Guitar Amplifier (or amp) is an electronic device used to strengthen the weak electrical signal from a pickup on guitar and thereby produces sound through one or more speakers.
So, an amplifier is must for playing guitar, especially if you take your shredding seriously, why because it take your music/tone to the next level with its effects, sound system and other features.
Whether if you want to jam out alone in the room, amplify the strumming for band practice or playing some chords at party will won’t get complete potential without a guitar amplifier. So, it is must to buy.
One should consider those 3 main things before buying guitar amplifier other than the brand, features, and model to grab the best one.
Types – There are 4 main types of guitar amplifiers – Tube / Valve amplifiers, Solid State / Analog amps, Modelling / Digital amps & Hybrid amps (mix of different amp technology).
Sound Quality – Not all amplifier create same or equal sound quality. The tube amps gives a realistic and genuine tone. Solid state amps provides a detailed tonal quality and they are easier to maintain. Although both these types provide a good quality sound but it depends on what type of music you’re playing.
Speaker’s Size – Different size speakers will produce different sounds. Smaller speakers will produce higher frequency than larger one. It’s true, you can find top end sound quality from 10 inch speaker rather than 15 inch speaker. Also, check the difference between the open backed cabinet and closed cabinet designs.
Want to know what are the other factors to check before buying this guitar amplifier, then have a look on the below mentioned Comprehensive Buying Guide along with some top selling best guitar amplifiers in India.
| Guitar Amplifiers | Power | Speaker Size | Power Source | Weight | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vault Fury 15 Watt Digital Guitar | 15 W | 5 inches | AC adapter | 5 kg 300g | 2 years | Check on Amazon |
| Roland Guitar Amplifier | 3 W | 5 inches | Battery & AC adapter | 5 lbs | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
| PALCO Guitar Amplifier | 25 W | 8 inches | AC adapter | 4 kg 200 g | 3 Months | Check on Amazon |
| BOSS Katana Guitar Amplifier | 7 W | 4 inches | Both Battery & AC adapter | 2.6 lbs | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
| Fender Frontman Guitar Amplifier | 10 W | 6 inches | AC adapter | 8.5 lbs | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
| Stranger Keyboard Guitar Amplifier | 40 W | 6 inches | AC adapter | 6.2 kg | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
| Laney Guitar Amplifier | 10 W | 5 inches | AC adapter | 2 kg 650 g | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
Stuck over various brands of guitar amplifiers and unable to decide which one suits best for you. Then simply go through the below mentioned products, which we have selected as the best amplifiers among various products in the market, after thorough research and analysis.
Table of Contents
Best Guitar Amp for the Money: Reviews
1. Vault Fury 15 Watt Digital Guitar Amplifier
From beautifully crafted music instruments to high efficient accessories, the brand Vault manufactures the best of the best and supplies them at affordable prices.
Its digital combo guitar amplifier Fury 15 is designed to strengthen the weak guitar signals with 8 amp simulations, 4 modulation effects & 2 spatial effects.
The amplifier comes with a 36 pattern drum machine with adjustable tempo and volume that you can control as per your requirement.
It has a built-in aux input that allows you to connect your music player for audio playback while you practice your instrument. This way you can fully immerse yourself by playing along with your favourite track.
There is a headphones out feature that lets you listen to your music without disturbing anyone around you. Once you insert the headphone jack it automatically turns off the speaker.
Product Information:
- Power- 15 watts output & 5-inch drive
- Amp simulations – 8
- Modulation effects – 4
- Spatial effects – 2
- Drum patterns -36
- Dimensions – 50 x 40 x 30 cm
- Weight – 5.34 kg
What we liked:
- Built-in aux input to connect to music instruments
- Comes with 36 drum patterns that you can adjust according to your preferences.
- Features 4 modulations (Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, and Tremolo)& 2 spatial effects (Delay and Reverb).
- It also has 8 amp simulations -Jazz Chorus, Clean, Tube Screamer, Blues Drive, Crunch, Lead, Rhythm, and Metal.
What we didn’t like:
- Bass is not adjustable
- 5 mm jack is not supported
2. Roland M-CUBE GX Guitar Amplifier
The Roland Micro Cube is most popular battery powered amplifier of all the time. While the new M-CUBE GX keeps the tiny size and provide huge sound of its predecessor while adding various great improvements like increased output power, i-CUBE LINK, chromatic tuner and memory function for saving your settings.
The battery powered operation, ultra compact footprint, and big tone will make this amp as the best one. It provides up to 25 hours of playing time by using 6 NiMH AA-size batteries, which allows you to have an uninterrupted fun while jamming at camping trips, parties, beach or home.
With increased power output, it delivers better performance than before one and the built-in chromatic tuner acts as an external tuner while you’re playing. It provides 8 COSM amp tones from ultra clean jazz to heavy rock which are used for playing any musical style while the newly added EXTREME amp will notch by providing a massive voice for crushing & heavy metal riffs.
5 different EFX types are provided to tone your sound the newly added HEAVY OCTANE effect will work great for giving unique, ultra low power to distorted tones. The amp also has DELAY/REVERB processor on the onboard along with newly added spring reverb for surf and roots rock sounds.
You can save the setting of your tone with effects by holding the MEMORY button for a few seconds. You can use it save a favorite sound or style and switching between the lead and rhythm tones. The i-CUBE LINK interface on the onboard will allow you to integrate with the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, as you can connect to the audio jack of device with interface cable (included). It can also be used as stereo input in which you can plug in to any music player or audio device and play it.
With CUBE JAM app, you can jam, record, and learn. It includes effective tools for practicing your music like independent speed and pitch adjustment of audio playback, center cancel to clear solos and create the jam tracks, etc.
Product Information:
- Power – 3W
- Speaker – 5 inches X 1
- Power Supply – AC adaptor (OR) 6 Rechargeable NiMH AA battery
- Weight – 5 lbs (2.7 kg)
- Dimensions – 24.7 X 22.7 X 17.2 cm
- Warranty – 1 year
- Audio Wattage – 5W
What we liked:
- It is an ultra compact guitar amplifier with custom designed speaker.
- 8 COSM amp tones, 8 DSP effects and reverb/delay options will let you compose and play the best music.
- The memory function helps you to save the effects and settings.
- i-CUBE link jack will provide the audio interface with any of your devices (iPhone or iPad).
What we didn’t like:
- Batteries are not included in the product, which you have to buy outside.
3. Palco 104 Guitar Amplifier
Palco elevates your experience in listening to music with its powerful speakers made of impeccable sound quality. You can carry Palco amplifier anywhere you like as it is portable and very user-friendly.
The amplifier is made of wood material and it is given black color coating for making it more attractive. The volume controls of the amplifier are given at the rear side of the product on the metal chassis.
It is designed with an 8-inch speaker that brings life into your room with the music you play.
It comes with two inputs to which you can connect guitar, keyboard, AUX cable, and mic amplifiers. You can also connect music players to play music tracks along with which you can play your instrument.
Product Information:
- Power- 25 watts
- 220 V AC & 12 V DC operated
- One line out jack
- 8-inch speaker
- 2 inputs
- Aux & line out options
What we liked:
- Made of wood material & black colour coating to make it look more attractive
- 8-inch speaker
- 2 inputs for guitar, keyboard, AUX & mic amplifiers
- Music devices can be connected
- Battery point is provided at the back
What we didn’t like:
- Does not come with a warranty
4. BOSS Katana Mini Guitar Amplifier
The BOSS Katana mini combo amplifier will deliver big tone with its multistage analog gain circuit and 3 versatile amp types (brown voice, crunch & clean) in a compact pack. The brown voice is perfect for metal leads with its iconic high-gain tone, crunch gives overdrive rhythm tone and clean offers sparkling tone with wide dynamic range and make it perfect with the use of pedals.
The speaker emulated output will make the Boss Katana Mini ready for silent practice and direct recording. Additionally, the plug in headphones and jam will won’t disturb the others.
It is small in size but offers an impressive control over the tone. 3 band EQ will allow you to shape your sound with middle, bass and treble controls. The built-in delay effects section will make it perfect for adding a sense of space to lead tones.
It can be powered with 6 AA batteries that help you to play up to 7 hours of operation. Also, you can use an AC adapter (optional). So, its compact size, battery operation and robust carry handle will make it as ideal amplifier for the electric guitar.
Product Information:
- Type – Solid state
- Number of Channels – 1
- Power – 7 W
- Speaker Size – 1 X 4-inch speaker
- Effects – Delay
- EQ – 3 Band
- Power Source – 6 AA Batteries (OR) 9V DC power supply
- Dimensions – 9.06 X 4.6 X 7.12 inches
- Weight – 2.6 lbs (1.5 kg)
- Warranty – 1 year
What we liked:
- Built -in 3 band EQ and delay effect, 3 amp voicings (clean, brown & crunch) will make this portable combo amplifier as best one for electric guitar.
- 7 watts power with a 4 inch speaker will help you to practice and record your tone properly with rich and full sound.
- The rechargeable NiMH battery powered amplifier will help you to play for up to 7 hours of operation.
- The AUX input is used for jamming with music from a smartphone.
What we didn’t like:
- Battery is not getting properly charged.
- It won’t come with an adapter.
- Used effectively for home based practice or home studio.
5. Fender Frontman 10G Guitar Amplifier
The Fender Frontman 10G is perfect for beginner’s, students, guitarists & teachers. It comes with 10W, feature dual selectable channels (drive & normal), auxiliary input for CD or drum machine use, 2 band EQ (treble & bass) & headphone jack.
The Frontman provides explosive tone with intuitive controls like gain controls will drive the amp properly. The volume controls the amplifier loud. The treble and bass controls will shape the low and high frequencies of the guitar tone. It features a convenient front panel clean and overdrive switch.
The closed back design will allow you for heavier bass response. The 1/8 inch headphone out jack will allow you to silent practice at any hour without disturbing others.
Product Information:
- Type – Solid state
- Number of Channels – 1
- Power – 10W
- Speaker Size – 1 X 6-inch fender special design speaker
- EQ – 2 Band
- Controls – Gain, volume, over-drive select switch, bass and treble.
- Dimensions – 10.25 X 5.75 X 11 inches
- Weight – 8.5 lbs (3.86 kg)
- Power Source – AC adapter
- Warranty – 1 year
What we liked:
- Dual selectable channels (drive and normal)
- 2 band EQ and 6 inch fender special speakers.
- Solid state output with 10W.
- Headphone jack and closed back blackface styling.
- Auxiliary input for CD, drum machine or tape.
What we didn’t like:
- Sound cracks full when used on overdrive mode.
- Great for home use and practice but suitable for high volumes.
6. Stranger PM40 Octopad / Keyboard / Guitar Amplifier
The Stranger is one of the best Indian manufacturer of amplifier. This PM40 amplifier is not only used only for guitar but also for keyboard & octopad. This works effectively and comes at reasonable cost. The amplifier is as important as the instrument they play why because the amplifier will give life to your tone and make it reach to all the people.
This amplifier will give you a complete control over tone options like bass & treble +10db. Also, it has digital echo effect on the board along with line in and line out for more connections.
It requires 40W power and comes with 6 inch heavy duty speaker and tweeter. The compact size, plywood rexine finish and metal grill will make it look classic and also it is light in weight. So, you can easily withstand being lugged from gig to gig.
Product Information:
- Power – 40 W
- Number of Channels – 2
- Speaker Size – 1 X 6 inch heavy duty speakers
- Dimensions – 24 X 26.3 X 31.4 cm
- Weight – 6.2 kg
- Effect – Digital Echo
- Power – AC adapter
- Warranty – 1 year
What we liked:
- Suits for other instruments as well (as it comes with 3 inputs – 1 MIC, 2 AUX for instruments & 3 Bass guitar).
- It is good for jam and other indoor purposes.
- The stereo output and balance lineout will help you to connect this device to computer for recording.
- It has an excellent sound quality speakers.
What we didn’t like:
- This model won’t have any USB or Bluetooth connectivity.
- Suitable for beginners and those for home gigs.
7. Laney LX10 10W Guitar Amplifier
Laney designs its amplifiers in such a way that they are the only music companions you would want your guitars to be connected with. Its LX10 is a compact-sized amplifier that is very easy to use and delivers the iconic Laney tones to electric guitars.
It works with a 5-inch driver and 10 watts RMS making the ideal choice for those who are looking for a monstrous appliance that gives refined music.
LX10 features a simple-to-use preamplifier with volume control that strengthens weak electrical signal and also has 2-band EQ that gives a more vintage & mellow touch to your music.
The mini-jack AUX input that is equipped with the amplifier lets you connect a music device that plays a playback track while you practice your instrument.
The amplifier also features a headphone socket that lets you play the music you desire without disturbing those around you.
Product Information:
- One 5-inch driver
- 2 band EQ
- Power- 10-watt RMS
- Single jack input
- Single-channel with drive switch
- Mini-jack headphone socket
What we liked:
- A 5-inch driver that runs perfectly with 10-watt RMS power.
- Compact-sized amp that can be carried around effortlessly.
- 2 band EQ that adds a refined tone to your music.
- Features a single channel with switchable gain.
- Mini-jack input AUX input that allows connection to an mp3 player.
What we didn’t like:
- Does not come with a warranty
Conclusion:
All the above mentioned products are best guitar amplifier but you have to choose the one that suits perfect for your guitar, as per your requirement.
Our top pick is Vault Guitar Amplifier. The reason is that it comes with Fury 15 is designed to strengthen the weak guitar signals with 8 amp simulations, 4 modulation effects & 2 spatial effects. You can edit, store the patches and record the play directly from amp to computer with USB connection. The super wide stereo technology and infinite shape feature (ISF) will provide a perfect and immersive sound.
Hope you got an idea on how to choose and which one to buy the amplifier. Do you think anything we missed in this article? Or want to share your experience with us? Then feel free to share it with us in the below comments box.
One Response
Thanks, that was v informative! One Q – You mention Blackstar 40W, wouldn’t that be too ‘much’ fo home/room use? I guess no, but how’s this Blackstar LT-ECHO 15 Guitar Amplifier instead for a beginner?