Looking for a powerfully loud mini amplifier that won’t blow out your ears?
Interestingly, most miniature amps don’t make a great guitar amp. They’re more suited for keyboards and other instruments, such as violin, ukulele and the trombone (though I would respectfully beg to differ on this one).
In fact, these amps are not designed to sound good for guitar music. In other words: If you’re looking for a mini amp that will give you those rich cleans, and crunchy distorted tones, a mini amp isn’t the best choice.
No question about it, generally speaking, the best bet for your first stomp box (or practice) amp, is to go with a small, compact, full-powered, clean sounding, well-built valve guitar combo amp.
Those amps will preserve your guitar tone remarkably well, and many of the very best guitar amplifiers available today come in that form factor. All you’ve really got to do is add some pedals.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of buying a guitar amplifier yet, and you’ve never had it made clear to you why you should never buy a miniature amp, keep reading below. This article is for you.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Channel Stereo Audio Class D Amplifier Mini Hi-Fi Professional Digital Amp | Best Overall |  |
| Marshall MS2 Battery-Powered Micro Guitar Amplifier | Budget Pick |  |
| BOSS Katana Compact 7-Watt Guitar Amplifier | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. 2 Channel Stereo Audio Class D Amplifier Mini Hi-Fi Professional Digital Amp
Pros:
- Great price point
- Easy to use basic features
- Compact size and elegant design
- Simple, minimalist design
- Suitable for most car sizes
- Can be used to play audio from a CD, MP3, or phone
- Can be used to charge your phone
- Can be used to power a laptop or computer
- Several built-in protections to protect your devices from getting damaged
- Low-profile design
Cons:
- No remote control
- Does not come with a cigarette adapter
- No instruction manual included
- Does not come with a warranty
But regardless of those, this is still more than suitable for someone who needs a low-priced amplifier for their car. It has plenty of power, more than enough to power a laptop, an MP3 player or a cellphone. It’s rated for 60W x 2 channel A/V into 4 ohm speakers, and 100W x 2-channel into 2 ohm speakers. It also comes with plenty of features such –built-in bluetooth receiver, USB charger for charging mobile devices, and USB port for charging Laptop devices.
2. Fender Frontman 10G Electric Guitar Amplifier
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Decent price tag
- Great for beginners wanting to add a little tube-like saturation without going into overdrive
- Excellent tone in the price range
- Built-in speaker upgrade available
- Headphone jack for quiet practice
- Switchable 8/16 ohm output impedance
- 5 watts, 10 inch speaker
Cons:
- Less suitable for louder guitarists playing in a band
- Gimmicks such as the built-in USB for recording mean that you may not be able to upgrade to better gear
This is one of the best cheap mini amplifiers in 2020. The Fender Frontman is tiny but will give you killer tone for a price that will not break the bank. It’s great for beginners and is especially useful to those who have never used an amp before and are wondering how they are supposed to sound. It comes with a 10-inch speaker and a 5-watt output so you can expect great sound quality but the limited power means it’s not suitable for loud guitar tones.
3. Blackstar Electric Guitar Mini Amplifier
Pros:
- SMALL!
- Extremely lightweight
- 3-band EQ to help you get the sound that you want
- Solid power that you can crank on
Cons:
- Battery powered (so no access for an outlet)
- Has to be plugged into a speaker to really benefit the most
There’s something about the minis. They’re so awesome. Probably because they’re so small, lightweight, and easy to use. They’re something you can easily take with you to get some practice in while you’re on the road. That’s the case with the Blackstar Combat 10. This mini amp has the ability to drive your tone with a loud, crystal clear sound if you need it to. It also features a Drive and Boost (Gain) button to give you more versatility when you’re looking to create that sound.
4. Marshall MS2 Battery-Powered Micro Guitar Amplifier
Pros:
- Compact size
- Good value for money
- Versatile – can be used to play a lot of different kinds of instruments
Cons:
- Pedals are a bit fiddly to adjust
- The power light has been reported to dazzle in bright daylight
This little amp is perfect for practicing without disturbing those around you. Marshall MS2 Battery-Powered Micro Guitar Amplifier has an integrated 18-watt speaker and comes with a rechargable battery so you can make music anywhere. It has an analog overdrive with built-in distortion and also an input jack that allows you to connect your phone and play along to your favorite tracks.
The battery life on a single charge is about 15 hours and recharges fairly quickly.
What’s great about this device is that you can use it to learn your favorite songs easily.
5. Orange Crush Mini 3-Watt Micro Amp
Pros:
- Amazing tone for a small amp
- Simple controls
- Several useful accessories
- Easy to use and lightweight
- Good sound quality
- Affordable price
- Good for amplifying acoustic guitars
- Perfect for practicing at home
- Low-noise circuit
- Stable power
Cons:
- Not suitable for outdoor use
- No washable speaker covering
- Can get very hot to the touch while in use
The Orange Crush mini is a sturdy amp, with a nice design and weight to it. It heats up easily but stays cool in normal use. It can be fairly loud with the volume dial adjusted all the way up, so bear this in mind if you ever plan to play with it plugged into a PA. This mini amp is perfect for boosting the sound of your acoustic guitar. It helps to drive the signal of an un-amplified guitar to do justice to its tone.
6. BOSS Katana Compact 7-Watt Guitar Amplifier
Pros:
- 2-channel mode for convenience
- Great for home practice
- 5" speaker delivers solid guitar tone
- Easy to use and maintain
- Great gigging amplifier
- Great price
- Enough power for acoustic guitar
- USB port
Cons:
- Power light could be better
- No extra input
- Short power cable
The Boss Katana series has been going for years and has refined the art of making compact amplifiers. This compact amplifier comes in a variety of models that range in price, wattage capacity, and features.
If you are wondering if the mini Katana is for you, take a good look at what it features. The other models are solid choices as well, but you may not be able to fit them into your guitar playing lifestyle.
One feature you may find useful is the 2-channel mode that the amp features. It allows you to use the mini amp for your guitar, and still have a channel for a microphone, or need another channel for backup. If you are looking for something a bit different, you are going to get it with the Katana.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best mini amplifier?
Getting a little more serious with your guitar play. To be more precise, the best mini-amp you can find.
The mini-amps that are out there are either cheap chinese models or ridiculously expensive boutique models, which rule out the majority of possible buyers.
So here are the seven best mini-amps available. I have hand-picked them based on finding the best bang-for-the-buck, while still being really good amps:)
What is a mini amplifier?
A mini amplifier is just as the name implies – the miniature version of a normal amplifier. They are designed with the guitar in mind, but are very versatile in application.
A mini amplifier is a must-have for any guitarist or singer. They are compact and can fit into tight spaces. They differ from a megaphone in that they are often lighter and smaller, which makes them much easier to transport.
Some of them have headphone jacks and even come with a bag to store them in. These little amplifiers are amazing tools to have in any musician’s live performance toolkit.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of seven of the best mini amplifiers. We’ve looked at quality, price, and versatility to rank these seven products.
From studio-style products to lightweight picks, there is an amplifier perfect for any musician.
What is the best portable guitar amp?
The key is selecting an amp that has a good clean sound with little distortion. This will be your "bread and butter" sound, and it will be the basis of every other amp setting you utilize.
For beginners, this is the establishment of your sound and the tone that you will be known for. Donʼt spend too much money on a high-end amp until you decide whether or not you are going to continue playing guitar. Some people will benefit from an amp that has too many options and too many features. If you fall into this category, donʼt be afraid to start at a more entry-level price and work your way up as you become more experienced. Donʼt spend too much money on a high-end amp until you decide whether or not you are going to continue playing guitar.
How many amps should my speakers be?
Whereas an average amp will have at least one pair of speakers, you can get amps with multiple pairs of speakers, including multiple subwoofers. There are also amps that specialize in linear bass. These are excellent for audiophiles who have a perfect speaker setup in their home.
No matter your interest, you can find an amp that matches your system requirements. Some of the amps we tested, like the Peavey PVM 120, can handle up to four pairs of speakers, which is great for parties. There are also a number of amps that accommodate fewer pairs of speakers. If you are only looking for one pair, however, you have plenty of options.
An amp should be able to power as many speakers as you want to install in your vehicle. If you are driving one car, you can get away with a 1-2 horse power amplifier. For more cars in the family, you will need to purchase a device that has more power.
Conclusion
It’s a surprising fact that sometimes, those who need the power of bigness don’t necessarily need the bulk of the big amp; in many situations, all they need is a lot of power for their small scale gigs… am I right? The best mini amps are designed for those situations.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Channel Stereo Audio Class D Amplifier Mini Hi-Fi Professional Digital Amp | Best Overall | |
| Marshall MS2 Battery-Powered Micro Guitar Amplifier | Budget Pick | |
| BOSS Katana Compact 7-Watt Guitar Amplifier | Upgrade Pick | |