

The MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe is an enhanced analog delay pedal that extends the functionality of the original model while retaining its warm character. It offers an extended delay time of up to 1.2 seconds, a built-in tap tempo with rhythmic subdivisions (dotted eighth notes, eighth notes, triplets, sixteenth notes) and a Bright mode for clearer repeats. Modulation controls are now accessible from the front panel, allowing adjustment of effect speed and depth. In addition, internal switches let you choose between a dry or 100% wet signal, and toggle between instrument and line input levels, offering great flexibility for integration in different configurations.

Price: €222

TC Electronic Flashback 2 X4

TC Electronic Flashback 2 X4 is a highly versatile digital delay pedal , offering 10 delay types, including the new Crystal mode, as well as realistic analog and tape emulations. It features 3 pressure-sensitive MASH footswitches for expressive control, 6 TonePrint slots for custom presets (including artist presets), and a built-in 40-second looper. With its stereo I/O, MIDI compatibility and expression pedal input, it’s ideal for guitarists looking for a complete, flexible solution to their delay needs.

Price: €199

Line 6 DL4 MkII

The Line 6 DL4 MkII is an ambitious update of the famous “Big Green Machine”, enriching the original with 15 new delays from the HX series, while retaining the 15 classic models. It also features 15 hidden reverbs, a stereo looper with up to 240 seconds of recording (expandable via microSD), an XLR mic input, full MIDI compatibility and a more compact format. Ideal for musicians seeking a wide sound palette, it offers exceptional flexibility for stage and studio.

Price: €221

JHS 3 Series Delay

The JHS 3 Series Delay is a simple, affordable delay pedal offering sonic versatility thanks to a type switch that lets you toggle between clear, digital-style repeats and darker, analog-style echoes. With delay times ranging from 80 ms to 800 ms, it covers a wide range of effects, from fast slapback to extended ambient layers. Its 3 intuitive controls – Mix, Time and Repeats – make real-time adjustment easy. Clearly a good option for guitarists looking for a quality delay without excessive complexity.

Price: €125

Boss RE-202 Space Echo

The Boss RE-202 Space Echo is a faithful modern reinterpretation of the legendary Roland RE-201, offering an authentic tape delay experience with contemporary features. It features 4 virtual heads for 12 unique echo combinations, an independent stereo reverb section with several types (spring, hall, plate, room, ambience), and dedicated controls for saturation, wow & flutter, and tape status (new or used). With its stereo inputs/outputs, MIDI compatibility, 127 programmable memories and foot-activated Warp and Twist effects, the RE-202 is a powerful solution for musicians seeking the warmth and complexity of a tape delay in a reliable, versatile format.

Price: €339

Meris LVX Modular Delay System

The Meris LVX Modular Delay System is a highly advanced stereo delay pedal. Featuring a unique modular engine, it lets you insert effects (preamp, pitch, modulation, filter…) at different points in the signal for extreme customization. With its 6 delay structures, integrated looper, color display, MIDI presets and USB-C connectivity, it’s aimed at demanding musicians, producers and sound designers looking for a studio-level delay in pedal format.

Price: €689

Strymon El Capistan V2

The Strymon El Capistan V2 is a digital delay pedal that recreates the characteristics of vintage tape echoes with remarkable fidelity . It features 3 types of tape machines (fixed head, multi-head and single head) with modes inspired by classics such as the Roland RE-201 and Maestro Echoplex EP-3, offering delays of up to 1.5 seconds. Dedicated controls let you adjust parameters such as band age, wow & flutter, modulation and integrated spring reverb, for a highly personalized sound. V2 introduces notable enhancements, including a JFET input for improved dynamics, full MIDI connectivity with 300 preset slots, stereo input/output, and USB-C connectivity for firmware updates. With its built-in looper in “Sound on Sound” mode, it’s aimed at musicians seeking an authentic tape echo experience with the benefits of modern technology.

Price: €419

Strymon TimeLine

The Strymon TimeLine is an iconic digital stereo delay pedal, offering 12 distinct algorithms (including dTape, dBucket, Reverse, Ice, Swell, Filter, Trem, Pattern…) and exceptional audio quality thanks to its SHARC processor. With 200 memorizable presets, a 30-second stereo looper (positionable before or after the delay),full MIDI connectivity and expression pedal compatibility, it’s equally at home on stage or in the studio. Its intuitive interface provides quick access to essential settings (Time, Mix, Repeats, Filter, Grit, Modulation), while offering advanced customization options for demanding musicians. A true standard for guitarists looking for a versatile, inspiring delay.

Price: €474

Empress Echosystem Dual Delay

The Empress Echosystem is a high-end stereo delay pedal offering exceptional flexibility thanks to its 2 delay motors that can operate in series, parallel or left/right stereo. With over 40 algorithms covering digital, tape and analog delay emulations, as well as creative modes such as Reverse, Lo-Fi, Whisky or Delay+Reverb, it adapts to a multitude of musical styles. Its intuitive controls, including mode-dependent “Thing 1” and “Thing 2” buttons, enable precise adjustment without the need for complex menus. The pedal features up to 35 presets, MIDI compatibility via the control port, built-in speaker simulation with 3 variations, and an analog signal path for optimum sound quality. Compact yet powerful, the Echosystem is ideal for musicians looking for a complete, versatile delay solution.

Price: €525