Our Top 5 Guitar Practice Amps
Sometimes you just gotta go travelling, and you’ll obviously want to bring something along that you can practice on while you’re away from your rig. Or, maybe you just need something to practice with. We’ve lined up 5 travel worthy practice amps here, side by side – with some of the more important specs to make it easier for you to compare.
This list is meant to showcase a good variety – so it’s not ordered or ranked. There should be something for everyone here.
Pricing ranges from $99 up to almost $300.
We’ll dive right into our top 5 picks right now – chosen for variety and value. Read on below the chart for more on why we chose each amp.
| Roland Micro Cube RX | Orange CR6S Micro Crush PiX | Fender Mustang Mini | Pignose HOG30 | Vox MINI3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Click For Full Image |  Click For Full Image |  Click For Full Image |  Click For Full Image |  Click For Full Image |
| $259 | $99 | $129.99 | $159.95 | $99.99 |
| Power Output : 2.5Watts & 2.5 Watts, Stereo | Power: 6 Watts stereo | Power: 7 Watt Digital | Power: 30 Watts | Power: 3 Watt RMS 8 Ohm |
| Speakers: 4 x 4 inch | Speakers: 2 x 4 inch | Speakers: 1 x 6.5 inch | Speakers: 1 x 8 inch | Speakers: 1 x 5 inch |
| Power Supply: Battery or AC Adapter | Power Supply: Battery or AC Adapter | Power Supply: Batteries or AC Adapter | Power Supply: Battery or AC Adapter | Power Supply: Batteries or AC Power |
| Effects: 3 band EQ, 8 Amp models, 6 Effects | Effects: Gain | Effects: Eight Amp Models, 24 presets, 12 effects, more downloadable online. | Effects: Gain, Compressor - limiter, 3 Band EQ | Effects: 4 effects (chorus,compressor, tremolo,flanger), 4 reverbs, 11 amp models. |
| Inputs: Guitar, Ipod/CD, mono aux in. | Inputs: Guitar, Aux (iPod, CD) | Inputs: Guitar, Aux (iPod, CD) | Inputs: Guitar, Aux (iPod, CD) | Inputs: Guitar, Mic, Aux (iPod, CD) |
| Outputs: Rec Out or Phones, same jack. | Outputs: Line out 1/8 inch, phones | Outputs: Phones | Outputs: Line out | Outputs: Phones |
| Extra: Chromatic Tuner, Rhythm Guide, Foot switch Jack | Extra: Tuner | Extra: Footswitch Jack, | Extra: Funk Bass Switch | Extra: 3 Color choices |
| Size: 1ft x 1ft | Size: 10 x 8 inches | Size: 10 x 10 inches | Size: 14 x 10 inches | Size: 11 x 7 inches |
Why We Chose These Amps
Each of these amps had one or more features that brought something different and valuable to the table.
ROLAND MICRO CUBE RX
The Roland Micro cube was chosen because of the speaker surface area (16 inches over 4 speakers) and a host of onboard trinkets, like the Rhythm Guide – an interesting feature. Also this one wins hands down for having the most buttons, knobs and things to mess with.
ORANGE CR6S MICRO CRUSH PIX
Sound. This one has some of the best sound we’ve heard in a practice amp.
FENDER MUSTANG MINI
Flexibility. Connectivity, Upgrade-ability. Tons of onboard effects, and if that’s not enough – a USB port – you can download more effects online.
PIGNOSE HOG30
The amp that started it all. We had to include a Pignose. Aside from that – power. You’re talking 30 watts, and the single largest speaker, well above any of the other amps on this page. Basic functionality – as well as the Funk Bass Switch for more punch.
VOX MINI3
Tons of effects, great price, Vox sound, and a nice little addition to the game – 3 color choices – Black, Green, or Ivory. The effects choices are just right and plentiful – you get 4 types of reverb, room, tape, spring, and analog. Nice touch for a practice amp.
Tim has been playing guitar & bass since he was 12 years old and has been in Jazz, funk, rock & metal bands. Influences include Jeff Beck, Stanley Clarke, Doug Stegmeyer, Baden Powell, Steve Vai, and pretty much anyone else who has a unique style that expresses their individuality. One of Tim’s many hobbies is building, tweaking, and repairing basses and guitars.
The Ibanez Valbee is also a great choice I would say. It’s a pretty cheap tube amp, with a very warm sound, that can easily go on high gain distortions. I can’t touch a solid state amp anymore after having this one … Try it and love it