Published on this page in the GuitarFella archive — what our editors chose at the time, not a lab test.
Last Updated: Apr-26-2019
We rung in the changes in our latest refresh of this sub-$200 amp chart, removing three models and adding three in their place. Newcomers to the list included the solid Blackstar ID:Core 20 V2, the Orange Crush 20 RT, and the Line 6 Spider V 30.
Shopping for affordable practice amps is much easier when your budget is a little more flexible. On this page, you won’t find the
best guitar amps on the market, but the selection is much wider.
As you may know, there are some superb
amps costing less than $100, but doubling your budget will yield many more options.
This segment of the market is where you experience the sweet spot of modeling technology. You will also start to see amp heads, which is something that used to be reserved for much higher budgets.
In the chart below we have selected a handful of the best amplifiers you can grab for $200 or less. Then stick around after the chart for a discussion on these amps.
Top 7 Best Guitar Amplifiers Under $200:
Should You Buy a $200 Amp?
If you have a budget of $200, you open yourself up to a new level of amp when compared to the entry-level practice amps that dominate the sub-$100 category. Sure, the amps on this page aren’t going to bring the house down with power or tone, but they are a big step up in terms of output and versatility.
To be classed as a good amp in this category, the model should show off good tonal flexibility, whether that comes from a variety of EQ controls, or amp modelling and built-in effects.
It should also have ample power. In this category you can find everything from 5 watts right up to 40 watts. This makes many of these amps suitable for both home use and smaller performance scenarios (although still in the realms of school hall rather than opera house).
Do You Need a Head or a Combo Amp?
It’s nice to have a choice isn’t it? Choosing between a head or a combo isn’t something you can do in the entry-level price range. However, these days – thanks to quality amps becoming more affordable – it is certainly an option in this $200 category. But which is right for you?
Buying an amp head is seen as the way to go if you are planning to perform to more than a small hall of people. These amp heads are plugged into an external speaker cabinet for huge power, capable of filling an auditorium.
Of course, heads also come with negatives, such as the fact that you do need to buy or hook up to a cab or PA system for output, as well as carry extra cables. However, the power and tone they offer is unrivalled.
However, the majority of players will be best off with a combo amp. Combos allows you to play, practice and gig from an amp that combines both the head and the cab into one unit.
These convenient amps dominate the budget section and, providing you have something that delivers 20 watts of power or more, you can still gig in smaller venues. At this price point, you’ll have more choice of combos too.
The decision is down to you – every guitarist is different. Decide whether you favor convenience over power and you’ll probably have your answer.
The Final Word
As you now know, if you have $200 in your pocket, you can buy yourself a very good amplifier. The models we have featured in our chart above are some of the most popular and what we consider to be the best options on the market at the moment.
Have a good look around, read some reviews and watch some videos of the amps on your shortlist. Eventually you’ll find one that you can’t say no to. Good luck!