Best Mini Amp For Acoustic Guitar (2024 Update)

I bought this amp to use in a limited space and at a low volume for very low cost. It obviously doesn't compare to a normal size amp in quality but for being a practice amp it is perfect. Many reviews across the web say it loses power or sounds bad after a short time, but its literally as simple as changing the battery in my case. The manual even says to change the battery if there is an issue with sound, and the battery that comes with it isn't really the best and doesn't last long. It has great sound at a low and mid range volume for the little power it actually has but when you ramp it up it does sound a little distorted but not bad at all for $23-$29. Hopefully my review helps someone get a decent product!Lucas

While you certainly could use it in the studio for certain alt/auxiliary tones and/or layers and achieve fantastic results (producer/artist discretion advised), It's not meant for that. It's meant purely for being able to enjoy playing electric, untethered, while wandering about randomly and/or practicing. …Whether outdoors or indoors. …At home, in the park, around the neighborhood, at a camp site or a BBQ, wherever. Perhaps even during your breaks at work. It's not meant for playing in a full band situation (especially with drums), nor is it meant for getting a half-stack sound (or even normal combo-amp sound), for a fraction of the price, during a high-end studio session or full-on concert. It's a fantastic tool, meant to serve a single purpose. Choose and use your tools accordingly.Cristyn, E

mini-amp works great as a travel amp, or playing early in the am when ppl are sleeping lol it fits perfectly inside my hardcase, along with my electric guitar, headphones, tuner, cables, etc. performs as expected.. dont look to be amazed at its performance lol but for practice/travel its the perfect amp. has a heavy grind for chunky metal riffs. doesnt pick up the p[inch harmonics that great, but they do come through. the clean setting is great, too, and for a tiny little fkr it really kicks pretty good! had my finacee yelling at me to "turn that fkn thing down!" so, lol, it hits pretty hard for a small little guy.. but like i said, dont expect it to put out the tones of a line 6 spider IV or a Marsall half-stack cuz it aint capable for that. it isnt designed for gigs lol so dont expect that kinda sound. but, i love this mini-amp; its my new best friend!da.davc.mcoumykeiu

I picked this up for my son so he could practice around the house. Killer stocking stuffer! When the son is away the dad will now play. I started playing my Mustang Bass through this and it did the job. It's a small amp, not a practice amp. This is perfect for camping trips, rocking at the office or kicking it in the backyard. Oh yeah and you can plug in 1/4 headphones and keep the concert to yourself. It runs on a 9-volt battery or you can plug in a 9-volt adapter.SERGIO

Took a chance on this and purchased it without every playing it. Watched video reviews on it and gave it a shot. Yes, I know that it's small in size, smaller than a kids lunchbox but I hoped it'd produce quality sound and what I got was muddy sounds at increased volumes. It's not clear sounding and my goal to play through an amp is to sound good and I felt if I actually played this in front of people, the muddyness would make me sound amateurish. So, for what you pay for this, yes, you get amplified but it's not real great quality, unless you're a metal player because you don't get a clean sound from this. I rate this 3 stars because it's convenient to have a portable battery operated tiny amp that you can plug into and get sound from, however, the quality almost makes you not even want to play it.Jesse

This ain't no micro cube or vox. This less than 20$ & runs on 1 9v battery or 9v plug in the wall.(transformer not included)& Holy Friggin' Smokes does this baby perform.Monster overdrive tone & super bright, clean tone.Headphone input.Probably exceeds 60 decibels,which is beyond city ords. could get U a fine it's so damn loud. My Strat Squire sounds soooo Fender good out of this lil sucka & my electric/acoustic, sooo crisp.Ultra light to carry around.I've been using the JOYO mini,I love it,plug in,no chord,fun but this Fender mini is a bit more.More tone options and louder.I've yet to find out how quick it eats batteries. The JOYO burns them up fast.Get the rechargeables.Also the JOYO has an MP3 input.This doesn't. I run guitar strap thru the handle so the chord is like non-existent or U can old school it and have a 10 or 20 ft chord.So light it can be pulled over by the chord.These mini amps also pick up radio signals. When I turn them on I can hear radio stations at certain angles. So get 1 for the road.It's all about the fun.annoyingted1

I played with a Fishman SA220 Solo Amp for years, so I knew going in that the sound quality was going to be awesome with the Loudbox Mini. But nothing prepared me for just how good the sound would be. It really took me by surprise. As with any amp, you have to take some time to get the EQ settings right for the guitar you're playing, but the super-response 3-band EQ makes it incredibly easy to dial in your sound. I played a gig over the weekend and used my Taylor T5z and Gibson J-45 Avant Garde with the amp. They both sounded incredible through the amp! I was so jazzed. For that gig, I used the amp mainly as a reference monitor that I plugged into the FOH. It worked perfectly in that application. But truth be told, the amp really doesn't come into its own until the speaker's pushing some air. While it sounds great at lower volumes, there's something special that happens at higher volumes that's a little hard to articulate. There's a depth to the sound that isn't apparent at lower volumes, and you really don't get the full effect of the onboard reverb and chorus until you start pushing air. So I actually upped my stage volume a bit so I could hear/feel that effect. 🙂 Truth be told, I haven't used a microphone with it, but based on my experience with the SA220 and the general quality of the sound from my guitars, I have no doubt that this will be a great performer for vocals as well! What's really cool is that each channel has its own EQ and individual reverb. These are musts for a solo performance amp as far as I'm concerned. All that said, combine that great sound with incredible portability (it's about the size of a truck battery), and you've got a winner! But let's be honest here, it's not an AER. The bass response is not nearly as good as on those units. But it's close; close enough that if you're plugged into a FOH or DAW, you can compensate for the lower bass on the EQ panel of the mixer. It's also a fraction of the price of an AER. The value proposition of the Loudbox Mini far exceeds what it may lack in terms of sound quality as compared to a high-end system. Finally, what I love about having this unit is that for solo gigs, I now have options. I can use this unit for small cafe or private residential parties, then use my JBL Eon One for larger venues. Pretty cool!Brendan

Beautiful clear tone through my Yamaha SVC series silent/electric cello. Music to my ears! Reviews are correct and this powerful yet elegant sounding amp does not disappoint. Lots of time spent researching but super happy I went with the Fishman mini. The Bluetooth feature is excellent.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

If you're expecting an amazing Marshall sound, you might want to invest in some of the bigger amps Marshall has to offer. If you think you can get a concert level sound out of this little guy, you will not be the happiest person. However, that level of "high" expectation would not be very reasonable or even realistic for such a little amp. This is a very cute, small amp that will help you plug your guitar so you can practice quietly in any room in your house without annoying your wife. It will distort if you crank the volume all the way out, and if you're used to the full sound of a bigger Marshall (like I do) it might make you feel like you're hearing your guitar over an old telephone (just my opinion). However, if you calibrate your instrument volume & tone you can find a happy medium. With that said, for the price it is a very nice solution to practice and if the sound seems too weak for you, you have the choice of putting headphones. I personally use it just for practice on the fly, it serves it purpose, but then again I was not expecting the best sound output. So I am happy with the purchase.BeeZee

It's basically a toy amp. I can see it being used as a portable amp for non-serious performance. Personally, I like it for a quick jam and for (relatively) quiet practice in my apartment setting. Won't disturb my neighbors but it does get noticeable at the highest volume. That and the overdrive knob are the two main controls. By default it just does a clean sound but overdrive lets you toggle in some gain for that distortion. It has a good look that definitely models after its bigger brothers.Rick

I don't know what some of you guys expect from this thing, but be realistic: it's an inexpensive 5 inch tall, 1 watt amp. It's not designed for anything but sitting in a chair and entertaining yourself or a couple of people. Within that context, I enjoy this thing and sometimes get it off the shelf and play around with it for awhile. Also, when I owed somebody a 1 minute long riff for his podcast and my main amp was getting some regular tech service, I plugged my American Standard Strat into this thing, mic'd the amp, used the OD channel with the volume and tone both on 10, played the part, then added tons of bass, reverb, and chorus to it in post, and it sounded great and nobody ever knew that I recorded the part using a 5 inch tall amp. It is what it is as long as you don't expect the world.Steve

This has got to be the best thing to ever happen for Acoustic Singer Songwriter's who need a high quality Amplifier for Guitar and Voice/Microphone. The retail price is much lower than competition, and Musicians' Friend made me an even better deal with a 15% coupon. This Amplifier has it all. I can mount it on a Speaker Tripod and put it at ear level at a gig, and it has more than enough power all by itself to fill a 60 foot Bar with Tables. It has really nice controls and more effects and connection options that either of my other two amps. Let's just say that until I received this AMP, my favorite by far was my Fishman Loud box Mini. As Peter Sellers would say, "Pink Panther",, Not Any MoreBeeGeesBruce

Bugera, like their sister Behringer products, are designed in Germany and manufactured in China. With a little work you can search Musician's Friend and find another German brand, manufactured in Germany, whose small amp is the 5 times more expensive inspiration for this product. I have bought and returned an amp from the more expensive option as it had a manufacturing defect (a noisy volume pot) but I did get a chance to look it over carefully and run it through its paces. The AC60 appears to have similar build quality, similar tone (turn on the color/colour switch to get that signature Tommy Emmanuel tone out of the whizzer cone single 8" driver), and adds an AUX input, tilt back legs, a standard sized speaker stand adapter, and a universal AC power supply that will work anywhere in the world. It is quite loud for 60 watts and mine weighs only 15 lbs and 12 ozs. The reverb and effects are first rate. It produces very little heat when running and I would suspect that in additional to the universal digital power supply it is a class D digital power amp driving the speaker. Being nearly end-to-end digital in design is different from its inspirational amp as that one is analog. I have found no reason to prefer one over the other (excepting the lighter weight of most class D digital designs). For some applications you might prefer an amp with a tweeter but I find the color switch does an excellent job making the frequency response with an acoustic guitar sound excellent. The mic channel sounds good with a mic for voice, the easy part, but also sounds fine driven with music from my phone (a much harder test though I did turn the bass up for the best tone). Turn off the color switch, choose a longer tail reverb with a bit more effect in the mix, add a tube screamer, and you've got a quite decent electric guitar option too (for which a tweeter design would be a liability as distorted guitar can be tough on a tweeter).Jon F.

The amp was great at low volume. Anything past a third of the way up got distorted. I tried 4 different guitars with all different pickups with the same outcome. Didn't handle lows very well at all. The vocals really didn't sound good at all. I was using an Audix om2 microphone. In all honesty my cheap Acoustic A15v amp sounded better for both vocals and guitar. The only thing I liked better on this amp was the direct out. Thanks to Musicians Friend for exchanging this for the woodsman jumbo 65. Can't wait to see what that one sounds like.Jp the One Man Band

My son loves it, I watch the Hughes & kettner on Andertons tv first and then showed him and he found the spirit of rook more to his taste he plays it though a marshal code 2×12 cab.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

This little amp is plugged into a Marshall 2X12 and has more than enough volume to annoy the neighbours. But I got it for low volume practice and use it as a clean pedal platform – sounds great with a Marshall Drive Master and some verb, delay and vibe in the front.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

I bought this for an upcoming camping trip and I am very happy with the tone and volume when using AmpliTube. I usually use an AXE-FX III through 4000w of FRFR speakers so I am really spoiled tone wise. I wasnt expecting much but at the price point it was worth a try and I must say I am quite pleased.galacticore

I didn't have huge hopes for this, but the second I turned it on the hissing white noise sound that came out made it clear that this amp was not for me. Even without anything plugged in and all of the knobs turned to zero, as much as I turned up the volume, that's how much noise I got. This DID not work at all for me with the Amplitube phone app, but did with the Amplitube computer app – with some significant drawbacks. The audio level was low, and when I turned it up to get some usable volume, that ever-present background noise just killed the tone. Sorry, but I cannot recommend this.B.G.

Product looks as good as advertised but have not had a great opportunity to make use of it as yet. Looking forward to getting to grips with it in more detail ASAP.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Excellent sound quality, bass reflex much better than expected. High fidelity with a robust bass reflex. Of course it has limitations being so small but the sound can easily fill any room or up to a couple of rooms.B-man

I originally bought the A20, the chorus went function went bad. I was supposed to get a replacement A20, but I was told the store delivery truck broke down. The demo A20 was pretty beat up, so I went for the A15 since they had it in stock. Less wattage, smaller speaker, no reverb, and no output with adjustable level.. The A15 cost less, but I would have rather had a replacement A20. That said, it's not a bad amp. I will wait before I ever recommend to a friend, based on my experience with the A20.None

O.K. Boys and Girls, I'll get right to the point. If you look at the input jacks on this combo amp, you'll see that the only choice for input #2, is a 1/4" plug. That means that, unless you use a converter to go from XLR to 1/4", you can't use a normal (low impedance) mic on input #2. Input #2 is the one with the EQ section on it. So, if you want to EQ vocals with this unit, you're out of luck with the on board EQ, unless you buy an external XLR to 1/4" convertor cable or plug. Then look at the #1, XLR input. There is no EQ on that channel. You plug your mic into this input and hope for the best. Without EQ you can't tailor the sound from your mic, with this amplifier's EQ. You are stuck with whatever your mic produces, and the tonal characteristics of your voice. So, if you need to roll off some highs, or accentuate them, you can't do it on this unit with just the XLR input on this amp. You'd have to process your vocals externally to this amp, them bring them into the XLR input on this amp. It's either that, or you'd have to get an XLR to 1/4" convertor and use the input #2. Other than that, Acoustic does a great job with these all-in-one acoustic style amps. I've used one for years. They are very quick to setup, have reasonable power for small rooms, and have good tone. I'd recommend these, especially for the price. Just be aware that the limitations on this particular unit, at least partially lies in the fact that they did not put a dual use XLR/1/4" jack on channel two. The old Acoustic AG30 had dual use jacks on both channels. What were they thinking when they designed this unit: no EQ for vocals? What the heck….?TruthMan

This is not a stadium amplifier, or strong enough for a concert hall. It is a great small amplifier for practicing when overwhelming volume will wake everyone in the house or start the neighbors complaining. It has great sound and dissolves any fuzz or squelch. The controls are easy to use and adjust with great range for such a small amp. I bought the amp for an inexpensive junior guitar (38") so i could practice and improve my skill after a 3 decade hiatus. I did not want to invest a lot of money only to find that I was no longer interested in really stepping out. It is perfect for me to relearn, and to sample some new music with an electric acoustic guitar. I made a very good choice, and recommend this amp if you want to practice on your front porch or in your living or rec room. The sound is incredible for a one ampere peak to peak amplifier. Much louder and more defined than one would expect. The fidelity is excellent. A great buy for a small start without having to take out a 2nd mortgage.roberwit14

It's a novelty item I keep on my desktop. I can actually play my guitar through it, but it doesn't produce "good" tone. However, it does produce a tone that sounds 'cheap' but not horrible if you make a little effort to 'dial in' the best sound you can get working with what you've got. This is not a product for gigging or recording. It is what it is.Rico

I collect mini amps and added this one to the shelf. I did plug it in and as expected, not much in the way of power or tone, but I had no expectations beyond looks. It is nicely detailed with corners, handle and grille with logos. It's is what it is. A detailed scale model of a Fender Amp. Fits perfectly into the collection. Not likely to plug it up again. Equally poor on AC or Battery. Rated 5 as collectible replica. Rated 1 as an amplifier. Hence the 3. Wouldn't recommend as a guitar amp.Mike

This amp is FUN. The sound quality is great, and it is packed full of amp models, effects, and pre programed drum loops. That combined with a 40 sec looper, and it's become the most effective practice tool I own. And it's so simple, I don't need a bunch of equipment, it's all in the amp. For me, it brings the fun back to practicing.Russ

This amp has a great range of sounds, including some earthy grungey stuff, and weird vocoder setting. The most all-round versatility of this unit is a combination of the Rhythm section, the separate input and control of the Mic, and the Looper section. With up to 10W of output this unit can entertain more than just yourself. I like the tri-select of output power, (especially when the missus wants to watch tv!). The footswitch to select between effects, rhythm and looper is more essential rather than desirable, yet it cost me another $100+ to buy, which seems like a lot for just switch (although it's heavy duty). The only other downside is the rhythm tempo switch, which needs a guess in the time between button presses to alter timing. This would be better done and made more repeatable with a rotary switch. Great little portable unit, and my new GoTo.David M. C.

Good guitar amplifier which is small, easy-to-carry, but powerful enough. Especially love the power switch feature so I can run it as 1W in my room without driving my roommate crazy.QI

Amazing product,You can play your guitar anywhere ! From clean to crazy every sound you could ask for, headphones or speaker your choice! Buy and enjoy!burn_13

Brilliant little amp, good quality sounds, rechargeable for about 5 hours use, although the delay and reverb setting will use a bit more power. Sounds great through my powered studio speakers or just headphones. Highly recommended.davidfenderbender

My son loves it, I watch the Hughes & kettner on Andertons tv first and then showed him and he found the spirit of rook more to his taste he plays it though a marshal code 2×12 cab.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

This little amp is plugged into a Marshall 2X12 and has more than enough volume to annoy the neighbours. But I got it for low volume practice and use it as a clean pedal platform – sounds great with a Marshall Drive Master and some verb, delay and vibe in the front.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

I've had Genz Benz acoustic amps for years just wanted a bit more ooomph…did not like the opposition, so took a punt on the Genzler acoustic array mini…contacted Jeff Genzler in the US about the amp, very helpful.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Overall: I was looking for a smaller Acoustic Amp that reflected a "true" acoustic sound, not processed or too quaky.. Sure you can find some really good tone from Boss/Loudbox, etc but they just weren't for me. Then you look at some higher end ones that are $1.3k+ like Mesa Rosette, AER, Acus, etc and they are all super strong contenders, but pay a hefty premium! Then I stumbled on the Genzler Accoustic Array line, listened to some test/reviews of the Genzler and was instantly drawn in. Really sounded good when used w/ guitars w/decent pick ups in them. Thought the effects sounded good and not overpowering. Well it arrived in perfect condition and hasn't disappointed! Quality is spot on and it works/sounds great with my Takamine's, Gibson, PRS, Taylors, etc! It really is a fantastic amp for the value, sits right in between the other options in this 50-120amp range!Vinny

Have the Spark 40 and am very happy with it. The Mini, not so much. Biggest issue is that it is much to easy to overdrive the speakers, especially the bass. It is not very loud. It's OK for a small quiet room, but I really can't use it outdoors on the patio. It works best sitting on a reflective surface like a table. You don't want the bottom mount bass speaker facing, say, a rug. I love the iPhone / iPad app. It has a good variety of amps and pedals, but you really can't get the same sound as a tube amp like my Blues Jr IV. While it has a variety of reverb pedals, it does not have spring reverb. A big disappointment. I really like that it is battery powered, usb chargeable and really like the Bluetooth speaker function.Dave

I fell in love with the capability of the PG Spark 40 and I had to have this mini for it's portability! I pre-ordered mine direct from Positive Grid when they were running their pre-production discounts. I've been playing on and off for about 30 years. I wish this was available then instead of that clunky, weak Squire 15 amp I started with. The app for Android and iPhone opens up all kinds of possibilities! A starting musician and use the features to play along to their favorite songs or you can look up backing tracks to tinker along with. The standard hardware sounds are very warm, and the tone cloud gives you access to an unfathomable amount of tones modeled after near all of your favorite artists! It is more than enough to appeal to the budding guitarist to keep you interested! And for more experienced players, the options that are part of this thing are incredible, and will have you noodling with your Sunday morning coffee before you know it! Got the PG Spark 40, ABSOLUTELY had to get the Mini! If you're on the fence, you won't be disappointed!Dave

The sound and tone quality from such a small amp is amazing! It sounds huge. You will quickly forget you are playing through a 6 inch cube. There are a bunch of amps and effects to create your own sound, and the Smart Jam and play along features are both fun and inspiring. Plus, the various tones in the ToneCloud are great for matching a tone to a song you are learning to play. Believe the hype from the reviews online. I will say that this is amp may not be for everyone. At 10 watts, it is not loud enough to gig with. Plus, I would not recommend this for a first amp. There are a lot of options that can be overwhelming for beginners, and the limited on-board options do not allow for simple plug and play. Beginners may want to start with something like a Black Star ID Code. There are also a few things I am not crazy about. Because of the limited on-board controls, 6 to 8 presets would have been better, plus the default presets are not that good. The amp models in the app are OK, but some sound too similar, plus each amp has the same knobs (Gain, Bass, Middle, High and Volume). Nothing to distinguish one amp model from another (Channels, Presence knob, Intensity knob, etc.). The same goes for the reverb pedals (each has 6 knobs whether or not the pedal being replicated has 6 options). The Vox Tone room has better amp and effect modeling but does not have all of the other jamming and recording options. So all of that being said, this amp is still fantastic for someone with some knowledge of amps (for example, the difference between gain and volume) and is looking for something small and discrete to play around the house (or apartment) that does not want to sacrifice tone quality. The battery power is nice for playing anywhere without having to plug it in. I've played mine for a couple hours without having to recharge. It is also a great option if you want to record your work. All in all, this is an innovative amp that is just fun to play, has a ton of options and sounds way too good for its size. Get one, you'll love it!Dan

Huge sounding and a lot of power for such a small amp. The Spark Control App gives you loads of choices from classic sounds to the most modern of amps out there today. You also have tons of effects to use in conjunction with all of these modeled amp choices. All of these possibilities can be saved as your own personal presets which can endlessly be tweaked to make you sound and play your best. You can also use the Jam Along feature which syncs to iTunes, Spotify, etc. while also displaying the chord changes as you play. The Spark amp also connects easily to any DAW for professional sounding quality recordings. This amp does it all for a fraction of the price.Javier

Used it only for practice. Unusable for live performance. Every update was a fiasco and after 11 months, it only works as a Bluetooth speaker as the Amp section gave up. Google that issue and found it happens to many other users. Defective chip and Positive Grid helpdesk is not responding.Cory

The amp is awesome. Well built and solid, very pleasant to look at, easy to use and the sound! Oh man, the sound of that little amp is just beyond belief. Full and rich, it fills the room as though it were five times the size. With the app on my android phone, fine tuning the sound is easy and intuitive, and you can save your sounds as presets if you wish. But even without using the app, the presets that ship with the amp are simply stellar. In my opinion, the amp is well worth the price.Richard L.