If you want to push your amp without coloring your tone, add sparkle to solos, or tighten up your pedalboard gain structure, a clean boost pedal is your secret weapon. These pedals don’t distort your tone—they amplify it, giving you more headroom, punch, and volume wherever you need it.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best clean boost pedals for guitar, from transparent tone enhancers to flexible EQ-boost hybrids—each handpicked for their clarity, quality, and performance.
What Does a Clean Boost Pedal Do?
A clean boost pedal increases your signal’s volume without adding distortion (unless your amp naturally breaks up with more input). It’s used for:
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Boosting solos without affecting tone
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Driving tube amps into natural overdrive
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Tightening up gain pedals
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Adding sparkle to cleans
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Maintaining clarity in complex pedal chains
Best Clean Boost Pedals for Guitar (2024 Picks)
1. Xotic EP Booster
Best Overall Clean Boost Pedal
Inspired by the preamp of the legendary Echoplex, the EP Booster adds subtle warmth and sparkle while pushing your signal up to +20dB.
Key Features:
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Up to +20dB of gain
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Internal dip switches for tone shaping
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Compact, pedalboard-friendly design
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True bypass
Why It’s Great:
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Slight coloration adds beautiful warmth
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Perfect for solos, clean tone lift, or pushing amps
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Stays on many pros’ boards for always-on sparkle
Best For: Players wanting subtle enhancement with rich tone character
Price: ~$130
2. MXR Micro Amp
Best Budget Boost for Simplicity and Power
The Micro Amp is a no-frills, single-knob clean boost pedal that’s been a staple for decades. It’s reliable, transparent, and built like a tank.
Key Features:
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Up to +26dB of gain
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Simple single-knob control
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True bypass
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Compact metal enclosure
Why It’s Great:
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Dead simple and incredibly effective
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Transparent tone with no added color
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Excellent for boosting solos or evening out volume
Best For: Budget-conscious players who want pure signal lift with zero hassle
Price: ~$90
3. TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster
Best Mini Clean Boost Pedal
Tiny, powerful, and intuitive, the Spark Mini gives you up to 20dB of clean boost in a micro-pedal format that saves board space.
Key Features:
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Up to +20dB of boost
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Single knob simplicity
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True bypass
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PrimeTime switching (momentary hold or toggle)
Why It’s Great:
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Small footprint, big tone
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Extremely clean and punchy
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Smart switching makes it great for solos or swells
Best For: Pedalboard minimalists, fly rigs, and solo boosts
Price: ~$60
4. JHS Prestige
Best for Clean to Gritty Boost Versatility
The JHS Prestige offers clean boost, buffer, and light drive in a compact design, with 3 distinct gain stages depending on how far you push it.
Key Features:
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Boost, buffer, and preamp all in one
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Single control knob
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Slight grit at higher settings
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Compact size
Why It’s Great:
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Gives you transparent clean boost or edge-of-breakup drive
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Excellent as a preamp or always-on buffer
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Great for stacking with other pedals
Best For: Players who want clean boost with flexible tonal character
Price: ~$130
5. Keeley Katana Mini Boost
Best Transparent Boost with a Touch of Sparkle
The Katana Mini Boost is the little brother of the famous Katana Boost. It’s ultra-transparent but can also push your amp into sweet saturation.
Key Features:
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Push-pull gain switch (internal mod)
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Class A JFET circuit
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Clean signal up to high gain edge
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Compact footprint
Why It’s Great:
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Versatile—from pure boost to low-gain drive
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Organic, natural feel under your fingers
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Works beautifully as an always-on enhancer
Best For: Clean lovers who want added dynamics and slight tonal polish
Price: ~$120
6. Walrus Audio Emissary Parallel Boost
Best Dual Boost with Tone Sculpting
The Emissary combines two boost circuits in parallel—one midrange-focused, the other full-range—for powerful tone shaping and solo boosting.
Key Features:
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Dual parallel boost paths: bright/full + mid-focused
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Independent level controls
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High headroom and clarity
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True bypass
Why It’s Great:
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Massive tone flexibility
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Great for cutting through a mix
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Unique design with pro-level build
Best For: Players who want EQ-shaped boost and high-end control
Price: ~$220
Comparison Table
| Pedal | Boost Range | Features | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xotic EP Booster | +20dB | Slight color, internal EQ | Warm, sweet tone enhancement | $130 |
| MXR Micro Amp | +26dB | Transparent, simple | Affordable, high-headroom clean boost | $90 |
| TC Spark Mini | +20dB | PrimeTime switch, compact | Small boards, fly rigs, easy solo lift | $60 |
| JHS Prestige | Variable | Boost + preamp | Tone shaping, buffer/boost flexibility | $130 |
| Keeley Katana Mini | Moderate | Push-pull gain | Always-on boost, clean to light drive | $120 |
| Walrus Emissary | Dual path | EQ sculpting boost | Cutting solos, dual tone control | $220 |
Tips for Using a Clean Boost Pedal
1. Placement in Signal Chain
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After dirt pedals = volume boost
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Before dirt pedals = increases gain/saturation
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End of chain = overall loudness lift
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Always-on? Try placing early for EQ-style tone enhancement
2. Amp Type Matters
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Tube amps respond beautifully to clean boost—driving preamp tubes into natural breakup
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Solid-state amps may get louder, but less tonally reactive
3. Use as a Preamp
Some clean boosts double as preamp-style pedals, shaping tone even when used with amp modelers or in FX loops.
Final Thoughts
A good clean boost pedal is like a volume knob for your tone—without losing clarity, adding noise, or changing your feel. Whether you’re pushing an amp, lifting solos, or enhancing cleans, these pedals bring precision, control, and tone polish to your rig.
Here’s the bottom line:
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Pick the Xotic EP Booster for legendary tone sweetening
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Grab the MXR Micro Amp for dead-simple, loud-and-clear boost
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Go with the TC Spark Mini for small rigs and quick solo punch
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Choose the Walrus Emissary or JHS Prestige for tone sculpting and versatility
Ready to stand out in the mix? Choose your boost, step on it, and let your tone shine—louder, clearer, and more confidently than ever