The Best Guitar Amps Under $300 - Combo & Amp Heads
Author & Contributors
Alexander Briones
I've written about and researched music gear for many years, while also serving as a music director at my local church, in addition to teaching guitar, bass and mentoring young musicians.
Best Digital & Solid State Amps Under $300
Yamaha THR5
Yamaha's THR line is meant to work well with computer based home studio setups, swapping out traditional combo amp configuration with a sleeker and more desktop friendly profile.
The THR5 is the most affordable of the bunch, with enough volume and DSP for personal practice, along with direct USB recording functionality.
Speaking of DSP, this amp lets you choose between 5 amp models , 4 modulation effects, and 4 delay/reverb effects, which should be enough to cover most musical genres.
To allow for a more compact design, this amp features two 3.15" speakers, while the amp is rated at 10W.
Finally, the THR5 can also run on eight AA batteries, allowing it to double as a portable play anywhere amplifier.
Specifications:
- 10W Amp
- 2 x 3.15" Speaker
- 4 Amp Models
- 8 Effects
- Aux Input
- Headphones Output
- Weight: 4.4 lbs.
Pros:
Being fun to play with is the main reason why users love this amp. It easily trumps conventional amps in terms of convenience and ease of setup, especially for those who mostly play in front of a desk. For something so small, users are surprised with its clean and overdriven tones, which get commendations left and right from owners of different types of guitars. Even pros love how good it sounds, using it as their carry-on play anywhere amp.
Cons:
Given its small size, and low power rating this is not meant for playing with a loud band. Compared to other amp modelers, the THR5 is a bit limited, but there are other THR amp models that provide more functionality.
Overall:
The Yamaha THR5 is a good all-in-one affordable amp to have at home, viable for both grab-and-go practicing and even for home recording.
Boss KATANA-50 MkII
The Katana 50 MkII is a versatile combo amplifier that packed with practical technology, including Boss' guitar effect processing.
At its core is a 50W amp with built-in power attenuator, which allows you to half its output to 25W, or go as low as 0.5W for quiet practice.
Built-in amp modeling allows you to choose between different voicings, from clean to lead, there's even a setting that's meant for acoustic-electric guitar.
In addition, the amp lets you utilize effects right on the amp, with over 60 digital Boss effects available via the amp's software editor.
Finally, this amp can go from practice to stage and recording use with its support for two external footswitch / expression pedals, 1/4" output and USB recording output.
Specifications:
- Power: 50W (25W / 0.5W Attenuation)
- Speaker: 1x12"
- Effects: Modulation, Delay, 60 BOSS Effects (Tone Studio software)
- Input: 1 x 1/4" (Instrument), 1 x 1/4" (PowerAmp), 1 x 1/8" (Aux)
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (rec/headphones)
- Weight: 25.6 lbs.
Pros:
The Boss Katana-50 MkII is described by many as the most versatile amp in this price range, and with its feature set it's easy to see why. Owners of this amp are pleased because they don't need to have smaller practice amps, they can just use this one amp for both practice and gigging. There are also plenty of thumbs up for its tone, and while most are happy with its clean tones, there are also many who are satisfied with its mid to high-gain sound. The ability to pick and choose various effects are also commended often in user reports.
Cons:
There are a few who note that while the amp's interface is easy to use, getting a handle on its software editor may take some extra effort. And as expected, there are a few who find that some of the amp voicings and effects do not meet their expectations.
Overall:
With its power attenuation and versatile digital sound processing, the Boss Katana-50 MkII is very easy to recommend.
Fender Mustang LT 50
The Mustang series is Fender's answer to the ever growing need for affordable and versatile combo amps.
And the LT 50 is their best rated amp in the sub $300 price range, with 20 Amp models and built-in effects.
It houses a solid state 50W amp with built-in DSP that allows for up to 30 user preset slots, along with the 30 factory presets that it comes with.
The interface also features a full color display for more intuitive control.
This amp is paired with a single 12" speaker.
Specifications:
- Power: 50W
- Speaker: 1x12"
- Effects: Delay, Reverb, Modulation, Stompbox Emulation
- Input: 1 x 1/4" (Instrument), 1 x 1/8" (Aux)
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
- Weight: 19.8 lbs.
Pros:
For the price, many are surprised at how sleek and premium looking the Mustang LT 50 is. But its beauty is more than skin deep with many kudos pointing to its sound quality, especially when using clean to mid-gain amp models. Many also report that the amp feels solid while retaining a reasonably light profile.
Cons:
There are a few who aren't as impressed with some of the amp models. Those who prefer traditional tube amps may want to look at the tube amp section of this guide instead.
Overall:
With its big brand backing and consistently high ratings, the Fender Mustang LT 50 will not disappoint.
Orange Crush 35RT
Orange goes down the old path of straightforward rock and roll with the 2-channel Orange Crush 35RT.
There are no amp modeling features to complicate things, rather it depends on its 4-stage analog preamp circuit, which gives it a streamlined yet familiar tone.
This simplicity helps it to gather consistently high ratings, even exceeding those of amps with more features.
With its 35W and 1 x 10" combo configuration, it can work as a good practice amp with enough volume for jamming with friends.
Thankfully, it does come with some nifty extras, which include an onboard tuner, cabinet emulated headphone output and built-in reverb
Specifications:
- Power: 35W
- Speaker: 1 x 10"
- Effects: Reverb
- Input: 1 x 1/4", 1 x 1/8" (Aux)
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (Headphones/Line)
- Weight: 25 lbs.
Pros:
Market response to the Orange Crush 35RT is overwhelmingly positive, with sound quality being its standout trait. There are many reports of it sounding great when used in blues, rock and similar styles. Nick Guppy of Music Radar gave the amp a perfect score and expressed a similar sentiment saying, "The 35RT has plenty of classic and modern Orange tone on tap, sounding equally great at bedroom levels or cranked up with a band". Ease of use and the amp's aesthetics are also mentioned prominently by satisfied users.
Cons:
There are a few users who find the bass emphasis a bit too high, and recommend lowering the bass EQ knob a bit to compensate. One user also noted that the amp sounds best when driven hard, which is good when jamming with a band, but hard to do when you need to play at lower volumes.
Overall:
The Orange Crush 35RT is a cool plug and play amp for those who are not into the complexity of amp modeling and effects.
Positive Grid Spark Modeling Amp
Known for their amp modeling apps, Positive Grid has expanded into the physical amp domain and thanks to the highly rated Spark, the brand is doing quite well.
The Positive Grid Spark is a 40-Watt combo amp with a desktop friendly profile, featuring built-in DSP for amp modeling and effects based on their popular BIAS line of apps.
While many are impressed with its tone engine, what really sets the Spark apart is its "Smart Jam" feature, where the amp analyzes your style and playing feel, and generates bass and drums to accompany you.
Other features include a built-in tuner, modulation effects with tap tempo control and USB audio interface functionality.
Specifications:
- Power: 40W Class D
- Speaker: 2x4"
- Effects: 30 Amp models, 40 Effects
- Input: 1 x 1/4" (Instrument), 1 x 1/8" (Aux)
- Outputs: 1 x 1/8" (Headphones)
- Weight: 11.46 lbs.
Pros:
Users are impressed with the tech this amp provides, especially when considering that it's affordably priced. It gets a lot of compliments for its tone, and even more so for its Smart Jam feature which some even describe as a game changer. Even Rob Laing of Guitar World is impressed, he concludes his review by saying: "The Spark has all the connectivity, amp modeling and onboard effects you'd expect from a state-of-the-art desktop amp, but it takes the format into the future with its Smart Jam and Auto Chords features. It's incredible".
Cons:
There are a few who aren't too happy with the knobs on the amp itself, especially the music volume knob which they feel is too small. Beginners may also find the many features to be a bit overwhelming, but this amp is a good and affordable way to better understand the functions and tones of different amp models and effects.
Overall:
With its high quality digital sound processing that impresses even the pros, combined with its smart jam feature, the Positive Grid Spark will make a great addition to your rig, regardless of skill or experience level.
Blackstar ID:Core 40 V3
The Blackstar's ID:Core 40 has recently been updated to version 3, and while its still relatively new, it's been getting high enough ratings to make it to this guide.
The ID:CORE 40 V3 houses a 40W amp paired with two 6.5" speakers for stereo sound, featuring Blackstar's Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) that lets you shape your tone from American to British and in-between with just one knob.
In addition to its unique ISF feature, the amp has 6 amp voicings which range from clean to saturated overdrive, allowing for a wide range of tone options.
It also has 12 built-in effects for further expanding your sonic palette.
Other features include TRRS Line in/Streaming input and USB direct recording.
Features:
- 40W (2 x 20W) Amp
- 2 x 6.5" Speaker
- 6 Amp Models
- 12 Delay & Modulation Effects
- Aux Input
- Headphones Output
- Weight: 13.6 lbs.
Pros:
Users rate this recently released amp highly for being a great sounding beginner friendly amp. Sonic flexibility is also another positive trait, it is said to sound great with minor tweaking, regardless of the type of guitar you are using. Even Nick Guppy of Guitar World is impressed, stating that "The ID:Core V3 Stereo 40 has everything you could want in a digital practice combo. It returns newly voiced and improved, offering a quite breathtaking performance, and it won't break the bank."
Cons:
No noteworthy negatives are being reported. While this is rated at 40W, it may not have enough volume for use in a loud band setting.
Overall:
The ID:Core 40 V3 is as versatile as it gets given this price range, featuring the latest DSP improvements that Blackstar has to offer.
Best Hybrid & Tube Amps Under $300
Bugera V5 Infinium
Bugera is known for affordable tube amplifiers, and the Bugera V5 Infinium is currently rating well in the sub $300 price range.
This 5W all-tube amp houses a 12AX7 preamp tube and EL84 poweramp tube, with built-in power attenuation that lets you switch the power down to 1W or 0.1W.
This built-in attenuation allows you to crank the amp at lower volumes, which means allowing for great tube tones at more room friendly volume levels.
Also worth noting is Bugera's Infinium technology which extends the life of tubes by making sure that the tubes are operating at their ideal parameters.
Specifications:
- Power: 5W, 1W, 0.1W
- Speaker: 1x8"
- Effects: Reverb
- Input: 1 x 1/4" (Instrument)
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4" Internal Speaker, 1 x 1/4" Headphones
- Weight: 22.1 lbs.
Pros:
Low to mid-gain tones are where this amp shines, and as such, it works well with a wide range of musical styles. Many also complement its clean tone, which surpasses the expectations of many given its price. The ability to attenuate its output power down to 1/10th of a Watt is also an important plus, especially for those who are looking for a great sounding all tube practice amp.
Cons:
Lack of tone shaping options is a dealbreaker for some, while others recommend replacing the default tubes ASAP to make the most out of the amp.
Overall:
With its genuine all-tube design and built-in power attenuator, the Bugera V5 Infinium is a great entry way into the world of tube amps, and it is also a great bedroom / practice amp for those who want genuine tube tones at lower volume levels.
Monoprice 611815
While hybrid amps provide more functionality, they still cannot replace the appeal of a genuine all-tube circuit amp. And the Monoprice 611815 gives you just that, a straightforward all-tube guitar combo amp that continues to rate highly in the sub $300 price range.
The preamp section houses three ECC83 tubes, while the power section has two EL84 tubes, a potent combination used on many classic amps.
But what's really interesting is the amp's 12" speaker, which is a Celestion Red Truvox 1215, quite the catch for something so affordable.
Other features include basic 3-band EQ and built-in spring reverb.
Specifications:
- Power: 15W
- Preamp Tube: 3 x ECC83 (12AX7)
- Poweramp Tube: 2 x EL84
- Speaker: 1 x 12"
- Effects: Reverb
- Input: 1 x 1/4"
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4" Speaker Out, Effects Loop
- Weight: 31.62 lbs.
Pros:
In terms of specs and value for money, there's simply no amp that can beat the Monoprice 611815 in this price range. But it's not just about good spec sheets, as seen in its high ratings, it's hard to deny that these specs translate well in real life use. Tone is its strength, more specifically its low to mid-gain tones, which together with its warmth and dynamics - work well with many musical styles. There are also many who appreciate the quality of its spring reverb.
Cons:
There are some who report getting better results by replacing the default tubes in the amp. They note that while switching out the tubes increases cost, the improvement in tone is well worth the extra investment.
Overall:
The Monoprice 611815 is easily the amp to get if you're looking for a good value all-tube amp in the sub $300 price range.
Guitar Amp Heads Under $300 - All Types
Vox MV50 AC Hybrid Tube Amp Head
Vox is well known for their AC series of tube amps. The MV50 AC takes the iconic AC series tone and packs it inside a very compact lunchbox style amp head.
This amp head uses Korg Nutube techonology, which is a modern reproduction of tubes, with a smaller profile, longer life expectancy (30,000 hours), and using only 2% of electrical power compared to conventional tubes.
It is rated at 50-Watts with Class D type power section, and weighing in at a little over 21 ounces.
Specifications:
- Power: 50W @ 4 ohms, 25W @ 8 ohms, 12.5W @ 16 ohms
- Preamp: 6P1 NuTube
- Effects: None
- Input: 1 x 1/4"
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (Speaker Out), 1 x 1/4" (Headphones/Line)
- Weight: 1.32 lbs.
Pros:
Simple and effective nicely summarizes market sentiment toward the Vox MV50 AC. Guitarists love the sound it produces, impressing even those who own vintage AC-30 and AC-50 amps. Even Paul White of Sound on Sound was impressed stating that it "serves up chiming cleans imbued with that characteristic Voxy jangle, lovely touch-sensitive blues tones, and plenty of overdrive when the gain is turned up full". It also gets a lot of thumbs up for its value for money and portability.
Cons:
Minor qualms include limited controls and lack of reverb. You probably want to look elsewhere if you're into high-gain.
Overall:
This is a no-brainer portable amp head solution for fans of the AC-30 / AC-50 sound.
Check out this comparison video between AC-30 and the MV50 AC:
Vox MV50 Clean Hybrid Tube Amp Head
As the name implies, the Vox MV50 Clean is lunchbox style amplifier head meant for producing clean tones.
It utilizes the same Korg Nutube technology as the other MV50 amps, which mimics the behavior of actual tubes using modern materials that allows it to be more compact, affordable and efficient.
Instead of Gain and Tone controls, this one has volume, treble and bass knobs.
Specifications:
- Power: 50W
- Preamp: 6P1 NuTube
- Effects: None
- Input: 1 x 1/4"
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (Speaker Out), 1 x 1/4" (Headphones/Line)
- Weight: 1.32 lbs.
Pros:
Many appreciate the transparency and clean tone of this amp, which in turn makes it ideal for using with effects pedals. Some even describe it as the best pedal-friendly compact amp head on the market. Speaking of tone, it is often compared to the clean tone of Fender amps, of which even Music Radar's Nick Guppy agrees, describing its sound as an "Excellent dialled-in ‘blackface’ tone".
Cons:
The tone options are limited with no overdrive option. Some also wish for extras like having a built-in reverb.
Overall:
If you're looking for an affordable yet good quality clean tone friendly amp head, then this is for you.
DV Mark Micro 50 Jazz Amp Head
This mini amp-head is meant to be a compact amplifier for jazz guitarists, with tones that cater to what they need while keeping a small and portable profile.
It is designed to be a plug and play clean tone jazz amp with a simple interface that has level and 3-band EQ (bass, mid, high) knobs, along with a single reverb knob.
Other notable features include headphones out for quiet practice, an aux input, and it comes with an effects loop.
Specifications:
- Power: 50W @ 8ohms / 60W @ 4ohms
- Power Amp: MPT (Mark Proprietary Technology)"
- Effects: Reverb
- Input: 1 x 1/4" (Instrument), 1 x 1/8" (Aux)
- Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (Speakers), 1 x 1/8" (Headphones), 2 x 1/4" (FX Loop), 1 x 1/4" (Footswitch)
- Weight: 4.19 lbs.
Pros:
This amp is well loved for its great jazz friendly "singing" tone, so much so that some have used it as their main gigging amp. Speaking of gigging, it is also commended for being compact and portable. There are reports of it sounding great with various Jazz guitars from D'Angelico, Epiphone, Gibson and more. Some guitarists also use this amp for other genres that need clean sounds, like gospel, blues and soul.
Cons:
If you're not into the archtop jazz sound then this is not for you.
Overall:
If you specialize in Jazz, or you're looking for an affordable amp that can give you genuine jazz tones, then check out the DV Mark Micro 50 Jazz.
VHT Special 6 AV-SP-6H Hand-Wired Tube Amp Head
The VHT Special 6 is an all-tube amp with handwired components, designed to be an affordable plug-and-play tube amp that can also be used as base for modifications.
At its core is a 6W amplifier section with 12AX7 preamp tube and 6V6 output tube.
And this simple configuration is matched by its simple control layout which includes a volume and tone knob.
The Special 6 also features a High/Low power switch that makes it easier to achieve cranked tones at lower volumes.
Expanding its tone options further is the inclusion of built-in boost via the push/pull volume knob, this can also be controlled via an optional footswitch.
Specifications:
- Power: 6W
- Preamp: 12AX7
- Poweramp: 6V6
- Effects: None
- Input: 2 x 1/4" (Lo/Hi Instrument)
- Outputs: 3 x 1/4" (4, 8, and 16 Ohm Speaker Outs)
- Weight: 20 lbs.
Pros:
Most reviewers agree that the VHT Special 6 sounds really good for the price. It gets a lot of thumbs up for its low to midgain tone, while other users are fond of its clean tone. Being easy to modify, together with its affordable price are important reasons why this is sought after. Owners are also satisfied with its overall build and sound quality.
Cons:
Not the amp to get if you're looking for high-gain, tone shaping controls are also limited.
Overall:
If you're looking for an affordable yet versatile tube amp head, or you're looking to enter into amp modding, then this is worth looking into.
Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Guitar Amp Under $300
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Amp Head vs Combo Amp
Amp heads are amplifiers without speakers built into them, and in the sub $300 price range, most of the good ones come with a compact form factor. This means that you'll need to spend more for a compatible speaker cabinet to make it work, but it also means that you are free to pick the speaker you prefer - as long as they are compatible with the amp head.
Combo amps combine both the amplifier and speaker(s) in a single cabinet, making them more practical and affordable. This also means that they are bulkier and heavier compared to amp heads, but when you factor in the weight of the speaker cabinet, they are equal.
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Tube vs Solid-State or Digital
Tube amps are generally regarded as better sounding, but they are more fragile and often more expensive. So the lower the price range is, the harder it is to find good tube amps. Thankfully, there are still a few good ones, but they are mostly limited to compact and low power rated models.
While some tone purists consider digital and solid-state amps to be inferior to tube amps in terms of tone, they cannot discount their practicality, affordability and reliability.
There are also some amps that combine the warmth of tubes with the flexibility of digital sound processing, also called hybrid amps. This is usually made by equipping the preamp section with actual tubes. Some of them have been rated high enough by guitarists to get featured in this guide.
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Amp Modeling & Effects
Amp modeling utilizes DSP (Digital Sound Processing) to replicate the sound of many different amps, adding sonic flexibility to what once were one trick ponies. And since we are dealing with affordable amps here, the quality of amp models are not as good as more expensive modelers, but are still good enough for practical use.
Like amp modeling, some guitar amps carry with them digital effects. And again, it's unreasonable to compare the quality of these effects to expensive stompboxes, but they can provide basic sonic variety that many musical styles require.
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Power Rating and Speaker Size
The general idea is that power rating is proportionate to how loud the amp is, and since high power ratings also mean higher cost, there aren't that many big and loud amps in the sub $300 price range. Thankfully, compact and low power amps are quite popular because they are ideal for practice and small venue jams. The same can be said about tube amps, where lower power makes it easier to crank the amp at lower volumes. Just don't expect these amps to give you full sound on stage. Also in line with power rating, there are some amps that feature power attenuation, where you can cut the power rating back to get cranked tones at lower volumes.
Speaker size affects sound clarity and projection, and obviously, they are limited by the size of the cabinet and the power of the amplifier. Smaller speakers have emphasized mids which many guitarists prefer. Bigger speakers are often preferred by those who want extra bass emphasis.
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Connectivity
While they are of secondary importance, extra input/output options add to the overall functionality of amplifiers. An aux input allows you to play along with your favorite tracks, while headphone output lets you practice quietly via headphones. Speaker output lets you use the amp with other guitar speaker cabinets, while DI output lets you connect straight to a PA or recording console. Many modern amps come with USB connectivity for direct computer recording and software control, while some even come with wireless streaming via Bluetooth.
Best Guitar Amp Under $300 Selection Methodology
The first edition was published in 2018 and the latest edition was published on May 4, 2021.
Initially the aim of this guide was to showcase the best combo amps (with built-in speakers) within the $200 to $300 price range, divided into two sections that feature solid state and tube amps. But with the growing popularity of compact amp heads, we've decided to add a section for the best of them in this 2021 edition. To ensure that you can actually buy the amps we recommend, we only feature those that are available from major music gear retailers in the USA.
With this expanded scope, we ended up with a longer initial list of 32 amps, which entailed the gathering and analysis of over 11,400 relevant reviews, ratings, forum discussions and expert recommendations. All these data were then processed via the Gearank Algorithm which gave us the rating scores out of 100 that we used to rank the best amps for each of the three sections. For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.
About the Author and Contributors
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide's production - click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
Lead Author & Researcher
Alexander Briones
I've written about and researched music gear for many years, while also serving as a music director at my local church, in addition to teaching guitar, bass and mentoring young musicians.
Drawing from his experience in performing and recording, he teaches guitar and bass and mentors young artists to be better musicians. And when he is not busy playing or tinkering with musical gear, he puts on his entrepreneurial hat, which helps fund his passion for collecting guitars, mecha figures and Gunpla kits.
Contributors
Jason Horton: Supplemental Research, Editing and Illustrating.
Media
Main/Top Image: Created by Gearank.com using photographs of the Vox MV50 Clean, Positive Grid Spark and Boss KATANA-50 MkII.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers.
The videos have been embedded in accordance with YouTube's Terms of Service.
The Best Guitar Amp from the Top 10 Guitar Amp Brands
The Best Small / Low Watt Tube Amps - Combo & Amp Heads
Comments
We have moved our
Submitted by Jason Horton on
We have moved our recommendation for the Vox VT40X to our guide for The Best Guitar Amps Under $500 due to a price increase that put it above the $300 limit for this guide.
Publication of the May 2021
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Publication of the May 2021 Edition resulted in the following coming off our recommended list above - but you can still see our analysis of it: Roland Cube Street.
We have removed the Marshall
Submitted by Jason Horton on
We have removed the Marshall Origin5C from the recommended list above due to it being discontinued.
The following amp has been
Submitted by Jason Horton on
The following amp has been removed due to a price increase putting it above this guide's price limit, but you can still see our recommendation in the Modeling Amp guide: Marshall Code50.
As a result of our April 2020
Submitted by Jason Horton on
As a result of our April 2020 update the following amps came off our recommended list above, but you can still see our analysis of them:
Today the following amp was
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Today the following amp was removed from our recommended list above, due to having been discontinued, but you can still read our analysis of it: Blackstar HT-1.