Buying a quality guitar amplifier doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, finding the Best Low Price Guitar Amplifier is easier than ever, thanks to advancements in amplifier technology, particularly in modeling and solid-state designs. Gone are the days when a tight budget meant sacrificing tone and features. Today, you can get incredible value for your money and find an amplifier that perfectly suits your needs, whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned player looking for a practice or backup amp.
One of the first things to consider when choosing a new amplifier, especially a low price one, is how you intend to use it. For home practice, almost any amp in this price range will suffice, though you’ll want to steer clear of excessively loud tube amps that require cranking to sound their best. However, if you plan to perform live, your amplifier needs to meet different demands. It must have enough power to be heard over a drummer, vocals through a PA system, and potentially another guitarist.
To simplify your search for the best low price guitar amplifier, we’ve organized our top recommendations under $500 by their ideal use case. Whether you’re learning your first chords in your bedroom or aiming to take the stage, we’ve compiled a list of amplifiers that deliver exceptional performance at a fantastic value.
If you’re new to guitar amplifiers and want to learn more before making a purchase, we have a comprehensive FAQ section to address common questions. To discover the best low price guitar amplifiers available for under $500 right now, keep reading!
Our Top Picks
Boss Katana-100 MKiiBest Overall Low Price Guitar Amplifier
- Boss Katana-100 Gen 3
The latest iteration of Boss’s hugely popular Katana series builds upon its already impressive foundation, incorporating a new amp model and refining existing ones. Each amp model has been enhanced to provide even more authentic and responsive tube-like tones, making it a top contender for the best low price guitar amplifier.
An Orange Micro Dark guitar tube head
Best Low Price Guitar Amplifier Head
- Orange Micro Dark
Remarkably compact yet feature-rich, the Micro Dark is a genuine amplifier head that can easily fit in a guitar case. It boasts volume, gain, and shape controls, a headphone output, a speaker output, and an effects loop, packing a punch well beyond its size and solidifying its place as a best low price guitar amplifier head option.
A Blackstar HT-1R MKIII tube amp
Best Low Price Tube Guitar Amplifier
- Blackstar HT-1R MKIII
Options for budget-friendly tube amplifiers may be limited, but the Blackstar HT-1R stands out as an excellent choice if you crave genuine tube tone without breaking the bank. Priced just under $500, it’s also ideal for home use thanks to its neighbor-friendly volume and silent recording output, making it a strong contender for the best low price tube guitar amplifier.
Best Low Price Guitar Amplifier Overall
A Boss Katana 100 Gen 3 guitar amp on a stone floor
(Image credit: Future)
1. Boss Katana-100 Gen 3
The best low price guitar amplifier under $500 you can buy right now
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: Solid-state combo
Output: 100W
Number of channels: 6
Effects: 15
Weight: 14.8kg
Reasons to buy
- Hugely versatile feature set
- Killer-sounding effects
- Convincing tube-like tones
Reasons to avoid
- Could be too complicated for purists
- Bluetooth costs extra
At a glance
✅ Buy if you want the most reliable low price guitar amplifier: For us, the Boss Katana isn’t just a great-sounding practice amplifier; it’s one of the most dependable options on this list. It’s versatile enough for any genre and excels for both practice and small gigs, making it a top best low price guitar amplifier choice.
❌ Avoid if you don’t need effects: This amplifier is packed with Boss’s renowned effects. If you prefer a more straightforward amplifier without built-in effects, you might want to explore other options.
Even without considering their affordable price point, Boss’s Katana modeling amplifiers have established themselves as some of the best guitar amplifiers available today. The latest Gen 3 edition further solidifies this reputation as a leading best low price guitar amplifier.
This 100W solid-state model is gig-ready and now features six amp characters: Clean, Crunch, Pushed, Lead, Brown, and Acoustic, each with variations. Being a Boss amplifier, it also incorporates 60 of their famous stompbox effects, offering a vast palette of tonal possibilities. This versatility makes it a strong contender for the title of best low price guitar amplifier for players who want a wide range of sounds.
Our testing highlighted the Katana’s exceptional tonal control, with adjustable cabinet resonance options, Power Control, and easily recordable mic’d cabinet-emulated outputs. The listed prices are for the 2×12″ combo, but a slightly less expensive 1×12″ version is also available. For those seeking a versatile and feature-rich best low price guitar amplifier, the Boss Katana-100 Gen 3 is an outstanding choice.
Best Low Price Guitar Amplifier Head
An Orange Micro Dark tube guitar head
(Image credit: Future)
2. Orange Micro Dark
A brilliant low price guitar amplifier head
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: Tube micro head
Output: 20W
Number of channels: 1
Tubes: 1x 12AX7 tube
Weight: 1.72 lbs
Reasons to buy
- Massive amounts of gain
- Effect loop for patching outboard gear
- Incredibly lightweight
Reasons to avoid
- Better suited for practice than gigging
At a glance
✅ Buy if you want a great low price guitar amplifier head: The Orange Micro Dark delivers a wealth of tone in a remarkably small and affordable package. It’s a fantastic best low price guitar amplifier head for players who want portability and powerful sound.
❌ Avoid if you don’t have a cabinet: This head requires a separate guitar cabinet to function, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution.
The incredibly small Orange Micro Dark features a preamp driven by a single 12AX7 tube and a 20-watt solid-state power amplifier. Despite its size, it produces impressively loud volumes with substantial bass and rich harmonic distortion. Its portability and powerful sound make it a compelling option for the best low price guitar amplifier head.
The shape control offers a wide range of tones by sweeping across a broad midrange sweet spot, also allowing for treble and bass enhancement. This feature adds to its versatility as a best low price guitar amplifier head.
An effects loop enables guitarists to integrate studio multi-effects units, reverb, delay, or modulation pedals between the preamp and power amp stages. This allows for professional-quality tones with minimal noise and impressive clarity, especially when recording. Its features solidify its position as a best low price guitar amplifier head for tone-conscious players.
We found the Micro Dark to be a surprisingly versatile and potent “secret weapon” for metal guitarists who crave saturated distortion but are tired of transporting heavy equipment. Its combination of portability and powerful sound makes it a top contender for the best low price guitar amplifier head.
Watch the Orange Micro Dark review video
Best Low Price Tube Guitar Amplifier
A Blackstar HT-1R MK III tube combo amp
(Image credit: Blackstar)
3. Blackstar HT-1R MK III
One watt of heavenly valve-driven tone. What a little star…
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: Valve combo
Output: 1W RMS
Number of channels: 2
Speaker: 8”
Effects: Reverb
Weight: 12.3lbs/5.6kg
Reasons to buy
- Genuine valve tones for less
- Looks fantastic
- USB recording output
Reasons to avoid
- Lacks the bells and whistles of solid-state amps
At a glance
✅ Buy if you want an affordable tube amplifier you can use at home: If you must have tube-tone, the HT-1R MK III is an excellent choice as a best low price tube guitar amplifier. It’s packed with useful features and, most importantly, sounds fantastic for its price.
❌ Avoid if you’re moving it around a lot: The awkwardly placed back panel jacks can be inconvenient if you frequently move it between practice and rehearsal spaces.
We were impressed with the HT-1R MK II, and the new MK III version is even more refined. Despite its unassuming appearance, it packs a punch. For those seeking a best low price tube guitar amplifier, the HT-1R MKIII delivers.
We all know that a tube amplifier truly shines when cranked, but this isn’t always practical, especially at home. The HT-1R solves this problem with its 1-watt output. It’s still surprisingly loud but won’t disturb the neighbors, making it an ideal best low price tube guitar amplifier for home use. It offers the potential for beautiful driven tones at lower volumes.
It features two channels: an overdrive channel capable of delivering tones from articulate crunch to high-gain distortion, and a clean channel for American sparkle or British chime. Both channels are remarkably responsive to dynamic playing, further solidifying its place as a best low price tube guitar amplifier.
The HT-1R MK III is designed for home use but also functions well as a studio tool. Recording full, high-gain tones might seem like a job for a larger combo or stack, but this small amplifier can achieve similar character with less hassle. You can mic it up or use the direct USB output. This versatility adds to its appeal as a best low price tube guitar amplifier.
If you desire the sound of a real valve power amp in a home setting, the HT-1R MK III is definitely worth considering as your best low price tube guitar amplifier option. A head version is also available for even greater portability or for connecting to a separate cabinet.
Read our full Blackstar HT-1R MKIII review
Best Low Price Guitar Amplifier for Gigging
A Line 6 Catalyst 200 2×12” guitar amp
(Image credit: Vox)
4. Line 6 Catalyst 200
A brilliant combo that’s got plenty of power for gigging as a best low price guitar amplifier
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: 2×12 modeling combo
Output: 200W
Presets: 12
Weight: 18.9kg
Reasons to buy
- Loud enough for any scenario
- Built-in 4-channel interface
- High-quality Helix effects
Reasons to avoid
- Footswitch sold separately
- Only two effects at a time
At a glance
✅ Buy if you want an amplifier powerful enough to gig: With 200 Watts of power, this amplifier is more than capable of handling almost any gig situation, making it a top best low price guitar amplifier for gigging musicians.
❌ Avoid if you use lots of effects: While the effects are high quality, you are limited to using only two at once, with one of those slots dedicated to reverb.
Line 6 has been a mainstay in the budget amplifier market for years, with their Spider range being well-known in the guitar community. While the Spider range continues to evolve, the Catalyst line offers a distinct approach. Instead of overwhelming users with endless options, the Catalyst provides just 6 original amp models, simplifying the selection process and making it a user-friendly best low price guitar amplifier for gigging.
While emphasizing simplicity, the Catalyst doesn’t compromise on features. It includes professional-grade effects from their HX range and additions like a 4-channel USB interface, making it a strong competitor to the Boss Katana series. Its features position it as a powerful best low price guitar amplifier for gigging.
Although the range starts at 60W, which is already quite powerful, we’ve highlighted the monster 200W version. This amplifier can handle virtually any gig and is a great choice for a first gigging amplifier or a reliable backup. With built-in attenuation down to 0.5W, it’s also suitable for home practice. For musicians needing a powerful and versatile best low price guitar amplifier for gigging, the Line 6 Catalyst 200 is an excellent option.
Best Low Price Guitar Amplifier for Practice
A Positive Grid Spark 2 practice amp on a rug
(Image credit: Future)
5. Positive Grid Spark 2
A brilliant practice amplifier for home use and a top best low price guitar amplifier for practice
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: 2×4” modeling combo
Output: 50W
Presets: 10,000+ with Spark app
Weight: 5.2kg
Reasons to buy
- Stunningly good sounds
- Finally a built-in looper!
- Incredible range of effects
- AI tone creator
Reasons to avoid
- Footswitch for looper sold separately
- App needed to unlock full potential
At a glance
✅ Buy if you want to upgrade your practice regime: Packed with tones and tools to enhance your guitar playing, Spark 2 is the ultimate practice amplifier for any guitarist and represents unbelievable value for money, making it a leading best low price guitar amplifier for practice.
❌ Avoid if you’re planning on gigging: While it sounds big, the PG Spark 2 is primarily designed for practice and relies heavily on its app, making it less ideal for gigging on its own. However, you can use the Spark Cab for increased volume if needed.
Positive Grid’s Spark 40 took the guitar world by storm upon its release in 2020. After a long wait, the Positive Grid Spark 2 arrives, addressing many guitarist requests for improvements to this popular desktop amplifier. It excels as a best low price guitar amplifier for practice due to its features and sound quality.
Spark 2 is more of an evolution than a revolution, adding a looper, improved connectivity, and enhanced app functionality. Crucially, the tones are even better thanks to upgraded speakers and a slight power increase. These enhancements solidify its place as a top best low price guitar amplifier for practice.
It delivers exceptional sound across genres and offers a vast selection of amplifiers and effects, ensuring you’ll never lack options. The built-in looper is highly effective, though a footswitch (sold separately) enhances its usability. An AI tone generator also allows you to create custom sounds. For guitarists seeking a feature-rich and inspiring best low price guitar amplifier for practice, the Positive Grid Spark 2 is superb.
Read our full Positive Grid Spark 2 review
Best Low Price Solid State Guitar Amplifier
An Orange Crush 20 guitar amp
(Image credit: Orange)
6. Orange Crush 20
No nonsense solid-state tones in a best low price guitar amplifier
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: Solid-state combo
Output: 20W
Number of channels: 2
Effects: None
Weight: 7.15kg
Reasons to buy
- Sometimes simplicity is best
- Iconic (and super cool) look
- Headphone output is a godsend
Reasons to avoid
- 8” speaker might not be enough
At a glance
✅ Buy if you have your own pedals: The Crush 20 focuses on providing excellent base amplifier tone without built-in effects. It excels as a platform for pedals, making it a versatile best low price solid state guitar amplifier.
❌ Avoid if you want an all-in-one solution: With just clean and dirty channels, this amplifier might feel basic compared to modeling options with more features.
The Orange Crush 20 is a compact and powerful 1×8” combo with the iconic Orange aesthetic. Orange’s styling and tones are renowned, making the Crush 20 a natural choice for this guide as a best low price solid state guitar amplifier.
Featuring clean and dirty channels, a three-band EQ, an aux input, and a cabinet-simulated headphone output, the Crush 20 keeps its specifications straightforward. While it may lack the extra features of amplifiers like the Katana, the Crush 20 prioritizes simple, great tones, which is a focus we appreciate in a best low price solid state guitar amplifier.
Although the 8” Voice of the World speaker might not be ideal for gigging, it’s more than sufficient for home practice and can hold its own against a drummer in quieter settings. As a practice amplifier, few solid-state combos in this price range are better, securing its spot as a top best low price solid state guitar amplifier.
Read our full Orange Crush 20 review
Also Consider
A Yamaha THR10 II Wireless desktop guitar amp
(Image credit: Yamaha)
7. Yamaha THR10 II Wireless
The original desktop amplifier series – much copied, rarely equaled as a best low price guitar amplifier
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: Solid-state modeling desktop amp
Output: 20W (15W on battery power)
Number of channels: 1
Speaker: 2 x 3.1”
Effects: Chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, echo, reverb, compressor, gate
Weight: 7lbs/3.2kg
Reasons to buy
- Looks incredible
- Sounds even more incredible
- Feature rich
- Rechargeable battery
- Wireless
Reasons to avoid
- You do need the optional G10 transmitter to go wireless
At a glance
✅ Buy if you want a wireless option: If you want to eliminate cable clutter, this Yamaha option is the best choice for a best low price guitar amplifier with wireless capabilities.
❌ Avoid if you need more volume: The THR10 II’s 20 watts might not be sufficient for loud jamming sessions; you’ll need to consider alternatives for higher volume needs.
Yamaha’s compact THR amplifiers are a joy to use and listen to. The THR10 II Wireless, positioned just below the higher-end 30-watt model, is included here as an excellent best low price guitar amplifier option.
Despite its THR10 name, it delivers 20 watts of power, ample for home practice. It might even suffice for quieter band practices, especially for genres like jazz, folk, or country. However, it would likely struggle in live performance without being mic’d. Its focus on home use makes it a prime best low price guitar amplifier.
Yamaha designed this amplifier for home aesthetics and sound quality. It excels in both areas. Its appearance remains unmatched for a desktop amplifier, complementing almost any home decor. Its design and features make it a desirable best low price guitar amplifier.
The sound quality is exceptional. Yamaha’s audio division incorporated its best ideas to ensure the dual 3.1” (8cm) full-range stereo speakers sound their best. And they do – the driven sounds are particularly impressive for such a small amplifier, reinforcing its position as a high-quality best low price guitar amplifier.
You can choose from 15 guitar amplifier models, three bass amplifier models, three microphone models for acoustic/electrics, and flat voicings for other instruments. It also offers a generous selection of onboard effects, plus a compressor and noise gate, accessible via the THR mobile app. Unlike its larger sibling, it lacks line outputs, but it includes USB for use as an audio interface, along with Aux In and Bluetooth connectivity. These features make it a versatile best low price guitar amplifier.
Wireless capabilities and a rechargeable battery are the highlights. Imagine playing anywhere in your home without cable restrictions – a key feature that enhances its appeal as a best low price guitar amplifier.
A Vox AC4 C112 guitar amp
(Image credit: Vox)
8. Vox AC4 C112
Classic Vox tone in a small package, making it a desirable best low price guitar amplifier for Vox enthusiasts
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: 1×12 Tube Combo
Output: 4W
Presets: N/A
Weight: 10.5kg
Reasons to buy
- Genuine Vox tones
- 12” gives a surprisingly big tone
- External speaker output
Reasons to avoid
- No effects loop
- No standby switch
- Power switching would be nice
At a glance
✅ Buy if you want classic Vox sounds on a budget: This miniature tube amplifier delivers the iconic Vox twang in a smaller, more affordable format, making it a best low price guitar amplifier for fans of the Vox sound.
❌ Avoid if you want modern features: While it sounds great, this amplifier lacks modern features and effects, focusing purely on classic Vox tone.
The Vox AC4 has been a staple in Vox’s lineup since the 1960s, providing a smaller way to access the all-tube tone Vox is famous for. The standard AC4’s 10” speaker can sometimes feel a bit lacking. However, the AC4 C112 addresses this with an upgraded 12” Celestion speaker, enhancing its appeal as a best low price guitar amplifier.
The 4 watts of tube power should not be underestimated, and the 12” speaker effectively moves more air compared to its predecessor. Those extra 2 inches significantly improve the low-end response. When cranked, you can experience the classic Vox power section in full force – impressive for a best low price guitar amplifier. An external speaker output even allows you to connect an additional cabinet for larger sound, potentially making it suitable for small gigs.
The absence of reverb in an amplifier of this size is not surprising, but an effects loop would have been a welcome addition, especially since the amplifier overdrives easily. However, these are minor points. As a home practice amplifier, the AC4 C112 is an excellent choice for Vox enthusiasts and also shines in recording environments, solidifying its position as a best low price guitar amplifier for classic tone.
A Boss Katana Air guitar amp
(Image credit: Boss)
9. Boss Katana Air 20/30 Wireless
Desktop amplifier with tones delivered straight from the stage, a portable best low price guitar amplifier option
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: Solid-state modeling desktop amp
Output: 30W (20W on battery power)
Number of channels: 1
Speaker: 2 x 3”
Effects: 50
Weight: 4.9lbs/2.2kg
Reasons to buy
- Stylish good looks
- Huge variety of tones and effects
- Bundled wireless transmitter
- Can be battery powered
- Good value compared with the competition
Reasons to avoid
- No built-in battery
At a glance
✅ Buy if you want a portable option: The Boss Katana Air 20/30 Wireless provides the same excellent sounds as the larger Katana but in a much more portable format, making it a top best low price portable guitar amplifier.
❌ Avoid if you don’t need it to be portable: If portability isn’t a priority, the standard Katana might be a better choice for its different features and form factor.
The Katana Air is a desktop amplifier designed similar to Yamaha’s THR series, but with a more traditional guitar amplifier look. Its dark and attractive aesthetic might appeal to those who prefer a less “hi-fi” appearance compared to Yamaha’s style, making it a visually appealing best low price guitar amplifier.
Like Yamaha, Boss (Roland’s sister brand) is highly regarded for its modeling quality, and the Katana Air doesn’t disappoint. Its five amp characters, derived from Boss’s Katana stage amplifier line, cover a wide range of tones from clean to modern high-gain. An Acoustic Character setting is also included for acoustic/electric guitars, along with 50 effects to shape your sound. The quality of Boss effects is well-known, adding to its appeal as a feature-rich best low price guitar amplifier.
Like the THR, the Katana Air offers wireless operation, but unlike the Yamaha, the transmitter is included, saving extra cost. While it can run on batteries, it requires AAs and doesn’t have a built-in rechargeable battery. Its wireless capability enhances its portability as a best low price guitar amplifier.
Bluetooth connectivity allows music streaming, and the Boss Tone Studio smartphone app simplifies configuration. The app also eliminates the need to use physical controls. These features enhance its user-friendliness as a best low price guitar amplifier.
The Katana Air includes a phones/recording output with cabinet simulation for silent practice or recording. The microphone position on the cabinet simulation can even be adjusted via the app. For those seeking a portable and versatile best low price guitar amplifier, the Boss Katana Air is an excellent option.
Read our full Boss Katana Air review
A Fender Mustang LT25 guitar amp
(Image credit: Fender)
10. Fender Mustang LT25
A great option for amplifier modeling on a budget, making it a strong contender for best low price guitar amplifier for modeling
Our expert review:
Specifications
Type: Digital modeling combo
Output: 25W
Number of channels: 20 amp models
Effects: 25
Weight: 6.7kg
Reasons to buy
- Super easy to operate
- Range of tones
- Easily portable
Reasons to avoid
- More features available on other similarly-priced amps
At a glance
✅ Buy if you want a modern amplifier that’s easy to use: The LT25 is incredibly intuitive, even for beginners, making it a user-friendly best low price guitar amplifier.
❌ Avoid if you don’t want a digital amplifier: If you prefer the warm sound of tubes, this digital amplifier won’t provide that experience.
Fender is a leader in modeling amplifiers, and its Mustang series has consistently impressed with features, sound quality, and ease of use. The LT25 is a portable modeling combo featuring an eight-inch speaker, 20 amp models, 25 effects, USB connectivity, and an auxiliary input, making it a feature-rich best low price guitar amplifier.
It includes 30 onboard presets, easily selectable using the large encoder next to the screen. These presets can be adjusted and saved to create custom profiles. Its ease of use enhances its appeal as a best low price guitar amplifier for beginners and experienced players alike.
It offers plenty of Fender’s signature clean and bright tones, as well as impressive high-gain emulations. Its tonal versatility positions it as a strong contender for the best low price guitar amplifier for various genres.
In terms of effects, it covers everything from compression and gates to octave, auto-wah, delays, and reverbs. For beginners or students, it’s an excellent value, solidifying its place as a top best low price guitar amplifier.
Read our full Fender Mustang LT25 review
FAQs
Yamaha THR30II on an orange background
(Image credit: Future)
What to look for in the best low price guitar amplifiers
With a greater variety of budget guitar amplifiers than ever before, choosing the right one can be challenging. Some amplifiers at this price point may excel in specific areas, while others are more versatile, suitable for stage, home, or studio use. Understanding these differences is key to finding the best low price guitar amplifier for your needs.
Beginners might benefit from a versatile amplifier that can handle various styles and provide a platform for exploring different guitar playing techniques. More experienced guitarists with existing rigs might be looking for a specialized amplifier for home use or portability. Regardless of your level, finding the best low price guitar amplifier requires careful consideration of your needs.
What size amplifier do you need as a best low price guitar amplifier user?
Power ratings and amplifier sizes can be confusing for new guitarists. It might seem counterintuitive that a 5W tube amplifier can be louder than a 30W solid-state amplifier, but this is due to the different ways tube and solid-state amplifiers produce volume and headroom. Choosing the right size is important when looking for the best low price guitar amplifier for your specific situation.
Generally, finding a tube amplifier powerful enough for live band performance under $500 is difficult. You’d likely need at least 10-15W for tube amplifiers in a band setting. Solid-state amplifiers, on the other hand, can offer 50-100W in this price range, making them more suitable for stage use when seeking a best low price guitar amplifier for gigging.
What size speakers do I need for my best low price guitar amplifier?
While speakers are not the only factor determining volume, larger speakers, or multiple speakers, generally produce more low-end frequencies, contributing to a perception of greater volume. Speaker size is an important factor to consider when choosing the best low price guitar amplifier for your desired sound and volume.
Some amplifiers allow adding external speakers via a speaker line out, enabling connection to larger cabinets. For example, a small 5W tube amplifier with a 10” speaker might sound limited on its own, but with a speaker output, it could power a 4×12” cabinet, moving more air and sounding louder, though it might still struggle in a loud gig. This option can enhance the versatility of a best low price guitar amplifier.
Desktop amplifiers like the Yamaha THR series use smaller speaker combinations inspired by hi-fi systems. These smaller speakers, when paired, create nuanced sounds and stereo effects at home-friendly volumes, ideal for practice and home recording when considering a best low price guitar amplifier for home use.
What tone should I look for in a best low price guitar amplifier?
While smaller, quieter tube amplifiers in this price range might seem less appealing for loud performance, they excel at delivering genuine, warm tube tone at home-friendly volumes. Achieving this with a typical high-volume tube amplifier like a Vox AC30 or Fender Hot Rod Deluxe would require an attenuator, adding extra cost. Smaller tube amplifiers offer tube tone at lower volumes, making them attractive as a best low price guitar amplifier for tube sound at home.
The cost of a large tube amplifier plus a good attenuator can be substantial, exceeding the price of many of our recommended amplifiers. In contrast, a smaller tube amplifier, such as the Blackstar HT1R, can produce classic tube tones at lower volumes, making it a cost-effective way to get tube sound in a best low price guitar amplifier. However, lower-wattage tube amplifiers might not stay clean at higher volumes, breaking up into overdrive quickly. If clean headroom is crucial, sub-$500 tube amplifiers might not be the best choice when searching for a best low price guitar amplifier with pristine cleans.
If tube tone isn’t essential, or if volume is a priority, many best low price guitar amplifiers under $500 are modeling amplifiers. Modeling amplifiers emulate the sounds of classic amplifiers, often convincingly replicating tube amplifier characteristics in their response and tone. This technology offers a wide range of sounds in a best low price guitar amplifier.
Modeling amplifiers provide a versatile option for various tones, from clean to high-gain, all while sounding natural and authentic. However, modeling amplifier quality varies, so it’s important to research the best modeling amplifiers on the market. Careful selection is key to finding the best low price guitar amplifier with quality modeling.
Solid-state amplifiers are another noteworthy option, often overlooked in favor of tube or modeling amplifiers. Solid-state amplifiers use transistors to create sound, and have seen a resurgence in popularity, offering some of the best “cheap” amplifier options, such as the Orange Crush range. Solid-state design provides simplicity and great tone in a best low price guitar amplifier.
Solid-state technology has advanced significantly, offering more nuanced tones than in the past, even closely resembling tube amplifier sounds. While historically, solid-state amplifiers were sometimes criticized for their drive tones, this has improved greatly, and they now excel at high-gain tones. If you prefer analog simplicity and great tone, solid-state transistor amplifiers are worth considering as a best low price guitar amplifier option.
Are best low price guitar amplifiers actually good?
The quality of budget guitar amplifiers has improved dramatically in recent years. The budget guitar amplifier market is now better than ever, with even professional players using affordable amplifiers for home practice or touring. Today’s best low price guitar amplifiers offer surprising quality.
For under $500, you can now find convincing modeling amplifiers with excellent tones and feature sets that surpass amplifiers from 15 years ago. The Boss Katana range exemplifies this, offering gig-ready modeling amplifiers with built-in industry-standard effects, app-based editing, and a built-in audio interface with cabinet simulation – all for under $500. This level of value makes modern best low price guitar amplifiers incredibly appealing.
Historically, budget amplifiers often looked cheap. However, the Yamaha THR range and others have changed this, creating amplifiers that look stylish and are suitable for display in your home. Aesthetics have improved significantly in best low price guitar amplifiers.
Which brands make the best low price guitar amplifiers?
While newer brands have emerged and innovated in the budget amplifier market, established brands have also embraced the lower price range. Positive Grid is an example of a newer brand making waves, but traditional brands are also key players in best low price guitar amplifiers.
Following the Boss Katana’s release in 2016, manufacturers like Marshall, Line 6, and Fender have strived to compete in the best low price guitar amplifier category. This competition benefits guitarists, offering more quality options at affordable prices.
Most major brands now produce excellent amplifiers under $500, and many are worth considering when looking for a best low price guitar amplifier.
Should I buy a tube or solid-state best low price guitar amplifier?
For some purists, tube amplifiers are the only authentic option. Tube amplifiers do offer a unique and desirable sound, whether clean, slightly overdriven, or fully cranked. The choice between tube and solid-state in a best low price guitar amplifier depends on your preferences and needs.
However, good tube amplifiers tend to be expensive. Those under $500 are usually small, low-powered, and basic. These can be ideal for home use if authentic tube tone at manageable volumes is the priority in a best low price guitar amplifier.
Early solid-state amplifiers were known for articulate clean tones but struggled with high-gain sounds, often sounding harsh. Technology advancements have changed this, making modern solid-state amps excellent options for a best low price guitar amplifier.
Today, thanks to modeling technology, solid-state amplifiers can be superb. Even under $500, you can find many fantastic examples. They are often compact and low-powered, suitable for practice and recording, making them practical best low price guitar amplifiers.
Modeling amplifiers often include amp emulations, effects, and cabinet simulations, often controlled by smartphone apps. Despite these features, some players still prefer the simplicity of basic tube amplifiers. Feature sets vary widely in best low price guitar amplifiers.
Remember that due to circuit differences, a 5W tube amplifier can be as loud as, or louder than, a 30W solid-state amplifier. 1W of tube power can be sufficient for home use, while a 30W solid-state amplifier might struggle in a live band setting. Power ratings can be misleading when comparing tube and solid-state best low price guitar amplifiers.
Ultimately, neither tube nor solid-state is inherently better; they are simply different. The best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences when selecting a best low price guitar amplifier.
What ins and outs do I need on a best low price guitar amplifier?
When searching for a best low price guitar amplifier under $500, look for a USB socket. USB is valuable for firmware updates and audio/data transfer. It allows using the amplifier as an audio interface for recording into a DAW. USB connectivity greatly enhances the functionality of a best low price guitar amplifier.
Some practice amplifiers offer a phones/recording output jack instead or in addition to USB. You can also record via this jack, but you’ll need a separate audio cable and interface. Direct recording outputs are useful features in a best low price guitar amplifier.
If you’re lucky, you might find an amplifier with XLR line outputs for connecting to a PA system for live performance. A small, quality practice amplifier with line outputs can be a very portable stage rig, offering gigging versatility in a best low price guitar amplifier.
How we test best low price guitar amplifiers
Control panel of Boss Katana 100
(Image credit: Future)
At Guitar World, we are experts in guitar gear, with years of playing and product testing experience. We use our knowledge and experience from live, recording, and rehearsal scenarios to evaluate products for our guides. Our testing process is crucial in recommending the best low price guitar amplifiers.
When selecting what we believe are the best low price guitar amplifiers, we combine hands-on experience, user reviews, and discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus. Our evaluation process for best low price guitar amplifiers is thorough and comprehensive.
As guitarists ourselves, we aim to help other players find the right gear. We carefully consider factors like budget, features, ease of use, and durability to create lists of the best products in each category. Our goal is to provide reliable recommendations for the best low price guitar amplifiers on the market.
Read more about our rating system, gear selection, and how we test each product to ensure our recommendations for best low price guitar amplifiers are trustworthy and informed.
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You can trust Guitar World. 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.
