May 2023
Guitar Amplifiers: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of Guitar Amp rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2023.
Summary
Between 10 May 2023 and 11 May 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 106 Guitar Amp endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
80 Guitar Amplifiers were endorsed in total, only 17 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).
As of 11 May 2023, Positive Grid Spark takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed guitar amp with 3 expert endorsements. 2 experts out of 3 recommended it as the '#1 guitar amp' this month. It is followed by Orange Crush 20 and Orange Micro Terror , with 4 and 3 expert endorsements respectively.
Brand breakdown
-
Fender:
17 Guitar Amps
(#1 is Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 112 )
-
Marshall:
8 Guitar Amps
(#1 is Marshall 2525C )
-
Blackstar:
7 Guitar Amps
(#1 is St. James 50 EL34 Combo )
-
Orange Amps:
5 Guitar Amps
(#1 is Orange Rocker 32 )
-
Roland:
4 Guitar Amps
(#1 is Roland JC-120 )
Price breakdown
At a glance - May 2023 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Guitar Amp |
Ledger Note
|
BestReviews
|
Loud Beats
|
Music Critic
|
BestCovery
|
Music Radar
|
GuitarPlayer
|
Gearank
|
Consordini
|
Guitar World
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $295 |
Positive Grid Spark
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
|
2
|
- | $149 |
Orange Crush 20
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | $159 |
Orange Micro Terror
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
1
|
|
4
|
+1 | Check price |
Marshall MG50CFX
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
5
|
-1 | $160 |
Fender Mustang LT25
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
|
6
|
- | $598 |
Vox AC15
|
-
|
4
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
|
7
|
- | Check price |
Mesa Boogie Mark V
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
2
|
17
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
|
8
|
- | $452 |
Marshall AS50D
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
|
9
|
- | $1750 |
Marshall SC20H
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
|
10
|
- | $380 |
Boss Katana 100 MKII
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
|
13
|
- | Check price |
Peavey Vypyr VIP 2
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
14
|
- | $750 |
Fender Blues Junior IV
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
|
15
|
- | $858 |
Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 20 Deluxe
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
|
16
|
- | $900 |
Blackstar HT Club 40 MKII
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
|
17
|
- | Check price |
Marshall DSL100H
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
18
|
- | $2600 |
EVH 5150III 50W EL34
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
19
|
- | $1449 |
Victory V40 The Duchess
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
Sorted by price:
| Position in ranking | Price | Guitar Amp |
|---|---|---|
| #2 | $149 | Orange Crush 20 [buy] [more info] |
| #3 | $159 | Orange Micro Terror [buy] [more info] |
| #5 | $159.99 | Fender Mustang LT25 [buy] [more info] |
| #1 | $295 | Positive Grid Spark [buy] [more info] |
| #10 | $379.99 | Boss Katana 100 MKII [buy] [more info] |
| #8 | $452.49 | Marshall AS50D [buy] [more info] |
| #6 | $598.49 | Vox AC15 [buy] [more info] |
| #14 | $749.99 | Fender Blues Junior IV [buy] [more info] |
| #15 | $858 | Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 20 Deluxe [buy] [more info] |
| #16 | $899.99 | Blackstar HT Club 40 MKII [buy] [more info] |
| #19 | $1449 | Victory V40 The Duchess [buy] [more info] |
| #9 | $1749.99 | Marshall SC20H [buy] [more info] |
| #18 | $2599.99 | EVH 5150III 50W EL34 [buy] [more info] |
We ranked Positive Grid Spark #1 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Positive Grid Spark as #1.
Music Radar
The ultimate smart guitar amplifier
|
Pros
Packed with features
Comprehensive range of tones
Smart Jam and Auto Chord features are invaluable for practice and learning
|
Cons
Waiting times on orders can vary
|
GuitarPlayer
Is this the smartest amp on the planet?
|
Pros
Every sound you could ever want
Auto Chord/ Smart Jam features
Affordable
|
Cons
Not for those who dislike apps
|
Guitar World
The smartest amp on the market
|
Pros
Impressive practice features
Bluetooth compatible for streaming music
Awesome array of guitar tones
|
Cons
Not designed for gigging
|
We ranked Orange Crush 20 #2 in May 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
Ledger Note
Best Budget Pick
|
Pros
Great value for money
Easy to use and offers great tones
Good for beginners
|
Cons
Too simple for most players
|
BestReviews
Distortion option
|
Pros
Geat distortion with this 20-watt amp and four stage preamp.
Has clean and dirty modes, a channel foot switch, and aux ports for backing tracks and practice headphones.
8-inch speaker produces rich, harmonic overtones.
|
Cons
No onboard effects.
More gear may be needed to flesh out your tone.
|
Loud Beats
|
Pros
Simple and neat design.
Convenient to use.
Affordable.
|
Cons
Low output power restricts it for home use only.
No option to connect to an external cabinet.
|
Gearank
Best Guitar Combo Amp Under $200
|
Pros
Simple operation
Great sounding overdriven tone
Good build quality
Distinct Orange aesthetics
|
Cons
Limited functionality
Clean tone is not as good as overdriven
No Reverb
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Guitar Amplifiers.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Guitar Amplifiers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for May 2023 ranking
Ledger Note
BestReviews
Loud Beats
Music Critic
BestCovery
Music Radar
GuitarPlayer
Gearank
Consordini
Guitar World
We ranked Orange Micro Terror #3 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Orange Micro Terror as #1.
BestReviews
Best bang for the buck
|
Pros
Compact and very affordable.
Offers 20 watts of power.
Great for young players getting introduced to music or those who share walls with others and can't be loud while shredding.
|
Cons
Entry-level amp with relatively modest volume, so most will outgrow it.
|
Gearank
Best Guitar Amp Head Under $200
|
Pros
Great sounding tube overdrive tone
Lively and responsive
Can go loud and still sound good
|
Cons
Limited functionality
No reverb
Not for those who want great sounding
|
Guitar World
The tiniest of tiny terrors
|
Pros
Compact size great for gigging
Awesome value for money
Great tone on a budget
|
Cons
Not a full tube amp
Could be too quiet for some
|
We ranked Marshall MG50CFX #4 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Marshall MG50CFX as #1.
Ledger Note
Best of the best
|
Pros
Broad and various range of effects
Allows to store your own sounds
|
Cons
Does not have a direct out
|
Loud Beats
|
Pros
Neat layout.
Affordable.
Sound quality is great.
|
Cons
The sound produced by clean channel is somewhat bland and weak.
|
We ranked Fender Mustang LT25 #5 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Fender Mustang LT25 as #1.
Gearank
Best Guitar Combo Amps Under $200
|
Pros
Versatile amp modeling and effects
Good sounding Fender clean tone
USB recording and software control
Sleek modern aesthetic
|
Cons
Requires more tweaking to get good tone
|
Consordini
Best Versatile Amp
|
Pros
Exceptional versatility – there are dozens of preset sounds you can use to shape your tone anyway you see fit.
Great sound quality – even though it’s not particularly loud, the tone coming from this amp is pretty strong and robust.
Built like a brick wall – Fender’s Mustangs pack incredibly sturdy cabinets, and LT 25 is not an exception.
|
Cons
Only 25 watts – the only problem with this amp is that it’s not suitable for medium sized and bigger venue gigs.
|
We ranked Vox AC15 #6 in May 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
BestReviews
Vintage Design
|
Pros
Tremolo and reverb effects are popular features.
Clean and crisp tone.
Reputable brand known for its classy cabinet designs.
Great for rock, pop, and blues genres.
|
Cons
15 watts isn’t all that powerful.
|
Loud Beats
|
Pros
Balanced harmonics and natural sound.
Volume is usable.
Responsive.
Value for money.
|
Cons
Heavy to carry around.
Channels are not foot-switchable.
|
Music Radar
A classic British combo in 2x12 format
|
Pros
Usable volume
Classic tones
Responds well to pedals
|
Cons
May not be enough headroom for totally clean players
|
Guitar World
The best guitar amp for a vintage vibe with class to spare
|
Pros
Nails that iconic Vox tone
You’ll love the tremolo!
Excellent portability
|
Cons
Not one for the high gain fans
|
We ranked Mesa Boogie Mark V #7 in May 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
Loud Beats
|
Pros
Excellent sound quality.
Wide range of tone and sound effects.
In-built speaker emulation.
|
Cons
It is expensive.
|
Music Radar
A feature-loaded low-wattage head with built-in speaker emulation
|
Pros
One of the best small amps on the market
12 possible sounds
Built-in CabClone speaker emulation
|
Cons
It can be difficult to navigate
|
Guitar World
The best guitar amp for versatile cleans, and devastating gains
|
Pros
Amazing and versatile tones
Feature-packed control set
Graphic EQ for extra tone sculpting
|
Cons
Could be overkill for some players
|
We ranked Marshall AS50D #8 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
Music Critic
Great Value
|
Pros
Standard Marshall quality
RCA inputs
Balanced sound
Good for small venues
|
Consordini
Best Amp for Acoustic Gigs
|
Pros
Exceptional sound quality – as soon as you plug into the AS50D you will recognize that it’s a Marshall.
Two channels – this amp can power up your guitar and your microphone at the same time.
Decently strong – the AS50D packs 50 watts of power.
|
Cons
Not so well suited for heavier types of music – the whole idea of the Acoustic Singer is for it to be used at acoustic shows primarily.
|
We ranked Marshall SC20H #9 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Marshall SC20H as #1.
BestReviews
Best of the best
|
Pros
Crisp and clear classic tone.
Durable construction.
Ability to create effect loops as well as direct-to-record functions.
Can be combined with other Marshall amps.
|
Cons
Lacks some of the bells and whistles of premium Marshall amp models.
|
Guitar World
This downsized JCM800 is ground zero for the modern Marshall sound
|
Pros
Classic Marshall overdrive sound
Handy power attenuation options
Excellent portability for gigging
|
Cons
Some players may want more power
|
We ranked Boss Katana 100 MKII #10 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
Loud Beats
|
Pros
Compact & sturdy design.
Excellent in-built sound effects.
Affordable.
Power splitting.
|
Cons
Does not include a footswitch.
Some may not appreciate the simpler looks.
|
Guitar World
Could be all you ever need from a guitar amp
|
Pros
Huge range of sounds
Great value
Lots of high-quality effects
|
Cons
Needs the software for deep editing
|
We ranked Peavey Vypyr VIP 2 #11 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
Ledger Note
Best Bang for the Buck
|
Pros
Affordable price
Lightweight design
Easy to use
|
Cons
Feedback can be a problem at high gain or volume
|
Music Critic
|
Pros
Variable sizes
Exceptional modeling tones
Bass capabilities
Modern design
Lightweight
|
We ranked Fender Blues Junior IV #12 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
Music Radar
The best low-price combo for all-valve blues tones
|
Pros
Ace clean tones and hot sizzling drive
Fat switch thickens up single-coils nicely
|
Cons
Lacks clean headroom when playing with a drummer
|
Guitar World
This amp may be small, but it’s mean too
|
Pros
Classic tone
Compact
|
Cons
Not very versatile
Not enough headroom for some players
|
We ranked Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 20 Deluxe #13 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
GuitarPlayer
When tone meets technology
|
Pros
Built-in Red Box AE DI
Lead boost switch
Solid build quality
|
Cons
20 Watts may not be enough for some players
|
Guitar World
Technical wizardry meets German engineering
|
Pros
Phenomenal lead channel
Compact size great for gigging
Built-in boost
|
Cons
No built-in effects
|
We ranked Blackstar HT Club 40 MKII #14 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
Loud Beats
|
Pros
Build quality is great.
Versatile and responsive.
Value for money.
|
Cons
Quite heavy.
|
Guitar World
Likeable everyman amp rebooted
|
Pros
Versatile tonally
Great-sounding reverb
Superb build quality
|
Cons
Some may prefer a simpler amp
|
We ranked Marshall DSL100H #15 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
Ledger Note
Best Neutral Amp With the Classic Marshall Tube Sound
|
Pros
Provides versatile tones
Has adjustable power that allows one to use it anywhere
|
Cons
Reverb is a bit different
|
We ranked EVH 5150III 50W EL34 #16 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
Loud Beats
|
Pros
Sound quality is outstanding.
Tube amplifiers provide natural tones.
Flexible gain controls are effective.
|
Cons
This guitar amplifier is a little expensive.
|
Music Radar
The best valve head for hard rock and metal
|
Pros
A compact powerhouse with gain to burn
Exceptional harmonic and dynamic detail
MIDI switchable channels and effects loop
|
Cons
Can be way too loud for domestic use
|
We ranked Victory V40 The Duchess #17 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Guitar Amplifiers” rankings.
GuitarPlayer
A small victory for your guitar tone
|
Pros
Surprisingly versatile for a one channel amp
Fantastic value for money
|
Cons
Not for high-gain players
|
Guitar World
Sometimes, one channel is all you need
|
Pros
Clean tones to die for
Takes pedals exceptionally well
Super portable lunchbox head
|
Cons
Voicings are not footswitchable
|