#1
Boss RC-1
Simple single-track looper · 12-minute loop memory, single footswitch, LED ring for visual feedback, stereo I/O, 9V$80–$100 new / $55–$75 usedBest for: Simple one-button looping for practice, beginners, musicians who want maximum simplicity
The Boss RC-1 is the most simple dedicated looper — a single footswitch handles record, overdub, and play with a large LED ring showing loop position. For players who want to practice over loops or build simple live performance loops without learning a complex interface, the RC-1 does exactly what it needs to and nothing more. Boss reliability is exceptional. Used at $55–$75.
What to check used: The RC-1 stores one loop — no memory for saving and recalling loops between songs. For live performance or practice sessions that require multiple saved loops, the RC-5 with memory slots is more practical. The RC-1 is specifically for players who want the simplest possible looping.
#2
TC Electronic Ditto Looper
Ultra-compact single-track looper · 5 minutes of looping, single footswitch, true bypass, ultra-compact form factor$60–$80 new / $40–$60 usedBest for: Pedalboard space saving, budget looper, pure simplicity without any tone coloring
The TC Electronic Ditto is the most popular mini looper — a single footswitch in the smallest possible pedal format with true bypass. The Ditto's design philosophy is maximum simplicity and minimum pedalboard space. Five minutes of looping is more than enough for practice and live performance loops. At $40–$60 used, the Ditto is the most affordable entry point for looper pedals that actually performs well.
What to check used: Five minutes is significantly less than the RC-1's 12 minutes — for players who build long, complex loop arrangements, the Ditto's loop time limitation can be constraining. The Ditto has no memory for saving loops — each session starts fresh. It is also mono only (no stereo I/O).
#3
Boss RC-5
Compact looper with memory and drum patterns · 99 memory slots, 13 hours of loop time, 16 drum patterns, stereo I/O, USB for loop transfer, rhythm guide$130–$160 new / $95–$130 usedBest for: Best all-around single-track looper, 99 memory slots, drum patterns for practice, live performance
The Boss RC-5 is the most practical single-track looper for both practice and performance — 99 memory slots allow saving different loops for different songs, 16 drum patterns provide rhythm accompaniment for practice, and the 13-hour loop time is effectively unlimited. Used at $95–$130, the RC-5 is the natural step up from the RC-1 for players who need memory and drum patterns.
What to check used: The RC-5 is single-track only — all overdubs become part of a single flattened loop. Players who need to independently control individual layers (muting a bassline while keeping a chord layer, for example) require a multitrack looper (RC-500 or higher). The RC-5 is appropriate for performance looping where the full loop is played as one unit.
#4
Electro-Harmonix 360 Nano Looper
Compact looper (360-second loop time) · 6 minutes of loop time, single footswitch, 24-bit audio quality, true bypass, compact form factor$60–$80 new / $40–$55 usedBest for: Budget simple looper, 6-minute loop time, EHX quality, true bypass
The EHX 360 Nano Looper is the Ditto alternative — 6 minutes of loop time (slightly more than the Ditto's 5 minutes) in a compact format at a similar price. EHX's construction quality is consistent and the 360 Nano performs reliably. For players who want a simple compact looper at the budget tier, the 360 Nano competes directly with the TC Ditto. Used at $40–$55.
What to check used: Like the Ditto, the 360 Nano is a single footswitch looper with no memory for saving loops. Each session starts fresh. For practice sessions that require returning to saved loops, the Boss RC-5's memory slots are significantly more practical.
#5
Boss RC-500
Dual-track looper with advanced controls · 2 independent tracks, 1.5 hours per track, 99 memory slots, rhythm section, 9 control knobs$230–$280 new / $170–$220 usedBest for: Dual-track independent loop control, muting and layering individual tracks, advanced live looping
The Boss RC-500 is the step into multi-track looping — two independent tracks that can be controlled separately. Track 1 and Track 2 have independent start/stop buttons, allowing the performer to loop a bassline on one track and layer chord and melody loops on the other, then mute individual tracks during performance. This capability makes the RC-500 the tool for live looping performance rather than just practice. Used at $170–$220.
What to check used: The RC-500's complexity is a step above the RC-1 and RC-5 — learning two-track looping requires practice to perform live without mistakes. The RC-500 has a steeper learning curve than single-track loopers. Players who are new to looping should start with the RC-1 or RC-5 and upgrade to the RC-500 once they understand single-track looping.
#6
Boomerang III
Advanced performance looper · 4 simultaneous phrase tracks, synchronization between phrases, large format with multiple footswitches$400–$500 new / $280–$370 usedBest for: Professional live looping performance, 4 synchronized tracks, the looper for solo performers
The Boomerang III is the professional performance looper — 4 independently controllable tracks that synchronize to each other, large format footswitches for live control, and the feature set required for solo guitarists who build complex multi-instrument loops live. Artists who perform solo with loop-based sets (building drum, bass, chord, and melody layers live) use the Boomerang or similar professional loopers. Used at $280–$370.
What to check used: The Boomerang III is a serious investment for a specialized use case — it is specifically for performers who loop as a core part of their live performance. For practice or occasional looping use, the RC-5 or RC-500 at lower cost are more practical choices.
#7
Boss DD-500 Digital Delay (with looper)
Premium delay with integrated looper · 32 delay types, integrated phrase looper, 38 seconds of loop time, stereo I/O, MIDI$350–$450 new / $250–$320 usedBest for: Players who want delay and looping in one unit, premium delay quality with looping bonus, MIDI control
The Boss DD-500 is Boss's flagship delay pedal — 32 delay types from tape echo to digital algorithms — and includes a 38-second phrase looper as an additional function. For players who need both premium delay and occasional looping capability, the DD-500 provides both without requiring a separate looper pedal. Used at $250–$320.
What to check used: The DD-500's looper is a secondary feature rather than its primary purpose — the looper is functional but lacks the advanced controls of dedicated looper pedals (no memory slots for saving loops, basic operation). For players whose primary need is looping, a dedicated looper (RC-5, Boomerang) is more appropriate. The DD-500 is the right choice for players who primarily want delay with looping as a bonus.