With so many different types of amps at such a great variety of prices, finding the best, most ideal guitar amp can be difficult.
Do you spend a lot of money, only to realize that you have invested in something you don’t need, or would you rather try to save money to buy an amp that fails to perform what you want from it?
To help you select the right choice, take a look at this article, in which we present our reviews of the best amps available in the price range of under $200.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Guitar Amps Under $200
Table of Contents
Can You Find a Quality Guitar Amp for Under $200?
With technology’s continued progress and with more and more devices getting older and becoming cheaper, it is possible to find a quality guitar amp for under two hundred dollars. At some point, due to bad experiences in the past, everyone has probably realized that buying cheap is not always ideal.
Would a two hundred dollar guitar amp be a worthy investment? Certainly, if the idea is to buy a practice amp. It might not be ideal for performing to big crowds, but if the intent of the device is for simple performances that do not have plenty of requirements, a two hundred dollar amp would be suitable.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Guitar Amp?
The primary influencer in choosing what amp you want to buy should be what you need from it. The sound and purpose of the amplifier should be the main concern, and it should at least fulfill both of these needs. Here’s what to check for:
Wattage
Many think that the quality of an amp is found in its wattage output, and if you want higher volumes, it is found there. The more wattage output an amp produces, the greater the volume of sound produced.
Speakers
Without a speaker and the necessary electronics to capture the vibrations of the strings, an electric guitar is a silent, dead instrument. All the tone you would be looking to produce would come from the speakers. Some amplifiers, referred to as head amps, do not include a built-in speaker and have to be connected to one for performing.
Effects
Some amplifier models will include a variety of effects, especially modeling amps that can add distortion to the sound without the need for a pedal or distortion lever. Effects should not be a great concern for learners who are still familiarizing themselves with all the wide range of sounds produced by electric guitars.
Type
Unless you’re a tube amp enthusiast, you can invest in any kind of amp -- tube, modeling, or solid-state. Considering that you want to buy for under two hundred dollars, you should know that, because of the cheaper cost of producing solid-state amplifying electronics, the majority of amplifiers within this price range would be solid-state. The other type of subcategory for amplifiers that you should look out for is head or combo, as explained before.
Comparison Chart of the Best Guitar Amps Under $200
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Review of the Best Guitar Amps Under $200
There are thousands of options out there, but not all of them are good options. You can find great amps, but you can also pay a fortune for them. Sometimes, you could end up paying a lot of money for something that’s not worth it. Here, we’ll look at amps that are both affordable and worth every penny.
Best Overall:
Fender Champion 20
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers were all pleasantly surprised at the performance that this 20W amp can produce. Some, however, have complained about a few aspects of its design, including not enough warmth of tone. It also produces a pop sound whenever switched off.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Fender Champion 20 made its way to the top of our list as the best that a relatively small amount of money can buy. As always, when it comes to producing electric guitars or amplifiers, Fender is the stuff of legend. The Champion 20 is no different, from producing that top-quality sound to having the ease of control that Fender is famous for, this amp has it all.
Who Will Use This Most
Due to its versatile modeling technology, it is suitable to use in any genre, from plain, amplified blues to heavy overdriven shredding. It is also an ideal amp for any guitar student who is still learning and familiarizing themselves with the sounds out there. For veteran players, however, it will lack the more complicated features that they will want to have access to.
Bottom Line
The Fender Champion 20 truly is the champion when it comes to finding the best value for the best price, and it is an ideal gift for any guitarist, even if it is an extra accessory that will only be practiced on. If you want a solid banger at a lower cost, then this is the amp you should invest in.
Runner-up:
Orange Crush 12
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People are in awe with the surprising power and tone generation of this amp, claiming that it is ideal for any beginner shredder who wants a decent overdrive amp. The one thing that stands out the most about the Orange Crush 12 is its desire to bring quality (more than quantity) to the front.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Crush 12 was selected as our runner-up in this list for its ability to provide all the quality basics that one would look for in an amp, without spending money on adding extras that would jack up the price. For that reason, it is suggested that the Orange Crush 12 would be the best amplifier for any beginner or guitarist who needs to invest in a practice amp but does not want to spend a fortune to buy quality.
Who Will Use This Most
The Orange Crush 12 is the ideal amp for learners looking to practice anything from general electric guitar amplifying to hardcore shredding. If you want the best but can’t spend too much, the Orange Crush 12 is an ideal option for you.
Bottom Line
As can be expected from Orange amplifiers, the Crush 12 features all the innovation and quality that the manufacturer is known for; without a doubt, it is one of their most affordable creations yet. This is a great guitar amp for pros and beginners alike.
Best for the Money:
Pignose 7-100 Portable Amp
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent users of the Pignose 7-100 were baffled by its performance, especially in direct relation to its size. However, some have found that using the controls wrong would produce excessive noise from the amp; it is recommended to keep the guitar tuned low and the amp turned up.
Why it Stands Out to Us
For the reasonable price, cute design, and intuitive purpose for making this model, the Pignose 7-100 made its way here as our favorite among the cheapest choices, and it does not lack any quality.
Who Will Use This Most
Musicians who love the outdoors or perform in the streets would appreciate this model a lot. It can amplify just about any instrument, including voice, and has so many uses that limiting its functions feels like a shame. Even better, it is powered by AA batteries and can be carried anywhere.
Bottom Line
For both its intuitive price and compact design, this is probably the smallest amp you will find. Also, its attractive looks bring the Pignose 7-100 to the number three spot on our list. If you want a small, funky amp that is versatile enough to use outdoors, the Pignose 7-100 would be ideal.
Best Acoustic Guitar Amp Under $200:
Dean DA20
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Among recent supporters of the Dean DA20, there were little to no complaints, as most found it to be the ideal amplifier for acoustic-electric players that sought quality at an affordable price. The ease of use over the controls is great for beginners and allows experienced players more unique control over their sound.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Dean DA20 was selected as the best acoustic-electric amp option on this list for its versatility, portability, and, above all else, the quality you buy at a fraction of the cost. It sounds fantastic and allows you the flexibility in your tone that most guitarists are looking for.
Who Will Use This Most
Designed to give the best amplification to an acoustic guitar without letting go of the sound quality, the Dean DA20 is ideal for any indoor performer or acoustic guitar enthusiast who needs an affordable amp.
Bottom Line
If you are an acoustic guitar player looking to amplify the sound of your guitar, the Dean DA20 is what you need. For the best amp at the lowest cost in acoustic amplification, the Dean DA20 comes as the top-recommended option by many.
Best Electric Guitar Amp Under $200:
Peavey Solo 12W TransTube Electric Guitar Amp
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers of the Peavey Solo TransTube found it delightfully powerful for its size and praised the clarity of sound produced. Many love the fact that it offers tube sounds at a good price and would consider it an ideal practice amp.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Peavey was chosen for the exact reason why it is loved among the people. It offers the warmth and crisp sounds of tube tech at a price that many will appreciate. Furthermore, it was chosen for the innovative TransTube design that produces its incredibly clear sounds, very much unlike the tube amps of yesterday.
Who Will Use This Most
For those who just can’t do without the warmth of a tube amplifier but don’t want to spend a fortune on outdated technology, the Peavey Solo 12W TransTube amp is the ideal choice. The Solo TransTube amp is ideal for any tube enthusiast looking for an affordable practice amp to use at home or to perform in small venues, where its surprisingly loud 12W output will be used to its best ability.
Bottom Line
If you want one of the best tube amps on the market without having to sell a kidney to take it home, then the Peavey Solo 12W TransTube is the ideal option for you. It has everything that you could possibly need at a fraction of the price that similar products go for.
Advantages of Investing in a Quality Amp
The advantages of investing in a quality amp that may exceed the price range of the above-mentioned models are plenty, even if you are a beginner. Here are the main advantages:
Durability
When you buy a high-quality amp, you are giving yourself a product that is strong and durable. We all know how musicians’ equipment takes a beating. This is why you want a quality amp that can withstand the knocks.
Portable
When you have a quality amp, it means that you have the best product for your needs. Rather than lugging around extra equipment that you don’t need, you can take your amp with you wherever you want without a worry.
Consistent Sound
Having your own quality amp allows you to rest assured that every single time you play, you can guarantee the same, consistent quality in your sound. This is important if you are a performer or when you are recording.
Versatility
If you have purchased a high-quality amp, you will find that it has a few effects on it that you can play with to change your sound and tweak your tone. This is great for experimenting with your musical “personality”.
Types of Amps Mentioned on the List
If you are still unsure about which amp type is for you, take a look here at the differences between each one.
Tube Amps
Tube amps, based on the oldest technology of guitar amplification, are most loved for their warmth of tone that other amplifiers struggle to copy. Today, they come in many varieties of circuit design but are still favored among enthusiasts who simply cannot produce that perfect sound with other amps. The downside of using tube, or valve, amps is their durability.
Modeling Amps
Modeling amps introduced the use of microprocessors and algorithms to amplification. This allows the amp to model the incoming signal to the sound of a preset program so it could produce the sound you want. Modeling amps usually include plenty of effects because of their ability to mimic the sounds produced by all other types of amps
Solid-State Amps
Solid-state amps are especially celebrated for their simplicity in design and cost-effectiveness in production. As the first replacement to tube amplifiers before the innovation of modeling amps, I intend to replace the use of valves or tubes and make use of coiling and complicated circuits to amplify and affect the sound of a guitar.
Conclusion
It is possible to find a guitar amp on the market that is not too expensive and is of decent, trustworthy quality. The market is stacked and the only real decision you would have to make is deciding if any of these amplifiers are what you need.
