Loop pedals were tricky to develop at first, needing an internal recording device to capture and play signals in a loop. They emerged in the 90s and quickly became popular worldwide.
Today, you can choose from dozens of looper pedals. This list showcases 7 top options, from affordable, compact ones to high-end models.
My top recommended looper pedal is the BOSS Audio RC-3 Loop Station Pedal. This high-quality pedal offers 3 hours of loop time.
My second recommended looper pedal is the LEKATO Electric Guitar Looper Effect Pedal. If you want something affordable yet satisfying, the LEKATO is one of the best options.
The 7 Best Looper Pedals for Guitar (2026)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. BOSS Audio RC-3 Loop Station Pedal
Another all-in-one pedal. With guitar pedals, you can count on BOSS for their unique sturdy design, and the RC-3 loop station is no exception. It offers a variety of options that make it a top contender.
First, there are 3 hours of looping time, giving you plenty of time to record everything you need. Additionally, you can store up to 99 different loops and save them on the pedal.
Additionally, you get an auto-record option, letting you start recording right away or giving you one bar to prepare. Ten basic rhythms are available to assist in recording loops, making it easier to practice at home.
For connectivity, you get true stereo with two pairs of ¼” I/O, an AUX-in, and USB. You can connect a computer or other instruments to this pedal and record through it.
All in all, this is a great, high-end, quality pedal that’s built to last for years. With so many options, it will make even the hardened professionals happy. The price is a bit on the high side, but it’s reasonable.
Alternative options from Boss: BOSS RC-10R, BOSS RC-1 Loop Station, BOSS RC-300 Loop Station.
2. LEKATO Electric Guitar Looper Effect Pedal
Next, the budget choice for this list is the LEKATO Looper Effect Pedal. This compact, wallet-friendly loop pedal is straightforward, offering only looping features but doing so brilliantly.
This pedal has one knob for volume and a single button. It’s compact enough to fit in your hand.
Regarding the I/O, it has a standard ¼” I/O and a mini USB port. Plus, it includes a USB cable for easy connection to your computer to upload your desired sounds.
The looping offers up to 5 minutes of loop time and unlimited overdub. Start with the longest loop first, as other loops will match its length. It doesn’t include an AC charger, so make sure to get one separately.
This affordable pedal excels at its singular function. At this price, you won’t find a better looper.
3. Electro-Harmonix Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai Delay / Looper Pedal
The Electro-Harmonix Memory Man is a top-tier pedal. Crafted by a well-known company, this stereo looper pedal offers not only loop effects but also delay and various other effects, letting you achieve your desired sound.
The main option is the 30-second loop for playing and recording additional sounds. Set up to 8 presets, and enjoy built-in echo, multitap, reverse echo, and loop effects.
With options like blend, decay, filter, repeats, and delay, this pedal allows you to create any sound you imagine. The pedal is compact with a sturdy metal casing, tight knobs, and precise buttons.
Enjoy true stereo sound with two ¼” inputs and outputs. It operates on a power cord and does not support batteries.
This is a pricey item, but in my experience of almost 10 years, it endures anything and always performs at the top level. Use it for guitar, bass, voice, or anything else, and you’re guaranteed to get the best effects available.
4. MXR Clone Looper Guitar Effects Pedal (M303)
MXR Clone M303 is an affordable, quality pedal for your loop effect needs. It offers a loop effect where you can play your recording normally, at double speed, or in reverse. Experiment and play with your sound.
The pedal’s metal casing features a single volume knob and two stomp buttons that control the device.
This pedal features a standard ¼” I/O and two additional ¼” jacks, letting you connect other footswitches or external controllers.
Pricewise, this is very affordable. There’s no reason not to get one if you want to experiment and broaden your sound a bit. Whether on stage or at home, it’s a great addition to your collection.
5. Pigtronix Infinity 2 Dual Stereo Looper
Check out another high-end loop pedal. Pigtronix Infinity 2 is the next step in the Infinity line and it’s impressive!
This pedal offers two separate loops with up to 5 minutes of loop time in a sleek black metal casing. Featuring just two knobs and two buttons, it’s all you’ll need.
Besides looping music, you can control your loops with options to stop, repeat once, or shift octaves—features most pedals don’t offer. There’s also a decay knob to mix your overdubs and make them fade into each other while you play.
For connectivity, you’ll find true stereo with two pairs of ¼” I/O, USB input, and power connection. Despite the high price, the Pigtronix Infinity Looper is a fantastic, high-end loop pedal for professionals to use daily.
6. Donner Triple Looper Guitar Pedal
The Donner Triple Looper Guitar Pedal is a great budget-friendly choice. It offers ample loop time and features a user-friendly design.
The Donner Looper is popular for a reason. With 3 slots holding 30 minutes of loop time each, its simple design is user-friendly. A single-foot switch manages record, play, overdub, stop, and clear functions, making it a solid choice.
Donner delivers excellent tone production with minimal noise. This well-rounded looper is widely used and has received positive feedback.
If you want a budget-friendly, well-loved option, you’d be hard-pressed to find a sonically superior match than the Donner TRIPLE Looper Pedal.
7. TC Electronic Ditto Looper
The TC Electronic Ditto Looper tops this list. It’s a popular pedal due to its simple design and easy use. It offers 5 minutes of loop time, endless overdubs, and undo/redo options.
Ditto runs on a standard 9V power supply, common on most pedalboards. It’s a great way to enhance your sound, especially for solo performers seeking simplicity!
Besides having good sound quality and a sleek design, this Looper pedal boasts True Bypass and analog dry-through features. It’s quite durable too. I’ve been using mine for years, dropped it at least 5 times, and it still works perfectly.
The Ditto Looper is an affordable pedal from one of the best manufacturers, TC Electronic. Trust their reputation if you don’t believe me!
How do Looper Pedals Work?
Looper pedals are now very popular, especially for live performances. Musicians and guitarists can do a whole show solo. The looper pedal records audio chunks that you play and repeats them, creating a backing track. You can then add layers of melodies and vocals to build an entire song by yourself.
Most looper pedals feature one or two footswitches. These controls let you capture audio, play it back, and stop playback. Some pedals offer extra effects and options like tap tempo and sync.
Where does a Looper Pedal go in the signal chain?
Most guitarists put the looper pedal at the far end of their signal chain. Having the looper pedal there means all other effects like delay, reverb, and overdrive go before it, shaping the looped sound. Experiment with different placements to see what works for you or even skip effects you don’t want looped by placing the looper before them.
What to look for in a Looper Pedal when buying?
When buying a looper pedal, focus on the design, loop time, memory slots, and loop tracks.
Design
Looper pedals usually come with one or two footswitches. A single footswitch looper is more compact and won’t take up much space on your rig but is harder to use because one footswitch controls all your options. It typically follows a sequence of steps for recording, playback, stop, undo, redo, and more.
Using a double footswitch looper simplifies control by dividing functions between two switches—one for recording and playback, the other for undo/redo. However, these pedals tend to be larger and take up more space on your rig.
Loop Time/Memory
Years ago, looper pedals had limited recording time. Today, they can store hours of music. Always get a looper pedal with adequate loop time for your needs.
Memory slots are crucial. Get a looper pedal with enough memory for storing audio, or one with expandable memory if needed. I recommend the MXR Clone Looper for unlimited overdubs. For 3 hours of stereo recording, try the Boss RC-3.
Loop Tracks
Single-loop track loopers are ideal for guitarists playing in a band or group and don’t need a looper for the whole performance. They’re typically compact and provide simple looper functions with basic looping options.
Double-loop track loopers suit performers who enjoy one-man-band shows. They offer more loop control but are bulkier, harder to master, and pricier. If you want intricate loops, this is the choice. Many also come with features like tap tempo, volume, and quantize.
Conclusion
Looper pedals are common in genres like psychedelic rock, funk, jazz, and modern experimental music. They’re great for solo performers and are handy in studios, including home setups for songwriters.
My top looper pedal pick is the BOSS Audio RC-3 Loop Station Pedal if you want a high-quality pedal with up to 3 hours of loop time.
My budget looper pedal pick is the LEKATO Electric Guitar Looper Effect Pedal. If you want an affordable option that works well, this is it.