Best Guitar Amplifiers Under $500

There are four main types of amplifiers: transistors, tube amps, modeling amps, and digital modeling amps. Each has pluses and minuses that make them especially useful for particular settings. Knowing the difference between each type is the key to finding out which guitar amplifier is right for you.

Guitar amplifiers come in many shapes and sizes. It is important to research what type of tonal range you are looking for in your new amp, whether it will fit your sound, and which features are most appealing to you.

This article will walk you through the best guitar amplifiers under $500. The list is created based on information found online and built by our editorial team. We also did this article with the purpose of helping people that are looking to purchase a new guitar amp for their practice or jamming session at home.

Each amplifier has some features that make it stand out from the rest including price, build quality, sound quality, and features included like an effects loop and headphone jack.

Buying Guide

f you’re in the market for a new amp, here’s a list of some of the best amps available under $500 in 2024. We’ve sorted them by things like input and output connectivity, weight, and which one will suit your needs best. The best part is that all of them are available for purchase at the moment.

Fender Mustang I V2

The Mustang I V2 is a pretty affordable amp. It has 2 channels, it weighs 14.2 pounds, and it has a headphone jack on the front panel. That’s a lot of features for a budget electric guitar amp under $500. The two channels on offer are clean and dirty. The Mustang I V2 also has a headphone out and a 3.5 mm auxiliary input for your smartphone or another audio device.

PS Audio ZP-1 Power Supply

The PS Audio ZP-1 is a tiny little power supply. It measures 8″ x 7.5″ x 2″ and weighs only 2 pounds. To be able to produce that much power, the ZP-1 uses its own internal power supply, which means it’s not necessarily wireless after all. Keep in mind that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though, as it means you can use it with more of your gear without having to work around any low voltage precautions.

Wicked Audio Black Diamond 2.0 HPA

The Wicked Audio Black Diamond 2.0 HPA is one of the most affordable amp models available for under $500 today. It has a lot of inputs and ports available, including a ¼” guitar input that allows you to connect your guitar directly. It also has a 3.5 mm auxiliary input, an RCA stereo/mono auxiliary input, and a USB stereo output that allows you to connect it to your computer or laptop. It comes with a remote control that allows you to switch between channels and adjust the tone of the amp on the go.

5 Best Guitar Amplifiers Under $500

Last update on 2024-04-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

1. Boss Katana-100/212 MkII 2×12″ 100-watt Combo Amp

Last update on 2024-04-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Boss Katana-100/212 MkII 2×12 is a powerful, portable combo amp. Its ultra-lightweight and compact design makes it the perfect amp for small gigs or traveling with your band.

Pros :

• Compact size
• Available in 12, 15, and 18 inch configurations
• Dual speaker output
• High gain channel

Cons :

• Not very useful in large venues with lots of people

2. Yamaha THR10II WL Wireless Desktop Amp

Last update on 2024-04-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Yamaha THR10II WL is a compact stereo amplifier that can be powered by either AC or battery power. It’s great for places where space is limited since it will deliver rich sound without taking up much space or being too heavy. If you want to amplify your guitar amp for recording, this amp does the job with ease.

Pros :

• Integrated preamp for real-time monitoring
• Interchangeable input configurations
• Built-in DSP processor
• Memory playback with high input impedance

Cons :

• May suffer from clipping and distortion when used at high volumes and without a DAW
• May only work with DAWs that support Core Audio
• May not be compatible with dedicated audio interfaces or brickwall power amplifiers
• May not provide any tone control other than the effects provided by the mixing software running on your computer

3. Orange Amps, 1 Electric Guitar Power Amplifier, Black (Micro Dark)

Last update on 2024-04-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Orange Amps are some of the best amps on the market today. They have a great sound, they are durable, and they have all sorts of features that more expensive amps don’t have. The Micro Dark is no exception.

Pros :

• Large volume of power
• Constant Power
• High for clarity of sound
• Low impedance output

Cons :

• Sound is not as good as a tube amp
• One reason to switch to an acoustic amp
• The amplifier itself is not very heavy.

4. Fender Mustang LT-25 – Digital Guitar Amplifier

Last update on 2024-04-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

I bet you’ve been considering purchasing a guitar amplifier. After all, it’s a great instrument that can be enjoyed at your leisure, and there are a lot of options to choose from. One of the most popular of these is the Fender Mustang LT-25 – Digital Guitar Amplifier.

Pros :

• Digital guitar amplifier that packs a punch
• Eliminates the need to swap cables and plugs for different types of gear
• Built-in compressor to smooth out your playing

Cons :

• No acoustic guitar input
• There is no bass or EQ sound controls
• The guitar input can only be used for the guitar
• It eats batteries quicky because of the power amp

5. Marshall Code 50-50-watt 1×12″ Digital Combo Amp

Last update on 2024-04-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Marshall Code 50-50-watt 1×12″ Digital Combo Amp is the new amp on the block that brings together Marshall’s iconic rock ‘n’ roll history with state-of-the-art digital technology. With an integrated 50W for each of its two channels, Marshall has combined old with new to produce a remarkable hybrid amp.

Pros :

• Powerful and versatile 50-watt digital combo amp
• Holographic speaker
• Up to eight presets for different settings
• Bluetooth technology for wireless monitoring and play
• High pass filter for bass frequencies

Cons :

• No speaker at top of case
• Single 10” speaker
• Can’t use the amp’s reverb if it’s engaged by itself
• The amp is quite heavy

Conclusion :

Few, if any guitar players have not wished at one point or another that they had a better amplifier to use. And when you are starting out in the hobby, the complexity of the amp can be very daunting. The truth is that there are many great options to choose from, even in this price range. All you have to do is know what you are looking for and you will find it easy enough.

FAQ:

Q: What is the best guitar amplifier?

A: Neural DSP Quad Cortex Line6 Pod GO Boss RC-500 Loop Station tc electronic Hall of Fame 2 Line 6 HX Stomp Harley Benton DNAfx GiT Boss RC-5 Loop Station Strymon Iridium Amp&IR Cab Digitech Trio+Band Creator Two Notes Torpedo Captor X

Q: What are the best practice guitar amps?

A: Line 6 Spider V 30 MkII. Line 6 refreshed its Spider V lineup in November 2019 and brought in a range of improvements. … Yamaha THR10II Wireless. Yamaha’s THR series is a modern classic in household guitar amplification,a step-change for the guitar amp. Fender Mustang LT25. … Blackstar Fly 3. … Marshall Code 25. … Orange Crush 35RT. …

Q: What is the best mini amplifier?

A: Hi-Fi mini amp with 100W output for improved efficiency Allows you to connect your devices to this Amp via BT,AUX,and USB It’s available in 5 different colors – go with the one you love most Comes with all power supply included Plug-and-play: no need to install any USB driver Made of the aluminum case that increases the longevity

Q: What are the best practice amps?

A: ‘Compact’ has always been a key part of Boss’ vocabulary, so it’s perfectly fitting then that the Pocket GT offers perhaps the most fully-featured compact practice solution out there.