Last Updated on March 25 by Monty Python
When it is about creativity using any musical instrument then one does not need to compromise over quality. Now, music enthusiasts are lucky to have top-of-the-line musical instruments and support systems that are available at affordable prices.
If you are a guitarist and looking to have an amp along with it for the obvious need then you don’t need to worry much about the budget. You can get a top-quality amp within a budget of $200. The guitar who are beginners or mid-level with their guitar skills is advised to set aside a budget of at least $150 to $200 if they want to have something serious in a guitar amp.
This much investment will be good enough to take you further with your needs for a good couple of years if not more. In this guide, we will touch base with all aspects of the guitar amp so you could take your decision with lots of confidence.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Guitar Amp that is Under 200
There are plenty of manufacturers offering guitar amp on a budget. It is not just about picking up the top brand or the one that has the best features but we need to have a good balance with such things.
The following products discussed here are picked with the same approach which is also currently the bestselling guitar amps in the market with a budget under $200:
Stagg 20 Watts Acoustic Guitar Amp with Spring Type Reverb
This 20 AA amp is equipped with all the top basic features that you could expect to have in an acoustic amplifier. That is why this product is number one on our list. It comes with all the required features and connectivity like an AUX jack, EQ, and headphone jack as well.
There is also a second input available for your mic and then there is the spring reverb inducted rather than have the regular digital type. The active/ passive switch on board is quite useful. This is particularly useful for guitars that door does not come with battery-powered pickups.
Parametric Mid control is probably the best feature of this amp. You will use the Mid knob first with this feature to choose that what frequency is required for changing. At 20 Watts, the quality of this amp in the price range is awesome.
Pros:
- It comes with the real spring reverb.
- There is an 8inch speaker with a useful coaxial tweeter.
- The volume and gain controls of the amp are quite easy to use.
- There are sensitive EQ controls to hone in the required levels.
Cons:
- There is no EQ option with the microphone channel.
Orange Amps Electric Guitar Amp
This is the hybrid amp head. This one is not a complete amp so you could expect to invest in a little ore to make it work. This system provides users with the much-needed versatility to choose from a very wide range of options.
You may also set up the amp stack for advanced customization of sound or maybe for playing beautifully at medium size venues.
The amp head is also very small which makes it easy to transport. The high gain that it offers is unique which comes with a useful 12AX7 tube which provides this one with a warm and dark tone. You will find just a hint of some real authentic distortion.
Pros:
- This one is loved for its extraordinarily easy-to-use controls.
- The amp head is compact and fairly easy to move around.
- It has a very useful 12AX7 preamp tube.
- The output toe will be quite grungy and dark.
Cons:
- Having no built-in reverb control is the only major law of this amp.
Blackstar Electric Guitar Mini Amp
If you are looking for a mini battery-operated amp on a tight budget then this is the product for you. it is a 3 watts guitar in the battery-operated option. It will provide users with uncompromising, crystal clear sound.
This product comes with all elements of home performance and practicing.
It provides a couple of channels of overdrive and clean sound. These are the two channels that could effortlessly keep a check on the volume and gain along with the ISF and delay effects.
Pros:
- This battery-operated mini amp is best for traveling and for playing in smaller confined areas.
- The controller is fairly easy to use and the aux input is good for controlling at the required level.
- The amp has good enough power to provide a warm and sweet tone.
- You will get solid sound on all levels where the overdrive is quite good.
Cons:
- It does not come with an adapter which means extra cost.
Sawtooth 10 Watts Electric Guitar Amp
It has a compact design that comes with a productive reinforced handle and the total weight of this item is 8.5 pounds only. This makes it a great amp for those who are looking to move around frequently with this.
Its storage is easy for its small size and then it offers 10 watts of power which is good for offering a reasonably good level of sound especially for beginners.
It will provide users with the control to alter the gain as required. On top of that, overdrive functionality is also there especially when you are looking for distortion.
Pros:
- The equipment is quite lightweight and portable.
- The sturdy of the amp is quite solid and it comes with a reinforced handle.
- Clear sound is guaranteed as output as there is no buzz issue in this amp.
- Users will also have an option for the headphone jack.
Cons:
- The amp may have a static background noise which is very annoying.
Fender Acoustasonic 15 Watts Acoustic Guitar Amp
It is not only for the electric guitarists who need an amp. But, it is equally important for the acoustic guitarists too who want an amp for the same reasons as the one for electric guitarists. This specific model from Fender is ideally meant for those buffs who have an acoustic guitar. These 15 watts come with two distinct channels.
If you are a frequent traveler who likes playing the acoustic while singing on the microphone then this amp is ideal for you. It is lightweight, compact, and very easy to carry. The tone is highly suitable for an acoustic guitar. It employs a Whizzer cone that offers much more ambient depth and that ideally shimmers to the tone.
Pros:
- You will have the option of having separate channels for the mic and guitar.
- The users will experience deep and ambient sound with this one.
- The equipment is fairly light in weight and easy to move around.
- The value for money for this 15 watts amp is excellent.
Cons:
- The chorus consistently offers a ticking sound which is very frustrating.
Bugera V5 – 5 Watts Class Amp Combo with Infinium Tube Multiplier Technology
This tube-type amp comes with the combo configuration. It is one among a few combo tube amps only which are available in the range of $200 budget. The users of this system were thoroughly impressed with its sound quality and they also liked the natural and warm distortion which the modeling amps strive to replicate constantly.
A few of the users had the opinion that the tone is rather dark for a rube amp. This could be both good and bad depending on the type of music you would like to play. As it has only 5 watts of power so it is designed to be used with a PA system. This wouldn’t start cracking the volume until you go beyond the moderate volume range. This makes it an ideal piece of equipment for practice.
Pros:
- The vintage tube amp of this amp is spectacular in the range.
- The dark tone feature will impress the practicing buffs.
- The size is compact and good enough for easy portability.
- The sound quality is quite crisp for a 5-watt amp system.
Cons:
- The chorus consistently offers a ticking sound which is very frustrating.
Orange 20 Watts Micro Terror Amp Head
The guitar amp head from Orange features a combo of solid-state design and tube. This 20 Watts hybrid amp offers a 12AX7 preamp tube which is coupled with a solid-state power amp. It is capable of reproducing the best classic Orange tones which all come to a much reasonable and acceptable price point. As expected from this brand, this specific amp is not a modeling type.
It is more about reproducing the British Orange sound that comes with little to no complications at all. The unit has a compact profile with limited tone options available. You will get to employ the tone, volume, and the gain knobs. The construction of this item is solid with an all-metal amp type of head design.
Pros:
- This amp is quite loud for a 20 watts system.
- The item has a portable and lightweight design.
- You will get to have overdriven tones.
- The tone of this amp is fantastic.
Cons:
- This amp is not a good option for those who are looking for extra tonal shaping options.
Fender 1000 XL Champion Digital Modeling Guitar Amp Combo
This 100 watts amp is one of its kind that is a digital guitar amp of combo type. It has 16 modeled tones which range from pristine clean ones to full-on metallic distortion types. 4 x stompbox effects include overdrive, compressor, octave, and distortion.
You will also like the 12 inches midnight-60 Celestion speakers that would bring in the full tone. The traditional esthetics are so much loved for this amp that the beginners just love to have this one as their first amp.
Pros:
- This amp is quite easy to use with all of its controls.
- You will benefit a lot from the 16 modeled tones that this amp has.
- It also has an impressive range of four built-in effects.
- It is lightweight and easy to move.
Cons:
- None
Marshall Amps Code 25 Amp
This is the amp that has taken the voice of the Marshall Brand products to another level. This is all thanks to the modern sophisticated digital technology used by the brand. You will get a highly versatile and top-quality amp that promises to stay true to the tone for which the Marshall amps are known for.
This one is a fully digital amplifier and it has got all types of features and settings which would allow you to produce any sort of sound that you could think of using a guitar. This specific amp comes with 14 x preamps, 4 x power amps, and 8 x speaker cabinets. These simulations would allow you to fine-tune any specific tone or sound.
Pros:
- This amp is rich with tone and sound simulations.
- It offers Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
- The manufacturer has only used top-quality components in its construction.
- You may use this amp for recording, practicing, or live playing.
Cons:
- The software of this amp is known to have a few glitches and bugs.
Peavey Rage 25 Guitar Combo Amp
This one is a resourceful amp that offers fantastic tone along with a reasonably thick low-end. The Peavy rage offers a preamp and a power amp which work together for handling any level of drive. The users will get to enjoy a diverse range from crystal clear to the gritty tube-amp sound.
There will be a wide variety of dynamic sound possibilities as well. The preamp would go on to settle the gain while on the other side, the power amp would work like a tube output which goes on to add the compression just as you raise the volume.
Pros:
- The amp offers quite a good amount of low-end shape and power.
- It is capable of producing a tube amp sound.
- The users will get this one with three EQ voicing selections.
- You will get to enjoy this with a range of overdriven sounds and strengths.
Cons:
- The amp does not offer any sort of preset effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Guitar Amp Under 200
What is the desirable power to have for a guitar amplifier?
If you are on a budget of $200 then you will mostly find guitar amps that offer the power of 20 watts. This is good enough power for beginners. If there is a PA system then it could be connected for louder volume.
Is it possible for plugging my acoustic guitar into an electric guitar amp?
Yes, you may plug your acoustic guitar into an electric guitar amp with no worry of structural damage. However, this would impact the tonal quality of the amp.
Is it critical to buy a guitar amp with a power supply?
Yes, you must buy one if you are not having it already. If you are looking to play different variants of music such as blues or jazz then the power supply would work to fluctuate the power as needed.
What is an effects loop?
It is a matter that produces special effects such as distortion, chorus, or reversal. An effect loop creation by bypassing the amp of the amp prevents any involuntarily widening in case of a direct effect on the amp.
Who’s The Winner Of The Best Guitar Amplifier Under $200?
These two amps are both simple, but different. The Orange Micro Dark is a powerful tube amp that comes with a few preset sounds, while the Fender Champion 40 gives you more flexibility by offering a lot of settings and controls.
You will be happy when you buy a guitar amplifier because it will help you play better and save money at the same time. You should read the reviews before buying anything.
Should You Buy a $200 Amp?
A good amp in this category should show off good tonality, whether that comes from EQ controls, amp modelling, or built-in effects.
Amps should be powerful enough for any application. A 5 watt amp may not be suitable for an opera house, but a 10 or 20 watt amp would be perfect for a small venue.
Should I get a tube, solid-state, digital, or hybrid amp?
A solid state amp is perfect for beginners because it doesn’t use tubes. You can get good volume and tone out this amp. An amplifier that costs less than $200 will probably be a solid state amp. As you move up in skill level, you may want to get a tube amp or a hybrid amp.
What special features do I need?
You’re going to need to use a USB cable to connect your amp to your computer. This allows you to play your music files directly off your hard drive. A few cheap amplifiers may have USB ports built-in.
How many controls should my amp have?
A basic amp comes with volume control, and maybe a treble and bass knob. Enough for a starter amp. If you’re looking for more freedom to create your own sound, then you want a pedal with options for reverb, midrange, and drive too. If you’re going to use distortion, then there must a control for drive. This pedal does exactly that. It gives you a distortion effect, which helps you create some great sounds. But if it’s the first amp you’ve got, and you’re spending less than $200, then don’t worry about it having few controls.
How to Choose the Right Amplifier for You?
You should know what you want before buying an amp. Buying an amp based on your needs and wants might lead you to make wrong decisions. Amp models at this price range usually allow you to play the music that you love.
How much is a decent guitar amp?
For under $100, you can get a decent guitar amplifier. For under $200, you can buy an awesome guitar amplifier. With over 20 years of experience, we’ve been able to create some of the most popular guitar amplifiers ever made. We’re also known for our great customer service, as well as our amazing range of effects pedals.
Guitar players can make a lot of money if they play well.
Which Bass Amp Under $200 Should You Choose?
Amp manufacturers make amps that are very similar to each other. Your choice depends on whether you want the most power or the most versatility.
The Fender Rumbles are great little amps. You should definitely get them if you’re looking for something portable. You could also buy a second amp for practice or recording. The Fender Rumbles come with a headphone jack, which is nice. The Vox AC30 is another option, though it doesn’t come with a headphone jack. A multi-purpose amp like the Peavey VYPYR VIP2 is a good idea, since it comes with a headphone jack.
Things to Consider when Buying Guitar Amp Under 200
Buying an amp for guitar is a technical matter and the buyer needs to consider a lot of technical stuff and of course the needs as well. The following are some of the key points that you must keep in your mind while you go on to purchase a guitar amp:
Type
When it comes to guitar amp then there are different types available. If we have to name it then they are the solid-state, tube, digital and hybrid types. Since we are talking about a guitar amp which is under $200 so this is the range for beginners. For them and in this price range, you will be able to get a solid-state amp mostly.
This is the case most of the time but you may get the digital, tube, or hybrid amps sometimes close to that of your budget from some brands. The solid-state amps give no trouble to beginners with their guitar playing needs. You will be able to extract good tone and volume out of the system. Once your needs evolve then you may go a level up to invest in a tube amp.
This would be a requirement especially if you are into playing some loud rock guitar. If you are looking for some extra effects then a digital amp would be the optimal choice. Finally, there is a hybrid that combines everything and can cost a lot.
Configuration
The majority of amplifiers work best when they could be turned up near halfway. If you are unable to turn up your amp to go past three then you must employ a smaller map. Your speakers need to be rated for the actual amount of power that will be produced by the amplifier.
When you are choosing configuration then there are two critical things to keep in mind. The first one is the wattage of the amp and the second one is the impedance.
The most common configuration for speakers includes a single speaker of 12 inches, a pair of speakers of 2 inches, or four speakers of 12 inches each. Make sure that in the majority of the case, your amp would be attached with the PA system.
Construction
When it comes to the construction of a guitar amp then it is a lot more about just durability. THs would also stay as one of the most crucial factors of sound quality. So, the thinner the manufacturer goes with the construction of the amp, there would be more chances of the system vibrating.
This would lead to undesirable distortion of the tone. The amps constructed with lesser than one-half inch of the casing are susceptible to such distortion. Making it sure that there is some backing with the amp. Such construction would result in better bass as compared to the systems with open back.
Amp Modeling
You may have a range of guitar amplifiers in the given budget offering multiple Amp Modeling or Amp Channels. These models or channels enable users to switch between different types of sounds. The more you have the amp models, the better range of options you will have to choose from.
It can be excellent especially when you look to go for the deep tone customization. On the other side, it could be bad as well if you prefer minimal tweaking and don’t want to have any sort of distraction due to tone chasing.
Built-in Effects
The amps available today come with different built-in effects. The most common of all effects is known as reverb. Some other types come with a diverse range of effects starting from modulation to distortion to delay and much more. You can maximize these effects to make your practice simpler. These effects are useful more when you don’t require those high-quality effects for your regular practice routine.
Options for Direct Recording and Tuning
The majority of amps today even those on a budget comes with the USB connectivity option. It is very much a norm in the amps. It helps your device to double up as an interface of audio. It would then allow you to capture the guitar playing for evaluation, practice, and even for creating your tunes or songs.
A few other critical features to look for are tuning, looping, and the preset management that comes with Bluetooth connectivity as well. If you are not much into recording and tweaking then you may choose to go for the plug-and-play amps of the streamlined type.
Conclusion
You are just near to surprise yourself that how much value you could add with a guitar amplifier that is under $200. It is just a matter of choosing correctly by evaluating different factors involved. All that stuff is discussed in detail above. If you are a beginning guitarist then you do not need to invest in costly amplifiers. You may go for the feature-enriched products once your need grows.
The items discussed above in the guide are small and medium-sized which covers almost all the features which may be required by some initial guitarist. These mentioned amps are also known for consuming very little power as compared to the professional level amplifiers, which is a useful thing to have for starters.
If you have any questions about the guitar amp under $200 then you will surely find the answer above in the guide. If there is any information to be shared with you then we will be updating this guide as required.