Best Amps for Guitars: Reviewed by Experts

The best amps for guitars will depend on opinions, brand preferences, or perhaps different tastes. The most critical factors are, of course, the sound and tone you wish for, especially if you’re trying to replicate your heroic guitars’ sound. 

Each guitar amp has its good and bad points, but if you’re trying to find the best amps for guitars in 2024, seeing which guitar amps are the best sellers can be a good way to start. 

This article involves what we believe as experts are the 10 best amps for guitars currently on the market. Their prices are listed in order to help you select the amplifier that’s suitable for your budget. Also, you should be able to find all styles here as well. This guide contains amps that work in all kinds of events, and available in a number of formats, varying from extremely portable pedalboard versions and combos to high-powered amp heads. 

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1.  Positive Grid Spark 40 

With the Spark app, this tenacious little amp transforms into the perfect practice tool. Powered by the renowned BIAS tone engine, this amp can replicate some of the most well-known tube amps and effects of all time.

One of this amp's most impressive features is without a doubt the ground-breaking Auto Chord feature, which lets you determine the chords for any song on Apple Music, Spotify, or Youtube. While your amp will jam along with you thanks to the Smart Jam feature, which meticulously analyzes the notes you're playing and generates a backing track in the style of your choice. In addition to all of this, the app offers access to over 10,000 tone presets.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: Modeling desktop amp

• Output: 40W

• Number of channels: 30 Amp Models

• Valves: N/A

• Weight: 5.2kg

• Key Features:  40 effects, BIAS Tone Engine and app integration for jamming, headphones out, USB, Bluetooth, four programmable presets, tuner, Smart Jam, Auto Chord.

• Speaker: 2x4” custom designed

PROS:

• Features-filled

• Well-rounded variety of tones

• Auto Chord and Smart Jam features are valuable for learning and practice. 

CONS:

• Order’s waiting times can vary.

TODAY’S BEST DEAL

2. Yamaha THR30 II Wireless

Yamaha's THR series is still revolutionary. The guitar amplifier was intended to be dressed in home audio aesthetics, loaded with digital capability that was, significantly, based on the feel and response of valve amplifiers, and made portable.

The THR30 II Wireless is the most portable amplifier available. It can be powered by the included 15V DC power source, or you can charge it up and bring it with you to experience 15 watts of stereo solid-state power in a park, on the beach, or even at the top of a skyscraper. 

It comes preinstalled with Cubase AI, has a solid selection of onboard effects, and includes USB and headphone outputs, making it a good choice for in-home recording and late-night practice sessions. Additionally, it has such a nice appearance that you could leave it in the living room without feeling guilty.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: Battery-powered desktop combo

• Output: 30W (2x 15W stereo, 15W battery)

• Number of channels: 15 Amp Model Combinations, Acoustic Mic Models, Bass Amps, Flat Voicings

• Valves: N/A

• Weight: 4.3kg

• Key Features:  15V DC power supply / internal rechargeable battery, headphones output, 2x 1/4” line out, USB, effects (phaser, tremolo, echo, compressor, chorus, flanger, noise gate), spring and hall reverbs, bundled Cubase AI, THR Remote App, full wireless capability.

• Speaker: 2x3.5

PROS:

• Portable

• Perfect for home recording and practice

• Simple to operate

CONS:

• Although the plastic backing is lightweight, it lacks a "guitar amp" feel.

TODAY’S BEST DEAL

3. Blackstar Silverline Deluxe head

The range includes the 2x100W Stereo Deluxe 2x12, 100W Deluxe 1x12, 50W Special 1x12, 50W Special 1x12", and 20W Standard 1x10" combos if you like the concept of the Silverline but aren't seeking for a head.

Each has a comparable configuration and appearance, with Blackstar's SHARC processing technology keeping the tones authentic inside. You can choose the power-tube emulation you like most thanks to effects, customizable settings, and TVP technology. In our opinion, they feature all the modern conveniences that today's player requires: dependable, persuasive, and cutting-edge, yet they look and sound like authentic valve amps.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: Digital modeling head

• Output:  100W at 4ohms

• Number of channels: 6 fully-programmable voices, 12 onboard memory slots

• Valves: N/A

• Weight: 9.6kg

• Key Features: Patented ISF EQ shift, Patented TVP output stage emulation, built-in tuner, USB for firmware updates and direct recording remote control through Insider software app. Emulated headphones/recording out and mp3/line in (can be switched to effects loop send/return using Insider software), Matching 2x12” cab, MIDI in.

• Speaker: N/A

PROS:

• Great feature set

• Classy build and lightweight

• Outstanding options across the range

• Well laid-out front panel

CONS:

• Alternatives provide more options for effects

TODAY’S BEST DEAL

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4. Katana Artist MkII 1x12”

The Katana series has been a runaway success for Boss, cramming several amp models into compact sizes, stuffing them with modern features and integrated effects, and selling them for a reasonable price.

Even though we'd cheerfully recommend any of the Katana MkII amps, the enhanced Waza Craft speaker and additional MIDI features make this Artist MkII combo the standout choice.

The front panel of a digital amplifier is comfortingly recognizable. Imagine it as a five-channel amplifier with five amp modes, but with two modes on each model, which vastly increases your range of tones. With Boss's Tube Logic design, it can produce bell-like cleans, scorching high-gain chug, and everything in between, and it all feels and sounds natural. The built-in effects are of the highest caliber, while Tone Studio's online library offers more effects. Although there is a rabbit hole to get lost in, finding usable tones is simple.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Type:  Modeling combo

• Output: 100W switchable to 50W or 0.5W

• Number of channels:  5 amp types w/two modes each

• Valves: N/A

• Weight: 23.6kg

• Key Features: 3x digital reverbs 5x Simultaneous Effects (Flanger, Pitch Shift,Delay,Tremolo, Wah, Phaser), over 60 effects downloadable via Boss Tone Studio, mic’d cab emulation, Series/Parallel Effects Loop, USB, MIDI in, headphones output

• Speaker: 1x 12" Custom Waza Speaker

PROS:

• Excellent set of contemporary features

• Changes from ultra-clean to high-gain

• Outstanding onboard effects

CONS:

• Slightly more pricey than its MkII Katana kin

TODAY’S BEST DEAL

5. Fender Blues Junior IV

The Blues Junior is the best-selling valve-amp combo for a good reason. Its USP is the incorporation of vintage Fender tones into a very affordable product that is portable, free from fuss, and tailored to the needs of the modern musician who wants outstanding tube tones at low volumes and compatibility with pedalboards.

But even before you use your board, the Blues Junior's tight low-end and scintillating high-end will have you under their spell. The FAT switch is a work of understated genius because it does exactly what you'd expect it to: it widens the frequencies and gives your single-coil tone a beer gut.

The only feature on the control panel that truly needs explanation is the FAT switch; aside from that, the Blues Junior is a simple, fuss-free combo that is a modern classic. If you push it hard, you'll reach blues-rock paradise.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Type:  Valve combo

• Output: 15W

• Number of channels:  1

• Valves:  3x 12AX7 preamp valves, 2x EL84 power amp valves

• Weight: 14.3kg

• Key Features: Fat switch, op-amp-driven spring reverb.

• Speaker: 12" Celestion A-Type

PROS:

• Hot sizzling drive and ace clean tones 

• Single-coils are nicely thickened up by fat switch. 

CONS:

• No clean headroom when a drummer is involved

TODAY’S BEST DEAL

These are the most frequently asked questions when it comes to buying the best amps for guitars.

1. How much does a guitar amp usually cost?

All of the amps in this guide are excellent choices, but if you're just starting out, you don't really need to spend a lot of money on a bedroom amp; you can find something fantastic for far less than $500. However, if you want to upgrade to a professional rig, whether digital or tube, you could expect to invest up to $1000 for top-notch tone and dependability.

2. Is it a good idea to purchase an amp online?

You don’t have to be worried about purchasing an amp online before having the chance to try it out. Online music instrument vendors such as Sweetwater, Thomann, and Sam Ash provide standard returns with no hassle, so you can buy an amp, play it at the comfort of your home, and return it if you don’t like it. Before purchase, make sure to check the particular returns policy of your selected retailer. Most provide from 30 to 45 days to return a product, so long as it’s still in its original condition when you bought it.