Hello Guitar players, and welcome to my Best Guitar Amp Review!
I’ve tried over two dozen different guitar amps during the last few weeks, and below you can read the reviews of my 15 favorites.
Of course, you can go and buy the first amp you see in the store. But if I were you, I’d choose one from my list. Let us go directly to see the 15 best guitar amps to take your sound to the next level!
Click here to skip the quick overview and jump right to the in-depth reviews.
Quick Overview
Our Top 5 Choices For Guitar Amps
Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior IV
The Fender Blues Junior IV is your ticket to the old-school tube guitar amps’ big show. This little beast is an amazing tube combo amp that delivers 15-watt through a Celestion A-type 12″ speaker.
Orange Micro Terror
With the Orange Micro Terror, you get the distinct British character of the Orange tone in a tiny box. This guitar amplifier head is a real 20-Watt punch in the face and brings you tone control, tube preamp, headphone output, 1/8″ aux input, and speaker output.
Positive Grid Spark
If you want a digital modelling amp with top-notch onboard effects and a great set of connectivity, then the Positive Grid Spark can be the perfect choice for you. This marvelous amp may be the future of desktop amplification.
Boss Katana Artist MKII
The Boss Katana Artist MKII will take you to the next generation of features and flexibility. You get a professional amp with 100-watt of power. The custom Waza 12-inch speaker performs authentic British tone.
The 15 Best Guitar Amp Review
Click here to jump to our Top Picks.
#1. Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior IV Review – Best Overall Guitar Amp
The Fender Blues Junior IV is your ticket to the old-school tube guitar amps’ big show. This little beast is an amazing tube combo amp that delivers 15-watt through a Celestion A-type 12″ speaker.
This compact, but powerful tube amp combo is an enhanced version of the classic Fender Blues family. Fender took one of the most popular all-tube amplifiers of all time and made a valve amp that will satisfy even the most demanding guitarist.
You get a 15-watt pedal-friendly versatile combo with conveniently compact size and great power to be used on all fronts.
This Fender model brings you a customizable preamp, the improved Celestion A-type 12″ speaker, smoother-sounding reverb, and high build quality terminations.
You’ll love this:
- With the Junior IV, you get a truly legendary combo. Thanks to the EL84 power sections, they fit within any rig, providing from truly cleans to dense overdriven tones for all tastes.
- The Junior IV is the way Fender combined the perfect amount of power into a combo that is compact, lightweight, affordable, and extremely easy to operate. All things which are very attractive to most guitar players.
- As you turn the Junior on, you’ll get fabulous lows, assertive mids, and sparkle high tones.
- Fender has modified this version’s preamp to give you a fuller sound that exceeds the amplifier’s compact dimensions.
- The Junior is really one of the best guitar amps ever made.
You might not like this:
- Nothing to discuss.
Conclusion
You can’t ask for more than The Junior IV. You get an easy-to-use all-tube Combo with a great sound and with 15 watts of power that is perfect for moving from home to the stage.
You get Fender’s familiar tone but with more attitude, an updated preamp for a more generous sound than previous models, and an amazing 12″ Celestion A-type speaker that offers American tones and the best headroom you can imagine.
#2. Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII 6L6 Review – Best Value for Money Guitar Amp
The Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII 6L6 is the British-sounding combo that you can always trust. This new version brings you a tighter midrange and increased headroom thanks to the new 6L6 power tubes.
With the Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII, you can obtain everything from great clean to tailor-made Hard Rock and Metal tones. This amp continues to adding fans thanks to its great value and amazing versatility.
With this new version of the classic HT Club, Blackstar has obtained a tighter low-mid punch and increased headroom to get a distinctly American sound. All thanks to the new 6L6 Power Tubes.
But you always keep the limitless gain range, the boutique character, and versatile ISF contour from the original. The new Celestion Seventy-80 12″ speaker seal the deal by giving this amp an outstanding and powerful final sound.
You’ll love this:
- The Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII makes direct recording and stages gigging easier than ever with the two switchable reverb textures and speaker-emulated direct output.
- You get the best tube option from two different worlds. The dual EL34 power tubes deliver a British sound, ideal for Hard Rock and Metal. On the other hand, a pair of 6L6s power tubes bring the California Sound to your rig.
- Blackstar revoiced the channels for netter sounding. You will obtain clarity rare on amps in this price range with the clean channel. With the gain channel, you’ll get a great sound through the whole range of overdrive.
- The Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII comes equipped with a huge variety of tube tones due to the Patented Infinite Shape Feature (ISF). When you turn fully counterclockwise, you’ll obtain a characteristic American tube tone. You’ll get an amazing British vibe turning it all the way to the right.
You might not like this:
- Nothing to argue.
Conclusion
Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII 6L6 is a 40-watt all-tube 1 x 12″ guitar combo amplifier that comes loaded with a bunch of user-friendly additions.
You get two foot-switchable channels with voicing switches that deliver huge tonal flexibility. The 12″ Celestion Seventy-80 speaker gives your sound a classic punch tone.
You can manage four different operating modes that can be accessed via a pair of Voice switches, unleashing both vintage and modern voicings for each channel.
#3. Orange Micro Terror Review – Best Budget Guitar Amp
With the Orange Micro Terror, you get the distinct British character of the Orange tone in a tiny box. This guitar amplifier head is a real 20-Watt punch in the face and brings you tone control, tube preamp, headphone output, 1/8″ aux input, and speaker output.
When you need an amp with a tiny footprint that can put out a big sound, this is the amp that you have been looking for. The Orange guitar amp packs a sonic punch that you can feel from the moment you plug in your guitar.
The Micro Terror is a 20-watt solid-state power amp with a hybrid design that features a 12AX7 tube preamp. You can immediately notice the distinct British character in both clean or overdrive settings.
If you want to get the classic big Orange tone, but you can’t afford it, or you don’t have space enough for a big amp, then the Orange Micro Terror brings you the original Orange’s sound in a teeny-tiny package.
You’ll love this:
- The Orange Micro Terror amp is a versatile practice amp that brings classic British tones that you can take with you.
- You can play wherever you want. This is the perfect amp for practicing, thanks to the headphone output and the MP3 player input.
- From bright cleans to punchy overdrives tones, the Micro Terror has all you need to sound outstanding in the studio or practicing at home.
- The Micro Terror is an extremely easy-to-use and portable amp that has been built from the same rugged specification as the bigger Orange amps.
You might not like this:
- Maybe it doesn’t have enough volume for playing over a loud drummer.
Conclusion
The Micro Terror is one of the smallest amp heads available on the market, with 5.3″ tall and 6.5″ wide. It delivers a surprisingly loud 20 watts power, and its portability makes it perfect for gigging or rehearsing.
The Orange Micro Terror is the perfect practice tool, a truly versatile amp, and a very affordable choice when you are on a budget.
#4. Positive Grid Spark Review
If you want a digital modelling amp with top-notch onboard effects and a great set of connectivity, then the Positive Grid Spark can be the perfect choice for you. This marvelous amp may be the future of desktop amplification.
The Spark is a complete desktop amp that provides all the features you might want from your stay-at-home amplifier.
The Spark not only has a complete set of connectivity but also can analyze a song of your choice from music platforms like Spotify to then transpose its chords, so you can play along with it.
With the powerful apps Smart Jam and Auto Chords, you can stream a range of backing tracks from music platforms such as YouTube. Then Smart Jam uses your smartphone’s mic to generate a backing track based on what you’re playing.
You’ll love this:
- The Spark is an ultra-complete digital modelling amp that brings you a collection of amps presets to try. It has a familiar array of classic Orange, Marshall, Fender, and Mesa/Boogie amp types.
- You can play this versatile and compact desktop amp at house-friendly volumes, or you can keep the noise down with your headphones connected to your amps.
- You get a great practice tool with excellent value, an intuitive layout, a huge sound, and that you can carry everywhere.
- The Positive Grid Spark’s modeling technology keeps the tube amp tones convincingly.
You might not like this:
- It may suffer from a lack of streaming music support.
Conclusion
The spark is a hell of a modeling amp with modeling tech that offers valve-like dynamics in a digital practice amp format. This amp can really sound expansive and loud if the mood takes you.
If your deciding factor is smart features, there is no doubt that the Spark is a home run. The Spark is an incredible practice and direct recording amp with a very competitive price.
#5. Boss Katana Artist MKII Review
The Boss Katana Artist MKII will take you to the next generation of features and flexibility. You get a professional amp with 100-watt of power. The custom Waza 12-inch speaker performs authentic British tone.
The Boss Katana Artist MKII brings you many options when it comes to sound-shaping options. You get Global EQ with three customizable curves, a three-way contour switch, and a Solo boost with adjustable level due to its exclusive front-panel controls that definitely deserve a try.
Enjoy Katana’s powerful new dual amp functionality. You can easily link and control two Katana-Artist MkIIs for massive, ultra-wide tones. At the same time, the Tube Logic design approach produces class-defying power and striking presence.
You can play with the five amp characters and the three variations of every one of these effects: Booster, Mod, FX, Delay, and Reverb. Katana are sturdy analog class-AB tube amps that deliver authentic Vintage British Tone and deep musical response.
You’ll love this:
- You get both modern power and legendary tone due to the 25-watt of power and the 12-inch Waza speaker. It delivers wide smooth midrange, rich harmonic overtones, and dynamic response with that British stack speaker’s flavor from the 60s.
- Enjoy Katana’s effects and expanded amp characters. You can select 10 different tone options and five amp characters. The five simultaneous effects categories give you the sound-shaping capability of a huge pedalboard inside your amp.
- You can use the Ready-To-Mix Direct Tones to send mix-ready amp tones to a PA system, computer DAW, or headphones using the line, USB, and phones/recording outputs that feature mic’d speaker cabinet emulation.
You might not like this:
- The Boss Katana Artist MKII can be a little pricey compared to other Katana models.
Conclusion
The Boss Katana Artist MKII is one of the better-equipped tube amplifiers on the market. You get a 12-inch Waza speaker, 25-watt of real power, 10 different tone options, five amp characters, five simultaneous effects categories, USB, headphones, and recording outputs with mic’d speaker cabinet emulation.
#6. Orange TremLord 30 Review
For the Orange fans, the TremLord 30 is an excellent version of the ’60s British-style guitar amplifier. You get the whole set consisting of a single ECC81/12AT7 valve pushing this 30 Watts compact 1×12 package.
Enjoy two reverb and tremolo independent easy-to-use foot-switchable effects. Foot-switchable tremolo Speed controls and foot-switchable reverb will let you manage this old-time tone machine.
You can use the built-in bias modulation tremolo anywhere in a modern FX chain due to the TremLord 30’s post-tremolo FX loop. When you want tube power and a clean tone, the TremLord 30 is a vintage flavored amp with more clean headroom than other 30 watt amps.
#7. Yamaha THR30 II Wireless Review
With the Yamaha THR30 II Wireless, you get a realistic tube tone in a compressed package. This is a marvelous battery-powered stereo guitar combo amp with 3-Band EQ, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, amplifier models, effects, and wireless receiver.
The Yamaha THR30 II Wireless is a battery-powered amp that includes a full arsenal of guitar and bass amp emulations. It also brings mic models for your acoustic or electric guitar. You just need to plug your guitar in and experience a realistic tube tone no matter where you are.
The THR30 II, Wireless’s arsenal, is formed by amazing features such as a great-sounding selection of modulation effects, echoes, and reverbs. It also has Bluetooth support to stream backing tracks through the THR30 II Wireless’s stereo speakers.
#8. Vox AC15C1 Review
If you like the classic chime and complex grind that has made VOX so famous, you better make sure you have an AC15 Custom in your arsenal. This astonishing 15-watt tube combo amp delivers great VOX tone and brings you a Celestion Greenback speaker, reverb, and tremolo.
When you want a VOX with an authentic vintage look, then you better grab this AC15 Custom. It is a genuine workhorse tube amp that offers manageable volume in a live environment while still getting above the band.
You get a legendary 15-watt British combo guitar amp with EL84 power tubes, built-in tremolo, spring reverb, normal and top boost channels.
#9. Fender Mustang LT 25 Review
The Fender Mustang LT 25 is a 25-watt modeling amp with 30 presets and USB Connectivity. You get a very capably compact 8-inch combo with performance potential and more than 10 years of Mustang modeling know-how.
At first glance, you may be tempted to think that it is just a small Fender amp with nothing to deliver, but this is one of the best amps from Fender for practicing or gigging.
The Mustang LT 25 has a few tricks up its sleeve. A USB connection lets you easily track into your DAW or control firmware updates. A headphone out and aux in permit convenient solo gigging and silent practice.
#10. Paul Reed Smith Mark Tremonti MT15 Review
The PRS Mark Tremonti MT15 is a 15-watt all-tube amp head that delivers great flexibility, crystal cleans, and high-gain detail. This 2-channel amp brings you external bias control, boost, fx loop, and 1-button footswitch.
It is a compact amplifier that is switchable between soft 7-watt and noisy 15-watt performance. The two channels offer great tonal shaping to make it a perfect option for rehearsals, gigging, and recording in the studio.
The Mark Tremonti MT15 is an amazing amp head that features an effects loop ideal for time-based effects, external bias control that allows effortless adjustment, a single-button footswitch included, all nicely packed in a compact and convenient head.
#11. Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 Review
The Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 is perfect for players that like to have a compact but powerful amp head. This tiny two-channel tone machine lets you take total control of your tone with a classic tube cocktail of two 12AX7s and two EL84s.
Take advantage of the great packet of features that the TubeMeister brings for you. You have 2 channels with independent gain and master volume and a 3-band EQ for easy and quick tone shaping. You also get a built-in power soak that lets you choose between 20W, 5W, or 1W operation mode.
#12. Marshall SC20H Studio Classic Review
If you want to take control of the tone that defined Heavy Metal during the last decades, then the Marshall SC20H Studio Classic is the ideal amp for you. Marshall took the provocative classic tone of the JCM800 series and put it in a small 20-watt head.
The Marshall SC20H is a 20/5-watt tube head that brings you presence control for flexible sound shaping, separate preamp volume, and master volume controls. This tiny beast delivers from rich cleans to high-gain overdriven tones.
#13. Victory VX The Kraken Review
The Kraken is a 50-watt all-valve head with remarkable gain that makes it the ideal guitar amp for Hard Rock and Metal lovers. You can get the best of this compact and versatile tube head at home, in the studio, or gigging on stages.
This two-channel beast delivers classic British tones and brings you a complete set of features such as foot-switchable gain modes Gain I, Gain II, and master volumes, a Bass focus switch that works in the power section the amp, and an Effects Loop. You can choose to run either EL34 or 6L6 power tubes.
#14. Blackstar Silverline Deluxe head Review
The Blackstar Silverline Deluxe Head is a good choice for players that are more focused on features than on real valve sound. This 100-watt solid-state amp head is completely digital and brings you a full collection of recent years’ boutique valve amps.
You get all you need to obtain the tone of your dreams with the powerful SHARC DSP, 6 amps voicings that goes from American cleans to British browns, ISF shaping, master resonance, Speaker-emulated output simplifies gigging and recording, and presence to open a wide range of tone shaping.
#15. Mesa/Boogie Mark Five Combo Amp Review
The Mesa/Boogie Mark Five is the ideal choice for those players who like the Mesa/Boogie legendary amp tone. You get the same classic preamp tone as Mesa’s Mark V, Mark IV, and Mark IIC+ preamps.
This little 10W/25W valve combo amp gives you 2 channels, 6 style modes with a vast range of tones to explore, an All-tube spring reverb that can be applied to each channel independently, and a custom G10 Creamback speaker that achieves a warmth and distinctive growl.
What to Consider When Buying a Guitar Amp
When you consider buying a guitar amp, there are some important factors to think about. As a first rule, please don’t take home the first one you plug into. You need to select the amp that suits your taste best and that has all the features you need.
Below you can read about important factors when considering buying a guitar amp such as power and speaker size, solid-state vs. tube, combo or head + cabinet, practicing at home vs. playing on the road, and guitar amp size and portability.
Amps’ Power and Speaker Size
The power and speaker size are two of the main characteristics to consider when buying a guitar amp. You need to think about application and price when deciding these points.
If you need an amp to practice, maybe you have to choose a solid-state modeling combo unit with low power between 10-30 watts and a small speaker with no more than 8 or 10 inches.
But if you are looking for an amp for rehearsal and playing on small gigs, it may be better to consider a tube combo amp with at least 50 watts of power and 12″ speakers for fuller sound.
Solid-State vs. Tube Amps
When choosing between a solid-state or a tube guitar amp, it is useful to know that traditional solid-state amps produce superior clean sound and tend to be much more affordable than valve ones.
Tube-based amps tend to be more expensive than a comparably powered solid-state amp, and they provide a warmer, more musical tone and more musical-sounding distortion. In the end, whether solid-state or valves, you need to choose the amp you like more.
Combo or Head + Cabinet Amps
When deciding between a combo or a head+cabinet amp, it is a matter of size and power, and it really depends on just how big a venue you are planning to play in.
Recent years’ combos are well-equipped to deliver the power you need to be heard in small clubs and venues. But if you think of filing a giant auditorium, you better go for a high-powered stack with at least a 4 x 12″ cabinet and a 100-watt head.
Practicing at Home Vs. Playing on the Road
With the appearance of the modern modeling amps, as they can serve as a practice, studio, and live amps, this topic has become less significant. You can achieve your goal with a guitar amp with no more than 20 watts of power for home use.
You don’t need much power to sound good at home so having a high-powered amp at home is a real waste of space and money. Most amps with no more than 15 watts of power and 8 inches’ speakers are good enough for practicing at home. But if you want to play in medium to large stages, it would be better to have at least a 100-watt head and a 4 x 12″ cabinet.
Guitar Amp Size and Portability
Size and portability are essential points to care about when selecting a guitar amplifier. Choosing the best size according to the use you will give to the amp will make your life a little simpler.
Today’s amps market is full of variety when it comes to guitar amps sizing. There is a wide range of sizes, from microamps to giant rigs with multiple speaker cabinets.
If you want an amp just for practicing at home or rehearsals, your best option is small combos with no more than 20 watts of power and a single 8 to 10 inches speaker.
Most Asked Questions When Buying a Guitar Amp
Does it matter what amp I get for my guitar?
Yes, it matters what kind of amp you get for your guitar. First, you need to know that there are four categories of guitar amps. They are tube, solid-state, hybrid, and modelling amps.
Each of these uses a different type of technology to produce the sound of your guitar, and these four types come with different power and speaker configurations.
What amp should I get for my guitar?
You should get the amp that best suits your taste in music style and sound. For instance, you can prefer to just practice at home or with friends. So you really don’t need a guitar amp with more than 20 watts of power and a speaker of 8 inches.
But if you are thinking of playing in rehearsals and small gigs, it would be better to look for a more strong amp with at least 50 watts of power and a 12 inches speaker.
What amp did Jimi Hendrix use?
Jimi Hendrix is known for usually using Marshall amps because he used this brand towards the end of his life, and it was pretty rare to see him in live performances with anything other than a Marshall stack.
But you can bet Hendrix had plenty of different brands and models available when playing in the studio. He was known to use Fender Twin Reverb and Bassman amps.
Maybe the most famous amp he used was the 1959 JTM 100-Super Lead with no master volume or channel switching for his iconic Woodstock performance. This amp was powered by three 12 AX7 and four EL34 valves, the classic combination from the well-known Marshall’s ‘Plexi’ amp.
Top Picks
Welcome to my Best Guitar Amps Top Picks. Below I will show you which amp is the best overall, the best value for money, and the best budget option you can pick the best one for you.
Winner: Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior IV – Best Overall Guitar Amp
Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior IV
The Fender Blues Junior IV is an amazing tube combo amp that delivers 15-watt power through a 12″ speaker. You get an outstanding valve combo with a great sound and big power that is easy to move and perfect for moving from home to the stage.
2nd Place: Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII 6L6 – Best Value for Money Guitar Amp
Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII 6L6
The Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII 6L6 brings you everything from great clean tones to tailor-made Hard Rock and British Metal sound. It is a 40-watt valve 1 x 12″ guitar combo amp that comes loaded with a bunch of player-friendly additions.
3nd Place: Orange Micro Terror – Best Budget Guitar Amp
Orange Micro Terror
The Orange Micro Terror amp head is a real 20-Watt punch in the face. This is the perfect practice tool, a truly versatile amp, and a very affordable choice when you are on a budget.
Conclusion
My review of the 15 Best Guitar Amps has come to its end. These reviews were made to show you the amps that are the most trustworthy on the market and have the features that can best suit your needs.
Now you can choose and purchase the one that best satisfies your taste and needs. I hope you make a great choice to buy with all the knowledge you now have about guitar amps.
