Are you looking for the best guitar amps under $300? Look no further: you’ve already come to the right place to get all the essential information.
You don’t have to go for expensive guitar amps to get the necessary thing you need. We have been able to sort out many best guitar amps under $300 that can compete in quality and ruggedness with more expensive and bigger ones.
Hopefully, you have a good idea of what to consider when purchasing a new amp.
Please take a look at some top-quality amps under $300 as we weigh their strength and flaws.
Best Guitar Amps Under $300
| Image | Model | Wattage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fender Mustang LT-50 (Top Pick) | 50/100 | Check Price |
 | Bugera V5 (Tube Amp) | 5 | Check Price |
 | Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 | 20/40/100 | Check Price |
 | Fender Mustang II V2 (Best for Geeks) | 20/40 | Check Price |
 | BUGERA BC15 (Acoustic Guitars Only!) | 30 | Check Price |
Fender Mustang LT-50 (Editor’s Choice)
With glorifying past of transforming music across the globe, Fender has made its place in every music genre. Everyone uses Fender amps, and the company continues to meet the expectations of music enthusiasts.
This amp incorporates all the features that the brand has experienced over many years. As a result, it is a perfect choice for performance or practice.
It has a simple interface, 50 watts power, 12” superior quality speaker, fantastic display, and a preset collection covering a wide music range which lets you get fantastic tones.
In addition, you can use a laptop or personal computer to manage, store and edit preset.
This amp has digital models of every pedal, and thus if you do not have enough space, then it must be an amplifier for you. Also, you can go with this amp when you do not want to spend much on a tube amplifier but need the same volume.
Overall this is easy to use, simple, powerful, and flexible modeling amp for guitarists.
Pros
- Amazing power
- Good sound
- Updates itself via Wi-Fi
Cons
- Stock presets are not that great
Bugera V5
This guitar amp is loud and enough for small gigs. The reverb sounds impressive, and you can add effect pedals for more versatility. It has a dark bluesy sound and a clean tone with nice overdrive.
The build quality of this amp is excellent, and when it comes to styling, this is terrific looking. In the middle setting, the in-built attenuator turns it into a one-watt amp. As a result, it offers a wide range of tones and crunch when played with volume controls and gain.
The amp has classic look, and the built is very good. Controls are simple. It will work well with a stompbox when you add it. You will love the fantastic finish similar to the 60s vintage amp.
The classic design and fantastic sound of this amp have had a lasting effect on the history of the guitar. This amp is small but loud enough when you sit in the bedroom. In addition, it features a power attenuator for reducing signal amplification without sound alteration.
It brings the true and fantastic sound of a valve amp of 5W power. In addition, it is made to survive abuse, and its cost is lighter when compared to other amps. So get ready to enjoy historic sonic inspiration for your practice and recording sessions.
Pros
- Incredible quality
- Excellent value for tube amp
- Low price
Cons
- None we could find
Peavey Vvpyr VIP 3 Combo Amplifier
VYPYR VIP is the world’s first amp that contains bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar amplifier modules. In addition, this amplifier can morph from a bass to an acoustic to an electric amp.
It uses a combination of powerful 32-bit, floating-point SHARCH processors and patented Transtube analog circuitry to create reliable-sounding modeling amplifiers.
Features
- Peavey Vypyr VIP is a 100W guitar, bass, and acoustic amp with a bi-directional USB – Data – Midi – Audio output.
- It has 12 amps accessible stompbox models plus delay reverb.
- With a top-notch amp simulation, it guarantees a clean sound than most line 6.
- It has an enhanced chromatic tuner, quality headphone output, and 12” speaker for an excellent sound experience.
- It can give up to 5 effects simultaneously with optional Sanpera I or II.
- Up to 10 instrument models, including acoustic guitar simulators, 12 string guitar model, baritone model, electric violin, bass guitar models.
This amp can be used with almost any instrument, especially guitar, and guarantee a fantastic performance. It delivers both electric and bass amplification with good sound quality. Therefore, it is highly recommended for a bass or electric guitar player, and it gives a nice rock rhythm as well.
Marshall MG30CFX Combo Amplifier
MG30CFX is a reliable Marshall combo amp with a programmable feature set using digitally controlled analog functions for precise sound adjustment. In addition, this amp has a control for storing a preferred setting on each mode.
Features
- 30W, good sound combo amp
- Marshall’s innovative FDD (frequency-dependent damping) circuitry gives a good sound depth using analog tube emulation between an all-tube power amp and the speakers.
- The MG30CFX allows two simultaneous effects. The reverb and one of these four digital effects: chorus, phaser, flanger, or delay.
- This guitar amp combo has four channels (clean, crunch, OD1, and OD2). It enables easy switching between channels.
- You can upgrade the rig with a stompware footswitch to switch between channels, foot control of the tap tempo delay, and a built-in tuner.
If you seek a combo amp for high gain tube sound, this is an affordable, attractive solution for your amusement. With proper adjustment, you should be able to get a loud and great sound.
Moreover, you could get a friendly bluesy tone with proper adjustment of the reverb and other effects. By setting its channels right, you should get convenient sound output.
It is important to note that MG30CFX is an electric guitar amp, and you cannot get a good sound from it using an acoustic guitar. Nonetheless, It is a reliable device for an electric guitarist.
Fender Mustang I V2 Guitar Amplifier
The Mustang I V2 amplifier is said to have an incredible fender tone driven by remarkably authentic amp models. In addition, the built-in effects, easy USB connectivity, and Fender® FUSE™ software are said to improve your musical creativity.
Features
- Variability of tunes to choose from 17 amp models for a different genre of music.
- Ableton Live Lite 8 Fender Edition studio recording software is compatible with either MAC or PC to build songs.
- Includes Fender® FUSE™ software which enables you to adjust effects such as reverb, delay/echo, tremolo, phaser, and much more.
- Twenty-four effects preset, onboard chromatic tuner, USB connectivity with a good sound output.
- 20W power.
- 1/8 headphone output jack, auxiliary input for an MP3 player.
It has excellent control with bright LEDs and sturdy buttons. It is an excellent piece for recording songs using the Ableton Live Lite 8 Fender studio recording software on a PC.
You can use the Fender® FUSE™ software to customize and tweak sounds and share settings between two amps. The high-gain models sustain beautifully even with the master volume barely at a whisper. The headphone sound is every bit as good as the speaker tone.
The research highlighted some limitations of this tube amp. If you are not good with the computer, you will find this amp a bit confusing.
But the ability to play different music genres, produce good sound, and record play makes Fender Mustang I V2 an excellent electric guitar amp to get.
Bugera BC15 Guitar Amplifier
Bugera BC15 is a good guitar amp as it delivers real valve tone in a compact, 12-pound combo. In addition, this guitar amp comes with a variety of unique features.
Features
- 15W, dual-channel guitar amp.
- A master volume and 2-channel tube preamp with a comprehensive range gain control for super-fat sounds with many tonal options.
- Gain button to activate lead/distortion channel.
- Custom-designed BC15 ports 8” Bugera speaker.
- Extremely versatile amplifier with a hand-selected 12AX7 tube.
- A headphone jack for a private practice session.
- A 1/4 TRS jack connects external playback devices such as MP3 player, tape deck, CD player.
This guitar amplifier is a small but excellent piece with a vintage design and classic guitar sound. It should be able to give you a fantastic sound with the 2-band EQ and mid-shift button. It is ideal for rehearsals, recording, and small gig performances.
If you want to plug a guitar and microphone together to the BC15, this unit is made for one low-level input. However, if you are using a microphone like the Zoom H4n Handy Recorder, you can connect the guitar directly and feed the Line Output on the Zoom to the CD Input of the Bugera.
That will do what you want if an external device accepts the microphone and amplifies it to standard high-level input.
Bugera BC15 is not suitable for electric bass guitar as it might distort the sound or even damage the speaker. However, it is an excellent piece to get for an affordable price to meet a specific need.
What to Look Out For When Buying the Best Guitar Amp Under $300
Your choice of the amplifier should be based on the type of music you wish to play. Your local guitar dealer will let you test the different amplifiers they stock. It would be best to go with your guitar to the shop, to be sure of the amplifier sound when you get home. It is a good idea to visit several dealers, including pro-audio outlets, to test amplifiers before committing yourself. You can try it and then order the same model at a more affordable price on Amazon 🙂
It is a good idea to visit several dealers, including pro-audio outlets, to test amplifiers before committing yourself. You can try it and then order the same model at a more affordable price on Amazon 🙂
There are generally three types of amps you need to know about when choosing a device.
Tube, Solid State, and Hybrid Amplifiers
Tube amplifiers
Tube amplifiers produce a friendly tone that is popular with guitarists.
- Tube amplifiers are usually more expensive than solid-state amplifiers.
- Tubes require a warm-up period before they reach optimum performance.
- A tube is based on vacuum technology and requires more energy than a solid-state amplifier with the same wattage.
- Vacuum tubes are expensive and require replacement every one to four years, depending on use.
Marshall and Fender are examples of tube amplifier manufacturers.
Solid State Amplifiers
Solid-state circuitry allows more volume to be applied to the output signal before clipping occurs. This makes the amplifiers suitable for jazz or acoustic guitarists who may wish to retain a clean sound at high volumes.
- Solid-state amplifiers are available at an affordable price range.
- A solid-state amplifier requires no warm-up.
- It requires less energy to power than an equivalent tube amplifier.
- Solid-state circuitry needs little maintenance, and there are no tubes to replace.
- The amplifiers are more robust than tube amplifiers.
Hybrid amplifiers
All amplifiers have a preamp stage that boosts the guitar’s signal and sends it to the power amplifier stage. Hybrid amplifiers are designed to utilize both tube and solid-state technology and are available in the following configurations:
- Tube preamp coupled with a solid-state power amplifier which outputs a tube tone with a fast attack.
- A solid-state preamp coupled with a tube power amplifier provides solid-state high gain with the warmth of tubes.
Wattage Rating
The wattage rating is the maximum volume that an amplifier is designed to output. An amplifier in the 30 to a 50W range is loud enough for band use and home practice. If you intend to buy a 100W amplifier, you will need to consider using a rehearsal studio for practice. The list below outlines possible uses based on the amplifier’s wattage rating.
Solid-State amplifiers
- 10-30W – suitable for home practice.
- 30-50W – for band practice, small club.
- 50-100W – for a large venue.
Tube amplifiers
- 10-20W – for home and band practice.
- 20-30W – for band practice, small to a medium club.
- 30-50W – for small to a medium club.
- 50-100W – extremely loud in confined spaces though diffuse in large halls.
The Best Guitar Amps Under $300: Final Thoughts
Research shows that Peavey Vvpyr VIP offers more functions than any other guitar amp at a very affordable price. In addition, its ability to function with an electric, acoustic, and bass guitar and produce a rich sound makes it catchy.
With Fender Fuse software, you can change the guitar amp using your computer via USB cable. You can also download beats and backgrounds to play along with, which gives it an edge over most devices.
Bugera BC15 and MG30CFX are also among the best guitar amps under $300, and they possess useful amplification functions. MG30CFX is suitable for an electric guitarist.