More than anything in your signal chain, your amp defines the overall characteristic of your tone. You can have the most expensive custom shop guitar and all the boutique stompboxes you like, but ultimately you’ll need one of the best guitar amps to achieve your dream guitar tone.
There are a myriad of different amplifiers available in 2024, and ultimately it will come down to your personal taste as to what suits your particular setup. That said, we’ve reviewed countless guitar amps here at Guitar World, so we’ve got a pretty good handle on what’s the real deal and what is just marketing hype. We’ve systematically put the amps in this guide through their paces by playing them at home, in the rehearsal room, and on stage to determine how suited they are to the task. We’ll try them with single coils, humbuckers, and P90s to see how they react, as well as using a variety of stompboxes to determine how well they handle effects.
Buying an amp can be a tough decision as the outlay is usually quite high, so our expert writing team has put all of our top choices into particular categories to make things easier for you. We’ve also put together a thorough buying advice section with loads of common questions answered if you want to know anything more before selecting a new guitar amp.
An update to one of the best-selling modeling amps of all time, the Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 provides an all-new amp model and studio-quality effects for the utmost versatility at a great price.
One of the best-selling amps of the past few years, the Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb delivers an incredibly realistic tube amp tone at a volume that won't annoy the neighbors.
Packed with amp and effects models, the compact size and excellent sound of the Fender Mustang LT25 make it a brilliant amp for beginner guitar players - and the price isn't bad either.
If you're looking for your first guitar amp, or you need something to practice with at home, the huge amount of sounds in the Spark 40 will do the trick. It's got pretty much every amp model you can think of, as well as bags of high-quality effects.
If you're after an amp that can do it all below the $500 mark, it's hard to beat the Line 6 Catalyst 200. With power for gigs, excellent amp tones, and versatile effects, it's fantastic value.
For the ultimate pedal platform amp, we'd go for the Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb. Its pristine clean tone and high headroom make it perfect for stompboxes.
Not everyone can afford a tube amp, and some prefer not to deal with modeling. If this sounds like you, then the Orange Super Crush 100 delivers superb tones with minimal fuss.
If you want the ultimate in tube tone, it doesn't get more iconic than a Vox. The AC15 C1 delivers that signature chime whilst remaining portable enough for regular gigging.
Packing a powerful voice into a tiny unit, Orange's hybrid-valve-solid-state micro amp is a fantastic choice for those who need something powerful yet portable.
The Quilter Aviator Mach 3 is a clean beast of an amp, making it perfect for getting great jazz tones. 200W of power ensures it will keep up in a big band scenario and it's great with pedals.
If you want to do away with your amp and just use a pedalboard, the Strymon Iridium gives you three classic amp sounds and plenty of tweakability in a compact form factor.
For those going the route of eschewing their rig entirely, it's hard to look past the Neural DSP Quad Cortex with its insane amount of features and excellent range of tones.
✅ Buy if you're on a budget: Excellent value and packed full of brilliant amp and effects models, the Katana is one of the world's most popular guitar amps for good reason. ❌ Avoid if you don't like using software: To get the best out of it you'll want to use the Boss Tone Studio software, so one to avoid if you don't like deep editing your tones.
It’s helpful for any guitarist to choose an amp that will allow them to experiment with different sounds, and the Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 certainly gives you plenty to play with. It’s not only a fantastic budget guitar amp though, the built-in effects and connectivity options make it a serious option for more seasoned players too.
This update to the Boss Katana still makes it the perfect ‘first’ or backup amp for most people. Adding a brand new amp model alongside the classic host of Boss effects, it will easily manage the step up from practice to small gig.
Hooking the Katana modeling amp up to the computer grants you access to deep editing of parameters, while we also loved the way it can record directly into a digital audio workstation via USB. The two channels let you instantly recall your favorite tones, whilst a host of connectivity options ensure it will fit seamlessly into your existing rig.
✅ Buy if you want tube tone at home: Sounding nigh-on distinguishable to its ridiculously loud tube-powered cousin, the Tone Master Twin is perfect for getting great tube tone at lower volumes. ❌ Avoid if you're short on space: It's lightweight compared to the original but at the end of the day, it's still a 2x12 amp so it will take up a fair bit of room.
There aren’t many guitarists out there who haven’t drooled at the thought of owning a proper Twin, but the weight and the fact you have to crank it put it out of reach for most. Enter the Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb, which aims to give you all that tube sass without the back-breaking weight or window-shattering volume.
Just like the real deal, in the first half of the volume knob, you get that slightly scooped, expansive clean tone that’s so revered. Once you’ve passed the halfway mark, we get the chime of overdrive creeping into the tone. Unlike a tube-driven Twin, you can actually turn this one to ten when used in combination with the volume attenuation switch.
Despite it technically being a modeling amp, there’s not much in the way of editing, and certainly no companion app here. There is a cab simulation that can give you the sound of a Shure SM57 on the cabinet or a ribbon microphone, which will please sound engineers everywhere. It’s an incredible piece of digital tech, and while the tone isn’t exactly the same as a vintage Twin, it’s close enough for us.
✅ Buy if you want your first guitar amp: With loads of great presets, compact size, and easy usability, the Mustang LT25 is a perfect match for beginner guitar players. ❌ Avoid if you want to gig: With 25 Watts this won't have enough power to compete with a drummer in a rehearsal room or deliver enough volume for the stage.
When buying a guitar amp for beginners, ultimately you’ll want something that’s easy to use but still sounds great. A modeling amp like the Fender Mustang LT25 is the perfect tool for this kind of job, as it gives beginners plenty of choices without leaving them feeling overwhelmed.
30 onboard presets ensure there are plenty of sounds to start with, from classic Fender clean tones right through to high-gain metal madness. There is a huge selection of high-quality effects from compressors, reverbs, and delays right through to pitch shifters and auto wah, which is great for helping beginners shape their signature sound.
It’s a compact amp so you can easily take it to jam with friends, and will provide enough output to play alongside another guitarist, although it won’t outshine a drum kit. Add to all these features a rather modest price point, and you’ve got yourself a killer beginner guitar amp.
✅ Buy if you want great tones and practice tools: The Spark features a brilliant companion app that not only delivers fantastic sounds but also gives you some incredibly useful practice tools. ❌ Avoid if you want to gig: Like the LT25, the Spark doesn't really have enough power to compete with other louder instruments when playing live, so look elsewhere for a gigging amp.
The Positive Grid Spark has taken the amp world by storm. Integrating the already highly respected BIAS tone engine with some pretty incredible smart technology was only ever going to be a good thing, and it definitely didn't disappoint us.
Onboard, there are 30 amp models and 40 effects. There’s Bluetooth connectivity to stream music, as well as ⅛” aux and headphone inputs. You’ve got USB inputs and outputs too, which enable you to use your Spark as an audio interface for when you need to capture that next great idea.
The Spark is also packed full of learning tools that will help you develop as a player, and have fun while doing it which makes it the perfect practice amp. Those features include ‘Auto Chords’ - which will find chord charts for any song you choose - and ‘Smart Jam’ - which will generate an authentic backing track to accompany you, whatever you play.
Our pick for the best guitar amp below the $500 mark
Our expert review:
Specifications
Watts: 200W
Type: Modeling
Preamp tubes: N/A
Power amp tubes: N/A
Speakers: 2 x 12" Custom Design
Reasons to buy
+
Superb amp sounds
+
High-quality effects
+
Loud enough for gigging
Reasons to avoid
-
Effects aren’t the most flexible
At a Glance
✅ Buy if you want a great value gigging amp: With plenty of power on tap, this 2x12" speaker amplifier delivers some serious heft and bags of clarity from its tones. ❌ Avoid if you like lots of built-in effects: There's a fantastic selection of effects here but unfortunately you can only use two at a time, and one of those has to be a reverb.
Presumably born to rival the all-conquering Boss Katana, the Line 6 Catalyst 200 is a powerful modeling amp that gives you a huge amount of features for just shy of the $500 mark. If you’re looking for an amp that will deliver quality tones and is gig-ready, this is as good as it gets at this price point.
The Catalyst 200 is based on 6 amp models, consisting of clean, boutique, chime, crunch, dynamic, and high gain. Based on classic designs from Fender, Marshall, Vox, and others, the two 12-inch speakers allow it to deliver pristine sounds that offer excellent clarity and pure power when you crank the volume.
Line 6’s effects have always been great, and here you’ll find an excellent selection from the HX series with delay, chorus, reverb, phasers, and many more. One criticism is that you can only have two at one time, and one of those must be a reverb, so if you like making crazy effects chains, this might not be the one for you. If you’re using your own pedals though, that won’t be an issue.
Best tube amp
(Image credit: Future)
6. Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb
An iconic amp that plays great with pedals
Our expert review:
Specifications
Watts: 22
Type: Tube
Preamp tubes: 4 x 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7
Power amp tubes: 2 x 6V6
Speakers: 1x12" Jensen C12K
Reasons to buy
+
Perfect for pedals
+
Incredible valve tone
+
Proper spring reverb
Reasons to avoid
-
Doesn’t do high gain
At a Glance
✅ Buy if you want the ultimate tube amp: One of the most recorded amps ever, the Deluxe Reverb delivers sumptuous tube tones that make it a perfect pedal platform and recording amp. ❌ Avoid if you want high gain: Some people prefer to get their gain directly from the amp, so whilst this sounds great, it won't get you into metal territory like some of the other amps here.
One of the most popular amplifiers ever made, the original Fender ‘65 Deluxe Reverb has appeared on countless records over the years. It’s an iconic amplifier and while vintage versions are prohibitively expensive, this reissue version keeps all that original mojo whilst remaining accessible for the majority of guitar players who want one of the best tube amps.
If you want a pedal platform this amp excels, requiring a lot of gain before it hits that sweet overdrive. It’s pristine clean territory that’s super versatile, whether you’re slamming it with fuzz pedals or playing jazz licks with it clean. It’s great for recording too, as you don’t need to crank it as much as a certain classic 2x12 to get usable tones from it.
You get two channels with two inputs each, giving you plenty of flexibility in how you shape your sound. The tube-driven reverb and tremolo sound absolutely sublime, allowing you to dial in tones from subtle to spacious, making this one of the most versatile amps money can buy.
✅ Buy if you want great tone without the hassle: Sounding every bit as good as the tube-equipped Rockerverb it's based on, the Crush 100 gives some of the best non-tube guitar tones we've ever heard. ❌ Avoid if you like built-in effects: There are no additional effects here to speak of, so you'll need a pedalboard if you want to add delays, chorus, and reverbs to your tone.
For those guitarists who want a great-sounding tube amp but lack the budget, the Orange Super Crush 100 is about as close as you’ll get without splurging on the real deal. It uses a JFET preamp design paired with the same power amp as found in the popular Orange Pedal Baby to create some super-realistic tube tones.
With two channels at your disposal, you’ll get everything from articulate clean tones to metal distortion, and there’s plenty of headroom on tap to push the amp with your favorite pedals. The tone is very reminiscent of the classic Orange Rockerverb amps, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t versatile thanks to the three-band EQ.
One thing that may confuse newcomers are the pictures that replace your more typical text labels on the amp controls but a glance at the manual or a quick Google search can help you overcome this. The combination of channel controls and master controls make this amp super flexible for any use, and one of the best solid state amps we’ve ever played.
The best guitar amp for a vintage vibe with class to spare
Our expert review:
Specifications
Watts: 15
Type: Tube
Preamp tubes: 12AX7
Power amp tubes: EL84
Speakers: 12” Celestion G12M Greenback
Reasons to buy
+
Nails that iconic Vox tone
+
You’ll love the tremolo
+
Excellent portability
Reasons to avoid
-
Not one for the high gain fans
At a Glance
✅ Buy if you want vintage guitar tones: This Vox delivers that classic 'chime' amp tone and is perfect for those who love vintage tube amp tones. The onboard tremolo is fantastic too. ❌ Avoid if you want high gain: Whilst you can get overdrive out of this amp pretty easily, it won't get you all the way to high-gain, metal territory.
Launched over 60 years ago, the Vox AC15 is the veteran of the pack in this best guitar amps guide. Yet still, people gravitate towards that famous grille, lured in by the promise of one of the guitar world’s most recognizable tones as utilized by everyone from the Beatles to Brian May.
This amp has a wide tonal range, going from the signature sparkling clean right through mid-heavy compressed overdrive. The highs are complex yet articulate whilst the low-end response is punchy and dynamic, sounding equally great with both single-coil and humbucker-equipped guitars.
The onboard tremolo is particularly delicious, with speed and depth controls allowing you to dial in everything from a slow gentle warble to a more choppy, gated effect. You also get a spring reverb with a single level control, letting you bask your guitar tone in some surf guitar sounds. As far as the best combo amps go, it's hard to beat this one if you're into classic tones.
Best for metal
(Image credit: Future)
9. Orange Micro Dark
A micro amp with a massive sound
Our expert review:
Specifications
Watts: 20
Type: Hybrid
Preamp tubes: 12AX7
Power amp tubes: N/A
Speakers: N/A
Reasons to buy
+
Excellent tone options
+
Compact size for gigging
+
Speaker emulation out
Reasons to avoid
-
Not a full tube amp
At a Glance
✅ Buy if you want a compact metal amp: The Micro Dark packs some serious metal heft in its tiny enclosure, making it great for gigging guitar players who love metal. ❌ Avoid if you prefer tube amps: This is a hybrid amp that only features tubes in the preamp stage, so some tube purists may not get along with it.
The Orange Micro Dark is one of the British amp manufacturers' most popular offerings and one of the best metal amps we've ever had our hands on. Mixing great tone with compact portability plus some excellent connectivity options, it’s incredible value for money and worthy of a place on any guitarist's backline.
Orange isn’t kidding around with the ‘micro’ tagline, this thing is positively tiny and weighs the same as some practice amps. It gets absolutely dwarfed by a 4x12 cabinet, yet somehow manages to output a sound level that will have audiences running quickly reaching for their earplugs. It’s got that classic Orange midrange in spades with a lovely clean channel and gain that goes from classic rock right through to djent.
As well as outputting the amp through a traditional speaker out, it also has an emulated speaker output so you can DI it straight to the desk, or utilize it as part of your home recording setup. This output doubles as a headphone out too, so silent practice is on the cards as well, completing this brilliant amplifier's comprehensive feature set.
A lightweight yet powerful amp that’s great for jazz tones
Our expert review:
Specifications
Watts: 200W
Type: Solid state
Preamp tubes: N/A
Power amp tubes: N/A
Speakers: 1 x 12" Celestion Copperback
Reasons to buy
+
Incredible clean tones
+
Nice and lightweight
+
Plenty of power for gigging
Reasons to avoid
-
Dirt sounds aren’t the best
At a Glance
✅ Buy if you want loud clean tones with lots of headroom: Delivering 200W of tone, the Aviator Mach 3 gives brilliant clean tones with lots of variety, making it great for jazz and other styles that need a clean base. ❌ Avoid if you need high gain: The dirt setting isn't the best around, so if you need higher gain settings direct from your amp this won't do the job.
If you’re playing jazz guitar you’ll need a great clean amp and whilst the more typical choices would be a Fender tube amp or Roland Jazz Chorus, we’ve opted for a left-field choice in the Quilter Aviator Mach 3. For us, its pure clean power matched with super light weight makes it the perfect choice for jazz players, gigging or not.
The volume and clean headroom on the Mach 3 are stupendously good. It will easily keep up with your heavy-handed drummer and do the business in big band setups too. The six amp voices give you plenty of flexibility to blend in - or stand out - depending on your use case, and the Celestion speaker delivers a lovely, balanced guitar tone.
You get two channels that are identical, so you can set up slightly different amp voices or completely different clean and dirty tones, both of which are available via a footswitch that’s sold separately. Two separate inputs mean you can run two different instruments via the same amp which could be handy in a pinch, and you also get some quality effects with reverb and tremolo. The only thing that lets this amp down for us is the distortion effect, so you’ll want to use an overdrive pedal if you want dirt tones.
✅ Buy if you want a pedalboard-friendly amp: Strymon's ever-popular pedal amp is perfect for pedalboards thanks to its compact size and powerful controls that mean no messing around with dedicated apps or software. ❌ Avoid if you don't have good monitoring: Using this live you'll need a good FRFR speaker or fantastic monitoring, so one to avoid if the places you play don't have a good PA system.
We’re firmly in the modern age now, which means it isn’t necessary to lug a traditional guitar amp around with you if you want to play shows. It’s been around for a while, but the Strymon Iridium is still one of the best pedal amps out there, thanks to its great sounds and ease of use.
The Iridium gives you three classic amp sounds with Fender, Vox, and Marshall-inspired sounds that are easily tweakable thanks to real knobs on the pedal front. There is an app for those who like to delve into that kind of thing, but real amp users will love the tactile feel of proper controls here.
You get 9 preloaded cabinet impulse responses from 1x12 to full-on Mesa 4x12 tones, so there’s plenty of flexibility available when dialing in your tones. You can also load your own IRs too, or just bypass the cab model completely if you want to. A built-in room reverb provides some ambiance for that amp-in-a-room tone, and there’s plenty of connectivity to fit most use cases too.
✅ Buy if you want to get rid of your amp entirely: More than just a multi-effects pedal, the Neural DSP Quad Cortex will replace your entire rig, from amp to cab, to pedalboard. ❌ Avoid if you don't like tweaking: To get the best out of it you'll need to spend some time setting up and tone tweaking, so if you're not good with tech or don't like using software, best to avoid this one.
Neural DSPs Quad Cortex is one of the best amp modelers we’ve ever played, but it does a whole lot more than that too. Capable of capturing amp and pedal tones and acting as an audio interface, not only is it a fantastic replacement for your traditional amplifier, but a whole new way of running your rig.
The pure variety of sounds available is incredible. Pretty much any amp you can imagine features, all captured pristinely and realistically. Not only that, but you can take your existing rig and model it into your unit, so your signature sound will remain the same no matter where you go.
We love the large LCD display which makes changing and tweaking patches a breeze. The footswitches that double as rotary controls are ingenious, and have since been copied by many other manufacturers. The level of connectivity is fantastic too, with every eventuality covered whether you want to use a hybrid amp and modeler rig, use it purely for recording purposes, or just replace your live rig entirely.
The guitar amps listed above are for us what you should be spending your money on. There are many different use cases when it comes to guitar amps however, so if you didn't find what you were looking for here are some more options that we rate highly.
PRS MT15 Mark Tremonti | Tube head | 15W | JJ EC83S, 6L6 The MT 15 follows the standard lunchbox amp blueprint, packing in two channels and switchable output power to make for an ideal tool for practice, recording, and small shows. It’s clearly towards higher gain fans, with the 6L6 power amp tubes dealing up plenty of saturation Guitar World Score: 4.5/5
Marshall DSL40CR | Tube combo | 40W | 4 x ECC83, 2 x EL34 | 1x12” Celestion V-Type The Marshall DSL40CR aims to give you the classic sound of a Marshall 4x12 in a much more usable format. Tonally versatile and portable, the DSL40CR is an all-tube tone monster that offers excellent value for money for gigging guitarists. Guitar World Score: 4.5/5
Blackstar HT Club 40 | Tube combo | 40W | ECC83, EL34 | 1x 12” Celestion The Blackstar HT Club 40 has been the standard for mid-priced tube amps for a while now thanks to its foot-switchable voices. These voices offer an American or British-leaning tonality, meaning you essentially get four amp tones in one. Guitar World Score: 4.5/5
Victory V40 The Duchess | Tube head | 40W | 12AX7, EL34 Despite its small size, the Victory V40 can produce some serious noise. It’s a 40-watt, single-channel tube head that is capable of both US and UK style tones, and thanks to its significant clean headroom, is an exceptional pedal platform too. Guitar World Score: 5/5
Guitar amplification is based on three building blocks at its core – preamp, power amp, and speaker. The preamp shapes the sound, the power amp brings it up to the level required to drive the speaker, and the speaker pumps out the glorious tone.
Should I buy a tube, solid state or digital amp?
First, there's the question of whether the amp is tube, solid-state, or a digital amp modeler. With tubes, you’re getting the benefits of a physical reaction in your playing: genuine electrical artistry spilling from a row of glowing glass tubes. Tubes deliver a rich harmonic warmth and dynamism that people still flock to, despite all of the advances in digital and modeling technology. If you’re driving the power amp section of your amp, playing at stage volume, tubes really come into their own in a way that digital and modeling amps can’t really compete with.
Where modeling comes up trumps is through sheer variety and instant gratification. Modern modeling amps can pack in super-accurate recreations of literally hundreds of different models, from all genres, in a way that gives the user a near-infinite tonal palette. As well as the amps themselves, modeling amps also give you plenty of options to tweak your cabinets and speakers, as well as typically having a whole host of built-in effects. This makes them great options for players in cover bands who need lots of different sounds, as well as beginners who are searching for their signature sound.
The line between solid-state and modeling amps has blurred in recent years, but typically a solid-state amp won’t try to emulate different sounds like their digital cousins. Despite having a bit of a bad rep amongst tonal purists there’s no denying that class D power amps and the like are both small and efficient. They tend to lean towards cleaner tones, which makes them fantastic pedalboard-friendly amps, but very few have overdriven and distorted tones that can compete with a high-end modeler or tube amp.
Do I want a combo or a head?
Combo amps combine the pre-amp, power amp, and speakers in a single unit, whereas heads require external speakers to use. The benefit of a head is being able to run more speakers if necessary, but in an age of venues shut down for noise complaints, where even your local bar has a decent PA, the need for extra volume isn't as relevant. Also if you use a head on the road and don’t bring your own cabinet, you’re at the mercy of the dubious quality of the venue’s own cabs.
Combo amps are great if you want to take your carefully crafted sound out and about on the road with you. You’ll know when you rock up to the show that your exact sound will be pumped out to front of house. However, this comes at a cost, as combo amps are typically very heavy, meaning lugging them up those narrow venue stairs might make you lust after that ‘lunchbox’ head.
Is guitar amp wattage important?
Yes, it is. More wattage, for the most part, means more volume. There is however some nuance to this. The perceived volume of a tube amp is much louder than that of its solid state or modeling equivalent because of some electrical wizardry that we won’t go into here. Put in simple terms, it means that a 10-15 watt tube amp will be equal to its 50-watt digital equivalent. So definitely bear that in mind before you pull the trigger on that 100-watt tube head and 4x12 combo you’ve got your eye on.
How much gain does my guitar amp need?
Finally, you'll want to think about your gain requirements. If you're a pedalboard user, you may well already have an array of overdrive and distortion pedals, and you're just looking for a clean platform to amplify and complement those tones. However, for some players – especially those of a heavier persuasion – there's simply no substitute for a high-gain amp, which produces a richer, more 3D character than many stompboxes. Be sure to bear in mind the number of channels an amp possesses, especially if you're looking to switch on the fly from clean to distortion.
How we test the best guitar amps
When it comes to testing, there are a few things we like to do to put an amplifier through its paces. That said, we must first mention that as guitar amps come in various shapes and sizes, how we test them can differ, depending on the amplifier's intended use. For example, volume and projection are massive considerations when it comes to amps designed to be played on stage or in a rehearsal room, but not so much for home use practice amps.
What shouldn't change between home and live amps is the build quality, and that's the first thing we look for. For us, all amps should be well made and sturdy, regardless of their application. In our opinion, guitar amps should feel robust and able to withstand anything you throw at them, and the controls should be smooth, with just the right amount of resistance.
To test the amps out tonally, we'll start where most guitarists start, everything straight up the middle. This usually allows us to hear the amp at its most sonically honest. We'll then dive in and start shaping the sound to how we like it, paying careful attention to the sweep of the EQ controls in particular. We'll also be sure to test the amp at both ends of the gain spectrum, from as much saturation as we can get to as clean as possible.
If an amp has any other features, such as effects or attenuators, we'll be sure to go through them as well, making sure we've tested every last extra onboard.
Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.
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Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Chris Corfield is a journalist with over 12 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands including Orange Amplification, MusicRadar, Guitar World, Total Guitar and Dawsons Music. Chris loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar gear and synths, to microphones and music production hardware.
