Top 7 Beginner Guitar Amps to Become a Rock Star

Our Editor’s Choice for best beginner electric guitar amp is the Fender Frontman 10G Electric Guitar Amplifier. This compact amp weighs only 8.5 pounds so it’s easy to transport and the durable build protects it from any damage along the way.

One of the best things about this amp is the intuitive design. The controls are pretty straightforward. Easy-to-read knobs let you adjust volume, treble, bass, and gain when using the amp in overdrive mode. It’s a great choice for any genre, particularly metal or blues.

There are inputs for auxiliary equipment as well as a headphone jack for silent practicing. It’s an excellent option for beginners because it’s stripped down to basic functions that are easy to adjust. Plus, you’re getting the Fender name and quality at a reasonable price.

Most users felt this was a great beginner amp but that it’s better suited for low volumes. Because there’s no adjustment for mids, some users felt this amp was best for practice sessions and for newbies picking up a guitar for the first time.

What are its best features?

• Lightweight and portable
• Durable build
• Easy-to-use design
• Auxiliary inputs
• Headphone jack

What could be improved?

• Sounds better at low volumes
• Better for practices than performances

The Donner Electric Guitar Amplifier weighs only 10.9 pounds, so it’s easy to transport. The speaker works in perfect harmony with selectable gain control to ensure clarity and quality with every note.

There are two different channels, clean and boost. Clean works like a regular amp while boost helps you out when you want to get loud. This amp really helps you tune your sound: the three-way equalizer enables you to adjust treble, middle, and bass tones.

This amp features an auxiliary input so you can plug in an MP3 player and play along with your favorite tunes. There’s also a headphone jack for quiet practice any time of day or night.

This is one of the best beginner mini electric guitar amps that we found in our research. It’s great for practicing, doing simple recording, or playing in small venues like coffee shops or bookstores. The edges are durable, and a rubber pad protects it from damage. People who use this amp report that there is some buzzing at high volumes but, overall, there were few complaints.

Why did it make our list?

• Stylish design
• Lightweight
• Durable
• Easy to transport
• Two channels
• Auxiliary port
• Headphone jack

What is not ideal about it?

• Can buzz when playing at high volumes

The Orange Amps Electric Guitar Power Amplifier comes from one of the best-known brands in the business. Orange amps are respected for their fantastic sound, which is definitely something you want in a beginner guitar amp. It’s not overloaded with features and covers the basics very well.

While this amp is a little pricier than some of the others we chose, it’s the best-rated beginner electric guitar amp we found in our research. It features two footswitchable channels, built-in reverb, and a high-gain preamp. There are four stages of gain so you can create clean or dirty sounds, just the way you want them.

This Orange amp has more controls than most comparable options in this price range. Each channel has its own volume control, and there are dials to adjust bass, middle, and treble. It’s great for any genre but particularly suited for blues, rock, and metal.

This amp has an auxiliary port as well as a headphone jack so you can practice silently, a great feature for those just getting started. It’s extremely portable and tough.

Users had very few complaints about this amp. Some felt it was a little too quiet to be used on stage, but for home or practice use, it’s a great choice.

What do we love it for?

• 2 channels to switch with foot
• Built-in reverb
• 4 stages of gain channel
• Auxiliary port
• Headphone jack
• Reliable
• Portable
• Durable

What were we disappointed with?

• Some users felt the volume wasn’t quite loud enough for on-stage performances
• Pricey

If you’re concerned about portability, another great choice is the JOYO Electric Guitar Amplifier. Although it’s battery-powered, the 10-watt output is significantly higher than that of the other battery-powered option we included on our list.

This speaker is powered by six AA batteries but includes a 9V power adapter for better performance if you have easy access to an outlet. It can easily be carried with straps and is great for indoor or outdoor use in the right conditions.

As for sound, this speaker produces clear, true tones. It features two channels and adjustable effects and simple knob controls to change the gain, volume, treble, and bass. In addition to being used as a guitar amp, it can also act as a speaker for a smartphone, MP3 player, or just plug in a simple USB flash drive.

Users didn’t have a lot of complaints about this amp, though some felt it performed best in smaller rooms rather than large stage performances. It performs well for the price and is a good choice for beginners.

What stands out?

• Portable
• Battery-powered
• AC adaptor included
• Two channels
• Simple knob controls
• Can be used as a speaker for smartphone, MP3 player, and USB drive

What cons did we manage to find?

• Sound quality doesn’t hold up in large rooms

The Fender Mustang LT25 is a digital modeling guitar amplifier with a compact size, making it ideal for practicing, home recording, and small gigs. It features a 25-watt power output through an 8-inch speaker, a crystal-clear LCD display, and a user-friendly interface. With its vast range of tones, the LT25 allows guitarists to emulate many amp and effects combinations, catering to classic and contemporary sound preferences.

In terms of performance, the Mustang LT25 is a powerhouse for its size. The amplifier provides many sound options with its 50 pre-set sounds, 20 amp types, and 25 effects, all of which can be adjusted and saved as custom presets. The sound quality is top-notch for its class, delivering clear highs, mids, and deep bass tones, emulating some of the iconic Fender sounds and more. Moreover, its USB interface allows for easy recording, making it a great tool for budding and professional musicians alike.

The Fender Mustang LT25 shines brightest in scenarios where portability and versatility are key. For beginners just starting their musical journey, the LT25 offers an extensive palette of sounds to explore without overwhelming the user. Its size and digital modeling capabilities make it a go-to for home recording artists or musicians living in spaces where larger, louder amps aren’t feasible. Furthermore, its preset and customization features offer a quick switch between tones, making it a solid choice for small live performances.

What makes the Fender Mustang LT25 stand out from the competition is its balance between simplicity and versatility. While there are other modeling amps on the market, few offer the straightforward interface and the breadth of tone options that the LT25 does. The iconic Fender brand is also synonymous with quality, ensuring that the amp is built to last, providing consistent performance. Including USB connectivity is another boon, giving users an easy gateway to digital recording.

While the Mustang LT25 has many strengths, it has flaws. For those seeking an amp suitable for larger venues, the LT25 might not pack enough punch, limiting its application for more expansive live performances. Although a strength, the sheer number of preset options can also be overwhelming for some users, and a more intuitive categorization might enhance the user experience. Additionally, while it replicates many tones beautifully, purists might still prefer the authenticity of a dedicated analog amp.

What makes it stand out?

• Compact and portable design
• Vast range of customizable tones and effects
• USB connectivity for easy recording
• User-friendly interface and LCD display

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Might not be loud enough for larger gigs
• Overwhelming number of presets for some users
• Might not satisfy purists seeking genuine analog tones

The Fender Mini-Deluxe Electric Guitar Amp is our budget pick, and it’s a great option for anyone who is looking for something small and simple to mess around with at home. It weighs just over a pound, which makes it perfect for travel. Just pop it in your suitcase and be on your way.

One of the best things about this amp is it’s powered by a simple 9V battery so you can use it just about anywhere. It features a headphone jack so you can practice privately and has easy-to-use knob controls for adjusting the gain, tone, and volume.

Because this amp is so small, it only has the basics, which is why it’s such a good choice for beginners. It’s limited by design, but that’s part of what makes it such a great choice for musicians who want something simple. This amp doesn’t get particularly loud, but adjusting the tone knob is surprisingly effective.

The biggest complaint about this amp is its size. Namely, some people thought it was going to be bigger than it is. Considering its size, though, it performs quite well.

What stands out?

• Portable
• Lightweight
• Battery-powered
• Headphone jack
• Easy-to-use control knobs

What cons did we manage to find?

• Some users were surprised by the small size

The best thing about the Monoprice 40-Watt 1×10 Guitar Combo Amplifier is that you can crank it all the way up to 11. Seriously, the volume dial actually goes to 11 for when you want to give the audience just a little bit more. The headphone jack lets you practice in peace, and an external speaker output provides more options when performing.

This amp has 40 watts of power, more than any of the other amps on our list. It features an adjustable spring reverb and gain level so you can play everything from lounge music to classic pop sounds like the Beach Boys.

There are two line-level inputs to connect the amp to a mixing board or recorder, and the return jacks can be used with external processors to create a range of effects.

Some people who bought this amp were a little disappointed by the construction, commenting that the cover wasn’t glued down correctly and that they expected metal corner covers instead of plastic. A few users also reported a slight buzz, but, overall, people were very happy with this amp.

What makes it special?

• Volume dial goes to 11
• 40 watts of power
• Adjustable spring reverb
• Adjustable gain level
• Two inputs
• Headphone jack
• External speaker inputs

What cons did we find?

• Some users complained about poor construction
• Some users reported a slight buzz