Looper pedals have become indispensable tools for guitarists and bassists, offering endless creative possibilities for practice, live performances and recording. From layering intricate solos on top of rhythm riffs to crafting complex overdubbed backing tracks on the fly—with some even including drum machines to jam along to—looper pedals open up a world of possibilities for players of all levels.

Pictured: BOSS RC-5 Loop Station Effects Pedal

A vast swath of artists, from Brian Eno to Ed Sheeran, have claimed loopers as a favorite element of their signal chain. In fact, they’re one of the best ways to hone your chops and explore your creativity. In this guide, we’ll go over some of the best looper pedals available today, highlighting their features, ease of use and what makes each of them stand out. We’ll then get into some frequently asked questions about looper pedals.

Table of Contents

Where Does a Looper Pedal Go in My Signal Chain?
Comparing the Best Looper Pedals
The Best Looper Pedals of 2024
   Acoustic Loop1 Looper Pedal
   BOSS RC-1 Loop Station Effects Pedal
   BOSS RC-5 Loop Station Effects Pedal
   BOSS RC-10R Rhythm Loop Station Effects Pedal
   DigiTech TRIO+ Band Creator + Looper Effects Pedal
   Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper Pedal
   Line 6 DL4 MkII Delay Effects Pedal
   MXR M303 Clone Looper Effects Pedal
   NUX Loop Core Deluxe Looper Pedal
   Sheeran Loopers Looper+ Dual-Track Looper Pedal
   TC Electronic Ditto Looper Effects Pedal
Frequently Asked Questions about Looper Pedals
Get in the Loop

Where Does a Looper Pedal Go in My Signal Chain?

If you find yourself asking “Where do looper pedals go in my signal chain?” the placement of a looper pedal largely depends on how you intend to use it. For most players, placing a looper pedal at the end of the chain ensures that any effects—like distortion, delay or reverb—are included in the loop. This is ideal for building dynamic, textured layers. However, if you want to add effects to each loop independently, placing the looper earlier in the chain gives you that flexibility. Check out our guide on pedal order to demystify the art of putting together your signal chain.

Pictured: TC Electronic Ditto Looper Effects Pedal

Comparing the Best Looper Pedals

Looper Pedal	Looping Time	Controls	Power Draw
Acoustic Loop1	30 minutes	Level knob, footswitch	9V, 140mA
BOSS RC-1 Loop Station	12 minutes	Level knob, footswitch	9V, 95mA
BOSS RC-5 Loop Station	13 hours	Memory/loop level knob; memory, setup, rhythm on/off, tempo buttons; footswitch	9V, 170mA
BOSS RC-10R Rhythm Loop Station	6 hours	Value, rhythm level, loop level knobs; menu, exit buttons; rhythm, loop footswitches	9V, 250mA
DigiTech TRIO+ Band Creator + Looper	230 seconds per song part (≥50 BPM, 48 bars per part)	Tempo, genre, style, loop, bass, drums knobs; looper, band footswitches	9V, 500mA
Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper	12 minutes	Loop mode selector, level knobs; reverse, 1/2 speed buttons; loop and stop/FX footswitches	9V, 75mA
Line 6 DL4 MkII Delay	4 minutes	Looper mode selector; various knobs and footswitches for looper, delay and reverb	9V, 500mA
MXR M303 Clone Looper	6 minutes	Volume knob; record/dub, play/stop footswitches; CTR and EXP inputs	9V, 225mA
NUX Loop Core Deluxe	8 hours	Rhythm/loop knob; save/delete, stop modes, rhythm/type, phrase, tap tempo buttons; footswitch	9V, 70mA
Sheeran Loopers Looper+ Dual-Track Looper	90 seconds	Instrument, mic, main knobs; record/play and stop footswitches	9V, 500mA
TC Electronic Ditto Looper	5 minutes	Single knob, footswitch	9V, 42mA

The Best Looper Pedals of 2024

Acoustic Loop1 Looper Pedal

Why It’s Cool: With its compact footprint, this beginner-friendly looper makes it easy with straightforward controls and “loop progress” LED lights—for those who find visual cues helpful.

Things to Consider:

• Fits easily on any pedalboard
• No battery compartment; will need to use a 9V power supply
• Single footswitch gives you start, stop, record, undo and redo functions

 

Shop Now: Acoustic Loop1 Looper Effects Pedal

If you’re new to the world of looping, the Acoustic Loop1 Looper Pedal is a perfect choice. With its one-knob, one-button chassis, its streamlined design lets you to focus on your playing. And with 30 minutes of loop time—very impressive for its size—it’s great for layering riffs, creating backing tracks or enhancing practice sessions.

BOSS RC-1 Loop Station Effects Pedal

Why It’s Cool: One of the most beloved entry-level loopers, the RC-1 offers tantalizing simplicity and reliability.

Things to Consider:

• Circular LCD indicator shows loop progression or subdivisions
• Display also confirms stop, erase and undo/redo actions
• Battery operatable

Shop Now: BOSS RC-1 Loop Station Effects Pedal

The BOSS RC-1 Loop Station is a massively popular looper pedal for beginners and pros alike—and for good reason. Its intuitive design makes it easy to record, overdub and playback loops, while the LED loop indicator keeps you on top of your timing. With 12 minutes of stereo recording time, it’s versatile enough for both practice and live performances.

A crowd favorite here at Guitar Center, the RC-1 Loop Station has earned a near-4.5-star rating out of over 60 reviews.

BOSS RC-5 Loop Station Effects Pedal

Why It’s Cool: This looper is packed with advanced features like rhythm patterns and up to a jaw-dropping 13 hours of recording time and 99 memory slots.

Things to Consider:

• 32-bit sound engine yields top-of-the-line audio quality
• Can take a 9V alkaline battery
• Multiple I/O options—two inputs and two outputs

Shop Now: BOSS RC-5 Loop Station Effects Pedal

The next step up the BOSS ladder, the RC-5 Loop Station blends powerful features and a compact footprint. With 13 hours of stereo recording time and onboard rhythm patterns, it’s a certified juggernaut of a pedal, primed for everything from extensive practice to creating complex compositions and adding depth to live performances. Its LCD screen even changes colors to indicate recording, overdub and playback status.

But don’t just take our word for it—see for yourself why nearly 95% of Guitar Center reviewers would recommend the RC-5 to a friend.

BOSS RC-10R Rhythm Loop Station Effects Pedal

Why It’s Cool: It combines looping with a built-in rhythm engine for creating dynamic, song-like arrangements.

Things to Consider:

• Two synchronized tracks with independent controls
• Over 280 rhythm styles for inspiration
• Requires a higher power draw than many other loopers of its size

Shop Now: BOSS RC-10R Rhythm Loop Station Effects Pedal

The BOSS RC-10R Rhythm Loop Station is an endlessly versatile stompbox for musicians who want to integrate rhythm and looping seamlessly. Its dual tracks allow you to layer loops independently, while the built-in rhythm engine offers a vast library of beats to jam along with. The RC-10R pedal is ideal for solo performers and songwriters looking to craft full arrangements on the fly.

DigiTech TRIO+ Band Creator + Looper Effects Pedal

Why It’s Cool: This overachieving pedal does double duty by serving as a looper in addition to a virtual bandmate, adding bass and drum accompaniment to your loops.

Things to Consider:

• Automatically generates bass and drum tracks based on your playing
• Up to 12 loop sessions with 230 seconds of memory per loop
• Amp and mixer outs, FX send/return, plus control and guitar inputs

Shop Now: DigiTech TRIO+ Band Creator + Looper Effects Pedal

One of our best-reviewed loop pedals, the DigiTech TRIO+ Band Creator goes far above and beyond the duties of a conventional looper—it’s a bona fide songwriting partner. By analyzing your chords and rhythm, it creates bass and drum backing tracks that complement your style. With dedicated controls for band and loop levels, it’s perfect for practicing, writing or even performing solo.

Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper Pedal

Why It’s Cool: This dual-footswitch stereo looper hosts 720 seconds (12 minutes) of unlimited overdubbing across 10 memory slots.

Things to Consider:

• Stereo inputs and outputs
• Two footswitches for easy loop and overdub control
• Great for players with stereo rigs or multi-instrument setups

Shop Now: Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper Effects Pedal

Always innovating since 1968, Electro-Harmonix designed the 720 Stereo Looper for players who demand more than what the conventional looper offers. Its dual-footswitch design makes it easy to navigate between loops and overdubs, while the 10 memory slots let you save your favorite creations. With stereo capability, as well as half-speed and reverse functions, it’s perfect for guitarists and keyboardists—or any musician who uses an instrument cable—looking to push their creative horizons.

Line 6 DL4 MkII Delay Effects Pedal

Why It’s Cool: Not only does this legendary effects pedal combine reverb and delay—it’s also a fantastic looper pedal.

Things to Consider:

• Offers up to four minutes of looping time
• Includes 30 delay and reverb models
• Larger footprint may require extra space on your pedalboard

Shop Now: Line 6 DL4 MkII Delay Effects Pedal

Gracing the pedalboards at the feet of everyone from David Knudson to John Frusciante, the Line 6 DL4 MkII is a multi-purpose powerhouse that combines looping with delay and reverb effects. Its intuitive controls make it easy to layer loops while experimenting with ambient textures. Whether you’re just starting out building your pedalboard, or are looking to upgrade to a tried-and-true, all-in-one solution, the DL4 MkII is a stellar addition to any pedalboard.

Line 6 is commemorating 25 years of this iconic pedal with the DL4 MkII silver limited-edition model, so grab yours while it’s still here.

MXR M303 Clone Looper Effects Pedal

Why It’s Cool: A beauty for its simplicity, it’s a compact looper with a high-quality analog signal path and straightforward controls.

Things to Consider:

• Offers six minutes of loop time with unlimited overdubs
• Unorthodox landscape orientation, so plan out your board accordingly
• Storage sample rates of up to 88.2kHz

Shop Now: MXR M303 Clone Looper Effects Pedal

The MXR M303 Clone Looper is an impressively easy-to-use pedal with some fun features. It lets you choose between half-speed, double-speed and reverse modes, and even lets you control it externally via an MXR Tap Tempo Switch (sold separately) plugged into the CTR jack. You can also connect a DVP volume pedal to adjust output level, making it the ultimate team player on your board. Its analog signal path ensures your tone remains pristine, while unlimited overdubs let you build complex loops to your creative heart’s content.

NUX Loop Core Deluxe Looper Pedal

Why It’s Cool: This feature-packed looper boasts 40 drum rhythms in various genres, comprehensive control, along with eight hours of recording time and 99 memory slots.

Things to Consider:

• Built-in rhythm patterns with realistic-sounding drums
• Mini-B USB connectivity for saving and loading your own loops
• Versatile I/O includes amp and mixer outs, and instrument and control ins

Shop Now: NUX Loop Core Deluxe Looper Effects Pedal

The NUX Loop Core Deluxe is designed for musicians who want maximum functionality in a compact pedal. With plenty of recording time and a vast memory bank, it’s perfect for storing ideas and building multi-layered tracks. Its USB connectivity adds even more versatility, making it an especially fitting choice for players with a penchant for experimentation and customization. It even has a mixer/headphone jack so you can play through it with just your guitar and cable.

Sheeran Loopers Looper+ Dual-Track Looper Pedal

Why It’s Cool: Designed by Ed Sheeran and his production team, this dual-track looper offers unparalleled flexibility for live use.

Things to Consider:

• Two independent loops for creating complex arrangements
• Dual-pedal design makes it larger than most
• Comprehensive I/O: XLR mic in, stereo 1/4" ins, stereo outs, external footswitch in, MIDI in, USB-B port

Shop Now: Sheeran Looper Looper+ Dual-Track Looper Effects Pedal

In an ever-evolving world of effects pedals, the Sheeran Looper+ makes “The A Team.” It’s an incredibly intuitive tool for players who want to emulate Ed Sheeran’s go-to looping technique. Its dual pedals (record + play and stop) and dual tracks allow for seamless transitions and multi-layered compositions, making it a powerful addition to not only any solo singer-songwriter’s rig, but to inventive creative collaborators as well.

TC Electronic Ditto Looper Effects Pedal

Why It’s Cool: It’s a minimalist looper that delivers top-notch sound quality in a tiny package.

Things to Consider:

• Up to five minutes of loop time with unlimited overdubs
• Single-knob control (loop level) with a single button
• Excellent value, though it’s not battery operatable

Shop Now: TC Electronic Ditto Looper Effects Pedal

For those seeking a no-frills classic, TC Electronic Ditto Looper is a pedalboard staple for its simplicity and reliability. Its single-knob, single-button design is as straightforward as can be, while Ditto’s high-quality sound ensures your tone remains unaffected. Press the footswitch once to record your initial loop, and then press it again for overdub mode, which will continue overdubbing sequential takes until you press it again.

The Ditto+ Looper has the same form factor as the original Ditto, but with a color display, 60 minutes of recording time and more. If pedalboard space is less of a concern, and you want even more features packed into your pedal, check out the Ditto Stereo Looper and Mic Looper, as well as the Ditto Looper X2 and X4.

Frequently Asked Questions about Looper Pedals

What Should I look for in a looper pedal?

If you’re new to looper pedals, while it may be tempting to go all out and get one with all the bells and whistles, it may be best to choose a pedal that’s easy to use and suits your specific needs. For example, if you’re only looking to do layers upon layers of riffs and solos, get something that has minimalist controls to streamline that process for you. And if you find visual cues helpful, a pedal with an LED or LCD indicator—or even a menu display—will help you stay on track.

Is a 30-second looper enough?

A looper pedal with a shorter available loop time is great if you tend to go for shorter chord progressions and faster tempos. However, if you like to lay down slower 12-bar blues riffs, you may want to opt for a pedal that can accommodate longer loops. Two to three minutes will provide more than enough time for most cases, but timing your typical riff loop may be a good idea before going in on a looper pedal with a shorter loop capacity.

How do I power my looper pedal without a battery?

You’ll need a power supply. While 9V is the standard voltage—measuring electrical potential—needed to power most pedals, there are some exceptions. The other consideration is amperage, which is the flow of electric current, denoted by mA (milliamps) or A (amps)—you’ll want to make sure your power supply matches or exceeds the amperage your pedal needs. Check out our guide to powering your pedalboard for some helpful tips and recommendations.

Which famous artists have used looper pedals?

To take a small sample, Tim Reynolds from the Dave Matthews Band has been known to use the Line 6 DL4 as a looper, KT Tunstall has used a BOSS RC-30 Loop Station, Ed Sheeran uses his signature Looper+ pedal and Ed O’Brien of Radiohead uses a Pigtronix Infinity Looper. And while Robert Fripp of King Crimson is widely credited for the implementation of loops in guitar playing, he used an analog tape reel setup and dubbed it “Frippertronics.” Since then, legions of players and pedal makers have tried to emulate that sound and workflow.

Get in the Loop

Pictured: Various Looper Pedals

Looper pedals have revolutionized the way musicians approach their craft, offering endless possibilities for creativity and exploration. Whether you’re layering overdubs upon overdubs, composing complex arrangements or building the perfect practice loop, the pedals in this guide deliver exceptional performance for everyone from eager beginners to seasoned vets. And if an all-in-one solution is calling your name, read up on how today’s best multi-effects pedals can satiate your looping needs and beyond. Explore our full collection of looper pedals and find the one that’s right for you, or better yet, step on into your local Guitar Center, where you can try them out for yourself at one of our pedal stations.