Choosing the best guitar amp is not a decision to be taken lightly. More than any of the other parts of your signal chain, the sound of your amplifier will define your overall tone. Of course, there are plenty of other factors such as your pickups, and of course, the age-old adage of the tone being “in your fingers”. But where do all of these components end up? Coming out of the speakers of your amplifier of course.
You might not be happy with your current rig, or perhaps you're considering your very first amplifier. Whichever it is, we’ve trawled through all the options available on the market today to give you the low down on the best guitar amps available today.
From all-powerful tube amps that will bring the house down at your next show, to home-friendly practice amps that won’t cause any noise complaints, and everything in between. We’ve lined them up in price order to make things easier, starting with budget and ending in the most boutique offerings.
Best guitar amps: Guitar Player picks
For players looking to get their first amp, it’s hard to find a better choice than Positive Grid’s super-popular Spark. With its intuitive practice features and pretty much any guitar tone you could ever want at your fingertips, it’s the perfect place to start your guitar journey.
For those who want tube amp tone without annoying the neighbors, the Orange Rocker 15 delivers a serious rock’n’roll guitar tone with a handy attenuation switch to dial things back when you need to. Volume not an issue? Then you can’t go wrong with one of the guitar amp gold standards in the Vox AC30, ideal for the gigging musician who wants to cut through the mix.
Lastly, if price is no problem and you want the very best in boutique guitar tone, the Tone King Imperial MKII is a hand-built guitar amp of the highest quality. Delivering those highly sought-after Tweed-era tones, it also has some modern twists, like the Ironman II attenuator for quiet practice.
Best guitar amps: Product guide
Hitting the scene in late 2019, the Positive Grid Spark changed the face of home practice amps forever. This unassuming 40W amp may look like all the other practice solutions on the market, but don't be fooled - it's concealing some very advanced technology.
Powered by the highly revered BIAS tone engine, this amp is capable of recreating some of the most popular tube amps and effects of all time, and when used in conjunction with the Spark app, this plucky little amp becomes the ultimate practice tool.
The revolutionary Auto Chord feature is hands down one of the most remarkable elements of this amp - giving you the ability to figure out the chords in any song from Spotify, Apple Music, or Youtube. While, the Smart Jam feature carefully analyses the notes you're playing and creates a backing track in a style of your choice - no, seriously, your amp will jam along with you! Now, if all of this wasn't enough, the app also gives you access to over 10,000 tone presets.
Read our full Positive Grid Spark review
At this point, Friedman has become somewhat of a modern classic with the likes of Jerry Cantrel, Bill Kelliher and Billy Duffy using the golden-faced amps to devastating effect on stages around the globe. Now, while most of us would love nothing more than playing our Les Paul through a full-fat BE 100 Deluxe or even a Runt, there is one problem - price.
Luckily, Friedman has an incredibly affordable option for those seeking the BE bark without breaking the bank. Enter the Friedman BE Mini, a solid-state take on the famous preamp circuit wrapped up in a handy 30W mini head format.
This stripped-down amp provides only the bare essentials for quality tone, with a single channel set-up that delivers top-class high gain sounds, while the tiny footprint, lightweight nature, and 30W of power mean the BE Mini can be used in a myriad of situations, from playing live, recording in the studio or practicing at home.
Okay, let's face it, as much as we all love the sound of a tasty set of humbuckers into a cranked valve amp, it isn't always practical - especially at home. For most of us, we turn to a digital modeling amp to virtually recreate the tone we are longing for - but what if you really need it to be valve?
Well, in that case, it's best to keep the wattage as low as possible to ensure you get as much natural break up as possible, and the Blackstar HT-1R does this perfectly. This petite combo amp kicks out plenty of gain, natural compression, and the tone you've come to expect from the folks over at Blackstar.
Housed inside this pint-sized combo are two distinct channels, each with two voices, giving you a surprisingly versatile range of tones, while the built-in digital reverb adds the much-needed ambiance we've all come to rely on. As an added bonus, the MKII comes with the ability to record via the USB port found on the rear of the unit - making this a valuable amp to have in your home studio.
The Boss Katana may not be the most expensive amp on this list - I mean, there isn’t even a tube in sight - but there's a reason it's one of the most popular practice amps to be released in recent years - it sounds fantastic.
These days whether an amp is solid-state or tube doesn't really matter all that much. With advancements in technology, digital modeling amps sound better now than they ever have done before, and Boss proves this with the Katana.
Offering users access to five channels - Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown, and Acoustic, as well as 15 in-built effects, this is a highly versatile little amp. As you would expect from Boss, the effects are of superb quality. Whether it's delay, chorus, or tremolo, all sounds are taken from Bosses famous stomp-boxes. Hookup the Katana 100 to your PC, and you'll be able to gain access to 60 different additional effects via the Boss Tone Lab.
You can't have a list of the best guitar amps and not include Marshall - arguably the most recognizable amplifiers in the world. Of course, we could have chosen a myriad of models to be featured in this guide, but the one that stands out is the Marshall Origin 20C.
Marshall fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when the iconic amp manufacturer dropped the Origin series back in 2018. Finally, Marshall was going back to their roots and releasing a no-nonsense single-channel tube amp that was a perfect throwback to their past yet included modern features that players demanded. This is easily one of the best Marshall amps in recent years.
The Origin 20C is capable of producing rich, warm cleans, on the edge of break-up blues-tones and righteous rock tones, all by playing with the gain control in conjunction with the power attenuator. This mighty amp also features an in-built gain boost if you find yourself needing more juice and also a footswitch controllable FX loop. So if you have an itch only Marshall could scratch, then the Origin 20C might be the best option out there for you.
Hughes and Kettner - when outstanding German engineering meets high-fidelity guitar tones. The TubeMeister Deluxe was released back in 2016 and is still one of the most popular Hughes and Kettner models to date, perfectly combining glassy clean tones and super articulate gain sounds.
There is plenty of gain on tap here for most applications, while the addition of a "lead boost" allows you to push the overdrive to a whole other level - but don't worry, there may be an abundance of gain, but the tone never gets fizzy or harsh.
Where the TubeMeister really comes into its own is actually the technology hidden on the back of the amp. Concealed on the back panel is the incredibly clever RedBox AE DI. This smart feature turns your already great amp into the ultimate studio partner. This is a switchable DI output, which gives you the ability to emulate either a 4x12 or 1x12 cabinet, as well as choose between vintage and modern modes. Of course, you can also turn this feature off, but it sounds so good, we're not sure why you would.
Orange may seem like the sometimes forgotten British amp brand behind the juggernaut that is Marshall and the provenance of Vox. Still, they offer a tone that sits right in between the two offering the best of both worlds. The punchy and not too fizzy tone is perfect for rock 'n' roll.
The Orange Rocker 15 is designed to easily switch between the bedroom and the stage - something Orange has perfected with the Terror series - going from 15 watts down to the super neighbor-friendly 0.5 watts. In addition, the "natural" channel features a solitary volume control - not unlike the AC30 - and is designed to let the natural tone of your guitar shine through.
The "dirty" channel, on the other hand, is a little more of a standard affair, with a three-band EQ, gain control, and master volume. Crank this channel to unlock those face-melting rock tones.
While the enormous, deep tone of the Twin Reverb brings a smile to the face of most guitar players, the back-crushing weight certainly does not. The clever folks over at Fender have been tirelessly working away on solving this age-old grievance - enter the Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb.
Most of the other modelling amplifiers on the market are more concerned with simulating as many different amps as possible, giving the player a digital-smorgasbord of different tones. This can result in a few great sounds, but usually a few unusable ones with it. Where the Tone Master differs is in its intent. This hi-tech Twin's sole purpose is to perfectly recreate one amp, down to every last detail.
So if this amp looks like a Fender Twin and sounds like a Fender Twin, what's the main difference? Well - apart from the lack of tubes - it weighs in at only 33 lbs! Meaning you can comfortably carry this to and from gigs with no hassle. Check out more of the best Fender amps in our guide.
This may be the smallest amp on this list, but don't let its small stature fool you. The Supro 64 Reverb sounds enormous! Like many entries in this guide, this amp takes inspiration from what has gone before but adds a few modern twists to make it work for today's player.
This fierce 5-watt combo is oozing with vintage style and has the tone to match. The 6V6 tubes and 1x8 Jensen speaker deliver a powerful retro bark that is dynamic and a delight to play. This is the sort of amp that just begs to be played - especially when you set it right on the edge of break up.
The Supro also has a few clever features hidden behind its old-fashioned facade. Located at the rear of the amp is a set of line outputs that offer the ultimate flexibility, whether you want to use them to drive another amp or even for home recording. The "Dry" signal output - as you'd expect - provides the dry signal only, with no reverb. This also stops the dry signal from being sent to the power amp. The "Reverb" output does the same but with only the reverb signal, while the "Mix" output combines the two and doesn't affect what is sent to the power tubes.
No matter the decade, you'll be sure to find a Fender amp sitting pride of place on any stage - from smokey jazz and blues clubs to lively country bars and sticky rock stomping-grounds - they are an enduring presence in every music scene. The big reason Fender amps have been so loved for so long is that they offer a clean, harmonically rich, and mid-scooped tone that always seems to bring out the best in your playing.
The Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb is the ultimate throwback to the silver face era of amps, delivering vintage twang and the touch-sensitive dynamics the original was famous for - all while looking the part as well. For the traditionalist, the aptly named "vintage channel" belts out all the silver panel tone you could ask for, while the "custom channel" is loaded with the iconic Bassman tone circuit for more sonic possibilities.
The 22-watts of power is right in the sweet spot for gigging, allowing you to really push the amp and get the best out of it - although it may be a little much for the house! So if you are looking for the ultimate Fender tone, this might be one of the best guitar amps for you.
The Vox AC-30 is a cultural icon and favored by the likes of Tom Petty, Brian May, The Edge, and even Dave Grohl - oh, and the Beatles, you might have heard of them? This 30-watt diamond-clad-combo is responsible for some of the most remarkable guitar tones in history and has a sound that is purely its own - and not many amps can say that.
The AC-30 uses three 12AX7 preamp valves, as well as a quartet of EL84s to deliver its fabulously mid-focused sound. There's a power to an AC30 that hits you right in the gut - especially when it's cranked! Dial it back, and you can achieve those sparkly clean sounds that can cut glass if you're not careful.
The reverb and tube-driven tremolo are welcome additions, bringing the ability to soften the sometimes harsh nature of all that mid-range. At the same time, the master "tone-cut" provides even more tone-shaping capabilities. So if you are looking for an amp that will bring those classic British tones, take pedals incredibly well, and look impeccably stylish while doing it, then look no further than the Vox AC-30 C2.
This relatively small English company has really made a name for itself since launching in 2013. Offering competitively priced, hand-made amplifiers that are durable, roadworthy, and most importantly, sound fantastic!
The V40 is a single-channel, all-valve head that offers both American clean tones and British overdrive sounds. Through a series of clever switches, you can shape the tone to exactly how you like it, without any fuss. For example, the "voice" control shapes the upper mids. Voice I mode allows less of these frequencies through to the subsequent gain stage, whereas Voice II allows more through. This may seem like a simple feature, but it really does allow you to dial in your perfect tone - it works particularly well when playing with a band.
It's not just glorious high power on offer though, as the front panel switch allows you to lower the overall power to around 7 watts. In case that wasn't quite enough, you also have the option to use single-ended mode, which selects to just one or other of the power valves in Class A operation, resulting in a minuscule 1 watt RMS.
When Blackstar came out with the claim of having ‘the lightest 50-watt tube amp in the world’, there were more than a few raised eyebrows. We were doubtful too, but it wasn’t just a marketing spiel. This really is a tube combo you can carry with one hand.
EL34 tubes make this combo an amazing pedal platform, giving you a pristine clean or lightly crunchy tone to build your sound upon. On its own, it sounds phenomenal, but where this amp really shines is when you put a bunch of pedals in front of it and drive it hard.
It’s also got some amazing connectivity options. The cab-rig output allows you to send your amp tone straight to front-of-house, or into your recording interface. This ingenious bit of tech, in conjunction with Blackstar’s Architect software, lets you painstakingly choose which cab sound you want, tweaking mics, cab sizes, and room settings.
The name Tone King is synonymous with extremely high-quality, hand-built boutique amplifiers that look like they have just jumped out of the '50s. The Imperial is one of the first amps produced by the Maryland amp gurus way back in 1993 and has been a firm favorite ever since.
The Imperial MKII clearly has its roots in the sound of the Fender Tweed and Deluxe amps of yesteryear, but with a few modern twists that make it desirable to the contemporary player. This 6V6 loaded dual-channel amp offers two distinct tones - rhythm and lead. The rhythm channel is voiced to deliver those classic '60s clean tones, but - thanks to a few clever tweaks in the new MKII - it also boasts a smooth overdrive sound as well as shimmering cleans. The lead circuit still has its hand firmly in the tweed tone world, but the addition of the "mid-bite" control means it can deliver scorching classic rock tones.
The 20W all valve power could be considered overkill for most home practice sessions, so Tone King has included the Ironman II Attenuator, which gives you the ability to drop the volume to a manageable level without sacrificing tone.
Best guitar amps: Buying advice
Picking the best guitar amp for you can be difficult, especially as there are so many options on the table. It’s not always immediate whether it’s the right one for you, as an amp needs to perform under so many different circumstances, from practice at home to cranking in the rehearsal space, to fighting with the sound engineer at live shows.
To help make a difficult decision easier, we’ve put together some rock-solid advice that you can employ when choosing your next guitar amp. These are all questions you’ll need to ask yourself when considering your next amp purchase, from the type to the connectivity, to how much you should spend.
Should my next amp be a combo or head?
In recent years it feels like combos have exploded in popularity. As the vast majority of venues both large and small now have a PA and microphones for amps, the days of needing two 4x12 cabs seem to be long gone, with players preferring the portability of a smaller combo instead.
For certain styles of music like sludge and doom where volume is a requirement, however, the trusty head and cab combo is a necessity. You might also already have a great cab and want a different head to change things up or mix and match cabs.
There’s also a certain three-dimensionality that comes from using a larger cab, as the sound is reaching you on many different planes thanks to the multiple-speaker layout.
Tube or solid-state, which is better?
The difference between tube and solid state has narrowed significantly in the last decade. Modern processors can now deliver an uncanny representation of the hallowed tube tone that, to an untrained ear, will be pretty much indistinguishable. Solid-state amps also provide a lot more flexibility for playing live, with direct outs and a base tone that doesn’t require lots of volume – which your local sound engineer will love you for.
That said, there is certainly something amazing about standing in front of a cranked tube amp and hearing that harmonically rich saturation. The analog nature of a tube amp makes it feel really alive and responsive in a way that, for an experienced player, can’t quite be matched by a solid-state amp. A lot of modern tube amps also feature power attenuation, which lets you attain usable volumes at home.
One criticism of tube amps that’s been around for a while is the weight. Coming in at considerably more than a solid-state equivalent, a tube amp will require some serious heft that can get tiresome when you’re regularly gigging. If you’re not happy lugging something heavy around with you at shows, then it's probably best to go for a solid-state amp.
Does the wattage of the guitar amp matter?
This is definitely one of the more critical aspects of choosing the best guitar amp, and it’s not so much based on opinion as it is your intent. If you’re just cutting your teeth practicing at home, that 30 Watt tube amp will be way too much. Likewise, if you want to gig or stay ahead of your drummer in the rehearsal room, that 20W solid-state practice amp probably isn’t going to cut it.
It isn’t just a straight line of more wattage equals louder either. Tube amp wattages are distinctly louder than their solid-state equivalents due to their analog construction. So a 15W tube amp will be able to compete with a 50W solid state in terms of pure volume.
There’s also another thing to take into account, which is headroom. Headroom is the amount of power a tube amp can provide before it starts to break up. Some amps have a lot of headroom, like the classic Fender Twin Reverb which you can turn up halfway without it breaking up. This means you can keep your tone clean and still be louder than your drummer. Smaller wattage amps will break up earlier, which may or may not be to your taste.
What tone are you looking for?
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Of course, all of this matters not one iota when we consider one thing – the sound. You might have your heart set on that boutique tube amp, only to find that a solid-state combo is far more versatile than you initially expected. Until you try it, you won’t really know. If your local shop is too far or you want to purchase online, there are a myriad of sound demos available online for you to compare sounds, as well as loads of great reviews.
Something else you should think about is that certain brands excel at certain sounds. For example, a Fender guitar amp is typically geared toward clean tones, great for players who use a lot of pedals and want to build on a good base with effects. With Marshall, clean tones aren’t really their forte and they’re much better at providing dirty guitar tones for hard rock playing. If you’re really struggling, it might be wise to see what your favorite guitarists are using as a reference, as what they use might well suit your own needs.
Buying your first guitar amp
If you’re purchasing your first amp, all of these choices can seem especially daunting. When you’re first starting out, it’s hard to know what it is you really want. For this reason, we’d highly recommend a solid-state modeling amp for beginners, as they have lots of different tones for relatively little money. This means you can find out what it is you really like the sound of, then upgrade down the line when you’ve discovered what you really want.
A lot of these amps also feature built-in effects like reverb, delay, distortion, and overdrive too. This gives you an easier way to emulate your favorite guitar player’s guitar tones, as well as helping you find your own distinct sound.
How much should I spend on a guitar amp?
These days there are lots of budget options available for guitar players who are making their first foray into amps, or for those who need a backup or practice amp to augment their gigging rig. You can get some seriously good guitar amps for under $500, and even get down as low as $300 in some cases. This means you’re not making a huge financial commitment to your guitar tone early on and can find your own way later when you’re ready to invest more.
Moving on up you’ll find the most choice between $500 and $1000. There are loads of great solid-state and tube amps available at this price point, and this is where you’re getting into giggable territory in terms of power. No matter what your needs or style, at this price point you’re sure to find a perfect match.
If you’re serious about your guitar playing, then spending over the $1000 mark gets you into hand-built boutique tube territory, the Holy Grail of guitar tone. These will be professional-grade amps that your favorite guitar players use, with lots of high-end features and some absolutely stonking guitar sounds.
How we choose the products for our guides
At Guitar Player, we live and breathe everything guitar related. It's our passion and we certainly hope this passion comes through in our buyer's guides. Everyone at Guitar Player is an expert in their field and we draw on this knowledge and experience when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best guitar amps available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
When making our lists, we pay careful consideration to everything from budget to feature set, playability and durability to come up with an accurate representation of the best guitar amp available right now.
Read more on how we test gear and services at Guitar Player.
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