- We’ve compiled a list of the best pedalboard power supply for guitarists
- Our top seven picks are powerful, reliable, and competent
- Navigate your pedalboard as painlessly as possible
- Also, check out our guide to the best power conditioners for music studios
Hunting for the best power supply for guitar pedals is not half as exciting as testing a new guitar at the guitar store. But even the most premium array of stomps are powerless without a rock solid pedalboard power supply.
We can get by with daisy chaining pedals initially. Any functional power supply can get it done. The gravity of power supply pedals, especially isolated power, only hits home once you rack up a hoard of guitar effects pedals.
That is when a power supply box takes on a role, offering noise reduction, simple operation, and none of that daisy chain buzz. Now, there is no dearth of options when it comes to finding a guitar pedal power supply.
The best guitar power supply is one you can use without fuss. It keeps the workflow smooth, eliminates ground hum, and provides the current your pedals demand. So, for those who want clean, reliable power, we’ve chosen 7 power supply units that could easily find a home in your guitar effects pedalboard.
What Are The Best Power Supplies For Guitar Pedals?
The top spot goes to the TrueTone 1 Spot CS12 – the omnipresent power supply that is market-tested and customer-approved. It’s a no-brainer if you don’t have any fussy requirements.
The Donner DP-1, a non-isolated power supply unit, has the best amalgam of features and pricing for those on a budget or looking to power a utilitarian ‘board.
Lastly, the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power Mondo is my premium choice for those with digital pedals or hefty power requirements. It’s a powerful, pro-grade, and premium power brick for 10+ guitar effects pedals. It’s overkill for ‘basic’ pedalboards. But it could be a future-proof investment if you aspire to own enough pedals to freak out a mains outlet.
Of course, each power supply unit in this roundup has variations, allowing you to move up or downstream in the series based on your needs and budget. Zip through it, sidestep the ‘research,’ and return to binging on Beato and Asato vids.
Here are our favorite picks bricks to power your guitar pedals in 2022.
- Truetone 1 Spot Pro CS12 (Our Pick)
- Donner DP-1 Power Supply (Best Value)
- Voodoo Lab Pedal Power Mondo (Premium Choice)
- T-Rex Fuel Tank Classic
- Strymon Ojai R30
- MXR M238 ISO-Brick
- Joyo JP-05 Power Supply
1. Truetone 1 Spot Pro CS12 (Our Pick)
The Truetone 1 Spot Pro CS12 pedalboard power brick can power virtually any combination of guitar effects pedals you can imagine.
- Has the perfect price-performance balance
- Well-built
- Feature-laden
It’s near impossible to go to a music festival and not spot one of the 1 Spot (hah!) among guitar effects pedals. The CS6, CS7, and CS12 consistently rank among the bestsellers in the category, and for good reason. They strike a perfect price-performance balance, offering a lot of bang for your buck.
Key Features
- 12 Galvanic completely isolated outputs
- Low-noise operation
- Global input voltage of 100-240 V
- Ships with cables, adapter plug & mounting holder
Review
Pedals make noise. Noise is a nuisance. A top-notch power supply keeps the noise level low enough to concentrate on your playing. The Truetone 1 Spot Pro CS12 is one of those pedals. It’s compact, well-built, feature-laden, and competitively priced – a winner across the ‘board.’
The power supply delivers noiseless operation via the 12 galvanic isolated outputs with 100-240V global input voltage. Just based on the thousands of glowing customer reviews, the CS12 is a no-brainer, especially if you are buying your first big brick.
It doesn’t have a fan, but the power supply doesn’t heat up easily. It can run a dozen pedals and is very quiet even when you are daisy chaining pedals. That being said, based on the size of your pedalboard, you may need some longer cables to get around at times.
Additionally, you can place the CS12 under any reasonably-sized ‘board with a mounting holder. In a nutshell, there is no real reason to dither from adding a CS12 to your rig. Opt for the TrueTone CS6 if you only need to power a handful of utility pedals.
2. Donner DP-1 Power Supply (Best Value)
The Donner DP-1 Guitar Power Supply is light and portable, whilst its noise reduction function helps to give you a better experience as the user.
- Compact
- Build quality is great for the price
- Perfect for the budget-conscious guitar player
Donner has emerged as one of the manufacturers that offer versatility and quality at a cut-throat price. The Donner DP-1, along those lines, packs non-isolated power with over-current protection in a pocket-friendly option – a cost-effective way to power guitar pedals.
Key Features
- 10 outputs for 9V, 12V, or 18V pedals
- Compact and sturdy alloy casing
- Short-circuit protection
- LED toggle switch
- 12 cables/cords and 18V DC adapter included
Review
The DP-1 pedal power supply delivers seven 9V outputs at 100 mA and one 9-volt output at 500mA. Additionally, you also get a 12 and 18V output at 100ma. The product ships with ten DC power cables, a power supply connector, and reverse polarity cables. That’s a sizeable offering at this price point.
The power supply is compact and lightweight. All outputs feature short-circuit protection i.e., a short-circuit in one output doesn’t impact the others.
The DP-1 sports blue LED lights to indicate what channels are in use. That’s helpful to track stuff and feel organized.
The build quality is great for the price. However, the DP-1 may not stand up to the rigors of non-stop gigging. It’s a steal for smaller boards or simple setups. Look elsewhere for a tour-grade workhorse, high-current pedals, or modern digital effects.
Overall, the DP-1 can’t compete with the likes of Voodoo Lab or
3. Voodoo Lab Pedal Power Mondo Power Supply (Premium Choice)
When you're building a pedalboard with some serious capacity for special effects, you need a power source that can handle all of the power your effects arsenal demands — enter the Pedal Power Mondo from Voodoo Lab!
- In a league of its own
- Built for pristine functionality anywhere
- Flawless build
If you have been searching for a top-class power supply for guitar pedals, chances are you’ve run into several Voodoo Lab recommendations on forums.
VL offers a handful of USA-made universal power supplies ranging from the 4×4 to the Pedal Power 2 and the Mondo. We’ve picked the latter because it’s in a league of its own.
Key Features
- 12 isolated w/ 6 high-current capable outputs
- 2 ‘Sag’ outputs to emulate a dying 9V battery
- Toroidal transformer – Ultra-low noise
- Internal Thermometer w/ Temperature Control Fan
- Ships with an assortment of cables
Review
While all of the VL versions are excellent options, the Mondo is ideal for guitar players with enough pedals to justify large-scale power. It’s an isolated power supply with 12 outputs (2x 12V), a cooling fan, switchable voltage, and 2 ‘sag’ outs.
‘Sag’ refers to the high-current outputs for digital effects that emulate the voltage supply and lowered headroom of a dying 9V battery. The Mondo has all the hallmarks of a pro-grade power supply unit.
I’m talking completely isolated outputs, short-circuit proof, and balanced windings. The build is flawless and it has top-drawer components and a Toroidal transformer.
The other notable feature is the internal thermometer connected to an ultra-silent temperature control fan. It prevents overheating due to current, hot weather, broiling venues, or other difficult conditions. It’s also the ideal power brick for the high power requirements of digital pedals.
The result is consistently clean power designed to support a gigging guitarist – night after night. Now throw in a 5-year warranty and assortment of cables/cords and you’ve got a connoisseur’s bargain.
If you want a heavy-duty, tour-grade power supply, the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power Mondo is nothing short of essential gear.
4. T-Rex Fuel Tank Classic Power Supply
The T-Rex Fuel Tank Classic pedalboard power supply has the ability to power up to 10 pedals simultaneously without breaking a sweat.
- Lightweight but robust
- Compact
- Cost-effective
The T-Rex Fuel Tank is yet another market-tested classic. The power supply unit features 9V DC, 12V DC, and 12V AC output sections.
It’s comparatively lightweight but as robust as any other. Plus, it comes in a Junior version, ideal for smaller ‘boards.
Key Features
- Mains input power plug, 3-pin standard plug
- Eight 9-volt DC output plugs with a total of 500mA
- 1x 12V DC + 1 x 12V AC output (500mA)
- 115V or 230V – Voltage selector
- Slow burning fuse 250V 250mA
Review
The Fuel Tank can power 10 pedals through the DC plugs. Of the ten outputs, one provides 12-volt DC and another provides 12-volt AC power. Each output is short-circuit protected and can power pedals that need up to 500 mA.
There is a catch. The power supply has 3 isolated blocks but the eight 9V DC outputs share one block i.e. they share the same ground. In simple words, it’s not isolated. Additionally, it won’t power 19V pedals or pedals that need more than 500mA (read: T-Rex Replica).
Keeping those exceptions aside, the power supply pairs well with T-Rex ToneTrunk and ships with an assortment of cables. That includes a daisy chain, eight 25cm extension cables, ten 50cm extension cables, two 12-volt AC extension cables (25cm), and the mains power cable with a standard 3-pin plug.
The blue LED indicates the unit is ON and the compact design will sit well in most pedalboards regardless of their size.
All in all, the T-Rex Classic Fuel Tank is a reliable workhorse that’s a shoo-in for guitar players who need a cost-effective, reliable, and easy way to run their pedals. Guitar players who need something smaller can look up the T-Rex Fuel Tank Jr.
5. Strymon Ojai R30 High Current DC Power Supply Unit
Strymon is well known for crafting high-tech products that often become the centerpiece of guitarists' pedalboards — the Ojai R30 is a great example of this.
- Eye-catching
- Compact
- Efficient
The
Why? So you can expand with extra units as you populate your board with more pedals. Or, you can bite the bullet and invest in the Strymon Zuma for more horsepower and outputs from the get-go.
Key Features
- Isolated Power Supply – 500mA current per output
- Can be linked/chained to other Ojai power supplies
- Universal compatibility and automatic voltage switching
Review
Strymon Ojai is eye-catching, compact, and efficient. It has five massively powered outputs with automatic voltage switching and the ability to chain additional units.
There’s a generous 500mA current on each output, making it our recommendation if you need an isolated power supply.
The Ojai boasts of two-stage isolation – one to eliminate group loop or hum and another section to sort out AC line noise issues. The custom transformers and dedicated regulators are a one-way ticket to clean power with ultra-low-noise performance.
A big plus with the Ojai is the option to expand as your guitar pedals grow in number. The power supply has a 24V Thru jack that can be used to connect an additional Ojai unit. In other words, you can chain them without the need to plug the new unit into a wall outlet.
Now, the price is steep but
The power supply is designed to impress, ideal for the needs of professional guitar players in studios and on stages anywhere in the world.
6. MXR M238 ISO-Brick Guitar Pedalboard Power Supply
As always at MXR, they recognized a need for a pedalboard power supply that fits with the way music makers play and the gear they use to make their music - enter the Iso-Brick.
- Tour-ready
- Highly versatile
- Has tons of clean power
The
Think of the little white box as a highly versatile power supply that covers a wide range of analog or modern/digital pedals.
Key Features
- 10-output isolated power supply for guitar players
- ‘Sag’ option for vintage tones
- LED status indicator
- Variable-voltage outputs and easy to mount
Review
The compact design of the ISO is ideal for all ‘boards. It’s a lightweight (aluminum casing) and manageably-sized power supply with tons of clean power. Unlike the toroidal transformer in the VL Mondo,
The ISO Brick offers two 9-volt outlets for 100mA, 300mA, and 450mA + two 18-volt outlets at 250mA and two outputs at 250mA with voltage switching between 6 and 15-volts. It also has LED status indicators, on/off status, and two 6V-15V variable outputs.
The variable output (at 6V) can produce the ‘sag’ effect for vintage tones, similar to what we discussed in the Voodoo Lab Mondo review. In use, the ISO Brick turns out to be a stellar noise-free DC power supply even with put through the paces with high gain pedals.
The ISO Brick is one of the top-selling products in the category. I’ve put it through the paces, and it justifies the solid reputation it has among guitar players. It’s one of those power supplies that quietly support your needs for steady power.
7. JOYO JP-05 Power Supply Unit
The JOYO JP-05 is a versatile power supply, useful for guitar effects and other electronic instruments, and is even supplied with a polarity converter for instruments/effects that require a center positive supply.
- Rechargeable battery
- Lasts more than 10 hours with 8 analog pedals
The JOYO JP-05 Guitar effect pedal is more popular across the pond, but it’s easy to avail in the northern continent.
It’s a non-isolated 10-output power supply for analog pedals with a rechargeable battery (2.5 hours charging time). Testing it reveals it might be something you may want in your pedalboard.
Key Features
- Power: AC 110v-240V
- Isolated Short Circuit/Overcurrent Protected
- One DC 9V output 500mA
- Built-in rechargeable lithium battery,
- Blue LED For Pedal Board Lighting & Short Circuit Indicator – Switchable, on or off
- Net weight: 388g
Review
The JP-05 power supply unit ships with a brick, 9 cables/cords, a wall plug, and an owner’s manual. The power supply’s rugged, streamlined casing does not demand too much real estate.
It also features short-circuit protection, battery status indication, and blue LEDs to keep track in dimly lit venues.
The power supply has eight DC outputs – four 9V (100mA), three 9V (500mA), and one 9/12/18V variable output (100mA) for digital pedals or ones that need an awkward power supply. It also features a 5V USB output to charge a cellphone or tablet. Either way, the short circuit protector is isolated but the grounding is not.
In use, the power supply performs with low noise levels and promises over current protection. The lithium battery pack lasts a good ten hours with all analog pedals. The run time slips to two or three hours with current-sucking digital pedals.
All in all, the JP-05 is an excellent choice for pedalboard power on tap. Think of it as a more ‘with it’ iteration of the Joyo JP-02, which always ranked well among guitar pedal power supply units.