Looking for the best portable amp for guitar? You have come to the right place.
What are the main things to look for when researching?
The answer to this question depends on what you’re looking for. Are you a bassist who needs an amp that can produce deep lows? A guitarist who wants an amp that can reproduce those juicy, shimmering highs?
Or do you need something small and lightweight so it’s easy to take with you wherever your musical journey takes you? It doesn’t matter!
This blog post will help guide your decision by highlighting our favorite amps.
Best portable amp reviews
As a guitar player, you know that your amp is one of the most important pieces in your setup.
It can be difficult to find the right amp for your needs and some amps are better suited to specific genres and needs than others.
Our blog post will help guide you through what features to look for in an amp and what makes each one unique!
In our top picks, we have included several different options that may be a good choice for what you are looking for.
With that said, let’s take a look at some pretty cool amps that you can take anywhere!
Best Overall Portable Amp For Guitar
RockJam Bluetooth, rechargeable 15 watt portable guitar amplifier
This is an A 15 Watt amplifier that you can take anywhere and rock out to.
With a built-in rechargeable battery, this amp has the power to go all day. All you need for it is one wire – straight from your guitar into RockJam’s speaker.
You will be able to play together with friends anywhere and get lost in an intimate moment at home without any distractions.
Its Bluetooth connection will make playing music easy peasy lemon squeazy so you don’t miss anything important while having some fun playing along to your favorite songs.
With independent echo, bass and Treble controls you’ll be able to perfect your sound just the way you like it!
This amp also has a mic input that comes in handy when performing on the street because there’s nothing better than connecting with an excited crowd.
The RockJam Bluetooth amp’s retro design and comfortable carry handle make for traveling, performing and practicing in style.
Even if battery life doesn’t reach long-lasting territory, this amp still rocks with two high-quality 6 inch speakers inside.
Clean sounds are best for this product, but it definitely doesn’t lack any quality – what more could you want?
Pros
Pros:
- 15 watts through a 5 inch speaker.
- Portable and easy to carry.
- Strum along to your favorite songs using Bluetooth.
- Echo, bass, and treble controls to perfect your sound.
- Retro design.
- Comes with mic input.
Cons
Cons:
- Charging port is fragile.
NUX Mighty Lite BT Mini Portable Modeling Guitar Amplifier with Bluetooth
Get that big, pumping sound you need for a band with the NUX Mighty Lite BT Mini Portable Modeling Guitar Amplifier.
With Bluetooth capability and 3 different channels to choose from, this amp is perfect for use at home or on the go!
This amp packs the punch you need when playing anywhere, anytime. Plus with three channels, there’s sure to be one that meets any style- whether it’s the clean tone of an acoustic guitar or a fierce overdrive voice as heard in rock n’ roll music, this amplifier has it covered.
The Bluetooth capability will allow you to just plug into any device and start streaming music. Plus you can use batteries if electricity isn’t available.
The Bluetooth will also allow you to play your guitar through an amp while connected wirelessly using your mobile device.
It has 9 drum patterns and a metronome, tap tempo controls so that you can control the speed of delay and drums, and downloads firmware from the NUX website for upkeep.
Pros
Pros:
- Take it anywhere.
- Built-in reverb and delay.
- Three channels: clean, overdrive, and distortion.
- Works with 9v power adapter, USB connection through power bank.
- Also works with 6 AA batteries.
- Features 9 drum patterns and metronome.
Cons
Cons:
- Does not save tone when turned off.
- Bluetooth app is temperamental.
Best Budget Portable Amp For Electric Guitar
Fender Mini ’57 Twin-Amp – Electric Guitar Amp
The Fender Mini ’57 Twin-Amp is the perfect amp for electric guitar players on the go, or anyone who likes to practice in silence.
Take it with you when you’re camping out and need a way to beat cabin fever!
Have you always wanted to be able to rock n’ roll all night long? This 1 watt beast is a perfect choice for a portable amp.
Whether you’re out on the town or out of town, you’ll always be able to practice and play.
Dial in a variety of sounds using the volume, tone and gain chicken head knobs for ultimate control over your sound. The external speaker system extends projection outside the amplifier.
With special features like volume controls for dialing in tones, gain knobs so everything from metal grunge riffs sound great – no matter what kind of guitarist you are, the Fender Mini ’57 Twin can satisfy all of your needs.
Keep in mind that this amp fits practically in the palm of your hand. So it’s even more portable than the ones mentioned in this post.
However, it’s price point made it a must for us to discuss as a possible option.
Pros
Pros:
- Portable and affordable.
- 9v battery included.
- Practice in silence with your headphones.
- Variety of sounds such as volume, tone, and gain.
- Tweeded exterior.
- Clean and bright tone.
Cons
Cons:
- Feedback will be experienced.
FLAMMA Guitar Amp Electric Guitar
The FLAMMA guitar amp comes with a lot of features considering it’s size.
With 7 PREAMP TYPES: Clean1, Clean2, Overdrive 1, Overdrive 2, Crunch, Lead and Rhythm based on popular guitar amplifiers as well as built-in Modulation Delay and Reverb, you will have lots of tone options.
You can also get chorus effects with independent tap tempo controls or connect Bluetooth so everyone can enjoy your music from afar!
This is a perfect way to enjoy great sounding music on-the-run!
Get everything you need for a full band sound with our 40 drum machine styles. And don’t forget about reverb!
You’ll find it in the echo section under delay–it’s really cool when you set it to “shimmer.”
Much like the previous option, it looks more like a toy than an actual amp. However, there is context which is important to note.
With Bluetooth connection, stereo headphone output, precision tuning capability and support for both DC 9V power supplies and AA Batteries, this all-in-one package can keep your little rockers jamming even while charging their tech so they’re always ready to go.
Pros
Pros:
- 7 preamp types.
- Built in delay, reverb, and chorus.
- Bluetooth connection.
- 40 types of drum machine.
- Precision tuner.
- Easy to transport anywhere.
Cons
Cons:
- With an amp of this size some of the sound quality will suffer.
- At max volume, the amp won’t get very loud.
Best Portable Amp Under $200 For Electric Guitar
Orange Amps Electric Guitar Power Amplifier, (Crush20RT)
We can’t say enough great things about Orange amps.
The Crush20RT is an amplifier that can give you a nice clean tone, but also lets you switch to the dirty channel for when you want that harsher sound.
It’s small and lightweight so it’s convenient if transportation is needed. While its knob placement may not be ideal for stacking amps, it does have other features that will make up for it.
This is a great option for people who don’t want to spend a ton, but still want quality tone. This amp gives you that tone without too much fussing around and poking buttons on things until it sounds right. 2 foot switchable channels means you can switch between clean and dirty without needing another amp or unnecessary cables running through your equipment.
With a 3 band EQ, volume control + gain control, it’s a great way to dial in your tone as different styles of music call out for their own unique response to your hands on strings and feet on pedals!
Pros
Pros:
- Small and lightweight.
- 2 foot switchable channels.
- Great clean, gain, and reverb tones.
- Easy to use.
- Built in tuner.
- Sturdy and durable.
Cons
Cons:
- Not ideal for stacking due to knob placement.
- Greek “OK” light flickers when on the dirty channel.
LyxPro 60 Watt Electric Guitar Amplifier
The LyxPro 60 Watt Electric Guitar Amplifier is an excellent device for those who are looking to play live music.
The amplifier has a powerful 10″ speaker which can give you the power that’s needed when playing live, as well as all the sound quality you want in your bass and trebles.
The LyxPro Amp is great for live gigs and will add to your sound. It has an adjustable mic volume so you can plug in and play.
The color choices are red, black, blue, natural, punk sunburst.
With a ¼ “headphone jack so players can plug in and play privately at home. This amp is great whether practicing or playing on stage!
The craftsmanship could be better, but the tone seems quite good and you can get a great tone for many styles of play. So this amp has some give and take to it.
Solid sound that is great for a live performance and can be adjusted to your personal taste.
At 26 pounds, it’s very lightweight and easy to carry around.
Pros
Pros:
- Great for live performances.
- Comes in a variety of different colors.
- Headphone jack for quiet play around the house.
- Lightweight and easy to carry.
- Powerful 10’ speaker.
- Easy to use.
Cons
Cons:
- Craftsmanship could be a little better.
Best Portable Amp for Acoustic Guitar
Donner 15W Acoustic Guitar Amplifier with 10 Feet Guitar Cable
This guitar amplifier is perfect for getting the sound you want without all of the frills.
The Donner 15W Acoustic Guitar Amplifier with 10 Feet Guitar Cable features a 6.5-inch Special Design speaker, two channels (instrument and mic), individual volume controls on both channels, and chorus effect only on the instrument channel.
With both an instrument input and a mic input, you can practice electric-acoustic songs or sing at the same time without feedback or echoing.
The amp also includes a chorus effect on the instrument channel to make that solid sound just right. And because it’s portable too, this amplifier is perfect for street performances, karaoke sessions with friends, and for jamming in your house.
For your convenience there is a 1/4″ headphone jack so you won’t annoy the people in your house.
If you’re looking for simplicity, but don’t want to sacrifice tone quality, this is definitely the amp for you. There may be some buzzing at low levels but again in the context of the size and price, it doesn’t destroy the value.
Pros
Pros:
- Two channels for instrument and mic.
- Chorus effect.
- Perfect for acoustic-electric guitars.
- 3-Band EQ.
- Made to last.
- Portable to take anywhere.
Cons
Cons:
- Buzzing will be present at low volume levels.
Fender Acoustasonic 40 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier
The Fender Acoustasonic 40 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier has a wide variety of features to create depth and dimension for your acoustic guitar performance.
With its 6″ speaker, vintage-style brown textured vinyl covering and dual front panel inputs that can accommodate both microphone and instrument input – the possibilities are endless!
Plug in and experience the beautiful tone and clarity this amplifier will provide you with.
There are dual inputs for microphones and your guitar which make it great for performing.
Whether you’re playing a solo concert or regaling guests at a dinner party, this amplifier delivers clear sound and rich texture for deep bass tones.
Plus, it includes all the features and extras you’ll need to play any songbook in style – including dual inputs, digital hall reverb, built-in chorus effect. Your performances will get that pro polish every time.
Put it together and we have everything you need for flawless Acoustic Guitar music enjoyment right here!
Pros
Pros:
- 40 Watt amp.
- Built-in chorus.
- Has both microphone and guitar input.
- Great for solo concerts or parties.
- Textured vinyl covering.
- Adds great depth to your acoustic guitar.
Cons
Cons:
- Volume control is sensitive.
Best Portable Amp for Bass
Donner 30W Bass Combo Amplifier
The Donner 30W Bass Combo Amplifier is a portable amplifier that can power two speakers.
It has distortion control and an 1/8″ Auxiliary input jack for connecting your MP3 player, so you can get some street performance action going on!
The Donner 30W Bass Combo Amplifier offers a rich sound for your guitar, bass or other stringed instrument and frees your hands to roam over the fretboard.
For many musicians, mastering their craft is not enough. They want to share their music with an audience too.
For street performance, karaoke with friends, band performance or outdoors playing this amplifier will deliver a rich combination of tones that’ll please both ears and eyes–it’s perfect for everything from country blues to heavy metal fusion!
Giving you peace of mind while performing live thanks to its distortion control, headphone output jack so you can practice in private or when it’s time for that next big gig this combo amp has all you need for your bass!
Pros
Pros:
- Budget friendly.
- Connect your MP3 player.
- 30 Watts of power.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Smooth operation knobs.
- Great tone.
Cons
Cons:
- Low and constant hissing sound.
Best Plug In Amp For Guitar
VOX AP2CR amPlug 2 Classic Rock Guitar Headphone Amplifier
The Vox headphone amplifier allows you to plug in and rock out anywhere as long as you have headphones.
This headphone amplifier is amazing, especially because you can get it in 7 different styles; classic rock, blues, bass, AC30, clean, lead, and metal.
The AC30 is especially cool as it not only gives you gain control and a few echo effects. The amp plugs into the jack near the bottom of electric or acoustic electric guitars.
It produces a loud and clear sound and will plug into most guitars, and even some basses. You can plug in some speakers, guitar pedals, effects chains or even some cd players into the headphone jack, but it does not have a speaker in it so there has to be something plugged in for you to be able to hear it.
Best of all it is portable so you don’t have to worry about lugging around an amp and with a weight of only 3.04 ounces, it is super lightweight.
The headphone jack fits most headphones except some older ones. In the end it is a great portable headphone amp.
You will just need two AAA batteries and you are good to go.
Pros
Pros:
- Portable and lightweight.
- Each model includes three modes.
- Features 180 degree plug mechanism.
- Can jam along with any audio players.
- Up to 17 hours of battery life.
- Available in a variety of different styles.
Cons
Cons:
- Some older headphones may not be compatible.
- May produce some static based on the guitar that you own.
Buyers Guide
The best way to enjoy your music on the go is with an amp! Portable amps are a must-have for any
audiophile. But what portable amplifier should you buy? We have compiled this buyers guide of
frequently asked questions that will help make sure you get the right one easily and quickly.
What wattage do I need in my portable amplifier?
This is a question we get asked all the time. The answer really depends on what you want to do with your amp, where you are playing and who you are playing for.
In general, if you’re just jamming at home or practicing with friends – any wattage will work for that type of use.
If I was going to play outside in a public space like an outdoor festival I would definitely recommend getting something over 100 watts because of the distance from the audience.
And if you were playing in a small club or bar then 50-100 watts would be perfect! So it’s really up to what exactly your needs are!
Does it matter what amp I get for my guitar?
There are many factors that go into choosing an amp for your guitar, but some of the most important ones are what type of sound you want from your amp, how loud you need it to be, and what features do you need or desire?
The type of sound is a big one because not all amps have the same types of sounds. For example if you play jazz then maybe a Fender Twin Reverb won’t work well for you whereas if rock is more your style then maybe a Marshall MG50FX would be good.
If you are a beginner or intermediate guitarist, it might be best to get an amp with more features that will help you learn and grow as a musician.
But if you are an advanced player, then maybe all of the extras in those amps aren’t necessary and would just take up space.
It would be better to find something simple that sounds good because there’s no need to complicate things when playing at such a high level.
Are mini guitar amps any good?
Mini guitar amps are a great way to amplify the sound of your instrument.
They come in many different shapes and sizes, so you can find one that is perfect for your needs. Whether you need an amp to use at home or on stage, there’s something for everyone!
The best thing about mini amps is they’re super compact and easy to transport. You can bring them with you pretty much anywhere without any hassle!
I hope this post helped answer your question- just be sure to leave a comment if it didn’t quite clear things up for you!
Conclusion
We hope that the review of portable amps, our top picks, and what you should look for in a good amp has been helpful!
After reviewing the top portable amps, we found the list above represents the best options available.
These amps can be plugged in and taken anywhere to amplify your music without any hassle! They are fun to have around the house and fun to carry around in case you are wanting to give an impromptu performance at a friends house or holiday party!
There are lot of choices based on what you’re looking for so be sure to read the reviews above carefully.
Thank you again for taking the time to read this article. Remember to always HAVE FUN!
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