Best Acoustic Guitar Amplifiers Review

An amp is a must for an electric guitar, but what about acoustic? In this top acoustic guitar amplifiers review, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the best options on the market. I’ll also explain how to choose the acoustic amp that’s perfect for you (and your guitar).

15 Best Acoustic Guitar Amplifiers

Ready to rock? Check out the 15 best acoustic guitar amp options on the market.

Highest Quality

With a long list of features any musician would envy, the Fishman PRO-LBT-600 amp is the highest quality model I could find. It packs a whopping 120 watts—enough to rock your next gig—and Bluetooth connectivity for accompaniment.

I like the range of controls, which span everything from feedback prevention to chorus, flanger, and slap echo effects. You can also add a footswitch via one of the inputs to mute specific channels or effects.

The one limitation for performers is that you only have two input channels. One is balanced input, and one is unbalanced. You might need to get creative if you want to connect a combination of instruments and microphones.

Of course, the up-front investment means this isn’t the most budget-friendly acoustic amp on the market. If you have the budget for it, though, the Fishman PRO is an excellent buy.

Pros

• Professional level 120W output
• Mutable channels
• Bluetooth connectivity that lets you enhance or accompany your music
• Crisp sound at higher volumes

Cons

• No anti-feedback switch
• Requires a significant up-front investment

Best for Small Gigs

Fender makes a solid offering to performers with the Acoustasonic. Its 90-watt output is perfect for performances, and the feedback elimination circuit is a welcome feature.

An auxiliary input lets you add background music, plus there are two channels for singers or another instrument. You can expand the kit with a footswitch, too.

You won’t be able to add a ton of effects, but if solid sound is essential for you, this is the amp to bring to your next gig. Its performance is excellent, but the effects are a little thin—so you’ll need to rely on your talent rather than the adjustments on your amp.

Pros

• Can plug into a PA without a negative effect on the sound
• Offers up rich, deep sound—even at low volume
• Fender includes a 5-year transferable warranty

Cons

• The effects aren’t exceptional
• RCA connections only (need an adapter)

Best for Music Production

If becoming a celebrity is on your to-do list, you’ll need an amp that goes beyond boosting your acoustic sound. Yamaha has the answer with its THR5 Mini—this amp comes with Cubase AI Production software so you can go pro in no time.

The amp itself has a throwback look that hides its futuristic features. You’ll find recording studio features in a super-portable package (the amp weighs a slight 4.4 pounds). Just pop in eight AA batteries, and you can play (and record songs) indoors, outdoors, or anywhere else you please.

My only complaint is you won’t be able to wow an audience with this amp—but if music production is your priority, you might love this model.

Pros

• You can create studio-quality tunes straight from your guitar
• A super-portable guitar amp unit that’s lightweight and has a handle
• Quiet enough and versatile for home practice and recording

Cons

• Only puts out 10 watts (5 watts via battery power)
• There’s a bit of a learning curve with the Cubase software

Best for Portable Practice

For hobbyists or small-scale performers who play indoors, the Roland MOBILE-AC amp is a great option. The battery power option (you just need six AA batteries) lets you play for 15 hours, so you can go anywhere and still play.

A handful of effects offer entrance into amp experimentation, and multiple channels mean you can add a mic or audio player, too. I like this amp best for practice, though, because the limited effects and some background buzzing can be distracting for performances. That said, dial in your settings right, and you can easily handle a stage show or an outdoor event without much trouble.

Pros

• Lightweight and travels easily (even without a handle)
• Battery option means exceptional versatility when traveling
• Multiple channels so you can perform with a single amp

Cons

• Five watts is a bit low if you’re performing
• The combination reverb-delay might be frustrating for more experienced guitarists

Best Portable Outdoor Amp

If you frequently play outside, whether for practice, pleasure, or in actual gigs, the Roland AC-33 might be the perfect fit. The AC-33 runs on either AC power or eight AA batteries, so you can take it just about anywhere. And at 30 amps, that’s plenty of power whether you’re at an indoor venue or out.

Dual channels let you add a mic or a secondary instrument, and a handful of effects let you adjust your sound. The lack of high-end effects likely helps keep the weight low—this amp tops out at just over 13 pounds. So, its portability is definitely a perk.

Pros

• Battery-powered option for travel
• Lightweight, so ideal for travel
• Offers better performance than its size would suggest

Cons

• Relatively few effects (IE, no FX loop feature)
• Using battery power knocks you down to a (still doable) 20-amp output

Best for Professional Solo Performers

When it comes to Fender products, you really can’t go wrong, so I’m happy to recommend the Acoustic 100 for professionals. Not everyone needs 100 watts, but if you’re performing regularly, it’s worth the investment. The catch is that there are only two channels, so this amp is probably best for solo performers rather than the whole band.

The Fender Acoustic 100 offers Bluetooth connectivity, a whizzer cone for enhanced clarity, and a host of digital effects for honing your sound to perfection. There’s also a USB jack so you can connect to your PC, making this amp a pro’s best friend.

Pros

• Lightweight enough (18 pounds) to carry to gigs with ease
• A huge range of digital effects to experiment with
• Connectivity via Bluetooth or USB means more options for performances

Cons

• Not as much volume range as I’d like
• Only two channels means solo performers will have the best experience

Best Effects Features

If you’re a beginner, all the controls on the front of the Fishman Loudbox Artist 120W can seem intimidating. For professionals, though, this powerful acoustic amp has everything you need. You’ll get a long list of effects plus an equalizer and feedback controls, which are perfect for customizing your (or your band’s) sound. Plus, you get a whopping 120 watts of power, which is more than most acoustic amps on the market.

You’ll also have two channels for additional instruments or mics, making the Loudbox Artist an excellent pick for performing bands. And, for what it offers, this amp is pretty lightweight at 25.5 pounds—so hauling it from gig to gig won’t be as terrible as you’d expect.

The Fishman Loudbox Artist is also ideal for performers because you can mix directly from the amp. And, the fact that it’s built like a truck helps keep you playing through even when the amp takes a cosmetic hit. 

Pros

• Great clarity even at near-max power
• Mute button for feedback-free transitions
• Consistent performance with high durability

Cons

• The effects aren’t the same on both channels
• An anti-feedback feature isn’t as responsive as it could be

Best Budget Buy

When it comes to saving money while still amping up your guitar practice, Dean’s DA20 is an excellent pick. This 20-watt amp has a single channel, a four-band equalizer, and that’s about it.

The thing is, if you’re just looking to practice at home or are starting out as a beginner, you won’t want a lot of fancy effects. Especially for teens or kids who are just starting to play the guitar, investing in a higher-end amp doesn’t make a ton of sense.

So, the DA20 is great for an acoustic guitar player without a ton of experience or music mixing knowledge. My only complaint is there’s a bit of overdrive with the lower notes—but it’s not something that will be overly bothersome, especially to a novice.

Pros

• Great value for the cost
• Light and portable for practicing anywhere
• Basic effects to experiment with

Cons

• Some overdrive with lower notes
• Not terribly loud—which can also be a positive

Best for Beginners

If you’re a beginner without big dreams of jumping onstage, the Stagg 20 might be the perfect fit. It offers 20 watts via a 6.5-inch speaker and has basic equalizer controls and parametric mid control.

You’ll also find jacks for headphones or a stereo, so connecting background tracks is simple. The limited connectivity could be an issue if you’re trying to rock out with friends, though.

The Stagg offers crisp lows and is balanced at mids and highs, so you can’t go wrong as a newbie. Of course, if you do wind up making it big-time, the Stagg will suffice for small shows, too. Find a great beginner acoustic guitar to go along with this amp for a great starter set!

Pros

• Enough effects to tune your sound without overwhelming beginners
• The spring reverb effect is an unexpected touch on a lower-end amp
• Plenty of power (but not too much) for beginners/practice

Cons

• Limited connectivity via the jacks
• The digital reverb doesn’t delight every player

Best Electric-Acoustic Combo

For those guitarists who can’t decide between electric and acoustic, BOSS has a solution. This 50-watt amp offers dual amplifying for both electric and acoustic, plus 50 effects to help heighten your sound.

You also get a software package with this amp—the BOSS Tone Studio—so you can customize your sound even more. The USB connectivity is another perk that helps you make the most of your music.

Alternatively, you can download the BOSS app and make adjustments from there. In fact, that might be easier since the amp doesn’t come with its own USB cord. Adjusting your settings might be a bit inconvenient since you need to dial things in from the rear instead of the front of the amp.

Pros

• Variable power settings (.5 to 50 watts) for volume control
• Built-in effects with USB compatibility for further tweaking
• You can connect via PC or the app to create tracks

Cons

• Rear controls are a bit inconvenient
• Not ideal for bass guitar

Best for Traveling Gigs

When you need great performance in a more portable package, Roland’s AC-60 is a smart pick. It has a handle and weighs significantly less than comparable models. It’s not a lightweight, though; it offers deep, rich sound at 60 watts.

For smaller performances and on-the-road gigs, this amp might be your favorite travel buddy. You can plug in your bandmate’s mic or instrument, add chorus or wide effects, and more.

The onboard looper is a fun feature, and you might feel inspired to get more creative with your music as a result. And, you can drop in a handful of batteries (it takes six AAs) and go practically anywhere while playing.

Pros

• Onboard looper
• Auto anti-feedback control
• Can run on battery power

Cons

• Minimal yet present background hiss in some configurations
• Battery power means 10 fewer watts of output

Great for Small Gigs

Whether you’re performing at a small indoor venue or want to rock out at home, Marshall’s Acoustic Soloist amp is an excellent pick. The only drawback to taking it to gigs is its weight: the amp comes in at just over 35 pounds.

If you can heft it around, though, the Acoustic Soloist offers a handful of great features. It has a built-in anti-feedback notch filter. Plus, you can connect an MP3 player or smartphone (though you’ll need an adapter to fit the RCA jack), assign effects per channel, and more.

The effects are handy for cleaning up your sound, but even at low volumes, I like the clarity this amp offers. It’s not as flashy as other options, but it’s solid and offers excellent performance.

Pros

• Stereo inputs for background music/other electronic devices
• Channel assignable effects
• Anti-feedback notch filter

Cons

• RCA input requires an adapter for smartphone/music player connection
• Heavier than many alternatives

Best Value Electric-Acoustic

Another great option for dual electric-acoustic players is Vault’s Fury. While the “combo” in the name doesn’t refer to both electric and acoustic, it works equally well with both.

This is my best value pick for electric-acoustic for its affordability and range of features. While it has a relatively low output of 15 watts, it’s so easy on your wallet that you can’t really complain. There’s also a bit pricier 30-watt option if you feel like you need more power.

A handful of amp models and modulation effects, plus delay and reverb, make the most of those 15 watts, though. Plus, it has a range of drum patterns to experiment with. An AUX input and headphone jack allow you to connect to a PC or MP3 player and headphones, respectively, making this a smart pick for practice.

Pros

• Drum patterns are a nice addition
• Low watt output is ideal for practice at home
• A handful of effects and amp models help hone your sound

Cons

• The lack of an onboard guitar tuner can be a bit frustrating
• Not specifically made for acoustic instruments

While plenty of guitarists can’t think of a scenario where they’d need 200 amps, professional performers are happy to find Fender’s Acoustic 200 amp. This specialized amp addresses acoustic guitar players’ and vocalists’ needs in one snazzy package.

Plus, Fender incorporates Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port so you can plug in and upgrade your performance. Like the 100, the 200 features whizzer cones for enhanced clarity and professional digital effects that are onboard.

The relatively lightweight amp (it’s only 18 pounds) can go nearly anywhere, thanks to the built-in handle, so you can rock any stage. And by anywhere, I really mean anywhere—the voltage is universal for international use, too.

My only complaint is that it’s not quite as loud as I expected—and there’s no designated feedback elimination feature. Instead, you have to use a combination of the phase reversal button and the equalizer settings to figure out how to get the clearest sound.

Pros

• Maximum power out of all my top picks
• Bluetooth and USB integration
• Onboard effects for guitar and vocals

Cons

• Not quite as loud as I expected
• No designated feedback elimination feature

Best Compact Unit

With its small size and nearly unrecognizable brand name, Bugera is a surprising addition to this best acoustic guitar amplifiers review. But with 60-watt output and independently controlled channels (you can adjust the volume and equalizer settings), this small amp is seriously mighty.

You’ll find great sound quality in a small package, making this amplifier a great value. I was surprised at its volume capabilities, especially given the size. The AC60 weighs just over 15 pounds, so it’s not a huge amp.

A handful of effects allow you to customize your sound, but the biggest appeal is how solidly the Bugera performs. This basic amp may not win you music-mixing awards, but it offers exceptional clarity and consistent performance.

Pros

• Independent channels with dedicated EQs and volume controls
• Switchable microphone/line channel inputs
• Loud volume for the size of the unit

Cons

• Limited effects/ability to combine effects
• Not a ton of value in terms of music mixing/connectivity

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Can I Get an Acoustic-Electric Amp?

Yes, it’s possible to find an acoustic-electric amp. For more experienced guitarists, one of these models might be worth the investment.

Most of us tend to choose either acoustic or electric and stick with it, though. That means a dedicated amp for each instrument so you can dial in the right settings for your genre.

Of course, if you have the budget for multiple amps (and multiple guitars), feel free to experiment and figure out what works best for your style and experience level.

How to Choose the Best Acoustic Guitar Amplifier

Choosing the best acoustic guitar amplifier is essential for achieving the right sound. Here’s what to consider when shopping for an acoustic amp.

What Type of Guitar Do You Play Most?

If you’re one of those musicians who plays both electric and acoustic equally, a dual amp might be the best option. You’ll want to consider how often you play each instrument and in what settings (on stage versus at home).

For guitarists who have a hard time committing, an electric acoustic amp might be a good compromise. Otherwise, choosing a dedicated amp per guitar is the way to go.

Are You Playing at Home or Performing?

If you’re a hobbyist musician, you’ll have different needs than a guitarist who needs to amplify to an audience. There’s also a difference between amplifying sound and enhancing it.

For some musicians, an amplifier that literally only amplifies their guitar is a safe bet. Just like plugging into a PA system, some amplifiers just help you sound louder. On the other hand, more settings mean more ways to tweak your sound, whether you’re up on a stage or not.

Consider Budget Limitations

Budget is always a factor—especially when you’re a struggling musician. But you need to balance the value of the amp with the cost. If a new acoustic amp helps you hone or sound—or you need one for a BYO-amp gig—then it’s well worth the investment.

At the same time, springing for the priciest amp with the most settings isn’t smart if you’re a total beginner to the guitar. If you’re still figuring out the basics, playing without an amp is the first step. Then, a lower-budget model should help you find your way around tone differences and performance acoustics.

What to Look for in an Acoustic Guitar Amp

Once you know what and where you’re playing, here’s what to consider when picking through the options for acoustic guitar amplifiers.

Power Levels

If you’re looking at buying an amp, power is probably your top consideration. You might be curious as to whether you can blow the audience out of the water with an acoustic amp the same way an electric can. But the amount of power you need really depends on where and how you play.

If you’re on a stage, especially in a larger space or one with tons of people, then you’ll need more oomph to keep the concert going. Think 50 watts or higher—depending on the size of the venue.

At home, however, fewer watts—around 20 or so—should be plenty to play without driving the neighbors nuts.

Solid-State or Tube Style

The most common acoustic amp format is solid-state, but you’ll also find tube amps. A solid-state amp is usually the cleanest choice for amplifying without distortion. However, a tube amp uses vacuum tubes for a more variable response.

Typically, tube amps are pricier—but they can be well worth the investment if you need more range. For lower budgets—and less sound modification—a solid-state acoustic amp is plenty.

Type (and Number) of Inputs and Outputs

How much do you need to plug into your amp? If you’re playing at home for pure enjoyment, a single inlet makes sense.

If you’re heading onstage with fellow bandmates or plan to plug in a microphone, then additional inputs are a necessity. Usually, amp manufacturers call these inputs channels. So, think about how many channels you might need and determine what the best fit will be.

Also, keep in mind that the more channels you have, the more variable your settings will be. If you need multiple channels, it’s smart to choose an amp with separate controls for each one. That way, you can customize each input for the best sound possible.

Additional Features

While your acoustic guitar can stand alone in terms of creating soulful melodies, you might want some additional features in your acoustic amp. Consider whether you need more features and settings, such as:

• Chorus
• Delay
• Flange
• Reverb
• FX Loop

None of these is necessary, but they might be fun to experiment with—especially if you’re a performer.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to selecting an amp to pair with your acoustic guitar, there are tons of options that deliver great performance. Overall, though, I have to recommend the Fishman Loudbox Artist 120W Acoustic Instrument Amplifier.

The Fishman Loudbox Artist offers the volume and power you want for performing. But it also features effects that help you hone your sound, whether you’re at home practicing or running a sound check with the band.

Clarity, performance, and the range of effects are highlights with the Fishman Artist version. It’s well worth the investment if you’re moderately experienced on an acoustic guitar.

In short, whether you’re jamming at home or aiming for the best sound possible for an onstage gig, you can’t go wrong with the Fishman Loudbox Artist 120W.