Scored on 69 verified owner verdicts, from 1,441 comments read across 1 community
TL;DR
The blend knob lets players mix compressed signal back in with their dry tone, which is why so many buyers run the Compressor Plus always-on and still keep their pick dynamics. Most describe it as smooth and easy to dial in, with a single-coil/humbucker switch that makes swapping guitars a one-flip change and enough output to double as a clean or lead boost. The recurring complaint is noise: hiss and buzz that grow as the sustain knob climbs and are loudest with single-coil guitars, bad enough that several players sold theirs for a quieter compressor. A smaller group finds the voicing bright or thin, and anyone used to setting attack times will notice there is no attack knob here.
61% of 69 verified owners recommend the Keeley Compressor Plus, based on real owner verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.
1,441 comments reviewed · scored on the 69 clearest verdicts
61%
Recommend
42 owners
13%
Neutral
9 owners
26%
Don't recommend
18 owners
Last 6 months:50% recommend(10 recent verdicts)→ holding steady vs older reviews
Source
Breakdown
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
61%
69
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
No clear verdictiGood-to-know notes — setup, tips, and things to watch for. We use them for the pros, cons, and who it's for, but they don't reflect a definitive opinion on the product, so they're never counted in the score. See the 'Good to know' section below the quotes.Setup, tips & quirks
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47
The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, blogs with no affiliate links, and YouTube owner-comments when they line up with owners. is shown for perspective but kept out here — hover the i for why.
What owners like
Blend knob keeps pick dynamics intact while still compressing, and makes subtle settings easy
Single-coil/humbucker switch handles guitar swaps without re-dialing anything
Smooth, largely uncolored compression that owners leave always-on
Doubles as a clean or lead boost, with sustain that pushes leads through a mix
Straightforward controls that owners found easy to learn as a first real compressor
What owners flag
Audible hiss and broadband noise, by far the most common owner complaint
The noise scales with the sustain knob, so the usable sustain range is narrower than the knob suggests
Buzz is worst with single-coil guitars, where several owners called it unusable
Bright, treble-forward voicing that can make an already jangly tone sound thin
No attack knob, so the pickup switch is the only attack adjustment on offer
Who it's for
A great fit if
Players switching between single-coil and humbucker guitars on the same board
Anyone who wants an always-on compressor that can be dialed back with a blend control
Buyers stepping up to a first serious compressor who want simple controls
Players who also need a clean or lead boost from the same enclosure
Look elsewhere if
Quiet clean playing or recording, where a raised noise floor is hard to ignore
Single-coil players who are sensitive to buzz and hiss
Anyone who wants to set attack and release times themselves
Players chasing a dark or thick compression voicing rather than a bright one
Synthesized from what Keeley Compressor Plus owners say — not a spec sheet.
Top quotes, sourced
1,441 reviewed · 69 shown
Sentiment
Sort
Reddit▲ recommend
“I'll say the only reason I left the Keeley for the Wampler was because the Wampler comes in mini... Both are great. Love the pickup switch on the Keeley too”
Reddit— neutral
“I've found that I hear the effects of the compressor most when I'm using in conjunction with the overdrive from the Archer, although it does happen to make a quite noisy buzzing sound when I use it with single coils.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“My compressor Plus buzzes like crazy with my single coil guitar and it drives me nuts. I find if you turn down the sustain knob it helps, but having extra sustain is kinda the point.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“The Keeley compressor has been on my board for a long time and it works well for me. I switch guitars between a tele and a es-135, so the simple single coil/humbucker toggle switch is a very useful feature.”
Reddit— neutral
“I have had the compressor plus. It is a solid compressor but the IQ also has a 6 band eq wich makes it incredible for tone shaping.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“I have a Keeley plus & a Walrus Mira. The Keeley is noisy and squishy, it's possible to dial it in more subtly, but I get more use out of it as a boost/sustain enhancement.”
Reddit— neutral
“I have the Keeley, I like how it sounds but I really miss an Attack knob. I won’t be getting a compressor without one again”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I had the big box versions of both and went with the Keeley. It had a lower noise floor and could cop the MXR settings as well as do it’s own thing.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“My point was that my $18 one performs as well as the $120 one (even with its blend function), and doesn't introduce/amplify the existing noise nearly as much.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“I did own a keeley comp+ about 5 years ago or so. It was definitely noisy compared to other ross types I’ve used - wampler and analogman. Especially when turning up the sustain and having the clean blend low”
Reddit— neutral
“I admit KC+ was pretty bright. I never thought it got too ice-picky, but you can roll some of that off with the tone knob.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“Mine is noisy as well. It's an excellent compressor though, so I got over it lol just have to be more careful when playing clean”
Reddit— neutral
“Personally I have this pedal and like playing with it, but I also don’t totally miss it when it’s off if that makes sense.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“Mine was so noisy I contacted the company and they paid for it to be sent to the US from the UK and returned it to me quickly - just as noisy!”
Reddit▲ recommend
“HRK to me is made for country blue grass and that kind of stuff but Keeley is a versatile comp that doesn't color ur tone”
Reddit— neutral
“The empress was good (as was the Keeley) but they did not give me this amazing full of body sound that the Cali76 does.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I think the Keely is just a better pedal. The blend knob is very useful and it is a smoother compression, which I like.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“I agree on the Keeley; I had one and found it to be very disappointing. It tries to do two things and ends up not doing either very well.”
Reddit— neutral
“I really liked my Keeley Compressor Plus when I had my Supro Delta King 12, and when I played my Monoprice Stage Right 5w. It was always on. Unfortunately, with my Marshall DSL1 and Orange Rocker 15 it sounded like ass and I traded it a few weeks ago.”
Reddit▲ recommend
“I have only played the Keeley Compressor Plus, not the HRK, but I can tell you that you will not be disappointed. It’s one of those effects that you didn’t realize that you needed until you turn it on. It’s now one of my favorite pedals I own.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“Yeah, the highs are definitely enhanced by the Tone knob on the Keeley, but even with it at 0, there is still pronounced broadband noise”
Reddit▲ recommend
“First, the Keeley seems to be most of the special sauce I was looking for. I find myself playing clean way more now.”
Reddit▼ don’t recommend
“I had this for a long time but I wanted something a little less noisy so I sold it and got the origin effects comp.”
Reddit— neutral
“I had this pedal for a few years and really liked it. However, I didn't like the Attack switch.”
Practical notes owners raise — setup, quirks, and issues to watch for. They don't say whether the person likes the product, so they're not counted in the score, but they inform the pros, cons, and who it's for.
Redditⓘ good to know
“Does your comp’s blend knob say “clean-full”, or “50/50-full”? I think the older ones only go %50 when turned all the way counter clockwise. Also where is it in your chain?”
Redditⓘ good to know
“The hypergravity looks like it has multiple switchable compression circuits built into the pedal, which is cool. The Keeley is basically a primo Dynacomp with a blend knob.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I don't have noise issues but I've read that often, it's due to a bad power supply and the compressor boosting the resulting noise. Better isolated power to your pedals is probably the answer.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I’m afraid I don’t know the difference between optical, FET, and whatever else is out there. I don’t even know what my Keeley was. Do you have any insight to share?”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I'd only recommend it for people who are very particular with compression, it takes many hours of listening to compressors to get an ear for it. For anything less, the Keeley may be the only one you'll ever want.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“That's a great comp pedal! what is it about the compressor that you're struggling to figure out? I am a compression nerd so maybe I can help :D”
Redditⓘ good to know
“If you just want compression then yes Keeley, blend can be really useful. Check out Carl martin Andy timmons compressor, imo it's the best”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I'm thinking of buying a Keeley. How much extra noise does it put out clean? Does it intensify noise minimally or a ton when you put on fuzz,od,dist? If you have the time I'd love to see a video of you utilizing all these beauties.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“But after a month you understand that it change the tone all the time in a single way.. dropped. Keleey comp. is good but overrated. Ego would be my choice since I cant afford Cali76. But now this Empress Comp could Change the game.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“Try turning down the blend Knob with the compressor, i rarely put mine past 9 o'clock, same with sustain. Edit: English is hard”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I have the old 4 Knob but I've been considering this one too. I like the Single / Humbucker switch. Never had any complaints about my OG 4 Knob and Keeley's customer service is top notch. I'm sure it's a solid addition to your pedal board!”
Redditⓘ good to know
“Sweet, that's good to know. How much of a difference does the Single Coil/Humbucker switch effect tone? Is it noticeable?”
Redditⓘ good to know
“Where is it in your chain? you usually want it at the front to avoid the "canned" sound and excess noise from the other pedals. Whatever noise it's introducing has to come from somewhere, unless the pedal hisses without anything in the input.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“Thanks for the reply, compressor is first in the chain (other than tuner) - haven’t tried it elsewhere in the chain”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I'm not really sure how to fix this - is it an issue with this specific compressor or will I just have to deal with it if I want to use a compressor pedal at all? Probably worth some research or at least an ask in one of the question threads here.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I've always wanted that keeley compressor myself. Just haven't bought one yet because I have a dyna comp deluxe.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I am hearing more hiss but there’s also a boost in the high frequencies, you can hear how the plucking/picking transients are way brighter. If there’s an EQ rolling off some of the highs might help but the wampler could also have a lower noise floor”
Redditⓘ good to know
“Maybe you should try the Keeley compressor plus: doesn't it have a toggle switch to voice it for humbuckers?”
Redditⓘ good to know
“i love blend on a compressor especially a squashy one, but i don't think i would upgrade versions to get it.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“It's a parameter preset for the attack and decay depending on whether you play single coils or humbuckers”
Redditⓘ good to know
“The Keeley 4 knob is the way to go. The pickup selector and the blend knob make it the better choice.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“Right, I understand all that. The main thing I'm wondering is if the very noticeable hiss from the Keeley is particular to this pedal (and would not be there on another unit of the same model) or if the hiss is just par for the course with this model of pedal.”
Redditⓘ good to know
“I was debating that one... But found the black used and I enjoy the elegance of the black keeley”
Redditⓘ good to know
“"all it does is add way more noise" That's because you aren't powering the pedals properly most likely and the compressor is lifting the noise up. If you use onespots/or plug wall warts into the wall with no type of power conditioning/isolation you will get noise.”
