- Which are the best mini amp heads on the market?
- We’ve rounded up 7 of the best mini amp heads for all you tone lovers out there.
In the last decade, mini guitar heads have gained popularity for several reasons. One major factor is that live sound engineers often opt to mic up guitar speakers in most venues, eliminating the need for high-wattage amps.
Even if a player chooses to bring their 100-watt Marshall Plexis to a local dive bar, they will almost certainly receive a scathing response from the sound technician when they push their stacks to perform at their optimal level.
Another reason for the increasing popularity of Mini Guitar amplifiers is their convenience in terms of portability and ease of use. They provide a massive relief for guitarists and bassists who no longer have to strain themselves during load-ins; great news for your back but not so much for your chiropractors’ monthly income.
Lastly, mini guitar heads cost less money to produce as a smaller size means fewer components are required to build the amplifier. This keeps the cost of these units considerably lower than their higher wattage counterparts, making them accessible to a larger demographic of guitarists worldwide.
Now that you know what the fuss is about, let’s dive in and check out the 7 Best Mini Amp Heads (For All Occasions).
(Guitarists who don’t want to wake up the neighborhood can check out our roundup of the 10 Best Amp In A Box Pedals With Excellent Tone.)
What Are The Best Mini Amp Heads?
The Quilter 101 Reverb is our pick for the best mini amp head, offering fantastic features and tone at a price point that isn’t going to send you broke.
If money is tight, then the Joyo Jackman-II BanTamp XL Series is a good choice. Providing respectable JCM800-inspired tones for those on a budget.
For the most discerning players that need the best, the Mesa Boogie Mini Rectifier Twenty-Five is our premium choice bringing all the meat of the Dual and Triple Recs to a bite-sized format.
Here are our candidates for the seven best mini amp heads:
- Quilter 101 Reverb (Our Pick)
- Joyo Jackman-II BanTamp XL Series (Best Value)
- Mesa Boogie Mini-Rectifier Twenty-Five (Premium Choice)
- Orange Micro Dark
- ENGL Fireball 25
- Victory The Sheriff 22
- Bugera T5 Infinium
1. Quilter 101 Reverb (Our Pick!)
Overview
Quilter has been a significant player in the mini amp market for years, and the 101 Reverb represents a formula that has become the standard layout in their product line. Establishing a standard that competitors have certainly taken note of.
Features
- 50 watts of Class D output
- Versatile Gain and Limiter controls
- 3-band hybrid EQ section
- Onboard spring-style digital reverb
- Fx Loop
- Compact and lightweight
Review
5o watts of solid-state American voiced muscle backs up the Quilter 101 Reverb, all in a tight form factor that could fit in a lunchbox. The unit harnesses a sleek black aesthetic that is easy on the eyes, with all of the controls and potentiometers accentuated In an understated cream color.
The 3-band hybrid EQ is highly responsive and user-friendly. We didn’t have to spend much time adjusting it to achieve our desired sound. The bandwidth of each control was impressive, and we were satisfied with how they interacted with each other throughout the frequency spectrum.
50 watts solid state provides this amplifier with considerably more headroom than many other selections on our list. This makes the Quilter 101 Reverb a fantastic choice for players who need high-volume clean tones on the fly. However, keep this from giving you the impression that the Quilter Labs Reverb 101 is just a clean machine, as we found plenty of Bassman-like breakup on tap when cranking the gain control.
A luscious digital reverb and built-in limiter control round out this amp’s immediate features and land the Quilter 101 Reverb in the top spot of our shootout.
Pros
- High headroom
- Fx Loop
- Built-in limiter and reverb
Cons
- Some players may prefer to opt for a tube amplifier
2. Joyo Jackman-II BanTamp XL Series (Best Value)
Overview
For a while now, Joyo has been a go-to for musicians on a budget, and the Jackman-II BanTamp XL is no exception to this rule. This variation of the BanTamp line promises an 80s-style Marshall crunch with low wattage at a reasonable cost.
Features
- Hybrid mini amp head
- Solid state power amp
- Tube preamp (1 x 12ax7)
- 20-watt head
- Headphone jack, Bluetooth audio, and speaker out
- 8-ohm minimum
- Bluetooth connectivity and effects loop
Review
The Joyo Jackman encompasses a bold modern aesthetic, and we were impressed with the feel of the switches and potentiometers featured on this low-price unit. Nothing felt inherently cheap or nasty, and the included footswitch is a very nice touch indeed.
We quickly noticed another feature of the amp which impressed us: its ability to connect with external devices using Bluetooth. Though this may not be a desirable function for professional gigging, it can significantly benefit students who use the Jackman for practice at home.
We found the Jackman to provide a convincing JCM800 tone for what it is; given its limitations in both construction and wattage, there isn’t much to complain about when you acknowledge its low price point. An inbuilt FX loop is another excellent addition for those who prefer to run their time-based and modulation effects after the pre-amplifier stage.
A fantastic choice for the beginner or budget-minded player who needs a solid amplifier for rock and metal styles, did we mention that the clean channel on this mini head isn’t too shabby either?
Pros
- Low price point
- Marshall in a box
- Some unique features
Cons
- The longevity of this build could come into question considering its low price
3. Mesa Boogie Mini-Rectifier Twenty-Five (Premium pick!)
Overview
Can the Mesa Boogie Mini-Rectifier Twenty-Five deliver the same punch as its larger siblings in a compact lunchbox format? Our premium pick explores the heritage of the Rectifier series redesigned in this new configuration.
Features
- 10 or 25 Watt modes
- Two changes with independent controls
- Four voice options
- All-tube Mesa Boogie sound
- Durable chassis
Review
As soon as we unboxed the Mini-Rectifier Twenty-Five, we were greeted by its familiar chrome treadplate that instantly took us back to the late 90s and early 2000s. During this time, the Dual Rectifier gained popularity among numerous hard rock and metal bands, eventually becoming a modern classic.
And we are pleased to report that this model encompasses much of the DNA found in the big amps, including vintage and modern settings on the dirty channel “Raw has been omitted in this iteration.” Understandably, several features from its bigger brothers would be left out in this lunch box configuration due to both size and price limitations.
This doesn’t mean that the sound of the Mesa Mini Rectifier Twenty-Five is small, though, as it packs both considerable gain and bottom-end girth. The latter tends to be diluted with these smaller-sized amps due in part to the smaller output transformer utilized in many of these circuits. The clean channel is also very serviceable, offering a new “pushed” mode that will leave the Mini Rec on the edge of breakup for those with a penchant for those kinds of tones.
Combine this with multi-wattage settings and an FX loop. Our premium pick packs a lot of features into a small chassis, which is well worth a look if it is within your budget.
Pros
- Big sound
- High-quality build
- Switchable wattage
Cons
- Expensive
4. Orange Micro Dark
Overview
After the success of the amps Orange Micro Terror and Dual Dark, customers asked for a mini valve hybrid head, and thus the Orange Micro Dark was born.
Features
- 20 Watts of power
- Single 12AX7 tube
- Gain, Shape, and Volume controls
- 1 x 1/4″ guitar input
- 1.72 lbs
Review
Similar in design to the Joyo Jackman II reviewed above, the Micro Dark uses a tube/solid-state hybrid design to make the most of its small size. The preamp uses a single ECC83 (12AX7) valve, while the power amp section is solid state. This head is at home in metal and hard rock territory, providing plenty of gain and a nice tight bottom end.
Oranges CabSim circuitry is another nice addition, providing a useful line-out solution for those looking to record without a cabinet at home or run straight to FOH in a live setting.
The Micro Dark can be paired with any 8-16 Ohm unit for those opting to use a speaker cabinet. It also features a fully-buffered effects loop for those who prefer to run their time-based FX after the preamp section. A headphone output rounds out this package, and while this will not be all that useful for the gigging musician, some will find it useful for silent practice.
Despite its low wattage, the Orange Micro Dark is a solid choice for anyone who likes the Joyo Jackman II but would prefer a more premium package.
Pros
- Hybrid design
- Flexible output options
- A more aggressive take on the British sound
Cons
- Some players may prefer a tube output section
5. ENGL Fireball 25
The ENGL Fireball 25 has garnered much enthusiasm from metalheads worldwide, even replacing the highly successful E 309 MetalMaster 20. How does the new amp compare to its predecessor?
Features
- Two-channel configuration
- Global EQ
- Mid and clean boost circuits
- Attenuation of 20 W, 5 W, 1 W, speaker mute
- Frequency-compensated balanced line out
Review
The ENGL Fireball 25 is a feat of German engineering, providing 20 watts of pure tube power. This amp oozes metal mayhem with its black aesthetic and classy steel grate accents.
Like the E 309 MetalMaster 20, the Fireball 25 is a two-channel amp with both channels sharing the same three-band EQ. This may be a dealbreaker for some buyers, but it is a feature carried on by the bigger Fireball amps, and we didn’t feel that it detriment the amp in any way.
Fortunately, ENGL has had the foresight to incorporate independent gain controls for the clean and dirty channels of the Fireball 25. This is ideal as it enables the user to dial in the perfect amount of saturation on their gain channel while maintaining the integrity of the clean, a balance that is difficult to obtain with a universal gain control.
Mid boost and Lead Clean mini switches round out the front panel of this mini head providing viable solutions for both solo boosts and scooped rhythm sounds. Alleviating some of the issues that players who are partial to these kinds of eq settings can encounter when it comes time to cut through a full band mix.
Pros
- High-quality build
- Fantastic metal sounds
- Serviceable clean channel for a high-gain amp
Cons
- Global EQ may be a dealbreaker for some players
6. Victory The Sherrif 22
Overview
The Sherrif 22 packs two highly desirable British voicings into a single lunchbox head. Victory, once again, emphasizes the beauty of versatility even in their most miniature amplifier designs.
Features
- 22 watts
- 2 channels
- Single button footswitch included
- Hard bypassable series FX loop
- Padded gig back included
Review
The Sherrif 22 boasts the same aesthetic that Victory has used to establish itself as a boutique heavyweight in recent years, albeit in a beautiful black and gold colorway that manages to set itself apart from the rest of the line.
Channel one embodies a classic British clean tone with chime for days, perhaps comparable to some traditional Vox Designs. Channel two starkly contrasts this, evoking a high-gain monster with plenty of midrange growl and aggression, sure to please even the most avid rockers.
The Sherrif 22 utilizes a shared 3-band EQ, while Victory has offered to include independent masters for each channel in this circuit. This is ideal as it gives players many options they would not have access to with a universal master volume.
The FX loop is bypassable, which is an excellent addition for those weary of the effect some FX loops can have on an amplifier’s transparency and tone. The included footswitch is also a nice touch in an era where these extras usually come at an added cost.
Pros
- High-quality build
- Included footswitch
- Versatile
Cons
- Universal EQ may be a dealbreaker for some players
7. Bugera T5 Infinium
Overview
A subsidiary of parent company Behringer, Bugera have gained a reputation for endeavoring to offer clone circuits of numerous high-end amps to demographics who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford them. Is the T5 Infinium just one for beginners, or does it have more to offer?
Features
- Hand-built 5-Watt guitar head
- 1 x 12AX7 and 1 x EL84 tubes
- INFINIUM Tube Life Multiplier technology
- Integrated high-definition reverb with dedicated Reverb control
- 3 band EQ
Review
The Bugera T5 Infinium is a 5-watt lunch box amp housed in a sleek metal enclosure. The chassis is designed to increase ventilation, ensuring that the amp will run cool even when used for long periods.
The 2-Band EQ is useful, letting us dial in our desired tones relatively easily. We feel that Bugera opted to omit the inclusion of a mid-control in favor of providing an inbuilt reverb that manages to do the job for most applications. Master volume and gain round out the rest of the front panel, and despite not being feature-packed, it is everything you would need from a small-form studio or gigging amplifier.
The inbuilt power attenuation housed on the back panel of the head is another feature that will be useful for many users. This option grants flexibility when it comes to using the Bugera T5 Infinium in different scenarios, and as always, versatility is a welcome addition to any unit.
All in all, we couldn’t find much to love or hate about the Bugera T5 Infinium. It is a good option for those on a budget, but with so many options on the mini guitar head market, it only does a little to stand out from the pack.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Inbuilt reverb
Cons
- Doesn’t do much to set itself apart from the pack
Closing Thoughts
We live in an age where a gigging guitarist does not need to break their back or the bank with heavy and oversized vintage amps. It is a hard truth, but working with vintage amps is a massive hassle for most gigging musicians. For example, an amp like the Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus weighs a hefty 62 lbs.
Sure, if you’re Joe Bonamassa, you have an army of roadies and techs at your disposal. But this is not a reality for 99% of guitar players out there.
Guitarists have taken notice of the great benefits of slimming down their gear. These days, excellent quality can be found at a lower cost. Plus, technological improvements mean you’re now free of something bulky and heavy.
The best mini amp heads will take care of your tone while being gentle on your back and your bank account. The list above has something for every guitarist, from beginners to seasoned pros. As always, if you see something you like, you can check out some demos on YouTube and do a little more research before buying.
FAQ
Are mini heads loud enough for gigging?
Yes, in most instances, mini amplifier heads will be plenty loud for gigging, especially in venues where your speaker cabinet is mic’d up and run through the PA.
For playing un-mic’d, anything over 5 watts should be loud enough to cut it while playing with a rock drummer.
Are mini heads inferior to their larger counterparts?
No, mini heads merely serve a different purpose than larger amplifiers.
For example, a mini head will be much better suited for anyone who doesn’t require the clean headroom of a 100-watt amplifier.
Can I use a mini guitar head for bass?
Yes, you can plug your bass into a mini guitar head; however, we suggest that you pair the amplifier with a cabinet that has speakers designed to produce the low frequencies output by baritone instruments.
Alternatively, there is a plethora of mini bass heads offered by manufacturers such as Mark Bass, Peavey, Darkglass, and Gallien Kruger.
