9 Best 5-Watt Tube Amps (All Budgets)

Low-wattage amps have become quite popular over the past few years.

Many of these models have sophisticated circuits, can power much larger extension cabs, and are designed to replicate sounds from some of the most classic amps of all time.

‘Time’ being when you would walk into a music store and see low-wattage amps at bargain-basement prices.

Sure, they amplified your guitar sound, but they were only appealing because of their ridiculously low prices.

t certainly wasn’t because they sounded ‘good’… Thankfully, all of that has changed.

In modern times, it has become commonplace to use a 5-watt tube amp as your main choice for rehearsing, recording, and performing.

What Are The Best 5-Watt Tube Amps?

Amps in this price range generally cost a little more, but the quality of their feature set is pretty impressive.

Many offer power amp attenuation, the ability to plug into much larger extension speaker cabs, and a host of tone-shaping options that make them useful in many types of situations.

1. Marshall 2525C Mini Silver Jubilee (Our Pick)
2. Fender ’58 Custom Vibro Champ
3. Tone King Gremlin
4. Blackstar HT5R
5. Supro ’64 Reverb
6. Morgan Amps PR5 (Premium Option)
7. Bugera V5 Infinium (Best Value)
8. Supro Delta King 10
9. Magnatone Starlight

Below are our choices for the best 5-watt tube amps available in today’s market.

1. Marshall 2525C Mini Silver Jubilee

The Silver Jubilee is one of the most beloved tube amplifiers in Marshall’s historic line and among the best of the 5-watt tube amp options on the market.

The 2525C might be small, but it has all of the ’87 roar of its big brother. 

If 5 watts isn’t loud enough for you, you can change it to 20 watts of glorious Marshall roar.

The single 12″ speaker pumps out enough sound to fill any space, and the Celestion Greenback speaker provides decades of warm, British tone.

It has a host of useful features like a DI output, and an effects loop (among others), and depending on your preference, it comes in either a combo version or an amp head + cabinet version.

While not cheap, it is one of the best-sounding 5-watt tube amps that Marshall has created, and is definitely one of the most sought-after small tube amp options on the market. 

2. Fender ’68 Custom Vibro Champ

The ‘68 Custom line gives guitarists the classic “Silverface” Fender sounds of yesteryear with modern updates in a small tube amp format.

This design runs on 12AX7 preamp tubes and 6V6 output tubes in a 1×10” enclosure.

You can add flavor to your sound with the classic tremolo and lush hall reverb Fender is known for. The larger Celestion Ten 30 speaker extends the low end. 

Though it’s only 5 watts, it can pump out plenty of volume and is not to be underestimated.

There are two inputs (high and low), with input 2 attenuating the signal by 6dB so you can use it with high-output pickups.

At around $900 it’s still affordable for many budgets and provides plenty of versatility.

If you’re looking for that great Fender sound in an easily portable package, this one’s a total champ.

3. Tone King Gremlin

The Tone King Gremlin puts the golden tweed and Blackface-era American tones that defined so many recordings, on full display.

Two levels of inputs let you choose between how much gain and headroom you need. You can use one or the other, or get really saucy and jump them together.

You won’t have to worry about cutting above the rest of the instrumentation with its single 12” speaker.

If you need less volume, Tone King’s Ironman attenuator is wired into the circuit and can get you to ‘saturation town’ at easy listening levels.

4. Blackstar HT5R

There is a lot of flexibility in sound across the two channels of the HT5R.

Each channel also has a voicing switch, providing four essential sounds overall. The clean tones sparkle, and the overdrive setting can go from low-gain blues all the way up to metal!

The coolest part of this circuit might be Blackstar’s Infinite Shape Feature which changes the EQ curves of the tone controls.

And if you need to attenuate volume, you can take it down to .5 watts!

It has a lot going on in the I/O areas as well. The effects loop can run at +4dBv or -10dBv.

A switch on the speaker emulation direct output can simulate a 1×12 or 4×12 cabinet, and it can also power one 8-ohm or two 16-ohm extension cabs.

You can send the signal out via USB for recording, or play along to songs and jam tracks with the auxiliary line-in.

5. Supro ’64 Reverb

Retro-classic aesthetics never go out of fashion, and who better to offer a retro-classic amp with modern features than Supro – one of the originals?

The controls are simple. Dial in the sound with gain and master volume, and shape the EQ with 2 tone knobs.

The 8” Jensen C8R speaker offers plenty of output, but if that’s not enough, it has 4 and 8-ohm extension outputs.

It has three line outputs driven by tubes for however you need to use it.

You can send the signal to an additional amp, interface, or mixing console.

Rounding things out is a tube-fueled outboard gain and even a tube-driven spring reverb, both of which sound amazing!

6. Morgan Amps PR5 

The 1960s brought about some of the most beloved guitar tones ever, and the PR5 brings this decade to life.

It’s a Class A small tube amp with a 12” Celestion Greenback speaker. It’s very responsive to your playing no matter how you have it dialed in.

It runs on three 12ZX7 preamp tubes and a single 6V6 in the power section.

The quality of the transformer is a huge part of an amp’s sound, and no one does it better than Mercury Magnetics (one of their models is even included in the PR5).

With a streamlined control set, you’ll have your perfect sound dialed in in no time.

The cabinet is built around a “fixed baffle” design, so the entire enclosure contributes to the amp’s resonance.

The three-spring reverb circuit is tube-driven and adds a very realistic depth to your sound.

To keep the sound as pure as possible, the reverb circuit is independent of the amp’s tone stack and is bypassed when not being used.

And with the dwell control, you can tailor the amount of decay.

This amp is not cheap – but neither is its tone.

7. Bugera V5 Infinium 

If cost is a factor, this small tube amp from Bugera offers great bang for the buck.

Unlike many of the other options here, it’s great for heavier styles and makes a great heavy metal amp.

It’s powered by a single 12AX7 in the preamp and EL84 in the power amp, and with the proprietary Infinium Tube Life Multiplier technology, you’ll get even more life out of them. 

As if this style of the circuit didn’t get you far enough into British territory, the Turbosound speaker will – It’s a great addition to the overall sound with its pleasant midrange.

Dialing it in couldn’t be simpler with just four controls (gain, volume, tone [EQ], and reverb) and a built-in attenuator that can select between .5W, 1W, or 5W.

It can’t power an extension cabinet, but it does have an output for silent practice with headphones.

All in all, if you’re looking for an amp in this wattage range that is affordable and comes with some extra features, the Infinium is definitely worth a look.

8. Supro Delta King 10

In the best 5-watt tube amp conversation, Supro is king. And their Delta King is another take on a classic ‘50s design.

These authentic American sounds come from a Class A power section run by 6V6 tubes.

A number of factors add to the tone, like the Custom DK10 speaker and boost section driven by a FET that enhances the midrange.

Need more gain? Then engage the FAT mode designed by Pigtronix.

The spring reverb circuit is all analog, and the line out lets you go direct by simulating putting a microphone on the speaker.

It has an optional boost, but you’ll need the footswitch that’s sold separately.

9. Magnatone Starlight

Magnatone was responsible for some of the greatest amplifier sounds of the ‘60s, and with the Starlight, these classic sounds are brought back to life.

The tone control lets you dial in a wide range of sounds. When set below noon the midrange is cut, and above that threshold adds in more of it.

Negative feedback is another unique control that lets you access more sounds. By using this switch you get two different voicings.

When turned off it goes from clean to overdrive in a smoother fashion, with more midrange, and a looser speaker feel.

When the switch is engaged it has a cleaner range of tones and a tighter feel thanks to speaker damping.

FAQ

Is a 5-watt tube amp loud?

While they are not as loud as something with a higher wattage, you’ll have no problem getting a solid tone at usable volumes.

Are cheap tube amps worth it?

Due to the nature of the technology, more cost-effective tube amps are usually better made than inexpensive solid-state amps.

The low-watt tube amps on this list are all of amazing sound and build quality.

They offer several useful features that, while might be a little more pricey, are well worth it and make them a great investment in your rig.

Which is louder, tube or solid-state?

Tube amps have more perceived volume. A small tube amp like the ones in this list can be just as loud as a solid-state amp with five times the wattage.

How long do tube amplifiers last?

If you take care of them properly they can last a lifetime. You will have to swap out old tubes for new ones now and then.

But if you protect them and keep them properly serviced you could in theory have yours for life.

Can you play a tube amp at home?

Of course! If you’re worried about volume limitations, the selections on this list are a perfect choice.

A lot of them have power attenuators and headphone outputs for silent practice.

Before you go, if this article made you realize a 5-watt amp just won’t cut the mustard, be sure to check out our roundup of the best 15-watt tube amps on the market today!