An amplifier is known to all musicians or guitarists. It is a device which strengthens a signal or increases the power of it. They are available in various sizes and are suitable for different purposes, be it for on-stage shows or practice sessions.
We understand why you are looking for a small sized amp. There is absolutely no reason for you to purchase a huge amplifier when you can get everything you want on a mini amp. Plus, the benefit of easy storage and easy transportation.
These small guitar amps or practice amps come with a number of interesting features, like Bluetooth connectivity and USB connection.
Overall, there are hardly any disadvantages of a small guitar amp and if you are thinking of buying one, we would love to help you out. Check out our reviews on the 7 Best Practice Amps/Small Guitar Amps of 2020 and buy the one you like the most! Also, check out the Buyer’s Guide prepared by us which includes all the necessary features to look out for in your practice amp.
BOSS Katana Mini Amp 7W Solid State Amplifier Bundle
This mini amp by BOSS Katana provides the user with rich harmonics and gives a punchy response. It works on AA Alkaline batteries, that have a battery life of 7 hours, and also allows connection to a wall outlet through the 9V DC power supply.
It features a 1/8″ recording/headphone output, through which the user can easily record audio by simply plugging the amp into a recording device or headphones. It also features a 3-band analog EQ through which the bass can be adjusted. The control knobs can simply be twisted to adjust the treble. It is equipped with a Clean Setting, which provides the user with sparkling tones, and the Crunch gives overdrive, which is ideal for bluesy leads.
It has Brown setting, which results in high gain tones that have rich harmonics and is perfect for heavy riffs. It is the best mini amp for your silent practices, which can be used without the fear of disturbing others. It is a lightweight amp that weighs even lesser than 3 lbs and hence, is highly portable.
Features
- Lightweight.
- Portable.
- AA Alkaline batteries.
- Battery life is 7 hours.
- Allows silent practices.
- Punchy response.
- 9V DC power supply.
- 1/8″ recording/headphone output.
- Easy recording available.
- 3-band analog EQ.
- Easy to use control knobs.
- Adjustable bass, treble and middle.
- Clean setting gives sparkling tones.
- Crunch gives overdrive.
- Brown gives high tone with rich harmonics.
- Output wattage: 7 Watts.
Pros
- Extremely portable.
- Built-in delay in Clean setting which is amazing.
- Can be used without plugging it into an AC outlet, which is great.
Cons
- Sound begins to glitch after a few uses, according to a user.
Overall Ratings- 4.6/5 stars.
Marshall MS4 Battery-Powered Mini Micro Full Stack Guitar Amplifier
This practice amp comes in a very stylish design and has a stack body, which makes it easy to store. It is undoubtedly one of the most attractive amps on this list!
This amp is battery operated and works the best with Polaroid 9V batteries. It may have a small size, but it sure produces the loudest sounds. It also offers a wide range of tones to the user. It is such a convenient and comfortable mini amp that you can even clip it onto your belt and move around freely with it!
It also allows the user to control tone and volume easily. It also features a headphone input which can drive an external power amp. It weighs just 1.3 lbs, which makes it extremely easy to carry. It comes with 3 inch speakers.
Features
- 1.3 lbs weight.
- Easy to carry.
- Headphone input.
- 3″ speakers.
- Produces a loud sound despite of its small size.
- Very convenient to use.
- Can be clipped onto belt.
- Wide range of tunes.
- Battery operated.
- Works best with Polaroid 9V batteries.
- Stylish and attractive design.
Pros
- Compact design.
- Lightweight.
- Affordable.
Cons
- The bass response is not thick.
- Quality of plastic used in its construction is poor.
Overall Ratings– 4.0/5 stars.
Orange Crush Mini 3-Watt Micro Amp
This mini amp by Orange comes with 1 channel and is a very sturdy and rigid amp, which is easy to use and comes with some amazing features.
It weighs 2 pounds and works on a 9V battery. It has 3 watt power and can also use AC mains. The volume, tone and gain can be easily adjusted through the controls provided on the top panel. It also includes headphones and guitar input, which makes it a very systematic and straightforward control panel, which is extremely easy to use.
The rear panel includes an aux input and a speaker output. It produces a loud sound despite of its small size. It gives a crisp sound when it is played through the clean channel. The bass provided is good and it remains punchy.
Features
- 2 pounds.
- Works on a 9V battery.
- 3 watt power.
- Is also able to use AC mains.
- Control panel provided is quite clear and simple.
- Adjustable tone, volume and gain.
- Comes with 1 Clean channel.
- Headphone and guitar input.
- Aux input.
- Speaker output.
- Provides a loud sound.
- Crisp tones.
- Punchy bass.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Systematic control panel.
- Loud sound.
Cons
- There is no reverb.
Overall Ratings– 4.4/5 stars.
Roland MICRO CUBE GX Portable 3-Watt Guitar Amplifier
This is a 3 kg mini amp, which comes in a very compact design, making it extremely easy and convenient to carry and use. It has 3 watt power and works on 6 AA batteries, that are included in the package.
This amp offers 8 modeling options and has a new spring reverb. Like all other amps, it has controllable volume, tone and gain. It also features a memory setting, which allows the user to save and store their desired settings. It has an in-built interface connection which makes it compatible to use with Apple devices and lets the user record their jams.
The sound quality produced is quite high and a clear sound is received when the device is played clean. Though on increasing the volume to its maximum extent, the clarity of the sound is kind of lost and gets weak.
Features
- High sound quality.
- Clear sound.
- 3 kg in weight.
- Compact design.
- Easy to carry and store.
- 3 watt power.
- Operates on 6 AA batteries.
- Offers 8 modeling options.
- Adjustable tone, volume, gain.
- i-cube interface.
- Memory setting.
Pros
- Memory savings.
- Strong sound quality.
- Wide range of tones.
Cons
- The i-cube interface should be available for all devices.
Overall Ratings- 4.5/5 stars.
Blackstar Electric Guitar Mini Amplifier, Black (FLY3)
These mini amps by Blackstar are as good as they look. Speaking of which, their look is extremely professional-like and they come in a classic black color, which makes it look like they do their job well, which they certainly do.
It weighs less than 2 lbs and is highly portable. It works on batteries and uses 6 AA batteries. It also comes with an optional battery power pack so that your amp never goes out of power. A tiny fault that this practice amp has is that there is no mains power. It features guitar and headphone inputs and aux inputs for electric devices.
It has easy and systematic knobs for controlling volume, tune, gain, EQ and delay. It produces a clear sound when played Clean and even when played Overdrive, it does not let the tone get fuzzy.
Features
- 2 lbs weight.
- Easy to carry.
- Battery operated.
- 6 AA batteries.
- Optional battery power included.
- No mains power.
- Guitar and headphone inputs.
- Aux input.
- Controllable volume, tune, gain, EQ and delay.
- Easy to operate knobs.
- Compact design.
- Classic black color.
- 3 Watt power.
- 2 channels: clean and overdrive.
- Infinite Shape feature.
- Digital tape delay effect.
- 3 inch speakers
Pros
- High quality.
- Loud and strong sound.
- Affordable price.
Cons
- Absence of mains power.
Overall Ratings– 4.7/5 stars.
Yamaha THR5 Mini Acoustic Guitar Amplifier
This is a highly versatile amp by Yamaha, and offers 5 amp models– Original THR, Mini THR, High gain, Acoustic and Boutique. It has a sturdy design and is attractive as well. It features LED lights which shine from the interior, making it look all the more unique.
It weighs 4 1/2 pounds, which means it is extremely lightweight and is highly portable. It is battery operated and needs 8 AA batteries to function. It also has a mains AC adapter. It has 5 mic models,that are- tube, dynamic, nylon, condenser, clean.
It allows the creation of various combinations of effects with the help of two knobs. It comes with a volume and master volume buttons. It also features a built-in tuner and a tap tempo. Apart from guitar input, there is also an USB input.
Features
- Versatile.
- 5 amp models- Original THR, Mini THR, High gain, Acoustic and Boutique.
- Sturdy design.
- LED lights.
- Attractive.
- 4 1/2 pounds.
- 8 AA batteries needed.
- 5 mic models- tube, dynamic, nylon, condenser, clean.
- Two effects knobs.
- Volume and master volume buttons.
- In-built tuner.
- Tap tempo.
- USB input.
- Excellent for finger-style playing.
Pros
- Reverb sounds good.
- Wide range of features.
- Attractive design.
Cons
- Not very easy to dial in the effects.
Overall Ratings- 4.5/5 stars.
VOX MINI3 G2 Battery Powered Modeling Amp
This is an extremely lightweight and affordable amp by Vox and gives a number of modeling options. It is as good as any other big amp and provides all the features that are included in a bigger sized amp.
It weighs 3 kg, which is quite light, thus making it a portable product. It is battery operated and requires 6 AA batteries to function. It has a long battery life of 10 hours, which is quite higher than expected. It is a 3 watt power amp and includes an AC supply adapter.
It offers 11 modeling options that are quite easy to select and operate. It has a control panel that has switches or buttons for gain, tone and volume. It also allows the user to select from a range of effects, like, chorus, reverb, tremolo, flanger, compressor. It also features a mic input, apart from the headphone and guitar input.
Features
- 3 kg.
- Easy to transport.
- 6 AA battery.
- Battery life 10 hours.
- AC adapter included.
- 11 modeling options.
- Systematic control panel.
- Adjustable volume, tone, gain.
- Offers multiple effects to select from, like, chorus, reverb, tremolo, flanger, compressor.
- Guitar and headphone input.
- Mic input.
Pros
- Wide range of modeling options.
- Dual power options.
- Multiple effects to select from.
Cons
- Hum is produced.
Overall Ratings- 4.4/5 stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a practice amp?
A practice amp is basically a small guitar amp that has lower power than the big amps and is mostly used for practice sessions or for a smaller area. These practice amp or small guitar amps provide all the features offered by a bigger amp, plus the benefit of portability.
Why small amps are better?
Though it is usually expected that a practice amp or a small guitar amp would produce a sound according to its size. But no, a small guitar amp is able to produce a loud and steady sound, and offers all the required features with a wide range of effects. Since big amps are not suitable for smaller areas, these practice amps are the ones that come to use when you want to use a guitar amp in a smaller area. Hence, practice amps or small guitar amps can be considered to be better due to their flexibility.
What is a clean amp?
A clean amp is the one that gives a clean tone. But when it is shifted to full volume or the volume is increased, it may begin to break up little bit. These amps are not like the distortion amps and do not have gain control.
What is amp distortion?
Distortion is the condition when the amp is provided with lesser power supply than what it actually needs to function efficiently.
How can I make my practice amp sound better?
Check out this video to know how to make your practice amp sound better and like a bigger, expensive amp.
Buyer’s Guide
After going through the 7 Best Practice Amps, you must now be thinking of which one to buy. Let us make that a bit easier for you. Listed below are the features you have to keep in mind while buying a practice amp, so that you buy the best one!
First, check the size of the amp. Since it is named as a small guitar amp, obviously it needs to be a small one that can be carried easily and does not take up much space. It should have a compact design, so that you can store it in minimum space. It should also be lightweight, so that it serves the purpose for which it is bought, that is, to be able to carry easily.
The ideal price of a practice amp should not be more than $200. You can easily get the best practice amps that have all the necessary features, priced well under $200.
Your practice amp should also be versatile enough and offer a range of effects. It should also allow easy adjustments of volume, gain and tone. Ideally, it should have 2 or 3-band EQ. Few practice amps also offer digital effects, which may not be useful for you, but they definitely increase the variability of the amp.
Select a practice amp that in not overpowered, since that is the reason why you are buying one, right? If you need high powered amps, you can simply go for the bigger ones. But while buying a practice amp, make sure that the sound produced is comfortable for your home practice sessions.
Summary
So, here we are, at the end of this article. And surely you have your eyes fixed on one of the practice amps listed by us, right! You are now ready to buy your desired practice amp, and we can’t help but take a bit of the credit here, coz’ come on, we did help you out!
Anyway, jokes apart. Don’t forget to check out the features mentioned by us in the Buyer’s Guide, and remember them while selecting which practice amp to buy.
Thanks for reading this article! Please leave your comments below.
Don’t forget to check out our article on the 7 Best Wireless Guitar Systems of 2020.
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