Published on this page in the GuitarFella archive — what our editors chose at the time, not a lab test.
Last Updated: Apr-26-2019
In our most recent revisit to this chart, we removed the Peavey Vypyr VIP 3, which had seen a price increase, and added three new models instead. First was the Sawtooth Tube Series 5W amp, as well as the cool Marshall DSL1HR amp head and the beefy Fender Champion 50XL.
Good guitar amps aren’t cheap – but they’re not ridiculously expensive either, as the models on this page prove! With $300 in your pocket you can now pick up a solid amplifier that will sound great, offer stage-worthy power, and will last you a long time.
While we are still quite a way off the quality of
amps in the under $1000 category, you’ll still find hefty power that can span into the 100-watt range from both combos and heads, as well as versatile modelling, effects and features that you just don’t see in the lower price brackets. You can also find some pretty good all-tube amplifiers at this price.
If you are in the market for a great amp that offers ample power but still doesn’t break the bank, you’re in the right place. In our chart below, we have highlighted a handful of the best guitar amps under $300. Let’s take a look!
Top 8 Best Guitar Amplifiers Under $300:
Why Buy a $300 Amp?
Buying an amp in this price range is a smart move for several reasons and well worth doing if your budget allows it.
Firstly, and most importantly for some, is the power on offer. Compared to those models in the
sub-$200 range, the power increase is huge with some amps crossing into the magical stage-worthy 100-watt mark – some even more powerful than that. This is ample power for sizable performances, while still being reasonable enough to use as practice rigs at home.
While it’s easy to disregard power for a cheaper price, if you have any aspirations of gigging to more than a small roomful of people, an investment in decent power now can save you money in the long run.
Power aside, this range is where you start to see more all-tube combos and heads, which offer a great tone that some guitarists just cannot live without.
This price range also sees an increase in versatility, with some great modeling amps on offer delivering many different classic amp tones in one unit – not to mention greater variation in EQ controls and built-in effects.
Should You Go for Tube or Modeling Amps?
A good question because the answer will result in a completely different tone. As we’ve established, at this price range you can find some very decent tube amps that offer excellent tone. If an organic, warm tone with great responsiveness is your main ask from an amp, then tube is something you should consider.
If you prefer versatility and the ability to go from, say, warm jazz tones to severely distorted djent sounds at the flick of a switch – with no pedals – then a modelling amp will probably benefit you. While solid-state modelling amps lack the natural character tube amps tend to offer, the fun you can have – and the potential for sound shaping – is fantastic.
One thing to keep in mind is that tube amps in this price range are less capable of serving you on stage, while their modeling counterparts are.
The Final Word
There’s plenty to consider at this price range and, even though it’s not a lifechanging amount, $300 is a considerable chunk for many people – so you don’t want to waste your money.
Thankfully, if you use the models on our chart as inspiration, you should end up with a great piece of kit that will last you years of practice and performance. Good luck with your hunt for the perfect amp!