Best Electric Guitar Amps (2023 Buyer’s Guide)

This guide to the best guitar amps will help you find something whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player looking for an amplifier.

I’ve been playing guitar for many years, and I’ve gone through quite a few amplifiers in my musical career. I know how frustrating it can be to work with amplifiers, and it can be difficult to find something that meets your needs.

I’ve picked several different models here for you, so there should be something that meets your requirements. I consider these amps to be great choices with excellent sound and reliability.

What Is an Electric Guitar Amp?

You can’t play an electric guitar without a guitar amplifier. This device amplifies the signal from the guitar pickups. There are many different types of amplifiers that you can use for your electric guitar.

You may go through several amplifiers in your playing career until you find one that works best for you. The amp you choose is an essential part of your sound. This guide will help you find the best electric guitar amps.

Types of Electric Guitar Amps

There are several different types of guitar amplifiers that you need to know about. There are pros and cons to owning each one. Here’s a rundown of the basic amplifiers that you can purchase.

Tube Amp

The tube amplifier is an old-school amplifier. It uses transistor tubes like the old radios and televisions of the past. Many players like this type of amplifier because it provides a warm and pleasant tone.

The downside to this type of amplifier is that you have to replace the transistor tubes from time to time because they wear out. You may also spend a little bit more on a good tube amplifier.

Solid State Amp

A solid-state amplifier uses solid-state circuitry that doesn’t rely on tubes. Inside the amplifier are transistor circuits that convert the guitar signal into an audio wave, so you can hear the guitar come out of the speaker.

Solid-state amplifiers have come a long way since their early days. They now sound almost as good as tube amplifiers. There are many makes and models on the market that make ideal choices.

Combo Amp

This type of amplifier has the speaker and electronics built into the unit. They can either be a tube or solid-state. This type of amp is ideal, as it’s not as big or cumbersome as a full amplifier head and speaker cabinet.

They’re ideal for places like bars or clubs. A combo amp weighs a lot less than large speaker cabinets and an amplifier head.

Amp Modeler

An amp modeler is a new type of amplifier that uses digital circuitry. These amplifiers are capable of recreating the sounds from amps of the past. They’re popular because you don’t need a lot of equipment to get your sound.

They often come with tone banks where you can select various sounds such as amp models, effects, etc. They give you a wide range of sounds to choose from in one compact package.

Stack Amp

A stack amplifier is the typical cabinet and amplifier head that you see at large concerts. These units produce a large amount of power. They’re ideal for big gigs or outdoor concerts where you need to project the sound.

This type of amp is not ideal for a bedroom or downstairs because they produce too much power. You’ll probably want a stack amplifier if you’re a professional player and play many gigs.

Things to Consider When Choosing an Electric Guitar Amp

Before you purchase electric guitar amps, there are a few things you need to consider. Please keep these points in mind before you purchase, so you’ll get an amplifier that works for you.

Size

The size of your electric guitar amplifier matters. For example, if you have a small apartment, you probably want a small 15 or 2o watt amp that doesn’t take up a lot of room.

If you’re traveling, you might want a smaller travel-size amplifier that’s five or 10 watts. These are small enough to carry in your luggage. If you’re on stage, you’ll probably want a larger combo or small stack amp.

Sound

The sound of your amplifier is important. You’ll want one that has a decent speaker. You may also want built-in effects such as distortion, delay, reverb, and so on.

Price

Amplifiers come in various price ranges. Here are some prices that you can expect to pay.

• Beginner amp: $150-$300
• Intermediate amp: $300-$800
• Pro amp: $800+

These are just average prices. The price you pay for your amp all depends on the features that you get.

Quality

You need to pay attention to the quality of the amplifier. You’ll have to spend a couple of hundred dollars to get a decent amp. If you buy a guitar package, the amps that sometimes ship with these packages are not ideal.

It’s better to upgrade to a decent amplifier, as it will improve the tone of your electric guitar. It’s well worth the extra investment to get a solid and dependable amplifier.

Wattage

The wattage of your amplifier is also important. You can’t have an amplifier that puts out 100 watts in your bedroom. If you’re practicing, an amplifier that has between 10 and 25 watts is ideal.

For the stage in a club, you’re probably looking at 40 watts and up. If you’re playing outside in a live setting, you might want a hundred-watt stack amplifier.

10 Best Electric Guitar Amps

Let’s take a look at the best electric guitar amps. I’ve picked amplifiers that are ideal for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. All of these selections would make great choices.

1. Yamaha THR 10II

• Watts: 20
• Type: Amp modeler
• Tubes: N/A
• Speakers: 2 x 8cm speakers
• Best For: Those that want to record or need a small compact amp

The Yamaha THR 10II is a great amp modeler, especially for new players. I own one of the older Yamaha THR models and find it to be an exceptional amplifier. It has everything you need to sound great right out of the box.

Why I Recommend It

I recommended this one because I consider it the best amp modeler on the market. It produces life-like tones. You can connect the amp to your computer and make a recording with it.

I’ve recorded several tunes with the THR, and they sound pretty decent. It comes with plenty of effects and amp models, so you can change your sound on the fly. The THR by Yamaha is a great product with superb sound for its size.

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2. Fender Frontman 10G

• Watts: 10
• Type: Solid-state
• Tubes: N/A
• Speakers: 6″ Fender Special Design speaker
• Best for: Beginners buying their first amp

The Fender Frontman 10G is the perfect amplifier for any beginner guitar player. It has 10 watts of power, so it’s perfect for the bedroom or your practice location. It has effects such as distortion, so you can play many different songs.

Why I Recommend It

I’ve played many Fender amps in the past, and I find the Front Man to be an excellent series. This amp is perfect for any student that is starting on guitar. I like the fact that it has effects such as distortion.

There is a headphone out jack to practice using headphones, so you won’t disturb anyone. You get gain, volume, bass, and treble controls to shape your guitar sound.

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3. Positive Grid Spark

• Watts: 40
• Type: Amp modeler
• Tubes: N/A
• Speakers: 2 x 4″ custom-designed
• Best for: Those that want to learn how to play guitar

The Positive Grid Spark is a next-generation amp modeler. It generates bass and drums for you to jam along with. You can also view your favorite songs’ chords, so you know what to play, making it an excellent learning tool.

Why I Recommend It

I’m impressed with the Positive Grid Spark. This amp is not only capable of making a lot of excellent guitar tones, but it’s also a great learning tool. It generates chords for you from songs off of sites such as Spotify or iTunes.

You get access to many different effects, so you can shape and sculpt your sound the way you want to. There’s no need to buy a lot of expensive gear when you own this amplifier.

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4. Marshall Combo Amp M-DSL40CR-U

• Watts: 40
• Type: Tube amp
• Tubes: 4 x ECC83 2 x EL34
• Speakers: 12″ Celestion
• Best for: Beginners that want the tube sound for a small stage

The Marshall Combo Amp M-DSL40CR-U has a wide range of features for today’s players. It features a nice Celestion speaker for great tone and reliability. The amp is all-tube and has 40 watts of power, which is suitable for small gigs.

Why I Recommend It

I like the Marshall M-DSL40CR-U. It features tubes, so you get that warm Marshall tone that the brand is known for. Both the distortion and clean settings sound great. I like the fact you can power it down to 20 watts for practice.

Marshall makes great amps, and this one is no exception. I like the overall tone of the amp and the included reverb controls on this unit. This is a great amp for small stages and clubs for those getting started playing live.

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5. Fender 65 Twin Reverb Combo Amp

• Watts: 85
• Type: Tube amp
• Tubes: 4 x 12Ax7, 2x 12AT7, 4 x 6L6
• Speakers: 2 x 12″ Jensen
• Best for: Pros that want great tube tone for the stage

Fender 65 Twin Reverb is a well-known amplifier. Now you can own a re-creation of this famous sixties amp. You get an excellent tube tone, superb speakers, and some of the best sounding reverb on the market.

Why I Recommend It

I’ve owned several Fender amplifiers in the past. The Fender Twin Reverb 65 is an excellent product. You get 85 watts of power, so it’s perfect for most stages. You also get the famous Fender clean tone and reverb.

I also like the fact that this amplifier has vibrato. The footswitch can control reverb in the vibrato. The speaker provides an excellent clean tone. This amp is perfect for most styles of music.

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6. Vox AC30C2 Tube Combo

• Watts: 30
• Type: Tube amp
• Tubes: EL84, 12AX7
• Speakers: 2 x 12″ Celestion Greenbacks
• Best for: Intermediate players that want to try a tube amp

Vox makes some excellent tube amplifiers. The Vox AC30 Tube Combo is the perfect solution for any intermediate player that wants to try a tube amp. It has plenty of power, great sound, and the reliability you want out of a tube amp.

Why I Recommend It

It has both a normal and a top boost channel. Both have their own volume control, so you have the ability to shape your sound the way you want. You have even more customization with the top boost channel, as it has treble and bass controls.

I like the dial setup on the top of the amplifier which makes it easy to access the control knobs. I also like the reverb and tremolo effects, which are included with the amp. You also have a hookup for an external speaker if you want.

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7. Fender Mustang GT40

• Watts: 40
• Type: Amp modeling
• Tubes: N/A
• Speakers: 2 x 6.5″ Fender Special Design Speakers
• Best for: Beginner or intermediate players that want to try amp modeling

Beginners who want to try their hand at amp modeling might want to pick up the Fender Mustang GT40. It has plenty of power, presets, effects, and everything you need to get started. You can use the Fender tone app to connect the amplifier to the Fender website.

Why I Recommend It

The Fender Mustang GT40 is a great amplifier for those that want to try amp modeling. It’s easy to connect to your computer, so you can do some recording. You get a wide range of different tones without the need for expensive equipment.

It has a handy footswitch, so it’s easy to switch to the sounds that you want. It’s easy to download and update the settings via the Wi-Fi capability. This amp is the perfect solution for today’s modern player.

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8. Boss Katana Mark II 100 Watt

• Watts: 100
• Type: Amp modeling
• Tubes: N/A
• Speakers: 12″ special design speaker
• Best for: Intermediate or advanced players that need more power in an amp modeler

One of the best amps for electric guitar is the Boss Katana Mark II 100 Watt. This is the 100-watt version, which has the power you need for stage performances. You’ll get various amp models and effects as well as an app for more tone settings.

Why I Recommend It

I own the first 50-watt version of the Boss Katana. This is the second generation of this amplifier. I’m impressed with the tone and sounds that you can get out of this amp. There’s not a whole lot that this product can’t do.

I like the effects settings and the different amp models that you can use. It’s simple to set it up, so you can use it with your computer for jamming or recording sessions. It’s also easy to set your own custom options on the amp.

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9. EVH 50 Watt 5150III Tube Head

• Watts: 50
• Type: Tube head
• Tubes: 12AX7, 6L6
• Speakers: Need to buy separate cabinets
• Best for: Pro players that need good rock/metal tones

The EVH 50 Watt 5150III is an excellent tube head for anyone into hard rock and metal guitar playing. It has excellent sound and performance. You get three channels, so you have tons of tonal possibilities with this amp head.

Why I Recommend It

The EVH 5150 is an excellent head for your speaker cabinets. The amp features 50 watts. It sounds louder than you’d think it would. It’s the perfect choice for both rhythm and solo guitar playing.

I like the included footswitch, which makes it easy to switch between your settings. There’s an effects loop, so you can hook up all of your guitar pedals to it. This amp head has everything you need in a high-quality amplifier.

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10. Blackstar Fly 3

• Watts: 3
• Type: Amp modeler
• Tubes: N/A
• Speakers: 1 x 3″
• Best for: Guitar players on the go

The Blackstar Fly 3 is an excellent amplifier for those on the go. You can hook it up to your phone for quiet jamming if you like. There’s both a clean and a crunch channel on the amplifier.

Why I Recommend It

If you’re on the go or want an amplifier to take camping, the Blackstar 3 has you covered. You get quite a lot of tone out of this small, compact amp. I like the fact that it has both a clean and distorted channel.

If you’re looking for something portable that has a great tone, this is the amp for you. It’s lightweight, and you can take it with you, as it’s small enough to fit in your baggage.

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Best Electric Guitar Amp Brands

There are several great electric guitar amp brands that you should consider purchasing from. Here are some of the ones that I consider to be the best choices on the market today.

Fender

Fender is known for its great electric and acoustic guitars, and they also make exceptional guitar amplifiers. If you want clean tones, great reverb, and amazing sound, you want to pick up a Fender.

These amps are not known for their distortion, but they also have the tones for blues, country, light rock, and so on. You can find a Fender amp in various price ranges.

Marshall

Marshall amps are the go-to brand if you like to play hard rock or metal and want plenty of distortion. These amplifiers have great distorted settings and are the go-to amplifier if you want to play rock.

Marshall has a wide range of amplifiers, including solid-state, tube, stacks, and amp modelers. You’re sure to find an excellent product to meet your needs when you go with Marshall.

Vox

Another one of the best electric guitar amp manufacturers is Vox. They have a wide range of products to suit your needs. Vox amps are perfect for all playing situations and musical styles.

You’ll find tube amps, solid-state, and amp modelers to meet all of your needs. You’ll have a lot of flexibility in your tone when you use a Vox amplifier.

Orange

Another great amp manufacturer is Orange. These amps are well-known thanks to their colorful appearance. It’s an excellent amp to use if you want to play modern hard rock and metal.

Orange amplifiers are capable of producing some of the best-distorted tones on the market. These amps also produce plenty of excellent clean tones, so they’re suitable for many styles of music.

Mesa Boogie

Mesa Boogie is a good solution for those that want to play rock or styles that require a lot of distortion. They can produce other sounds such as clean tones, but they’re known best for their great distortion settings.

Electric Guitar Amp Aesthetics & Build

Here’s what you need to know about the build of most guitar amplifiers. The materials used in the construction vary among manufacturers and their models.

Material

Most amps feature a wooden cabinet. Inside the cabinet is the speaker, which is attached to the amplifier electronics, usually with a metal chassis.

Finish

Most amplifiers are finished with some sort of material such as nylon or plastic. Some of them may feature cloth grills that go across the speakers. Most of the knobs on amplifiers are made out of hard plastic.

Color

There are not too many different colors when it comes to a guitar amplifier. Most are either black, grey or brown. Some manufacturers have a few other color options, but most of them are just standard colors.

Buying New vs Used

It’s almost always better to buy a new guitar amplifier. You’ll be covered under warranty from the manufacturer. It’s difficult to know what you’re getting when you buy a used amp.

If you have some experience with guitar amplifiers, you can actually buy a used one because you know what to look for. Be careful with old tube amplifiers, as they may need the tubes replaced.

What’s in the Electric Guitar Amp Box?

When you buy an electric guitar amp, there may be several things that you’ll find in the box. Here’s what you need to know.

Manual

When you buy your electric guitar amplifier, you’ll find a manual inside the box that shows how to set it up and how to use the product.

Footswitch

If your amplifier ships with a footswitch, you’ll find this inside the amplifier box. The footswitch hooks into your guitar amplifier.

Cables

You’ll find the power cable inside the box, and if your amplifier is USB capable, you might also have a USB cable. In some cases, you might have to buy one.

Stickers or Promo Materials

Some manufacturers may include a sticker or some sort of promotional material inside the amplifier box.

Extras

Whenever you buy a guitar amplifier, you might have to buy a few extra things, such as the following:

• Extra tubes if it’s a tube amplifier
• USB cable if your amplifier uses USB and doesn’t ship with a cable
• Guitar cable
• Headphones

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are a few frequently asked questions that consumers want to know before purchasing the best guitar amplifier to meet their needs.

How Much Do Electric Guitar Amps Cost?

You’ll find an electric guitar amp for all budgets and needs. Here’s the average price that you can expect to pay for your guitar amplifier. Please bear in mind that this varies depending upon the product that you purchased.

• Beginner amp: $150-$300
• Intermediate amp: $300-$800
• Pro amp: $800+

What Are the Best Electric Guitar Amps?

Here is a list of the best three amplifiers. I consider them great choices no matter your playing level. I’ve made choices for beginner, intermediate, and professional players.

Yamaha THR 10II: Best for Beginners

I love the Yamaha THR 10II series. I’ve used my own THR amplifier to do lots of recording. It has an excellent tone that sounds like a tube amp. It has plenty of effects and amp models, and you can hook it up via USB.

Boss Katana 100 II: Best for Intermediate Players

I also own a Boss Katana, and I find this to be an excellent amplifier. The new Boss Katana 100 II version has even more great settings. You can get it in various wattages including 100 watts, which is perfect for playing live.

Fender 65 Twin Reverb: Best for Pro Players

Fender 65 Twin Reverb is a high-performance amplifier. It has plenty of power, and it’s suitable for stage performances. It has reliable Fender clean settings and great reverb.

Where Are the Best Electric Guitar Amps Made?

Most amplifiers are either produced in the United Kingdom or the United States. Both countries produce excellent amplifiers.

Where to Buy Electric Guitar Amps

There are a variety of places to buy the best electric guitar amps, including Amazon, Guitar Center (online or in-store), online music retailers like Musician’s Friend or Sweetwater, or your local music store.

When buying online, you have unlimited variety, quick shipping, convenience, and often cheaper prices, but in-store you can really experience the sound and feel of an instrument.

Amazon

A great online resource for purchasing amplifiers is Amazon. You get good prices, excellent customer service, and they have fast shipping. I also like that you can read reviews, so you have an idea of what you’re getting.

Online Music Retailers

Sweetwater and Guitar Center are probably two of the best options besides Amazon. They have a good selection, fast shipping, and excellent warranties.

Your Local Music Store

You can also purchase an amplifier at your local music store. This is an option if you can’t find one online. You can expect to find a more limited selection in your local music store, as they can’t stock all products.

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In Conclusion

I hope you enjoy this best electric guitar amps guide. There are excellent products here for all playing levels. Make sure you purchase an amplifier that will meet your needs.

Please like, share, and leave your comments on this article. I look forward to hearing from you. Now, take your guitar, plug it into your new amplifier, and rock out.