Best Guitar Pedal Power Supplies in 2026
Your power supply is the foundation of your tone. Get it wrong and you get hum, noise, and headaches. Get it right and your pedals sing.
Why Power Supply Matters
Every pedal on your board needs clean, stable DC power. When pedals share a power source without isolation, their ground connections interact — creating ground loops that produce audible hum and buzz.
Digital pedals (loopers, multi-effects, modelers) are especially prone to injecting noise into analog pedals when sharing power. An isolated supply gives each pedal its own electrically separate output, eliminating the problem entirely.
Isolated vs Daisy Chain
| Feature | Isolated | Daisy Chain |
|---|---|---|
| Noise / Hum | None (each output isolated) | Possible ground loops |
| Digital Pedal Support | Excellent | Often causes noise |
| Price Range | $80–$200+ | $10–$50 |
| Best For | Any serious rig | Simple all-analog setups |
| Outputs | 6–10 typically | 8–10 typically |
| Recommended | Yes | Budget only |
Recommended Power Supplies
How to Calculate Your Power Needs
Every pedal lists its current draw in milliamps (mA) — usually on the bottom or in the manual. Add them all up, then add 20% headroom.
# Example: 8-pedal board
Tuner: 100mA
Compressor: 50mA
Overdrive × 2: 20mA each
Chorus: 40mA
Delay: 150mA
Reverb: 120mA
Looper: 200mA
Total: 700mA
Required supply: 700 × 1.2 = 840mA minimum
Plan Your Full Rig
Use our free visual builder to arrange your pedals and plan your power needs.
Open Pedalboard BuilderFrequently Asked Questions
What happens if I use the wrong power supply?
Wrong voltage can damage or destroy pedals. Always match the voltage (usually 9V DC) and polarity (center-negative for most pedals). Current (mA) can be higher than required — that's fine.
Why does my pedalboard hum?
Hum is usually a ground loop caused by shared power between pedals. Switch to an isolated power supply and the hum typically disappears immediately.
Can I power a 12V or 18V pedal from a 9V supply?
No — you need a supply with the correct voltage output. Many isolated supplies include 12V and 18V outputs for this reason.
How much current (mA) do I need?
Add up the mA draw of all your pedals (listed in the manual or on the pedal). Add 20% headroom. A typical 10-pedal board needs 500–1000mA total.
Is one power supply enough for a large board?
Usually yes, but large boards with many digital pedals may need two supplies. Check total current draw against your supply's capacity.