Finding a good amp is important. It is one of the main contributors to the sound you will get, and you should get a good amplifier if you are able to. But not every amp is suitable for home use and practice.
After all, you don’t want to have a huge cabinet in your home since you won’t be able to use it properly. You will need something a bit smaller. Fortunately, there are plenty of choices for smaller amps that will still give you a beautiful sound.
Ideally, you would go for an amp that is not as powerful but still offer a clear sound you can further modify with pedals. And of course, you will need to worry about your price range. Even though some of these amps are small, they can be quite pricey.
Behringer HA-10G
- 2-ch Guitar Amplifier with VTC Tube Modeling 6" Bugera Speaker
- 10W
- 10 Watts
- Bugera 6” speaker
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- Gain with an independent channel
- Headphones output
- Virtual Tube Circuit
Behringer is one of the most popular brands when it comes to budget equipment, and if you are looking for a cheap solution to your practicing problem, this might be it. The amplifier here is HA-10G, and it has 10 watts.
It is also equipped with a six-inch speaker designed by Bugera, and the quality is good. When it comes to controls, you will get a full 3-band EQ, volume, and gain knob. It is also worth mentioning that there are two channels, and the amp is easy to use.
All things considered, Behringer HA-10G is an affordable and good amp that will be more than enough for your home practice.
Fender Champion 40
- All the tonal versatility you can handle in a small package with clean and...
- Straight forward controls such as "Voice" and "FX Select" allow you to dial...
- Jam along with your favorite tracks by simply plugging your MP3 player into...
- Store extra cables or other small accessories with the open back cabinet....
- 40 Watts
- Fender 12” speaker
- Solid-state
- 2-band EQ: treble, bass
- 2 channels
- Headphones output
- Separate volume knobs
- FX level, FX select, and tap switch
Everyone has heard of Fender. It is one of the biggest names in the world of guitar equipment, and the company makes incredible amps. You can find a model in any price range. This one here is Champion 40, and it is a solid-state amplifier.
One of the main advantages of the Champion series is that it offers so many effects and modes you can use. The model has reverb, delay, echo, chorus, tremolo, and vibratone, and it’s easy to use.
The price of the amp is affordable even for beginners, and they will have plenty of options to create unique sounds using one of many available effects. And of course, it has a twelve-inch speaker that will make nearly any instrument sound good.
Boss Katana 50 MKII
- 50/25/0.5W 1x12" Guitar Combo Amplifier with 5 Amp Voicings
- Cab-emulated Headphone/Recd Output
- 4 Tone Slots
- 60 Effects
- 50 Watts
- Custom 12” speaker
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- 5 different amp types
- Headphones output
- 5 independent effects
- Up to two footswitches
One of the most popular amplifiers in this price range is Boss Katana. Now, Katana is available in several different versions. You can go for a combo amp, cabinet, a 100 watt version, and so much more. And all of them are great. But for home use, you don’t want something too powerful.
And it is one of the main reasons why Boss Katana 50 MKII is a perfect choice. The amp offers a number of different effects you can use, it sounds amazing, and it is easy to use. It also supports footswitches, pedals, USB connection, Boss Tone Studio software, and so much more.
Roland Cube
- 10-watt 1-channel 1x8" Guitar Combo Amplifier with Aux Input
- Onboard Effects - Black
- COSM Amp Modeling
- Headphone Output
- 10 Watts
- 8” speaker
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- 3 different amp types
- Chorus, delay, and reverb
- Headphones output
If you are looking for a simple approach, an affordable amp, and something that won’t disturb your neighbors, Roland Cube might be the answer. This is a small ten watt amp you can use for practice, and the sound is quite good.
What is surprising is that Roland Cube sounds great. Even though it has an eight-inch speaker. There are also three additional effects you can use: chorus, delay, and reverb. Unfortunately, these effects are on one knob, and you will only be able to use one at a time.
Orange Crush 20 RT
- Power: 20 watt (solid state)
- 2 foot switchable channels
- Speaker: 1x8 inches Orange Voice of the World
- Controls: 3 band EQ, volume, gain, reverb
- 20 Watts
- 8” speaker
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- Clean/dirty switch
- Reverb
- Headphones output
- Tuner
For many people, Orange is a go-to brand. And there are plenty of models you can check out. If you are interested in something smaller, Orange Crush 20 RT is one of the most popular amps you can find today.
It has a three-band EQ, reverb, and clean/dirty switch, and it even has a built-in tuner. As you can probably guess, the reverb is digital, but it sounds quite good. Of course, having a tuner on your amp is a dream come true for any guitar player. Especially if you plan on using the amp at your home.
Marshall MG15
- Output (RMS): 15 Watts
- Speaker: 1x8
- Channels (storable): 4
- Digital Effects: Yes
- 15 Watts
- 8” speaker
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- 4 channels
- Reverb
- Headphones output
- Tuner
Marshall is a brand everyone knows and loves. And if you are looking for that classic rock sound, this might be it. The model here is MG15, and it is a 15 watt amplifier with an 8-inch speaker.
There are several reasons why this is such a good amp for practice. Firstly, it has four channels, and you can switch between them using a footswitch. Secondly, the amplifier has reverb, phaser, chorus, octave, delay, flanger, and other effects.
The majority of these are on the same knob, and you will need to turn it around to select a different effect. But the sound and quality are worth the price.
Blackstar HT-5R
- Record without a Cabinet: HT-5R MK III has in-built load protection; this...
- Studio Quality Reverb: The studio quality reverb has been referenced...
- State-Of-The-Art Voicing Circuitry: Each Voice switch makes radical and...
- Full Tone, Low Volumes: The HT-5R MK III is designed to create a full sound...
- 5 Watts
- 12” speaker
- Tube
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- 2 channels
- Reverb
- Headphones output
- 0.5W/5W button
Blackstar can be an excellent option for those who are into heavier genres, and these models can be quite versatile. The HT-5R is the smallest one from the HT series, and it is a tube amp. It also explains why the price is higher compared to other models of the same size and power.
The HT-5R has reverb, and you can choose between 0.5W and 5W modes. As a result, you can still get the sound you enjoy without having to turn up the volume. And if you are worried about its power, it is more than enough for home use.
Finally, the amplifier has one ECC83 preamp tube and one 12BH7 power amp tube.
Fender Blues Junior
- Classic warm tube tone provided by the EL84 power tubes and 12ax7 pre-amp...
- Foot switchable "FAT" option adds thicker tones and subtle overdrive
- On board spring reverb for large echo effect
- Enjoy years of durability from the lacquer tweed cabinet
- 15 Watts
- 12” Jensen C-12N speaker
- Tube
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- Fat button
- Reverb
- Master volume and volume
Now, if you want to have a perfect sound, getting a tube amp might be the best way to go. Blues Junior is a beloved amp designed by Fender. This version of Blues Junior is equipped with a 12-inch Jensen speaker, but you can also find a version with Celestion.
There are three tubes in the preamp section (12AX7), and two 6BQ5s (EL84) in the power amp section. Additionally, Blues Junior has a real spring reverb, unlike the majority of others that use a digital version.
And of course, the amp has a cover made of tweed, which is perfect for all lovers of vintage design. But you can find other versions too.
Laney Cub-Super10
- 6 Watts RMS
- 10" HH custom voiced driver
- Amazing pedal platform
- External speaker socket
- 6 Watts
- 10″ HH Custom speaker
- Tube
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- Boost and gain
- Effects loop
- Footswitch
Laney Cub-Super10 is a small amp that packs a punch. It has two 12AX7 valves in the preamp, and one EL84 in the power section of the amp. It also has a 3-band EQ, boost switch, and an additional potentiometer to control the boost.
The amp works perfectly well with pedals and various effects, and you can also use the effects loop. Unfortunately, Cub-Super10 doesn’t have any effects other than gain, and you will need to get a pedal if you want something else to use.
As for the quality and price, Laney is a great option, and you will get a full tube amp without spending a fortune on it.
Roland Blues Cube Hot
- Performance-ready 30-watt compact combo guitar amplifier with authentic...
- Roland comprehensive tube Logic design delivers the interactive tonal...
- Master volume, three-band EQ, and onboard reverb, plus foot switchable...
- Stylish, modern look with a vintage vibe
- 30 Watts
- Custom 12-inch speaker
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- Reverb and boost
- Headphones output
- Power switch
Roland Blues Cube Hot is a solid-state amp, but it is better than you’d expect. As you might guess from the design, Roland Blues Cube is inspired by tweed amps such as older Fender models, and it has a twelve-inch speaker.
The amp has two switches for boost and tone, but also a switch that will allow you to choose the power of the amp. You can select between 0.5, 5, 15, and 30 watts. And this is one of the best features you can find on an amp if you plan on playing it at home.
It adds so much to the versatility and allows you to play it in many different ways.
Positive Grid Spark 40
- Smart Jam learns your style and feel, generating authentic bass and drums...
- Access to 50,000+ amp-and-FX presets on ToneCloud, powered by...
- Import your music from Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube and Spark’s smart...
- Powerhouse 40 Watt combo includes onboard tone stack controls, effects,...
- 40 Watts
- Two – 4″ Custom Designed
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- Reverb, delay, and mod
- Headphones output
- Tuner
- Presets
- Additional mods and effects
Positive Grid Spark 40 is different from any amp you’ve encountered. It’s portable and compact, but it still sounds powerful. The amp has reverb and delay, but you can also use different amp mods or simulations.
You can also use it on your acoustic guitar without any problems. And there are so many different features you can use. Spark 40 has a built-in tuner, and it can be a perfect addition to your collection.
Naturally, it is not the best option for live performances, but for home practice, it can be a great choice.
Yamaha THR10
- 20 Watt Modeling Combo Amp
- 2x3" Speakers
- Built-In Effects and Echo/Reverb
- Packed with Great Amp Emulations
- 20 Watts
- Two – 3″ speakers
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, bass
- Chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, and echo
- Headphones output
- Bluetooth
- Additional mods and effects
Yamaha THR10 is a modeling amp, and it is a great option if you are looking for versatility. The total power of the amp is 20 watts, which works as 2×10 watts in stereo. As for effects, Yamaha THR10 has everything.
There are different types of reverb available, chorus, flanger, phaser, and many others. The amp also supports different models, and you can easily connect it to your phone via Bluetooth. Furthermore, you can download an app that will allow you to control the amplifier, and even get additional modes and effects you can use.
Supro 1612RT Amulet
- 15W/5W/1W Tube Guitar Combo Amplifier with Tube Reverb Tremolo
- 15 Watts
- 10” Celestion G10 Creamback
- Tube
- 2-band EQ: treble and bass
- Reverb, speed, and depth
- Headphones output
- Output power
If you are fortunate enough that you can afford to spend more on the amp, Supro can be an excellent choice. This is a tube amp with one 6L6 valve in the power section, and it is fully analog.
All Supro amps are made in the U.S., and the model here is inspired by vintage amps. At the same time, it has a few modern features users will appreciate. Finally, you can choose the output of the amplifier using the switch, and there are a couple of options.
You can pick 1W, 5W, and 15W. And since it is a tube amp, it will be more than enough power for home practice.
Marshall Code 25
- Authentic modelling of Marshall tones with pro quality FX
- 14 MST preamps, 4 MST power amps, and 8 MST speaker cabinets
- Connect via Bluetooth to stream music from your iOS or Android device
- Connect via USB to use DAW interface to record and stream audio from your...
- 25 Watts
- 10” speaker
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ: treble, middle, and bass
- Various effects and mods
- Headphones output
- USB
- Bluetooth
In the past couple of years, more and more companies are experimenting with modeling amps and the wonders of modern technology. And while tube amplifiers are incredible, it is not something all guitarists will enjoy.
Code 25 is a 25 watt amplifier designed by Marshall, and it offers 24 effects. It is possible to use up to five effects at the same time, which gives you plenty of options to shape the sound. Additionally, the amp can be connected to your smartphone either via Bluetooth or USB, and it supports both iOS and Android.
The sound can be quite versatile, and the amp can be more than enough for your home practice.
Blackstar ID Core Beam
- 20W programmable combo with enhanced features
- 6 voices and 12 Super Wide Stereo effects
- Live streaming TRRS output for easy use with smartphones
- Cab Rig software with controls for cabinet. room, and more
- 20 Watts
- 2 3” speakers
- Solid-state
- EQ
- Various effects and mods
- Headphones output
- Bluetooth
- Voice, Gain, Volume, ISF, and Effects Level
Another modern amp is Blackstar ID Core Beam. The first thing you will notice is that this is a digital modeling amp. You can use a number of different effects, and connect it to your device using Bluetooth.
Furthermore, you can also stream music using Bluetooth, which is perfect if you are in need of a speaker. As for the amp, you can connect one instrument, but it supports two bass voices, two acoustic voices, acoustic simulations, and six electric guitar voices.
It is also equipped with tap tempo and various controls, and it’s easy to use.
Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion
- 15 Watts
- 12″ Celestion Seventy speaker
- Tube
- 3-band EQ: middle, treble, and bass
- Reverb
- Power attenuator
- Footswitch
Harley Benton is known for its affordable products, but what is surprising is how good TUBE15 is. It is a full valve amplifier with three ECC83 / 12AX7 preamp and two EL84 tubes. It is also equipped with a 12-inch Celestion speaker, which is one of the best options you can find today.
The amplifier also has a reverb and a power attenuator that allows you to choose between 1 and 15 watts. All things considered, this is one of the best options for home practice if you want to save money, and the quality is exceptional.
It is not often you find such a good amplifier in this price range.
Bugera V5 Infinium
- Hand-built 5-Watt Class-A amplifier driven by 1 x EL84 tube
- Revolutionary INFINIUM Tube Life Multiplier technology:
- Way cool vintage look and feel
- World-famous, British engineered 8'' TURBOSOUND speaker
- 5 Watts
- 8″ Turbosound speaker
- Tube
- Gain, tone, volume, and reverb knobs
- Power attenuator
- Headphones output
Bugera is another great brand you can check out, and the model here is V5 Infinium. It is a tube amp with 5 watts of power, and it has a power attenuator as well. This means that you can choose between 0.1, 1, and 5 W by using the switch on the back of the amp.
As for the design, it is pretty simplistic. You will get four knobs to adjust gain, tone, volume, and reverb. This means that you won’t get a full 3-band EQ, and you’ll be forced to use the tone knob instead.
But if you consider the price, it is one of the cheapest tube amps you can find. It is equipped with one 12AX7 preamp and one EL84 power tube, and it’s great for practice.
Vox AC10C1 Custom
- 10 Watt tube combo offering the classic VOX Top Boost tone
- EL84 power tubes; 12AX7 preamp tubes
- Custom 10" VX10 speaker made by Celestion
- Simple but effective Gain, Bass, Treble, Reverb, and Master Volume controls
- 10 Watts
- 10″ Celestion VX10 speaker
- Tube
- 2-band EQ
- Reverb
- Headphones output
Vox is one of the biggest names in the world of blues amps, but you can use it for any genre you want. The AC10C1 Custom is a tube amp, and it is equipped with two 12AX7 preamp and EL84 power amp tubes.
The design of the amp is fairly simple, and it’s compact. As a result, you won’t have as many options to shape the sound, but the most important features are available. This includes 2-band EQ, reverb, and gain.
Supro Delta King 10 Combo TB
- 1 x 10" Tube Combo Amplifier with 2-b EQ
- Pigtronix FAT Mode
- FET-driven Boost
- Line Out - Tweed
- 5 Watts
- Supro DK-10 speaker
- Tube
- 2-band EQ
- Reverb
- Headphones output
- Boost/drive switch
If you love playing blues, Supro Delta King 10 is an amp you must check out as soon as possible. It is a 5 watt model, and it’s perfect for home practice. Furthermore, it has a 12AX7 preamp tube and a 6V6 power tube.
The amplifier is small but is still able to create a powerful sound. There are several controls on the top of the amp, including volume, treble, bass, reverb, and master.
Tone King Imperial Mk II
- 20-watt 2-channel All-tube 1x12" Guitar Combo Amplifier with Power Attenuat
- Tremolo - Black
- Spring Reverb
- 20 Watts
- 12″ Eminence Custom Tone King 33 ceramic speaker
- Tube
- 2-band EQ
- Reverb and tremolo
- Headphones output
- Power attenuator
For those that don’t mind spending money on the amplifier, this model is incredible. Tone King Imperial is a full tube amplifier, and it has four 12AX7A and one 12AT7 just in the preamp section. Additionally, it has two 6V6GT and one 5AR4 rectifier.
The Imperial MK2 also has a tube-driven spring reverb, bias-modulated tremolo, different channels for rhythm and lead, and so much more. It is without a doubt one of the best amps you can find today. And the power attenuator allows you to easily adjust the output using the potentiometer on the back.
Line 6 Catalyst
- 60-watt, dual-channel 1x12 combo amp (with optional LFS2 footswitch)
- Catalyst 60 is a 60-watt, dual-channel 1x12 combo amplifier that performs...
- The smallest and lightest member of the Catalyst family—which also...
- Item Package Weight: 25.91 pounds
- 60 Watts
- 12″ Custom Design speaker
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ
- Boost, Modulation, Delay, and Pitch/Filter
- Headphones output
- Power attenuator
- USB
Line 6 is known for its modern digital amps, and Catalyst is a perfect example of what you can expect. This is a 60 watt model, but you can use 30W, 0.5W, and mute settings. It also has a 12-inch Custom Design speaker, and it can be quite powerful.
Of course, the main advantage of Catalyst is its versatility. There are so many different effects and modes you can use, and the quality is incredible. Especially if you consider the price.
Peavey Rage 258
- 8 inch super-duty Blue Marvel speaker
- Two switchable channels: clean and lead
- 3-band EQ
- 1/4 Aux input
- 25 Watts
- 8” speaker
- Solid-state
- 3-band EQ
- Pre-gain and post-gain knobs
- Headphones output
- Different mods
For many players, getting an expensive amp is not an option. They want a simple combo that they can use at home, and Peavey can offer just that. Rage 258 is affordable and versatile, and it sounds great.
There are also different mods and combinations you can use, and it has an eight-inch speaker. One of the main downsides of the amp is that it doesn’t have reverb, but if you use pedals, this might not be a problem.
PRS Archon 50
- 2-channel 1 x 12" Tube Combo Amplifier with 3-b EQ
- Presence/Depth Controls
- Effects Loop
- 50-watt
- 50 Watts
- 12″ Celestion V-Type
- Tube
- 3-band EQ
- Two channels
- Headphones output
- Presence and depth knobs
Paul Reed Smith took the guitar market by storm with his unique guitars, but what many players don’t know is that PRS offers amplifiers as well. And they are incredible. Archon 50 is a 50 watt amplifier with six JJ ECC83S tubes in the preamp section and two 6L6 in the power section.
It has enough controls to allow you to shape the sound as you please, a twelve-inch Celestion speaker, and an effects loop. Whether you want to use it with pedals or just plug and play, the sound will be amazing.
Peavey Classic 30 II
- Genuine Spring Reverb with level control
- Pre- and post-gain controls on lead channel
- External speaker capability
- Chrome-plated chassis
- 30 Watts
- 12″ Celestion Midnight 60 Speaker
- Tube
- 3-band EQ
- Footswitch
- Headphones output
- Reverb
Peavey Classic 30 II is a tube amp with three 12AX7 preamp and four EL84 power tubes. It offers 30 watts of power, reverb, and a gorgeous design. The model is inspired by vintage tweed amplifiers (such as Fender), and it is perfect for blues.
The amplifier is highly versatile, and while it is ideal for blues, you can easily use it for nearly any genre.
Mesa/Boogie Mark Five
- 35 Watts
- 12″ Celestion Custom 90
- Tube
- 3-band EQ
- Footswitch
- Headphones output
- Spring Reverb
- FX loop
Mesa Boogie amps have been a thing of legend for quite some time. And the reason for that is quality and design. If you are looking for a versatile amplifier that will sound like a dream, Mark Five might be just the thing for you.
You can use Mark Five when you play live, at home, in the studio, or anywhere else. There are fourteen knobs, full EQ (with sliders), and different channels. If you can afford it, you will love what this amp has to offer.
Summary
Getting a smaller amp you can play at home is always a good idea. It will be enough for you to practice, and you won’t disturb your neighbors and family members. But the question is, how do you find a good practice amp?
There are many different models you can check out, and as always, the main factor will be your budget. You can find models for over $100 or go for $2,000 amplifiers. It is up to you. But the most important thing is that you will have enough choices, and you will be able to find a model in nearly any price range.
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Last update on 2024-11-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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