1. The quick list
2. Best overall
3. Best tube amp
4. Best value for money
5. Best solid state
6. Best pedal platform
7. Best for practice
8. More options...
9. Buying advice
10. How we choose products
A guitar amplifier is easily one of the most expensive outlays guitarists have, aside from guitars themselves. It’s a pursuit that can get seriously out of hand, but you don’t have to sink your entire savings into getting a great guitar tone. The best guitar amps under $500 can often compete with boutique amps that cost thousands of dollars.
With fantastic options from brands like Fender, Blackstar, and Boss, spending a little less on your amplifier no longer means you’re sacrificing a good guitar tone. There are even giggable amps that fall into this price bracket, so if you’re after a reliable workhorse, you might not have to spend as much as you originally thought. Your amplifier is one of the core aspects of your guitar sound, so it's important to choose wisely here.
Whether you're after both solid-state and tube amps, no matter which side of the fence you fall upon, your needs will be met here. If you're new to guitar amps or you just want to do a little more research, in addition to our product recommendations we've included some buying advice at the bottom of the guide, too.
Matt is a Junior Deals Writer at Guitar Player and has been playing guitar as his main instrument for well over 20 years. He also plays drums, bass, and keys – producing out of his home studio in Manchester, UK. He has previously worked for Dawsons Music, Northwest Guitars, and freelanced for various magazines and blogs, writing reviews, how-to's, and features. When he's not downloading the latest VSTs or justifying yet another guitar pedal purchase, you'll find him making a racket with Northern noise hounds JACKALS.
Best guitar amps under $500: The quick list
The Boss Katana 2x12 modeling amp is perfect whether you want to practice at home quietly, record silently, practice with your bandmates, or play shows at medium-sized venues.
If you want a good tube amp that won't break the bank, the Fender Pro Junior IV SE packs a gorgeous tone into a compact and excellent value-for-money chassis.
If you want a tube combo on a tight budget, the Bugera V22 Infinium is an outstanding value proposition that delivers on both tonal versatility and usability.
With its heroic reliability, the Peavey Bandit 112 is revered in the music industry for its outstanding build quality. It's a great pedal platform and even offers a power attenuation option.
One of the best affordable options if you're looking for a pedal platform, the Blackstar Debut 50R packs plenty of power for gigging with a neutral base to build your tone upon.
If you're after a brilliant practice solution, the Yamaha THR10IIW provides excellent tones in a compact package. A recording-out option and Bluetooth connectivity make it super versatile.
Best guitar amps under $500 2023
You can trust Guitar Player. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Here you'll find full writeups and reviews for all the best guitar amps under $500 available today. Many of these amps have been personally tested by the writing team here at Guitar Player, so you can rely on our recommendations.
Best overall
The Boss Katana MkII 2x12 has topped many of the best guitar amp lists for good reason. It packs a myriad of amp tones from clean to high gain, realistically recreated with a full suite of Boss’ studio-quality effects.
The clean tones are pristine and clear, reacting beautifully to single coils without a hint of thinness. Cranking the gain you get everything from a pleasing Plexi-style crunch to all-out metal distortion.
The ability to run five effects at once means you can craft a set of very specific sounds, saving them in four preset slots for instant recall. A line out for recording and a power amp input round out this adaptable amp’s immense feature set.
Best tube amp
The Fender Pro Jr IV SE is about as basic as they come, with just two knobs and a power switch. Don’t let its simple façade fool you though, this is a serious tube amp with a lot of volume and tone on tap.
The Pro Jr IV SE is seriously loud, just as you get to '2' on the volume switch you’ll get a harmonically rich tone that will fill any living room with ease. Around the halfway mark you’ll find things start to break up for that gorgeous valve overdrive, and with the knob maxed, expect a huge midrange roar.
There’s not much here regarding extra functionality and features, just a big tone in a small box. You’d think that would hold this amp back but in fact, it just lets you concentrate on actually playing your guitar.
Best value for money
Getting a 22-watt tube amp at this price hardly seems believable, but Bugera has really knocked it out of the park with the V22 Infinium. Packing a pair of EL84 power tubes with three 12AX7 preamp tubes you get a boutique tone on a budget.
The V22 Infinium offers two channels, clean and dirty, as well as two inputs for regular and bright voicings. The clean channel is clear and crisp whilst the dirty side benefits hugely from the presence control, really letting you push it into the sweet spot of tube breakup.
On the back panel, you’ve got an FX loop for running your time-based effects as well as an impedance switch for connecting to external cabinets. This means you can beef up the power whenever you need it, using the V22 as an amplifier head.
Best solid state
Peavey Bandit amps have long been famous for their reliability, with many owners reporting them lasting decades thanks to their outstanding build quality. This modern iteration feels just as rugged and reliable, as well as delivering a more modern feature set.
The clean channel is nice and neutral, taking various fuzz and drive pedals very well. The gain channel offers plenty of versatility too, with a voicing switch for classic, modern, and high gain taking care of any style you can throw at it.
Interestingly the onboard boost is on a rotary control rather than a switch, allowing you to dial in the perfect amount of extra juice. A power attenuation switch lets you drop the wattage to 50 or 25 percent, making it great for practicing at home.
Best pedal platform
Blackstar is at it again, releasing a no-nonsense, affordable solid-state which is one of the best pedal platforms under $500. The Debut 50R isn’t for the guitarist looking for heaps of in-built effects; on the contrary, it’s perfect for those who prefer using their own stompbox effects.
Inspired by the no-nonsense approach of tube amplifiers, the Debut 50R will give you an incredibly clean base on which to build. It’s articulate, has plenty of volume, and is impressively dynamic for a solid-state amplifier. The dirt channel isn’t bad either, perhaps due to the MOSFET preamp resulting in a surprisingly warm overdrive which gives tube amps a run for their money.
The 50 watts of output gets loud, however, it does have a 5-watt option, making it ideal if you’re practicing late at night. The speaker-emulated line output will give you noise-free recording and we’re thankful for the 3-band EQ to further complement Blackstar’s ISF technology. So, if you’re after a hassle-free, affordable amplifier that complements pedals perfectly, the Debut 50R is the choice for you.
Best for practice
The Yamaha THR10IIW offers a powerful solution for practicing and recording at home. Its small size combined with a versatile suite of effects and connectivity options makes it a great number two amp for seasoned guitarists, or a way for new players to explore a variety of sounds.
The quality and range of the sounds present are really quite impressive and despite its small size, it delivers a low end you’d expect from a bigger cabinet. There are some wonderful edge-of-breakup sounds, as well as clean and high gain tones on offer here.
The USB out allows for direct recording and you get a high-quality suite of effects that include delay, reverb, and modulation. The built-in tuner helps make this a proper all-rounder, and saveable presets let you recall your favorite tones instantly.
More options...
Providing players with a plethora of sounds and effects, the Marshall Code 50 is an impeccably versatile modeling amplifier. Developed alongside tone scientists Softube, the amp tones here are as close to the real deal as you can get.
All the classic Marshall tones are present and accounted for, with staples like the Super Lead, JCM800, and the JTM45 painstakingly recreated. It’s not just British amps either, there are recreations of classic American amps too, ensuring you have all your bases covered.
The USB interface allows you to record these classic tones straight into your DAW, with 24 built-in effects for accentuating your sound. With everything from delay to modulation covered, this amp does a lot of different sounds extremely well.
The Blackstar HT-1R MkII is a great-looking tube combo that offers a wide variety of sounds and features. Building on the popular MkI version, this amp offers a revised look and additional features for a more powerful performance.
The HT-1R sounds much bigger than you’d expect from a small combo, filling the room with sound. Although the gain tones get a little fizzy at higher settings, in the low to medium range you get a delicious sound for blues, gloriously full and punchy.
Blackstar’s patented ISF feature gives you two different amplifier characteristics in one box, with American and British flavored tones available in the swoop of one knob. Combined with an emulated output for recording and MP3 line in, you get one versatile tube combo.
The original version of this amp featured a 1x10 layout but with this latest iteration, the Vox AC4C1 gets a 12-inch speaker. Removing the less usual preamp tubes for the more reliable 12AX7, this classic amp has been given a thoroughly modern makeover.
The classic Vox amp chime that the brand is so well known for is very apparent from the moment you switch the amp on. It’s very trebly, which will require some dialing in but once you get there it’s pure Top Boost tone heaven.
It’s a fantastic-looking unit, giving you all that classic Vox aesthetic in a very portable package. An output on the back allows you to connect an external speaker and beef up the volume when you need to.
The Fender Mustang GTX100 offers players pretty much any amp tone they could want, from Twin Reverb to ‘59 Bassman. It’s not just Fender tones either, there are Orange and Marshall emulations too.
The amp tones are very convincing, with the Twin Reverb emulation giving you loads of power and clarity. Once you get past the Fender stable of amps there are some great British-flavored drive tones and an AC30 emulation that is done really well.
You also get a whole suite of Fender-designed effects, from swirls of reverb and delay to pitch shifting, giving you plenty to get creative with. The stereo line out and FX loop give you a lot of scope for recording or integrating your existing pedalboard.
The Line 6 Catalyst 200 is a tempting option for players who want a wide variety of electric guitar tones. Widely credited as being the inventors of the modeling amp, Line 6’s latest offering delivers incredible quality effects alongside its gorgeous amp sounds.
There are six amp models available from boutique cleans to a high gain sonic assault. The amp tones capture the response and feel of a valve amp really well, particularly on the Boutique amp setting, which we found incredibly addictive.
The effects suite comes from the HX range of Line 6’s effects, delivering everything from guitar synth to swathes of reverb and delay. Two channels let you save your settings and you can dive much deeper with the included Catalyst Edit app.
You didn’t think we’d forgotten acoustic players, did you? How could we when Fender is offering 100 watts of natural acoustic tone for under $500? The Acoustic 100 is by far the best acoustic amplifier option and Fender has implemented plenty of great features suitable for the modern player.
Starting off with the eight onboard effects, everything from room reverb to vibratone is covered here, all of which are available on both channels. Each channel is accessible through two combination jacks, allowing for either XLR or ¼-inch jack connections, making this a versatile open-mic companion. There’s even built-in Bluetooth, allowing the amp to double up as a music speaker if you so desire.
If open mic nights or coffee shop gigs are your thing, then the salon-style plywood cabinet and brown grille cloth will fit right in. There’s an additional footswitch option that allows you to control the effects whilst performing and its lightweight, sleek design makes it not just a feasible option, but the ideal option for solo acoustic performances.
The Blackstar Silverline Standard gives plenty of tonal variety with six amplifier tones and a full complement of effects. Housed in a gorgeous silver cabinet, it’s got enough power for gigs with great connectivity for home recording purposes.
The combination of six different amplifier tones with Blackstar’s ISF feature really lets you capture a huge array of sounds. Whether you want an AC30-like chime or the heft and grunt of a 6L6-style amp, pretty much any tone is within grasp here.
20 watts offers plenty of power for competing with a heavy-handed drummer, but you’ll probably need more for bigger gigs. The USB out for recording offers an excellent way to capture your ideas on the fly, making this amp a versatile companion.
Best guitar amps under $500: Buying advice
Are solid state amps better than tube?
First up, solid-state or tube? We’re not going to tell you what’s better, it’s like a Strat versus a Les Paul – it all comes down to personal taste. However, a 120-watt tube amp will be a huge amount more expensive than its solid-state equivalent, so if volume is your goal, then the solid-state might be the way to go for the guitarist on a budget.
What should you look for in an amp?
The feature set of the amp is also of critical importance. Are you planning on practicing or recording at home? Then power attenuation is key if you must have a tube amp, allowing you to get that sought-after tube tone at an acceptable volume.
Solid-state amps often have much more built-in, such as different amp models and effects, so if variety is the spice of your life you’ll definitely need to consider this. Headphone-outs are pretty rare on tube amps, so silent practice is pretty much a no-go. They’re much more readily available on solid-state amps however, alongside direct-outs for silent recording, another feature that might be useful if you have close neighbors or you don’t want to annoy the family or wake up your youngest.
How much does a guitar amplifier weigh?
If you’re going to be traveling to and from gigs and rehearsals, lugging that tube 2x12 around will get old quickly. Solid-state amps for the most part are pretty lightweight, which you’ll be thankful for when you encounter three flights of narrow stairs at your local venue. That said, there is a great selection of small tube amps that will compete with higher-wattage solid-state amps in terms of pure volume, and small tube combos are all the rage right now for touring musicians, where for the most part guitar amplifiers are mic’d up for live use.
Do affordable amps sound good?
You may be thinking of your first-ever affordable amplifier, likely a beaten-up tiny square of shrill noise. However, affordable amps have come a long way. Thanks to technological advancements, heritage brands like Fender and Marshall have been diversifying their range to include fantastic inexpensive options for beginners and professionals alike. You just have to check out an amp like the Marshall CODE 50 or Fender Mustang GTX 100 to see how far solid-state technology has come, clearly showing these iconic companies' commitment to producing affordable, great sound amplification.
Newer kids on the block like Blackstar and Boss are also making big waves. An amp like the Boss Katana is choc-a-bloc with features, effects and tones that amps of yesteryear can only dream of. Affordable amps of today can even double up as an audio interface or allow you deep, hands-on tone editing through proprietary smart apps.
However, it’s not just solid-state amps, the Bugera V22 Infinium is an all-tube combo that will get you that sought-after tube tone on a budget. A 22-watt tube combo powered by a pair of EL84 tubes and three 12AX7 tubes for under $500? C’mon, what’s not to love about affordable amps?
What are the best affordable amp brands?
The answer to this question will depend on your preference in tone, as each amplifier brand has its own sound and style. However, it’s difficult to look past Blackstar. The UK company has been featured three times on our list and is always committed to providing players with feature-heavy, great-sounding amplification. No matter your style, Blackstar is likely to have an amplifier for you.
Boss is also worth mentioning, and its Katana amplifiers have topped best-selling lists since its initial release in 2016. Boss has used its effects pedal experience when designing the Katana and implemented some of their most famous stomp-box effects as a blueprint for the Katana’s in-built effects. Most Katana models also feature an attenuator that can drop the output to 0.1 watts, meaning the 100-watt 2x12 is as equally useful in the bedroom as it is on the stage.
Lastly, how can we not mention Fender? The Californian giant initially started as an amplification company and its continued endeavor to populate the market has also seen great entries in the affordable range. The Mustang GTX100 is a lightweight monster that offers all of Fender’s perennial favorite tones from some of the most famous amps in history.
How we choose the best guitar amps under $500
At Guitar Player, our team of experienced writers comprises dedicated musicians deeply engaged in the world of guitars and guitar amps. With years of playing and meticulous product testing, we offer a seasoned perspective derived from our real-world encounters with musical equipment. Our commitment spans every stage of the musical journey, from intimate performances to studio recordings, forming the bedrock for our thoughtfully curated recommendations across various categories.
In the quest to identify the best guitar amps under $500, our approach is methodical. We integrate practical experience, insights garnered from user reviews, and thorough discussions within our editorial team. This comprehensive process ensures a nuanced evaluation, delivering a reliable guide tailored for those seeking quality amplification within a specific budget.
As passionate guitarists ourselves, our primary objective is to assist fellow players in making the right choices when purchasing new gear. We carefully consider factors such as budget constraints, features, and tonal quality to craft a list that distinctly represents the best guitar amps under $500 in today's musical landscape.
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