If you want good sound from your guitar, every player, no matter what their experience level, knows you will need a good amp.
If you are worried about always relying on a power outlet or if you are traveling a lot, you may want to look at a different type of amp… the battery-powered variety.
In this guide, we are going to discuss the important info you need to know, as well as take an in-depth look at some of the best battery-powered guitar amps on the market. Hopefully, this will help you make your decision.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Battery Powered Guitar Amps
- OUR TOP PICK: VOX MINI3 G2 Battery Powered Modeling Amp
- Yamaha THR10X Mini Guitar Amplifier
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Boss Katana-Mini Battery Powered Guitar Amplifier
Table of Contents
What is a Battery-Powered Guitar Amp Best Used For?
Having the ability to play without a power supply nearby can be a great asset to any guitarist. There are a few distinct reasons that a battery-powered guitar amp is a great item for any musician to have in their arsenal.
Here are some of the best uses for this type of amp:
Busking
Street performing is one of the ways many artists make a few extra bucks or, sometimes, their entire living. Walk down any street in a downtown European city and you will see a busker on practically every corner, but these artists don’t have easy access to a power supply. Therefore, a battery-powered amp is perfect for this type of entrepreneurial outing.
Practice
If you are always on the road or dealing with limited space, using a battery-powered amp as you practice will help you always be ready to go. The size of the amp and the fact that you don’t need an outlet, as well as the fact that many of them come with a jack designed for headphones, which means that you will have the ability to hone your craft no matter where you are.
How to Choose a Battery-Powered Guitar Amp
Now that you see the advantages you can get from a battery-powered amp, you should definitely be thinking of picking one up. In order to make this process just a little easier and less stressful on you, we have come up with a list of features and functions you should look for as you sift through your options.
Battery
You should definitely look for an amp that has a great battery life. If you get a high enough capacity battery, you will be able to play for a longer amount of time. You will also want to consider if it takes a normal battery or a rechargeable one. Also, make sure to look at the amperage, as this will affect the battery life greatly.
Size of Speaker
The level of sound your amp will produce is directly correlated to the size of the speaker, as well as the amperage. The size of the speaker will also affect the tone of the sound. If possible, look for the largest speaker you can get, which typically tends to be 12”.
Effects
Most amps will be fitted with several built-in effects, so looking for an amp that offers you as many effects as possible could be just the thing you need to finish out your sound.
Comparison of the Best Battery Powered Guitar Amps
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Review of the Best Battery-Powered Guitar Amps
With a good deal of knowledge already laid out regarding what to look for, it is time to get to our top picks. Here is the list that we compiled of the best battery-powered guitar amps:
Best Overall:
VOX MINI3 G2 Battery-Powered Modeling Amp
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers rant and rave about this amp. Though some do feel that it offers a bit of a hum at the higher levels, they feel that the sound levels at low volumes are excellent. If the hum doesn’t bother you, they also feel that it has a lot of room-filling power at the high levels.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The amount of effects built into this amp gives the guitarist a lot of versatility and the ability to play until they craft their perfect sound. Though there are many reasons that this unit finds itself on the top of our list, this feature is the one that makes it stand out to us.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a perfect choice for the traveling musician. It is lightweight and offers a wide range of functions that will allow the guitarist to play a wide range of music styles, which is perfect for the busker. Plus, the inclusion of a microphone jack means that the busker will only need one amp for all their needs.
Bottom Line
This amp from Vox is a compact, lightweight amp that is fitted with a plethora of cool effects and is very easily the best option on the market today. It offers guitarists portability and a speaker that is the perfect size to give the musician the sound quality they need when on the road trying to make some money.
Runner-up:
Yamaha THR10X Mini Guitar Amplifier
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The guitarists that have invested in this amp from Yamaha love to talk about how easy it is to use, as well as its superior sound at low levels. There have been some reports of buzzing when getting into the higher levels, but, all in all, this amp is a good option according to recent buyers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are a lot of reasons that this model deserved the runner-up distinction on our list, but the most prominent one has to be the multiple high gain amp modes included in its build. These options will give the guitarist a wide range of choices they can make to craft their sound to precision.
Who Will Use This Most
This amp is a great choice for any guitarist, but the guitarist who is recording in a small studio where noise could be a problem will definitely benefit from a lot of the features and functions that come with this amp. Its mini-size also means it is easy to carry to any gig.
Bottom Line
This amp comes with so many great features, including its access to quality recording software, that we would have been remiss not to include it on our list of the best battery-powered options available. The high gain amp modes add to its quality and make it a great investment for any guitarist.
Best for the Money:
Boss Katana-Mini Battery-Powered Guitar Amplifier
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
When you read the reviews of this amp, one thing is for sure -- many guitarists who have purchased it love the sound quality it offers. The recent buyers love the good tone and the nice volume, and, though you may get a bit of buzzing at the higher levels, many feel that the good far outweighs the bad.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The BOSS name brings with it a level of regard that few others do, and that usually translates into a hefty price tag. Not with this unit, though! The affordability of this amp is amazing when you look at all of the features and high-quality build you get.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a great choice for the guitarist that not only plays in public but also plays small venues. It can be both battery-powered and plugged in, which gives the player a little more versatility when it comes to where and when they want to play.
Bottom Line
This BOSS model offers three different amp modes, and that helps elevate its performance and the guitarist's as well. Combining that with the quality build and its easy-to-use effects control layout makes this quite the deal for the budget-minded guitarist.
Best Rechargeable Battery Powered Guitar Amp:
Mugig Guitar Amplifier
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
If you ask any guitarist who has decided to make this their go-to option, you will hear a lot of great things. Sure, you may also hear about the limited effects and control over EQ, but, on the whole, you will hear that its Bluetooth technology is useful, it is well-built, and its battery life is amazing.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When you get an amp, you do not always have as much control over the separate channels from the mic and effects as you do with this amp from Mugig. Though it is a lesser-known brand, it offers the guitarist the ability to control both of these individually, and that will help perfect their sound.
Who Will Use This Most
Once again, this unit is made for the street performer. Most street performers will not only be playing but singing, as well. With the individual control over both of those factors, the busker is sure to get much bigger crowds, and that means more tips.
Bottom Line
This amp is made for the guitarist who is on the go. Not only does it play well to a crowd but, with the headphone jack, you can spend time practicing while riding public transit from place to place without disturbing everyone else.
Best Battery Powered Amp Kit:
BOSS Katana Air Bluetooth Guitar Amp
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Guitarists who have recently purchased this kit have a lot to say about it. They feel that the inclusion of all the peripheral pieces makes this one of the best investments, hands-down. Though the price is a sore spot with a few people, when it comes right down to it, it is clear why many users highly suggest it due to the incredible value you get.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This kit not only has everything you need to get started, but it comes with the ability to sync your phone via Bluetooth and play tracks through it. This will make it easy to create tracks and background instruments that can accompany you for that one-man-band feel.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a great amp for the newbie on the streets. It comes with everything you need and a lot of great functions that will elevate your performance and get you noticed. Plus, it gives you the ability to move around without hindrance to get your crowd into the performance even more.
Bottom Line
You no longer have to worry about cables if you do not want to use them, and, with the ability to utilize technology to improve your sound and performance, what else do you need? This kit has it all and comes with the BOSS reputation of high-quality. All of that definitely makes it one of the best options for any musician.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
We have already given you some things to look for when you are choosing your battery-powered guitar amp, but there are a few more aspects we think you should consider, as well.
Portability
These amps do tend to be lighter than traditional amps, which makes them easier to transport. However, even with these units, there are different options that offer varying levels of portability. Knowing the desired level of portability that you need for your intended use is vitally important (see Intent below).
Sound Quality
Even with the best options, there are always several things to consider when it comes to sound quality. Some of the battery-powered options on the market today will give a bit of hum or buzz at high volumes, and that may affect your overall performance. Make sure to read the reviews and do your research before choosing.
Intent
Knowing how you plan to use this compact amp will help you choose the effects and the sound quality you are looking for. Not only that, but it will play a big part in the decision on the level of portability you need. If you are busking, you may want a lightweight amp with as little hum and buzz as possible. If you are just using it for practice, none of those things may matter.
Conclusion
If you are hitting the streets to share your talent, or if you are looking for a great option that allows you the ability to practice at all times, then a battery-powered guitar amp is a nice item to add to your kit. With the options we have detailed above, as well as all the information we laid out, we are confident that you are ready to make that decision with confidence.
