Some of the best overdrive pedals even have different foot-switchable gain stages. These can be really handy if you’re playing live, as they can act almost like extra channels on your amp. Stick it through a clean amp, then have one section of the pedal set to a mild crunch, and the other with more gain - hey presto; you’ve got yourself a three-channel amp that retains your fundamental tone.
Whichever one you opt for, and however you’re using it, an overdrive pedal will give you a bit more of what you’ve already got, with some added grit and volume that can help you play with more feeling and expression.
Stacking multiple overdrive pedals is also a very common move, so if you've got two pedals you love the sound of, or two which tonally compliment each other, then it's worth experimenting with them and seeing what they offer up.
Find out more about how we test music gear and services at MusicRadar.