To get the best sound out of any guitar, an amp is a necessity. There are different quality amps in the market that guitarists can use and most need to be plugged into electrical outlets. But guitarists do not need to depend on electricity at all times to perform. There is need for guitar amps that can be used on the go and that is what battery powered guitar amps do.
Battery powered guitar amps give guitarists the freedom to play their instruments virtually anywhere and anytime. Whether they are on the street corner or a train, guitarists can get the sounds they want with the right battery powered amp. Most of them are portable, and due to their compact design, can be easily pushed into a backpack or guitar case.
If you are considering investing in a guitar amp anytime soon, here’s our selection of the 10 best battery powered guitar amps you should consider.
Top 10 Best Battery Powered Guitar Amps
1. Blackstar Fly3 Mini Amplifier
This is definitely one of the best amp for guitarists that are looking for portability without compromise to sound quality. It serves best as a practice amps due to the micro size and the great sound it can produce. Thanks to the two different channels, guitarists can achieve dirtier sound without a pedal setup. It will also be a great amp for learners as the line in function enables them to play their favourite songs and solo along.
In terms of power rating, the Blackstar Fly3 Combo Amp is a 3 watts model. The speaker is just 3 inches. For controls, it has Volume, Gain, Overdrive, EQ, Delay Level and Delay Time. Inputs include 1/4″ and MP3 while output include headphone with the small built-in speaker. The Blackstar Fly3 Combo Amp uses 6 x AA Batteries that can offer up to 50 Hours at lower volumes.
2. Boss Katana Mini Guitar Amplifier
This is one of the best rated battery powered guitar amplifiers in the market. It is one of the best in the hugely successful Katana series from Boss and continues to be one of the very best compact amps ever produced. This mini Katana comes with three different voicings including Brown, Crunch and Clean. You can get different great tones from the amp thanks to these different amp models.
Another great feature of the amp is the built-in tape-style delay that can create warm ambience and on lower setting, can create something close to reverb. The authentic multi-stage analogue gain circuit and three-band analogue tone stack also combine to make this amp more pleasing.
The Boss Katana Mini Combo Amp is powered by 6 x AA Batteries (including) that can serve up to 9 hours, depending on how it is being used. The power rating is 7 watts and the speaker is just 4 inches. Inputs include 1/4″ and 1/8” auxiliary input that can jam tunes from a smartphone.
3. Danelectro Honeytone N10A Mini Amp
This is a budget battery powered guitar amp that has lots of interesting features. The design is one of the most interesting things about it. The leather handle and belt clip make it attractive. It also come in an interesting aqua colour. The design aside, the sort of sound you can get from the amp will also impress you greatly. It has a very clean and overdrive tones; and even though the volume cannot get too high, you will appreciate the clarity.
Even though it weighs just 1 pound, the power rating of this amp will surprise you; it boasts of a massive 10 watts. There are Volume, Gain and Tone controls. The little amp is powered by a 9-Volt alkaline battery that is included in the package. There is also a headphone jack for silent practice.
4. Marshall MS2 Micro Guitar Amplifier
There are so many interesting things about this little amp that we feel you should definitely add it to your list of mini guitar amps. The fact that it is battery powered and weighs just about 12 ounces means that you can easily clip it to your belt all day and use in any small jam session. It is most ideal for practice, though. It is not the cheapest on the list but it is also a budget option that will add lots of value.
In terms of power rating the Marshal MS-2 Micro is just about a 1 watt amp. There are volume and tone controls, however, and you can get just the right tone to perfect your skills. There is also a headphone jack for private practice sessions. The 9V batteries that power the amp are strong enough and you can expect over 10 hours of performance from it.
5. Orange Pix 3 Mini Amp
In terms of performance and value, this is definitely one of the very best battery powered guitar amps you will like to lay your hands on. Most guitarist appreciate the wood construction of the larger models of orange amps and this micro amp is not an exception. It is made of the same wood and look as great with metal chassis. It has Volume and Tone controls to help you set just the sound you want.
Other interesting features of the Orange Pix 3 Mini Amp include the integrated turner and overdrive function. The output of this battery powered amp is 3 watts while the speaker is just 4”. The rear headphone port is another cool feature. The amp is powered by a single 9-volt battery that can offer up to 10 hours of performance.
6. Roland Cube Street Amp
Roland has produced so many great instruments and this is another one that will give you such experiences that are hard to find in other brands. This battery powered amp is actually divided into two channels: microphone and guitar. Each of the channels have individually controlled EQ and output level, giving you the freedom to set it up just how you want it.
You will definitely be interested in the guitar channel and there are lots of goodies here. It models five different amps including Roland’s Jazz Chorus, a vintage Fender-style amp, a Vox amplifier, a Marshal amp, and a voicing for acoustic guitars. There are modulation effects that help to ensure remarkable delivery including chorus, delay, flanger, phaser, tremolo and reverb.
The power output of the amp is 5 watts while the speaker is 2 x 6.5”. Controls include Channel Select, Volume, Bass, Treble, Delay/Reverb, Turner, Type, Gain, Guitar Volume, Guitar Bass, Guitar Middle, Guitar Treble, and Effects. It is powered by 6 x AA Batteries that can offer up to 15 hours of performance.
7. Roland Micro Cube GX Amp
Roland is a highly respected name when it comes to digital modelling. This battery powered guitar amps is one of their success stories. It is a portable package yet excellent in so many ways. The only reason you may think twice about this amp is the price. If, however, you have the money to pay for it, there are so many things to enjoy about it.
The number of effects the amp has is just amazing for a battery powered amp. There are eight different amp models, a chromatic turner, modulation, as well as reverb. There is also the memory feature that can store your favourite settings and provide them easily whenever you need them. There is also the i-Cube link app that provide lots of utility.
The power output of the Roland Micro Cube GX Modelling Amp is 3 watts and the speaker is just 5”. It is powered by 6 x AA Batteries that can offer about 20 to 25 hours of performance.
8. Vox Mini5 Rhythm Amp
This is among the most versatile amps in the list. Considering that it is not the most expensive, we can equally say it is a highly valuable battery powered guitar amps. It is essentially a combination of drum machine and guitar amp, boasting of 11 amp models. The amp models include Fenders, Vox amps, Marshalls, and even a Mesa Boogie. For effects, you will get chorus, compression, delay, tremolo and reverbs. For input, you will get a mic and AUX input while there is also a headphone out.
The power output of the Vox Mini5 Rhythm battery powered amp is 5 watts while the speaker size is 6.5”. Controls include Amp, Gain, Tone, Trim, Volume, Effects 1, Effects 2, Tap Tempo, Rhythm Level, Rhythm Genre, Rhythm Temp, Start/Stop, and Variations. The amp is powered by 6 x AA Batteries that can offer between 12 and 19 hours of performance.
9. Yamaha THR5A Guitar Amp
Yamaha is a highly respected name and their products are always true reflection of value. This particular battery powered guitar amp will give you such amazing experiences that the brand is associated with. The only thing you need to be aware of is that it is made for acoustic guitars and will not work well with electric guitars.
The Yamaha THR5A Combo Amp models condenser and dynamic microphones in addition to a specialized setting for nylon guitars that suit different acoustic guitar types. The effects that will help to improve your performance include compressor, compressor chorus, chorus, phaser, delay, delay/reverb, tremolo, flanger, hall reverb, spring reverb, and a noise gate.
The power output of this amp is 10 watts while the speaker is 2 x 3”. The controls include Mic Type, Blend/Gain, Mater, Tone, Effect, Delay/Reverb, Volume, and Tap Tempo/Turner. The amp is powered by 8 x AA Batteries that can deliver up to 6 -7 hours of performance.
10. Yamaha THR10X Mini Guitar Amp
This is a standard model amp that offers extreme High-Gain Stacks. It is therefore made for those guitarists that are interested in battery powered aps that can deliver the best gain and more distortion. There are three different amp types as well as five different channels that can be set-up to deliver different types of sounds suited for all genres.
The amp comes with all the major modulation Effects available in Yamaha amps. It also come with a Cubase AI production software that will help to improve its functionality when used together. The only downside is that it is somewhat pricey but if you have the money, it will be a great addition to your musical instruments.
The power output of this amp is 10 watts while there are 2 x 3” speakers. Controls include Amp, Gain, Bass, Master, Middle, Treble, Delay/Reverb Effect, USB/AUX output, User Memory, Tap Tempo and Turner. It is powered by 8 x AA Batteries that can offer 6 -7 hours of performance.
Buyer’s Guide
Factors to Consider While Looking for a Battery Powered Guitar Amp
Battery Life
Considering the fact that the products under review are battery powered guitar amps, the battery life should be one of the major issues you need to consider. The battery life of any guitar amp will depend on a number of factors. Normally, the type and amount of battery an amp has determines the battery life. A high-capacity battery will outlast a lesser-capacity battery if they are used for the same purpose. The amount of battery the amp uses also has direct influence in how long it will last before needed recharging or replacement.
Asides from the capacity and number of batteries contained in an amp, there are some other factors that can influence the battery life. Ideally, the higher the power rating of the amp (wattage), the shorter the battery life. It also follows that the louder the guitar amp (volume), the lesser the time the battery will last.
Speaker Size
After the battery life, another factor you may need to pay special attention to is the size of the speaker the amp has. That will be the major determinant of the level of sound you are going to get with it. The tone will also depend on the speaker size. Most of the battery powered guitar amps have smaller size. 12” speakers are considered ideal but there are some that are just 10 inches or 8 that performs extremely well too.
Effects
Amps general come with built-in effects and the battery powered types are not exceptions. These effects help to shape the sort of sound you can obtain from the amp. Most battery amps you will find in the market will have distortion as a built-in amp but it is not uncommon to find some with other advanced effects including chorus, delay and reverb. Built-in effects may increase the final cost of the battery powered amp, but they remove the need of pedals.
Portability
Most battery powered guitar amps are portable but you need to ensure convenience too. Since you are likely going to be using the amp on the go, you need to make sure that you can easily carry the amp about. This means that the weight has to be right. A heavy amp can become quite inconvenient to move around with. The size of the battery and the speaker size can also affect the weight of the amp but the material the product is made of play a significant role. You need to find a balance in terms of weight to make the amp truly portable.