Amplifiers need not be expensive, especially if you’re just looking to practice at home. Typically, those priced under $300 are already good, but which ones are the best?
If you’re on the lookout for the right guitar amp in this price range, check out our reviews to help you decide on one that your suits needs and requirements.
Contents
Here are the best guitar amps under $300 in 2024
- Fishman Loudbox Limited Edition Acoustic Amplifier
- Orange Crush CabSim Black Amplifier
- Marshall CODE 25 Digital Combo Amp
- Marshall Amps Guitar Amplifier M-MG30GFX
- Marshall Code 50 Digital Combo Amp
- Roland CUBE-ST Guitar Combo Amplifier
- Fender Mustang I V2 Combo Electric Guitar Amplifier
Runner Up | Editor's Choice | Also Great |
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Fishman Loudbox Limited Edition Acoustic Amplifier
Fishman has gained worldwide attention and praise from musicians, even professional concert artists because of its warm and accurate sound. One of my favorite amps from them is the Fishman Loudbox Mini.
Despite its small and compact size, the Loudbox Mini is unbeatable for its powerful raw power and “clean” acoustic sounds through the woofer and dome tweeter.
I also liked that the amp can allow for both vocals and guitar sound to be transferred through the amp to the PA via the independent lineout for the two channels.
You can also record your performances or jam along with artists with its balanced AUX input and XLR DI output.
- Can deliver natural sound than digital
- Portable and light construction
- Can be hard to control for beginners
- Covering of the amp tends to tear easily
Orange Crush CabSim Black Amplifier
The Orange Crush 35RT is one of the best guitar amplifiers under $300 because it has a speaker system that delivers a great tone. The 35W 1×10″ Guitar Combo amp offers more for the money, including a detailed saturation.
I also liked that it has highly-responsive overdrive and superior tones, which make it a great value for the money even if it’s on the higher price scale.
I’d also like to note that the amp features two foot switchable channels, giving us plenty of tone options to remind us of classic guitar amps. It also comes with easy-to-use controls, including reverb, gain, volume, and 3 EQ bands.
- Has a speaker system that delivers a great tone
- Comes with a built-in reverb
- Sound not as powerful as other models
- Lack of definition at its lower gain
Marshall CODE 25 Digital Combo Amp
Combining Marshall’s long legacy of being a leader in top edge technology, it offers the CODE Series Combo that culminates their most impressive and versatile combo amp to date.
I liked that the Marshall CODE 25w Combo Amp is one of the most reliable for practice and recording because it offers BT connectivity or USB, making it portable to carry anywhere.
It’s also an awesome choice for having the ability for being remotely controlled – and that’s thanks to the free app for android or iPhone.
When it comes to versatility, nothing beats this monster in a small package. It comes with 24 effects and 100 presets, giving us more freedom to take control of our music.
- Versatile for either USB or BT connectivity
- Wide range of digital amp models
- Cabinet simulations and power amps
- Not the best sounding amp
- Expensive
Marshall Amps Guitar Amplifier M-MG30GFX
When it comes to guitar playing and bringing out the best sound as we can, we need a reliable amp like the M-MG30GFX. It delivers a range of modern and classic tones plus the essential features that we’re looking for.
If you’re up for silent sessions, you don’t have to worry. The amps in it can be played in the headphone output. Regardless of where you’re playing, you will love that the amplifier under $300 sounds great as it looks.
It also features four storable channels (OD1, OD2, Clean and Crunch) and comes with flanger, phaser and reverb effects. I’d also like to note that it lets us jam along with band mates or friends for its AUX input
- Comes with a great sounding 10-inch speaker
- Impressive design and appearance with gold piping and gold metal finish
- Not a so high-powered amp
- Might not be for large venues
Marshall Code 50 Digital Combo Amp
The overall consensus for the Marshall Code 50 is that it sounds like a tube amp but not so high on the price tag. It can be the money saver that also gives you the most of your playing experience.
I loved that the digital combo amp offers great versatility along with a range of tones from loud to light. So regardless you’re an experienced musician or a total beginner, you cannot go wrong using this classic and superior amp.
This CODE offers you with 4 MST power amps, 14 MST preamps and so much more. A few effects included in the model are Flanger, Tremolo and Compressor.
- Combines classic and modern tones
- Offers fully programmable and pro quality effects
- A bit bulky
- Doesn’t sound as natural as other amps in the same price range
Roland CUBE-ST Guitar Combo Amplifier
The Roland CUBE-ST combo amp that’s loaded in features and functions, no matter you’re a seasoned or a keen beginner who wants a reliable amp that offers more flexibility than any regular ones on the market.
It’s good for lessons or rehearsals because it is also portable. If you’re a festival or street player, you might also want to consider the amp. It is also loud enough for its two neodymium speakers and dual digital power amps.
This combo amp can also run for up to 15 hours on six pieces of alkaline batteries.
The Roland CUBE also has compact dimensions and offers up to eight different amps. It is also one of the most impressive around to capture each sound, including blues classics or modern metal stacks.
I’d also like to recommend this combo amp for including two digital effects processors, making it a sure value for the money.
- Can run up to 15 hours on 6pcs of alkaline batteries
- Built with two digital effects processors
- Might have to replace the batteries often
- Chromatic tuner’s not the best in the category
Fender Mustang I V2 Combo Electric Guitar Amplifier
The Fender Mustang I V2 is one of the top picks in the category because it can help you create songs and capture inspiration moments.
This Fender Mustang comes with the recording software Ableton Live Lite 8 Fender Edition, which is compatible with PC or Mac. It also has easy-to-use controls for the treble, volume, master, preset select, exit button and more.
It also lets us jam along with our favorite tracks by just plugging our MP3 player into its AUX input. In addition, we can practice in silence or private using the headphone jack output.
It’s also versatile, allowing us to shape the amp models or edit through our PC using the FUSE software to change/tweak delay/echo, reverb, phaser and more.
- Lets us choose mean or clean tones with the 17 amp models included
- Comes with the included Ableton Live Lite 8 Fender Edition recording software
- Warranty needs improvement
- Pricey
Choosing the Best Guitar Amplifiers under $300 – A Quick Guide
Head and cabinet or combo amp?
Sweetwater.com says answering the question on whether you want to get head and cabinet or a combo amp. To help you on that, you should determine where you intend to play – in a small venue or a large concert hall.
If you want to get enough sonic power if trying to fill an open arena, you might as well pick a high-powered amp with at least 100W head.
On the other hand, some players prefer a smaller amp for its tone and easy connection to a PA system.
A combo amp may be for you if you’re looking for an all-in-one amp or a head and cabinet if you don’t mind using something heavier.
Type of music to play
You should identify the music type you want to play when buying a new amp.
Size matters
You should also figure out the right size when buying your first amp. A 30W practice amp is for you if you intend to use it for rehearsals and bedroom practice.
But then, a larger amp with a higher power is what you need if you plan to use it for concerts or gigs.
There you have our short guide when buying an amplifier under $300. Hope this help you pick the right one for your needs.
VIDEO: If you’re looking for help in troubleshooting your tube amplifier, click here.
What is the best guitar amp under $300?
The Fishman Loudbox Mini Acoustic Amplifier is the best guitar amp under $300. If you’re looking for an amp with 60W of power and comes with preamp control designs and legendary tones, we highly suggest getting this amp.
It’s also the ideal choice for its wide range of tones for more flexibility. It’s also the guitar amp if you want vocal and guitar sound to be routed via the amp going into the PA system through separate lineouts for the two channels.
Overall, it’s the best pick in this category you have to consider if you’re looking for a top performing amp.
