Amplifiers are not easy to choose. They play such a big part in creating the final sound that if you choose the wrong one, you end up with a crappy tone. BUT if you choose the right one… well, my friend, you are a lucky bastard. We have been ‘blessed’ by manufacturers basically drowning us in different models of amplifiers.
So you get a choice of pretty much anything. You don’t like the weight of the amp? There is another one pretty much the same one in the same price range. Don’t like the color? They got you on that one too. This might be a bit daunting sometimes since there are just too many options on the market with a lot of very similar models. Here we have compiled some of the best guitar amps under 500.
What’s The Best Guitar Amp Under 500
| Image | Amplifier Model | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Boss Katana 100 Gen 3 100w 1x12 Combo |  (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Fender Champion 100 |  (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Bugera V22 INFINIUM 22w Vintage Tube Combo |  (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Line 6 Catalyst 100w 1x12 | (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Roland JC-22 Jazz Chorus 40w Guitar Combo | (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
Boss Katana 100 Gen 3 100w 1 x 12 Combo – Best Overall
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If you’re in the market for a powerful, versatile, and budget-friendly guitar amp, the Boss Katana-100 Gen 3 is probably the go to option. This 100-watt combo amp delivers impressive sound through a custom 12-inch speaker, producing rich, dynamic tones that work well for everything from clean bluesy licks to heavy rock riffs. Whether you’re playing at home, in the studio, or on stage, this amp adapts seamlessly to your needs.
One of the standout features of the Katana-100 Gen 3 is its five amp characters—Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown, and Acoustic. This allows you to easily dial in everything from sparkling cleans to high-gain tones. Additionally, with BOSS Tone Studio, you can access over 60 effects, making it feel almost like a built-in pedalboard. Need to switch from full-power gigging to quiet practice? The Power Control feature lets you toggle between 100W, 50W, and 0.5W, so you can keep the volume down without sacrificing tone. For recording, the USB direct recording and cab simulation are significant advantages, enabling you to capture professional-quality sound directly to your computer. The amp also supports MIDI and footswitch compatibility, making it a fantastic choice for live performances.
While the Katana-100 Gen 3 offers fantastic digital tones, some purists might still lean towards the warmth of a true tube amp. Additionally, while the built-in effects are impressive, dedicated pedal users may still prefer their own gear for ultimate customization.
Pros:
✔ Incredible tone quality for the price
✔ Highly versatile for various music styles
✔ Built-in effects and software make customization straightforward
Cons:
✖ Doesn’t completely replicate the warmth of a tube amp
✖ Some players may prefer standalone pedals.
Fender Champion 100 – Best for Ease of Use
Even people who have never played the guitar in their lives have heard about Fender. The company’s name precedes them and for a good reason – they produce top-notch instruments and equipment. Fender Champion 100 – Electric Guitar Amplifier is not an exception to the rule. With 100 watts and 12″ Special Design speakers, this amp delivers on tone quality and power.
Of course, there are a lot of effects such as reverb, delay/echo, chorus, tremolo, vibrato, and a lot more that you can tweak around and produce the perfect sound for your needs including jazz, blues, country, and a lot more. Beginners and intermediate players will equally love this model. Whether you want to practice alone at home or do your first gig in front of people, this model will not fail you. This is one of the best guitar amps under 500.
After using the amplifier over a few weeks I would describe the Champion 40 as a modeling amplifier designed for those who prefer not to connect their guitar amp to their phone or the Internet. Rather than offering countless amp sounds, effects, and configurations, the Champion series provides a select number of reliable amp sounds through an interface that resembles a traditional old-school amplifier. This makes the advanced technology in solid-state amplifiers much more user-friendly. It’s a straightforward amp that’s easy to use and lacks the complexity of something like the Fender Mustang line, yet it still offers plenty of versatility with its amp voices.
Pros:
- Great sounding voicings
- Clean and dirty channels
- Easy to use
- Legendary tones at affordable price
Cons:
- Some amp models sound a bit artificial
- Available amount of gain might not be enough for everyone
Bugera V22-INFINIUM 22w Vintage Combo – Best for Tube Tones
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How about a handcrafted tube amplifier for less than 500 bucks? Saying it out loud made it sound even weirder because the combination of those words isn’t the most common one. Yet Bugera managed to put together an affordable tube combo with 22 watts of power. V22 INFINIUM has a single 12” Turbosound speaker, which defines its character a great deal. These two features mean that this puppy is suitable for practice and smaller gigs, but it won’t be able to handle huge venues. But the most important thing is that it can cut through a mix easily. It’s equipped with three 12AX7 and two EL84 valves. They are pretty cheap and if you do have the money, I highly suggest changing them for something else. You’ll notice the improvement right away. This doesn’t mean that V22 INFINIUM sounds bad – it just means that it has even more potential. Let’s not forget that this puppy has an effects loop, two channels, and in-built reverb. Quite a package, don’t you think? Add INFINIUM technology and durability on top and you got yourself the tube amp of your dreams!
Pros:
- Excellent value for the money
- Amazing clean tones
- Suitable for practices and small gigs
Cons:
- The tubes don’t have the best quality
- The reverb could have been better
Line 6 Catalyst 100w 1×12 – Best for Effects Quality
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As a long-time guitarist who’s tried out countless amps, I was genuinely excited to check out the Line 6 Catalyst 100. This sleek black combo amp immediately grabbed my attention with its modern look and impressive features. From the moment I plugged in, the Catalyst 100 showed that it’s not just another digital modeling amp. The 100-watt powerhouse, paired with its 12-inch speaker, delivers an impressive range of tones that would catch the ear of even the most dedicated analog fans.
What really stood out to me was the natural feel of the amp’s response – a quality that’s often lacking in digital models. The six original amp designs are well thought out, providing everything from crystal-clear cleans to intense high gain. I found myself particularly drawn to the “Glassy” clean channel, which shines with a three-dimensional quality that’s ideal for ambient music. The onboard effects are just as impressive, featuring studio-quality reverbs and delays that blend seamlessly into your sound. One feature that I’ve come to rely on is the USB interface for direct recording. During late-night jam sessions, I’ve been able to capture some of my best ideas without disturbing the neighbors. The intuitive control layout allows you to spend less time navigating menus and more time playing – a refreshing change from some of the overly complicated modern amps.
Pros:
- Exceptional sound quality with very natural feel
- Professional-grade effects that rival standalone pedals
- Versatile USB recording interface with intuitive software integration
Cons:
- The reverb tails cut off abruptly when switching channels
- Power amp can be a bit too aggressive at higher volumes, losing some nuance
Roland JC-22 Jazz Chorus 40w Guitar Amplifier – Best for Clean Sounds
Last but not least we got Roland JC-22 Jazz Chorus.
Having spent extensive time with this amp, I can confidently say it’s a specialized tool that excels at what it does best – pristine clean tones. The JC Clean sound is legendary for good reason, offering exceptional note clarity and headroom that showcases every nuance of your guitar and pedals. Unlike tube amps, this solid-state powerhouse delivers absolutely zero sag and impressive punch, though it’s worth noting this characteristic sound tends to be polarizing among players.
The built-in chorus and vibrato effects are standout features, both highly adjustable and of remarkable quality. The reverb is equally impressive, while the bright switch provides a welcome boost to treble and upper mids without becoming harsh. Though the onboard distortion won’t replace your favorite drive pedal, it offers a subtle grit that can add just the right amount of character.
What sets this amp apart is its sophisticated stereo implementation. With dual preamps feeding separate power amps and a feature-rich effects loop that can operate in series or parallel, it’s an exceptional platform for pedals and external effects. The 2×10 speaker configuration ensures your carefully crafted tones are reproduced faithfully in stereo.
However, it’s important to note this amp’s limitations. It’s essentially a one-trick pony – albeit a very good trick – and it can be challenging to manage at bedroom volumes due to how quickly it gets loud. I found using a volume pedal necessary for practicing at lower volumes.
Despite these minor drawbacks, this amp represents a solid investment for players seeking premium clean tones. Built with professional-grade components throughout, it’s a reliable workhorse that continues to deliver satisfaction. While you might occasionally want to plug into something different, you’ll always find yourself coming back to its unique, pristine clean sound. It’s a specialist tool that proves the old adage: a great clean tone never goes out of style.
Pros:
- Exceptional pristine clean tones with remarkable headroom and clarity, making it an ideal pedal platform
- Professional-grade stereo effects (especially the chorus and vibrato) with versatile routing options
- Robust build quality with dual preamps and power amps for true stereo operation
Cons:
- Limited versatility in terms of amp voicing - primarily excels at clean tones
- Challenging volume management at bedroom levels due to quick volume ramp-up
There Is No One Best Amplifier
Although there are dozens of articles with lists of the best amplifiers in the world, the truth is that there is no one best amplifier. And yes, all brands claim their amp is the one and the only thing you will ever need. That their amps will change your performance and, I don’t know… make a complete novice become a legend overnight (well… that’s an exaggeration but you get the idea). While there are some general guidelines to judge an amplifier and whether it is any good, there is no way for a stranger to tell you which model is going to be the best one for you and your needs.
For instance, if you are just going to practice at home and you are just starting off you definitely don’t need a $1000 amplifier. The only people who will hear you are you and well… the annoyed neighbors. On the other hand, if you plan on gigging or recording the best amplifier would be the one that is easy to use in those situations and have great effects and recording accessories.
Then comes the issue of the tube or solid-state amplifier and don’t even get me started on that. If someone tells you that a tube is better than a solid state in all situations, you better run fast from that person because it could not be any farther from the truth. There are a lot of websites that will explain pros and cons of both but just in case you can check out our blog about “Tube Vs. Solid-State Amplifier”. It’s pretty short but gives a nice, comprehensive view of the advantages and disadvantages of both types.
And while there are a lot of factors to keep in mind when buying your first or second or tenth amplifier (well, if it’s your tenth you are either an expert or have ruined tenth amplifier for no reason) some of the major ones are pretty obvious.
- Well, you have obviously figured out that you want an amplifier that is under $500 mark. That is already good. But trust me, there are a lot of people who get into their research, browse $1000 models while they can only afford $300 amplifiers at best. Don’t waste too much of your time on browsing if you need an amp right away.
- What tone do you want? Tone does not only depend on an amplifier. You have to have a proper guitar and setup. You need to know how to work your amplifier, but if you have not figured that out yet you just have to look at other pros playing it. While a lot of people assume that tube amplifiers are always better than solid state ones, that are not really very true. With the development of technology, a lot of solid–states have become pretty amazing at producing a warm tone that so many people love about tube amps.
- By the way, if some of these things seem a bit obvious it is because … well, they are. But I can remember myself as a beginner knowing close to nothing about amps or even guitars trying to figure out things that today seem like a second nature. BUT let’s talk wattage. You have probably noticed that most (if not all) amplifiers have watt numbers in the title. That is because wattage determines power or the level of amplification. If you want an amp for gigging with a lot of other loud instruments you would not go for a 20-watt model.
Conclusion
Never underestimate the importance of amplifiers. Sure, guitars are important, but if you're planning to perform or record—especially with an electric guitar—having a quality amplifier is essential. Since their inception in the early 1900s, amplifiers have seen significant evolution. And the innovations haven't slowed down. Each year, brands introduce new ways to enhance tone, durability, versatility, and more (though prices have been on the rise…). This is largely why solid-state amplifiers have gained such popularity. In the past, many musicians were loyal to tube amps and avoided solid-state options. Nowadays, however, many prefer solid-states or combos due to their improved sound quality and ease of maintenance. I hope this list of the best guitar amplifiers under $500 proves helpful.
If you're still unsure about your budget, we also have articles on the best guitar amplifiers under $300, affordable options for beginners, and more. Take a look, and best of luck!
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