The Best 30 Small & Low Watt Tube Amps For Home Use In 2024

Having a good amplifier is essential for your sound. It doesn’t matter if you play at home or on a stage, you would want to be able to hear the guitar properly, and have a specific tone. But when you play at home, you are not really in a situation to plug in a huge 4×12 cabinet. 

Your neighbors would probably not appreciate it. This means that you will need to go for something smaller. Of course, just because you can’t turn up the volume as much as you would like, it doesn’t mean that you need to compromise the sound. 

Here, I will go through some of the best amps you can find that have valves or tubes, and that are suitable for home use. My focus would be on lower power, and a smaller size that won’t take up a lot of space. 

Harley Benton Tube5 Celestion

• Power: Switchable between 1W and 5W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, tone
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x ECC83 / 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 1 x 6V6GT
• Speaker: 8″ Celestion Super speaker

Harley Benton has been dominating the world of budget equipment. You can find numerous different models of guitar, including the versions of popular brands. And if you are looking for an amplifier, Harley Benton has a budget series that will blow your mind. 

The Tube5 is a small amp, perfect for home practice. You can switch between 1W and 5W, and it has a Celestion speaker. The amp has tubes in both preamp and power sections. 

Joyo BlueJay

• Power: 20W
• Number of Channels: 2
• Controls: Gain, tone, volume
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: None
• Speaker: None

The first thing you will notice here is that this is not a combo amp. It doesn’t come with a speaker. But it is a perfect choice for anyone that already owns one. If you need just a head, BlueJay can be a great option. 

As you can probably guess from the name, this is a great amplifier for blues. It has a single valve in the preamp section, and the power is 20 Watts. The amp has Bluetooth.

Joyo Jackman-II

• Power: 20W
• Number of Channels: 2
• Controls: Gain, tone, volume
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: None
• Speaker: None

If you like having your speaker and amp separate, Joyo Jackman-II is something you should check out. The amp has two channels, Bluetooth, and a power of 20 Watts. This is one of many different models Joyo offers with the same idea behind them. 

And all you need to do is find one that suits your taste. Almost every model in this series will have a single tube in the preamp section, two channels, and 20W of power. 

Marshall Origin 5C

• Power: 5W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, tilt, bass, middle, treble
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x ECC83 (12AX7)
• Power Tubes: 1 x EL84
• Speaker: 8″ Celestion Eight-15 loudspeaker

Marshall has been on top of the food chain for decades. People will usually go for either Marshall or Fender, and the quality is exceptional. This one here, Origin 5C, is a combo amp, which means that it has both the amplifier and the speaker. 

This is one of the best home amps you can find. It has 5 Watts, which is more than enough since it is a tube amp, and it has full three-band EQ. 

Bugera V5 Infinium

• Power: 5W, 1W, 0.1W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, tilt, bass, middle, treble
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 1 x EL84
• Speaker: 8″ Turbosound speaker

Bugera is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a heavier amp. One of the many incredible features of V5 Infinium is that you can select power, and it allows you to choose between 5W, 1W, and 0.1W. 

This is an ideal option for home use, and you can easily adjust the sound and make it acceptable. Especially if you have neighbors. 

Harley Benton Tube15 Celestion

• Power: 15W, 1W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Gain, volume, tone, bass, middle, treble, reverb
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x ECC83 / 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
• Speaker: 12″ Celestion Seventy speakers

This is a bigger version of the Tube5 amp I mentioned earlier, and it is improved in every single way. It has a switch to pick between 15 Watts and 1 Watt modes, three valves in the preamp, and two in the power amp section. 

It also has a 12-inch Celestion speaker, and the sound is incredible. It is all you can expect from a house amp, and it is one of the cheapest tube amps you can find on the market. Plus, it has reverb. 

Marshall DSL1CR

• Power: 1W, 0.1W
• Number of Channels: 2
• Controls: volume for classic gain, gain and volume for ultra gain, treble, mid, bass, and reverb
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x ECC82
• Power Tubes: 2 x ECC83
• Speaker: 8″ Celestion Eight-15 loudspeakers

Marshall DSL1CR is one of the smallest tube amps you can find on the market. It has an eight-inch speaker, but it has two channels with different volume knobs. It is also switchable between 1W and 0.1W, which will ensure you do not disturb anyone during your practice. 

It is also worth mentioning that the amp has reverb, which is not something you often find on cheap amps. 

Laney Cub-Super12

• Power: 15W, 1W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Boost, gain, bass, middle, treble, reverb, volume
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
• Speaker: 12″ HH Custom speaker

Laney Cub is one of the most popular small tube amps you can find. It is switchable between 15W and 1W, and it has a three-band EQ. You can easily adjust the sound and create the tone you will enjoy.

It is a full valve amp with three tubes in the preamp, and two in the power amp section, and it has a 12-inch speaker which will make playing incredible. 

Marshall DSL5CR

• Power: 5W, 0.5W
• Number of Channels: 2
• Controls: Gain and volume for classic gain, gain and volume for ultra gain, treble, middle, bass, and reverb
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x ECC83
• Power Tubes: 1 x 12BH7/ECC99
• Speaker: 10″ Celestion Ten-30 speaker

As we go up the price range we can notice many amazing models. DSL5CR is one of them. The amp is a perfect choice for home use since it is switchable between 5W and 0.5W. It also has a footswitch you can use to shuffle between two channels – classic gain and ultra gain. 

Each of the channels has its own set of knobs for volume and gain, while the three-band EQ is universal. The amp also has reverb. 

Blackstar HT5R MKII

• Power: 5W, 0.5W
• Number of Channels: 2
• Controls: Volume and tone for clean, gain and volume for overdrive, bass, middle, treble, ISF, and reverb. 
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x ECC83 
• Power Tubes: 1 x 12BH7 
• Speaker: 12″ Blackstar Designed

Blackstar is a great brand for anyone interested in heavier genres. The amp has two voices, clean and overdrive, and you will get separate knobs for each. It also has a full three-band EQ and reverb. 

The amp also includes the traditional Blackstar ISF knob, which allows you to further shape the sound between “American” and “British” sounds. It also has an effects loop. 

Koch Amps Jupiter Junior J20C Combo

• Power: 20W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, gain, volume on gain channel, bass, mid, treble, reverb, and dimmer. 
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x 12AX7 
• Power Tubes: 1 x 12AX7 
• Speaker: 10″ Jensen Falcon C10-40 Speaker

If you are looking for something different, Koch Amps might have a product for you. The Jupiter Junior is a small house amp, and it is quite versatile. It has a 12AX7 tube in both preamp and power amp sections, and it has enough knobs to ensure you will be able to create the sound you will like. 

It has a 10-inch speaker, and it can be a great addition to your equipment. 

Supro Delta King 10

• Power: 5W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, treble, bass, reverb, master 
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x 12AX7 
• Power Tubes: 1 x 6V6
• Speaker: 10″ Supro DK-10

Supro is a brand with a long history. It comes from the U.S., and the company creates rather unique amps. This one was inspired by vintage models with tweed covering, and it is quite impressive. 

The power is 5 Watts, and it has one valve in the preamp and one in the power amp section of the amplifier. It is also equipped with reverb, and with a Supro DK-10 speaker. 

VHT Special 6 Combo Ultra

• Power: 6W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Watts, depth, tone, volume (pull boost), ultra 
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7 
• Power Tubes: 1 x 6V6
• Speaker: 12″ VHT speaker

VHT is another example of interesting amps you can find in the higher price range. It has a great tone, but you can further shape it as you please. You can also easily replace any of the components if you have any experience messing with the electronics. 

It is hand-made, and there is a switch between high and low power, and there is a knob you can use to adjust the voltage. This is a rather unique option since amps usually have a single switch. But with the knob, you can choose between the maximum of 6W to any value between 1W and 6W.

Vox AC10C1

• Power: 10W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Gain, bass, treble, reverb, and volume 
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
• Speaker: 10” speaker

Vox is a classic brand. It has a unique sound, and if you are a fan of Vox, this is an amp you need to check out. The AC10C1 is a 10W amp, and it is full-valve. It has a ten-inch speaker and a single channel. 

It is one of the best combos you can find on the market, and it is ideal for rock ‘n’ roll and blues lovers. 

Blackstar Studio 10 6L6

• Power: 10W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Gain, tone, reverb, master 
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x ECC83 
• Power Tubes: 1 x 6L6
• Speaker: 12″ Celestion Seventy-80 speakers

Blackstar Studio 6L6 is versatile, easy to use, and sounds amazing. It has 10-watts, and it is a great version if you plan on playing at home. The name of the amp comes from the valve that is in the power section. 

And this is exactly what gives it the sound it has. Furthermore, with a 12-inch speaker, you will get the sound you need in no time. 

Fender Pro Junior IV

• Power: 15W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, tone 
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
• Speaker: 10″ Jensen P10R

Not many amps can compare to Fender. Especially if you own a Fender guitar. There is something unique about the combination and the way the guitar will sound. Needless to say, you can play this amp with any guitar you want. 

It has a 10-inch Jensen speaker, one channel, and it’s quite simple to use. There are only two knobs, so it will work well with various pedals. The design is quite standard for Fender with a tweed cover. 

Supro 64 Super Combo

• Power: 5W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume 
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 1 x 6V6
• Speaker: 8″ Jensen C8R speaker

Supro offers a variety of products you can find, and there are so many great models for home use. Supro 64 Super combo and it has 5-watts. The pedal is easy to use, and the design is as simple as it can be. 

There is a single knob you can use to adjust volume, and you can easily connect pedals to it. One of the most appealing things is the design of the amp, and it looks beautiful. 

Supro Delta King 12

• Power: 15W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, treble, mid, bass, reverb, master 
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 1 x 6L6
• Speaker: 12″ Supro DK-12 speaker

Supro Delta King 12 is a model from the Delta King series, it is inspired by blues musicians and amps, and it has a twelve-inch speaker. There is a 12AX7 valve in the preamp and a 6L6 valve in the power section of the amp. 

The amp is quite versatile, and one of the best options for playing at home. It works well with any guitar and music genre, but it truly shines for blues and rock. 

Peavey Classic 20 Mini

• Power: 20W, 5W, 1W
• Number of Channels: 2
• Controls: Volume, pre, post, bass, middle, treble, reverb 
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7/ECC83
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
• Speaker: none

If you like the idea behind tube amps, and you already own a speaker, you can find pricier versions that do a great job. A perfect example is Peavey Classic 20 Mini. It is a 20-Watt amp, but you can adjust the output using the switch between 20W, 5W, and 1W. 

Since it is only a head, it doesn’t come with a speaker, but the sound and quality are amazing. The amp is covered in tweed, which gives it a unique vintage look. 

Fender Blues Junior IV

• Power: 15W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Reverb, master, middle, bass, treble, volume, and FAT switch 
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
• Speaker: 12″ Celestion A-Type

Blues Junior is incredible. It is one of the best amps you can find in this price range, especially if you are looking to play at home. This is the fourth iteration of the Blues Junior, and it has a twelve-inch Celestion speaker. 

The amp is easy to use, it’s powerful, and you can crank it up a lot. If you want to hear that famous sound of tubes breaking, Blues Junior can offer you just that. The master volume will act as a gain, pushing tubes into overdrive for that classic sound. 

Orange Rocker 15

• Power: 15W, 7W, 1W, 0.5W
• Number of Channels: 2
• Controls: Gain, bass, middle, treble, volume 
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x ECC83 (12AX7)
• Power Tubes: 1 x ECC81 (12AT7)
• Speaker: 10″ Voice Of The World Gold Label speaker

As you probably know already, Orange is a specific brand. It is a lot different compared to other amps, and if you like what this brand has to offer, this is an amp for you. It’s quite versatile. You can choose between 15W, 7W, 1W, and 0.5W power, there are three tubes in the preamp section, and one in the power. 

It is equipped with a 10-inch speaker, and it sounds quite good. 

Fender 68 Custom Vibro Champ

• Power: 5W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, treble, bass, reverb, speed, and intensity 
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 1 x 6V6
• Speaker: 10″ Celestion TEN 30 speaker

The amp is inspired by the earlier models of Fender amps with silver face, and if you are a fan of these models, you will adore the Custom Vibro Champ. The amp is easy to use, it has plenty of knobs to adjust the sound, and it sounds amazing. 

It has a ten-inch Celestion speaker, and it has 5-watts. It is an improved version of the original Vibro Champ from the sixties. 

Marshall Studio Classic SC20C

• Power: 20W, 5W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Preamp and master volume, treble, mid, bass, and presence
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x ECC83, 1 x ECC83 (phase splitter)
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL34
• Speaker: 10″ Celestion V-Type

If you are a Marshall lover, there are plenty of options you can find. Studio Classic SC20C is a powerful amp that can still work at home. You can easily switch between 20W and 5W, which will make it usable at home. 

You will get that famous Marshall sound, and plenty of options to shape it even further. 

Marshall 2525C Mini Silver Jubilee Co

• Power: 20W, 5W
• Number of Channels: 2
• Controls: Presence, bass, middle, treble, output master, lead master, and input gain
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x ECC83
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL34 
• Speaker: 12″ Celestion G12M-25

As we up the price range, we can notice many incredible models. Silver Jubilee is inspired by the amp made in the eighties, and this is a smaller version. It has two channels, and you can use the footswitch with it. 

The amp is easy to use, it’s powerful, and it has a 12-inch speaker. You can choose between 5W and 20W power. 

Supro 64 Reverb Combo

• Power:  5W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, treble, bass, reverb, master, mix out level
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7
• Power Tubes: 1 x 6V6
• Speaker: 8″ Jensen C8R speaker

Since we are far from the budget category, we can check out more expensive models that have so much to offer. I already mentioned Supro earlier, and this time, we have 64 Reverb. It is a 5-Watt model, with independent gain and master volumes.

It also has a high-gain preamp and a beautiful sound. The model is small with an 8-inch Jensen speaker, and it looks great. 

Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb

• Power: 12W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, treble, bass, reverb, speed, intensity
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7
• Power Tubes: 2 x 6V6 (power), 1 x 5AR4 (rectifier)
• Speaker: 12″ Eminence Cannabis Rex

Fender truly shines when it comes to tube amps. Princeton Reverb is inspired by the version from the sixties, it is a full valve amp, and the sound is exceptional. It has everything you can expect from a high-end amp, reverb, multiple controls, and a twelve-inch speaker. 

You can further shape the sound as you see fit, and the amp works great with various pedals. 

Fender ’57 Custom Champ

• Power: 5W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume
• Preamp Tubes: 1 x 12AY7
• Power Tubes: 1 x 6V6 Power tube, 1 x 5Y3GT Rectifier
• Speaker: 8″ 4-ohm Weber Special design Alnico speaker

The first thing you will notice is that the amp is expensive. But is it worth it? Well, that is entirely up to you. But you should know that this model is incredible. It is small, compact, and has 5-watt power. It is easy to use since there is a single volume knob on it. 

What makes it so unique is that it is a perfect platform for pedals. The clean channel is without competition, and it sounds gorgeous. Also, it’s made in the U.S., and it’s handwired. 

Vox AC15C1X

• Power: 15W
• Number of Channels: 2
• Controls: Volume and tone cut for master, depth and speed for tremolo, bass, treble, and volume for top boost, and normal volume. 
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
• Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
• Speaker: 12” Alnico Blue speaker

Vox amps are unique in their own way, and if you are a fan, this is a beautiful model to check out. There are plenty of knobs and options for settings, and the amp is quite versatile. As with other Vox models, it works really well with blues and rock, but you can experiment with other genres as well. 

The amp is easy to use, and it is quite powerful. 

Cornell Romany 12

• Power: 10W, 1.5W, 0.25W, 0.05W
• Number of Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, treble, middle, bass, reverb 
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x ECC83, 1 x ECC81
• Power Tubes: 1 x 6L6GT
• Speaker: 12″ Jensen speaker

If you are looking to get an incredible amp, Cornell might be a way to go. The Romany 12 is a model with a 12-inch speaker, and it is one of the best small amps you can find. It allows you to pick between 10W, 1.5W, 0.25W, and 0.05W. Which is exceptional. 

What makes the models so pricey is that each Cornell amp is handmade in England, and the models are amazing. 

Tone King Imperial Mk II BK

• Power: 20W
• Number of Channels: 2
• Controls: Volume, tone, and mid-bite for lead channel, volume, treble, and bass for rhythm channel, reverb, and speed and depth for tremolo 
• Preamp Tubes: 5AR4 (rectifier), 12AT7 (reverb driver), 12AX7A (reverb receiver), 3 x 12AX7A
• Power Tubes: 2 x 6V6
• Speaker: 12″ Custom-designed 8-ohm ceramic magnet speaker made by Eminence

Tone King Imperial Mk II takes everything to a whole new level. It is a state-of-the-art amp, and it is a high-end model. You can play it in the studio, at home, and even on stage. The amp won’t fail you regardless of where you play it. 

And this is one of many reasons behind the price. The model is quite versatile, and it sounds gorgeous. 

Conclusion

Finding an amp to buy can be tricky. There are so many different choices, and each amp you find offers something unique. If you plan on playing at home, you will want to go for a smaller model with low power. Something that won’t bother your neighbors. 

And while you’re at it, you can get a tube amp that will give you a perfect sound. Fortunately, there are plenty of different options you can find, and the only thing that’s left to determine is your budget.

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Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API