The best advice for buying an amp is:
"To not buy the first one that you plug your guitar into."
Not all guitar amps are the same and what works fantastically well for one person may not be what somebody else likes.
While finding the best guitar amp under $200, there are so many options, features and configurations available on a modern guitar amp...
...it can be very confusing to decide which one is worth parting money for.
Have a look at the following guide, we’ll take you through what to look out for when buying a guitar amp after our recommendations on some of the best guitar amps available.
So whether you’re looking for the best entry-level guitar amp or beginner bass guitar, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for.
Enjoy!
Our Favorite Electric Guitar Amps Under $200 In 2020
Product | Line 6 Spider V30 | Bugera BC15 | Peavey Vyper VIP 2 | Roland M-Cube-GX | Bugera V5 Infinium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Picture |  |  |  |  |  |
Price | $239.99 | Price not available | Price not available | Price not available | $279.00 |
Prime? | |||||
Read Reviews |
#10: Line 6 Spider V30
When looking for the best stereo amplifier under $200, you would be forgiven for thinking that the closer you got to your $200 budget the better the amp would be.
Whilst that may not be the case for every model; it could well be true for the Line 6 Spider V30, which comes in at just under our magic budget.
- Now available as the spider V MKII!
- Fast and easy tone shaping with intuitive controls
- Built-in Tuner, metronome, and drum loops provide a complete practice toolset
- 128 custom presets including iconic rigs & artist tones
- Full-range speaker system for electrics, acoustics, and music playback
For starters; this amp is rammed with over 200 amps, cabs, and effects models.
The number of different guitar tones you can achieve with that is mind-blowing, and virtually endless given that you can combine up to 8 effects at once.
For people who want to know more about how a guitar amp works; can have a look here.
Quality and realism are at the forefront of the amazing modeling engine.
This isn’t a conventional guitar amp; as it is equipped with a full range speaker system, including a guitar speaker that’s been custom designed and a high frequency tweeter.
There’s no need to purchase a separate amp for acoustic guitars, and your amp can even double up as a house speaker.
The presets that come with the V30 have been inspired by some of the greatest performers and some of their greatest songs, you’ll be able to play just like your hero at the flick of a switch.
PROS
CONS
"Regardless of whether you’re playing acoustic, electric or just pre-recorded music, you can guarantee this amp is going to sound great, as well as being cost effective."
#9: Bugera BC15
This is one of the multiple offering from Bugera to make our top list:
This is a dual channel, 15 watt, specialist guitar amp that gives you clear valve tone and high performance, despite its small 5.6 KG size.
The preamp stage in Bugera BC15 features a 12AX7 valve, master volume and 2 band EQ.
- Extremely versatile guitar amplifier with hand-selected 12AX7 tube
- Authentic vintage design and classic guitar sound
- Powerful 30-Watt, 8" vintage-tuned guitar speaker
- 2-channel tube preamp and wide-range gain control for super-fat sounds with all pickup types
- Dedicated 2-band EQ plus mid-shift button for creative sound shaping
This combines to give you a large and varied range of tonal options. There is also a gain button which will easily activate the lead guitar or distortion channel.
It’s a shame to keep it hidden away as the 8” Bugera speaker is custom designed with a classic look.
Also Read: 5 Best Bookshelf Speakers under $500
If you want to connect a CD player, MP3 player or any other kind of external playback device then the ¼" TRS jack makes that particularly easy, giving you the opportunity to play alongside your favorite songs at the touch of a button.
Practicing at home or just want to make sure you’re the only one who can hear you playing? The amp also comes with a handy headphone jack to enable you to achieve that.
PROS
CONS
"As budget guitar amps go, this is a perfect selection if you require an amp for rehearsal times, when you’re recording or even when you are playing smaller gigs."
#8: Peavey Vyper VIP 2
It can be difficult to find a guitar amp that specializes in exactly what you want it for, even if you are just looking for one that works well for acoustic guitars.
Fortunately the Peavey Vypyr VIP 2 is the world’s first variable instrument performance amp.
- 40 Watts
- One 12 Custom voiced modeling speaker
- Patented TransTube technology
- Acoustically ported semi-closed back
- 10 instrument models including Acoustic guitar simulators, 12 String guitar model, Sitar model, 7 String model, Baritone Model, Resonator model, Electric Violin, Bass guitar models
It has guitar amplifier models that contain features for Bass, Electric and Acoustic guitar models. This could therefore be classed as the best acoustic amp under $200, or at least the most versatile of them!
All of the effects, amp models and parameter controls that come as standard with this amp can be accessed via the amp itself, without the immediate need to plug it into a computer.
The control surface on Peavey Vyper VIP 2 has been designed with accuracy in mind, making it easy for the user to calculate and adjust the control position, no estimates required.
Also Read: 7 Best Open Back Headphones under $200
An audio and a USB port makes recording particularly easy, it also gives easy access to the specialist VYPYR software, which comes with presets, lessons and backing tracks you can play along to.
PROS
CONS
"Compared to previous VYPYR models; there’s more power, more effects, more amp models and instrument models. This is one of the great all round amps available today."
#7: Roland M-CUBE-GX
If portability and practicality are what you are looking for in your new guitar amp, then the Roland M-Cube-GX will take some beating.
The Roland M-CUBE-GX is constantly one of the best-rated guitar amps in its class, which is why it has consistently been one of the world’s bestsellers, for nearly 10 years.
- Power: 3WUltra-compact portable DSP guitar amp with 5-inch speakerRuns on battery or AC power (adapter supplied) and includes carry strapi-CUBE LINK jack provides simple audio interfacing with Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (interface cable included)8 COSM guitar amp models including JC-120 and a special mic preamp model8 DSP effects: chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo and separate Delay/ReverbBuilt-in chromatic tunerRecording/Headphones output and stereo Auxiliary input for CD players, etc.
This tiny amp is battery powered and comes with a chromatic tuner and a memory function, in case you have favorite settings you wish to save.
Despite only taking 6x AA batteries to make it work, those batteries will give you up to 25 hours worth of playing time.
The built in tuner in Roland M-Cube-GX means you don’t need a separate external one to enable you to play.
The memory function is a new addition and turns the amp into a dual channel one, making it even more versatile than previous models.
It’s also much easier to use too, turn up the amp tone, add your effects, and hold the memory button for a couple of seconds and your settings are saved for next time.
Toggle between saved and current immediately with an easy button press.
PROS
CONS
"The portability of Roland M-CUBE-GX means that it can be taken anywhere! Jam at home or take it with you on holiday, to parties or to a picnic on the beach."
#6: Bugera V5 Infinium
As far as traditional 60's style practice valve amps go, the Bugera V5 is about as simple as they come.
Whilst older models were synonymous with excess noise and hums at a lower volume, this amp still sounds good even when being played at a much quieter level.
- 5-watt 1-channel All-tube 1x8" Guitar Combo Amplifier with Reverb
- Infinium Tube Life Multiplier Technology
- Power Attenuat
- Tone Knob
Also Read: 5 Most Comfortable Noise Cancelling Headphones
This is a small, hand built 5-watt amp with an interesting feature.
There is a power attenuator, which allows you to use the amp at its full 5W mode, or reduce the power down to 1W or 0.1W.
At the lower settings you can push the power stage far harder if you want to play blues overdrive tones for example.
Using the 0.1W setting lets you achieve vintage rock tones, it’s quiet, but still loud enough, and more importantly accurate enough, to be used in recording.
It gives you a warm, responsive tone but can also be adept at providing a sexier crunch tone. Overall it gives you a sound that only valve amps seem able to give you.
PROS
CONS
"If you’re looking for the best inexpensive guitar amp and you’re particularly interested in recording the blues, then this amp could well have been made especially for you."
#5: VOX Valvetronix VT20X
If you prefer the classics and want to see tube amps under $200, then the VOX Valvetronic is well worth serious consideration.
The preamp uses a vacuum tube multi-stage amplification circuit, which makes it a pretty loud and traditional offering, despite its smaller 20 watts of power.
- |20 Watt Modeling Amplifier| The VT20X is rated at 20 Watts making it the ideal choice for an at-home amplifier, combining sophisticated modeling technology with a multi-stage tube pre-amp circuit
- |12AX7 Preamp Tube| Multi-stage Valvetronix tube preamp design incorporates authentic analog circuitry to achieve the subtle tonal adjustments and capture the nuances that are distinctive of vacuum tube amps
- |Ultimate Versatility| 11 realistic amp models and 13 high quality on-board effects allow you to craft your signature tone, and save it across 33 preset programs
- |AUX In & Headphone Out| Aux in jack and headphone output make silently practicing or recording simple. Use the USB connection to dive deeper into preset settings using the VOX Tone Room software
- |Small But Loud| The compact combo amplifier is designed with a tightly sealed cabinet and a proprietary bass-reflex design to deliver stunning resonance and huge sound
This model has been completely redesigned and offers a brand new modeling engine, which gives you an amplifier that is both accurate and realistic.
The preamp design mentioned above uses traditional analog circuitry, achieving tonal adjustments that are not only subtle, but ones that can utilize the nuances that are synonymous with traditional vacuum tube amps.
Vox Valvetronix VT20X's cabinet looks good and is practical, being tightly sealed enabling it to deliver stunning resonance.
You can even go above and beyond what you have achieved with your previous amps with the newly designed Vox Tone Room software.
This gives you the opportunity to customize, alter and create your favorite effects with minimal effort.
This is a huge step in guitar amp technology and enables you to create the same distortion, sensitivity and response that are long been lauded by fans of original and classic guitar amps.
PROS
CONS
"Probably the most compact amp of Vox’s VTX series, which makes it the ideal accompaniment to your home jamming session."
#4: Yamaha THR5
If you’re after the best practice amp under $200 then you should be looking for an amp that has been specifically designed for off-stage sound.
This small offering from Yamaha can literally be taken anywhere and is even small enough to fit onto a desktop.
- Includes five classic amp models and a range of effects processing, driven by Yamaha"s signature VCM technology
- Lightweight, portable amp that can run on AC power or batteries.
- Developed with Yamaha"s award-winning AV division to offer true hi-fi stereo sound and a new experience in guitar amplifiers.
It can even run on batteries for when there is no AC power available.
This amp has been designed to be played when you’re not on stage and don’t want an elaborate live or studio set up.
This is a guitar amp to warm up backstage with, when your main amp is sitting ready on the stage.
Yamaha THR5 is also the go to amp if you want to jam on the beach or whilst sitting around a campfire.
Yamaha THR5 has been designed to give you a wall of sound whilst sitting discreetly on a table. The company has thrown in a cable to connect your phone or tablet.
Yamaha’s patented Virtual Circuitry Technology has been put to good use to give you an authentic sounding tube amp sound, as well as a range of other effects.
PROS
CONS
"Despite its small size, this is an amp that provides true hi-fi stereo and will give a new experience to anyone regardless of their guitar expertise."
#3: Orange Crush CR20
This modern amp takes you back to the sixties with a stunning finish.
The orange basket weave vinyl that has been used on the exterior can be traced back to 1968 when this classic design was first used.
As well as the orange basket weave, there’s also a woven speaker grille cloth and picture frame edging.
The legendary look is finished off by the iconic hieroglyphs on the control panel.
This is a twin channel guitar amp with high gain preamp and three band EQ, an auxiliary in port and a headphone jack.
The top panel features clean volume, dirty gain, middle, treble and dirty volume, as well as a channel selector switch. The rear panel offers a foot switch jack.
There are four stages of gain offered by the high quality and low noise components with give outstanding richness and clearness.
The cleans are gorgeous, as are the legendary crunchy blues synonymous with the Orange sound.
Even if you need high gain metal distortion, Orange Crush CR20 will be able to handle it and do it justice.
The top panel makes it easy to switch between clean and dirty or it can be done remotely using a foot switch, which is plugged into the back of the amp (sold separately).
PROS
CONS
"The Orange sound is world famous; this could well be the best electric guitar amp under $200."
#2: Fender Champion 40
If you’re looking for the best electric guitar amp under $200 then you may have found it with this classic model from the legendary Fender company.
With extremely versatile and clean tones, this amp offers you an all round performance wrapped up in a very neat little package.
- All the tonal versatility you can handle in a small package with clean and overdriven tones, British and modern amp voicings and various effects including reverb, delay and more.
- Straight forward controls such as "Voice" and "FX Select" allow you to dial in your sound with the ease of just turning a knob.
- Jam along with your favorite tracks by simply plugging your MP3 player into the Auxiliary input and you instantly become part of the band and /or practice privately with the 1/8th headphone output jack that also mutes the speaker output.
- Store extra cables or other small accessories with the open back cabinet. Total impedance is 8 ohms
- Enjoy the peace of mind that this amp is backed by Fender’s 5 Year Transferable Warranty.
Controls on Fender Champion 40 have been made with simplicity in mind, features such as ‘Voice’ and ‘FX Select’ let you dial in your sound in a way that’s as straightforward as turning a knob.
The amp comes with an auxiliary port as standard, with which you can plug in your MP3 player and jam along with the songs that you love.
There’s also a headphone jack for when you want to practice on your own or you need to practice quietly, the speaker output is muted when the jack is in use.
The controls are easy, the effects are great and easy to use, making it easy for you to sound good whether your music is rock, jazz, blues, metal or country.
The cabinet also has a handy pocket at the back, to allow you to store cables, small pedals and other accessories.
PROS
CONS
"Fender Champion 40 could well be the best beginner guitar amp as it is an ideal and affordable choice for a first practice amp, as well as being an entry-level stage model."
#1: Fender Mustang II V2
Fender has been in existence since 1946 and is now one of the leaders in the design and manufacture of musical instruments.
It is most famous for and is indeed a world leader in the construction of quality guitars, amps and peripherals.
- With a turn of a knob, choose from clean to mean tones from the 17 various amp models that will accommodate almost any genre of music.
- Shape the on-board amp models ‘on the fly’ or dig deep and edit them with your computer using the included Fender FUSE software to further alter the included effects such as reverb, delay/echo, tremolo, phaser and many more.
- Jam along with your favorite tracks by simply plugging your MP3 player into the Auxiliary input and you instantly become part of the band and /or practice privately with the 1/8th headphone output jack that also mutes the speaker output.
- Capture moments of inspiration and build songs using the included Ableton Live Lite 8 Fender Edition studio quality recording software compatible with either MAC or PC.
- Enjoy the peace of mind that this amp is backed by Fender’s 5 Year Transferable Warranty.
This 40-watt amp has the classic Fender look and feel. The full Mustang range of amps are renowned for their immaculate tone and they come built-in with a full range of interesting effects.
It’s the modern age so this amp features a USB port as standard, and can be connected to your Mac or PC, allowing you to run wild with creativity using the FUSE software.
There are 17 amp voices to choose from, including classic tube amp sound through to flame throwing, modern effects, all done through the built in software.
Fender Mustang II V2 shouldn’t just be considered an amp, it should be considered a complete interface through which music artists can experiment and create.
As for technical details, this amp has one channel with 24 presets and has an output impedance of 8 Ohms.
It comes with a low-noise power amp platform, chromatic tuner, an audio recording input and an auxiliary input for media players.
All of this in a lightweight 10.9 KG package.
PROS
CONS
"The amp itself always delivers a great tone, backed up by 40 watts of power, this 12” speaker sounds great at home, in the studio or at a gig."
Things to Consider while buying Best Guitar Amp under $200
Bring your own Guitar
Tube, Solid State, Digital
Size
Multichannel?
Other Additional Features
Conclusion
When considering buying a new guitar amp you should be considering three things.
The first thing to think about is the cost. This article is about finding the best inexpensive guitar amp so our budget is already set at a maximum of $200, which makes this consideration a little easier.
Within this budget you are likely to be looking at practice amps, which are for recording or amps that could be used for smaller, more intimate gigs.
If you’re playing next to a 100-watt bass amp you are unlikely to find an amp to compete with it for under $200.
Secondly you need to know the power you are looking for. As mentioned, a smaller budget will likely limit you, but even then you shouldn’t be looking at a 40-watt amp if you live in a flat and like to practice indoors in the middle of the night!
Thirdly, be aware of the sound you like.
If you’ve always used Fender amps then there’s a chance that you like the sound that they make and there’s an even greater chance you will buy Fender again, at the expense of other brands.
If you don’t know your preferred sound, then it’s time to plug in and find out!
