The 3 Best Guitar Amps Under $500 (Acoustic, Electric):
| Guitar Amps Under $500 | Reason to Buy |
|---|---|
| Boss Katana 50 MkII Guitar Amp | Great value for money with a wide range of tones and built-in effects |
| Fender Champion 100 Guitar Amp | Versatile and powerful amp with classic Fender tone |
| Vox VT20X Guitar Amp | Modeling amp with a wide range of tones and built-in effects |
Hey there, guitar lovers! Are you on the hunt for a top-quality guitar amp that won’t break the bank? Well, look no further! In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the best guitar amps under $500 that offer excellent sound quality, versatility, and value for your money.
New to this? Read How to Choose a Guitar Amp: Complete Beginner’s Guide first for the basics, then use the picks below.
As a musician, having the right gear is crucial to enhance your sound and performance. However, with so many options available in the market, finding the perfect guitar amp that fits your needs and budget can be a daunting task.
Related: best guitar amps under $400 and best guitar amps under $300.
But don’t worry, we’ve curated a list of the top guitar amps under $500. From compact and portable mini-amps to versatile combo amps, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player looking for a reliable backup amp, keep reading to discover some fantastic options for the best guitar amps under $500 that offer excellent value for your money!
Go here if you’re looking for the best guitar amps overall.
Best Guitar Amps Under $500 (Acoustic, Electric)
1. Boss Katana 50 MkII Guitar Amp Under $500
Specifications:
- Power Output: 50W
- Speaker: 1 x 12 inch Custom Speaker
- Controls: Amp Type, Gain, Volume, EQ, Effects, Tone Setting, Master Volume
- Input: 1/4 inch Instrument Input, Aux Input, Headphones Output, Footswitch Input
- Power: AC Adapter (Included)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Versatile amp models and effects | May not have as warm a tone as tube amps |
| Built-in power attenuation | May be too complex for beginner guitar players |
| High-quality speaker | May not be loud enough for performances |
The Boss Katana 50 MkII Guitar Amp is a versatile option for guitar players who want multiple amp models and effects. It has a power output of 50W and a 1 x 12 inch custom speaker, which is suitable for practicing at home or in small jam sessions. The amp has amp type, gain, volume, EQ, effects, tone setting, and master volume controls, allowing you to customize your sound. It has an input for your instrument, an aux input for music playback, a headphones output for private practice, and a footswitch input for switching between channels. The Boss Katana 50 MkII is powered by an AC adapter, which is included with the amp.
One of the benefits of the Boss Katana 50 MkII Guitar Amp is its versatile amp models and effects, which allow you to achieve a great tone for a variety of genres. The built-in power attenuation also allows you to lower the power output to achieve a better tone at lower volumes, which is great for practicing at home. Additionally, the high-quality speaker provides a great sound.
However, there are some drawbacks to this amp. The Boss Katana 50 MkII may not have as warm a tone as tube amps, which may be a deal-breaker for some guitar players. Additionally, while it is a great option for its price, it may be too complex for beginner guitar players who may not know how to use all the features. Finally, its 50W power output may not be loud enough for performances or playing with a band.
2. Fender Champion 100 Guitar Amp Under $500
Specifications:
- Power Output: 100W
- Speaker: 2 x 12 inch Fender Special Design Speakers
- Controls: Volume, Treble, Bass, Mid, Channel Select, Gain, Voice, FX Select, FX Level, Tap Tempo
- Input: 1/4 inch Instrument Input, Aux Input, Headphones Output, Footswitch Input
- Power: AC Adapter (Included)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Warm and clear Fender tone | May be too heavy for gigging musicians |
| Multiple amp models and effects | May not have as many effects as other amps |
| High-quality speakers | May be too loud for home practice |
The Fender Champion 100 Guitar Amp is a warm and clear option for guitar players who want a great Fender tone. It has a power output of 100W and 2 x 12 inch Fender Special Design speakers, which are suitable for performances and playing with a band. The amp has volume, treble, bass, mid, channel select, gain, voice, FX select, FX level, and tap tempo controls, allowing you to customize your sound. It has an input for your instrument, an aux input for music playback, a headphones output for private practice, and a footswitch input for switching between channels. The Fender Champion 100 is powered by an AC adapter, which is included with the amp.
One of the benefits of the Fender Champion 100 Guitar Amp is its warm and clear Fender tone, which is great for playing blues and rock music. Its multiple amp models and effects also allow you to achieve a great tone for a variety of genres. Additionally, the high-quality speakers provide a great sound.
However, there are some drawbacks to this amp. The Fender Champion 100 may be too heavy for gigging musicians who want a more portable option. Additionally, it may not have as many effects as other amps, which may limit its versatility. Finally, its 100W power output may be too loud for home practice, which may not be suitable for some guitar players.
3. Vox VT20X Guitar Amp Under $500
Specifications:
- Power Output: 20W
- Speaker: 1 x 8 inch Vox Speaker
- Controls: Amp Models, Effects, Gain, Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Power Level, Bias Shift, Class Select, Modulation Depth, Modulation Rate, Delay/Reverb Level
- Input: 1/4 inch Instrument Input, Aux Input, Headphones Output, Footswitch Input
- Power: AC Adapter (Included)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Versatile amp models and effects | May not have as warm a tone as tube amps |
| Built-in power attenuation | May be too complex for beginner guitar players |
| High-quality speaker | May not be loud enough for performances |
The Vox VT20X Guitar Amp is a versatile option for guitar players who want multiple amp models and effects. It has a power output of 20W and a 1 x 8 inch Vox speaker, which is suitable for practicing at home or in small jam sessions. The amp has amp models, effects, gain, volume, treble, middle, bass, power level, bias shift, class select, modulation depth, modulation rate, and delay/reverb level controls, allowing you to customize your sound. It has an input for your instrument, an aux input for music playback, a headphones output for private practice, and a footswitch input for switching between channels. The Vox VT20X is powered by an AC adapter, which is included with the amp.
One of the benefits of the Vox VT20X Guitar Amp is its versatile amp models and effects, which allow you to achieve a great tone for a variety of genres. The built-in power attenuation also allows you to lower the power output to achieve a better tone at lower volumes, which is great for practicing at home. Additionally, the high-quality speaker provides a great sound.
However, there are some drawbacks to this amp. The Vox VT20X may not have as warm a tone as tube amps, which may be a deal-breaker for some guitar players. Additionally, while it is a great option for its price, it may be too complex for beginner guitar players who may not know how to use all the features. Finally, its 20W power output may not be loud enough for performances or playing with a band.
In summary, the Boss Katana 50 MkII, Fender Champion 100, and Vox VT20X are all great options for guitar players who want a lot of versatility in their amp. The Boss Katana 50 MkII is a great option for guitar players who want multiple amp models and effects, while the Fender Champion 100 is a warm and clear option for guitar players who want a great Fender tone. The Vox VT20X is a versatile option for guitar players who want multiple amp models and effects, with the added benefit of built-in power attenuation for practicing at lower volumes.
4. Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 Guitar Amp Under $500
Specifications:
- Power Output: 100W
- Speaker: 1 x 12 inch Custom Voiced Modeling Speaker
- Controls: Amp Type, Gain, Volume, 3-Band EQ, Effects, Stompbox, Preamp, Power Amp, Delay, Reverb
- Input: 1/4 inch Instrument Input, Aux Input, Headphones Output, Footswitch Input
- Power: AC Adapter (Included)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Versatile amp models and effects | May not have as warm a tone as tube amps |
| Built-in tuner and looper | May be too complex for beginner guitar players |
| High-quality speaker | May be too heavy for gigging musicians |
The Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 Guitar Amp is a versatile option for guitar players who want multiple amp models and effects. It has a power output of 100W and a 1 x 12 inch custom voiced modeling speaker, which is suitable for performances and playing with a band. The amp has amp type, gain, volume, 3-band EQ, effects, stompbox, preamp, power amp, delay, and reverb controls, allowing you to customize your sound. It has an input for your instrument, an aux input for music playback, a headphones output for private practice, and a footswitch input for switching between channels. The Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 is powered by an AC adapter, which is included with the amp.
One of the benefits of the Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 Guitar Amp is its versatile amp models and effects, which allow you to achieve a great tone for a variety of genres. The built-in tuner and looper also add an extra dimension to your playing, and the high-quality speaker provides a great sound.
However, there are some drawbacks to this amp. The Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 may not have as warm a tone as tube amps, which may be a deal-breaker for some guitar players. Additionally, while it is a great option for its price, it may be too complex for beginner guitar players who may not know how to use all the features. Finally, its size and weight may make it too heavy for gigging musicians who want a more portable option.
5. Orange Crush 35RT Guitar Amp Under $500
Specifications:
- Power Output: 35W
- Speaker: 1 x 10 inch Orange Voice of the World Speaker
- Controls: Clean Volume, Dirty Gain, Dirty Volume, 3-Band EQ, Reverb, Tuner, Aux Input, Phones Output
- Input: 1/4 inch Instrument Input
- Power: AC Adapter (Included)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Warm and clear Orange tone | May not have as many effects as other amps |
| Built-in reverb and tuner | May not be suitable for larger performances |