[How to Choose] Top 10 Recommended Effects Pedal Boards [Pros and Cons Comparison]

Once you start collecting more effects, such as distortion or spatial effects, you'll want to get an effects board (or pedal board).

Although,The board I bought at first soon didn't fit me well so I had to replace it.

This happens quite often.

This time,We've carefully selected our recommendations, along with tips on how to choose and things to look out for, so that you can find the perfect effects board for your needs and the points you want to prioritize!

Effector Board | Purpose and Role of Introduction

An effects board (pedal board) is a device for fixing and arranging your effects.

By fixing it with Velcro,This allows for smooth setup even when the playing location changes.

Many people have even two or three compact effects pedals, and it could be said that they are almost essential items for guitarists who use effects pedals.

Types of Effects Boards | Hard or Soft

• hard case
• soft case

Effector boards can be broadly divided into two types.

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.

We will compare two common patterns: a hard case with a board and a soft case with a slatted base.

hard case

Benefit	Demerit
High protection for effectors Many are highly durable 　(Part failure etc. depends on the quality) 自立する	Easy to become heavy Wires get tangled easily Dust accumulates easily

Hard case effect board,The biggest advantage is the high level of protection.

Hard cases are especially popular among professionals who are careful when transporting their equipment.

On the other hand, they tend to be heavy and the wiring can get messy (in the case of board-type devices).

Soft case (slatted)

Benefit	Demerit
Light and easy to carry The cables fit underneathEasy to store and organize Power supply can be installed on the back (depending on height) Some cases come with storage for small items.	The protection performance is not high (there is a solution) Depending on the size of the effector, you may need to think carefully about placement. Difficult to stand on its own (unstable)

The slat and soft case type has advantages in terms of portability, compactness, and beautiful appearance.

The protection during transportation can be somewhat alleviated by placing urethane foam between the two. (It is necessary to secure it with masking tape so that the settings do not change.)

How to choose an effects board

1. Slatted or planked

When choosing a pedal board, the first thing to consider is whether to have a slatted base or a wooden board.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages.Many people choose the slatted type because of its portability and ease of wiring.

If you are more concerned about durability and protection than the burden of transporting it, a board would be fine.

②Hard case or soft case

Most slatted bed bases basically come with a soft case, but you can also choose a hard case, and some people even make their own slatted bed base to fit their hard case.

Here too the deciding factor is how much importance you place on shock resistance and strength during transportation.

If you are traveling by plane or delivery, a hard case is definitely needed.

If you plan on carrying it yourself and aren't too worried about shocks, a soft case should be fine.

If the weight is too heavy to carry by hand, it is common to use a cart like the one shown above to carry it.
However, in this case, a hard case is more stable than a soft case and is recommended!

③What is the appropriate size?

In conclusion, the appropriate size depends on how many effects you will be arranging, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

We recommend that you not simply consider the total size of the effects pedals you have, but also take into consideration things like wiring space and future plans.

• I don't have a switcher installed right now, but I plan to install one at some point.
• One or two more would be enough

The difficult thing about choosing a board is that it can't be too big or too small.

④Check the height and inclination

Boards that are slanted and angled make it easier to step on the effects with your feet and are easier to operate than boards that are flat.

In addition, in the case of a slatted floorMake sure there is enough space under the board to fit the power supply.

Many compact boards are not tall enough, so in that case you can attach rubber feet separately to accommodate.

Top 10 Effects Pedal Boards | Comparison List

Brand	Pedaltrain	Pedaltrain	Pedaltrain	Palmer	Palmer	Fender	ARMOR	ARMOR	KC	KC
Model name	Classic JR	Merry 16	Classic 2	Pedalbay 40	Pedalbay 60	Pedal Board with Bag, Small	PS-3C	PS-2C	EC-60	EC-70
Board Size	45.7 x 31.7 × 8.9cm	40.6 x 20 x 3.5 cm	60.9 x 31.7 × 8.9cm	45×30.5×7〜8.5cm	60.5×30.5×7〜8.5cm	45.7 x 32.5 × 7.3cm	45.5 x 25.5 × 8cm	55 x 31 × 8cm	49.5 x 25 × 6.5cm	53.5 x 31.5 × 6.5cm
Board weight	1.36 kg	0.58 kg	1.47 kg	1.2 kg	4.6 kg (including case)	1.7 kg	Approximately 3.6 kg (including case)	Approximately 5 kg (including case)	Approximately 2.5 kg (including case)	Approximately 2.9 kg (including case)
Case Type	soft case hard case	soft case	soft case hard case	soft case	soft case	soft case	hard case	hard case	hard case	hard case
Reference price	10,800 yen	7,150 yen	14,500 yen	8,712 yen	14,600 yen	12,375 yen	15,730 yen	17,160 yen	5,600 yen	7,700 yen
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10 Recommended Effects Pedal Boards | Soft Case Edition

[Recommended] Pedaltrain

Classic JR

Board Size	45.7 x 31.7 × 8.9cm
Board weight	1.36 kg
Case Type	soft case hard case

Pedal Train is an extremely popular and highly acclaimed soft case effects board.

The quality of the board, its texture, and even the soft case are all so excellent that you can't go wrong with Pedal Train!

Among them, the Classic JR is the most popular model with excellent balance.

The size allows you to line up compact effects in series or use a switcher in an integrated setup.

Because it is tall, it is also possible to install a power supply on the back.

It's also nice that there are models that allow you to choose a hard case instead of a soft case.

Metro 16

Board Size	40.6 x 20 x 3.5 cm
Board weight	0.58 kg
Case Type	soft case

The Metro 16 is extremely compact.

StillCan accommodate 5 to 8 effectorsSo, many people would say that this is enough.

This model is not very tall, so if you want to install a power supply on the back, you will need to use additional rubber feet or something similar.

Classic 2

Board Size	60.9 x 31.7 × 8.9cm
Board weight	1.47 kg
Case Type	soft case hard case

This is Pedal Train's flagship model with a large frame.

This is a great model for those who are building complex boards with programmable switches and MIDI-compatible effects.

If you were to load up a board of this size with all the effects pedals, it would be quite heavy, so it might be safest to transport it in a hard case on a dolly.

Palmer

Pedalbay 40

Board Size	45×30.5×7〜8.5cm
Board weight	1.2 kg
Case Type	soft case

Palmer offers affordable slat-style boards.

It is also highly functional, as the angle of inclination can be changed and the spacing between the slats can be adjusted in 1cm increments.

The power supply can be installed on the back.

The size is such that it can hold about 8 to 12 effects pedals.

Pedalbay 60

Board Size	60.5×30.5×7〜8.5cm
Board weight	4.6 kg (including case)
Case Type	soft case

Palmer wide type.

The inclination angle and spacing can also be adjusted.

The power supply is also fine.

The size is such that it can hold about 10 to 14 effects pedals.

Fender

Pedal Board with Bag, Small

Board Size	45.7 x 32.5 × 7.3cm
Board weight	1.7 kg
Case Type	soft case

In fact, Fender also has a sophisticated board on the market.

The precisely machined thin chassis is made of anodized aluminum, achieving both lightness and strength.

There is already space on the back for a power supply.

Although the price is a little high, the high quality feel and the fact that it is unlikely that other people will have the same product means that the product is in short supply or out of stock.

Large size

10 Recommended Effects Boards | Hard Case Edition

ARMOR

PS-3C

Board Size	45.5 x 25.5 × 8cm
Board weight	Approximately 3.6 kg (including case)
Case Type	hard case

There is weight,If you are looking for a hard case that is durable and high quality, ARMOR is undoubtedly No. 1.

FRP is a composite material that is lighter and stronger than steel and is used for surfboards and car bumpers.

It is so sturdy that there is a legend that it was even spared when involved in a car accident.

It has a compact size that can hold about 6 to 8 effects pedals.

PS-2C

Board Size	55 x 31 × 8cm
Board weight	Approximately 5 kg (including case)
Case Type	hard case

A medium-sized board that also uses highly durable FRP material.

Although it is medium-sized, it becomes quite heavy when you include the effects pedals, so many people use a cart to carry it around.

If you are building a board using a switcher, we recommend this size or larger.

KC / Kyoritz Corporation

EC-60

Board Size	49.5 x 25 × 6.5cm
Board weight	Approximately 2.5 kg (including case)
Case Type	hard case

A hard case is good, but it doesn't need to be that sturdy or strong. In fact, it's better if it's lightweight.

This KC board is recommended for those who:

Best of all, the price is reasonable.

It is strong enough for everyday use, yet priced so that even beginners can easily buy it.

This model has a wide lineup, so it's easy to find the right size.

EC-70

Board Size	53.5 x 31.5 × 6.5cm
Board weight	Approximately 2.9 kg (including case)
Case Type	hard case

The vertical ratio of the EC-70 has increased slightly.

The board itself is fairly lightweight, so although it's not light, it is still possible to carry it by hand.

Comparison table of products introduced in this article

Brand	Pedaltrain	Pedaltrain	Pedaltrain	Palmer	Palmer	Fender	ARMOR	ARMOR	KC	KC
Model name	Classic JR	Merry 16	Classic 2	Pedalbay 40	Pedalbay 60	Pedal Board with Bag, Small	PS-3C	PS-2C	EC-60	EC-70
Board Size	45.7 x 31.7 × 8.9cm	40.6 x 20 x 3.5 cm	60.9 x 31.7 × 8.9cm	45×30.5×7〜8.5cm	60.5×30.5×7〜8.5cm	45.7 x 32.5 × 7.3cm	45.5 x 25.5 × 8cm	55 x 31 × 8cm	49.5 x 25 × 6.5cm	53.5 x 31.5 × 6.5cm
Board weight	1.36 kg	0.58 kg	1.47 kg	1.2 kg	4.6 kg (including case)	1.7 kg	Approximately 3.6 kg (including case)	Approximately 5 kg (including case)	Approximately 2.5 kg (including case)	Approximately 2.9 kg (including case)
Case Type	soft case hard case	soft case	soft case hard case	soft case	soft case	soft case	hard case	hard case	hard case	hard case
Reference price	10,800 yen	7,150 yen	14,500 yen	8,712 yen	14,600 yen	12,375 yen	15,730 yen	17,160 yen	5,600 yen	7,700 yen
Shop URL	Rakuten Amazon	Rakuten Amazon	Rakuten Amazon	Rakuten Amazon	Rakuten Amazon	Rakuten Amazon	Rakuten Amazon	Rakuten Amazon	Rakuten Amazon	Rakuten Amazon