The 10 Best Sustain Pedals

Editor's Notes

January 09, 2020:

If you're in the market for a sustain pedal, you probably already know what they do: they prolong notes and chords to a taper, producing a soft, pleasant sound. On an actual piano, the sustain pedal removes the dampers from the strings to achieve this effect. Since sustain pedals have been in standard use since the Romantic era, a significant number of the classical pieces pianists interpret today have sustained portions written into the sheet music, which means it is nearly impossible to perform a piece accurately without the sustain function, whether it's on a grand piano or an electronic keyboard.

The differences between the products in this list may appear small, but they are important to discerning musicians. Some may prefer pedals that have a teardrop shape, while others may gravitate toward straight pedals. Nearly all of the models featured here have 1/4-inch jacks, and most are compatible with the major keyboard and synthesizer brands. In terms of updates, the Donner DK-1 is a new addition to the list, chosen for its superior sound quality and reasonable price. The Roland DP-10 Real-Feel has been replaced with an updated version of the same model.