Having a huge tube amp cabinet is great!
You get a ton of muscle enough for any gig, a classic tube amp sound, and amazing quality. You also get the power to crank up the volume to annoy your neighbors, which is always a great thing!
The catch is that most of us (me in particular) could not afford a classic Laney or Marshall with the giant wattage even if we saved up for months. I think this is a major problem because, well.. you need money to buy anything.
Acoustic players won’t need to worry about finicky gadgets but for every electric guitarist out there, there is a unique amp that he likes. There aren’t that many that fit within the budget of a broke guitarist too poor to afford high-quality amps, so he has to settle for cheaper ones.
Wouldn’t it be great if there were some feature-packed gear that could do it all without breaking the bank?
Enter the MINI amp to save the day!
This article is designed to help you get the most out of your next purchase. There’s a buying guide section to get you familiar with the various options available when shopping for a mini amp and a list of the best ones in the market.
Let’s get started with it, shall we?
Table of Contents
Why Buy a Mini Amp When There’s a Bigger Version?
There are many reasons to favor a mini – amp over a typical guitar amp.
A 100W Laney is great for gigs and sounds amazing but isn’t just the right choice if you just need to show your friend some chords at his home. Portability matters a lot and that is one of the reasons why guitarists opt for a mini – amp.
Did I mention these were cheaper? Mini – amps are a steal for the purpose they serve. Cheap and quality is always a good combination.
You also have the same freedom with your sound and tone as you would with a much larger amp. It’s just a smaller version of your favorite amp – sounds. Since you’ll be getting modeling amps for the price, you shouldn’t expect it to sound as good as a tube amp, but it’s good enough for practice and small sessions.
The Best part? You can get tiny mini – amps for next to nothing If you know where to look!
Your Guide To Buying Mini Amps Online
Ever wished you had a best friend who knew all about mini amps and could help you get one without lying how good every cheap mini amp is?
UnboxGuitars is happy to help!
I’m a professional who makes money by performing and helping others learn guitar. So, you can rest assured that I know what I’m talking about.
Available Mini Amp Types
Basically, mini amps come in two flavors.
There is the classic one used by guitar players as amps to amplify the signals picked up by pickups on electric guitars. It’s also called a micro amp as it’s just a portable version of an amplifier. As large amps are expensive as well as take up a lot of space, mini amps are a more convenient way to get similar sounds.
You may have heard that amplifiers are also used in your car. The second category of mini amps is the one used in car speaker systems.
Are the two types different? Yep! They are very different.
Hooking up your guitar to a car audio system is a sure way to damage it. I’ve done this and I’ve had to pay for a new one, so I don’t really recommend you to try plugging in your guitar to anything other than a guitar amp.
That said, some mini amps do well as both. You can use them as a regular guitar amp and when you need to, you can also use them as speaker systems.
What Should You Look Out For?
More Power Means More Muscle. when it comes to rock gigs, you need all the power you can get. If you get an amp with more wattage, it will be louder than one with lower wattage.
Getting one with small Wattage is fine for practicing (as those are cheaper) but if you’re going to be gigging, I’d suggest you get the one with the most wattage you can afford in your budget.
What effects does your amp pack? Most amps have a built-in delay, reverb, and overdrive. Some amps also have memory banks so you can save your favorite settings for later. Some fancy ones even come with Tap-Delay, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth but these cost a bit more than regular ones.
Have you checked what kind of Inputs and Outputs the Amp has? Most amps have 1/8 Headphone aux so you can play through the mini amp without disturbing anybody. Mini Amps also have XLR Mic inputs or USB-inputs to connect to your computer. Checking if the one you are looking to buy has these is a great idea to avoid running into problems later on.
Pro-Tips
Finding a decent portable amp on your budget is great but you should also pay attention to the specs.
Is it battery-powered? Does it come with an adapter cable? Does it have headphone output? Chromatic Tuner? Built-in Speaker? Aux and Mic inputs?
Always make sure that the product you’re getting is the one you want.
Before you decide on purchasing one, checking out Youtube reviews is also a great way to ensure that you’re looking at a quality product that won’t give you headaches.
And remember to check our site for any offers. There are many that you might miss!
The Best Guitar Mini Amps of 2021
1. BOSS Katana 7-Watt Guitar Amplifier
What We Like
- Plug and Play convenience
- 3-band eq
- Portable and Perfect as a practice amp
Our Verdict
For a beginner, access to hundreds of tones and amp models is more of a distraction than a necessary feature. A decent mini amp with the ability to shape your bass, mids, and highs is something that every musician needs.
The Boss Katana 7 Watt Amp is just that. Unlike most cheap mini amps that only give you access to bass and treble controls, it has full 3-band eq controls. That’s great as that’s where the sound of a guitar sits in the band.
The power adapter though inexpensive isn’t included, so you’ll have to get one yourself but other than that, the Boss Katana mini amp is great.
It’s perfect for a beginner or an intermediate player for some quality practice. It’s pretty cheap and decent-sounding so you can always find some use for it.
2. Blackstar FLY3 Mini Amplifier
What We Like
- Fits in a bag
- Built-in delay
- Aggressive Overdrive
Our Verdict
With just 3W of power, the Blackstar Fly 3 takes its place as one of the smallest mini amps on the list. The portable guitar amp is actually quite loud.
The Blackstar Fly 3 does not cost much but it sounds great. In fact, it sounds just as good as some high-quality VOX amps. It also has built-in EQ and delay and aux input so you can use it as a speaker for your phone or laptops on the go.
One of the things I really like about the Blackstar mini amp is that it’s battery-powered so you can take it outdoors too. It lasts for a long time even if you play regularly so that’s pretty cool too. If you’re considering it as a practice amp and will be using it for long sessions, getting a power adapter is highly recommended.
It doesn’t come with an adapter. If you don’t play much, you won’t need really one as the AA size batteries on this last for 30+ hours in practical use.
The Blackstar Fly 3 is an ideal choice for anybody looking for a great-sounding practice amp. For a more in-depth look at this popular portable amp, check out our full Blackstar Fly 3 review.
3. Fender Champion 20
What We Like
- 12 built-in FX settings for common effects like reverb, delay, overdrive, etc.
- Enough noise to piss off neighbors
- Portability
- Classy looks
Our Verdict
The Fender Champion 20 is a classic-sounding 20 Watt amplifier that does its job. It’s pretty cheap and packs many useful features as well.
It also has a tap-tempo feature and modulation effects. It doesn’t work with a footswitch or connect to pc- so that’s kind of a let down.
There are some things that the Fender amp is missing- like the full 3-band EQ. Personally, I’m not a fan of an amp in the 15-30 Watt range as it doesn’t have the punch needed for rock gigs. But you may find great use out of it if you use it for loud acoustic rehearsals or cafe shows.
You never know when the added power could come in handy. So, with the Fender Champion 20, you can reliably put on a decent performance without worrying about the volume or the amp giving up on you.
The one thing that may be a turn-off is the missing mid-range controls. The Fender Champion 20 does sound good for practicing or at small venues, so it serves its purpose to help beginner guitarists well.
Overall, if you need something to learn about amps and tones, you cannot go wrong with the Champion 20 for the price.
4. Marshall Acoustic Soloist 50 Watt Acoustic Amp
What We Like
- Dual Channels, Digital Chorus and Reverb
- Options to control feedback
- Full-on acoustic guitar amplifier
Our Verdict
The Marshall Acoustic Soloist is a 50W amplifier meant for acoustic guitarists.
Though the name Marshall is widely associated to rock and metal guitarists, there are some amazing acoustic amps by the brand- Marshall Acoustic Soloist being one of them.
It has a powerful bass sound that shines in the low ends.
It also has mic inputs and a full 3-band controls. Many portable amps miss out on the bass, treble and mid controls- so seeing them on this amp is a delight. It’s great for both quiet practice and playing live at high volumes.
The Acoustic Soloist amp is more of a performance amp than a practice amp. There isn’t really anything to critique at the reasonable price. It is a bit pricier than the cheapest mini amps available but in its defense, the Marshall Acoustic Soloist packs 50W of power which is adequate for most medium-sized venues.
Tweaking the treble settings also allows you to cut through the mix and above the drummer’s cymbals which is fantastic!
If you’re in a pinch to get a professional sound, you can take Marshall Acoustic Soloist with you and you’ll be all set for the gig.
If you like cranking up the volume and having gig-ready preset effects, Marshall Acoustic Soloist is the perfect classy amp for your diverse on-stage needs!
5. Peavey Vypyr VIP 2 Modeling Amp
What We Like
- Great for both acoustic and electric guitars as well as bass guitars
- Uploadable amp tones
- 36 amp models
- Great range of controls
- Cool LEDs
Our Verdict
The Peavey name is linked to metal genres and heavy rock but the brand also makes versatile gear that fits pretty much all genres. The brand’s value is right up there with classics like Laney and Marshall.
Vypyr amp is a fancy amp with a wide range of controls and effects. Moreover, you can hook up both acoustic and electric guitars to this amp and it sounds great.
Bass guitarists forgetting their amps (and basslines) is a major problem for many bands. With the Peavey Vypyr VIP2, you can save the day by letting your bassist plug in to your amp. It’s also great if you would like to be able to play bass guitar someday. It’s a wonderful instrument!
While most portable amps are stripped down versions of amps with more features and effects, the peavey Vypyr is a feature-rich piece of gear. It also has uploadable amp tones, meaning that you can upload custom tones to it and save the settings for later so it has you covered for the gig.
6. Fender Mini ’57 Twin Amp
What We Like
- Great for rock and beautiful fingerstyle
- Uploadable amp tones
- Ultra-Portable
- Battery-Powered
Our Verdict
The Fender Mini ’57 Twin Amp is a very small amp. It literally fits in the palm of your hands. So, it’s super convenient for carrying or putting into bags.
The amp is powered by a 9V battery but doesn’t come with a battery right off the bat. That’s not much of a problem as the batteries are pretty cheap.
There is also a headphone output for quiet playing so you don’t disturb anybody else in the house.
Some players also prefer having the amp face down on a flat surface for more noticeable low-ends, so you can try that too!
You can tweak up the tone settings till you find one that you like. Personally, I like having the drive all the way down as overdrive on cheap amps isn’t quite up to par with full-blown amps. The tone knob is more like a shape control like the ones you find on Vox-style amps.
Though we say it’s great for fingerstyle, it’s also well suited for dirty blues and rockabilly.
The Fender Mini ’57 with a cool leather handle and handy finish is great for any beginner or intermediate guitarist looking for a cheap portable piece of equipment. Great for having around!
7. Yamaha THR10 Modeling Amp
What We Like
- Authentic Tube-Amp sound
- Great Quality
- Amazing Tones
- Connects to PC for recording
Our Verdict
The Yamaha THR10 is a portable battery-powered amp suitable for street busking or live playing.
It’s probably as close as you can get to a classic tube-amp sound without spending a huge sum of money.
There is only a single channel. It does have a bass channel so you can directly plug in your bass and you’re good to go. This also has Aux inputs so you can play directly from your phone.
If you’re a sucker for blues, you can get nice vintage cleans ideal for some tasty blues. If you add a touch of reverb and delay, it’s ready for the stage and sounds amazing.
The Yamaha THR10 is a great electric guitar amplifier but it can also work as a speaker for you, or as an acoustic and bass pre-amp. Being able to save favorite settings in memory banks is also a great feature.
Just like top-notch amps, the Yamaha THR10 also has 3-band eq settings so you can easily tweak up the bass, mids, and trebles to your liking. You can also adjust modulations like tremolo, reverb, and so on.
There is a USB output for recording, and Yamaha has provided Cubase as well!
Overall, Yamaha THR10 is a great mini amp for an intermediate player or even a regular performer. Beginners can find some great uses for it, and it’s a great value for the price.
8. Orange Mini MT20 Amp
What We Like
- Very light
- Good for rock and blues
- Simple To Use
- Great Value for the price
Our Verdict
The Orange Micro Terror 20-Watt guitar amplifier is a classy-looking amp that packs a lot of punch for a practice session. This is just 20 Watts but it’s enough for any light jams you may do or acoustic gigs where drumsets aren’t involved.
There is also an aux-in so you can play from your phones as well. The Headphone Out is good if you want to have a quiet time practicing and don’t want anybody to know that you have nobody to go out with. And keeping your neighbors happy too- that stuff’s important!
It sounds great for some legato or blues. If you hook up your favorite Tele to the Orange Micro Terror mini amp, you might as well fall in love with it.
If you were wondering, Humbucker pickups paired with the Micro Terror just sound amazing!
The Orange Micro Terror MT-20 is great for beginner-intermediate players who just want a practice amp that sounds nice and doesn’t cost much. Tone-wise, the portable amp fares well in the entry-level realm of beginner amps and lends itself well for use in small venues as well.
9. Fender Frontman 10G Mini Amp
What We Like
- Quality-Made
- Powerful
- Portable
Our Verdict
The 10 Watt Guitar Amplifier is a basic amplifier with classic Fender looks and feel.
Unlike others on the list, it doesn’t feature a 3-band eq or fancy memory banks. That’s because this amp is built with beginners in mind.
If you’re a beginner trying to learn songs on your first amp, the last thing you’d want to do is fiddle around with settings or waste your time browsing presets when you can spend the same time actually learning the song.
The Fender Frontman 10G is an elegant-looking portable piece of gear that you can fit in your backpack and take with you anywhere you want. Moreover, it sounds great and even with just 10 Watts of power, produces a loud sound that can get you rolling for small gigs or Open- Mic sessions.
Simplicity is what Fender had in mind when they designed this amp. The controls and settings you need to change are minimal, so there’s virtually no learning curve even for a beginner.
Should you get it? If you’re just looking for a beginner mini amp on a budget, the Fender Frontman 10G is the best choice for you.
10. Fender Mustang GT 40 Amp
What We Like
- Cool design
- Awesome effects
- Can play with in-built tone presets of many guitarists
Our Verdict
The Fender Mustang GT-40 is a really cool amp for professionals that allows access to 21 amp models and 40 tone effects.
The finish on tone control knobs looks great.
It’s also the world’s first guitar amplifier to have Wi-Fi! Even watches have Wi-Fi today, so it’s surprising that no brands thought of doing that sooner.
Having a Wireless connection means that you can download and share tone presets on the go. You can even control the settings remotely by using the Fender Tone App.
It doesn’t have mid-EQ controls which would’ve been a reasonable thing to put in a decent performance-level amp. But it does have a digital screen and is super easy to use.
It also doesn’t come with a footswitch which is a bummer but you could get an inexpensive footswitch pretty easily. It’s a modeler and a speaker all-in-one. It’s really great for jamming or busking.
If you’re looking for a good affordable amp that can help you chug triplets or play dirty blues, or just produce beautiful fingerstyle tones, you cannot go wrong with the cool Fender Mustang GT-40!
Final Thoughts
A mini amp is not only something to have around for quiet practice sessions but is also great as a home audio system or as a car speaker.
The portability and affordability is not just for electric guitarists. It’s also suited for acoustic guitarists who busk or gig regularly at small venues.
If you need something portable to carry around with you and help you reduce clutter in a practice session, mini – amp is a perfect fit for you. For those looking to explore a wider range of options, a guide to the best quality small guitar amps can help you find your ideal portable companion.
FAQ
Can you play with a Mini – amp on stage?
Well.. you’ll have to think about it a little.
Mini Amps are great. They are cheap, feature-rich, and handy to carry around. If you gig at small venues regularly, you could certainly use a mini-amp to save up space and time setting up.
The problem with Mini-amps is that they do not pack enough power for most gigs. As somebody who also owns a drumset and plays, I can assure you that a mini amp is nowhere near loud as a decent heavy-duty amp.
The snares and hi-hats are too loud and you won’t hear your guitar playing over the drums if you bring your mini amp to gigs with drums.
If you gig with just a Cajon, you can make the mini amp work well. So, it’s really up to you but I’d suggest that you use your mini amp mostly for practicing.
Is a mini amp battery-powered?
Yep. Ideally, a mini amp can run on both AC power supply and batteries but you should check the specs just to be sure.
Is a mini amp durable?
Yes. As a matter of fact, a portable guitar amp can last for decades if you care for it. I know because mine has.