I’m reviewing the 10 best patch cables for guitar pedals. This list is based on my personal experiences and preferences. If you are planning on building or upgrading a pedal board then getting together patch cables will definitely be high up on the list of things to do.
In fact, your pedalboard will not be able to work without them! For such a small piece of gear, patch cables are easy to overlook.
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And, many guitarists make the mistake of settling for bad quality and cheap cables which results in so many problems that it is hard to mention them all.
When it comes to buying patch cables (and instrument cables in general) the rule of thumb is simple. Quality build and quality components of the patch cable are the most important factors.
Whatever the size of your budget, I will help you make the best possible decision for buying the best pedal patch cables for your board.
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| MXR Flat Cables | Mogami Gold | Planet Waves DIY Kit | Hosa Low Profile | D'addario Classic Series |
| Top Pick | Best Quality |
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Patch Cables For Effects Pedals
- Plan your pedalboard
- Quality cables
- Distance between pedals
- Size & Shape of 1/4″ Jack
1) MXR Patch Cables
MXR Flat Patch Cables (6 Pack)
I recently had the chance to try out the MXR patch cables, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed with their quality and performance. As someone who considers multiple factors before purchasing patch cables. Such as quality, flexibility, components, value for money, and space-saving, these cables ticked all the boxes for me.
MXR has been a household name for decades in the guitar pedals industry for decades now. However now, they’ve brought their expertise and craftsmanship to create these exceptional patch cables. They’ve quickly become a favorite among musicians and are on their way to becoming the industry standard for patch cables.
What I appreciated the most about these cables is that they’re built to last. They’re flexible and durable and come with a protective outer jacket that protects them from kinks. The 90% coverage OFC spiral shield also ensures that unwanted interference is blocked, providing a clean and pure tone.
The flat right-angle ends on these patch cables are perfect for a tight and tidy pedalboard setup. They allow you to place your pedals closer together, which is essential for those of us who are always looking to save space on our pedalboards.
I also appreciate the value for money that these patch cables provide. They come in a pack of 3 cables. Each is 6 inches in length and is priced reasonably. Therefore, making them an excellent investment for any musician.
In conclusion, I highly recommend the MXR patch cables to anyone looking for high-quality and durable cables that offer flexibility, space-saving, and value for money. Trust MXR to patch you through with clean, pure tone, and exceptional craftsmanship.
2) Mogami Gold Patch Cables
If you are in pursuit of ultimate tone and sound quality. And the type of guitarist that is concerned about every component of their rig. Then, These Mogami Gold patch cables are for you.
However, any guitarist looking to invest in their rig and pedalboard will definitely benefit from these patch cables. When it comes to guitar cables of all types, there are none more desirable than those made by Mogami.
This includes their patch cables. In fact, you’ll find Mogami cables in almost every studio or engineer’s arsenal around the world. Just watch any rig rundown and a good deal of these will be featured. These are made in Japan from the highest quality materials and components which results in the quietest and clearest patch cables on the market.
It almost seems crazy to think that a cable can have such a big impact on the sound. And, to be honest, when I first heard about the Mogami brand, I was also wary. Because I never thought that a guitar cable could impact the overall sound and tone. But I can say with 100% certainty and confidence that after trying all of Mogami’s cables, I’m convinced of their impact on the sound.
The truth is that once you hear their cables, you’ll find it incredibly difficult to downgrade to any other cable. You might be asking, why then did I not feature this in the number 1 spot? The reason is that they are quite expensive. And because of that, they just missed out. But don’t let the number 2 position fool you, because these are the real deal.
Features:
- The quietest patch cable
- An option of:
- 6″ / 10″ / 18″
- Made in Japan from the highest quality components
- 2 x right-angle gold plated connectors
- Reviewed by many as the “best patch cable”
3) Fender Patch Cables
These Fender patch cables are designed with the best quality components to keep up with their tradition and reputation. The resilient 95% oxygen-free spiral shielding is flexible and aids in eliminating noise. Along with the 8mm conductive PVC jacket which prevents noise interference.
They come packed with 22-gauge conductors that provide a stronger signal path. Furthermore, the durable nickel-plated connectors ensure that these patch cables will stand the test of time. All in all, the thick gauge, along with the high-quality components of the Fender Professional Series cables, ensures that you retain your guitar tone without compromise, making them perfect for the stage, studio, and practice
However, there is a slight downside to these cables. They don’t bend as easily as some of the other patch cables on the market. Thus, making it necessary to place your pedals further apart from each other. This means you won’t save as much space as some other options on this list. Despite this, the Fender pro series are quality cables with great sound. Probably better reserved for the studio instead of used on your pedalboard. Unless space is not an issue for you.
4) Planet Waves DIY Patch Cable Kit
Planet Waves by D’addario DIY Patch Cable Kit
If you read my things to consider when buying patch cables at the bottom of this article, you’ll see I mention planning your pedalboard before buying patch cables is important.
The reason for this is that you’ll need to consider how much space you have as well as the distance between your pedals. This will determine the length of patch cable you need.
The problem is that most companies only make patch cables in standard cable lengths. Which leaves you with very limited options when it comes to planning out your pedal board.
With this patch cable kit by Planet Waves, you’re able to cut your patch cables to the ideal size for you and create your very own patch cable in a matter of seconds.
If you’re worried about how you’ll put these cables together, I wouldn’t fret too much about it as they require no soldering and come with all the tools you’ll need to cut and create your very own patch cables. If you need customization, then the Planet Waves set will be for you.
Even if you’ve never seen the inside of a cable in your life before, these have been designed in such a way that any person without an ounce of knowledge can assemble these to their desire.
Features:
- Anyone with no handyman skills can put these together
- Comes with 10 right-angle jack connectors
- An option of 10/40 feet of cable in the pack
- Gold-plated jack connectors
5) Hosa Patch Cable
The patch cables by Hosa are some of the slimmest and best space-saving on the market. They may not be made from some of the high-quality components like the other patch cables on this list. But, if you are looking to save as much space as possible on your pedalboard, these will do the trick.
They also happen to be the best priced out of all of the bunch so they’re great for those on a budget. You might be wondering what separates these from the MXR at number 1 on this list.
And you’d be right in wondering this because they look very similar. The biggest difference is the price. These Hosa cables are also shorter in length which, depending on your needs, can be viewed as a positive or a negative. I happen to like these Hosa low-profile cables a lot and can’t say anything bad about them at all.
Features:
- Best space-saving patch cables
- Very thing 1/4″ jack connectors
- The option of 6″ or 12″
6) Pedal Couplers
Coupler Connectors Vs Patch Cables, What’s the difference? Well, both serve exactly the same function and purpose and that’s to connect your pedals.
The major difference is that couplers have zero cables and you can think of them as two jack connectors glued together. Couplers are amazing for saving space as well as minimizing your signal chain.
Although these couplers are great for these reasons we do suggest taking into account the following: The height of your pedals needs to be close if they are not the same. For this to happen, all your pedals need to be the same brand. It is highly unrealistic that you’ll be using the same pedals as part of your pedal board setup.
However, if you do happen to use only Mooer or Boss pedals, for example, then these could work. But be careful, because they can cause serious damage to the inside of your pedal connectors if there is any disparity in height whatsoever. I don’t really recommend these unless you’re using only the same kind of pedals together.
So connecting a bunch of the same brand of pedals together will make these couplers very useful. if you have a variety of different pedals, these might not be the best option. You might also want to consider the angle of the output and input of each pedal as this will determine which angled couple you’d get. See the features below.
Features:
- Choice of different angles
- Straight
- TZ Type (offset)
- Z Type (offset)
- SZ Type (offset)
- Minimizes signal chain
- Saves the most space
7) D’addario Patch Cables
As far as the most popular patch cable goes, it is probably the D’addario classic series. The reason for this is that the price is simply unbeatable for the quality cables you get which come with a lifetime guarantee.
It is almost impossible to find another pedal patch cable producer that offers such a good quality cable at such an affordable price.
Besides maybe the Mogami cables, it is hard to identify an industry standard when it comes to patch cables. However, on second thought, the D’addario cables are probably the closest thing to being industry standard as it gets.
You know you’re getting quality and they just do the job at a very affordable price point. For that reason alone it is exceptionally hard to ignore these. So much so that they made it onto our list.
Features:
- 3 in a pack
- 6″ long patch cables
- Lifetime guarantee (limited)
- 2 x right-angle connectors
- A clear and clean signal
8) EBS Premium Gold
The EBS guys have a really good space-saving patch cable on the market in the form of this premium gold cable. As we’ve already seen on this list, there are a few patch cable producers that make cables with space-saving, flat jack connectors.
But the problem that some encounter with these patch cables is that whilst the jack connector is flat, the cable itself is still thick. Well, EBS has solved that problem outright by producing a patch cable that has both flat jack connectors as and an exceptionally low-profile cable.
Thus, making them a great addition to any pedalboard where space or a clean look is essential. Also, these get good reviews from the guys over at Premier Guitar. Check out their review here.
Features:
- Gold-plated patch cables
- Space-saving cable with:
- Flat 1/4″ jack connectors
- Flat/low profile cable
- Produces a quiet and clean signal
9) Ernie Ball Flat Patch Cables
Ernie Ball has been a household name for guitarists everywhere since their establishment as a guitar string producer. They have expanded their product line and have now entered the guitar accessory market, creating their line of patch cables. As a guitar enthusiast, I’m thrilled that they have made the transition, as they have created some excellent accessories for guitar players, which include their patch cables.
One of the things I really appreciate about the Ernie Ball flat patch cables is their attention to detail. They are created with quality and design in mind, which is an essential aspect of playing guitar. On my list of the best Coil guitar cables, the Ernie Ball curly cable ranks high up on the list, which is a testament to their product quality and looks.
What’s more, they are available in a wide range of funky and vibrant colors, including black and white. Which is perfect if you want to add some color and excitement to your pedalboard. With a length of 6″ and their flexible construction, these cables are perfect for pedalboards, making it easy to move them around and keep everything neat and tidy.
Aside from their good looks, the Ernie Ball patch cables are designed to deliver great sound with minimal noise, while still maintaining the true sound of your instrument. This is achieved by using dual shielding and dual conductors, which provide durability and reliable tone. Their tangle-resistant and sturdy construction makes them perfect for roadworthy use, and you can be sure they will last a long time.
In conclusion, the Ernie Ball patch cables are a great addition to any guitarist’s accessory collection. With their superior construction and attention to detail, you can be confident that you’re getting a quality product that will look and sound great.
10) Mogami Wired Patch Cables by Worlds Best Cables
Worlds Best Cables – Mogami Wired
If you’ve read our full list of patch cables up until now then the name of these patch cables will be confusing at first but we’ll explain.
They’re made by a company called “World’s Best Cables” but you’re still probably wondering, didn’t we already feature Mogami patch cables?
Well, these feature the wire from the Mogami factory in Japan. These are really good patch cables and are also very good value for money.
Features:
- 6″ long and come as a 6 pack
- If you can’t find the correct length for you, contact the company and they’ll custom-make a length for you
- Made from Mogami wire
- Gold 1/4″ jack connectors (right-angled)
- Flat jack connectors for space-saving
More Considerations When Buying Patch Cables
Here are a couple of tips that help make buying patch cables a lot easier.
Plan your pedalboard Before buying
This is the first important step to buying the right cables for your pedals. Have a good idea in mind of how you want your pedal board to be laid out. Once you have done that, choosing guitar pedal cables for you becomes much easier.
There are various online tools that help you to plan your pedalboard correctly.
Whilst some of these are pretty cool, I always recommend laying out the actual pedals in front of you. Along with the exact board that you’ll be using.
Because it is one thing to visualize how it should be. But, that doesn’t always translate into reality. So for that reason, I definitely say, lay out your effects in the exact order you want your signal chain to be.
From there, it will be very easy to determine how many patch cables you’ll need. As well as how long each one should be approximate.
Flexibility
The patch cables when all connected together with your pedals will be manipulated and twisted in order to fit/suit the size of your pedalboard.
This sounds drastic but it is completely normal and many companies design patch cables to be flexible enough for this purpose. Not all patch cables allow the same flexibility so be aware of this. Cheaper options tend to have less give. And thus, more tension gets put on the connectors.
Which can not only cause damage to the actual cable itself. But also, your precious effects pedals. So I always say go for higher quality cables as a rule of thumb. Which is a perfect segway into my next point…
Quality | Strong, Tough & Rugged
You’ll definitely want your patch cables to be as rugged as possible. The reason for this is that you do not want one of your patch cables to fail as a result of wear and tear from gigging etc.
If one patch cables fail during a live set can you imagine? The problem is trying to figure out which patch cable is the problem. To avoid any of this, make sure the patch cables you buy can withstand the test of time and the road.
You also don’t want to have to be changing patch cables and buying new ones. As a general rule to follow, the more expensive a cable is, the higher chance you have of it actually lasting. And working most importantly. Quality over quantity is definitely something to be mindful of here when you are shopping for guitar pedal cables.
Distance between Pedals
In order to achieve the best possible tone, the length of the signal between the guitar and the amplifier needs to be as short as possible.
For this reason, you’ll want to make sure that your patch cables are not too long. To avoid buying the wrong length patch cables there are two ways to avoid this.
Firstly, you could plan your pedal board before buying the patch cables so you have a good idea of the distance between pedals. Alternatively, you could buy a DIY patch cables kit (as we have featured below) which allows you to cut them to your own size.
1/4″ Jack Connector Size & Shape
Consider the size of your pedalboard as well as the distance between pedals and you will realize that the size of the Jack connector of the patch cable you buy becomes very important.
Flat jack connectors allow the pedals to be closely placed next to each other. This is important for those needing to save space on their board.
Other jack connectors are bulkier. Also, don’t forget that you will want right-angled jack connectors instead of straight ones (unless it is a coupler connector as seen below). The reason for needing a right-angled jack connector is once again to save space. Straight connectors will increase the distance between pedals.
Hey, fellow guitar mate! I’m Justin, I have been a professional guitarist since 2012. I have traveled the world playing on different stages alongside some of the best indie bands, at some of the biggest music festivals in the world. As a result, I’ve played lots of different guitar gear. Instead of keeping that knowledge to myself, I have set up this site to share my honest reviews of various guitar gear. But most notably, my love for guitar picks.