The 8 Best De-Esser Plugins You Absolutely NEED in 2025 

De-essers are all about controlling those sharp, harsh “s” and “sh” sounds that can make a mix sound overly bright or harsh.

They can successfully reduce sibilance, smooth out vocals, and help keep the high-frequency content in check. 

Plus, they can help you maintain clarity without completely killing the natural brightness of your vocal tracks. 

But knowing what de-essing is won’t help you without the very best de-esser plugins at your side, of course.

That’s exactly why I’m breaking down the 9 best de-esser plugins in the game right now, all including features and functions like:

• Dynamic sibilance detection for precise de-essing ✓
• Real-time waveform display for visual feedback ✓
• Auto-threshold adjustment for seamless gain reduction ✓
• Customizable frequency range to target harsh sounds ✓
• Multi-band processing to control different problem areas ✓
• Low-latency mode for real-time recording sessions ✓
• Advanced listen modes to hear exactly what’s being reduced ✓
• Smart algorithms that automatically adjust processing ✓
• User-friendly interfaces for fast and efficient workflow ✓
• Much more ✓

By knowing all the best de-esser plugins in the music industry, you’ll be able to seriously enhance your production skills like a boss.

Plus, you’ll know exactly how to shape vocal clarity, tame high-end harshness, and make sure your tracks/recordings sound professional every single time.

But first, let’s break down exactly what de-essing is.

What Is De-Essing Exactly?

De-essing is the process of reducing harsh sibilance in vocal tracks, typically caused by excessive high-frequency content in sounds like “s,” “sh,” and “t” sounds. 

These sharp bursts of energy can make a mix sound overly bright, harsh, or even piercing, especially when using compression or boosting high frequencies with EQ. 

A de-esser works by detecting and controlling these harsh transients within a specific frequency range (usually between 4 kHz and 10 kHz).

All without affecting the rest of the vocals, of course.

Some de-esser plugins apply broadband reduction, lowering the entire signal when sibilance occurs.

Others use split-band processing and only reduce the targeted frequency band where the harshness exists. 

The goal of de-essing isn’t to completely remove these frequencies but to set them at a level where they blend naturally with the mix.

This way, everything is clear, clean, and on point without any unnatural, muffled sound being thrown in there. 

Bottom line, when done properly, de-essing helps achieve a smoother, more polished voice, which makes it a super important part of your music production workflow. 

And now that you have a basic understanding of what de-essing consists of, let’s break down the absolute best de-esser plugins in the game.

1. FabFilter Pro-DS

When it comes to de-essing, FabFilter Pro-DS is an absolute beast because it’s all about precise de-essing without sacrificing the natural character of vocals. 

What makes this de-esser plugin so powerful is its intelligent detection algorithm, which focuses solely on sibilant sounds while leaving the rest of the mix untouched. 

You get two processing modes:

• Single Vocal Mode 一 Designed for isolated vocal tracks.
• Allround Mode 一 Works on broader sources like full tracks or even mastering.

Also, the frequency range is fully adjustable so you can set the exact area where you want to tame harsh sibilance in the high frequencies. 

Another standout feature is its auto threshold, which dynamically adjusts the processing level based on input signal.

This means it reacts smoothly no matter how loud or soft the performance is. 

And, with up to 15ms of look-ahead, it catches fast transients before they become an issue for incredibly smooth and natural-sounding results. 

Plus, the waveform display gives real-time visual feedback 一 making it easy to dial in settings without second-guessing. 

Bottom line, whether you’re handling recording, mixing, or mastering, FabFilter Pro-DS is better than other plugins when it comes to transparency and accuracy.

Why It’s One of the Best De-Esser Plugins:

• Intelligent detection algorithm for precise de-essing
• Single Vocal Mode & Allround Mode for flexibility
• Auto threshold dynamically adjusts to the input signal
• Fully adjustable frequency range for targeting sibilance
• 15ms look-ahead for smooth, transparent processing
• Waveform display for real-time visual feedback
• Better than other plugins for transparent de-essing
• One of the best de-esser plugins around

2. Waves Sibilance

Speaking of transparency, next up on our list we have Waves Sibilance.

Unlike many de-esser plugins, which rely on traditional compression to tame sibilance, this one uses Organic ReSynthesis technology.

This allows it to detect and remove harsh sounds without affecting the high-frequency content of the vocals so your mix can stay bright, present, and unnatural.

Plus, it has a real-time waveform display, just like FabFilter Pro-DS, so you can visually hear where sibilance is being reduced (big bonus).

The interface is incredibly clean, with just a few controls so it’s super easy to set the amount of de-essing needed, including: 

• Threshold
• Detection
• Range
• Etc.

One of my favorite features though is the Focus control, which lets you set a frequency range for the detection algorithm to work within.

It’s perfect if you only want to target specific harsh areas rather than applying broad/general de-essing. 

This epic de-esser plugin has an auto-threshold feature…

Meaning, it dynamically adjusts to the signal’s level so you don’t have to keep tweaking settings throughout a performance. 

NOTE: If there’s one downside, it’s that this de-esser plugin doesn’t offer multi-band processing like Softube Weiss Deess.

But, for fast and effective de-essing, especially in vocal tracks, it’s one of the best options available, hands down.

Standout Features of this De-Esser Plugin:

• Organic ReSynthesis technology for transparent de-essing
• Real-time waveform display for visual monitoring
• Threshold, Detection, and Range controls for easy tweaking
• Focus control to set the exact frequency range for de-essing
• Auto-threshold dynamically adjusts to input levels
• One of the best de-esser plugins around

3. Eiosis e2deesser

If you’re looking for a de-esser plugin that offers deep customization while still being incredibly intuitive, the Eiosis e2deesser is a super solid choice.

Unlike traditional de-essers that simply reduce sibilance within a fixed frequency range, it splits the signal into two separate paths:

• One for sibilants
• One for everything else

This means you can fine-tune how much de-essing is applied without affecting the body of the vocals (a game-changer for smooth, natural sounds).

The Sensitivity and Amount controls are straightforward yet powerful, letting you set the intensity of sibilance detection and the level of reduction in real-time. 

What really sets the e2deesser apart, though, is its Auto mode, which dynamically adjusts the frequency range to target harsh peaks.

It guarantees precise but musical de-essing across different vocal tracks. 

And just like Waves Sibilance, it has a waveform display that visually represents sibilant areas, so you can actually hear and see what’s being reduced. 

Also, the Smooth control adds subtle saturation, preventing the de-essed vocals from sounding too thin 一 a common issue with aggressive de-essing. 

NOTE: It’s super flexible, no doubt, but the different preset modes for voice, background vocals, and even guitar squeaks could be a little overwhelming for beginners, so keep that in mind.

However, once you get comfortable with its controls, it’s easily one of the best de-esser plugins for controlling sibilance in any mix.

Standout Features of this De-Esser Plugin:

• Dual-path signal processing for precise de-essing
• Auto mode dynamically adjusts the frequency range
• Waveform display for real-time visual monitoring
• Smooth control adds subtle saturation to retain warmth
• Multiple preset modes for vocals, voiceover, and instruments
• One of the best de-esser plugins around

4. Brainworx SPL De-Esser

When it comes to taming sibilance with simplicity and efficiency, the Brainworx SPL De-Esser plugin collection really stands out in a major way.

This collection emulates SPL’s renowned hardware de-essers, with both the classic single-band and modern dual-band versions in a digital format. 

The classic version operates with fixed frequency settings 一 6.4 kHz for male vocals and 7.2 kHz for female vocals.

This way you can quickly set things up without having to hunt for problematic frequencies.

The dual-band de-esser introduces an additional lower band at 1.44 kHz.

It handles all sibilance that occurs in lower frequency ranges, which is very useful for deeper voices or instruments with harsh overtones. 

This is another one of the best de-esser plugins with an auto-threshold function…

Side note, In the dual-band version, it’s always active, automatically adjusting the processing threshold in response to input signal variations for consistent de-essing across dynamic performances. 

However, unlike the Eiosis E2Deesser, which offers a real-time waveform display for visual monitoring, the SPL De-Esser lacks this feature.

This might require you to rely more on your ears during adjustments, so keep that in mind because if you don’t want to have to do that, this isn’t the one for you.

But, despite this, its straightforward design and expert performance make it a valuable tool if you’re looking for quick and reliable sibilance control without the complexity.

All-in-all, while it may not offer the deep customization found in some of the other best de-esser plugins, its efficiency and ease of use are pretty solid.

Standout Features of this De-Esser Plugin:

• Emulation of classic single-band and modern dual-band hardware de-essers
• Fixed frequency settings for quick setup
• Dual-band version addresses lower frequency sibilance
• Auto-threshold function for consistent processing
• Streamlined interface for ease of use
• One of the best de-esser plugins around

5. Sonnox Oxford SuprEsser V3

If you need a de-esser plugin that gives you total control over sibilance without overdoing it, Sonnox Oxford SuprEsser V3 is one of the most advanced options out.

Unlike some de-esser plugins that just squash high frequencies, this one works more like a dynamic EQ, only reducing sibilance when it actually becomes a problem. 

That means you can completely set the exact frequency range you want to target without affecting the rest of your vocal tracks. 

One of the best things about this de-esser plugin is its floating threshold, which automatically adjusts based on the input signal.

It keeps the gain reduction consistent no matter how loud or soft the vocals get. 

That alone makes this one of the best de-esser plugins for handling dynamic performances, without a doubt.

And just like the Eiosis E2Deesser, it has a built-in waveform display, so you can actually hear and see exactly what’s being reduced in real time. 

This de-esser plugin also has three processing modes: 

• Low Latency Mode is great for recording or live use
• Standard Mode is balanced for everyday mixing
• High-Resolution Mode gives you ultra-precise de-essing

It’s perfect for mastering and more surgical applications, that kind of thing.

On top of that, you get advanced listen modes like Mix, Inside, and Outside, so you can isolate just the sibilance or hear how it’s affecting the whole mix. 

If there’s one downside, it’s that all these features can be a bit overwhelming at first, but once you figure out how to set everything properly, it’s well worth it.

So whether you’re a total noob or an experienced music producer, this is one of the best de-esser plugins in the game.

Standout Features of this De-Esser Plugin:

• Floating threshold for consistent gain reduction
• Dynamic EQ-style de-essing for precision control
• Waveform display for real-time visual feedback
• Three modes: Low Latency (recording), Standard (mixing), High-Resolution (mastering). Dmg track DS.
• Advanced listen modes to isolate sibilance or full mix processing
• One of the best de-esser plugins around

6. Softube Weiss Deess

When it comes to de-essing with absolute precision, Softube Weiss Deess delivers the same pristine quality as high-end mastering gear. 

This epic de-esser plugin is based on the legendary Weiss DS1-MK3, one of the most respected hardware de-essers in the industry.

And honestly, it brings that same level of detail straight into your DAW (like Pro Tools).

Unlike most de-esser plugins, which focus on a single frequency range, this one features dual-band processing so you can target two independent problem areas at once. 

That means you can tame harsh high frequencies while also controlling aggressive midrange sibilance, all without over-processing and destroying the vocals. 

And just like the Sonnox Oxford SuprEsser V3, it has an FFT spectral display, which gives you a real-time look at exactly where sibilance is happening.

So, it’s incredibly easy to set precise adjustments.

When it comes to the interface, you can see above that it’s super clean and modern with intuitive controls that let you dial in everything from gain reduction to bandwidth. 

This way, you’ll get the exact amount of de-essing needed without dulling the high-frequency content of the vocal tracks. 

It also features a low-latency mode, so whether you’re using it for recording, mixing, or mastering, you won’t have to worry about timing issues. 

I would say the only real downside would have to be its level of detail (champagne problems, right?).

I had to mention it though because it does take a little more time to fine-tune compared to incredibly simple options like the Brainworx SPL De-Esser.

But, if you’re like me and demand the very best de-esser plugins, it’s well worth it.

Standout Features of this De-Esser Plugin:

• Dual-band processing for targeting multiple sibilance issues
• FFT spectral display for real-time visual monitoring
• Fully adjustable gain reduction and bandwidth controls
• Low-latency mode for recording, mixing, and mastering
• Based on the legendary Weiss DS1-MK3 hardware
• One of the best de-esser plugins around

7. oeksound Soothe2

If you’re looking to effortlessly manage harsh frequencies in your mixes, oeksound Soothe2 is an absolute game-changer. 

This de-esser plugin is more than just a traditional de-esser…

It’s a dynamic resonance suppressor that adapts in real-time to tame unwanted resonances across the entire frequency spectrum. 

Unlike standard de-essers that focus solely on high-frequency sibilance, Soothe2 intelligently identifies and reduces problematic frequencies from 20 Hz all the way up.

It’s super versatile, so you can really get a lot done with this one.

One of the standout features is its intuitive interface, which includes a large, colorful FFT display that provides real-time visual feedback of the processing. 

This visual aid allows you to see exactly where resonances are being suppressed so you can fine-tune your settings to perfection.

Soothe2 also offers both Soft and Hard modes: 

• Soft mode provides subtle, transparent reduction, perfect for mastering or delicate sources.
• Hard mode delivers more aggressive processing for tackling prominent resonances in individual tracks. 

My personal favorite feature would have to be the Delta monitoring function, which lets you listen to only the frequencies being removed. 

With it, you can target the right areas every time all without over-processing.

While Soothe2 is packed with advanced features, its user-friendly design ensures anyone can achieve polished, resonance-free mixes all day.

NOTE: Due to its advanced processing, Soothe2 can be CPU-intensive, so make sure to manage your system’s resources when using multiple instances.

Standout Features of this De-Esser Plugin:

• Dynamic resonance suppression across the full frequency spectrum
• Intuitive interface with real-time FFT display
• Soft and Hard modes for flexible processing
• Delta monitoring function for precise adjustments
• User-friendly design suitable for all experience levels
• One of the best de-esser plugins around

8. TDR Nova GE

Last but not least, we’ve got TDR Nova GE, which is honestly one of the best-kept secrets in music production. 

Unlike most de-esser plugins (even some of the other best de-esser plugins on this list), this one works as a dynamic EQ, so it only reduces sibilance when it actually becomes a problem. 

That’s a game-changer because instead of dulling your vocals across the board, it intelligently targets harsh frequencies and leaves everything else untouched. 

Plus, it has a built-in real-time spectrum analyzer, so you can visually hear where the problem areas are and adjust them with precision. 

Also unlike basic de-esser plugins that only let you tweak a single frequency range, TDR Nova GE gives you many controls.

This way, you can apply de-essing across multiple bands if needed. 

My personal favorite feature is the Smart Operations panel, which simplifies complex tasks like resonance removal and spectral matching.

It’s perfect if you want a polished sound without spending hours tweaking settings (who has time for that, am I right?).

And if that wasn’t enough, it also includes an equal loudness function 一 your tracks won’t lose volume just because you’re taming harshness. 

NOTE: While the free version is already impressive, the GE version expands on its capabilities with more features, additional bands, and advanced dynamic processing.

Standout Features of this De-Esser Plugin:

• Dynamic EQ processing for precise de-essing
• Real-time spectrum analyzer for visual monitoring
• Multiple bands for advanced frequency control
• Smart Operations panel automates complex tasks
• Equal loudness function maintains consistent volume
• Free version available, with an upgraded GE edition
• One of the best de-esser plugins around

Final Thoughts

And there you have it: the absolute best de-esser plugins in the game.

All of them are super effective, incredibly precise, and built to handle any vocal harshness you throw at them.

So it really boils down to personal preference and how much control you want over your sibilance reduction.

But, regardless of what you choose, you’ll definitely be getting the best of the best.

Just remember to dial in your threshold carefully, fine-tune the frequency range to match the vocal, and always A/B test your settings to make sure you’re not over-de-essing.

Plus, don’t forget to use the right attack and release settings depending on whether you want a smooth or aggressive response.

And, since we’re talking about the best de-esser plugins, I thought you should check out what flawless vocals sound like.

That’s why you have to check out these legendary Free Vocal Samples.

This epic pack contains 20 free vocal samples that are the best way for you to really add some edge to your tracks so people stop and pay attention.

Plus, they were all created by the absolute best vocalists and producers in the game, so you never have to worry about quality issues.

They’re also 100% royalty-free, so feel free to use them however you’d like without a worry in the world (and yes, they’re all on point, polished, and processed to perfection).

Trust me, you do NOT want to miss out on these.

Bottom line, when it comes to the best de-esser plugins, just remember to pick the right tool for the job, adjust your settings carefully, and always trust your ears.

Also, make sure to test your de-essing in both solo and full-mix contexts, apply light compression after de-essing if needed, and avoid dulling the high-end too much.

And remember, thinking outside the box is where the real magic happens, so never be afraid to break all the rules.

Until next time…